DWDD: TREACHEROUS ATTACK | Unarmed militiaman killed in ambush

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jun 23): TREACHEROUS ATTACK | Unarmed militiaman killed in ambush

 

The 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army are now conducting pursuit operations against New People’s Army (NPA) members who ambushed two unarmed militiamen in Davao City, killing one and wounding the other on Tuesday.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, 10th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, in a statement Thursday said the attacks took place 6 p.m. at Purok 7 Cristory, Paradise Embac, Paquibato District.

Batchar identified the fatality as Mansarok Imbac while the wounded as Ruel Salangoy.

The two were aboard a motorcycle and headed towards Paradise Embac to buy some food when fired upon by the NPAs.

Mansarok died on the spot while wounded Salangoy was brought to a nearby hospital.
10th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Rafael Valencia condemned the rebels for their treacherous and unprovoked attacks against the unarmed militiamen.

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/treacherous/

DWDD: INAUGURATION | Duterte to attend two military events one day after his oath-taking

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jun 23): INAUGURATION | Duterte to attend two military events one day after his oath-taking

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will be attending two important occasions one day after his inauguration on June 30, 2016.

The first event will be the Change of Command of the Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP) for their new Chief of Staff, Lt Gen. Ricardo Visaya on July 1, 2016.

On July 5, 2016, will be the 69th anniversary of Philippine Air Force (PAF) which will be held at Clark Air Base, Pampanga and Duterte will be the guest of honor and speaker which was confirmed by PAF’s spokesperson Colonel Robert Araus Musico.

The Air Force will be showing a flyby which includes air assets parade. As of now, PAF has C-130 cargo planes, three C-295 medium lift aircraft, attack helicopters, refurbished HU-1Hs utility helicopters and currently waiting for the delivery of 10 FA 50 fighter jets bought from South Korea.

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/52698-2/

DWDD: PH to host 6th Asean Chiefs of Military Medicine Conference in July

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jun 23): PH to host 6th Asean Chiefs of Military Medicine Conference in July



The Armed Forces of the Philippines under the Department of National Defense will host the 6th ASEAN Chiefs of Military Medicine Conference (ACMMC) aimed to promote cooperation, exchange of experience and expertise, cope up with security challenges and help ensure peace and stability in the region.

 

The Conference, with the theme “Global Climate Change: Challenges to the ASEAN Military Medicine” will be held on July 11 to 13, 2016 at the Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

 

The event will be attended by a head of delegation, his spouse, a senior delegate and young Asean military medical officers from nine (9) countries which include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 

Brig. Gen. Reuel N. Sorilla, AFP Adjutant General, said one of the highlights of the conference is that each participating country will send entries of their respective scientific research papers that will be presented during the ‘Scientific Sessions.”

 

He said the conference would focus on the roles, functions and duties of chiefs of military medicine, increase their mutual understanding, and exchange of experience and expertise, particularly by young military medical staff, from the region.

 

There would also be bilateral meetings between Philippines and delegations from the region to discuss and possibly resolve various regional issues and concerns between and among the host country delegates and their counterparts.

 

Aside from the bilateral meetings and a tour of the AFP Medical Center’s Orthopedic and Traumatology Department, the host country will treat the ASEAN delegates to a ‘fellowship night’ where there will be awarding of winning scientific papers presented in the sessions.

 

The delegates would also be treated to a cultural tour to the historic Corregidor Island in Cavite. The island played an important role during the invasion and liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces during World War II.

 

Sorilla said the ACMMC has made great contributions in forging close, friendly and inclusive relations among ASEAN militaries, not only in forum, but also as “venue for collaborative mechanism on military medical cooperation in enhancing the professional skills in coping with the increasingly complicated, unpredictable, and transnational medical challenges, such as the widespread and dangerous epidemics and natural disasters as well.” (RAE)

 

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/ph-to-host-6th-asean-chiefs-of-military-medicine-conference-in-july/

DWDD: PMA | Molding Leaders of Our Nation

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jun 23): PMA | Molding Leaders of Our Nation





Why be a PMA Cadet?

