MILF: BTC supports passage of BBL by Congress ‘in its original form’

Posted to the MILF Website (Aug 6): BTC supports passage of BBL by Congress ‘in its original form’



In a Resolution No. 005, Series of 2015, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) has expressed support for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by Congress in its original form and asked for the restoration of at least 28 provisions in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee deleted prior to presenting the draft measure for plenary debates.

In a letter to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. dated July 29, 2015, BTC Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said he is furnishing the House a copy of the commission’s resolution supporting the passage in Congress of the BBL “in its original form.”

“The BTC implores the better judgment of the leadership of both houses of Congress to pass the BBL in its original form and to henceforth act according to the terms of the peace agreements,” the resolution stated.

The resolution stated the BBL was consistent with the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) entered into by the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last year.

“The BTC stands firm that the proposed BBL in its original form is the most appropriate version based on the FAB and CAB, and considering that it is the one that underwent the legitimate process of consultation with the people and engagement with the Office of the President,” it stated.

The House is set to resume next week plenary deliberations on the BBL, which seeks to create a new autonomous region in Mindanao, while Sen. Marcos slated to present to his colleagues at the Senate the substitute bill for the BBL on August 10.

Belmonte said the target was to approve the measure by September or before the chamber gets busy discussing the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Chairman of the House’ Ad hoc Committee said the provisions removed by the ad hoc panel were considered to be unconstitutional.

Among the controversial provisions the BTC wants restored are certain powers supposedly exclusive to the national government; allowing contiguous areas to join the Bangsamoro region upon the petition of 10 percent of its residents; making internal security a concurrent power with the Bangsamoro government; and creating a Bangsamoro Police.

Sitti Amirah Pendatun, a member of the government peace panel legal team reiterated the decommissioning of the arms and forces of the MILF do not need to be included in the BBL.

“We have explained many times before that decommissioning as well as the broader normalization process need not be in the BBL,” said Pendatun.

Pendatun made the statement in reaction to the pronouncements of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that one reason for the delay in the submission of his committee report on the BBL is the difficulty in incorporating provisions on the decommissioning of MILF weapons and combatants.

Pendatun said the primary reason decommissioning and the normalization process are not in the proposed BBL is because the Constitution prohibits the creation of a bill with more than one subject.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/513-btc-supports-passage-of-bbl-by-congress-in-its-original-form

7ID, nagdiwang ng ika-27 taong anibersaryo

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 5): 7ID, nagdiwang ng ika-27 taong anibersaryo

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija -- Ipinagdiwang kamakailan ng Army 7th Infantry Division o 7ID ang ika-27 anibersaryo nito sa pamamagitan ng mga aktibidad na layong maipamalas ang ugnayan ng unipormadong hanay at mga mamamayan.

Sinabi ni Division Commander Major General Glorioso Miranda na kaakibat ng temang “7ID @ 27: Kaugnay Troopers Kaagapay at Kaisa ng Sambayanan sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran,” ay isinagawa ang pagtatanim ng nasa 1,700 punong kahoy sa sitio Pinaltakan, barangay Caballero sa lungsod ng Palayan.

Nagkaroon din ng fun shoot, DRO Squad Challenge, triathlon, battle of the bands at sports fest.

Hindi naman mawawala ang paghahatid ng serbisyo sa mga nangangailangang kababayan gaya ang libreng cataract operation sa pangunguna ng Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital.

Nagsilbing highlight ng pagdiriwang ang pagkilala ng mga natatanging kawani ng dibisyon na pinangunahan ni dating Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff at Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice and Peace Executive Director Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1961438750763/7id-nagdiwang-ng-ika-27-taong-anibersaryo

7ID, kinilala ang mga natatanging tauhan, yunit

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 5): 7ID, kinilala ang mga natatanging tauhan, yunit

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija -- Kinilala kamakailan ng Army 7th Infantry Division o 7ID ang mga natatanging tauhan at yunit nito sa okasyon ng ika-27 anibersaryo.

