No more localized peace talks and 'peace zones': Cordi rebel spokesperson

From InterAksyon (Apr 24): No more localized peace talks and 'peace zones': Cordi rebel spokesperson



There is no longer a need for "localized" peace talks as the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) carries the whole revolutionary movement, including the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), whenever it talks with the Government of the Philippines (GPH), said the leader of the Cordillera revolutionary movement.

Cordillera People's Democratic Front (CPDF) spokesperson Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan said local revolutionary movements like the CPDF will not entertain “localized” peace talks anymore. He said such talks together with the “peace zones” of the Aquino administration are divisive and intended to confuse the Filipinos on the peace talks process.

Armed NPA guerilla fighters and troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are barred from entering areas declared as “peace zones” to avoid skirmishes.

Naogsan said the Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) started the idea of “localized peace talks” with NPA units in different parts of the country as the GPH chief negotiator claimed that the NDFP has stalled the talks with its conditions.

The NDFP said the government is delaying the peace talks, claiming the Philippine government violates already reached agreements and documents like the Hague Joint Declaration and Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG).

The Hague Joint Declaration contains the agenda of the peace talks, namely, 1) human rights and international humanitarian law; 2) socio-economic reforms; 3) political and constitutional reforms; and the 4) the cessation of hostilities and disposition of forces, in this order. JASIG provides protection and immunity from arrest and surveillance to peace talks participants including panelists, consultants, technical, and security staff.

The Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL) as agreed on the first agenda was signed in 1998. Both peace panels should be now talking about the second agenda focusing on Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER).

Naogsan said the Philippine government should show its sincerity and push for the resumption of the peace talks instead of delaying them by pushing for “localized” peace talks and peace zones.

He stressed the importance of the second substantive agenda or CASER. He explained that this will specifically address the economic problems the people have been suffering for so long.

According to Naogsan, the government of President Benigno Aquino III was not at all serious in talking peace with the NDFP. He then challenged the next administration to be sincere enough in finding peace and push for the resumption of the peace talks. He said the NDFP has been always open for talks.

http://interaksyon.com/article/126864/no-more-localized-peace-talks-and-peace-zones-cordi-rebel-spokesperson

Indonesians Being Held by Abu Sayyaf in Good Condition: Minister

From Tempo.Co (Apr 24): Indonesians Being Held by Abu Sayyaf in Good Condition: Minister



Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said that fourteen Indonesian nationals being held hostage in the Philippines are still in good condition.

According to Retno, the government continues to coordinate with the Filipino government to monitor the development of the process to free the Indonesians.

"Based on the information we have received, thank God, they are still in good condition. We continue to take measures (to free them), Retno said in Jakarta on Saturday (23/4).

The minister also said that she continues to have ‘intense’ communication with the Filipino Foreign Affairs Minister and during her five-day working visit in Europe, she said that she continued to communicate with her Filipino counterpart about the measure to free the Indonesians.

For the record, two Indonesian ships -- the TB Henry and the Cristi  -- were hijacked on Friday (15) at 10 local time allegedly by the Abu Sayyaf group. The incident came on the heels of the March 26 hijacking of two Indonesian-flagged vessels, the Brahma 12 tugboat and the Anand 12 barge, and the kidnapping of their crews, numbering 10 men in total.

The Abu Sayyaf militant group in demanded a ransom of 50 million pesos (US$1.07 million).

http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2016/04/24/055765381/Indonesians-Being-Held-by-Abu-Sayyaf-in-Good-Condition-Minister

Military urges Indonesian tugboat owner not to give ransom to ASG

From the Zamboanga Today Online (Apr 24): Military urges Indonesian tugboat owner not to give ransom to ASG

The military has rejected ransom demand for ten Indonesian crewmen kidnapped by Daesh-linked militants in the waters of southern Philippines, a Filipino military official said on Thursday.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the Armed Forces of the Philippines also urged the owner of a tugboat whose 10 crewmen are being held by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu not to give in to ransom demands.

This developed after reports that the hostages’ employer had agreed to pay the P50-million ransom for the crewmen.

“This is the first time we heard about this development,” Padilla told reporters.

