From the Daily Tribune (Apr 18): Army officer goes missing in Davao Norte diving exercise
A military diver went missing during a diving exercise in Davao del Norte on Saturday, belated report from the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said yesterday.
Maj. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman for Eastmincom, said that the Eastmincom immediately activated an incident management team to oversee the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Balagtey did not identify the missing diver but said the military personnel was a participant in the joint proficiency diving exercises by divers from the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao.
The incident happened at Angel’s Cove on Talikod Island in Davao del Norte. Balagtey said the diver was declared missing at around 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
According to Balagtey, elements of the Philippine Coast Guard, Naval Special Operations Unit- were dispatched to conduct the search and rescue on the water while Air Force Search and rescue Group launched aerial search.
Balagtey said that the search and rescue operations are focused along the shorelines of Talikod Island and Davao del Sur area.
From the Daily Tribune (Apr 19): China conducts massive drills in South China Sea
Beijing has carried out a series of extensive military drills in South China Sea in a move which could trigger more tensions with its Asian neighbors and the United States.
Some upgraded methods that resemble actual combat conditions were used in the exercises to increase the combat readiness and effectiveness of its South China Sea fleets, a report from the military-backed newspaper, the People’s Liberation Army Daily, yesterday said.
Part of the military drills included visibility range training, training within an electromagnetic environment, all-weather drills, and other military exercises.
“To think about special situations in an even more complex way, to make the enemy situation even more dangerous, to make the battlefield environment even more lifelike, is an important path in order for the navy and air force to stick close to the demands of real combat and accelerate its transformative production model for fighting strength,” Tian Junqing, a division commander of the Chinese fleets, was quoted as saying.
According to the daily, other items will be included in the training, such as 24-hour maritime attack drills and minimum altitude defensive dashes.
It said the fleets will work in coordination with early aerial warnings, surface ships and ground anti-aircraft defense, among other branches of the military. Military jet landing Also, China landed a military plane on a disputed South China Sea reef it has built up into an artificial island, the paper said, in the first official confirmation of such a flight.
An air force plane landed on Fiery Cross Reef, which the Philippines refers to as Kagitingan Reef, in the Spratlys last Sunday to evacuate sick workers, the PLA added.
China claims nearly all of the strategically vital sea, even waters close to its Southeast Asian neighbors, and has created artificial islands in an effort to assert its claims.
It has significantly expanded Fiery Cross, which is also claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam, drawing international criticism.
In 2014, China began work on a 3,000-meter runway on the reef, which is around 1,000 kilometers from its island province of Hainan.
Beijing in January carried out several of what it called civilian flights to Fiery Cross, enraging Hanoi.
This weekend’s flight came just days after US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited a warship close to flashpoint waters, after announcing joint naval patrols with the Philippines.
On the day of Carter’s trip, Beijing said that one of its top military officials had visited a South China Sea island.
Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, observed building work, the defense ministry said, without giving a precise date or location for the visit.
Washington regularly accuses Beijing of militarizing the South China Sea, saying it has built runways and deployed weapons to the islands.
Beijing denies the accusations and says US patrols have ramped up tensions.
As well as China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims to parts of the sea, which are home to some of the world’s most important shipping lanes and believed to sit atop vast oil reserves.
From ABS=CBN (Apr 17): PH searches for 4 Indonesians kidnapped in Tawi-Tawi MANILA - Philippine authorities on Sunday searched the nearby island municipalities of Tawi-Tawi to rescue four Indonesian sailors who were abducted by armed men on Friday evening.
Town police chief S/Supt. Joselito Salido said they have asked assistance from the Philippine Navy in scouring the waters off Tawi-Tawi for the foreigners who were kidnapped by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Salido said the Philippine Air Force has also deployed air assets to help in the search and rescue mission.
The abducted crew members were on board tugboat T/B Henry when they were attacked by at least five men in waters near Pondo Sibugal, Sitangkai.
One of the Indonesian crew was wounded in the attack, while four others were forcibly taken by the suspects, who fled on board a speedboat.
This is the third abduction incident involving foreign crew members in less than a month.
Last March, 10 Indonesian crew members on board a tugboat were also abducted by suspected ASG rebels near the Malaysian border.
Suspected ASG members group demanded a multi-million peso ransom for the release of the captives.
