7 hurt in Bicol blasts

From Tempo (Mar 21): 7 hurt in Bicol blasts

Five soldiers and two civilians were injured in two separate explosions perpetrated by the New People’s Army in Bicol over the weekend, the military said yesterday.

Lt. Col. Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command, said among the wounded was an Army officer identified as 2nd Lt. Jonathan O. Baay of the 31st Infantry Battalion.

 

Guzman said that Baay was hit by fragments from an improvised explosive device explosion during a five-minute encounter with a group of NPA guerrillas during combat operations in Gubat, Sorsogon at around 10:15 a.m. Saturday.

 

In Labo, Camarines Norte, four soldiers and two military dependents were also wounded when an IED explosion hit a KM450 military truck around at around 8:30 a.m. yesterday.

 

Guzman said the KM450 truck, with the victims on board, was traversing Mahawan-hawan Road on its way to the Labo public market when the roadside explosion occurred.

 

The wounded soldiers were identified as Corporal Reynaldo V. Rivera and Privates First Class Ricky R. Obina, Rodelio D. Urbano Jr., and Carloj Z. Duriza. The military withheld the names of the two military dependents who were injured in the incident for security considerations.

The Bicol region was also rocked by other explosions last week.

 

Last Tuesday, 11 bomb explosions rocked the politically tense province of Masbate. Two policemen were wounded.

According to the Masbate provincial police office, the series of blasts were reported in Uson, Esperanza, Claveria, Mobo, Batuan, Balud, Masbate City, and at the boundary of San Jacinto and San Fernando.

The explosions occurred even as additional security forces have been deployed to the province to help ensure order and security in the May elections.

The military believes that the series of blasts in Masbate were also the handiwork of the NPA which is celebrating its 47th anniversary on March 29.

Solcom commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya said that “the NPA is a diminishing group in Southern Luzon, thus, they resort to terror acts like these IED explosions to project that they are still strong.”

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2016/03/21/news/news-roundup/7-hurt-in-bicol-blasts/

15 NPA militia, 15 kin surrender to Army

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 21): 15 NPA militia, 15 kin surrender to Army

More than 30 New People’s Army militiamen and their families surrendered to government troops in Compostela Valley over the weekend, bringing with them several firearms and explosives.

The 1001st Infantry Brigade based in the province said the group was led by a certain Roberto Hiyan, the leader of the “Milisya ng Bayan” of three barangays (villages) in Maco town.

Col. Macairog Alberto, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, said of the 35 who surrendered, 15 men were militia of the New People’s Army while the rest were family members.

“The 15 are undergoing processing at the Compostela Valley provincial government. They will get support from the provincial government and will be part of the comprehensive local integration program (CLIP),” the military official said.

The militiamen surrendered with their families at the headquarters of the 1001st Infantry Brigade last Saturday.

They brought with them an M60 general purpose machine gun, two M16A1 Armalite rifles, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a small improvised explosive device, a commercial high frequency radio with charger and several documents.

Upon their surrender, the military provided the rebels with temporary shelter while the local government has been processing the status of the 15 militiamen.

NPA militiamen are like the military’s civilian militia and are different from the NPA’s regular armed fighters, according to Alberto.

The NPA militiamen are the ones who would carry out landmine attacks or plant improvised explosives as ordered by the NPA’s regular armed fighters, who are the ones who ambush soldiers.

The rebels decided to give up because of the difficulty and danger of the situation and that some felt that they were being exploited by the communists, Alberto said.

“It’s a positive development. They were recruited by the NPA regulars. The regulars would issue orders to the militiamen and are the ones who actually ambush our soldiers,” Alberto said.

The military official said the surrender was the fruit of their efforts to convince them to surrender and to adhere to peace and development – not armed struggle — as the solution to their impoverished situation.

The military did not disclose the identities of the returnees for security reasons, adding that they have been evacuated from their homes as well.