The AFP spokesman said the Armed Forces continues to encourage everyone to observe the government's no-ransom policy, because of a very specific reason, it is to discourage this kind of growing industry’ in the area.

"This is also to avoid providing this group a means to strengthen themselves," Padilla added.

Padilla had earlier said the Abu Sayyaf managed to retain a popular following by giving people part of their loot while using the bulk of their earnings from kidnapping to purchase armaments.

According to him, the primordial concern of the Armed Forces is always the safety of all kidnap victims and here are many operations ongoing.

"Details of which I cannot disclose but the Armed Forces is doing everything within its power as well cooperating with all other agencies of government to carry specific instructions in facilitating the rescue of the victims," Padilla said.

Aside from the 10 Indonesian sailors, four other Indons were reportedly abducted by Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippine waters.

Currently, the Abu Sayyaf militants are also holding captives two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina who were abducted from a resort on Samal Island, who they have threatened to behead unless a ransom of P300 million is paid for each of the hostages by April 25.

Four Malaysians, a Dutch national, and several Filipinos are also in the hands of the terrorist group.
There were reports that some groups, acting as middlemen, have been trying to reach out to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf, said a military official  at Western Mindanao Command who requested anonymity as he is not authorize to talk to the media.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said he could not give information on the military and police operations to rescue the hostages from the Abu Sayyaf.

Earlier this month, the Abu Sayyaf posted a video showing the four captives surrounded by gunmen threatening to execute them in a month if the demands for ransom were not met.

This was the third time the bandits posted a video of the hostages. Last October, a post on social media demanded a halt to the military operations against the kidnappers while in November, they asked for P1 billion in ransom for each of the captives.

Middlemen are usually tapped by the families of the kidnapping victims in dealing with the Sulu-based bandits to secure their safe release. These middlemen are local folk known to and have the trust of the bandit group.

The official warned any payment of the huge ransom to the Abu Sayyaf will further complicate the already shaky security landscape in Sulu and other key areas of Mindanao.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/22739-military-urges-indonesian-tugboat-owner-not-to-give-ransom-to-asg.html

PHL warship to join Brunei, Singapore maritime exercises

From GMA News (Apr 24): PHL warship to join Brunei, Singapore maritime exercises 

The Philippine Navy will send one of its two warships to Brunei and Singapore to participate in counter-terrorism and maritime exercises next month.

The warship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, a former US cutter, will depart the country this week, according to Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo, the Navy's acting public affairs officer.

Domingo said BRP Gregorio del Pilar will leave Manila South Harbor's Pier 13 on Wednesday following a send off ceremony. It will be joined by a Navy helicopter and about 120 troops, among them personnel from the Naval Special Operations Group.

The warship will first participate in a counter-terrorism exercise in Brunei and Singapore from May 1 to 12, then proceed to another naval exercise with Brunei from May 10 to 17.

"This 11-day multi-lateral exercise will be focusing on maritime security and counter-terrorism," Domingo said, referring to the first exercise dubbed ASEAN Defense Minister's Meeting-Plus Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism Exercise 2016.

During the exercise, BRP Gregorio del Pilar will participate in a sea-storming or surface operations," including a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training, Domingo said.

On the other hand, the second exercise, dubbed Maritime Training Activity Seagull, "aims to enhance the interoperability and building [of] defense capability," said Domingo.

 BRP Gregorio del Pilar was acquired from the US in 2011, followed by its sister ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz two years later. The two are the most capable ships of the Navy at present and are assigned to patrol the disputed areas in the South China Sea.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/563858/news/nation/phl-warship-to-join-brunei-singapore-maritime-exercises

Army to buy P247.8-M high-explosive ammunition

From GMA News (Apr 24): Army to buy P247.8-M high-explosive ammunition
 

A Philippine Army official on Sunday said they are acquiring P247.8 million worth of high-explosive ammunition for its 105mm Howitzers.

 

The supply contract for the artillery rounds is open to local and foreign suppliers, said the Philippine government's portal for public procurement activities.

 

It added that foreign suppliers should be represented by a Philippine-based company.

 

The public bidding will be conducted using a non-discretionary "pass/fail" criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act.

