From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 14): Tagged as Reds, 2 UP graduates seek freedom
Two University of the Philippines (UP) graduates, who were accused by the military of being communist rebels, have been languishing in jail for two years without court trial in Nueva Ecija province, according to their lawyers.
Gerald Salonga and Guiller Martin Cadano, both members of the militant youth group Anakbayan, sought their temporary release in a petition for bail they filed at the Regional Trial Court in San Jose City on Thursday.
Their lawyers said the two had been mistaken for New People’s Army (NPA) members by Army soldiers who arrested them in 2014. Salonga was then 24 while Cadano was 22.
“It is unfortunate that the phenomenon of political prisoners during martial law of former President Ferdinand Marcos has persisted … as government arrests dissenters and activists,” former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, a human rights lawyer, said in a statement.
Colmenares said the “snail-paced resolution of this case and similar cases of politically motivated arrests hinder the peace process needlessly and cause undue suffering on these young men.”
The Duterte administration and the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines are scheduled to resume negotiations to end one of the world’s longest running insurgency next week in Oslo, Norway.
Soldiers belonging to the Army’s 7th Infantry Division arrested Salonga and Cadano on Aug. 9, 2014, while they were doing research for a proposed road project of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Barangay Padilla in Carranglan town in Nueva Ecija.
Salonga has a degree in psychology while Cadano has a degree in business management, both from UP Clark. They were held for allegedly possessing unlicensed weapons and explosives.
The Army and Nueva Ecija police said in separate statements that their agents were serving an arrest warrant for suspected NPA commander Ely Taray (also known as Ka Emong) when they found Salonga and Cadano, his supposed companions.
They claimed that the two were members of the Platoon-Nueva Ecija-Nueva Vizcaya-Eastern Pangasinan of the NPA and served as “platoon guides operating in the hinterlands of Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Eastern Pangasinan.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805904/tagged-as-reds-2-up-graduates-seek-freedom
Saturday, August 13, 2016
‘Reds’ torch farm truck in Bukidnon
From the Manila Times (Aug 13): ‘Reds’ torch farm truck in Bukidnon
A manhunt was ordered to track down unidentified armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who burned down a boom sprayer truck of a multi-national company in a remote village in Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon.
Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo, the military general headquarters in Manila, said that the burning incident took place at around 6:30 p.m. Friday at a pineapple plantation located on Zone 3, Brgy. Impalutao in Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon.
Reports sent by the Army’s 4th Infantry Division said that Arnel Ortiz, a worker of Del Monte Philippines, was driving the truck when three armed men ordered him to get off. The armed men then poured gasoline on the vehicle and set it ablaze.
Ortiz escaped unharmed and immediately informed his co-workers of the incident.
The police said Del Monte officials estimated the value of the truck at P6 million.
Colonel Jesse Alvarez, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, sent troops to support the police in tracking down the perpetrators.
http://www.manilatimes.net/reds-torch-farm-truck-in-bukidnon/279694/
A manhunt was ordered to track down unidentified armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who burned down a boom sprayer truck of a multi-national company in a remote village in Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon.
Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo, the military general headquarters in Manila, said that the burning incident took place at around 6:30 p.m. Friday at a pineapple plantation located on Zone 3, Brgy. Impalutao in Impasug-ong town in Bukidnon.
Reports sent by the Army’s 4th Infantry Division said that Arnel Ortiz, a worker of Del Monte Philippines, was driving the truck when three armed men ordered him to get off. The armed men then poured gasoline on the vehicle and set it ablaze.
Ortiz escaped unharmed and immediately informed his co-workers of the incident.
The police said Del Monte officials estimated the value of the truck at P6 million.
Colonel Jesse Alvarez, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, sent troops to support the police in tracking down the perpetrators.
http://www.manilatimes.net/reds-torch-farm-truck-in-bukidnon/279694/
MILF's Murad okay with MNLF's Misuari taking part in peace talks
From GMA News (Aug 14): MILF's Murad okay with MNLF's Misuari taking part in peace talks
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim on Saturday said the MILF has no problem with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari being part of the peace talks with the Philippine government.