The 10th Infantry Division to which the 1001st Infantry Brigade belonged also conducted medical assessment and psychological counseling of the returnees, giving them food packs, etc.  http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/775424/15-npa-militia-15-kin-surrender-to-army

Philippines says defense stronger under US 'rotational' deal

From Rappler (Mar 20): Philippines says defense stronger under US 'rotational' deal

The agreement between the two close allies comes as the Philippines and other countries are embroiled in a tense dispute with China over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea  

 

TALKING ABOUT EDCA. US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg (top-C) answers questions from the media during a forum in Quezon City, northeast of Manila, Philippines, February 3, 2016. File Photo by Mark R. Cristino/EPA

The Philippines on Sunday, March 20, hailed a new accord giving the US military access to 5 of its bases, saying this would strengthen its defensive capabilities and maritime security.

The agreement between the two close allies comes as the Philippines and other countries are embroiled in a tense dispute with China over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Under the agreement, US forces would be able to rotate through 5 Philippine bases including those close to the South China Sea.

"The 5 agreed locations... reaffirms the shared committment of the Philippines and US to strengthening their alliance in terms of ensuring both countries' mutual defense and security," Foreign Department spokesman Charles Jose said in a statement.

Defence Department spokesman Peter Galvez said separately the agreement "would greatly enhance our capabilities" in maritime security and disaster relief.

Philippine and US officials meeting in Washington on Friday announced that they had agreed to the rotation of US military personnel under the Enhanced Defense Co-operation Agreement, which went into effect last January.

One of the installations is the Antonio Bautista Air Base in the western Philippine island of Palawan, directly facing the South China Sea.

Another is Basa Air Base north of Manila, home of the Philippines' main fighter wing, which is also close to disputed waters.

China claims virtually all the South China Sea, despite conflicting partial claims by Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines.

It has been asserting its claim by occupying more reefs and outcrops in these waters, and building artificial islands including airstrips on some of them.

Bautista Air Base is just 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Mischief Reef, an outcrop occupied by China in the 1990s despite angry protests by the Philippines.

Basa Air Base is about 330 kilometers from Scarborough Shoal, occupied by Chinese vessels after a tense confrontation with Philippine ships in 2012.

The other bases through which US forces can rotate are a major army training camp which also has its own airstrip in the north, and two air bases in the central and southern islands of the archipelago.
Press reports quoted US ambassador Philip Goldberg as saying in Washington that US personnel and equipment would arrive "very soon."

Philippine officials said they did not know when the US forces would arrive.

The Philippines, a US colony from 1898 to 1946, hosted two of the largest overseas US military bases until 1992 when the senate voted to terminate their leases amid growing nationalist sentiment.

But since then Manila has been seeking closer ties with Washington as China has become more assertive in the region.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/126495-philippines-says-defense-strengthened-us-deal

Oro lawmaker calls for mass actions vs Edca

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Mar 20): Oro lawmaker calls for mass actions vs Edca

CAGAYAN DE ORO 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez called on Kagay-anons to stage protest actions in front of the Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) base at the old Lumbia airport even as officials of both the Philippines and the United States of America (USA) announced over the weekend the final list of five locations in the country which will be utilized under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).

The air base in Lumbia is among the five agreed locations set for deployment of US military forces.

Rodriguez called on Kagay-anons to signify their disgust over the inclusion of Lumbia air base because, he said, there was no multisectoral consultations done by the government before the old domestic airport was included in the list.

“We can initiate mass action against it because there was no consultation made before nila giapil ang syudad sa Edca,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he will support cause-oriented groups and non-government organizations that will mobilize and stage protest and mass actions at Lumbia.

“I am willing to support the mass action because I’m sure there will be such and I will attend and urge my supporters to join,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he will continue communicating with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) to express his opposition on the plan.

Rodriguez has authored a bill in Congress seeking to transfer the property of the old Lumbia airport to the city.

Rodriguez has said that the city should decide what to do with the old airport, not the National Government.

Lumbia was reportedly included in the list of five military facilities that will be opened to rotational deployment of US forces because of continuing security concerns over the probable growth of influence of Islamic State militants in Mindanao.

A security expert at De La Salle University in Manila, Richard Javad Heydarian, was quoted by The Wall Street Journal as saying that the inclusion of Lumbia reflected the “serious concern” in both Manila and Washington about efforts by Islamic State to establish a foothold on Mindanao.

