From GMA News (Jul 30): AFP pulls out troops in Surigao del Sur town
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's unilateral ceasefire with the insurgents, has pulled out troops in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, the site of previous skirmishes between government soldiers and communist rebels.
AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Edgard Arevalo said Lieutenant General Eduardo Año, commanding general of the Philippine Army, reported the removal of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on orders of AFP chief General Ricardo Visaya.
"This recent movement of Army elite units, another company of Scout Rangers, and other infantry units in pulling out from the area of combat operations of the 4th Infantry Division...manifests the AFP's resolve to comply with the directive of the President to step back from the operational area where there are likely armed engagement between government security forces and members of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front)," Arevalo said in a statement.
In April 2015, two soldiers and a civilian were killed while another seven were injured in an ambush allegedly perpetrated by the NPA in Barangay Mahayag in San Miguel town. This was followed by series of firefights in September last year.
Militant group Kabataan partylist earlier said the ceasefire will only bring peace to people affected by alleged militarization if government troops will pull out of their schools and communities immediately.
Duterte, however, has threatened to lift the ceasefire declaration following the ambush government militiamen in Davao del Norte on July 28, killing one and wounding four others. He also set a deadline for the rebels to declare ceasefire, which lapsed at 5 p.m. Saturday.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/575701/news/regions/afp-pulls-out-troops-in-surigao-del-sur-town
Saturday, July 30, 2016
US Coast Guard ship turned over to PH in Alameda, Calif.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 30): US Coast Guard ship turned over to PH in Alameda, Calif.
The four top officials of the United States Coast Guard and Philippine Navy applaud after the turnover ceremonies of the cutter Boutwell. They are from left outgoing ship commanding officer Capt. Matt Gimple, incoming ship commanding officer Capt. Brendo Casaclang PN, Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Acquisition and Chief Acquisition Officer Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvodich, and Commander of the Philippine fleet Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan PN. JUN NUCUM
ALAMEDA, California — A third ship decommissioned by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) was turned over July 21 to the Philippine Navy at the Coast Guard Island here, the third ship delivered in five years through the excess defense article (EDA) program of the United States Armed Forces.
United States Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (also known as high endurance cutter WHEC 719) was formally decommissioned by USCG officials on March 2016 in San Diego, California “after 48 years of distinguished service to the United States Coast Guard entered the fleet in 1968 … and (is now) transferred to the Philippine Navy,” according to Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvodich, the Coast Guard’s assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer.
The 378-foot Boutwell, the longest-serving cutter named after the former Secretary of the Treasury George Sewall Boutwell, was described by Vojvodich as “a fierce combatant of transnational crime, protector of living marine resources, safe haven for those in distress, and ambassador of global maritime cooperation.”
In 1998, it made a record-setting seizure of 72 tons of marijuana and in 2005, it seized 14,000 tons of cocaine. “Boutwell will continue to execute vital maritime mission (and) serve the Philippines in its struggle to protect freedom of the seas, protect life, (among others),” Vojvodich announced.
Now BRP Andres Bonifacio
After the turnover, USCGC Boutwell was named Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Andres Bonifacio and commissioned immediately.
Ex-US Guard Cutter Boutwell was renamed Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Andres Bonifacio after it was turned over in simple ceremonies in Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California. JUN NUCUM
Boutwell is the third ship handed over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines the two other decommissioned cutters, the San Diego-based USCGC WHEC-715 ex-Hamilton (BRP Gregorio del Pilar) and Charleston, South Carolina-based USCGC ex-Dallas (WHEC-716) now known as BRP Ramon Alcaraz.
In accepting the ship, Commander Philippine Fleet Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan stated that, through the EDA program, these U.S. assets will continue to strengthen and boost the Philippine Navy’s posture and credibility addressing, alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines, security concerns such as territorial integrity, maritime security, natural and man-made disasters and even internal security.
“Further, her capabilities will be significant in expanding the non-traditional maritime stress such as maritime terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, human and drug trafficking to name a few,” Gaerlan noted as his wife, Lucille Gaerlan, listened.
In an interview later, Gaerlan acknowledged that they did not expect to have the turnover this early, even after President Barack Obama himself announced the approval of its transfer when the US president went to the Philippines last November.
West PH Sea duty
Gaerlan also boldly agreed that it is very timely that cutter Boutwell was turned over when “we are supposed to be protecting the West Philippine Sea. The international tribunal court, through the Permanent Court of Arbitration released a decision just recently (in favor of the Philippines), which I think is very vital. The role of the fleet is of course to provide that. We have different area commands so where the ship is needed, we provide the ship in areas it may needed like the West Philippine Sea.”
Gaerlan added: “Like the previous two cutters or frigates, mostly the deployment of this is the West Philippine Sea which may be contested waters; but based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), 200 nautical miles from our territory is ours being part of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) most of islets there are within that range.”
“Acquiring the Boutwell is very significant because the bigger ships in the inventory of the Philippine Navy are not that durable anymore out at sea. So this is an added capability for the Philippine Navy that can be out to patrol at sea for thirty straight days,” Gaerlan explained.
Philippine Navy officers and crew led by Captain Brendo Casaclang prepare to board what would become BRP Andres Bonifacio before it was formally turnedover to Philippine authorities. JUN NUCUM
Outgoing commanding officer of the ship Capt. Matt Gimple intimated in an interview that the Boutwell is in excellent condition, and he could not be more pleased with the crew and the captain “who are outstanding seafarers and mariners” that he is turning the ship over to.
Bittersweet turnover
“Turning over Boutwell is bittersweet. Boutwell has served a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Coast Guard with many lives saved and has done much good work in terms of taking transnational crimes off of waters. And I know that it means a lot for us to know that it will be in the service of the Philippine Navy in continuing that proud tradition,” Gimple disclosed.
Vojvodich also had mixed feelings to have to turn over USCG Boutwell, a capital asset that served the coast Guard well for a long time. Boutwell is “like a home. It has a lot of memories growing up, working with shipmates,” he said.
“On the other hand, we have this very vital partner, the Republic of the Philippines. So turning it over to these professional sailors who understand maritime environment and who have common goals that we have for security, safety, good governance in maritime, having a partner use that asset now is remarkable,”
Vojvodich added. “This world is very complex and no nation can do alone. No nation has enough resources or military might will be able to resolve the complexities and challenges. So it is very important to do this sharing of assets to those strong, committed, capable partners and allies that we have common objective with. Turning over this vessel is timely (considering these times of uncertainties). It is even more important to depend on each other.”
USCG Chief of International Acquisition Tod Reinert USCG chief of International Acquisition, the office that handles the process EDA program transfers disclosed that the Secretary-class 378-foot high endurance cutter Boutwell has a current book value of about $8 million of the original acquisition value of about $80 million. It is a grant, free and essentially a gift from the U.S. government to the Philippine government.
Reinert explained that the Philippines won over about five candidate countries that included Bangladesh and Nigeria and that the decision on whom to give an EDA asset like Boutwell is made through an inter-agency coordination group led by the State Department, Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Coast Guard, among others who take a vote on who gets the ship.
Upgrades needed
The ship will need to be installed with navigation and communication equipment and there are some upgrades that the Philippine Navy wants to accomplish in the US for some system upgrades. The Philippine Navy is investing about $16 million to upgrade and outfit the ship, and training the crew to operate it for the voyage back to the Philippines.
“In the end they received a substantial saving of about $21 million worth of equipment,” Reinert bared. “The U.S. Coast Guard benefits because we are saving about $12 million with each of these cutter transfers in what would have cost us to dispose of the ships. The industry partners get some benefits as well because most of that work in outfitting of the ship will be done here in the U.S.”
However, Reinert also admitted that the Boutwell is an old ship whose spare parts are hard to find since a lot of equipment vendors are out of business or no longer make the parts that support the equipment onboard the ship. The equipment is being upgraded to new and supportable modern components.
BRP Andres Bonifacio remains docked at the Coast Guard Island in Alameda California for at least a month while Philippine Navy officers and crew undergo training to familiarize themselves with the ship before they sail to Philippine shores. JUN NUCUM
For his part, incoming PN Commanding officer of BRP Andres Bonifacio Capt. Brendo Casaclang divulged that the main function of the BRP Andres Bonifacio is to be a vanguard in conducting patrols outside of the Philippines’ territorial waters.
Home port to be determined
“It does not have any home port yet but it will be strategically placed anywhere it may be needed. Usually when a vessel like this reaches the Philippines, it goes to either Manila or Subic Naval Base in Zambales,” Casaclang continued.
“We will undergo training and for that, based on our timeline, we will be staying here until October and by then I hope we will be ready to sail home to the Philippines that may take another month including port calls and refueling. My first mission is to sail this ship safely to the Philippines.”
Retired Filipino US Coast Guard veterans in attendance rejoiced that BRP Bonifacio is now with the Philippine Navy.
“It is extremely important that the Philippines is the recipient of the cutter, especially with the issue going on with China and all. It will be a great help as this will be a deterrent. It is good timing that the turnover happened today as it is a good addition to the Navy fleet. They need a lot of training though,” Rolando Soria stated. Tony Lapaz, Loy Sison, Ernie Andales and Ramon Galapate echoed Soria in saying that the turnover is another good addition to the Philippine
Navy. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/142158/142158
The four top officials of the United States Coast Guard and Philippine Navy applaud after the turnover ceremonies of the cutter Boutwell. They are from left outgoing ship commanding officer Capt. Matt Gimple, incoming ship commanding officer Capt. Brendo Casaclang PN, Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Acquisition and Chief Acquisition Officer Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvodich, and Commander of the Philippine fleet Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan PN. JUN NUCUM
ALAMEDA, California — A third ship decommissioned by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) was turned over July 21 to the Philippine Navy at the Coast Guard Island here, the third ship delivered in five years through the excess defense article (EDA) program of the United States Armed Forces.