Pinangunahan ni dating Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff at Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice and Peace Executive Director Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista ang paggawad ng parangal kina Lieutenant Jayrald Ternio bilang Best Officer, Corporal Orlando Duton Jr. bilang Best Enlisted Personnel, Rosalie Tolentino bilang Model Civilian Employee, at Norlito Feralija bilang Best Civilian Armed Auxiliary.

Kinilala rin ang 701st Infantry (Kagitingan) Brigade at ng 56th Infantry (Tatag) Battalion dahil sa pagpapakita ng kabihasaan at kagalingan at maging ang 3rd, 24th, 48th, 56th, 69th, 70th, 71st, 81st, at 84th Infantry Battalion dahil sa patuloy na pagpapahalaga sa isinusulong na Army Transformation Roadmap.

Sinabi ni Division Commander Major General Glorioso Miranda na  maliban sa mga tauhan at yunit nila ay pinarangalan rin ang mga civilian stakeholder na naging katuwang sa maraming serbisyong inilaan para sa mga nasasakupang pamayanan tulad nina Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan Municipal Health Officer Rhodelia Vardeleon at Nueva Ecija Royal Lions Club President Clarence Luther Bulanadi.

Gayundin ay kinilala ang tanggapan ng Davao Oriental Happy Home na nagtatag ng kauna-unahang processing center para umalalay sa pagbabago ng mga sumukong rebelde.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1961438752255/7id-kinilala-ang-mga-natatanging-tauhan-yunit

Zambo Sur to be declared as peaceful, ready for further development province

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 8): Zambo Sur to be declared as peaceful, ready for further development province

The province of Zamboanga del Sur will be declared as a peaceful and ready for further development (PRFD) province on August 12, 9:00am at the Amusement and Events Center, Capitol Complex here.

Governor Antonio H. Cerilles in his letter said the declaration is a manifestation that the peace and order situation of the province has significantly improved and that the peace and order council (POC) and the respective security measures are functioning effectively.

With the declaration, Cerilles said that people have become aware and resilient in accepting their shared responsibility against threats and risks to public order and safety, and the armed threats and rebellion are too weak to influence its citizens and their way of life.

The governor issued Memorandum Circular No. 2, dated July 9, 2015  directing all mayors, municipal local government operations officers, chiefs of police, provincial heads of local government agencies and national government offices, Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club, Inc.,  parish priests, business clubs, people’s organizations and non-government organizations, to attend this momentous event.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371438927743/zambo-sur-to-be-declared-as-peaceful-ready-for-further-development-province

Two banana plantation workers hurt in NPA attack in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 8): Two banana plantation workers hurt in NPA attack in North Cotabato

Police and military have launched manhunt against suspected New Peoples Army (NPA) in North Cotabato believed to be responsible in the attack on a bunk house of banana plantation workers in a remote village of Kidapawan City Friday night.

A report received by the 6th Infantry Division, which is based here, said two banana plantation laborers were seriously wounded when gunmen strafed a makeshift in Barangay Kalasuyan at past midnight.

Capt. Joan Petinglay, speaking for the 6th ID, said a report from the 57th Infantry Battalion showed the victims were identified as Ryman Monteverde Polines, 20, of Purok-7, Barangay Lumbay in Tulunan town and John Rommel Arena Sasi, 24, of Barangay Malibatuan in Arakan, both in North Cotabato.

The victims were past asleep when the suspects, armed with assault rifles strafed the house. After the shooting the suspects fled aboard motorbikes.

Barangay Kalasuyan chairman Fernando Ajero told reporters that responding village watchmen rushed the victims to the hospital. They both sustained multiple gunshot wounds in various parts of the body.

Residents nearby reported that after the victims were rushed to the hospital, the attackers returned and set the house on fire.

The hut is owned by banana plantation owner Pabling Omega who reside in Antipas, North Cotabato but also owns a plantation in Kidapawan City.

Police said the banana plantation operators had been receiving extortion demand from the communist rebels asking for "protection money."

The owner rejected the demand.