On April 1, the bandits also abducted four Malaysian crew members off Sabah, Malaysia.
The Malaysian government has imposed a temporary trade ban with southern Philippines, as the former pursues to intensify their maritime security.
Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and extortion, is one of the most hardline Islamist militant groups in the Muslim south of the largely Christian Philippines.
From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 18): Balikatan Exercise 2016 in WV ends
The Philippines-US Balikatan Exercise 2016 in Western Visayas ended Saturday, with the turnover of 13 repaired classrooms in Iloilo and Capiz provinces.
Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said the 13 classrooms were repaired by US Armed Forces and AFP soldiers during the two-week bilateral exercises.
The beneficiaries of the Philippines–US Armed Forces bilateral exercises were the San Nicolas Elementary School in Tapaz, Capiz; Jaena Norte Elementary School in Jamindan, Capiz; and Matanghararon Elementary School in Dingle, Iloilo.
Tiongson said the 13 repaired classrooms were among the buildings destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
Soldiers of the AFP and the U.S. Armed Forces worked together in repairing the classrooms from March 28 to April 16, as part of the Humanitarian Civic Assistance of the Balikatan Exercise in Panay.
The 2016 Balikatan was the second to be conducted in Panay, which was hosted by the 3ID.
The bilateral exercises also focused on training for humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and cooperative health engagement in order to empower local communities in disaster preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation, Tiongson added.
From Update.Ph (Apr 18): From fighting to cooking: Decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters learn tech skills
Out of the 145 decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants last year, 133 decided to undergo different sets of skills training programs that were conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said. Skills training is part of socio-economic track of the normalization process.
The said decommissioned MILF fighters finished their training last week. The skills training include bread and pastry production, driving, carpentry, cookery, motorcycle/small engine repair, dressmaking/tailoring, automotive servicing, electrical installation and maintenance, and entrepreneurial skills training.
“With the assistance of the TESDA, DepEd and the Department of Social Work and Development and other government agencies, the decommissioned combatants are now accomplishing their respective trainings to prepare them towards transformation to unarmed civilians,” said government peace panel chair Prof. Miriam-Coronel Ferrer.
“Even though the proposed BBL was not passed by the 16th Congress, the gains achieved in the Bangsamoro peace process throughout the decades have been tremendous. There is solid basis for the people of the Bangsamoro to remain hopeful and continue looking forward toward a better, peaceful future,” she added.
From Update.Ph (Apr 18): Roxas: Duterte allied with the NPA
Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas today said that his rival PDP-Laban standard bearer Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte should not win the presidency because of his alliance with the New People’s Army.
“How will he be a good commander-in-chief, if he’s on the side of — if he’s allied with, and supports the NPA, who kill our soldiers and policemen?” Mar Roxas told a crowd in Calbayog City, Samar on April 18.
Roxas added that criminal rebel NPA members shouldn’t be coddled.
“They collect revolutionary taxes not only from businessmen, but also from ordinary farmers. Every sitio, barangay the NPA visit, they ask for rice, food, and other kinds of “taxes.” That’s what they call the revolutionary tax,” he added.
“The contractors of the roads we’re building—the NPA also tax them. That’s why it becomes more expensive, why construction is so slow, why it takes so long. In some areas, no one wants to bid, because the NPA “taxes” those who construct roads and bridges in different parts of the country,” he added. “That is why, Mayor Duterte, I will be your enemy. I will not allow a dictatorship in our country.”
Mayor Duterte previously said “you cannot build a nation without talking to your enemies. Definitely, the communists are a threat to our country, an enemy of the state. But the enemy has been here since 1970 and until now, there is war.”
“I have to talk to them, I have see what I can do for my country to arrive at a peaceful solution. You do not kill your own enemies, you have to talk them. I am friendly with them because I know one day, I will have to talk them about nation-building,” he added.
From Update.Ph (Apr 18): Air Force helps suppress fire incidents
At the height of El Nino heat, the Philippine Air Force is always ready help respond to fire incidents. According to Philippine Air Force, its 505th Search and Rescue Group performed a Helicopter Bucket Operations near Chunkang, Sampaguita, Tanza Navotas and 373, Rizal Avenue, Tambunting, Sta Cruz Manila on April 17.