 

A pre-bid conference was scheduled last Thursday and the deadline for the submission of the bids and the opening of the bids is on May 12.

 

Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said they need 8,588 artillery rounds for their 105mm Howitzers this year. "That is a regular requirement of our troops in the field. Based on our estimate, we need these for the year," Hao said.

 

He said the 105mm Howitzers are the Army's main combat equipment. "We use these during operations, especially during infantry operations. In infantry operations, we use these items in areas that should be clear. We bombard these areas first," he said. After the bombardment, the ground troops are sent for clearing operations.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/563850/news/nation/army-to-buy-p247-8-m-high-explosive-ammunition

Farmer-protesters briefly blocked Koronadal-Gen. Santos Highway; PNP on heightened alert

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 24): Farmer-protesters briefly blocked Koronadal-Gen. Santos Highway; PNP on heightened alert

Police authorities here remained on alert and applied maximum tolerance against farmer-protesters who barricaded portions of the Koronadal-Gen. Santos Highway Sunday morning, preventing motorists from passing through it for about an hour.

Senior Supt. Barney Condes, Koronadal City police director, said the farmers, who have been asking rice subsidy from the government, formed human barricade, brandishing placards that said "Bugas, dili bala," starting at about 9:30 a.m.

Domingo Azures, speaking for the rally organizer Anak Pawis Partylist, said they will continue asking for rice subsidy from the government because Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has made it public that Mindanao has enough supply of rice for the victims of the continuing dry spell.

Vehicles, private and public transport, were stranded on opposite sides of the national highway in front of the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Center in Barangay Carpenter Hills.

Supt. Barney Condes, Koronadal City police director, said negotiations were underway to convince the protesters to just occupy half of the highway so vehicles could pass through.

Protesting farmers left the highway open after about an hour of closing it.

Condes welcomed the reopening of the highway but admitted they received reports the farmers would again barricade the highway anytime.

He assured maximum tolerance will be applied against the farmers.

Meanwhile, vital installations in Koronadal City have been secured with the deployment of peace officers, including the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse, government buildings, public markets, malls and even media outlets following reports of possible sabotage by communist guerrillas.

Elements of the 27th Infantry Battalion have been deployed around the city to thwart any attempt of destabilization.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=879201

BRP Gregorio Del Pilar to participate in 2 naval exercises

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 24): BRP Gregorio Del Pilar to participate in 2 naval exercises

The Philippine Navy (PN) will be deploying BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) to this year's ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Maritime Security & Counter-Terrorism (ADMM-PLUS MS & CT) Exercises and the Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Seagull.

The exercises will be held in the waters of Brunei and Singapore from May 1 to 12

PN spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo said the send-off ceremony for the Filipino frigate is scheduled for April 27.

The 11-day multi-lateral exercises will be focusing on maritime security and counter-terrorism.

Domingo said ADMM-PLUS MS & CT will conduct its first field training exercise which is highlighted by the rising tide of terrorism threatening the Southeast Asian region.

It will represent another significant moment whereby participation and commitment of all 18 countries for practical cooperation which the two major events -- the maritime security to be represented by PN, will participate in the sea-storming or surface operations, particularly the visit, board, search and seizure, and the counter-terrorism operations to be represented by Philippine Army will participate in land-storming or ground operations.

Aside from BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, other PN participants include one AW-109E "Power" naval helicopter (PNH-431), a medical team and chaplain, and a naval special operations team.

Eighteen countries will participate in the annual maneuvers and the 10 regular members are identified as the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The eight non-regular member countries are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and the United States.

MTA Seagull will be held from May 10 to 17 in Singapore and Brunei waters.

This seven-day bilateral exercise between Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the PN aims to enhance the interoperability and building defense capability.

The training includes the conduct of subject matter expertise exchanges, social interaction, shiprider program, and seaphase/field training exercise.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=879182

PHL not pressuring China over arbitration of maritime disputes, says Palace official

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 24): PHL not pressuring China over arbitration of maritime disputes, says Palace official
 

A Palace official denied on Sunday that the Philippines is trying to pressure China over an arbitration of the South China Sea disputes.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the Philippines’ move to present its case against China to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague as "either political arrogance or legal prejudice.”