• A noble privilege in serving the country
• Free college education with a well-rounded curriculum
• Monthly salary and allowances
• Guaranteed job after graduation
• Progressive career as an officer in the Philippine ARMY, NAVY or AIRFORCE

Admission

The start of the journey of a Filipino youth who dreams to embrace the profession of arms, through the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), is when he submits his application form to the Office of Cadet Admission(OCA) for processing, so that he can take the Philippine Military Academy Cadet Qualification Test (PMACQT),

After receiving the Test Permit from the OCA, the applicant will report to the designated Examination Center on the date indicated on the permit. The applicant is to bring said Test Permit so that s/he will be allowed by the Proctors to take the Exam. If the applicant passes the Exam, s/he will receive a written notice from OCA informing him of the result of the Exam and instructing him to report to AFP, Medical Center (AFPMC). He will then undergo the Complete Physical Examination (CPE) where his medical, physical, mental and emotional condition will be examined to determine his readiness and fitness for the military training in the Academy. CPE takes days, so a cadet candidate is required to stay in the billeting area provided by the Academy in AFPMC.

If the applicant successfully makes it, he will be required to report to PMA Liason Office in AFPMC for final processing during the last week of March before s/he will be brought to Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on April 01 for the Oath-Taking Ceremony and Reception Rites, signaling his official entry to the Academy as member of a PMA Class.

From then on, and during the four years stay in the Academy. s/he will undergo the education and training in the Academy designed to prepare her/him into becoming an officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the soldier of the Filipino people.



PMA Philosophy of Education

PMA adopts a holistic view of man as body, soul, and spirit. PMA believes that future leaders can be selected, formed, and developed to their fullest potentials. PMA is principally an institution for military leadership and it is from the total view of man that PMA’s leader development program is based. It contains character development, a balanced college education, military leadership, and physical development, necessary to prepare the cadets for the profession of arms and to be responsive to the needs of the Armed Forces and the Nation.



PMA Program Competency Statement
A PMA graduate is a values-centered leader who possesses the character, the broad and basic military skills, and the education essential to the successful pursuit of a progressive military career in selfless service to the AFP and the Nation
The education and training of a cadet in the Academy is characterized by the acronym CAMP, which stands for Character, Academics, Military Skills and Physical Fitness. These serve as the pillars in developing a well-rounded cadet who will become the future officer and leader of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The CAMP is the blueprint of the present curriculum being implemented in the Academy. The competency statement of each pillar is stated below:



Character Development Program Competency Statement
A PMA graduate is a motivated leader who has imbibed the PMA core values, serves as a role model, acts a mentor, and exhibits both moral soundness and ethical responsibility in the performance of his/her expected roles.

Academic Program Competency Statement

A PMA graduate is a military professional who possesses the broad and basic education holding a Bachelor of Science degree and who can competently use the knowledge learned from the Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Languages, Management, Mathematics, Humanities, Literature, Engineering and Technology in appropriate situations in his/her progressive military career.



Military Program Competency Statement

A PMA graduate is a military leader who possesses the basic military competencies of soldiery and the basic preparatory knowledge of his/her major branch of service peculiarities needed in the effective performance of his/her roles in the AFP.

Physical Program Competency Statement

A PMA graduate fully understands and applies the basics of Physical Fitness, Fitness Training, Nutrition and Sports Discipline, adheres to a healthy lifestyle and wellness which makes him/her physically prepared for military occupational tasks.

Contact Us

Office of Admission

Philippine Military Academy
Fort del Pilar, Baguio City
Tel Nos. (074) 446-8002 / 447-3690 / 447-3292 / 447-3686 local: 6751 or 6752
Telefax. (074) 447-2825
Mobile Phone Nos. 09178964299 / 09285597651 / 09437056890

Public Information Office

Philippine Military Academy
Fort del Pilar, Baguio City
EMAIL ADDRESS: oca@pma.ph / pio_pma@yahoo.com
WEB SITE: http://www.pma.ph


http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/pma-molding-leaders-of-our-nation/

Army in Albay to sustain operations vs communist rebels

From InterAksyon (Jun 26): Army in Albay to sustain operations vs communist rebels



The Philippine Army's 901st Infantry Brigade based at Barangay Villahermosa in Daraga, Albay said it will sustain its combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) in its area of responsibility after incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya ordered Bicol-based troops not to relax or lower their guard but to sustain their anti-insurgency activities.