Heydarian told The Wall Street Journal that “counter-terror operations continue to be a key element of American military footprint in the region.”

Meanwhile, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro said the government must ensure the country’s sovereignty will not be transgressed.

Ledesma said while the country needs an ally to counter the encroachment of China into its territories, the country should put in place measures that would ensure the terms of the agreement is not violated.

“There is still that continuing concern about the expansion of China to our shores, and therefore there is also a need for some kind of balancing power [in the Philippines]. Our public officials should also consider these factors,” Ledesma said.

Militant women’s group Gabriela also reiterated its opposition to Edca saying the agreement will have adverse effects.

There is a possibility, said Rhodora Bulosan, Gabriela spokesperson for Northern Mindanao, that with American troops coming in, that the number of prostituted women and mixed-breed children, and cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will increase.

There is also the likelihood that residents living near the Lumbia airfield would be displaced if there is an expansion of the facility.

She added the presence of the US forces in the city will be an insult to the dead local heroes who fought the invading American soldiers during the Filipino-American War from 1899 to 1902.

It can be recalled that in 1900, Cagayanons led by General Nicolas Capistrano and other guerrilla leaders resisted the American invaders who occupied the city, then known as Cagayan de Misamis.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2016/03/20/oro-lawmaker-calls-mass-actions-vs-edca-463691

CVO member shot dead

From the Zamboanga Today Online (Mar 20): CVO member shot dead

A member of the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) was shot to death at Barangay Market site, Isabela City, Basilan Province, Saturday dawn.

 

Isabela City Police Station commander Superintendent Jerome Afuyog identified the fatality as Mhaidi Abu Lamsing, 43, married and a resident of the said place.

 

Afuyog said the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body that resulted to his instantaneous death.

 

Afuyog named the suspect as a certain Anding Abdua, who allegedly fled towards unknown direction after the incident.

 

Police recovered four spent shells and a slug of Caliber .45 Pistol from the crime scene.

Motive of the incident is still unknown.

 

A manhunt operation was launched by the police for the possible arrest of the suspect.

 

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/inside-stories/22436-cvo-member-shot-dead.html

Alleged IED explosions injure 1 in Basilan

From Rappler (Mar 20): Alleged IED explosions injure 1 in Basilan

Maswal Mahilul, a resident of Upper Cabengbeng, is reported injured in one explosion



One person was reportedly injured following explosions at Sitio Sangian, Barangay Upper Cabengbeng and Barangay Tumahubong, both in Sumisip, Basilan on Sunday, March 20.

The alleged IED explosions occurred at around 9:00 pm, with the explosion in Tumahubong occurring near a proposed venue for the Basilan Circumferential Road project.

President Benigno Aquino III is expected to speak at Barangay Tumahubong on Monday.

Maswal Mahilul, a resident of Upper Cabengbeng, was reported injured in one explosion.

Clearing operations are ongoing, while military personnel are on standby at Barangay Marang for an alleged ambush said by residents to be expected to occur some place between Barangay Marang and Barangay Tumahubong.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/126541-alleged-ied-explosions-basilan

DAY AHEAD OF PNOY'S VISIT Bomb blast hurts 1 in Basilan

From GMA News (Mar 20): DAY AHEAD OF PNOY'S VISIT Bomb blast hurts 1 in Basilan

One person was hurt in a bomb explosion in Sumisip, Basilan, Sunday night.

The local police said an improvised explosive device (IED) went off along a road in sitio Sangian, Barangay Upper Cabengbeng in Sumisip town at around 9 p.m.

A villager identified as Maswal Mahilul was hurt, police said.

As of this posting, Army personnel are clearing the area. Troops were also placed on stand by due to reports that the group that planted the bomb are planning an ambush between barangays Marang and Tumahubong.

Reports said that the area of the explosion was just a few meters away from the venue of the inauguration of the Basilan Circumferential Road in Barangay Tumahubong to be attended by President Benigno Aquino III.