Wang, who was in Cambodia to meet with his counterpart Prak Sokhonn last Friday, said China wants the maritime row to be resolved peacefully through negotiations between the parties directly concerned.

The UN Charter and international law encourages peaceful settlement of rows through dialogue. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), on the other hand, respects the decision of the parties concerned to choose how to settle the disagreement.

“Malinaw na hindi lamang ang Pilipinas ang naniniwalang makatuwiran ang paghain ng petisyon sa Court of Arbitrations sa The Hague,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma noted the declaration signed by the participants of the ASEAN-United States Special Summit in California last February which stated “Shared commitment to maintain peace, security and stability in the region, ensuring maritime security and safety, including the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas, and unimpeded lawful maritime commerce as described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as well as non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of activities.”

“Iyan din ang buod ng posisyon ng Pilipinas sa pagsusulong sa mapayapa at rules-based approach. Bilang bahagi ng international community, ang paghahain ng Pilipinas ng petisyon sa Permanent Court of Arbitration ay isang matibay na pagpapatunay sa pagtataguyod ng nasabing prinsipyo,” Coloma added.

Coloma said that participants of the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting held two weeks ago in Hiroshima, Japan want the maritime disputes between the Philippines and China to be settled peacefully.

“Dalawang linggo lamang ang nakakaraan, dito rin sa buwang Abril 2016, sa pagpupulong ng mga G7 Foreign Ministers sa Hiroshima, Japan, ipinahayag ng mga foreign ministers ng Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan at United States ang kanilang malakas na pagtutol sa 'intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions' sa South China Sea o West Philippine Sea para sa atin,” said Coloma.

“Idiniin din nila ang kahalagahan ng “peaceful management and settlement of maritime disputes through applicable internationally recognized legal dispute settlement mechanisms, including arbitration,” Coloma added.

“Klaro na ang makatuwirang posisyon ng Pilipinas sa usaping ito ay kinakatigan at umaani pa ng suporta ng maraming bansa. At malayong-malayo doon sa ipinaparating,” said Coloma.

According to the Chinese foreign minister, China is exercising its legitimate right to reject a compulsory arbitration. He said China made a declaration that excludes a compulsory arbitration in 2006 under the Article 298 of the UNCLOS.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=879206

Addt'l integrated logistics support to be acquired for C-295M aircraft

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 24): Addt'l integrated logistics support to be acquired for C-295M aircraft

The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are allocating the sum of PHP40,200,000 for the acquisition of additional integrated logistics support for the brand-new C-295M transport aircraft.

This involves the procurement of 47 line items of aircraft ground support equipment as additional integrated logistics support for the C-295M.

The country currently has three C-295M aircraft in its air fleet.

Pre-bid conference is on Friday, 10:00 a.m. at the DND Bids and Awards Committee Conference Room, Basement, Right Wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The guiding principles for this project shall be based on affordability and sustainability while conforming to the requirements of the Philippine Air Force in furtherance of accomplishing its mission.

Funding will be sourced from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund.

Delivery period is 60 calendar days from the contract effectivity. Bidders should have completed within five years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, at least two contracts similar to the project.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=879077

Duterte says he will become the country’s first left-leaning president

From Update.Ph (Apr 22): Duterte says he will become the country’s first left-leaning president

PDP-Laban Presidential candidate and survey frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said that if ever he wins this election he would be the first left-leaning president. This was reported by GMA News Online.

However, he said he is not a member of communist party or the New People’s Army (NPA) adding that he cannot join them because he is for democracy. NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Mayor Duterte added that he was a member of Bayan.

He also said that he did not dare Australia and United States to sever ties with Philippines. “I didn’t say that,” he said as quoted by the Manila Bulletin.

He explained that he just aired his misgivings about the Australia and US’ ambassadors statements regarding the mayor’s controversial statement about an Australian rape-slay victim.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party presidential candidate Mar Roxas earlier hit Duterte’s support on revolutionary taxes and NPA’s charging of permits to campaign.