Murad made the statement during the start of the two-day meeting between the MILF and the Philippine government in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to discuss the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
er
[Video]
The Duterte administration’s roadmap to peace emphasizes the convergence of the MILF’s CAB and the MNLF’s Final Peace Agreement signed in 1996 during the Ramos administration.
The administration committed to implement all signed agreements, including the CAB, signed in March 2014 during the Aquino administration.
However, the CAB's implementation through the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was stalled due to the 2015 Mamasapano encounter which led Congress not to pass the BBL.
Forty-four police officers from the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police died after an 11-hour firefight with members of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015.
Both the MNLF and the MILF trace their roots to the Mindanao Independence Movement founded in 1968. The MILF broke away from the MNLF in the 1970s.
[Video]
'Inclusivity'
In the two-day meeting in Malaysia, those who represented the Philippine government in the meeting were Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza headed the government representatives which included National Security Adviser (Ret.) General Hermogenes Esperon, Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay, Jr., and Interior Sec. Mike Sueno.
Also in attendance were House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas.
“The President’s (Duterte) very strong position was for inclusivity,” Dureza said.
Representatives from the Philippine government, the MILF, and the MNLF will be working together in a new Bangsamoro Transition Commission that will draft a Bangsamoro enabling law to replace the doomed BBL.
However, Murad explained that the working document will be the BBL with enhancements from other groups.
There is no timeline yet as to when the new enabling bill will be filed in Congress, according to Dureza.
The bill will abolish the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao(ARMM) to make way for Bangsamoro government unit which could serve as template for a federal state.
Annexes in the CAB already include wealth sharing and power sharing agreements with an envisioned Bangsamoro unit with the national government but Dureza said the final proposal will still have to be ironed out.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/577497/news/nation/milf-s-murad-okay-with-mnlf-s-misuari-taking-part-in-peace-talks
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim on Saturday said the MILF has no problem with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari being part of the peace talks with the Philippine government.
Murad made the statement during the start of the two-day meeting between the MILF and the Philippine government in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to discuss the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
er
MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad: we welcome the inclusion of MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari in the process @gmanews
Murad noted that the inclusion of Misuari in the peace talks is part of the process of converging two peace agreements, especially as the MILF and the MNLF have a similar goal. “That is self-governance for the Bangsamoro,” Murad said.
[Video]
The Duterte administration’s roadmap to peace emphasizes the convergence of the MILF’s CAB and the MNLF’s Final Peace Agreement signed in 1996 during the Ramos administration.
The administration committed to implement all signed agreements, including the CAB, signed in March 2014 during the Aquino administration.
However, the CAB's implementation through the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was stalled due to the 2015 Mamasapano encounter which led Congress not to pass the BBL.
Forty-four police officers from the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police died after an 11-hour firefight with members of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015.
Both the MNLF and the MILF trace their roots to the Mindanao Independence Movement founded in 1968. The MILF broke away from the MNLF in the 1970s.
[Video]
'Inclusivity'
In the two-day meeting in Malaysia, those who represented the Philippine government in the meeting were Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza headed the government representatives which included National Security Adviser (Ret.) General Hermogenes Esperon, Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay, Jr., and Interior Sec. Mike Sueno.
Also in attendance were House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas.
“The President’s (Duterte) very strong position was for inclusivity,” Dureza said.
Representatives from the Philippine government, the MILF, and the MNLF will be working together in a new Bangsamoro Transition Commission that will draft a Bangsamoro enabling law to replace the doomed BBL.
However, Murad explained that the working document will be the BBL with enhancements from other groups.
There is no timeline yet as to when the new enabling bill will be filed in Congress, according to Dureza.
The bill will abolish the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao(ARMM) to make way for Bangsamoro government unit which could serve as template for a federal state.