The inauguration is scheduled at 10 a.m. Monday. Top military and police officials are also expected to attend the event. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/559828/news/regions/bomb-blast-hurts-1-in-basilan

More bases may make China blink, say solons

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 21): More bases may make China blink, say solons

SENATORS Gregorio Honasan and Antonio Trillanes IV said on Sunday they had expected there would be more than five bases made available to the Americans in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) to counter China’s aggressive encroachment in the South China Sea.

Honasan even suggested the United States set up a facility in the conflict zone just west of the Philippines.

“I hope China will blink so that when they blink, it will pave the way for negotiations. And that is what you call leveraging,” said Honasan, the vice presidential running mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
 At the conclusion of their annual strategic dialogue on March 17-18, Manila and Washington announced the US military would have access to  the following facilities in the Philippines: Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, Basa Air Base in Floridablanca and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.

The 10-year Edca was signed in 2014, but it only received the green light in January after the Philippine Supreme Court affirmed its constitutionality. The deal—a key part of the Obama administration’s effort to reassert the US presence in Asia—allows Washington greater access to Philippine military bases through the rotation of troops, ships and aircraft for humanitarian and maritime security operations.

“To be honest, I was expecting around eight locations,” Trillanes said in a text message. The former Navy officer said there were three more “ideal locations” for the US forces—in Sulu, Maguindanao and General Santos City.

He said the announcement of the five locations for US access was “the shot in the arm that the security sector has long been waiting for since the US bases were removed in 1991.”

One of the benefits of this arrangement is the local economies of these areas flourishing, Trillanes said.

Asked whether the access arrangement would deter China from its reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea, Trillanes said: “That is not the primary intention of Edca but that would be one of the effects.”

Honasan, a former Army colonel, said the net effect of Edca would be to “contain” China, pointing out the Chinese already occupied 800 hectares in disputed areas.

The senator urged the Philippines to consider proposing that the United States put up an installation in the West Philippine Sea—at Panatag Shoal and other areas of conflict—since it has gone as far as agreeing to Edca.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/137970/more-bases-may-make-china-blink-say-solons

Philippine government peace talks with MILF have bearing on Sabah security

From the Malay Mail Online (Mar 20): Philippine government peace talks with MILF have bearing on Sabah security















Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said if the ceasefire is not maintained, there would potentially be conflict in the Sulu Sea, which might have an impact on Sabah’s security. — file picture 

The security situation in Sabah depends in a way on the success of the peace process between the Philippine government and Filipino secessionist group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said if the ceasefire is not maintained, there would potentially be conflict in the Sulu Sea, which might have an impact on Sabah’s security.

“In this regard, current developments in Sabah is contingent on the outcome of the Philippine presidential election 2016,” he told reporters after attending the wedding of Nashriq Ismail Sabri and Aiman Shaheerah Faeiz here today.   
 
Nashriq is the son of Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Malaysia also has a major role in the process but we have decided to wait for the new President and then think about the future of Mindanao and Southern Philippines,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said, the government would constantly ensure that the country, and in this instance, Sabah, is safe from every external threat.

Hishammuddin said the government had ever since the 2013 intrusion in Lahad Datu by Sulu militants implemented various security measures to reinforce the country’s defence system.

The measures included upgrading of the airport in Lahad Datu and providing armed helicopters for the security forces guarding the Eastern Sabah Security Zone.

He said a new battalion would also be created in the area soon.

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/philippine-government-peace-talks-with-milf-has-bearing-on-sabah-security

Gov’t justifies US ‘rotational’ presence at 5 military bases

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 21): Gov’t justifies US ‘rotational’ presence at 5 military bases

The Philippine government yesterday hailed a new accord giving the US military access to five of its bases, saying this would strengthen its defensive capabilities and maritime security.

The agreement between the two close allies comes as the Philippines and other countries are embroiled in a tense dispute with China over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.

Under the agreement, US forces would be able to rotate through five Philippine bases, including those close to the South China Sea.

“The five agreed locations... reaffirms the shared committment of the Philippines and US to strengthening their alliance in terms of ensuring both countries’ mutual defense and security,” Department of Foreign Affiars (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said in a statement.