“We will use the full force of the law—the law, and not lethal force—so that we can protect our democracy. Here it is, Mayor Duterte, the communists, the NPA represent the ultimate challenge to our democratic system and way of life,” Roxas said.

“I will fight it because our democracy, our freedom, our economic system, is important and are giving a better life to millions upon millions of families. I do not say the system is perfect but it is one that can give a better life to our countrymen,” he added.

http://www.update.ph/2016/04/duterte-says-he-will-become-the-countrys-first-left-leaning-president/4661

Davao cops held by NPA rebels appear in videos (Photos)

From the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 23): Davao cops held by NPA rebels appear in videos 

 

 

 

 

 

Screen pictures from videos released by the New People’s Army to the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper of the prisoners of war – Chief Inspector Leonardo V. Tarungoy, PO3 Rudolf Y. Pacetye, PO3 Rosenie L. Cabuenas, PO3 Abdul Azis A. Ali Jr. and PO2 Neil C. Arellano – are being held by the NPA’s 1st Pulang Bagani Command in Davao City in southern Philippines.

DAVAO CITY – Five policemen taken prisoners by communist rebels have appealed for their lives following a massive military shelling on strongholds of the New People’s Army in southern Philippines.

Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman, said the prisoners of war – Chief Inspector Leonardo V. Tarungoy, PO3 Rosenie L. Cabuenas, PO3 Rudolf Y. Pacete, PO3 Abdul Azis A. Ali Jr and PO2 Neil C. Arellano – are being held by the NPA’s 1^st Pulang Bagani Command.

They were captured on April 16 in the village of Salapawan in Davao City’s Paquibato district where rebels attacked and overran an army post manned by 72^nd Infantry Battalion.

The rebels also released videos of the prisoners – copies of it sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner – and showed the policemen appealing to the government to halt the military shelling and suspension of police operations in Davao for fear they would be killed in the continuing assault.

The NPA branded the military assault and police operations as “lunatic and fruitless rescue offensives in Paquibato district.”

In his appeal, Tarungoy – commander of police station in Paquibato – said:  “Ako ay nanawagan sa akong pamilya nga dili lang mabalaka, sa akong mga anak, Baby, Didi, Leonard, ayaw mo og kabalaka kay ok kaayo ko diri, safety, maayo ang pagtratar nila sa akoa diri, sa amo, basta okay ang treatment nila sa amo.” (I am appealing for my family to not worry, to my children, Baby, Didi, Leonard, don’t worry for I am doing fine here. I am safe. They treat us well. They treat us as human beings.)

The others also made a similar appeal and called on the government to work for their safe release.

Sanchez also branded as propaganda the statement of police spokesman Wilben Mayor who said that the prisoners are being kept in “makeshift animal cages.”

“While the conditions of war necessitate that the NPA custodial force secure and neutralize the capability of POWs to inflict harm to revolutionary forces, the NPA abides with war protocols even in the face of relentless military pursuit. Humane and lenient treatment of POWs is a hallmark of NPA’s custody of its captives,” he said.

“The police officers are legitimate targets of war when they acted in counter-insurgency and functioned as an integral part of the war machinery of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They are being subjected to the legal and judicial process of the People’s Democratic Government, including validating the claims made by the police hierarchy that the five police officers have not committed any war crime,” he added.

The NPA has been waging war for many decades now in an effort to establish a Maoist state in the country.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/davao-cops-held-by-npa-rebels-appear-in-videos/

New air contingent in Philippines will bolster relations but could aggravate China

From the Air Force Times (Apr 23): New air contingent in Philippines will bolster relations but could aggravate China

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II with the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, South Korea, sits on the flight line of Clark Air Base, Philippines, on April 16. The Air Force said the air contingent is there to support cooperation with Philippine forces, but experts say it's likely a move designed to counter China's territorial ambitions in the South China Sea as well.(Photo: SSgt. Benjamin Stratton/Air Force)

 

Amid heightened tensions with China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea, the Air Force sent an air contingent to Clark Air Base in the Philippines April 16.

The move came just two days after Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin announced an "enhanced military alliance" between the two countries in Manila.