United States Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (also known as high endurance cutter WHEC 719) was formally decommissioned by USCG officials on March 2016 in San Diego, California “after 48 years of distinguished service to the United States Coast Guard entered the fleet in 1968 … and (is now) transferred to the Philippine Navy,” according to Rear Admiral Joseph M. Vojvodich, the Coast Guard’s assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer.
The 378-foot Boutwell, the longest-serving cutter named after the former Secretary of the Treasury George Sewall Boutwell, was described by Vojvodich as “a fierce combatant of transnational crime, protector of living marine resources, safe haven for those in distress, and ambassador of global maritime cooperation.”
In 1998, it made a record-setting seizure of 72 tons of marijuana and in 2005, it seized 14,000 tons of cocaine. “Boutwell will continue to execute vital maritime mission (and) serve the Philippines in its struggle to protect freedom of the seas, protect life, (among others),” Vojvodich announced.
Now BRP Andres Bonifacio
After the turnover, USCGC Boutwell was named Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Andres Bonifacio and commissioned immediately.
Ex-US Guard Cutter Boutwell was renamed Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Andres Bonifacio after it was turned over in simple ceremonies in Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California. JUN NUCUM
Boutwell is the third ship handed over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines the two other decommissioned cutters, the San Diego-based USCGC WHEC-715 ex-Hamilton (BRP Gregorio del Pilar) and Charleston, South Carolina-based USCGC ex-Dallas (WHEC-716) now known as BRP Ramon Alcaraz.
In accepting the ship, Commander Philippine Fleet Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan stated that, through the EDA program, these U.S. assets will continue to strengthen and boost the Philippine Navy’s posture and credibility addressing, alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines, security concerns such as territorial integrity, maritime security, natural and man-made disasters and even internal security.
“Further, her capabilities will be significant in expanding the non-traditional maritime stress such as maritime terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, human and drug trafficking to name a few,” Gaerlan noted as his wife, Lucille Gaerlan, listened.
In an interview later, Gaerlan acknowledged that they did not expect to have the turnover this early, even after President Barack Obama himself announced the approval of its transfer when the US president went to the Philippines last November.
West PH Sea duty
Gaerlan also boldly agreed that it is very timely that cutter Boutwell was turned over when “we are supposed to be protecting the West Philippine Sea. The international tribunal court, through the Permanent Court of Arbitration released a decision just recently (in favor of the Philippines), which I think is very vital. The role of the fleet is of course to provide that. We have different area commands so where the ship is needed, we provide the ship in areas it may needed like the West Philippine Sea.”
Gaerlan added: “Like the previous two cutters or frigates, mostly the deployment of this is the West Philippine Sea which may be contested waters; but based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), 200 nautical miles from our territory is ours being part of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) most of islets there are within that range.”
“Acquiring the Boutwell is very significant because the bigger ships in the inventory of the Philippine Navy are not that durable anymore out at sea. So this is an added capability for the Philippine Navy that can be out to patrol at sea for thirty straight days,” Gaerlan explained.
Philippine Navy officers and crew led by Captain Brendo Casaclang prepare to board what would become BRP Andres Bonifacio before it was formally turnedover to Philippine authorities. JUN NUCUM
Outgoing commanding officer of the ship Capt. Matt Gimple intimated in an interview that the Boutwell is in excellent condition, and he could not be more pleased with the crew and the captain “who are outstanding seafarers and mariners” that he is turning the ship over to.
Bittersweet turnover
“Turning over Boutwell is bittersweet. Boutwell has served a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Coast Guard with many lives saved and has done much good work in terms of taking transnational crimes off of waters. And I know that it means a lot for us to know that it will be in the service of the Philippine Navy in continuing that proud tradition,” Gimple disclosed.
Vojvodich also had mixed feelings to have to turn over USCG Boutwell, a capital asset that served the coast Guard well for a long time. Boutwell is “like a home. It has a lot of memories growing up, working with shipmates,” he said.
“On the other hand, we have this very vital partner, the Republic of the Philippines. So turning it over to these professional sailors who understand maritime environment and who have common goals that we have for security, safety, good governance in maritime, having a partner use that asset now is remarkable,”
Vojvodich added. “This world is very complex and no nation can do alone. No nation has enough resources or military might will be able to resolve the complexities and challenges. So it is very important to do this sharing of assets to those strong, committed, capable partners and allies that we have common objective with. Turning over this vessel is timely (considering these times of uncertainties). It is even more important to depend on each other.”
USCG Chief of International Acquisition Tod Reinert USCG chief of International Acquisition, the office that handles the process EDA program transfers disclosed that the Secretary-class 378-foot high endurance cutter Boutwell has a current book value of about $8 million of the original acquisition value of about $80 million. It is a grant, free and essentially a gift from the U.S. government to the Philippine government.
Reinert explained that the Philippines won over about five candidate countries that included Bangladesh and Nigeria and that the decision on whom to give an EDA asset like Boutwell is made through an inter-agency coordination group led by the State Department, Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Coast Guard, among others who take a vote on who gets the ship.
Upgrades needed
The ship will need to be installed with navigation and communication equipment and there are some upgrades that the Philippine Navy wants to accomplish in the US for some system upgrades. The Philippine Navy is investing about $16 million to upgrade and outfit the ship, and training the crew to operate it for the voyage back to the Philippines.
“In the end they received a substantial saving of about $21 million worth of equipment,” Reinert bared. “The U.S. Coast Guard benefits because we are saving about $12 million with each of these cutter transfers in what would have cost us to dispose of the ships. The industry partners get some benefits as well because most of that work in outfitting of the ship will be done here in the U.S.”
However, Reinert also admitted that the Boutwell is an old ship whose spare parts are hard to find since a lot of equipment vendors are out of business or no longer make the parts that support the equipment onboard the ship. The equipment is being upgraded to new and supportable modern components.
BRP Andres Bonifacio remains docked at the Coast Guard Island in Alameda California for at least a month while Philippine Navy officers and crew undergo training to familiarize themselves with the ship before they sail to Philippine shores. JUN NUCUM
For his part, incoming PN Commanding officer of BRP Andres Bonifacio Capt. Brendo Casaclang divulged that the main function of the BRP Andres Bonifacio is to be a vanguard in conducting patrols outside of the Philippines’ territorial waters.
Home port to be determined
“It does not have any home port yet but it will be strategically placed anywhere it may be needed. Usually when a vessel like this reaches the Philippines, it goes to either Manila or Subic Naval Base in Zambales,” Casaclang continued.
“We will undergo training and for that, based on our timeline, we will be staying here until October and by then I hope we will be ready to sail home to the Philippines that may take another month including port calls and refueling. My first mission is to sail this ship safely to the Philippines.”
Retired Filipino US Coast Guard veterans in attendance rejoiced that BRP Bonifacio is now with the Philippine Navy.
“It is extremely important that the Philippines is the recipient of the cutter, especially with the issue going on with China and all. It will be a great help as this will be a deterrent. It is good timing that the turnover happened today as it is a good addition to the Navy fleet. They need a lot of training though,” Rolando Soria stated. Tony Lapaz, Loy Sison, Ernie Andales and Ramon Galapate echoed Soria in saying that the turnover is another good addition to the Philippine
Navy. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/142158/142158
Lamitan execs seek to put up Army camp on donated land
From the Philippine Star (Jul 30): Lamitan execs seek to put up Army camp on donated land
Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay and his executive assistant, Radamier Abbas, showed to The STAR on Saturday the land where they want an Army Division camp established. Philstar.com/John Unson
Local officials will petition President Rodrigo Duterte to put up an Army division camp on a land the city government is ready to donate.
This city, which has 45 barangays, is the new capital of Basilan, a component province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay, chairperson of the city peace and order council, on Saturday said establishing an Army division base at the border of Barangay’s Bulanting and Maganda here will improve the confidence of foreign and local investors on the local business atmosphere.
Records obtained from the mayor and the city council indicated a continuing upswing in the local economy in the past five years.
Local officials and barangay leaders attribute the feat to the massive implementation of costly infrastructure projects by the executive department of ARMM during the period.
ARMM Gov Mujiv Hataman and the regional government’s public works department had constructed dozens of farm to market roads interconnecting local peasant enclaves in the past five years, several seaports and market buildings.
The ARMM government is also presently expanding the wharf in Lamitan City to attract local and foreign investors.
The projects of the Hataman administration in Basilan are being handled jointly by engineers Don Loong and Soler Undug, secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways-ARMM and chief of the Basilan District Engineering Office, respectively.
There have been recurring hostilities in the province involving Abu Sayyaf bandits and the military, but all are happening in municipalities far away from Lamitan City.
“There were nine bombings in the city in the past six months, all perpetrated by outsiders,” said Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay, presiding chairperson of the city council.
The vice mayor said the bombings were pulled off by bombers trained in fabrication of improvised explosive devices.
He said the attacks were obviously meant to divert the attention of Army and Marine units trying to drive away Abu Sayyaf forces from the province.
“We are appealing to President Duterte to listen to us, make our dream of having an Army division camp in Lamitan City happen,” said Furigay.
He said the city council will convene on Wednesday to draft a resolution seeking Duterte’s imprimatur for the setting up of the division headquarters.
Basilan has an Army brigade camp located in its former capital, Isabela City, now under Region 9.
The facility, however, is deemed tactically insufficient to address the security problems in interior areas in the island province.
Furigay said there is a need to put up an Army division camp in Basilan to also help ensure the safety of construction workers implementing infrastructure projects of the ARMM government.
“These projects will improve the local economy, generate better livelihood opportunities for local residents and marginalize and maybe even cause the extinction of the Abu Sayyaf,” he added.
Furigay said one strong sign that Lamitan City now has a robust economy is their having availed of huge loans from the Land Bank of the Philippines for the city government’s local infrastructure thrusts.