It was echoed by the Department of National Defense (DND), saying the presence of United States troops and equipment in five camps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) agreed upon by Philippine and United States officials will surely boost the military’s capability.

Peter Paul Galvez, spokesman for DND, stressed that the five AFP facilities were mutually agreed upon by senior defense and foreign affairs officials of the Philippines and the US under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Aside from boosting the AFP’s capability, the presence of US troops and facilities will also improve the AFP’s efforts on humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).

During a dialog in Washington last week, US and Philippines officials agreed to use Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan.

It will be noted that Subic Bay and Clark Air Base, both former US military bases, were not in the list. However, US ships have become common site in Subic and there are times that US aircraft utilizes Clark in Pampanga.

The Philippine and US sides reached the agreement on the EDCA venues during the 6th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel and Assistant Secretary of Defense David Shear for the US, and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Evan Garcia and Undersecretary of National Defense Pio Lorenzo Batino for the Philippines, in Washington.

The EDCA was signed on April 28, 2014 by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg. Met by strong criticisms from various groups, EDCA was questioned before the Supreme Court.

However, the high court declared EDCA as constitutional in January this year.

Under EDCA, the US can not only increase its military presence in the country but also build facilities in local bases under the supervision of the DND-AFP, expanding on the Visiting Forces Agreement.

“They will be allowed to construct or upgrade other facilities (to be used for) 10 years. After, there will be discussions again,” Galvez said.

Meanwhile, the League of Filipino Students (LFS) has tagged President Aquino as a US puppet for allowing the exclusive use of five bases by US military forces, with American servicemen accused of crimes enjoying immunity from suit.

This provision, LFS argued, makes US troopers, airmen and sailors enjoy the same immunity of President Aquino, who happens to be still the chief of state.

“The Aquino government’s puppetry to the US is beyond despicable. Up until the last moments of his term, Aquino continues to allow the wanton surrender of our sovereignty and territorial integrity to a foreign oppressor,” said LFS national chairman Charisse Bañez.

Her criticism came as the Philippines and the US announced the five Agreed Locations locations under the EDCA after the conclusion of their sixth Bilateral Strategic Dialog.

“The return of US military bases in the country also endangers the lives of the Filipino people. We are reminding the government of the atrocities committed by US troops to the Filipino people. During their decades of stay in Subic and Clark, they sexually harassed our women and shot our people for fun. When the US troops returned to the Philippines through the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the human rights violations committed by American soldiers continue. The list of violations by the US troops during their stay in the country has become too long,” Bañez added.

Bañez said that the return of US military bases in the Philippines only spells doom for the Filipino people. 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/gov-t-justifies-us-rotational-presence-at-5-military-bases

Agreement on US access to bases hailed

From the Philippine Star (Mar 21): Agreement on US access to bases hailed



Philippine and US officials meeting in Washington on Friday announced that they had agreed to the rotation of US military personnel under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which went into effect last January. File photo

The Philippines yesterday hailed a new accord giving the US military access to five of its bases, saying this would strengthen its defensive capabilities and maritime security.

The agreement between the two allies comes as the Philippines and other countries are embroiled in a tense dispute with China over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Under the agreement, US forces would be able to rotate through five Philippine bases, including those close to the South China Sea.

“The five agreed locations... reaffirms the shared commitment of the Philippines and US to strengthening their alliance in terms of ensuring both
countries’ mutual defence and security,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said in a statement.

Defense spokesman Peter Galvez said separately the agreement “would greatly enhance our capabilities” in maritime security and disaster relief.

Philippine and US officials meeting in Washington on Friday announced that they had agreed to the rotation of US military personnel under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which went into effect last January.

One of the installations is the Antonio Bautista Air Base in the western Philippine island of Palawan, directly facing the South China Sea.

Another is Basa Air Base north of Manila, home of the Philippines’ main fighter wing, which is also close to disputed waters.

China claims virtually all the South China Sea, despite conflicting partial claims by Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines.

It has been asserting its claim by occupying more reefs and outcrops in these waters, and building artificial islands including airstrips on some of them.

