BIFF leader arrested in North Cotabato - AFP source

From InterAksyon (Nov 13): BIFF leader arrested in North Cotabato - AFP source



File photo of weapons seized by the military from the BIFF. Late Wednesday, a military checkpoint caught up with a man long wanted for the 2003 twin bombings of the Sasa wharf and Davao international airport, a member of he BIFF.

The top leader of the Special Operations Group (SOG)  of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was arrested Wednesday at a military checkpoint in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.

A reliable Mindanao-based military source, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to speak on the matter, identified the arrested terror suspect as Abdul Manap Mentang.

Mentang, a former member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has a P2.3 million bounty for his capture. The BIFF is a faction of the MILF.

According to military and police records, Mentang was a suspect in the twin bombings at the 2003 Sasa wharf and International Airport in Davao City that killed several persons and wounded scores of people.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/120110/biff-leader-arrested-in-north-cotabato---afp-source

Military identifies Abu Sayyaf captors of Samal hostages

From the Philippine Star (Nov 12): Military identifies Abu Sayyaf captors of Samal hostages



A still image captured from video footage of the kidnappers and their victims is shown in this SITE Intelligence Group video made available to Reuters on Tuesday. The victims have appealed to the Philippine government to stop military operations against the bandits, and Canada to negotiate for their freedom.

Government troops have identified some of the Abu Sayyaf members holding captive three foreigners and a Filipina, according to official.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, outgoing Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander, told the press the identities of the Abu Sayyaf members based on the verification conducted on the previous videos and documents gathered.

“These are Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf group members,” Guerrero told the press.

The Abu Sayyaf militants, in the 87-second video uploaded online, showed Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Filipino Marites Flor and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad.
.
The armed men in black garb ordered their captive foreigners to make the appeal and issue the P1 billion ransom for each of them. One of the gunmen even held a machete above Ridsdel, threatening that hostages would be killed if their demand was not met.

Guerrero said some of the gunmen were also involved in previous kidnapping incidents, including that of German couple in Palawan in April last year. German couple Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen were freed following reported payment of P250-million ransom on Oct. 17, 2014.

The military official said they could not confirm yet whether the victims are being held in Sulu and declined to comment on the reported ransom and negotiations.

Guerrero said relentless operations will continue until they have rescued the remaining hostages.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/11/12/1521136/military-identifies-abu-sayyaf-captors-samal-hostages

1 killed, 1 hurt in separate attacks in Central Mindanao

From the Philippine Star (Nov 12): 1 killed, 1 hurt in separate attacks in Central Mindanao

A Muslim cleric was killed while a four-year-old girl was hurt in a grenade explosion in separate incidents Wednesday in Central Mindanao.

Imam Abdulkadir Sumael, 40, of Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat, was walking along a busy thoroughfare in Purok Islam in Cotabato City when a man casually approached, drew a pistol from the waist and opened fire.

Sumael died on the spot from gunshot wounds he sustained in the attack.

Responding policemen recovered from the scene spent shells of .45 caliber pistol.

The suspect hurriedly left after sensing that the shots he fired triggered a commotion.

The incident was preceded by a grenade blast in Kabacan town in North Cotabato which injured a pre-school girl.

The fragmentation grenade went off near a roadside Army detachment while a passenger vehicle carrying the child and her parents was passing by.

Superintendent Bernardo Tayong, spokesman of the North Cotabato provincial police, said members of the Kabacan municipal police are still investigating on the bombing incident.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/11/12/1521138/1-killed-1-hurt-separate-attacks-central-mindanao

Dec. 16 deadline might pass with no BBL passed but Deles says “we’re not giving up”

From MindaNews (Nov 12): Dec. 16 deadline might pass with no BBL passed but Deles says “we’re not giving up”

The December 16 deadline set by the leadership of the House of Representatives and Senate to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will likely pass with no BBL passed as session days are getting fewer and Congress’ attention is now focused on passing the 2016 national budget and the SSL or the Salary Standardization Law.