Banks, as a policy, always count on the economic viability and capability of local government units applying for loans to pay borrowed money with corresponding interests.
The city government is presently constructing a hospital, a P50-million-worth 4,000-seater gymnasium for peace dialogues and important events, and a business center using bank loans and funds allocated by Hataman’s office.
Hataman and Lamitan City officials launched early this month the construction of a new P250-million-worth ARMM government center in Barangay Sta. Clara southeast of the city.
The project is being bankrolled by the office of Hataman.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/07/30/1608289/lamitan-execs-seek-put-army-camp-donated-land
Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay and his executive assistant, Radamier Abbas, showed to The STAR on Saturday the land where they want an Army Division camp established. Philstar.com/John Unson
Local officials will petition President Rodrigo Duterte to put up an Army division camp on a land the city government is ready to donate.
This city, which has 45 barangays, is the new capital of Basilan, a component province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay, chairperson of the city peace and order council, on Saturday said establishing an Army division base at the border of Barangay’s Bulanting and Maganda here will improve the confidence of foreign and local investors on the local business atmosphere.
Local officials and barangay leaders attribute the feat to the massive implementation of costly infrastructure projects by the executive department of ARMM during the period.
ARMM Gov Mujiv Hataman and the regional government’s public works department had constructed dozens of farm to market roads interconnecting local peasant enclaves in the past five years, several seaports and market buildings.
The ARMM government is also presently expanding the wharf in Lamitan City to attract local and foreign investors.
The projects of the Hataman administration in Basilan are being handled jointly by engineers Don Loong and Soler Undug, secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways-ARMM and chief of the Basilan District Engineering Office, respectively.
There have been recurring hostilities in the province involving Abu Sayyaf bandits and the military, but all are happening in municipalities far away from Lamitan City.
“There were nine bombings in the city in the past six months, all perpetrated by outsiders,” said Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay, presiding chairperson of the city council.
The vice mayor said the bombings were pulled off by bombers trained in fabrication of improvised explosive devices.
He said the attacks were obviously meant to divert the attention of Army and Marine units trying to drive away Abu Sayyaf forces from the province.
“We are appealing to President Duterte to listen to us, make our dream of having an Army division camp in Lamitan City happen,” said Furigay.
He said the city council will convene on Wednesday to draft a resolution seeking Duterte’s imprimatur for the setting up of the division headquarters.
Basilan has an Army brigade camp located in its former capital, Isabela City, now under Region 9.
The facility, however, is deemed tactically insufficient to address the security problems in interior areas in the island province.
Furigay said there is a need to put up an Army division camp in Basilan to also help ensure the safety of construction workers implementing infrastructure projects of the ARMM government.
“These projects will improve the local economy, generate better livelihood opportunities for local residents and marginalize and maybe even cause the extinction of the Abu Sayyaf,” he added.
Furigay said one strong sign that Lamitan City now has a robust economy is their having availed of huge loans from the Land Bank of the Philippines for the city government’s local infrastructure thrusts.
Banks, as a policy, always count on the economic viability and capability of local government units applying for loans to pay borrowed money with corresponding interests.
The city government is presently constructing a hospital, a P50-million-worth 4,000-seater gymnasium for peace dialogues and important events, and a business center using bank loans and funds allocated by Hataman’s office.
Hataman and Lamitan City officials launched early this month the construction of a new P250-million-worth ARMM government center in Barangay Sta. Clara southeast of the city.
The project is being bankrolled by the office of Hataman.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/07/30/1608289/lamitan-execs-seek-put-army-camp-donated-land
AFP: 2 subleaders among 6 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Basilan, Sulu
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 29): AFP: 2 subleaders among 6 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Basilan, Sulu
Six Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in the continuing military operation in Basilan and Sulu on Friday, the military reported.
Major Filemon Tan Jr., the spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said two of those killed were identified as sub-leaders of the bandit group.
Tan said the Basilan clash took place in Tipo-tipo town around 6:30 a.m., where two bandits under Radzmil Jannatul alias Khubayb, and Guro Arah, were slain.
Nine government troopers were injured and have been airlifted to a military hospital here, he said.
Soldiers also recovered a 50-caliber machine gun, Tan said.
About three hours after the Basilan clash, Tan said soldiers also encountered the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Alden Bagadi in Barangay Langpas in Indanan, Sulu.
Four Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed in the clash while two soldiers were injured, he said.
“Close air support was provided to the engaged troops. Military troops further recovered the remains of the enemy’s casualties,” Tan said.
Tan did not say who among the slain Abu Sayyaf bandits were the sub-leaders.
The military has been conducting massive operations in Basilan and Sulu since last month after the bandit group beheaded two foreign hostages and refused to release the remaining kidnap victims, still numbering over two dozens as of Friday.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/800997/afp-2-subleaders-among-6-abu-sayyaf-bandits-killed-in-basilan-sulu
Six Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in the continuing military operation in Basilan and Sulu on Friday, the military reported.
Major Filemon Tan Jr., the spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said two of those killed were identified as sub-leaders of the bandit group.
Tan said the Basilan clash took place in Tipo-tipo town around 6:30 a.m., where two bandits under Radzmil Jannatul alias Khubayb, and Guro Arah, were slain.
Nine government troopers were injured and have been airlifted to a military hospital here, he said.
Soldiers also recovered a 50-caliber machine gun, Tan said.
About three hours after the Basilan clash, Tan said soldiers also encountered the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Alden Bagadi in Barangay Langpas in Indanan, Sulu.
Four Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed in the clash while two soldiers were injured, he said.
“Close air support was provided to the engaged troops. Military troops further recovered the remains of the enemy’s casualties,” Tan said.
Tan did not say who among the slain Abu Sayyaf bandits were the sub-leaders.
The military has been conducting massive operations in Basilan and Sulu since last month after the bandit group beheaded two foreign hostages and refused to release the remaining kidnap victims, still numbering over two dozens as of Friday.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/800997/afp-2-subleaders-among-6-abu-sayyaf-bandits-killed-in-basilan-sulu
Joma Sison asks Duterte: Don’t rush us into ceasefire
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 29): Joma Sison asks Duterte: Don’t rush us into ceasefire
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison and President Rodrigo Duterte. FILE PHOTOS
Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison appealed to President Duterte not to rush the communist rebel forces into immediately reciprocating the unilateral ceasefire the Chief Executive declared last Monday, saying the CPP, its armed wing the New People’s Army and its political wing the National Democratic Front of the Philippines must first study the parameters and the terms of the government’s unilateral ceasefire.
“President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords. It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study the implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the unilateral ceasefire order.”
Sison said that while Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire “effective immediately” on July 25, the Armed Forces of the Philippines did not issue its suspension of offensive military operations or SOMO until July 26.
“But it would only be on July 26 that the SOMO of the AFP would be issued, with no clarity about many things, like no end yet of the ongoing AFP national … campaigns against the NPA and also the occupation of Lumad communities, schools, health clinics and barangay halls.”
The Philippine National Police, on the other hand, only issued a SOPO or the suspension of offensive police operations on July 27, noted Sison, adding that the police did not stop the pursuit of “legal offensives” or criminal charges against the communist rebels.
“Only on July 27 did the PNP issue a SOPO, which among other things, provided for the continuance of “legal offensives” (i.e. the trumping of false charges of common crimes against people suspected of being connected to the NPA) in violation of JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees), CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws) and the Hernandez political offense doctrine.”
Sison added that the formal exchange of documents regarding President Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire would be done the resumption of formal talks from August 20 to 27.
The CPP-NPA-NDFP welcomed President Duterte’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire and expressed its appreciation through an NPA directive to its guerilllas that they stay “in active defense mode” and no more.
However, tensions between the Philippine government and the communist rebel forces arose when the AFP reported that the NPA attacked a group of militiamen in Kapalong, Davao del Norte on Wednesday (July 27), killing one militiamen and wounding four others, when a unilateral ceasefire had been declared.
President Duterte demanded an explanation from the communist rebels and threatened to cancel the unilateral ceasefire if he did not get a response by Thursday night or Friday morning. The CPP-NPA-NDFP asked for more time to investigate the Kapalong-Davao del Norte ambush.
Duterte responded by saying he would wait for their explanation until 5 p.m., Saturday (July 30).
In the meantime, the New People’s Army claimed that they attacked the group of militiamen in Davao del Norte after receiving credible information that Army soldiers and the paramilitary units in the area were about to attack communist guerillas there. Aris Francisco, NPA spokesman, accused the military of trying to sabotage the peace talks.
The following is the statement from Jose Maria Sison:
“President Duterte merely made an announcement of a unilateral ceasefire “effectively immediately” in his SONA on July 25. But it would only be on July 26 that the SOMO of the AFP would be issued, with no clarity about many things, like no end yet of the ongoing AFP national … campaigns against the NPA and also the occupation of Lumad communities, schools, health clinics and barangay halls.
“Only on July 27 did the PNP issue a SOPO, which among other things, provided for the continuance of “legal offensives” (i.e. the trumping of false charges of common crimes against people suspected of being connected to the NPA) in violation of JASIG, CARHRIHL and the Hernandez political offense doctrine.
“The Central Committee of the CPP has to do study these defective issuances of the AFP and PNP … President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords.
“It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study the implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the unilatreral ceasefire order.
“Before the issuance of the latter ceasefire, there is yet no two-sided ceasefire even if through unilateral ceasefire orders.