Elements of the 57th IB are helping the local police locate the suspects who also reside in the Kidapawan City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=791230

UP journalism student rewrites life to lead rebellion in Panay

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 8):  UP journalism student rewrites life to lead rebellion in Panay




COMMUNIST guerrilla leader Maria Concepcion Araneta-Bocala, aka “Concha,” in the hinterlands of Panay Island while taping an audio-video statement. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MARIA Concepcion “Concha” Araneta wanted to be a journalist, so she took up mass communications at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City, in the late 1960s, but contemplated whether to go into broadcast or print media.

“I thought that kind of work would entail me to go out in the field,” she said.

But like many students then, Araneta saw her life taking a sharp turn amid the turbulent political and economic crisis, and growing authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos. She joined the Samahan ng Demokratikong Kabataan and was among those who went underground and joined the communist New People’s Army (NPA) shortly after Marcos declared martial law on Sept. 21, 1972.She would marry a comrade Pablito Araneta, who would later become a provincial board member, and later, another comrade, Reynaldo Bocala.

Forty-five years later, on Aug. 1, Concha Araneta-Bocala was captured by police and military intelligence agents in a raid on a rented house in Molo District, Iloilo City.

She has been tagged as a top leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and head of the CPP’s Panay regional committee, with a bounty of P7.8 million for her arrest.

Bocala, who will turn 65 on Aug. 26, has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, aside from pending murder and rebellion charges in courts in Antique and Aklan provinces.

Peace talks

She has refuted the accusations and called her arrest illegal, insisting that she is a consultant for the Visayas in the peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF), an umbrella of underground organizations including the CPP and NPA.

The government peace panel has dismissed her claim. As head of the CPP and NPA in Panay, the military says Bocala is responsible for rebel attacks that killed soldiers, policemen and militiamen, as well as destroyed public and private property.

“This is a victory for the people of Panay who desire for a just and lasting peace. The victims of CPP-NPA atrocities are expecting that justice will be served with the arrest of Bocala,” said Col. Eric Uchida, commander of Army’s 301st Brigade, which is responsible for internal security operations in Panay.

To her friends and colleagues, however, Bocala is a revolutionary who left a life of comfort and affluence to fight against what she believes are the ills of society.

NOW BEHIND bars in an Iloilo City jail, Maria Concepcion Araneta-Bocala looks back at her days in school and her role in the guerrilla movement.NESTOR P. BURGOS JR/INQUIRER VISAYAS

Landed clan

The fifth of 10 siblings, Bocala belongs to the landed Araneta clan in Negros Occidental province, which includes Judy Araneta-Roxas, the mother of Interior Secretary and presidential aspirant Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

“She is very intelligent and good-natured, and went to Mass every Sunday,” said a former classmate at the then Assumption Convent in Iloilo City, where the rebel finished her elementary education and graduated valedictorian in high school in 1967.

It was at Assumption where she entertained thoughts of becoming a journalist. She topped the editorial examination for the school publication when she was in third year high school, but the post was given to a senior who had more experience.

“I had no idea what a school publication was, much less how to run one. Besides, I was busy socializing, attending jam sessions then,” Bocala told the Inquirer from her cell at the heavily guarded Molo District police station.

Fourth arrest

Bocala is no stranger to detention. Her arrest was her fourth since 1972. She was first held in Manila on Sept. 16, 1972, five days before martial law was declared and freed on bail after three days.

In 1979, she was arrested in Talisay town in Negros Occidental, a few days after she had given birth. She said she was subjected to sleep and food deprivation despite her condition.

On Sept 10, 1980, a day before the birthday of Marcos, Bocala and seven other political detainees escaped from Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City, by climbing through the ceiling of their stockade.

She rejoined the underground and surfaced in 1986 as one of the leaders of the NDF in Panay during the ceasefire period after the Edsa I People Power revolt that ousted Marcos. She met with then President Corazon “Cory” Aquino at Assumption Iloilo.
After the collapse of the peace talks, Bocala again went underground but was captured in April 1987 while visiting her parents’ house in Jaro District in Iloilo City.

Personal challenge

While in the underground, she said her greatest personal challenge was her separation from her children—one with Araneta and four with Bocala, an alleged regional CPP-NPA leader. “I constantly longed for them and I tried to compensate with letters. If there was an opportunity, I tried to be with them,” she said.