Annexes in the CAB already include wealth sharing and power sharing agreements with an envisioned Bangsamoro unit with the national government but Dureza said the final proposal will still have to be ironed out.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/577497/news/nation/milf-s-murad-okay-with-mnlf-s-misuari-taking-part-in-peace-talks
Duterte to Army: Monitor Isis presence in Mindanao
From the Sun Star-Davao (Aug 13): Duterte to Army: Monitor Isis presence in Mindanao
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has stepped up its intelligence units after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered authorities to validate alleged presence of Isis in Mindanao.
In a speech in Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, August 12, Duterte told the Army to immediately arrest and deport Isis indoctrinators who have been doing rounds in Mindanao.
Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson Major Filemon Tan Sr. said Friday the Army has already intensified the operation of their intelligence units to confirm these suspicions.
"We have also strengthened our operations to prepare," he told SunStar in an interview.
Tan, however, refused to disclose more vital information as it may derail their tactical operations.
Duterte included in his speech that even if Isis members may be unarmed, it can be the start a threat in the country.
As cited in a report on Philippine TeleVision 4, he said, "just like the communist, this is alarming because of their power to condition innocent and unsuspecting minds."
The Army tasked to monitor Davao City or the 10th Infantry Division has also guaranteed that the people are in good hands as spokesperson Captain Rhyan Batchar said Friday, "We intensified our efforts to strengthen the security of population centers in our area of operations from all possible threats."
On July 7 this year, the city was also caught off guard with Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte's revelation that he has been receiving threats from the terrorist group.
However, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Michael John Dubria have clarified thereafter that they did not receive confirmed reports of any Isis threat.
Police Superintendent Dubria added that the police is doing its best to protect the people.
"They have nothing to worry about. They have to be calm but still be vigilant," Dubria said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2016/08/13/duterte-army-monitor-isis-presence-mindanao-491289
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has stepped up its intelligence units after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered authorities to validate alleged presence of Isis in Mindanao.
In a speech in Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, August 12, Duterte told the Army to immediately arrest and deport Isis indoctrinators who have been doing rounds in Mindanao.
Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson Major Filemon Tan Sr. said Friday the Army has already intensified the operation of their intelligence units to confirm these suspicions.
"We have also strengthened our operations to prepare," he told SunStar in an interview.
Tan, however, refused to disclose more vital information as it may derail their tactical operations.
Duterte included in his speech that even if Isis members may be unarmed, it can be the start a threat in the country.
As cited in a report on Philippine TeleVision 4, he said, "just like the communist, this is alarming because of their power to condition innocent and unsuspecting minds."
The Army tasked to monitor Davao City or the 10th Infantry Division has also guaranteed that the people are in good hands as spokesperson Captain Rhyan Batchar said Friday, "We intensified our efforts to strengthen the security of population centers in our area of operations from all possible threats."
On July 7 this year, the city was also caught off guard with Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte's revelation that he has been receiving threats from the terrorist group.
However, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Michael John Dubria have clarified thereafter that they did not receive confirmed reports of any Isis threat.
Police Superintendent Dubria added that the police is doing its best to protect the people.
"They have nothing to worry about. They have to be calm but still be vigilant," Dubria said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2016/08/13/duterte-army-monitor-isis-presence-mindanao-491289
Govt tightens watch vs entry of jihadists
From The Standard (Aug 14): Govt tightens watch vs entry of jihadists
THE Bureau of Immigration has tightened the screening of all foreign nationals arriving in the Philippines in connection with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to arrest all jihadist indoctrinators headed for Mindanao.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered Associate Commissioner and current Fugitive Search Unit intelligence chief Carlitos Licas to tighten security and step up the monitoring of all foreign nationals arriving in the country.
“It is important to ensure that persons from countries friendly with ISIS will not use the Philippines as their hiding place and jump-off point to their targets,” he said.
BI spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang told reporters the bureau will be coordinating with other law enforcement and security agencies to monitor and track down suspected members of ISIS.
“Given the pronouncement of the President, we will coordinate with various law enforcement and security agencies if they have the identity of the person,” Mangrobang said.