“In the letter of Jalandoni as NDFP negotiating panel chairperson to his GRP counterpart Bello, he said that at the latest the formal exhange of the documents of unilateral ceasefire shall be done during the resumption of formal talks from August 20 to 27.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/800989/joma-sison-asks-duterte-dont-rush-us-into-ceasefire
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison and President Rodrigo Duterte. FILE PHOTOS
Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison appealed to President Duterte not to rush the communist rebel forces into immediately reciprocating the unilateral ceasefire the Chief Executive declared last Monday, saying the CPP, its armed wing the New People’s Army and its political wing the National Democratic Front of the Philippines must first study the parameters and the terms of the government’s unilateral ceasefire.
“President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords. It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study the implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the unilateral ceasefire order.”
Sison said that while Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire “effective immediately” on July 25, the Armed Forces of the Philippines did not issue its suspension of offensive military operations or SOMO until July 26.
“But it would only be on July 26 that the SOMO of the AFP would be issued, with no clarity about many things, like no end yet of the ongoing AFP national … campaigns against the NPA and also the occupation of Lumad communities, schools, health clinics and barangay halls.”
The Philippine National Police, on the other hand, only issued a SOPO or the suspension of offensive police operations on July 27, noted Sison, adding that the police did not stop the pursuit of “legal offensives” or criminal charges against the communist rebels.
“Only on July 27 did the PNP issue a SOPO, which among other things, provided for the continuance of “legal offensives” (i.e. the trumping of false charges of common crimes against people suspected of being connected to the NPA) in violation of JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees), CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws) and the Hernandez political offense doctrine.”
Sison added that the formal exchange of documents regarding President Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire would be done the resumption of formal talks from August 20 to 27.
The CPP-NPA-NDFP welcomed President Duterte’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire and expressed its appreciation through an NPA directive to its guerilllas that they stay “in active defense mode” and no more.
However, tensions between the Philippine government and the communist rebel forces arose when the AFP reported that the NPA attacked a group of militiamen in Kapalong, Davao del Norte on Wednesday (July 27), killing one militiamen and wounding four others, when a unilateral ceasefire had been declared.
President Duterte demanded an explanation from the communist rebels and threatened to cancel the unilateral ceasefire if he did not get a response by Thursday night or Friday morning. The CPP-NPA-NDFP asked for more time to investigate the Kapalong-Davao del Norte ambush.
Duterte responded by saying he would wait for their explanation until 5 p.m., Saturday (July 30).
In the meantime, the New People’s Army claimed that they attacked the group of militiamen in Davao del Norte after receiving credible information that Army soldiers and the paramilitary units in the area were about to attack communist guerillas there. Aris Francisco, NPA spokesman, accused the military of trying to sabotage the peace talks.
The following is the statement from Jose Maria Sison:
“President Duterte merely made an announcement of a unilateral ceasefire “effectively immediately” in his SONA on July 25. But it would only be on July 26 that the SOMO of the AFP would be issued, with no clarity about many things, like no end yet of the ongoing AFP national … campaigns against the NPA and also the occupation of Lumad communities, schools, health clinics and barangay halls.
“Only on July 27 did the PNP issue a SOPO, which among other things, provided for the continuance of “legal offensives” (i.e. the trumping of false charges of common crimes against people suspected of being connected to the NPA) in violation of JASIG, CARHRIHL and the Hernandez political offense doctrine.
“The Central Committee of the CPP has to do study these defective issuances of the AFP and PNP … President Duterte should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords.
“It took at least three days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study the implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the unilatreral ceasefire order.
“Before the issuance of the latter ceasefire, there is yet no two-sided ceasefire even if through unilateral ceasefire orders.
“In the letter of Jalandoni as NDFP negotiating panel chairperson to his GRP counterpart Bello, he said that at the latest the formal exhange of the documents of unilateral ceasefire shall be done during the resumption of formal talks from August 20 to 27.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/800989/joma-sison-asks-duterte-dont-rush-us-into-ceasefire
BIFF tinugis hanggang MILF camp
From Abante Tonight (Jul 29): BIFF tinugis hanggang MILF camp (BIFF pursued into MILF camp)
Nakapasok ang mga tropa ng military sa kampo ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sa Maguindanao habang tinutugis ang mga miyembro ng Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (MILF) kahapon ng umaga.
Dahil dito, nagpahayag ng pangamba ang MILF na baka madamay ang kanilang mga kasamahan sa bakbakan pero tiniyak naman ni Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla na activated na ang peace coordinating mechanism sa Maguindanao area para mamagitan at maayos ang sitwasyon.
Tiniyak ni Padilla na nakasentro ang operasyon ng military laban sa BIFF sa mga lugar Shariff Aguak, Pagatin, Mamasapano at Shariff Saydona Mustapha sa Maguindanao.
Moro rebs, soldiers clash in Maguindanao despite ‘markers’
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 29): Moro rebs, soldiers clash in Maguindanao despite ‘markers’
Soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels clashed in Maguindanao on Thursday, sources said.
Shallom Fatima Pir Allian, program manager of Nisa Ul Haqq Bangsamoro, said the clash took place in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.
Allian said the encounter started at 6 a.m. and occurred despite “the markers done by the CCCH (Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities) on both sides.”
The markers indicated MILF territories, she said, and “the military did not honor the markers (boundaries).”
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal confirmed that their forces clashed with soldiers on Thursday.
“Yes, the Armed Forces of the Philippines entered the area,” he said.
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), which has jurisdiction over Maguindanao, also confirmed that a clash happened there on Thursday.
However, Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., the Westmincom spokesperson, said they were not aware of any engagement with the MILF.
“We are not fighting against the MILF. Our troops are pursuing the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters). It’s not an ongoing clash, these are sporadic firefights,” he said.
Tan said clash on Thursday was among a series of incidents involving suspected BIFF forces in Maguindanao, which “started a few days ago.”
“In fact, one (soldier was) killed in action and four others were wounded (in these clashes). We were informed that at least 15 BIFF members were also killed last Wednesday,” he said.
Tan said the military will leave the investigation of the reported encounter between soldiers and MILF rebels to the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Adhoc Joint Action Groups.
“We don’t go inside (MILF areas) without clear coordination. We are not running after the MILF. What we are pursuing is the BIFF,” Tan added.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/800456/moro-rebels-soldiers-clash-in-maguindanao-amid-territory-markers
Soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels clashed in Maguindanao on Thursday, sources said.
Shallom Fatima Pir Allian, program manager of Nisa Ul Haqq Bangsamoro, said the clash took place in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.
Allian said the encounter started at 6 a.m. and occurred despite “the markers done by the CCCH (Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities) on both sides.”
The markers indicated MILF territories, she said, and “the military did not honor the markers (boundaries).”
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal confirmed that their forces clashed with soldiers on Thursday.
“Yes, the Armed Forces of the Philippines entered the area,” he said.
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), which has jurisdiction over Maguindanao, also confirmed that a clash happened there on Thursday.
However, Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., the Westmincom spokesperson, said they were not aware of any engagement with the MILF.
“We are not fighting against the MILF. Our troops are pursuing the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters). It’s not an ongoing clash, these are sporadic firefights,” he said.
Tan said clash on Thursday was among a series of incidents involving suspected BIFF forces in Maguindanao, which “started a few days ago.”
“In fact, one (soldier was) killed in action and four others were wounded (in these clashes). We were informed that at least 15 BIFF members were also killed last Wednesday,” he said.
Tan said the military will leave the investigation of the reported encounter between soldiers and MILF rebels to the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Adhoc Joint Action Groups.
“We don’t go inside (MILF areas) without clear coordination. We are not running after the MILF. What we are pursuing is the BIFF,” Tan added.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/800456/moro-rebels-soldiers-clash-in-maguindanao-amid-territory-markers
Commentary -- Corruption, not terrorism, is the biggest threat to investors in Asia
From the Nikkei Asian Review (Jul 28): Commentary -- Corruption, not terrorism, is the biggest threat to investors in Asia (By Nicholas Borroz)
Soldiers patrol near the Holey Artisan restaurant after gunmen attacked the upscale cafe in Dhaka on July 2. © Reuters
The Islamic State group released a video in June showing several battalions of the Philippine Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf pledging allegiance to the organization and its goals. As the Middle East-based group increases its presence in Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia, foreign investors in the region might well be asking: How much risk does terrorism pose to their investments?
In terms of recent headlines, the region certainly seems intimidating to investors. IS has urged local jihadists who cannot reach Iraq or Syria to join the fight wherever they are. It has particularly targeted secessionist groups in the Philippines and has made menacing noises about Myanmar, particularly after claiming responsibility for the shockingly brutal July 1 Dhaka café attack in neighboring Bangladesh which killed about 28 people. The group also recently launched a Malay-language publication, primarily targeting sympathizers in Indonesia and Malaysia, the region's two largest Muslim countries. Fighters from both countries have joined IS in the Middle East, and have also mounted sporadic terrorist attacks in their home countries in recent years.
In Thailand, Malay-Muslim rebels in the south of the country continue to fight against the central government in what they see as a national liberation struggle. These fighters have not yet allied themselves with global terrorist groups, nor have they indicated they intend to do so. But it is worth monitoring this conflict to see if IS tries to use it as a way to expand its presence in the region.
There is also a new type of terrorism developing in Thailand. A large bomb attack in 2015 rocked central Bangkok, killing 20 people and injuring more than 200. It is unclear who carried out the bombing, but it seems to have been in response to Thailand's deportation of 100 Uyghurs to China. Uyghurs are a Muslim ethnic group that China blames for terrorist attacks in its western provinces. Beijing claims that Uyghurs are using countries like Thailand as transit routes to escape to the Middle East.
In Myanmar, the marginalized Muslim Rohingya group seems ripe for radicalization. Denied official recognition by Myanmar's government, many live in squalid refugee camps. Although there is little indication they have been targeted for recruitment by terrorist groups so far, there are growing concerns in the region that IS could seek to leverage the Rohingyas' desperate situation to its advantage in the region.