Bautista Air Base is just 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, an outcrop occupied by China in the 1990s despite angry protests by the Philippines.

Basa Air Base is about 330 kilometers from Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, occupied by Chinese vessels after a tense confrontation with Philippine ships in 2012.

The other bases through which US forces can rotate are a major army training camp which also has its own airstrip in the north, and two air bases in the central and southern islands of the Philippines.

Press reports quoted US ambassador Philip Goldberg as saying in Washington that US personnel and equipment would arrive “very soon.”

Philippine officials said they did not know when the US forces would arrive.

The Philippines, a US colony from 1898 to 1946, hosted two of the largest overseas US military bases until 1992 when the Senate voted to terminate their leases amid growing nationalist sentiment.

But since then Manila has been seeking closer ties with Washington as China has become more assertive in the region.

‘Milestone of outcome’

The designation of five bases that would host the US facilities under the EDCA is expected to boost the country’s maritime security and disaster response, the defense department’s Galvez said yesterday.

“We are greatly pleased that the hard work put into by both parties has reached this milestone of an outcome,” Galvez said.

“This would greatly advance our capabilities not only for maritime security, as we train together, but more importantly, our humanitarian assistance and disaster response capacity,” he added.

The government announced the agreement on five bases a few days after the soft launch of this year’s “Balikatan” military drills.

The soft opening, which involved medical missions and building of schools, was held in Panay and Palawan, the province nearest the West Philippine Sea.

The bilateral exercises will be launched formally on April 4 and will run until April 15.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/03/21/1565150/agreement-us-access-bases-hailed

30 rebels charged for Isabela attack

From the Philippine Star (Mar 21): 30 rebels charged for Isabela attack



The provincial police office filed multiple frustrated murder, attempted murder and direct assault against agents of authority against Manuel Ayat, Luz Reyes, Rodolfo Velasco, Delay Padilla, Melecio Casasola, Pepito Reyes, Arcadio Tangonan,  Joey Ramos,  Loida Reyes, Rod Gawit, Rafael Ladia, Michael Eraña, Rodolfo Valencia,  a  certain Noah and 16 others whose names were not immediately available. File photo

Fourteen suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas, along with 16 others have been charged for the attack on Army troopers in San Mariano, Isabela early this month.

The provincial police office filed multiple frustrated murder, attempted murder and direct assault against agents of authority against Manuel Ayat, Luz Reyes, Rodolfo Velasco, Delay Padilla, Melecio Casasola, Pepito Reyes, Arcadio Tangonan,  Joey Ramos,  Loida Reyes, Rod Gawit, Rafael Ladia, Michael Eraña, Rodolfo Valencia,  a  certain Noah and 16 others whose names were not immediately available.

The charges were filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ilagan City last Friday.

Isabela police director Senior Superintendent Leon Rafael said the respondents were identified by three soldiers and their officers, whom the suspects exchanged fire.

The troops were pursuing the members of the NPA-Central Front Committee in the villages of Buyasan and Tappa, when the suspects reportedly shot at them.

Wounded in the attack were Army 1/Lt. Randy Alog, Cpl. Reagan Malican, and Pfcs. Joe Andy Binoya and Edgar Abloy of the 45th Infantry Battalion.

The wounded soldiers were taken to Camp Melchor dela Cruz Hospital in Gamu town.           

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/03/21/1564946/30-rebels-charged-isabela-attack

Agreement giving US access to 5 bases to boost PHL capabilities --DND

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20): Agreement giving US access to 5 bases to boost PHL capabilities --DND

The Department of National Defense (DND) said on Sunday the agreement giving the United States access to five Philippine military bases will greatly boost the country's capabilities.

"We are greatly pleased that the hard work put into by both parties has reached this milestone of an outcome. This would greatly advance our capabilities not only for maritime security, as we train together, but more importantly, our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capacity," DND spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez said.

The military facilities identified are the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan near the South China Sea; Basa Air Base in Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City; and the Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.