Decades as a rebel staying mostly in the mountains have taken its physical toll on her. Bocala has been taking medicines for hypertension and severe anemia, and has a history of pneumonia. She is also hypoglycemic and suffering from scoliosis, worsened by repeated falls in the mountains.

Retirement is farthest from her mind, however. “Our participation in the revolutionary struggle cannot be measured by just physical contribution but by what you can contribute even when you age,” she said.

She acknowledged that her capture would have a “temporary” impact on the rebel movement. “But nobody is indispensable and there will always be leaders to take over our work. At the same time, I will continue to contribute while I’m detained and if I’m released,” she said.



MARIA Concepcion Araneta-Bocala receives first honor award during her high school graduation at Assumption Iloilo in 1967. PHOTO from Assumption Iloilo yearbook Tidings

Flatfooted guerrilla

Former UP faculty regent Judy Taguiwalo, a political detainee during the Marcos dictatorship, recalled the first time she and Bocala went up the Madya-as mountain ranges in Panay in the early 1970s.

“An old farmer observed (that Bocala) was flatfooted and told her she would not be able to last as a guerrilla. She, of course, proved him wrong!” Taguiwalo said.

 “Definitely, Concha has walked the path of armed revolution with courage and with boundless love for the people she pledged to serve,” she added.

Bocala has no regrets on the path she has taken. “I’m very much into mass communications,” she said. She then smiled at this reporter.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/711263/up-journalism-student-rewrites-life-to-lead-rebellion-in-panay

Duterte asks Joma to abandon armed struggle

From the Manila Times (Aug 8): Duterte asks Joma to abandon armed struggle

PRESIDENTIAL prospect and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night asked communist leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison to abandon the “armed struggle” waged by the New People’s Army (NPA) for over 40 years now and participate in democratic processes to achieve change in the country.

The mayor, one of the probable presidential candidates in next year’s elections, made the appeal to the self-exiled communist leader during an overseas call made by Sison to Duterte.

The communist leader has been living and working for many years in The Netherlands. Duterte took Sison’s call while he was in the middle of a dinner with top Armed Forces officers who have just been assigned to the Davao region.

“Armed struggle as a means to achieve change is passé in the modern world we are living in today,” the mayor said.

“Over 40 years of armed struggle and thousands of lives lost is too much to bear,” added the 70-year-old local executive who is known to have a direct communication line with rebel groups and has facilitated the release of government men held captive by communist rebels.

“In the modern world we live in today, you would look ridiculous carrying guns and hope to effect change in society through violence,” Duterte said.

“The armed struggle is simply misplaced idealism,” he added.

According to him, the  self-exiled leader of the National Democratic Front, the umbrella organization of the Left in the Philippines, called him  to ask if the Davao City mayor would find time to travel to Europe before the elections of 2016.

“He said he would like to talk to me and ask me about my plans for 2016,” Duterte told the military officers about his conversation with Sison.

He said he also told Sison that he had no travel plans to Europe and that the presidency was not being considered because of the difficult situation in the country today.

“The presidency is not an easy job. You have the secessionists in  southern Philippines and you have the NPA  all over the country,” Duterte noted.

“[But if the rebels say they are] willing [to] give up armed struggle under my watch, I might consider,” he said.

Duterte, who admits publicly that he is ideologically Left-leaning, also told the Army generals and colonels who shared a dinner table with him in a Davao City restaurant on Wednesday night that the country should unite and address external problems.

The mayor was obviously referring to China’s annexation of atolls and islets in the Kalayaan Island Group in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and the still unresolved Sabah issue with Malaysia.

Duterte’s call on the communists to give up their armed struggle and participate in the democratic processes to achieve change was received positively by the military officers, many of whom have seen action against the communists.

Many of them have also lost foot soldiers and even young officers in the 40-year communist insurgency, which is considered the “longest communist revolution” in the world.

“I believe that they [the NPA rebels] are fighting for a cause but armed struggle is not the way,” Duterte said.

Sison  previously issued a statement that Duterte is a presidential prospect who is more acceptable to the Left because he has an “open mind” on the issues behind their struggle.