Along the western flank of Southeast Asia, Bangladesh even before the Dhaka café attack had suffered an uptick in brutal killings, with a series of grisly, high-profile machete deaths of progressive activists. Islamist extremists appear to be the main perpetrators of these killings, and IS has claimed responsibility for some of them.
Despite these developments, terrorism in Southeast Asia appears to have had little immediate impact on typical foreign investments, including equity stakes in local businesses or infrastructure projects.
The Abu Sayyaf announcement of allegiance to IS, for instance, does not mean the organization will become stronger. As seen in other parts of the world, when local groups declare affiliation to IS, they do not necessarily improve their capabilities on the ground. Nigeria's Boko Haram named itself last year as the IS "province" in West Africa. Although the allegiance generated big headlines at the time, it does not appear to have resulted in any significant strengthening of the group. On the contrary, Boko Haram has been relatively quiet since then, compared to the rapid expansion it enjoyed before announcing allegiance to IS.
Islamic State troubles
Another factor to consider when assessing the IS threat in Southeast Asia is the actual weakening of the group globally. Its territory in Iraq and Syria is shrinking -- with losses this past year of up to about one third the land it claimed -- and it may see the eventual demise of its "caliphate." A shift in tactics toward underground terrorist attacks - as opposed to holding territory - has already begun. While this creates a new set of challenges in the short term, the failure of IS in the long term to create a viable state weakens its reputation, and therefore its capacity to support regional affiliates.
Terrorist groups also prefer to target governments or ideological enemies as opposed to foreign investment projects. Attacking government representatives or rival sects does more to boost recruitment than bombing run-of-the-mill targets like industrial facilities or logistics networks.
Of course, the level of risk depends very much on where and what type of investment is under consideration. A hotel chain in Bali, for instance, would be a questionable investment if Indonesia develops a reputation for being a dangerous place for tourists. Other investment projects under threat would be those associated with the ideological enemies of terrorist groups, such as a government-related gas pipeline.
To be blunt, foreign investors should worry more about regular compliance risks and corruption rather than terrorism. Corruption remains a series obstacle to doing business in Southeast Asia, as highlighted by the escalating scandal involving Malaysia's 1MDB investment fund. Instead of being distracted by fears of kidnapping and suicide bomb attacks, investors should focus on establishing proper due diligence programs in managing their projects to tackle corruption or search for new business opportunities.
[Nicholas Borroz is a Washington-based strategic intelligence consultant and an expert on international investment risks.]
http://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/20160728-GENERATION-CHANGE/Politics-Economy/Malaysia-s-1MBD-woes-deepen-with-US-lawsuit
Soldiers patrol near the Holey Artisan restaurant after gunmen attacked the upscale cafe in Dhaka on July 2. © Reuters
The Islamic State group released a video in June showing several battalions of the Philippine Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf pledging allegiance to the organization and its goals. As the Middle East-based group increases its presence in Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia, foreign investors in the region might well be asking: How much risk does terrorism pose to their investments?
In terms of recent headlines, the region certainly seems intimidating to investors. IS has urged local jihadists who cannot reach Iraq or Syria to join the fight wherever they are. It has particularly targeted secessionist groups in the Philippines and has made menacing noises about Myanmar, particularly after claiming responsibility for the shockingly brutal July 1 Dhaka café attack in neighboring Bangladesh which killed about 28 people. The group also recently launched a Malay-language publication, primarily targeting sympathizers in Indonesia and Malaysia, the region's two largest Muslim countries. Fighters from both countries have joined IS in the Middle East, and have also mounted sporadic terrorist attacks in their home countries in recent years.
There is also a new type of terrorism developing in Thailand. A large bomb attack in 2015 rocked central Bangkok, killing 20 people and injuring more than 200. It is unclear who carried out the bombing, but it seems to have been in response to Thailand's deportation of 100 Uyghurs to China. Uyghurs are a Muslim ethnic group that China blames for terrorist attacks in its western provinces. Beijing claims that Uyghurs are using countries like Thailand as transit routes to escape to the Middle East.
In Myanmar, the marginalized Muslim Rohingya group seems ripe for radicalization. Denied official recognition by Myanmar's government, many live in squalid refugee camps. Although there is little indication they have been targeted for recruitment by terrorist groups so far, there are growing concerns in the region that IS could seek to leverage the Rohingyas' desperate situation to its advantage in the region.
Along the western flank of Southeast Asia, Bangladesh even before the Dhaka café attack had suffered an uptick in brutal killings, with a series of grisly, high-profile machete deaths of progressive activists. Islamist extremists appear to be the main perpetrators of these killings, and IS has claimed responsibility for some of them.
Despite these developments, terrorism in Southeast Asia appears to have had little immediate impact on typical foreign investments, including equity stakes in local businesses or infrastructure projects.
The Abu Sayyaf announcement of allegiance to IS, for instance, does not mean the organization will become stronger. As seen in other parts of the world, when local groups declare affiliation to IS, they do not necessarily improve their capabilities on the ground. Nigeria's Boko Haram named itself last year as the IS "province" in West Africa. Although the allegiance generated big headlines at the time, it does not appear to have resulted in any significant strengthening of the group. On the contrary, Boko Haram has been relatively quiet since then, compared to the rapid expansion it enjoyed before announcing allegiance to IS.
Islamic State troubles
Another factor to consider when assessing the IS threat in Southeast Asia is the actual weakening of the group globally. Its territory in Iraq and Syria is shrinking -- with losses this past year of up to about one third the land it claimed -- and it may see the eventual demise of its "caliphate." A shift in tactics toward underground terrorist attacks - as opposed to holding territory - has already begun. While this creates a new set of challenges in the short term, the failure of IS in the long term to create a viable state weakens its reputation, and therefore its capacity to support regional affiliates.
Terrorist groups also prefer to target governments or ideological enemies as opposed to foreign investment projects. Attacking government representatives or rival sects does more to boost recruitment than bombing run-of-the-mill targets like industrial facilities or logistics networks.
Of course, the level of risk depends very much on where and what type of investment is under consideration. A hotel chain in Bali, for instance, would be a questionable investment if Indonesia develops a reputation for being a dangerous place for tourists. Other investment projects under threat would be those associated with the ideological enemies of terrorist groups, such as a government-related gas pipeline.
To be blunt, foreign investors should worry more about regular compliance risks and corruption rather than terrorism. Corruption remains a series obstacle to doing business in Southeast Asia, as highlighted by the escalating scandal involving Malaysia's 1MDB investment fund. Instead of being distracted by fears of kidnapping and suicide bomb attacks, investors should focus on establishing proper due diligence programs in managing their projects to tackle corruption or search for new business opportunities.
[Nicholas Borroz is a Washington-based strategic intelligence consultant and an expert on international investment risks.]
http://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/20160728-GENERATION-CHANGE/Politics-Economy/Malaysia-s-1MBD-woes-deepen-with-US-lawsuit
Del Rosario: Yasay 'should have stood strongly'
From Rappler (Jul 29): Del Rosario: Yasay 'should have stood strongly'
Former ambassador Jose Cuisia also says after the ASEAN meeting, 'It seems that our interest is not really being very strongly protected'
FIRM POSITION. Then Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario attends the plenary session of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Center (MICC) in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on August 8, 2014. Photo by Lynn Bo Bo/EPA
Former Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said his successor, Perfecto Yasay Jr, should have asserted the Philippines’ legal victory at The Hague during the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Laos.
Former ambassador Jose Cuisia also says after the ASEAN meeting, 'It seems that our interest is not really being very strongly protected'
FIRM POSITION. Then Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario attends the plenary session of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Center (MICC) in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on August 8, 2014. Photo by Lynn Bo Bo/EPA
Former Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said his successor, Perfecto Yasay Jr, should have asserted the Philippines’ legal victory at The Hague during the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Laos.
Yasay recently flip-flopped on pushing to include the Hague ruling in the joint communiqué after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
While claiming in Manila that he "vigorously" lobbied to cite the ruling, he said earlier in Laos that he "never did." An audio recording confirmed what he said in Laos.
[Video/Audio Report: Yasay 'never' pitched Hague ruling for ASEAN statement
Referring to Yasay, Del Rosario told reporters on Friday, July 29, "Ideally, he should have stood strongly for promoting the arbitration ruling as being part of the final statement."
Del Rosario is known for asserting the Philippines' claims in regional meetings, to the point of breaking "diplomatic niceties" and engaging in "testy exchanges" in 2013, according to Reuters. (READ: 'Del Rosario diplomacy' hailed amid PH victory)
Del Rosario, however, added on Friday that "it's very difficult to make a comment" unless he is the president, as he doesn’t know the circumstances.
Del Rosario also commented on the proposal to hold bilateral talks with China. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) under him had said the Philippines wants bilateral talks with China, using a favorable ruling from The Hague as a leverage.
On bilateral talks, Del Rosario said on Friday, "I think the ruling should be a focal point of any discussion."
On proposals to set the ruling aside, he said, "Well, what will you talk about?"
He added that the Duterte administration can learn from the experience of the previous government.
"My experience before was, a bilateral meeting with China is not very productive. China will stick by the position that they have indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea," Del Rosario said.
'Our interest not strongly protected'
In another interview with reporters, former Philippine ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr also said Yasay should have urged ASEAN to welcome the Hague ruling.
Referring to Yasay, Cuisia said: "I think he should have, of course, encouraged the ASEAN countries to come up with a statement, because what are they asking for? To respect international law, to respect a ruling that is recognized by many other major nations – the US, EU, Japan, Australia, and so on."
"So what is wrong with saying we welcome this decision and we hope that we can work together with ASEAN in trying to get China to come out with a reasonable stance on the South China Sea issues?" Cuisia asked.
He said, "Why can't ASEAN say that? Is it because we are so afraid to upset China?"
Sought for comment on Yasay’s conflicting remarks in Laos and Manila, Cuisia said, "It seems that our interest is not really being very strongly protected."