The order came on the heels of NPA ambuscades against the Philippine National Police (PNP) that left one cop killed and two wounded, including a student in Masbate, on June 5 while two cops were killed and another civilian was wounded in an ambush in Bulan, Sorsogon on June 3.

“There are groups in the New People’s Army which do not follow order from their higher-ups despite an agreed ceasefire,” Brig. Gen. Claudio L. Yucot, 901st IB commander, said during a press conference at the Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group 5, Friday morning.

“I came to know this hard lesson for the last 30 years fighting communist rebels,” he said, adding that there are NPA units which are engaged in banditry.

The brigade’s operational control is in Albay, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur’s third, fourth, and fifth districts -- including the towns of Castilla, Pilar, Donsol in Sorsogon province.

“Yes we are always ready while the peace talk is being worked out,” Yucot said.

He said it is a welcome development that the government is entering another peace talk with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the National Democratic Front, and the New People’s Army in the country.

“But this does not mean that we will put our guards down because there are rogue elements in the NPA who will take advantage of the situation to make a fast run against us,” the Army official said.

Based on military intelligence, Yucot said, there are less than 30 NPA regulars operating in his command's area of operation.

“I want them (the rebels) to avail of the comprehensive local integration program. It’s sad to think Filipinos are fighting and killing each other because a group wants to impose a bankrupt communist ideology,” he said.

Yucot added that this program will give a new chance for their families to live a peaceful and normal life.

Although there is no formal order yet for a ceasefire, they might take advantage to attack far-flung and weak areas, he said.

“Once the order is given to start the peace talks with the accompanying cessation of hostilities, we will follow the order. Whatever order is given to us by our new AFP Chief of Staff we will follow it to the letter,” the Army official said.

Yucot added that there is no problem with the incoming AFP Chief of Staff because he is a very competent commander and a very good leader.

Visaya flew to Camp Elias Angeles, the headquarters of the 9th Infantry Division in Barangay Tinangis, Pili, Camarines Sur on June 20 to bid farewell and personally thank the officers, men, and women of the Army’s best infantry division.

He was received by 9th Infantry Division Commander Major Gen. Ferdinand F. Quidilla with the rest of the Team 9ID.

There was a command conference on the current status of division’s internal security operations which was attended by field commanders.

It was followed by a talk from Visaya to impart some guidance of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

He said his job as Southern Luzon commander was made easier because of “your cooperation and support."

Visaya will assume the post as AFP Chief of Staff on July 1.

http://interaksyon.com/article/129574/army-in-albay-to-sustain-operations-vs-communist-rebels

PMA Class ’86 member eyed as spokesman of incoming AFP chief

From InterAksyon (Jun 26): PMA Class ’86 member eyed as spokesman of incoming AFP chief

A senior officer from the Army’s 9th Infantry Division is a candidate for spokesman of the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the incoming AFP chief has indicated.

Lieutenant General Ricardo Visaya, who assumes office on July 1, told InterAksyon.com he is strongly considering Colonel Ferozaldo Paul Regencia as his spokesman.

The one carrying out that task now is Brigadier General Resituto Padilla, who is currently holding the position of AJ7, or Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations (J7).

Regencia, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sinagtala” Class 1986, is a “mistah” (classmate”) of incoming Philippine National Police (PNP) director general Chief Superintendent Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Visaya said of Regencia, “Yes, I’m highly considering him to be my spokesman. He has all the credentials and ability to become an overall military spokesman.”

Regencia has undertaken various public affairs courses. He once served as group commander of the Civil Military Operations Battalion of the National Capital Region (NCR), a position Visaya formerly held. He was also acting commander of the Army’s Civil Military Operations Group (CMOG) of the Philippine Army.

Regencia's current post is deputy commander and concurrent Task Group commander of the Army’s 902nd Infantry Brigade based in the Bicol region. Visaya was also once the commander of that Brigade before he was promoted commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City.