“The BELL-205A SAR Helicopter with tail number 321 flown by Maj Alalay and Maj Dalag together with their crews, Sgt Alinday, A1C Peña and Tsg Corpuz as the jump master immediately took off and performed Heli Bucket Operations at the affected area as ordered by the Commanding General, PAF Lt Gen Edgar R Fallorina AFP,” Air Force said.
The Fire Marshall at Bureau of Fire Protection in Manila said the fire on Barangay 373 Sta Cruz Manila started at noon and reached to fire alarm “A” which caused further damage to the Barangay. Meanwhile the fire in Chunkang, Sampaguita, Tanza Navotas started 11:00am and lasted for almost two hours and reached to fire alarm “B”.
Air Force said a total number of seven drops, which is equivalent to 5,012 liters or 11,060 pounds of water were dumped over the affected areas. The Heli Bucket Operations lasted for almost one hour and twenty seven (27) minutes.
“By working hand in hand and in cooperation with the PAF through the 505th SRG ground controllers and helicopter pilots, DRRMO team and other volunteers, the fire was put under control and prevented further damage to property and life,” the Air Force added.
From Update.Ph (Apr 18): China lands PLA Navy patrol aircraft at fake island in West Philippine Sea
A Chinese PLA Navy patrol aircraft has landed in Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef morning of April 17. This is the first time Chinese Defense Ministry confirmed that it has landed a military aircraft in a newly manufactured fake island in West Philippine Sea.
According to report from Chinese military the aircraft was on air patrol in West Philippine Sea when it flew to the Spratly Islands on an emergency mission. It landed at the airfield in Kagitingan Reef to transfer 3 seriously sick workers to a military hospital in Sanya, Hainan for treatment.
The report added that one worker was suffering from massive hemorrhage of upper gastrointestinal tract and needs blood transfusion in a hospital facility. Other two workers suffering from fracture of lumbar vertebra and suspected ureteral calculus or appendicitis must also be sent to hospital.
“Considering evacuation of the patients with a vessel would take a long time and the stormy waves might aggravate the patients’ conditions and lead to irrecoverable consequences, the PLA Navy headquarters ordered a patrol aircraft that was performing patrol missions in the South China Sea to fly to the Yongshu Reef to transfer the patients, and asked related logistics departments to provide support for the whole process of the medical aid,” the Chinese military added.
From Update.Ph (Apr 18): US giving Philippines reconnaissance airship to monitor West Philippine Sea
The United States government is providing the Philippines with military aid worth USD42 million to boost the country’s maritime surveillance capabilities in face of West Philippine Sea dispute.
“We will add to its capability to put sensors on ships and put an aerostat blimp (non-rigid airship) in the air to see into the maritime space,” US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
The said military aid was first announced by United States Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in New York at the Council on Foreign Relations April 8 before starting his Asia-Pacific trip that included travel to Philippines.
Last year the US government announced its five-year Maritime Security Initiative, a commitment to help partner nations like Philippines address common challenges. The initiative has a total budget of US$425-million.
“We’ve just released the first tranche of this money, nearly 80 percent of which is going to the Philippines.There it will help modernize the technology and train staff at the Philippines National Coast Watch Center, enhance an information network to enable the sharing of classified communications between U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii and key Philippines maritime command centers, provide an aerostat reconnaissance platform (airship), and outfit Philippine navy patrol vessels with better sensors so they can see and do more in the region’s waters,” Carter said.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18): Soldiers assures security support in delivering poll paraphernalia, vote counting machines
The 86th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army based here
assures support to the police for the safe delivery of election paraphernalia
especially the vote counting machines in polling precincts.
,
said the army camp which has security jurisdiction over the entire Isabela,
said the soldiers would support the police when a Lt. Col. Vladimir Cagara, 86th Infantry Battalion commander tasked in the delivery of the
said poll materials.
Cagara said some areas in Isabela has the threat on presence
of rebels thereby the need for army contingent to thwart any move of the rebels
to sow threat on the flow of elections on May 9, 2016.
He said his battalion is prepared to give security not only
in the delivery of election paraphernalia but also before, during and after
elections when necessary.
The election paraphernalia are expected to arrive in the
province in the next couple of weeks and the delivery of these election
materials will be made to all polling precincts in the province.