The rotational force includes five A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and three HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters with the 18th Air Wing out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, and more than 200 airmen from various Pacific Air Forces units. They include aircrew, maintainers, logisticians and support personnel.

About 175 airmen stayed in the Philippines to stand up the contingent following the annual Balikatan exercise, April 4-16, that involved more than 8,000 service members from the U.S, Philippines and Australia. Another 30 airmen will arrive from PACAF headquarters at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, as well as several other PACAF bases.

It is not yet clear how long the aircraft and airmen will remain at Clark, but future rotations are planned. The composition of those units has yet to be determined.
The Warthogs, Pave Hawks, and airmen will remain at Clark “as long as both the Philippines and the United States deem necessary,” Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, a PACAF spokesman, told Air Force Times.

“There are many other U.S. military and international assets that provide unique capabilities, and which may be considered to support the air contingent,” Pickart said. “At this time, it is too early to speculate what other type of aircraft may support this detachment, but we are not limiting our options to any one type.”

The Air Force group will be joining Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft already at Clark, a hub of U.S. military air power until it was closed in 1991. It was reopened to U.S. forces in June 2012.

The service will carry out joint missions with the Philippine air forces focused on “maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and assuring access to the air and maritime domains in accordance with international law.”

As for the presence of the venerable Warthog, Pickart said the “A-10C was the right choice for this mission as it is capable of loitering close to the surface for extended periods to allow for excellent visibility over land and sea domains.”

The Air Force insists the move to set up a new air contingent is “not directed at any particular nation or military.”

“The Philippine and U.S. governments consult regularly on matters of mutual defense and military cooperation, and the status and activities of the air contingent will now be among those topics discussed,” Pickart said.

“The standup of this air contingent and the presence of our aircraft and personnel underscore the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region in an unpredictable and uncertain environment,” he continued.

But the move is likely to exacerbate tensions with the Chinese government, which has laid claim to the South China Sea, a large expanse of the Pacific Ocean encircled by the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

China has constructed military bases and landing strips on artificially created reefs in the Spratly Islands, an area roughly 230 miles off the Philippine coast.

The U.S. has responded by sending Navy ships within 12 miles of these new islands, China's self-proclaimed territory, to reinforce its position that these are international waters and open to shipping. And the Air Force has started sending forces to the Philippines as well.

“If the Chinese show up and do something aggressive off the [Philippine] coast, we need something closer than Guam or Okinawa,” said Gregory Poling, an expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C., think-tank.

“You need to have them on forward position on the site of the conflict,” Poling told Air Force Times. “We need to have air assets forward deployed to respond to any crisis there. Taking off from Okinawa and refueling is not the ideal way to do that, and we can’t always have an aircraft carrier right next door.”

The 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines, allows the U.S. military to rotate troops into the island nation and build structures to support military operations.

AIR FORCE TIMES

U.S. sending commandos, combat aircraft to Philippines

“It is clearly there so that the U.S. can invest in infrastructure,” said Poling, director of CSIS’s Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative. "That’s all about boosting Philippine maritime awareness capabilities and our own [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] capabilities.,” said Poling, the director of CSIS’s Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative.

The presence of U.S. troops and aircraft is likely to be viewed positively by other Southeast Asia nations.

“Other than the Chinese, I think everyone else is on the same page more or less,” he said. “The Philippines’ neighbors — Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia — they’re all facing a very aggressive China in the South China Sea. They’re happy to see an American presence. They might not want to host [troops] themselves, but they’re glad to see them in the region.:

Despite serving in part as a deterrent to Chinese moves in the region, Poling said the air contingent at Clark — and U.S. forces at other Philippine bases — will have a wide range of other missions.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, killing an estimated 6,300 people. U.S. military personnel were among the first to respond to the disaster and were critical in providing supplies and medical aid, Poling said. Having more U.S. forces in the Philippines will allow the U.S. to respond to such events even more quickly.

Leaders in the Philippines are also worried about potential terrorists in their nation and support for the Islamic State group.

“They’re getting increasingly concerned,” Poling said. “They’re still not as concerned as, say, the Indonesians are, given the Jakarta attack” in January that killed four and injured more than 20.