The BI has also called on the public to take part in the anti-terror drive by reporting suspicious presence of persons in their area, particularly if they are foreigners.
She said the bureau remains committed to enforce its mandate against undesirable aliens especially terrorist.
Meanwhile, the military, which has repeatedly denied that the terrorist Daesh already has a footing in the country, said that it was taking seriously what it believed was a call for an attack on the Miss Universe contest set to be held in the country next year.
The military said a recent bomb-making video posted on social media, apparently by ISIS militants in the Middle East, carried a message in Arabic script reading: “create bomb for Miss Universe.”
“We are taking the threat seriously,” said armed forces spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo. “We reiterate that there is no ISIS in the Philippines.”
“What we have are groups claiming affiliations with ISIS in their bid to draw funds. It is not farfetched for ISIS to claim to have cells in the Philippines to show global membership.”
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/213249/govt-tightens-watch-vs-entry-of-jihadists.html
THE Bureau of Immigration has tightened the screening of all foreign nationals arriving in the Philippines in connection with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to arrest all jihadist indoctrinators headed for Mindanao.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered Associate Commissioner and current Fugitive Search Unit intelligence chief Carlitos Licas to tighten security and step up the monitoring of all foreign nationals arriving in the country.
“It is important to ensure that persons from countries friendly with ISIS will not use the Philippines as their hiding place and jump-off point to their targets,” he said.
BI spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang told reporters the bureau will be coordinating with other law enforcement and security agencies to monitor and track down suspected members of ISIS.
“Given the pronouncement of the President, we will coordinate with various law enforcement and security agencies if they have the identity of the person,” Mangrobang said.
The BI has also called on the public to take part in the anti-terror drive by reporting suspicious presence of persons in their area, particularly if they are foreigners.
She said the bureau remains committed to enforce its mandate against undesirable aliens especially terrorist.
Meanwhile, the military, which has repeatedly denied that the terrorist Daesh already has a footing in the country, said that it was taking seriously what it believed was a call for an attack on the Miss Universe contest set to be held in the country next year.
The military said a recent bomb-making video posted on social media, apparently by ISIS militants in the Middle East, carried a message in Arabic script reading: “create bomb for Miss Universe.”
“We are taking the threat seriously,” said armed forces spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo. “We reiterate that there is no ISIS in the Philippines.”
“What we have are groups claiming affiliations with ISIS in their bid to draw funds. It is not farfetched for ISIS to claim to have cells in the Philippines to show global membership.”
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/213249/govt-tightens-watch-vs-entry-of-jihadists.html
Stakeholders elated over diplomatic engagement with government
From the Philippine Star (Aug 13): Stakeholders elated over diplomatic engagement with government
Philippine government officials flash the peace sign after a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Courtesy of ARMM Information Director Amir Mawallil
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was elated with the resumption on Saturday of the diplomatic engagement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Malacañang.
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and MILF’s Muhaquer Iqbal, chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), met in Malaysia Saturday and discussed the “implementation phase” of all stalled peace compacts crafted in years past.
“We are glad that the bilateral efforts of the government, now under President Rodrigo Duterte, and our brothers in the MILF is again moving forward,” said Muslimin Sema, chairman of the largest and most politically-active group in the MNLF.
The government-MILF peace overture was stymied by the recent synchronized local and national elections.
Unlike MNLF founder Nur Misuari, who has a separate group, Sema and his followers are not opposed to the now 19-year peace overture between the national government and the MILF.
Also present in Saturday’s government-MILF dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, his regional information assistant, Amir Mawallil, and Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.
In a statement emailed to The STAR Saturday, Hataman said the ARMM government is committed to the Mindanao peace process and shall continue with its programs meant to promote peace and security in underdeveloped areas in the autonomous region.
“The only solution to the Mindanao Moro rebellion is a peaceful, negotiated solution. Nothing else can solve the problem,” Hataman said in his email.