Regencia was among the senior officers given the Military Merit Medal. He helped in supervising security operations during the January 2015 visit of Pope Francis.

Senior and junior officers of the AFP Public Affairs family earlier “unanimously approved” the choice of Visaya about his spokesman.

http://interaksyon.com/article/129578/pma-class-86-member-eyed-as-spokesman-of-incoming-afp-chief

Regional developments of interest: Malaysian plane intercepted by Indonesian fighter jets: official

From InterAksyon (Jun 26): Malaysian plane intercepted by Indonesian fighter jets: official

A Malaysian military transport plane was intercepted by two Indonesian jet fighters while flying a regular route over Indonesia's Natuna Islands, defence officials said Sunday.

The C-130 aircraft was flying from west Malaysia on Saturday towards the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah, a senior official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"That (flying over the Natuna Islands) is a regular route," the official said, adding that the C-130 continued its journey to Sabah despite the interception.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed the incident.

"Yes... the aircraft was intercepted by two Indonesian jets," he was quoted as saying by the Star online news portal.

The incident came two days after Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited the islands on a warship in an apparent show of force after clashes with Chinese fishing vessels in the area.

Unlike some of its Southeast Asian neighbours, Indonesia has no maritime disputes with China over reefs or islets in the South China Sea.

But Beijing's claims overlap Indonesia's exclusive economic zone -- waters where a state has the right to exploit resources -- around the Natunas.

Hishammuddin played down the incident, saying Malaysia and Indonesia enjoy close relations.

"I'm not worried as this is normal and it happens everywhere in the world. If there were any incidents between us, we can deal with each other diplomatically. We will not let any incident ruin our ties," he added.

The Natuna Islands are located in the middle of the South China Sea separating peninsular Malaysia and the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island.

In 2002 Indonesia lost a case against Malaysia at the International Court of Justice over Sipadan and Ligitan, two small islands in the Celebes Sea off Sabah state.

http://interaksyon.com/article/129590/malaysian-plane-intercepted-by-indonesian-fighter-jets-official

Peace panel to CPP-NDF: Submit names of detained consultants to be given safe conduct pass

From InterAksyon (Jun 26): Peace panel to CPP-NDF: Submit names of detained consultants to be given safe conduct pass

 

Jose Maria Sison (middle), founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines. SCREENGRAB FROM TV5

The Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) need to submit the names of their consultants who will be part of the negotiating panel to be issued safe conduct pass when peace talks starts middle of July.

Hernani Braganza, a senior member of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel, over the weekend said at least 21 consultants and their staff who are presently locked behind bars and declared as political prisoners need to get safe conduct pass from the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG),

“We are only given 12 months to finish the job. We, in the peace panel under the Duterte administration are veterans of peace talks and what we need is to continue what we have finish to end the 47 years of insurgency in the country,” Braganza told reporters at the weekly Saturday News Forum at Annabel’s.

He said what they had agreed in the last three administrations must prevail and those agreements which need Congress approval should be followed.

Braganza, a former congressman of Pangasinan, said the progressive bloc in the House of Representatives may sponsor a measure in seeking to grant total amnesty to all political prisoners.

"May mga kailaganng procesong dapat sundin. May mga progressive blocs naman sa Congress. They take the initiative of filing 'yung batas na yun. How long will that take in Congress? Alam mo naman sa Congress kulitan dyan 'di ba? Tignan natin," Braganza pointed out.

Members of the progressive bloc who won in the last elections and will be part of the 17th Congress include the party-lists of Bayan Muna, ACT Teachers, Anakpawis, Kabataan, and Gabriela - who altogether have a total of eight members.

The bloc has yet to decide on whether it should join the supermajority being formed by incoming House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to facilitate President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's legislative agenda.

Braganza, together with peace panel chairman, Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III and Jess Dureza, went to The Netherlands to convince Jose Maria Sison and Luis Jalandoni to come home to the Philippines to start talking peace.

Another way is by amnesty proclamation by the President, he said, but still this is subject to concurrence by Congress.