 The mayor is known to have open lines with the NPA, enabling  him to secure the release of soldiers and policemen who were captured and held captive by the rebels.

http://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-asks-joma-to-abandon-armed-struggle/207469/

My Way is the Right Way: China Stands its Ground in South China Sea Dispute

From Sputnik International (Aug 7): My Way is the Right Way: China Stands its Ground in South China Sea Dispute

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejected the claims of the Philippines, Japan and the United States regarding the issue of the South China Sea, Xinhua reported.

"First of all, the general situation in the South China Sea is stable, and the possibility of a major conflict simply doesn't exist. Therefore, China is against any unconstructive words and deeds that exaggerate differences and stand-off, and create tensions. They don't comply with facts at all," Wang said, speaking at the ASEAN Regional Forum, as cited by Xinhua.

 

The South China Sea dispute concerns the fate of the Spratly Islands, a group of more than 750 islands and reefs. China has been constructing artificial islands on its coral reefs over the past few months; some feature defense facilities. China, along with the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam, claim various parts of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The disputed territories potentially hold large reserves of oil and gas.

The Chinese government has repeatedly stated that it has every right to construct whatever it wants within its own territory, and stressed that the islands will only be used for humanitarian purposes.

This has been worrying China's neighbors, who also have their own territorial claims within the South China Sea.

On Thursday, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and US Secretary of State John Kerry held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN forum. Amusingly, neither Washington nor Tokyo have territorial claims in the South China Sea. Despite this, the United States keeps provoking China by constantly holding joint military drills with its Asian allies in the region. Understandably, this irritates the Chinese government.

When it comes to making China mad, Japan isn't lagging far behind the United States. Earlier this week, it was reported that Japan is considering the idea of sending reconnaissance aircraft to the Philippines, so it could conduct regular patrols over the South China Sea.

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20150807/1025513385.html

DFA: PHL, Japan see South China Sea issue ‘the same way’

From GMA News (Aug 7): DFA: PHL, Japan see South China Sea issue ‘the same way’

The Philippines and Japan share the same views on the developments concerning South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday after China accused the two countries of joining forces regarding the disputed area.

 

In a text message to GMA News Online, DFA spokesman Charles Jose said: "Philippines and Japan see what's happening in the South China Sea the same way and openly speak about them."

 

A Reuters report earlier said China's Foreign Ministry issued the statement early Friday, saying Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario "attacked" China's South China Sea policy, and received support from his Japanese counterpart.
 

Meanwhile, a separate Reuters report on Thursday quoted sources as saying Japan may give planes to the Philippines that could be used for patrolling over the South China Sea. 

PHL 'spoke strongly' at ASEAN meetings

 

Meanwhile, Jose said the Philippines has been taking a firm stand against reclamation work over the South China Sea (parts of which the Philippines refers to as West Philippine Sea) during meetings with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

"[The Philippines] spoke strongly at the ASEAN meetings versus land reclamation in South China Sea," he said.

 

The Philippines took part in the meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers and secretaries, where concern over China's massive reclamation work was largely discussed.

 

In its joint statement issued "only at the eleventh hour," ASEAN's foreign ministers were said to have taken "note of serious concerns... on the land reclamations... which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace" in the waterway.
 

A report on The Strait Times said this "falls short of calls by the Philippines for all claimants to adopt the US' proposal for 'three halts' -- of reclamation, construction, and militarization, of land features in the sea." 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/532045/news/nation/dfa-phl-japan-see-south-china-sea-issue-the-same-way

PHL disputes claim China not restricting freedom of navigation

From GMA News (Aug 8): PHL disputes claim China not restricting freedom of navigation

Malacañang on Saturday belied China's claim that it was not impeding freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea.

 

In an interview on state-run dzRB radio, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said China's claim contradicts its actions in the disputed waters.

 

"Malinaw naman po ‘yung nasasaksihan ng daigdig na doon sa kanilang pagsasagawa ng reclamation ay inumpisahan na o kung hindi man naumpisahan ay pinaghahandaang umpisahan ang iba pang mga construction activities at ang mga aksyon na katulad ng ating tinukoy, kasama na rin ‘yung kanilang mga pahayag hinggil sa sitwasyon sa rehiyon," he said.