According to a joint statement issued by Philippine and US officials after a meeting in Washington, D.C. on Friday, they had agreed on the rotation of US military personnel under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which went into effect last January.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=868565

Poe intends to increase capability of AFP to defend WPS

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20): Poe intends to increase capability of AFP to defend WPS

Presidential Grace Poe on Sunday said she intends to increase the budget of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to defend the country’s claim on the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

”We should strengthen our AFP. We have small budget for defense. I will not allow our soldiers to be killed,” Poe said during the second presidential debate held at the University of the Philippines here.

Another presidential aspirant Mayor Rodrigo Duterte asked Poe on what she would do if she will be informed that China has invaded the WPS.

”First I will wake up and called the AFP chief of staff and address the problem,” Poe said.

She said she will also appealed to the United Nations arbitration court to decide early on the case filed by the Philippines against China and ask the cooperation of neighbor countries in Southeast Asia to force China to abide with the code of conduct.

”We need to enjoin other ASEAN countries to constructively engage China to follow a code of conduct,” the senator said.

”If there is a need to knock the door of every country on their stand on UNCLOS. If countries will unite to remind China, we will still prevail,” Poe said.

On issue of climate change, Poe said government should think of the farmers by constructing free irrigation, dams, water entrapment facilities, and flood control projects.

She also said government should push for renewable energy such as wind energy and hydro energy to protect the environment.

Poe also said that if electricity continues to be monopolized by one or a few families, it is impossible to lower the price of electricity.

“Maaaring i-review natin ang EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act) pero kung pare-pareho pa rin ang mga pamilya na mamumuhunan sa ating bansa, monopoliya pa rin. Kailangan talaga buksan talaga natin para sa ibang mamumuhunan dito. Basta lamang maglilikha ito ng trabaho at produktibo para sa ating mga kababayan,” she said.

Poe recommended amendments to economic provisions in the Constitution to allow more players in the industry. With more firms and companies investing, more jobs will also be created, she said.

On issue of criminality, Poe said she intends to increase the number of policemen and increase their allowances.

She said she will appoint former Col. Ariel Querubin as crime czar, denying insinuation that she is too weak to stamp out illegal drugs.

On the raise-your-hand portion if they are in favor of an issue, Poe and Duterte raised their hands when asked if they are in favor of reviving the death penalty.

”I’m in favor but only for heinous crimes,” Poe said in explaining her vote.

On corruption, Poe said she intends to build separate jail in the National Bilibid Prison for the sentenced corrupt government officials.

”Our real problem is until now corruption is still there. They are still holding position in government. They should be put in jail,” she said.

In her closing remarks, Poe thanked the people of Visayas, promising to build another bridge connecting Cebu City and Lapu Lapu City to ease traffic here.

The second presidential debates started over hour delay due to a separate debate on rules prohibiting the bringing of notes during debates.

Vice President Jejomar Binay insisted to allow him to bring notes which his fellow candidates objected since it was the same rules applied in the first presidential debates last Feb. 21 in Cagayan de Oro City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=868584

13 ‘Tired’ rebels surrender in Compostela Valley

From Update.Ph (Mar 20): 13 ‘Tired’ rebels surrender in Compostela Valley 

 

Tired of the incessant fighting, a rebel leader along with 12 of his men formally surrendered to government forces in Pantukan town, Compostela Valley Saturday.

Initially, ‘Milisya ng Bayan’ (Militia of the People) head Robert Hiyan and four of his men voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 46th Infantry Battalion at 10:00 a.m. at Sitio Diat Palo, Barangay Napnapan, said 10th Infantry Division public affairs office chief Capt. Rhyan Batchar.

They were followed later by eight other companions of Hiyan who surrendered to government forces at Sitio Logpaton, Barangay Kingking, also in Pantukan.
Hiyan’s men were not identified for security reasons.

The group also handed to military authorities an M-60 general purpose machine gun, two M-16A1 automatic rifles, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, one small improvised explosive device with detonating device, blasting cap and battery, one commercial high-frequency (HF) radio with charger and voluminous subversive documents.

The surrendered rebels are now undergoing re-integration procedures as of this posting.

http://www.update.ph/2016/03/13-tired-rebels-surrender-in-compostela-valley/3392