He even recalled that this happened in 2010 when President Benigno Aquino III pardoned military and police officers who took part in failed attempts to unseat then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2003 to 2007.

When asked how many political prisoners are now in captivity, the peace negotiator said there were 543.

He said 18 were NDF consultants that were reportedly covered by JASIG, 88 were ailing, and 48 were already in their senior years.

Braganza said both the NDF and the government panels would assess who should be included in the amnesty list.

"When you talk about the JASIG, hindi lang yung mga ilalabas sa kulungan, pati yung mga tao nila that will comprise their experts na haharap sa experts ng mga gobyerno, yung security personnel nila, yung secretariat nila will also be covered by JASIG so that they can also move freely and consult with their constituency," he added.

As agreed by both the government and the NDF panels, formal peace negotiations between the government and NDF will resume in the third week of July in Oslo, Norway.

http://interaksyon.com/article/129571/peace-panel-to-cpp-ndf-submit-names-of-detained-consultants-to-be-given-safe-conduct-pass

Duterte could be open to talks with Abu Sayyaf

From InterAksyon (Jun 26): Duterte could be open to talks with Abu Sayyaf

Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte says he could be open to peace talks with the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf, which recently beheaded two foreign hostages and kidnapped seven more.
"The Abu Sayyaf is not my enemy. I know it is connected with the issue of Mindanao," Duterte told supporters in a speech in Cebu late Saturday, referring to the rebellion-torn south of the country.
"That is why I want to ask them: are they willing to talk or do we just fight it out?" said the firebrand politician, who campaigned on promises to get tough on crime and who takes office on June 30.

The incoming leader himself hails from Mindanao, where a decades-long Muslim separatist insurgency has claimed more than 100,000 lives.

While previous administrations have opened talks with major Muslim separatist groups in the South, they have deployed troops to hunt down the Abu Sayyaf.

The Abu Sayyaf is a loose network of a few hundred Islamic militants formed in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network that has earned millions of dollars from kidnappings-for-ransom.

Although its leaders have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, analysts say they are mainly focused on lucrative kidnappings.

Duterte said on Friday that he and his aides were responsible for successfully negotiating the release of one of the group's hostages, a Filipina who had been kidnapped along with several foreigners in September.

The Abu Sayyaf beheaded two Canadian hostages who were among that group. Thee fourth hostage, a Norwegian, is still being held.

Last week seven Indonesian seamen were abducted in waters off the southern Philippines, prompting Jakarta to ban any Indonesian-flagged vessel from sailing to the Philippines.

The Philippine military said Sunday it believes the Indonesians are being held in the remote Sulu archipelago, the main Abu Sayyaf stronghold.

Earlier this year Abu Sayyaf kidnapped four Malaysian seamen and 14 Indonesian sailors. They were freed several months later.

The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to consider joint measures aimed at curbing the seaborne kidnappings.

These include sea and air patrols over a designated transit corridor where vessels could travel between the countries.

http://interaksyon.com/article/129582/duterte-could-be-open-to-talks-with-abu-sayyaf

Philippines finally confirms kidnapping of 7 Indon sailors four days later

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 26): Philippines finally confirms kidnapping of 7 Indon sailors four days later

The Philippine military has finally confirmed Sunday that 7 Indonesian sailors had been abducted off the Sulu Sea – four days later after news broke out that suspected Abu Sayyaf militants seized the crew members of the tugboat Charles OO off Tawi-Tawi province in the Muslim autonomous region.

It was unknown why the military failed to immediately verify the report, but the official Philippines News Agency quoted Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla as saying the hostages were believed being held in Sulu province.

Padilla, a spokesman for the Philippine military, said the abductions occurred on June 22 on the Indonesian side of the Sulu Sea.

“Information from ground units suggests that the kidnap victims are possibly being held somewhere in Sulu. Joint Task Group is now assessing the situation and will plan for the best course of action to address the given situation,” Padilla said.

Indonesia on Friday confirmed the abduction of the sailors and said that 6 other tugboat crewmembers had been freed by Filipino gunmen and on their way home.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed the reports at a news conference in Jakarta. Marsudi said the government will do everything possible to ensure the safe release of all the hostages.