 

Coloma said China's reclamation and construction activities in disputed waters raises tension in the area.

 

"Kaya nga ang panawagan natin sa kanila na binanggit ni [Foreign Affairs] Secretary Albert del Rosario ay itigil ‘yung tatlong bagay: una, ‘yung reklamasyon; pangalawa, ‘yung construction project; at ikatlo, ‘yung pag-escalate ng tensyon sa ating rehiyon," he said.

 

"Dapat po ay maging komprehensibo ‘yung aksyon at ang panawagan na ‘yan na ating ipinahayag ay ‘yan po ang umaani ng suporta dahil nakikita naman na ito ay makatuwiran ng mga bansang naniniwala sa rule of law," he added.

 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have assured the East Asia Summit on Thursday that Beijing was not impeding freedom of navigation in the contested waterway.

 

The Chinese Foreign Minister also said Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario "attacked" China's South China Sea policy, when he outlined in detail a legal case that Manila filed against Beijing at an international court in The Hague.

 

In his statement before the Permanent Court of Arbitration on July 7, Del Rosario said China had "irreversibly" damaged the regional marine environment through its "destructive and hazardous fishing practices and by its harvesting of endangered species."

 

The Philippine official's statement has received support from his Japanese counterpart, which resulted to Wang's accusing Japan and the Philippines of joining forces against China.

 

Coloma said Japan and the Philippines have long been strategic partners.

 

"Mayroon po tayong kasunduan sa kanila sa larangan ng kabuhayan, sa larangan ng seguridad, at sila po ay strategic partner nga po ng ating bansa," he said.

 

"Noong nakaraang pagdaos ng state visit ni Pangulong Aquino sa Japan ay muli silang nagpulong ni Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upang talakayin kung paano pa higit na patatatagin ang ating pagiging strategic partner sa bansang Japan, at kasama po doon ‘yung mahalagang pagtataguyod na manatiling bukas at mapayapa ang mga karagatan, kabilang na ‘yung South China Sea o West Philippine Sea," he added.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/532145/news/nation/phl-disputes-claim-china-not-restricting-freedom-of-navigation

2 troopers killed, 4 wounded in Basilan, Albay encounters

From the Daily Tribune (Aug 8): 2 troopers killed, 4 wounded in Basilan, Albay encounters

Two soldiers from the 64th Infantry Battalion were killed after a suspected Abu Sayaf Group (ASG) detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) on government troopers conducting routine patrols in Basilan yesterday afternoon.

Ensign Chester Ramos, Joint Task Group Zambasulta (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi) spokesperson, said the incident took place at 1 p.m. at the boundaries of Lagayas, Tipo-Tipo, Cabangalan and Unkaya Pukan towns, Basilan.

He said that the soldiers were conducting routine security patrols when suspected ASG members detonated an IED, spraying the patrolling troopers with shrapnel and killing two in the process.

Government troops are still conducting pursuit operation as of this posting.

In Albay, four troopers from the 2nd Infantry Battalion were wounded during an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) bandits which was preceded by an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Barangay Rawis, Pioduran town yesterday morning.

The incident took place at 5:45 a.m., 9th Infantry Division public affairs office chief Capt. Mardjorie Painesa said.

She added that the soldiers were conducting routine security operations when they spotted an enemy outpost manned by five rebels.

At this point, the NPAs detonated an IED which wounded four soldiers.

This resulted in a one-minute firefight which ended with the rebels retreating towards the direction of Barangay Mamlad, Jovellar.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing as of this posting. 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/2-troopers-killed-4-wounded-in-basilan-albay-encounters

'PH lost Panatag Shoal to Chinese not once but twice'

From the Philippine Star posted to ABS-CBN (Aug 8): 'PH lost Panatag Shoal to Chinese not once but twice'

Long before the Chinese grabbed Panatag Shoal (Scarborough) in 2012, the Philippines had already relaxed its hold on the territory with its removal in the 1990s of a grounded warship – reportedly at Beijing’s bidding.