He also commented on proposals to set aside the Hague ruling to give way to the diplomatic process between Manila and Beijing.
"I don't think it's the right position," Cuisia said. "Why did we go through all that trouble? Of what use is the ruling, then? Of course that's what China wants. Do we have to give everything that China wants?"
Cuisia agreed with the Duterte administration that the Philippines should not "flaunt" the Hague ruling.
"Of course we should not flaunt it. We should be magnanimous. But at the same time, we should be firm."
'Army reservist' tag on Tanto 'unfair' to soldiers
From Rappler (Jul 29): 'Army reservist' tag on Tanto 'unfair' to soldiers
Former Magdalo party-list Representative Ashley Acedillo says it is a disservice to soldiers and reservists to be associated with 'someone who, clearly, should not have been accepted into reservist training'
ARRESTED. Suspect Vhon Martin Tanto is arrested in Masbate and will be brought to Manila by Saturday morning.
A former lawmaker urged the media and the public to stop referring to the suspect in a road rage slay incident as an "Army reservist," saying this was a disservice to soldiers and reservists.
In a statement on Friday, July 29, former Magdalo party-list Representative and retired Air Force pilot Ashley Acedillo said the suspect, Vhon Tanto, was a civilian and not an active duty reservist during the incident last July 25, which was caught on closed circuit television camera footage.
Acedillo said it was unfair to soldiers and reservists to be associated with the suspect tagged in the killing of cyclist Mark Vincent Geralde.
“Hindi ho siya naka-duty bilang reservist o kaya nanggaling sa aktibidad o pagsasanay na may kinalaman sa pagiging reservist nya nung mangyari ang pamamaril," he said. (He was not on duty as a reservist nor did he come from an activity or training that had anything to do with being a reservist at the time of the shooting.)
He added, "It is also unfair to the men and women in uniform who are wrongly associated with someone who, clearly, should not have been accepted into reservist training, given the uniform, and allowed to be associated with the noble profession of arms."
Tanto, who was caught in Masbate on Friday, is the primary suspect in the shooting of Garalde, following a fistfight in Quiapo, Manila on July 25.
CCTV footage showed Tanto getting into his car after the fight and retrieving a gun, which he used to shoot the cyclist at close range.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has confirmed that Tanto is an Army reservist, with the rank of Private.
But Acedillo pointed out that Tanto is no longer active.
“According to official statements of the AFP itself, Tanto had been remiss in his duties as an inactive reservist (as opposed to active reservists performing full time duties in the Armed Forces) whose duties must include reporting to his reservist unit, which he has not done since the last time he did so in January 2015," Acedillo said.
He added that referring to Tanto as an Army reservist undermines the efforts of other reservists who have volunteered their time and efforts for the country.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/141347-army-reservist-tag-road-rage-suspect
Former Magdalo party-list Representative Ashley Acedillo says it is a disservice to soldiers and reservists to be associated with 'someone who, clearly, should not have been accepted into reservist training'
ARRESTED. Suspect Vhon Martin Tanto is arrested in Masbate and will be brought to Manila by Saturday morning.
A former lawmaker urged the media and the public to stop referring to the suspect in a road rage slay incident as an "Army reservist," saying this was a disservice to soldiers and reservists.
In a statement on Friday, July 29, former Magdalo party-list Representative and retired Air Force pilot Ashley Acedillo said the suspect, Vhon Tanto, was a civilian and not an active duty reservist during the incident last July 25, which was caught on closed circuit television camera footage.
Acedillo said it was unfair to soldiers and reservists to be associated with the suspect tagged in the killing of cyclist Mark Vincent Geralde.
“Hindi ho siya naka-duty bilang reservist o kaya nanggaling sa aktibidad o pagsasanay na may kinalaman sa pagiging reservist nya nung mangyari ang pamamaril," he said. (He was not on duty as a reservist nor did he come from an activity or training that had anything to do with being a reservist at the time of the shooting.)
He added, "It is also unfair to the men and women in uniform who are wrongly associated with someone who, clearly, should not have been accepted into reservist training, given the uniform, and allowed to be associated with the noble profession of arms."
Tanto, who was caught in Masbate on Friday, is the primary suspect in the shooting of Garalde, following a fistfight in Quiapo, Manila on July 25.
CCTV footage showed Tanto getting into his car after the fight and retrieving a gun, which he used to shoot the cyclist at close range.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has confirmed that Tanto is an Army reservist, with the rank of Private.
But Acedillo pointed out that Tanto is no longer active.
“According to official statements of the AFP itself, Tanto had been remiss in his duties as an inactive reservist (as opposed to active reservists performing full time duties in the Armed Forces) whose duties must include reporting to his reservist unit, which he has not done since the last time he did so in January 2015," Acedillo said.
He added that referring to Tanto as an Army reservist undermines the efforts of other reservists who have volunteered their time and efforts for the country.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/141347-army-reservist-tag-road-rage-suspect
Duterte visits wake of slain CAFGU man as kin call for justice
From Rappler (Jul 30): Duterte visits wake of slain CAFGU man as kin call for justice
CAFGU member Panggong Kamonad was killed in an ambush by the New People's Army last Wednesday, July 27
AMBUSH. Members of the government militia were ambushed by the New People's Army on Wednesday, July 27. Photo courtesy of 101D
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, July 29, visited the wake of the government militia member killed in an ambush in Davao del Norte earlier this week, as his relatives cried for justice.
Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGU) member Panggong Kamonad was killed in an ambush by the New People's Army (NPA) last Wednesday, July 27.
His wife, Makiling Komanad, and son Binoy called for justice for Kamonad's death.
The President visited the wake at the headquarters of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Doña Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte.
Kamonad was killed while two others were wounded when NPA members staged an ambush around 6:45 am on July 27, in Sitio Kamonuan, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
The military claimed that militia members from the 72nd Infantry Battalion were on their way back to their camp at Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan, in compliance with the unilateral ceasefire earlier declared by the President during his State of the Nation Address last July 25.
1003rd Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Ricardo Nepomuceno said in a statement that the ambush of their troops who were pulling out from the operational area in compliance with the unilateral ceasefire was deplorable.
He added that they will continue to observe the suspension of offensive operations against the NPA and coordinate with the Philippine National Police for the conduct of law enforcement operations.
Major General Rafael Valencia, 10ID commander, condemned the attack.
He added, “We shall continue to abide with the ceasefire, while we continue to secure the communities, vital installations and ongoing government flagship projects against any possible attack of the [armed lawless groups].”
Earlier, the NPA blamed the military, claiming it was only defending itself from the government troops who were allegedly ignoring Duterte's ceasefire declaration.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/141362-cafgu-ambush-justice-duterte-visit
CAFGU member Panggong Kamonad was killed in an ambush by the New People's Army last Wednesday, July 27
AMBUSH. Members of the government militia were ambushed by the New People's Army on Wednesday, July 27. Photo courtesy of 101D
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, July 29, visited the wake of the government militia member killed in an ambush in Davao del Norte earlier this week, as his relatives cried for justice.
Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGU) member Panggong Kamonad was killed in an ambush by the New People's Army (NPA) last Wednesday, July 27.
His wife, Makiling Komanad, and son Binoy called for justice for Kamonad's death.
The President visited the wake at the headquarters of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Doña Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte.
Kamonad was killed while two others were wounded when NPA members staged an ambush around 6:45 am on July 27, in Sitio Kamonuan, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
The military claimed that militia members from the 72nd Infantry Battalion were on their way back to their camp at Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan, in compliance with the unilateral ceasefire earlier declared by the President during his State of the Nation Address last July 25.
1003rd Infantry Brigade commander Colonel Ricardo Nepomuceno said in a statement that the ambush of their troops who were pulling out from the operational area in compliance with the unilateral ceasefire was deplorable.
He added that they will continue to observe the suspension of offensive operations against the NPA and coordinate with the Philippine National Police for the conduct of law enforcement operations.
Major General Rafael Valencia, 10ID commander, condemned the attack.
He added, “We shall continue to abide with the ceasefire, while we continue to secure the communities, vital installations and ongoing government flagship projects against any possible attack of the [armed lawless groups].”
Earlier, the NPA blamed the military, claiming it was only defending itself from the government troops who were allegedly ignoring Duterte's ceasefire declaration.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/141362-cafgu-ambush-justice-duterte-visit
Duterte's ceasefire deadline on CPP lapses
From Rappler (Jul 30): Duterte's ceasefire deadline on CPP lapses
(UPDATED) President Rodrigo Duterte has said he would end the days-old truce with communist rebels if they do not reciprocate the government's unilateral declaration by 5 pm, July 30
COMMUNIST INSURGENCY. The Duterte administration has vowed to end the decades-long communist insurgency through peace negotiations. Rappler file photo
President Rodrigo Duterte's deadline on a reciprocal ceasefire declaration from communist rebels lapsed late Saturday afternoon, July 30, without any action from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The National Democratic Front (NDF), the CPP's political arm engaged in peace negotiations with the government, said the CPP will reciprocate the government ceasefire but only after it completes its investigation on the incident that prompted the President's deadline.
NDF spokesman Fidel Agcaoili relayed this in a text message to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who chairs the government peace panel.
"Please give us time to finish our investigation of the incident as reported by concerned NPA command. The CPP will reciprocate the President's ceasefire declaration," Agcaoili said in his message to Bello, which the latter shared with Rappler.
Duterte had warned that he would end the government's unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels if the deadline was not met. Malacañang has not issued any statement on the matter as of posting.
On Friday afternoon, Duterte said the CPP should reciprocate the government’s unilateral ceasefire declaration by 5 pm on July 30. This was prompted by the New People's Army attack on government militias in Davao del Norte that killed one and hurt 4 others from the government side.