Meanwhile, the army soldiers are conducting hot pursuit
operations against the rebels who killed the incumbent and seeking reelection
bid of Jones Vice Mayor Ronaldo Lucas.
He said the army soldiers would continue pursuing the
suspects to give justice to the killing of the town’s vice mayor.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18): Army vows intensified operations vs lawless groups in Davao
The Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division vows to pursue the
lawless armed groups (LAGs) responsible for the attack of a military detachment
in Sitio Quiman-anon, Barangay Salapawan, Paquibato District, Davao City last
Saturday, April 16.
In a statement to the media here on Monday, 10th ID
commander Major General Rafael Valencia said pursuit operations are already
ongoing against the fleeing rebels.
A civilian and a member of Citizens Armed Forces
Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were hurt when the lawless groups attacked and burned
the military detachment on Saturday.
Army 10th ID chief information officer Captain Rhyan Batchar
also told reporters here that at least 60 fully armed members of the lawless
group New People’s Army (NPA) were responsible for the attack.
Batchar identified the wounded CAFGU member as Mario
Carliaman and the civilian as Randy Ramirez.
Both are still undergoing medical treatment for the wounds
they sustained during the attack.
Lt. Col. Louie DS Villanueva, commander of 84th IB operating
in the area, said that the lawless groups responsible for the attack were led
by a certain Commander Jinggoy.
Villanueva also assured that the Army will hunt down the
perpetrators without let up as massive pursuit operations are already ongoing
in the area.
The New People's Army (NPA) in Southern
Mindanao confirmed its 1st Pulang Bagani Command is in custody of
the chief of police of Paquibato and four of his officers as Prisoners of War.
Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA-Regional
Operations Command- Southern Mindanao Region, said Police Chief Inspector
Leonardo V. Tarungoy, PO3 Rosenie L. Cabuenas, PO3 Rudolph Y. Pacete, PO2 Neil
C. Arellano, and PO3 Abdul Azis A. Ali were taken by the rebels following an
attack of the 72nd Infantry Battalion CAA detachment at 7:00 am Saturday in
Sitio Quimanao, Barangay Salapawan, Paquibato District.
He said the rebels also seized two 9mm pistols and one .45
caliber pistol from the policemen.
Sanchez disclosed that the police officers were snatched at
around 11:30 a.m on Saturday by another unit of the 1st Pulang Bagani rebels
who positioned a few hundred meters away from the detachment.
The police officers were reportedly on board a mobile patrol
vehicle and took them as prisoners-of-war.
"The POWs will be held in custody pending an
investigation for possible war crimes and other crimes against the people and
the revolutionary movement," Sanchez said in a press statement sent late
Sunday.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 17): Malacanang seeks better security cooperation with America
Presidential Communications Operations Office Herminio B.
Coloma Jr. reiterated on Sunday that the government is seeking to foster
cooperation on security concerns with the United
States amid China's
moves to gain ground in the West Philippine Sea.
"Patuloy na pinagbubuti ng dalawang bansa ang umiiral
na pagtutulungan upang tugunan ang mga common security concerns," he said
in a radio interview.
Coloma stressed both the Philippines
and the US seeks freedom of
navigation and overflight in the West Philippine Sea,
but further said actions that contradict it creates tension and concern.
"Ang malayang nabigasyon at malayang paglalakbay na
panghimpapawid o freedom of navigation at freedom of overflight sa West Philippine Sea ay mahahalagang batayang prinsipyo na
itinataguyod ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos," he said, adding
"anumang kaganapan na humahadlang o taliwas sa mga prinsipyong ito ay
lumilikha ng tensyon at ligalig."
The Secretary added security infrastructures should be built
within the region, while adhering to the international rule of law.
"Kaya’t ang tugon dito ay ang pagpapatatag ng
imprastrukturang pangseguridad sa ating rehiyon. Ang pag-iral ng international
rule of law ay itinataguyod natin habang higit pang ginagawang matibay ang
istratehikong ugnayan ng dalawang bansa," Coloma pointed out.