“We had an old warship already grounded on that shoal in the middle of 1990s as symbol of our territorial integrity and maritime sovereignty over the area,” one security official said.

The ship was positioned in the area almost at the same time the BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded on Ayungin Shoal for the same purpose.

The official, who declined to be named, said Beijing prevailed upon the Philippine government to remove the grounded Philippine Navy’s Landing Tank Ship-504 (LST-504) from the shoal.

“We have not lost Panatag Shoal not only once but twice to China. First, we lost it when the government agreed to remove our grounded ship from the area, and second time that we lost it was when we agreed to pull out our ships from shoal during a standoff in April 2012,” another security official said.

The Chinese established permanent presence at Panatag after preventing Filipino naval personnel from arresting Chinese poachers in the area.

Located 120 nautical miles from the mainland Zambales, Panatag Shoal has been a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos for a long time.

The area is converging point of fishermen from other countries like Vietnam, Taiwan and those from mainland China.

China is now demanding the removal of BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin. Beijing has been aggressively staking its claim to almost the entire South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. It has recently completed building artificial islands over shoals and reefs in disputed waters.

The BRP Sierra Madre is manned on rotation basis by a handful of Marines. Vessels delivering supplies and provisions to the detachment usually engage Chinese vessels in cat and mouse chase.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/08/15/ph-lost-panatag-shoal-chinese-not-once-twice

2 soldiers killed in Basilan blast

From ABS-CBN (Aug 7): 2 soldiers killed in Basilan blast

BASILAN (UPDATED) -- Two soldiers of the 64th Infantry Battalion were killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at the boundary of Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan in Basilan around 1 p.m. Friday.

According to First Lieutenant Christine Prima of the 104th Brigade, the two soldiers were directly hit by bomb shrapnel, as they were closest to where it was planted.

They were immediately brought to the hospital for treatment, but both did not survive.

Prima said the area where the bomb was planted is a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan.

Last June 23, a similar incident also happened in Sumisip municipality in Basilan.

Two soldiers of 64th Infantry Battalion were killed after a land mine went off in Barangay Sapah Bulak.

The Joint Task Force Zambasulta (Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi) said the ASG in Basilan has been conducting continuous training on bomb making, with the support of some foreign bomb experts.

In May this year, a bomb factory was discovered in Mohammad Ajul town, where several bomb components and materials were recovered.

A Malaysia-based terrorist, identified as Moho Najib bin Husen was sighted in the area and has been allegedly helping the ASG in bomb making.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/08/07/15/2-soldiers-injured-basilan-blast

Video: US Navy ship docks in La Union for disaster preparedness training

From ANC/ABS-CBN (Aug 8): Video: US Navy ship docks in La Union for disaster preparedness training

[Video report: USNS Millinocket trains locals on first response during disasters]

A US Navy vessel has docked in San Fernando City, La Union with a mission to train local officials on disaster preparedness.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/08/08/15/us-navy-ship-docks-la-union-disaster-preparedness-training

Army soldier killed as fresh fighting erupts anew in Bukidnon

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7): Army soldier killed as fresh fighting erupts anew in Bukidnon

A government soldier died as fresh fighting between communist guerillas erupted anew in the outskirts of Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, a military report said Friday.

Capt. Norman Tagros, spokesperson of the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion, said that two separate armed encounters occurred in the outskirts of Malaybalay City on Wednesday morning and in the afternoon.

Tagros identified the lone fatality as Private First Class Randy G. Hulleza of the Army’s 8IB based here.

He said that the military deployed a combat team to the outskirts of the village of Lupok-lupok in Indalasa, Malaybalay, after residents complained of alleged extortion by armed groups in the area.

Tagros said the government troops could not determine if the communist rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA) suffered casualties in the two separate encounters.

He said that the combat operatives have reported of bloodstains along the withdrawal routes of the NPA rebels but failed to recover bodies.

According to Tagros, aside from responding to complaints about the presence of large armed communist groups in the area, the military also conducts regular combat patrols.

The combat patrols are necessary to preempt possible attacks by the NPA rebels on government installations and military outposts in Bukidnon, he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=791033