The President personally condoled with the family of slain Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGU) member Panggong Kamonad at the headquarters of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Doña Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte on Friday.
Duterte initially gave the CPP until Thursday midnight, July 29, to explain the NPA ambush just two days after he announced the government's unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels in his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25.
'Be patient'
While CPP founder Jose Maria Sison had said that his side would reciprocate the government ceasefire, he had also explained that may not be done quickly.
Hours after Duterte set the Saturday deadline, Sison said the new Philippine president "should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords."
“It took at least 3 days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study the implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the unilateral ceasefire order," Sison said on Friday night.
He had also demanded that CPP leaders punish those responsible for the attack. But on the same day Duterte set the deadline for the CPP's ceasefire declaration to Saturday afternoon, the NPA blamed the military, claiming it was only defending itself from government troops who were allegedly ignoring the government-declared truce with rebels.
Troop pullout despite NPA attack
Hours before the deadline set by the President on the CPP, the Philippine military announced that it had withdrawn an elite unit from combat operations that day.
Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Deputy Commander of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP, said in a statement on Saturday that the Philippine Army had completed the pullout of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, on orders of AFP chief General Ricardo Visaya.
"[This] manifests the AFP's resolve to comply with the directive of the President to step back from the operational area where there are likely armed engagement between government security forces and members of the CPP-NPA-NDF," Arevalo said.
The troop pullout includes a company of Scout Rangers from the area of combat operations of the 4th Infantry Division.
Arevalo noted that the troop pullout had been carried out even after the NPA attack on CAFGU units "that were also pulling out from forward deployment in Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte."
"The AFP firmly believes on the primacy of peace as the road to sustainable development and enduring prosperity for our countrymen. The AFP will not renege on its commitment to the CIC that it will be a willing instrument of security and stability," he added.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/141399-duterte-ceasefire-ndf-lapses
(UPDATED) President Rodrigo Duterte has said he would end the days-old truce with communist rebels if they do not reciprocate the government's unilateral declaration by 5 pm, July 30
COMMUNIST INSURGENCY. The Duterte administration has vowed to end the decades-long communist insurgency through peace negotiations. Rappler file photo
President Rodrigo Duterte's deadline on a reciprocal ceasefire declaration from communist rebels lapsed late Saturday afternoon, July 30, without any action from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The National Democratic Front (NDF), the CPP's political arm engaged in peace negotiations with the government, said the CPP will reciprocate the government ceasefire but only after it completes its investigation on the incident that prompted the President's deadline.
NDF spokesman Fidel Agcaoili relayed this in a text message to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who chairs the government peace panel.
"Please give us time to finish our investigation of the incident as reported by concerned NPA command. The CPP will reciprocate the President's ceasefire declaration," Agcaoili said in his message to Bello, which the latter shared with Rappler.
Duterte had warned that he would end the government's unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels if the deadline was not met. Malacañang has not issued any statement on the matter as of posting.
On Friday afternoon, Duterte said the CPP should reciprocate the government’s unilateral ceasefire declaration by 5 pm on July 30. This was prompted by the New People's Army attack on government militias in Davao del Norte that killed one and hurt 4 others from the government side.
The President personally condoled with the family of slain Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units (CAFGU) member Panggong Kamonad at the headquarters of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Doña Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte on Friday.
Duterte initially gave the CPP until Thursday midnight, July 29, to explain the NPA ambush just two days after he announced the government's unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels in his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25.
'Be patient'
While CPP founder Jose Maria Sison had said that his side would reciprocate the government ceasefire, he had also explained that may not be done quickly.
Hours after Duterte set the Saturday deadline, Sison said the new Philippine president "should be patient and not expect quick surrenders from highly principled and experienced revolutionaries who have a growing mass base against the rotten ruling system of big compradors and landlords."
“It took at least 3 days for the Duterte government to make clear what is the content of its unilateral ceasefire order. The CPP and NDFP should be given enough time to study the implications and consequences of the GRP ceasefire order and what will soon be the unilateral ceasefire order," Sison said on Friday night.
He had also demanded that CPP leaders punish those responsible for the attack. But on the same day Duterte set the deadline for the CPP's ceasefire declaration to Saturday afternoon, the NPA blamed the military, claiming it was only defending itself from government troops who were allegedly ignoring the government-declared truce with rebels.
Troop pullout despite NPA attack
Hours before the deadline set by the President on the CPP, the Philippine military announced that it had withdrawn an elite unit from combat operations that day.
Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Deputy Commander of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP, said in a statement on Saturday that the Philippine Army had completed the pullout of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, on orders of AFP chief General Ricardo Visaya.
"[This] manifests the AFP's resolve to comply with the directive of the President to step back from the operational area where there are likely armed engagement between government security forces and members of the CPP-NPA-NDF," Arevalo said.
The troop pullout includes a company of Scout Rangers from the area of combat operations of the 4th Infantry Division.
Arevalo noted that the troop pullout had been carried out even after the NPA attack on CAFGU units "that were also pulling out from forward deployment in Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte."
"The AFP firmly believes on the primacy of peace as the road to sustainable development and enduring prosperity for our countrymen. The AFP will not renege on its commitment to the CIC that it will be a willing instrument of security and stability," he added.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/141399-duterte-ceasefire-ndf-lapses
WATCH | Duterte gives NPA Saturday deadline to declare own truce
From InterAksyon (Jul 30): WATCH | Duterte gives NPA Saturday deadline to declare own truce
This still image from a News5 video shows President Rodrigo Duterte talking to soldiers at Camp Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon, July 28, 2016
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday gave the communist New People's Army (NPA) a Saturday afternoon deadline to also declare a truce after a rebel attack on militiamen on Wednesday, two days following the Chief Executive's pronouncement of a unilateral ceasefire.
He gave the ultimatum during his visit at the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Doña Andrea, Asuncion to visit the wake of the militiaman slain in the ambush by NPA in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
Duterte also said he is extending his deadline upon the request of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison for the NPA to explain its side on why the attack happened.
Duterte warned that if the NPA would not reciprocate the government's ceasefire and not give a justifiable reason for the attack, he would have no other recourse but to retract the truce declaration.
The members of the CAFGU Active Auxilliary (CAA) were on their way back to their camp in Barangay Gupitan Wednesday morning when they were attacked.
One CAA member was killed while four others were wounded.
The military said that the CAAs were going back to their camp in compliance with the unilateral ceasefire declared by the President during his State of the Nation Address last July 25.
According to the 10th Infantry Battalion, the CAAs were already several days out of their camp on security patrol when the ceasefire was declared.
NPA’s response to ‘military offensive’
But according to the NPA's Comval (Compostela Valley) North Davao South Agusan Subregional Command spokesperson Aris Francisco, they just "thwarted a military offensive" in adherence to the directive by the NPA National Operations Command for Red fighters to maintain an alert status and be on active defense mode in response to the President's unilateral ceasefire.
In a press statement, Francisco said that the Civilian Auxilliary Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) of the 72nd Infantry Battalion and armed Alamara paramilitary troops have been on active operation in Kapalong, resulting in several engagements including its July 5 ambush that wounded one rebel.
"Determined to continue its offensive military operations in Kapalong, the same troops ignored the ceasefire declaration of their Commander in Chief and again took off for combat operation from their detachment in Barangay Patil on July 26," Francisco said in the statement.
The NPA accused the AFP of deceiving their Commander-in-Chief by saying that the NPA violated the unilateral ceasefire when it waylaid the PDOP (Peace & Development Outreach Program) troops who were returning to their detachment in Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan.
The rebel group said that had they not taken the initiative to actively defend itself by intercepting the 72nd IB/Alamara troops, the operating AFP troops would have carried out its own combat action and inflicted damage against the NPA unit.
Ultimatum
The NPA maintained that it will abide with the spirit of the resumption of the peace negotiations in addressing the roots of the civil war, respect the ceasefire order of President Duterte, and strictly adhere to the directive of the national leadership and the CPP.
Luis Jalandoni, National Democratic Front (NDF) peace panel chairman, said the NPA is serious in entering into the peace talks. He said they are still tyring to get the report from the NPA in the area of the attack and vowed to investigate the matter.
He added that Duterte’s ceasefire order may not have reached other military and police units in other parts of the country and has not been implemented yet.
Meanwhile, the government expressed confidence that the peace talks with the communist groups will push through in Oslo, Norway on August 20. However, the CPP-NPA-NDF should show to the government that they can be trusted.
It may be recalled that during his visit to the Southern Luzon Command of the AFP in Lucena City, Quezon, Mr. Duterte said he already sought a leftist congressman as well as peace negotiator Silvestre Bello III to send his warning to the NPA and the National Democratic Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines to respect the unilateral ceasefire or they might as well go back to fighting in the mountains.
The President said he does not want the rebel group to be taking advantage of the unilateral ceasefire as an opportunity to attack government forces like what happened in Davao del Norte.
The President initially gave the NPA until midnight on Thursday to give its side on the incident or he will back out from the peace talks.
"Are we into this truce or are we not? Give me an answer until tonight otherwise balik tayo sa away (we go back to fighting)," Duterte said.
Also present during the President's visit in Asuncion were Major Gen. Raphael Valencia of the 10th ID, Davao del Norte Gov. Antonio Rafael del Rosario, New Corella Mayor Rodora Alcoran, Kapalong Mayor Ma. Theresa Timbol, and tribal leaders from Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong.
Here’s a News5 video report by Maricel Halili:
[Video report]
http://interaksyon.com/article/130925/watch--duterte-gives-npa-saturday-deadline-to-declare-own-truce
This still image from a News5 video shows President Rodrigo Duterte talking to soldiers at Camp Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon, July 28, 2016
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday gave the communist New People's Army (NPA) a Saturday afternoon deadline to also declare a truce after a rebel attack on militiamen on Wednesday, two days following the Chief Executive's pronouncement of a unilateral ceasefire.