Hataman also reiterated his promise to step down and facilitate a transition from the ARMM to any political mechanism the MILF and Duterte may possibly establish as a settlement.
Hataman, who was elected to a second term last May 9, has been implementing since 2012 various humanitarian and infrastructure projects in ARMM towns where there are MILF camps in support of the normalization agenda of the peace process.
Dureza presided over a dialogue, last August 9 in Davao City, with Sema and other MNLF officials from across Mindanao, where they discussed Duterte’s “peace roadmap” for Mindanao.
The dialogue was attended by MNLF leaders Yusoph Jikiri of Sulu, Hatimil Hassan of Basilan, Punduma Sani of Lanao de Sur, Utto Salem Cutan of Sarangani and Montaha Babao of Palawan.
“The meeting was fruitful and it inspired us more to support the president’s peace program for the Moro homeland,” Sema said.
The group of Sema and the MILF had twice signed in the past nine months separate deals binding both sides to cooperate in finding a common solution to the decades-old Moro problem.
The MNLF signed a peace pact with Malacanang on Sept. 2, 1996, then still a monolithic organization led by Misuari.
The MILF, which splintered from the MNLF in the early 1980s, has two separate compacts with the national government, the October 15, 2013 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) and the March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB).
The CAB, however, failed to take off due to the failure of Congress to approve the enabling measure for its implementation, the Bangsamoro Basic Law, during the time of President Benigno Aquino III.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/08/13/1613083/stakeholders-elated-over-diplomatic-engagement-government
Philippine government officials flash the peace sign after a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Courtesy of ARMM Information Director Amir Mawallil
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was elated with the resumption on Saturday of the diplomatic engagement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Malacañang.
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and MILF’s Muhaquer Iqbal, chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), met in Malaysia Saturday and discussed the “implementation phase” of all stalled peace compacts crafted in years past.
“We are glad that the bilateral efforts of the government, now under President Rodrigo Duterte, and our brothers in the MILF is again moving forward,” said Muslimin Sema, chairman of the largest and most politically-active group in the MNLF.
The government-MILF peace overture was stymied by the recent synchronized local and national elections.
Unlike MNLF founder Nur Misuari, who has a separate group, Sema and his followers are not opposed to the now 19-year peace overture between the national government and the MILF.
Also present in Saturday’s government-MILF dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, his regional information assistant, Amir Mawallil, and Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.
In a statement emailed to The STAR Saturday, Hataman said the ARMM government is committed to the Mindanao peace process and shall continue with its programs meant to promote peace and security in underdeveloped areas in the autonomous region.
“The only solution to the Mindanao Moro rebellion is a peaceful, negotiated solution. Nothing else can solve the problem,” Hataman said in his email.
Hataman also reiterated his promise to step down and facilitate a transition from the ARMM to any political mechanism the MILF and Duterte may possibly establish as a settlement.
Hataman, who was elected to a second term last May 9, has been implementing since 2012 various humanitarian and infrastructure projects in ARMM towns where there are MILF camps in support of the normalization agenda of the peace process.
Dureza presided over a dialogue, last August 9 in Davao City, with Sema and other MNLF officials from across Mindanao, where they discussed Duterte’s “peace roadmap” for Mindanao.
The dialogue was attended by MNLF leaders Yusoph Jikiri of Sulu, Hatimil Hassan of Basilan, Punduma Sani of Lanao de Sur, Utto Salem Cutan of Sarangani and Montaha Babao of Palawan.
“The meeting was fruitful and it inspired us more to support the president’s peace program for the Moro homeland,” Sema said.
The group of Sema and the MILF had twice signed in the past nine months separate deals binding both sides to cooperate in finding a common solution to the decades-old Moro problem.
The MNLF signed a peace pact with Malacanang on Sept. 2, 1996, then still a monolithic organization led by Misuari.
The MILF, which splintered from the MNLF in the early 1980s, has two separate compacts with the national government, the October 15, 2013 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) and the March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB).