Beyond December 16, Congress goes on break and will return next year for only eight session days from January 19 to February 5, and go on break again for the elections, from February 6 to May 22. The Aquino administration bows out of office on June 30, 2016.



At the House of Representatives, the period of interpellation on the Bangsamoro Basic Law has not resumed as there was no quorum on November 3, 4, 9 and 10 and the representatives tackled the Salary Standardization Law on November 11.   MindaNews file photo by Toto Lozano

Since sessions resumed on November 3, only one session was devoted to the BBL, with Senator Juan Ponce Enrile interpellating on November 4 and manifesting he would continue in the next sessions while in the House, the period of interpellation, suspended on September 23, has not resumed due to lack of quorum on November 3, 4, 9 and 10, The session on the 11^th was spent on SSL.

There will be no session next week due to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Legislators will return on November 23 with the Senate focusing on the 2016 budget and the House resuming deliberations on the SSL.

“No Plan B”

Asked to comment on the developments in Congress and what options or next steps the government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would take given the possibility that the BBL may not be passed by December 16, Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, told MindaNews in a text message: “No Plan B. We’re not giving up. On the peace table are miracles waiting to happen.”

 

But Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) that drafted the BBL, is not as optimistic. He told MindaNews, “Optimism has been shelved many months ago; only the ember of hope does not die until the last minute. Let the time pass and continue to engage especially the friends of the peace process, both domestic and international.

The passage of the BBL would have paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro, the new autonomous political entity that would replace the 25-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Its passage would also have allowed for the normalization process to move on as ratification of the BBL would mean decommissioning of 30% of MILF forces and weapons and, among others on the part of government, identification of the priorities for redeployment of the military as well as the “start of deactivation of civilian armed auxiliaries.”

“Not acceptable”

The bills under interpellation – HB 5811 and SB 2894 , both titled “Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region” – are the substitute bills to the draft BBL that the BTC, the 15-member GPH-MILF body tasked to draft the BBL, submitted to Congress on September 10, 2014, after vetting by the Office of the President.

 

The MILF has said the substitute bills have changed the autonomy framework and the future Bangsamoro will be less autonomous than the ARMM that it seeks to replace.



Thousands join the march towards the House of Representative from the Saint Peter Parish Church in Quezon City to  urge representatives to pass the  Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on May 11, 2015. MindaNews photo by Erwin Mascariñas

Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, MILF peace panel member, said “it will give a big push to passage of an acceptable version of the BBL if the President can talk to the members of both houses.”

In both houses, the period of interpellation is not over. After interpellation, the bills will go though a period of amendments as well as a bicameral conference.

An “acceptable version” is expected to comply with both the 1987 Constitution and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Guiamel Alim, a member of the Council of Elders of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, said: “I am not entertaining anymore any BBL (acceptable or otherwise). It is now proper to talk about a post-no BBL scenario.”

Several Moro leaders say it is time for the parties to look at all possibilities, including that strong possibility that there won’t be any BBL under the Aquino administration.

This is important, they said, “so that there can be contingency plans and a mutually agreed alternative or new roadmap and also a transition plan towards the incoming administration.”

Under the GPH-MILF roadmap to peace, the Bangsamoro law should have been passed much earlier and ratified in a plebiscite, to allow for at least a year of transition in preparation for the election, supposedly on May 9, 2016 of the first set of officials of the Bangsamoro, the political entity that is supposed to be inaugurated on June 30, 2016.

Priority measures

On November 11, the Senate adjourned at 4:51 p.m. with no discussion on the BBL. When it resumes sessions on November 23, it will entertain no other matter but the 2016 budget until it is approved and passed on to the bicameral conference.

Beginning November 23, the House has only a maximum of 11 session days to December 16 but the SSL is likely the priority. In the Senate, there are a maximum of eight days from December 1, assuming that the budget shall have been approved by then, with SSL as priority.

Senate President Franklin Drilon on November 10 told Senate reporters that the SSL is “something we owe to our government workers to have it passed before the year is over.”

He said P50.7 billion has been allocated in the 2016 national budget for the salary increases but this cannot be implemented unless the SSL is passed. He said the bill would be “certified as urgent (by the President) once we have it on the floor.