The crewmen were earlier reported to have been split into two groups, but Jakarta said the others had been released and that only 7 were taken captive.

The sailors have been identified as Ferry Arifin, the tugboat skipper; M. Mahbrur Dahri, Edi Suryono, Ismail, M.Nasir, M.Sofyan and Robin Piter. The boat – owned by PT Rusianto Brothers – was heading to Samarinda in East Kalimantan following a trip from the Philippines when gunmen on speedboats intercepted it.

Indonesian media reported that the boat captain phoned his wife and told her that they were intercepted at sea by gunmen, who introduced themselves as Abu Sayyaf and were demanding 20 million ringgits for their safe release.

The Abu Sayyaf previously kidnapped 14 Indonesian tugboat crewmembers in separate attacks at sea and brought them to Sulu province and eventually released through the intercession of the Moro National Liberation Front. The militant group has recently beheaded a Malaysian man and two Canadian hostages in Sulu after their family failed to pay ransom money.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/philippines-finally-confirms-kidnapping-of-7-indon-sailors-four-days-later/

PNP: Abu Sayyaf targeting Indonesians, Malaysians because they pay ransom

From CNN Philippines (Jun 25): PNP: Abu Sayyaf targeting Indonesians, Malaysians because they pay ransom



The police are still verifying the reported kidnapping of seven Indonesians off Sulu Sea. But the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group admits the Abu Sayyaf group is now targeting Indonesians and Malaysians.

The Abu Sayyaf group is now targeting Indonesian and Malaysian nationals because they are paying ransom to spare the lives of hostages, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

“Siguro malaki ang binibigay nitong mga napakawalan kaya umuulit,” Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo, director of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, told CNN Philippines Friday.

[Translation: “I think the freed captives pay big so the Abu Sayyaf keeps on engaging in kidnapping activities.”]

The Abu Sayyaf group has kidnapped at least 18 Indonesians and Malaysians in three separate attacks early this year.

Watch: Indonesian foreign ministry confirms kidnapping

Also read: 4 Malaysians abducted off the waters between Tawi-tawi and Sabah

All of them were released after ransom demands were allegedly paid in exchange for their freedom.

Related: Abu Sayyaf frees 4 Malaysian captives in Sulu

Related: Abu Sayyaf releases 10 Indonesian hostages

Fajardo said the kidnappings would not end until ransom money is being paid.

The Indonesian government on Friday announced seven crew members of a tugboat were taken by suspected Abu Sayyaf members off Sulu Sea on Wednesday.



"We got confirmation of an incident of kidnapping involving Indonesian crew of a ship," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said. 

Marsudi said two different armed groups attacked the tugboat towing a coal-carrying barge and abducted seven of the 13 sailors on board.

The other six were freed by their captors, Marsudi said.

Sources told CNN Philippines the Abu Sayyaf is demanding 50 million ringgit or around P600 million in exchange for the freedom of the seven tugboat crew members.

Philippine authorities are still verifying the reported kidnapping incident. Fajardo said their counterparts from Indonesia have also contacted them.

“May report na. Parang apoy yan e. Kung may usok, ibig sabihin may apoy,” Fajardo said.

[Translation: “There’s a report already. It’s like fire. If there’s smoke, that means there’s fire.”]
“But again, we have to confirm,” Fajardo said.  

[Video report]

LGUs receiving ransom money

For now, the police are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to verify the information.

“The local government plays a very important role kasi they know everyone in the area. Kasi taga doon ka e. And they know this Abu Sayyaf. So we need their help,” Fajardo said.

[Translation: “The local government plays a very important role because they know everyone in the area, because they live there.]

But Fajardo raised the alarm over intelligence reports that some local government officials have been getting portions of the ransom money paid to the Abu Sayyaf.

“Ang problema lang kung ang local government kasama na din ng Abu Sayyaf  at kumikita rin, hindi yan matitigil," he said.

[Translation: "The problem is if the local government is in cahoots with the Abu Sayyaf and is also earning money, (the kidnapping) won't stop."]

He refused to identify who these local government officials are.