The Palace official said the US reiterated its commitment to
remain an ally that will strengthen maritime security and maritime domain,
including strengthening the country's humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
"Ipinahayag ng Estados Unidos ang patuloy na commitment
nito sa Pilipinas bilang isang mahalagang ally sa pagtataguyod at pagpapatibay
ng ating maritime security at maritime domain awareness capabilities at maging
ang ating kakayahan sa aspeto ng humanitarian assistance at disaster response
alinsunod sa mga nakasaad na probisyon ng Mutual Defense Treaty, Visiting
Forces Agreement at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement."
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited the country this
week.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18): DND to acquire countermeasures munitions for FA-50PHs
The Department of National Defense (DND) announced that it
is allocating Php33,702,286 for the acquisition of countermeasures munitions
needed for the country's South Korean-made FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle"
lift-interim fighter aircraft.
The money will be sourced from the Revised AFP Modernization
Program.
To be acquired are 17,280 RR-170 chaffs and 8,640 MJU-7 IR
flares (with impulse cartridges) for the FA-50PH's countermeasure dispenser
system.
Delivery of the items shall be in two batches with the first
to be delivered within 180 calendar days from the notice to proceed (NTP).
While the second batch is required to be delivered within
360 calendar days upon receipt of the NTP.
Bidders should have completed, within the last 10 years from
the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project.
Bid opening is on April 27, 10:00 a.m. at the DND Bids and
Awards Committee Conference Room, DNDBuilding, CampAguinaldo, Quezon City.
Items being offered must be used by the Armed Forces of the
country of origin or by the Armed Forces of at least two other countries.
The goods offered must be from suppliers who are themselves
the manufacturers.
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18): ASG camp seized, IED components captured in Basilan operations
Government troops have captured another Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG) camp and recovered several components of an improvised explosive device
(IED) during ongoing operations in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Sunday.
This took place 7:15 a.m. at Barangay Baguidan, of the above-mentioned
locality.
Major Filemon Tan, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson,
said this is the third ASG camp captured by military forces after the bloody
clash last April 9 which resulted in the death of 18 soldiers and wounding of
53 others.
Aside from the IED components, assorted war materiel were
also captured by troops under the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion commanded by Lt.
Col. Elmer Suderio.
"Said troops were conducting combat operations when
they recovered the IED components; five liters of gasoline; assorted medical
paraphernalia; three sacks of rice; and five laminated sacks in the area,"
Tan added.
As this develops, government offensives against the ASG has
so far resulted in the death of 38 bandits with three bodies recovered so far.
Among the three recovered bodies are Moroccan terrorist and
bomber Mohammad Khatttab who is said to be acting as a conduit between a "Middle East terrorist organization".
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 18): PNP condemns abduction of 5 cops in Davao City
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday condemned the
abduction of five policemen by lawless elements in DavaoCity
last April 16.
”The PNP condemns this lawless act against PNP personnel who
were only performing their duty to serve & protect the people. These police
officers are but citizens who are working for the improvement of the standard
of living of the people in Region 11,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben
Mayor said on Monday.
"We assure the kin of these policemen that the PNP will
exhaust all possible means to bring them back,” he added.
Around noon on April 16, five PNP personnel on board patrol
car no. 82 of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) led by Chief Inspector Leonardo
Tarongoy, who were conducting patrol operations, were intercepted and abducted
by a group of heavily armed lawless elements wearing military uniform at Purok
5, Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City.
Mayor said that Police Regional Office (PRO 11) is exerting
efforts to find the suspects and track the location of the victims.
He added that the Regional Director of PRO11, PCSupt Manuel
Gaerlan has convened an emergency meeting with his Command Group and Quad Staff
to formulate contingency measures.
Gaerlan ordered for 24/7 checkpoint operations by all
concerned PPO, CPO and RPSB 11 to restrict the movement of the suspects.
Mayor also noted that all PNP personnel are also reminded to
observe personal security measures to prevent becoming victims of similar
atrocities, adding that even as efforts are being exerted to ensure the safe
release of these kidnapped policemen, their primary concern is the safety of
the community.
”As we speak, our military counterparts from the 84IB, 68IB
& 60IB of 10ID PA are conducting hot pursuit operations in their area of
operation, while adjacent PRO 10 & 13 were informed and alerted for
possible assistance and augmentation,” he said.
The PNP is also appealing to the media to withhold the
identities of the victims for the meantime so as not to endanger their safety
or jeopardize efforts of the PNP, Mayor said.