The BBL is supposed to be a priority measure as well.

As agreed upon under the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in October 2012, the draft BBL that the BTC would submit to Congress is supposed to be certified urgent by the President. The draft BBL was submitted on September 10, 2014 but no certification of urgency has been issued since.

No quorum

Sister Arnold Maria Noel of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and Balay Rehabilitation Center, who has been monitoring the BBL proceedings at the House of Representatives since June said sessions adjourned before 6 p.m. on November 3 and 4 for lack of quorum.

The House has 291 members with 146 members constituting a quorum.

On November 9, she said, “session started at 4 p.m. with only nine legislators. It was suspended at 4:02 p.m., resumed at 5:35 p.m., adjourned at 5:42 p.m. No quorum. BBL was not touched. At the time of adjournment, there were around 40 legislators.”

On November 10, “the session started at 4 p.m., suspended at 4:02 p.m. resumed at 5:09 p.m. followed by a privilege hour till 5:50 p.m. and adjourned at 5:51 p.m.”

Marcos: “we don’t know”

At the Kapihan sa Senado on November 5, Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, could not say if the Bangsamoro law would be passed soon.



Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government.  MindaNews file photo by Toto Lozano

“It’s very, very difficult to try and anticipate or try and guess, really it would only be a guess, how long it would take and if it will finish before (the end of) this administration.”

“It’s very hard to say. We don’t know. For example, the budget usually natatapos iyan (is finished) in two weeks. But this is the election budget so kailangan talagang pag-aralan ng mabuti at saka kailangan tingnan ng mabuti (there is a need to examine this thoroughly). So, baka tumagal (it might take) more than two weeks. I do not know how long Senator Enrile’s interpellation will take. I do not know how long Senator Miriam’s will take. I do not know how long the last part of Senator Sotto’s interpellation is going to take and if there are any other Senators that would want to interpellate after that. Tapos iyung period of amendments. Again, if there are major amendments being proposed, kailangan pagdebatihan iyan (these should be debated upon). Again, I do not know how long it will take,” Marcos said.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2015/11/12/dec-16-deadline-might-pass-with-no-bbl-passed-but-deles-says-were-not-giving-up/

Bishops urge Philippine soldiers, rebels to leave indigenous people’s area

Gulf News-Philippines (Nov 11): Bishops urge Philippine soldiers, rebels to leave indigenous people’s area

In recent months, there has been a rash of Lumad killings and involuntary displacements

Two senior Philippine priests have urged both communist guerrillas and the military to leave the areas they occupy inside indigenous peoples territories.

In recent months, there has been a rash of killings and involuntary displacements of the Lumad people.

Archbishops Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila and Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato said these areas should be declared as “zones of peace”.

“What happened to our indigenous brothers and sisters in Mindanao is sad and worrisome … Some of them have been killed. Many were forced to flee and abandon their homes and ancestral lands,” Tagle said in an appeal to New Peoples Army (NPA) guerrillas and government soldiers to abandon the areas they occupy so that there would be peace.

Tagle read the statement on Wednesday at the Liwasang (Plaza) Bonifacio in Manila, where a group of Lumads or indigenous peoples from Mindanao, had been camping out for several days to draw action from authorities on their plight.

The killings involved Lumads from different tribal and political loyalties who had been used by both the NPA and the military for their own purposes.

With limited education and steeped in poverty, Lumads are being easily recruited into military-backed militias and the NPA.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacieda recently said at least three in every five NPAs come from the Lumad community.

“We also appeal to the military and the National Democratic Front (the umbrella organisation were the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines are part of) to make these indigenous communities as peace zones,” Tagle said.

Tagle’s appeal follows up from that made by Cotabato Cardinal Orlando Quevedo last week.

“When the NPA go to their communities, they either recruit or train and so forth. And the military goes in to prevent NPA of doing that, so the Lumads are caught in the crossfire of this ideological conflict,” Quevedo said.

Quevedo called on the Lumads to also discern their situation for themselves.

“I hope that our Lumads will realise that they have to discern for themselves … that they have to look at their situation and to find out who is taking advantage of them,” he said.