Also read: Philippine army urges no payments to free foreign captives

Joint maritime patrolling

Early this week, defense ministers of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia agreed to conduct joint maritime patrolling activities at their sea borders after a series of security threats in the area.

During the Trilateral Defense Meeting in Manila on Monday, the three defense ministers committed to be collectively responsible in addressing armed robbery and kidnapping at sea borders.

The ministers agreed to do the following:

• Coordinate activities among armed forces focusing on maritime security;
• Explore the possibility of establishing join military command posts at designated locations;
• Hold trilateral maritime and air patrol at areas of concern;
• Create a working group that would set operational directions on the conduct of trilateral patrol;
• Build a transit corridor within the maritime areas of common concern, which will serve as the designated sea lanes for vessels; and
• Engage in intelligence sharing.

In the meantime, the Indonesian government says it will continue barring coal shipment to the Philippines until the government can secure its waters.  Indonesian authorities have warned that piracy in the Sulu Sea, a major traffic lane, could reach levels previously seen in Somalia.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/06/25/Abu-Sayyaf-target-Indonesians-Malaysians.html

Peace panel given 12 months to finish talks with CPP-NDFP

From CNN Philippines (Jun 26): Peace panel given 12 months to finish talks with CPP-NDFP



MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES: A New Peoples Army (NPA) rebel base somewhere in the jungle. Before entering the base area all outsiders including foreign journalists have to remove the batteries from their cell-phones.

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel has only 12 months to finish the talks and come to an agreement with Communist Party of the Philippines – National Democratic Front (CPP-NDFP).

Hernani Braganza, a senior member of the GRP peace panel said agreements made in the last three administrations must prevail.

“We are only given 12 months to finish the job,” Braganza told reporters on Saturday.

Braganza said they have marching orders to finish, through peace talks, the longest-running insurgency in Asia.

“We, in the peace panel under the Duterte administration are veterans of peace talks and what we need is to continue what we have finish[ed] to end the 47 years of insurgency in the country.”

Exclusive: Efforts to resume peace talks underway - NDF

Braganza, together with GRP chairman, Silvetre “Bebot” Bello III and Jess Dureza, went to the Netherlands to convince Jose Maria Sison and Luis Jalandoni to come home for peace talks.

As agreed by both the government and the NDFP panels, formal peace negotiations between the government and NDF will resume in the third week of July in Oslo, Norway.

Safe conduct pass for CPP-NDFP consultants, staff

Braganza said the government is willing to get a safe conduct pass from the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) for at least 21 CPP-NDFP consultants and their staff. They are presently detained as political prisoners.

“When you talk about the JASIG, hindi lang yung mga ilalabas sa kulungan, pati yung mga tao nila that will comprise their experts na haharap sa experts ng mga gobyerno,” Braganza said. “Yung security personnel nila, yung secretariat nila will also be covered by JASIG so that they can also move freely and consult with their constituency.”
 
[Translation: When you talk about JASIG, it’s not just about those who will be moved out of jail. It includes their staff, as their team of experts who will face the government’s experts. Their security personnel and their secretariat will also be covered by JASIG so that they can also move freely and consult with their constituency.]

Also read: CPP lauds the incoming Duterte government's peace efforts

According to Braganza, there are 543 political prisoners from CPP-NDFP as of the moment — 18 were NDFP consultants who reportedly covered by JASIG, 88 were ailing, and 48 were already in their senior years. Braganza said panels would carefully assess who to include in the amnesty list.

Also read: Duterte seeks general amnesty for political prisoners

But is amnesty possible for all political prisoners on the CPP-NDFP side? Braganza said there are two ways that could happen — one is through legislation, the other is through amnesty granted by the President of the Philippines.

In both cases, however, Congress would have to approve the amnesty.

Also read: Duterte gov’t eyes ceasefire with NPA before first SONA

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/06/26/12-months-finish-peace-talks-cpp-ndfp.html

Army on alert vs. floods in Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26): Army on alert vs. floods in Mindanao

All military units under the 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division were placed on heightened alert on Sunday, not against lawless elements, but against possible floods that could submerge communities under its jurisdiction.