Abu Sayyaf militants were responsible for a 2004 terrorist attack in the Philippines that killed more than 100 people. The U.S. and Philippines worked together to target the group, and had “remarkable success” is dismantling most of their operations, Poling said, adding that the group has since devolved into more of a criminal organization focused on kidnapping for ransom.

However, at least one of the group’s leaders has declared allegiance to the Islamic State terrorists, raising the specter of future attacks.

“Neither country — the U.S. or the Philippines — has any interest in seeing them return to the kind of threat they were 10 or 15 years ago,” Poling said.

 

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2016/04/23/new-air-contingent-philippines-bolster-relations-but-could-aggravate-china/83329996/

 

Indonesian Crewmembers Rescued by Malaysia Arrive in N. Kalimantan

From the Jakarta Globe (Apr 23): Indonesian Crewmembers Rescued by Malaysia Arrive in N. Kalimantan



The five Indonesians, rescued by Malaysian authorities following last week's kidnapping attempt by Abu Sayyaf militants, have safely arrived at Tarakan, North Kalimantan, on Saturday (23/04), a navy official said.

The five were part of a group of 10 Indonesian crewmembers of a tugboat that was hijacked by the militant group in the waters between Malaysia and the Philippines, while heading back from Cebu to Tarakan.

Another Indonesian crewmember, who was wounded during a shootout between Malaysian authorities and the militants, is still undergoing intensive medical treatment at a hospital in Sabah, Malaysia, while four others were taken hostage by the group.

The five rescued crewmembers were escorted by two warships to the border between Malaysia and Indonesia, First Adm. Wahyudi H. Dwiyono said.

"They will undergo medical checkups on a warship before being reunited with their families," Wahyudi said, as quoted by Vivanews.com.

The Indonesian government has been pushing efforts to prevent frequent hijackings in the area, including cooperating with neighboring countries to step up security and maritime patrols.

http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesian-crewmembers-rescued-malaysia-arrive-n-kalimantan/

DWDD: SUSTAINED OPERATIONS II 3RD ASG Camp Falls in Basilan

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Apr 19): SUSTAINED OPERATIONS II 3RD ASG Camp Falls in Basilan

 

MANILA (DWDD) – Troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion commanded by Lt. Col. Elmer Suderio successfully captured another camp of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and recovered components in making Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in operation conducted in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan early Sunday.

According to Major Filemon Tan, spokesperson for the AFP Western Mindanao Command, this is the third ASG camp that fell to military forces after the April 9 clash incident that led to the death of 18 soldiers and wounding of 53 others.



The troops “were conducting combat operations in Barangay Baguidan of Tipo-Tipo town when they chanced upon the ASG camp, where aside they recovered IED components; five liters of gasoline; assorted medical paraphernalia; three sacks of rice; and five laminated sacks.

As of the moment, the government campaign has led to the neutralization of 38 bandits with three bodies recovered, including that Moroccan terrorist and bomber Mohammad Khattab, who is said to be acting as a conduit between a “Middle East terrorist organization” and the wounding of ASG sub-leader.

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/sustained-operations-ii-3rd-asg-camp-falls-in-basilan/

DWDD: VOICE OF AIRFORCE II PAF appoints new spokesperson

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Apr 19): VOICE OF AIRFORCE II PAF appoints new spokesperson



DWDD — Col. Araus Robert Musico faced a new responsibility in his life when he was appointed as the new spokesperson of the Philippine Air Force.

Col. Musico took up Engineering at UP Diliman and then proceeded to Philippine Military Academy where he graduated in 1990. On his first year at PMA, he got an offer to study at the US Air Force Academy.

He also went to the Air Force Flying School and Air University at Alabama, USA.
His previous works with the Philippine Air Force allowed him to learn more about civil military operations and leadership.

The officer  enumerated his responsibilities as a spokesperson – articulate and command policy, announce programs, and talk about PAF-related activities and news.

Col. Musico also said that PAF’s Flight Plan 2028 will broaden and strengthen the capability and credibility to ensure the national’s territorial airspace and waters.

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/51270-2/