Tagle said it is important that justice would prevail and all those behind the killings will be prosecuted.

He said both sides should sort out the situation and find a solution to a problem that are resulting to the loss of lives of lumads.

Earlier, in September, the justice department said it will conduct an in depth investigation into abuses committed against lumads in a bid to stop the transgressions.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the government “views with deep concern acts of aggression perpetrated against the Lumads of Eastern and Northern Mindanao.”

http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/bishops-urge-philippine-soldiers-rebels-to-leave-indigenous-people-s-area-1.1618017

Militant leaders face charges for 'attack on cops' during SONA

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): Militant leaders face charges for 'attack on cops' during SONA

One of those charged says the case is 'fabricated and without basis,' and will not deter militant groups from staging mass protests against APEC



SONA RALLY. Filipino anti-riot policemen use water cannons to disperse protestors attempting to reach the Philippine Congress in Quezon City on July 27, 2015. File photo by Czeasar Dancel/Rappler

Militant leaders face criminal raps for allegedly detaining and beating up two police personnel during President Benigno Aquino III’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, the Philippine National Police said on Thursday, November 12.
The PNP said in a press statement that the Quezon City Prosecutor’s office is conducting a preliminary investigation to determine probable cause against the following leaders of Kilusang Magbubukid ng PIlipinas (KMP), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Gabriela, Anakbayan, and Courage:

• KMP Secretary-General Antonio Flores
• Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes
• Gabriela Secretary-General Arjie Manalo
• Mark Adrian Ng, Bayan
• Hermie Marasigan, Bayan
• Perla Ipong, Bayan
• Anakbayan Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo
• Courage National President Ferdinand Gaite

Chief Inspector Antonio Ananayo Jr, and Police Officer 1 Reden Malagonio, both from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), filed cases against the 8 for allegedly detaining and injuring them on July 27, 2015.

Ananayo and Malagonio alleged that members of the militant groups “snatched” them while protests were held along Commonwealth Avenue. A Quezon City police probe showed that the two were “held captive against their will and shoved aboard a passenger jeepney where they were mauled and robbed of their personal belongings.”

The PNP said Ananayo “sustained life-threatening severe internal head injuries that required surgery to remove blood clots that developed in his brain.” The two police officers “also suffered multiple bruises, and abrasions in different parts of the body,” it added.
The PNP said the 8 are being charged for the following:

• Violating Batas Pambansa 880 (Public Assembly Act of 1985)
• Serious illegal detention
• Assault upon an agent of person in authority
• Robbery

Crisostomo, one of the 8 being charged, insisted that the “cases are baseless, they are fabricated and without basis.”

In a statement also released on Thursday, Crisostomo referred to the case as “this harassment done by the Aquino government as part of the attempts to sabotage mass protests set next week against APEC and imperialist globalization.”

“This attack on democratic rights will not deter us from holding our nationwide campus walkout against tuition hikes and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) tomorrow, and next week in a youth camp against imperialist globalization and terror,” he added.

Security for the APEC Leader’s Summit next week will be tight, as 20 world leaders fly into the country to attend the high-level meeting. In a press briefing on Wednesday, November 11, government officials reiterated the country’s “no permit, no rally” rule. (READ: Chinese officials' concern: Anti-China protests during APEC)

Protesters will not be allowed in the vicinity of the APEC venues, routes, and the hotels of the world leaders visiting the country. Police will also be beefing up security at embassies to avoid lighting rallies.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/112544-sona-2015-pnp-protest-charge

Army men find NPA camp after clash in Albay town

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): Army men find NPA camp after clash in Albay town

Philippine Army soldiers discovered a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel camp after an encounter in a remote village of Oas town in Albay on Tuesday afternoon, an officer of the Philippine Army (PA) 9thInfantry Division (9ID) said Thursday.

Army Capt. Mardjorie Panesa, 9ID spokesperson, said Army troopers led by 1Lt Dennis Monta discovered the rebel camp following a 20-minute firefight with a nine-man NPA group led by Diomedes Apimado alias Ka Delio.