This after a low pressure area (LPA) across Mindanao triggered massive downpour the past three days.

In fact, some low-lying communities in Maguindanao have been under knee-deep floods after the water level of Allah River in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat slightly increased.

The water from Allah River ended up in the Liguasan marshland which led to the flooding of Sultan sa Barongis town in Maguindanao and Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat on Friday.

Capt. Joan Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6th ID chief, has directed all brigade and battalion commanders in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato to monitor the rivers and waterways in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

At least 30 rivers and tributaries crisscross the adjoining provinces and end up along Rio Grande de Mindanao before reaching the Moro Gulf.

“This is part of our calamity protection program,” Petinglay said.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RDRRMC-ARMM) reported that flood waters have submerged low-lying areas of Pikit, Midsayap and Aleosan in North Cotabato and the towns of Sultan sa Barongis, Northern Kabuntalan, Mamasapano, Shariff Aguak, Datu Piang, Datu Hofer and Kabuntalan Mother in Maguindanao.

Also on Sunday, Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the ARMM said the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART) has also been monitoring the situation in flood-prone areas in Maguindanao.

The were no reported casualties in the flooded areas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=898861

Alleged NPA members execute man wanted for abduction, rape

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26): Alleged NPA members execute man wanted for abduction, rape

Six armed men who introduced themselves as New People's Army (NPA) rebels shot dead a man wanted for forcible abduction and rape in Barangay Madbad, Cawayan, Masbate at about 5 p.m. Saturday.

A police report said Michael E. Olanga, 25, a resident of the village, was going home with his live-in partner Glacel Abayon when the alleged rebels stopped his motorcycle, asked Abayon to alight and shot the victim.

The report said the killers were armed with high-powered firearms, which they used to execute their target.

The armed men, however, spared Abayon.

An investigation of the Cawayan Municipal Police Station showed that Olanga had a standing warrant of arrest for forcible abduction with rape from the Masbate Regional Trial Court and that the NPA rebels had earlier warned that they would execute Olanga who was allegedly involved in various crimes, including illegal drug trade and rape.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=898782

Authorities closely monitoring activities in West Philippine Sea, says Palace official

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26): Authorities closely monitoring activities in West Philippine Sea, says Palace official

Malacanang assured on Sunday that authorities are keeping a close watch on activities in the West Philippine Sea.

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said the safety of the public is the government’s main concern as he noted the recent warning issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The CAAP on Saturday alerted aircraft pilots in anticipation of China’s rocket launch on Hainan Island.

CAAP’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), a warning on the possible dangers on flight routes, was withdrawn after the successful launching of the Long March-7 new generation rocket, which is expected to become the main carrier for China’s future space missions.

“Walang dapat ipangamba dahil masinsin namang tinututukan ang mga kaganapan katulad niyan at ang ating CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) ay nakapagpalabas ng napapanahong babala o notice sa mga piloto ng mga sasakyang panghimpapawid upang umiwas nga doon sa inakalang maaaring daanan ‘nung rocket na iyong nabanggit,” said Secretary Coloma in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan.

“Ang mahalaga lang dito, malaman ng ating mga mamamayan na 24 oras, pitong araw sa isang linggo, hindi po tinatantanan ng ating mga awtoridad ‘yung pagtutok sa ganyang klaseng mga kaganapan para nga magkaroon tayo ng kaalaman at kahandaan at para manatili tayong ligtas,” Coloma further said.

The CAAP alert, which covered about 250 kilometers west of Manila Bay to 430 kilometers west of Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan, was issued from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. last Saturday.

China’s Long March-7 new generation carrier rocket blasted off from a new launch facility in Wenchang, a city in the southern province of Hainan.

The medium-sized, two-stage rocket is expected to become the main carrier for China’s future space missions. It can carry up to 13.5 tons to low-Earth orbit.

The re-entry module of the Long March-5 rocket is set to return to Earth at a desert in Inner Mongolia on Sunday afternoon after orbiting the planet 13 times.

According to reports, China is planning to launch its biggest carrier rocket, the Long March-5, from the same facility later this year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=898837