He gave the ultimatum during his visit at the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Doña Andrea, Asuncion to visit the wake of the militiaman slain in the ambush by NPA in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
Duterte also said he is extending his deadline upon the request of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison for the NPA to explain its side on why the attack happened.
Duterte warned that if the NPA would not reciprocate the government's ceasefire and not give a justifiable reason for the attack, he would have no other recourse but to retract the truce declaration.
The members of the CAFGU Active Auxilliary (CAA) were on their way back to their camp in Barangay Gupitan Wednesday morning when they were attacked.
One CAA member was killed while four others were wounded.
The military said that the CAAs were going back to their camp in compliance with the unilateral ceasefire declared by the President during his State of the Nation Address last July 25.
According to the 10th Infantry Battalion, the CAAs were already several days out of their camp on security patrol when the ceasefire was declared.
NPA’s response to ‘military offensive’
But according to the NPA's Comval (Compostela Valley) North Davao South Agusan Subregional Command spokesperson Aris Francisco, they just "thwarted a military offensive" in adherence to the directive by the NPA National Operations Command for Red fighters to maintain an alert status and be on active defense mode in response to the President's unilateral ceasefire.
In a press statement, Francisco said that the Civilian Auxilliary Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) of the 72nd Infantry Battalion and armed Alamara paramilitary troops have been on active operation in Kapalong, resulting in several engagements including its July 5 ambush that wounded one rebel.
"Determined to continue its offensive military operations in Kapalong, the same troops ignored the ceasefire declaration of their Commander in Chief and again took off for combat operation from their detachment in Barangay Patil on July 26," Francisco said in the statement.
The NPA accused the AFP of deceiving their Commander-in-Chief by saying that the NPA violated the unilateral ceasefire when it waylaid the PDOP (Peace & Development Outreach Program) troops who were returning to their detachment in Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan.
The rebel group said that had they not taken the initiative to actively defend itself by intercepting the 72nd IB/Alamara troops, the operating AFP troops would have carried out its own combat action and inflicted damage against the NPA unit.
Ultimatum
The NPA maintained that it will abide with the spirit of the resumption of the peace negotiations in addressing the roots of the civil war, respect the ceasefire order of President Duterte, and strictly adhere to the directive of the national leadership and the CPP.
Luis Jalandoni, National Democratic Front (NDF) peace panel chairman, said the NPA is serious in entering into the peace talks. He said they are still tyring to get the report from the NPA in the area of the attack and vowed to investigate the matter.
He added that Duterte’s ceasefire order may not have reached other military and police units in other parts of the country and has not been implemented yet.
Meanwhile, the government expressed confidence that the peace talks with the communist groups will push through in Oslo, Norway on August 20. However, the CPP-NPA-NDF should show to the government that they can be trusted.
It may be recalled that during his visit to the Southern Luzon Command of the AFP in Lucena City, Quezon, Mr. Duterte said he already sought a leftist congressman as well as peace negotiator Silvestre Bello III to send his warning to the NPA and the National Democratic Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines to respect the unilateral ceasefire or they might as well go back to fighting in the mountains.
The President said he does not want the rebel group to be taking advantage of the unilateral ceasefire as an opportunity to attack government forces like what happened in Davao del Norte.
The President initially gave the NPA until midnight on Thursday to give its side on the incident or he will back out from the peace talks.
"Are we into this truce or are we not? Give me an answer until tonight otherwise balik tayo sa away (we go back to fighting)," Duterte said.
Also present during the President's visit in Asuncion were Major Gen. Raphael Valencia of the 10th ID, Davao del Norte Gov. Antonio Rafael del Rosario, New Corella Mayor Rodora Alcoran, Kapalong Mayor Ma. Theresa Timbol, and tribal leaders from Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong.
Here’s a News5 video report by Maricel Halili:
[Video report]
http://interaksyon.com/article/130925/watch--duterte-gives-npa-saturday-deadline-to-declare-own-truce
Military's violation of Duterte ceasefire led to Davao del Norte ambush - NPA
From InterAksyon (Jul 30): Military's violation of Duterte ceasefire led to Davao del Norte ambush - NPA
NPA guerrillas march through a forest. (image from http://www.cpp.ph/)
The military’s violation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels led to the ambush that left a government militiaman dead and four others wounded, the New People’s Army in eastern Mindanao said Friday.
Wednesday’s ambush, in Kapalong town, prompted Duterte to demand that the rebels explain the incident and impose sanctions on the NPA unit involved in the ambush or they could forget his offer of a ceasefire and peace talks.
However, in a statement posted on the Communist Party of the Philippines website Friday night, the Comval North Davao South Agusan Subregional Command of the NPA said the ambush “thwarted a military offensive” by the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units under the Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion and members of the military-backed Alamara militia.
The rebel command maintained the ambush was in compliance with the order of the NPA’s National Operations Command to take an “active defense” stance in response to the unilateral ceasefire declaration Duterte issued during his first state of the national address Monday.
The Mindanao rebels accused the military of having “deceived” Duterte by claiming the militiamen were complying with the ceasefire declaration and returning to their detachment in Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan when ambushed.
“Nothing can be so farther from the truth,” rebel spokesman Aris Francisco said.
He said the military and Alamara “have been on active operation in Kapalong, resulting in several engagements,” including an ambush on July 5 that left a guerilla wounded.
In fact, he added, a day after Duterte’s SONA, the 72nd IB and its militia “took off for combat operations from their detachment in Barangay Patil on July 26.”
However, Francisco said, the rebels detected the military movements.
“Had the Red fighters not taken the initiative to actively defend (themselves) by intercepting the 72nd IB/Alamara troops, the operating AFP troops would have carried out (their) own combat action and inflicted damage against the NPA unit,” he said.
Francisco said Duterte, who has helped facilitate the release of government security personnel taken captive by the NPA several times, “knows well how the AFP employs the paramilitary Alamara in its counterrevolutionary and anti-people campaign.”
The Alamara is the tribal militia blamed for atrocities that have driven hundreds of lumad in the Davao region to flee their homes and seek refuge in Davao City.
Francisco stressed that the NPA “abides with the spirit of the resumption of the peace negotiations in addressing the roots of the civil war, respects the ceasefire order of GPH Pres. Duterte, and strictly adheres to the directive of the national leadership and the CPP.”
“It is the militarist clique in the AFP and its paramilitaries like the Alamara that ridicule their commander-in-chief in virulently sabotaging the peace process,” he said.
http://interaksyon.com/article/130921/militarys-violation-of-duterte-ceasefire-led-to-davao-del-norte-ambush---npa
NPA guerrillas march through a forest. (image from http://www.cpp.ph/)
The military’s violation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels led to the ambush that left a government militiaman dead and four others wounded, the New People’s Army in eastern Mindanao said Friday.
Wednesday’s ambush, in Kapalong town, prompted Duterte to demand that the rebels explain the incident and impose sanctions on the NPA unit involved in the ambush or they could forget his offer of a ceasefire and peace talks.
However, in a statement posted on the Communist Party of the Philippines website Friday night, the Comval North Davao South Agusan Subregional Command of the NPA said the ambush “thwarted a military offensive” by the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units under the Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion and members of the military-backed Alamara militia.
The rebel command maintained the ambush was in compliance with the order of the NPA’s National Operations Command to take an “active defense” stance in response to the unilateral ceasefire declaration Duterte issued during his first state of the national address Monday.
The Mindanao rebels accused the military of having “deceived” Duterte by claiming the militiamen were complying with the ceasefire declaration and returning to their detachment in Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan when ambushed.
“Nothing can be so farther from the truth,” rebel spokesman Aris Francisco said.
He said the military and Alamara “have been on active operation in Kapalong, resulting in several engagements,” including an ambush on July 5 that left a guerilla wounded.
In fact, he added, a day after Duterte’s SONA, the 72nd IB and its militia “took off for combat operations from their detachment in Barangay Patil on July 26.”
However, Francisco said, the rebels detected the military movements.
“Had the Red fighters not taken the initiative to actively defend (themselves) by intercepting the 72nd IB/Alamara troops, the operating AFP troops would have carried out (their) own combat action and inflicted damage against the NPA unit,” he said.
Francisco said Duterte, who has helped facilitate the release of government security personnel taken captive by the NPA several times, “knows well how the AFP employs the paramilitary Alamara in its counterrevolutionary and anti-people campaign.”
The Alamara is the tribal militia blamed for atrocities that have driven hundreds of lumad in the Davao region to flee their homes and seek refuge in Davao City.
Francisco stressed that the NPA “abides with the spirit of the resumption of the peace negotiations in addressing the roots of the civil war, respects the ceasefire order of GPH Pres. Duterte, and strictly adheres to the directive of the national leadership and the CPP.”
“It is the militarist clique in the AFP and its paramilitaries like the Alamara that ridicule their commander-in-chief in virulently sabotaging the peace process,” he said.
http://interaksyon.com/article/130921/militarys-violation-of-duterte-ceasefire-led-to-davao-del-norte-ambush---npa
Photo: Not Welcome
Posted to MindaNews (Jul 29): Photo: Not Welcome
Militants burn the US flag in front of the gates of the Philippine Air Force base in Lumbia airport in Cagayan de Oro City Friday afternoon, July 29, 2016. The old commercial airport, converted in an airbase three years ago, is one of the military bases identified to house US personnel and equipment, under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and United States. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
http://www.mindanews.com/photo-of-the-day/2016/07/not-welcome/
Militants burn the US flag in front of the gates of the Philippine Air Force base in Lumbia airport in Cagayan de Oro City Friday afternoon, July 29, 2016. The old commercial airport, converted in an airbase three years ago, is one of the military bases identified to house US personnel and equipment, under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and United States. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
http://www.mindanews.com/photo-of-the-day/2016/07/not-welcome/
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