Panesa said Army soldiers on patrol encountered the communist insurgents at about 2:10 p.m. in Barangay Moronponros, a hinterland village in Oas town.

The communist rebels were caught by surprise and fled, leaving behind an M16 assault rifle, M653 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, documents and personal belongings.

Panesa said no casualties were reported from the government troops while blood stains were sighted along the route where the communist rebels fled.

While scouring the area for the fleeing rebels, Army soldiers chanced upon the rebel camp, covering 500 square meters, situated between steep slopes and a nearby creek leading to a river line.

At the camp, soldiers found a concealed bleacher-type Anahaw hut with L-shaped bench enough to accommodate 20 persons, and a small bedroom, Panesa said.

During the pursuit operation, the soldiers met two persons at the vicinity, who soldiers suspected to be rebels. The suspects were identified as Socrates Rempillo, 52, and Ronnie Rempillo, 35.

Upon learning that the two were farmers and residents of the town, the government troopers turned them over to the local government of Oas to undergo stress debriefing and notification of their immediate family members.

Meanwhile, in Barangay Maramba of the same town, one William Radan, 50, chairman of the Barangay Power Association, was gunned down on Tuesday night by unidentified assailants, Police Senior Insp. Malu Calubaquib, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol spokesperson, said Thursday.

Calubaquib said the victim dropped dead at the basketball court, with his body sustaining several bullet wounds.

Police investigators are still determining the motive of the killing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826153

AFP, CPLA ink completion of military integration

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): AFP, CPLA ink completion of military integration

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) through the Cordillera Bodong Association have signed the completion agreement on military integration.

The signing of the completion of military integration was conducted on November 9, 2015 at Camp Melchor dela Cruz, Gamu, Isabela between 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army commander Maj. Gen. Lysander Suerte and Cordillera Bodong Association President Marcelina Bahatan.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Deles witnessed the signing ceremony together with army, police and local chief executives from Cordillera.

The signing ceremony marks the completion of the integration component of Executive Order 49 of the 1986 Peace Accord between the Government of the Philippines and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA).

E.O 49 mandated the cooperation of all concerned government agencies in the implementation of the 2011 Memorandum of Agreement/Closure Agreement.

By virtue of E.O 49, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are tasked to wind down programs under Administrative Order No. 18, series of 2011, including the army integration and livelihood programs for the CPLA.

With the military integration component, at least 1, 564 CPLAs are now members of the Philippine Army composed of 15 army officers, 661 enlisted personnel and 888 Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826249

NGCP seeks military assistance to secure transmission towers

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): NGCP seeks military assistance to secure transmission towers

Officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) are seeking the assistance of the military to secure dozens of transmission towers in Mindanao.

Elizabeth Ladaga, NGCP’s corporate communication head, said on Thursday that unidentified culprits tried to topple down another transmission tower in Patani, Marawi City, in Lanao Del Sur last Tuesday.

According to Ladaga, the incident caused power interruptions in some parts of Mindanao, which was restored in the afternoon of Nov. 9, after NGCP implemented temporary measures to transmit power produced by Agus 1 and Agus 2 hydropower plants to the rest of Mindanao.

She said that the incident took place eight days after three NGCP towers were filled with explosives in the same area.

While the explosion did not topple the tower, the damaged it sustained caused it to lean, putting the transmission facility in a more critical condition, Ladaga said.

She said that the NGCP has issued a public appeal to help monitor the safety of the towers so that transmission services remain uninterrupted.

Sometimes the restoration of transmission services to affected areas were likewise hampered by uncooperative landowners who are preventing NGCP from conducting much needed vegetation clearing activity, she said.

The NGCP has also repeatedly appealed to the government and the Philippine Army for assistance in resolving the escalation of security problem and right-of-way issues in Mindanao.

Ladaga said that elements of the Philippine Armed Forces are currently assisting NGCP in entering the properties of the uncooperative landowners to expedite restoration.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826312

Army general underscores role of gov’t IOs in bringing ‘good news’ to the people

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): Army general underscores role of gov’t IOs in bringing ‘good news’ to the people

A top commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Northern Mindanao urged government communicators to highlight states' efforts by informing them the results of their respective programs and projects.

Speaking at the 13th Mindanao Communicators’ Congress held at Pryce Plaza Hotel, Major General Oscar Lactao, commander of the 4th Infantry Division said there are plenty of accomplishments done by the Aquino Administration that must be highlighted vis-à-vis the bad news in the mainstream media.

He cited completion of infrastructure projects such as school buildings and road projects, increasing number of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and more hospitals made operational from the budget of the Department of Health increases.

“These things need to be relayed to the people because government projects are not very much highlighted to them through information,” Lactao said.

He revealed that the effort now of the government forces in his area of responsibility is to reach out to the indigenous peoples by bringing in the government services to them.

Lactao said the IPs are often very far, isolated and easily exploited by the armed groups.

He also bared that two out of three rebels nowadays are members of the indigenous communities.

“The rebels are exploiting the situation of the IPs being far and isolated, and very vulnerable from agitation and recruitment,” Lactao said.

He said this situation prompts the military to make its internal security operation IP-centered by bringing in the government services to the indigenous communities where the soldiers provide security to working government personnel.

Lactao said the government must connect with the IPs so that they will not be enticed to bear firearms and to fight authorities.

On the killings of three IPs in Lianga, Surigao del sur, he said that the security sector has already identified and filed cases against three perpetrators identified as Margarito Layno, Bobby and Loloy Tejero.

“Warrants of arrest were issued and these persons are being pursued by the Task Force Bangkaw headed by the police to bring them to justice. We urge them to surrender to prevent violence in the time of their arrest,” Lactao said.

He said that the perpetrators had been with the rebel movement for ten years before they turned their backs against their former comrades.

The perpetrators were implicated in the killings of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development or ALCADEV director Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, chairman of the Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang Sa Sumusunod or MAPASU, and his cousin Bello Sinzo in Lianga, Surigao del Sur in September this year.

Lactao stressed that these suspects are not members of the military.

“They are more akin to the rebels. They simply left the rebel movement and currently fight each other,” he said.

Lactao said that aside from the lumad killings in Lianga, a total of 357 lumad killings have been attributed to the rebels including the murder of Loreto Mayor Latasa and his son and two other datus.

He called on the progressive organizations to also give attention to the IPs killed by the rebels, especially the noncombatants and the voiceless. “You ought to give balance information,” Lactao said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826332

PHL, Indon police nab suspected hijacker of Indonesian chemical tanker

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): PHL, Indon police nab suspected hijacker of Indonesian chemical tanker

Combined elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) 11 and the Indonesian National Police (INP) of Sulawesi busted one of Indonesia’s most wanted man in Sto. Niño Community, Km. 12, Sasa in the city on Wednesday.

Regional Police Office spokesperson Supt. Antonio Rivera said the joint police teams arrested Danilo Sorote Wangkanusa, who is also known as Dodong Pakra, 46, widower, businessman at his residence.

Wangkanusa was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by the Indonesian National Police on Aug. 28 for piracy and hijacking of oil tanker MT Rehobot carrying 1,100 KLI of diesel fuel in Sulawesi Waters on January 29.

Earlier in February, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) found the abandoned MT Rehobot abandoned in Barangay Cabuaya in Davao Oriental province.

MT Rehobot, a chemical tanker, left Bitung, North Sulawesi in Indonesia. On Jan. 28, it was taken control by at least eight masked men armed with long knives that boarded the ship in the vicinity of Paraitan Lembeh Island, Indonesia.

According to reports, all 14 Indonesian crew of MT Rehobot were found in life rafts drifting in the vicinity of Lembeh Island.

Police authorities said Wankanusa initially resisted arrest by jumping out from the second floor of his house. However, the authorities cornered and successfully apprehended him.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Milgrace Driz said Wangkanusa is now detained at the Sasa Police Station pending for the processing of his extradition to Indonesia to face trial.

Also in February, four of the tanker's hijackers were arrested in Indonesia and they were the ones who revealed that Wangkanusa, the mastermind of the crime, is in the city.

PRO 11 Director Wendy Rosario lauded the successful operation carried out by the team composed of the PNP’s Regional Intelligence Division; INP Liaison Officer Asst. Superintendent Wahyu Candra Irawan; and Sasa Police Station.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826361

PA men, NPA rebels clash in Camarines Sur town

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): PA men, NPA rebels clash in Camarines Sur town

A team of Philippine Army soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Battalion encountered about 40 heavily armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Guijalo, Caramoan, Camarines Sur.

The soldiers led by 1Lt. Pacifico Bravante was conducting patrol at the vicinity of the scene of the encounter when they chanced upon the rebels with long firearms and believed to be led by one Ka Jun, 5’4” in height, long haired, black complexioned and armed with an improvised Uzi.

Ka Jun’s group withdrew towards the direction of Barangay Bitaogan, Presentacion, Camarines Sur.

The clash lasted for an hour and no casualty was reported on either side.

The incident came after about 34 NPA rebels on Tuesday attacked a Philippine Coast Guard detachment in Guijalo pier, in Caramoan town in Camarines Sur held Seaman Second Class Juan Miguel Rabago at gun point.

The communist rebels seized an M16 rifle, a base radio with antenna and a cellphone.

They also fired at a PCG boat, damaging its 4-horse power engine.

A similar attack on a PCG detachment by NPA rebels took place at Matnog Port in Sorsogon in 2010.

A coast guard died during the attack.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826408

Update: 2 ASG brigands slain in Sulu clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): Update: 2 ASG brigands slain in Sulu clash

Two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in a clash in the hinterlands of Sulu, a top military official reported Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the clash broke out around 7:30 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Latih, Patikul.

Arrojado said the firefight ensued as troops of the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion (IB) spotted around 20 ASG brigands led by Alkam Udjaman while on combat operation.

Arrojado said some of the brigands were eating breakfast and drinking coffee when the troops spotted them.

He said the ASG brigands fled to different directions dragging the cadavers of their two slain companions following a 30-minute firefight.

He said the mortar team of the 35th IB fired mortar rounds towards the withdrawal path of the ASG brigands.

He said the firefight ensued as the offensive continues targeting the senior leaders and foreign cohorts of the ASG brigands in the province of Sulu.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=826368

BRP Ramon Alcaraz to help secure APEC meet

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): BRP Ramon Alcaraz to help secure APEC meet

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), one of the country's most modern warships, will help secure delegates in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting on Nov. 17 to 20.

The former Hamilton-class cutter will help the Coast Guard implement its no-sail policy in Manila Bay which is behind the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the venue of the meet.

As of this posting, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is conducting security patrols off Manila Bay.

The ship, which is equipped with a brand-new Agusta Westland AW-109 "Power" helicopter, can act as command-and-control vessel in event of emergencies.

With its helicopter, the ship can response in minutes should anything untoward happen.

The 3,200-ton frigate can also be used as an evacuation center if needed.

It is also armed with a Oto Melara 76mm cannon and two Mark 38 Model 2 "Bushmaster" 25 auto-cannons, giving it the capability to deal with hostile threats.

Its 76mm cannon can engage targets up to 20 kilometers while its 25mm weapons has an effective range of two kilometers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=826211

2 ASG killed in Sulu clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 12): 2 ASG killed in Sulu clash

Two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were reported killed during an encounter with 35th Infantry Battalion troopers in Patikul town, Sulu Thursday morning.

This was disclosed by Joint Task Group-Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado.

He added the information was forwarded to them by their intelligence operatives.

The ASG bandits were killed during a 7:30 a.m. encounter in Barangay Latih, Patikul town, Sulu.

Government troopers were conducting security patrols when they encountered ASG bandits headed by one Alkam Udjaman triggering a 30-minute gunbattle.

No soldier was reported injured nor killed in the firefight while an undetermined number of the ASGs were reported killed and wounded.

An 81mm mortar team provided support for government troopers by firing two rounds at the ASG positions during this engagement.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=826296