The CAB, however, failed to take off due to the failure of Congress to approve the enabling measure for its implementation, the Bangsamoro Basic Law, during the time of President Benigno Aquino III.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/08/13/1613083/stakeholders-elated-over-diplomatic-engagement-government
Misuari a no-show; Duterte visits troops
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 14): Misuari a no-show; Duterte visits troops
JOLO, Sulu—Wanted Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari has remained in hiding and did not meet with visiting President Duterte, who instead confined himself to the military camp here for a closed-door command conference with the troops.
Expectations had been high the President would be personally talking to Misuari after he previously made announcements about it. But 77-year-old MNLF leader failed to show up, nor did he send emissaries.
But in a chance interview on Friday, the President said he would still be talking to Misuari after presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza meets with the disgruntled Muslim leader.
Misuari is wanted for a December 2013 siege that left 200 dead and thousands displaced in nearby Zamboanga City.
“I will speak to Nur Misuari, for sure. Because after the panel meetings, it goes up to us. We will be talking by then and I’ll be asking him “Are we OK now, friend?” Mr. Duterte told reporters.
He said that based on current developments, he expected to meet with Misuari next year.
“Better talk and have peace than continue war. We cannot continue rebellion,” Mr. Duterte said, when asked if he would meet with Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar to convince her to drop the charges against Misuari.
City filed charges
It was the city government of Zamboanga that led in the filing of rebellion and crimes against humanity charges against Misuari for the siege, which was carried out by his supporters to derail a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which had split from the MNLF in the 1970s.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar said Mr. Duterte’s visit here was part of his tour of military camps to boost troop morale. Since taking office, Mr. Duterte has visited around 10 military camps across the country.
“He wants them to feel the presence of their commander in chief. So he’s being a father visiting his children so they would not feel they are being taken for granted. That is the mark of a compassionate commander in chief,” Andanar said.
“He is moving around the camps to see the real situation of our troops, the hospital equipment,” he said.
He said Mr. Duterte’s way was to speak directly to the troops and personally deliver his directives to them.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805944/misuari-a-no-show-duterte-visits-troops
JOLO, Sulu—Wanted Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari has remained in hiding and did not meet with visiting President Duterte, who instead confined himself to the military camp here for a closed-door command conference with the troops.
Expectations had been high the President would be personally talking to Misuari after he previously made announcements about it. But 77-year-old MNLF leader failed to show up, nor did he send emissaries.
But in a chance interview on Friday, the President said he would still be talking to Misuari after presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza meets with the disgruntled Muslim leader.
Misuari is wanted for a December 2013 siege that left 200 dead and thousands displaced in nearby Zamboanga City.
“I will speak to Nur Misuari, for sure. Because after the panel meetings, it goes up to us. We will be talking by then and I’ll be asking him “Are we OK now, friend?” Mr. Duterte told reporters.
He said that based on current developments, he expected to meet with Misuari next year.
“Better talk and have peace than continue war. We cannot continue rebellion,” Mr. Duterte said, when asked if he would meet with Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar to convince her to drop the charges against Misuari.
City filed charges
It was the city government of Zamboanga that led in the filing of rebellion and crimes against humanity charges against Misuari for the siege, which was carried out by his supporters to derail a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which had split from the MNLF in the 1970s.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar said Mr. Duterte’s visit here was part of his tour of military camps to boost troop morale. Since taking office, Mr. Duterte has visited around 10 military camps across the country.
“He wants them to feel the presence of their commander in chief. So he’s being a father visiting his children so they would not feel they are being taken for granted. That is the mark of a compassionate commander in chief,” Andanar said.
“He is moving around the camps to see the real situation of our troops, the hospital equipment,” he said.
He said Mr. Duterte’s way was to speak directly to the troops and personally deliver his directives to them.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805944/misuari-a-no-show-duterte-visits-troops
Malaysian police arrest 9 men suspected of Daesh links
From Anadolu Agency (Aug 13): Malaysian police arrest 9 men suspected of Daesh links
6 Malaysians - aged between 17 and 56 - found to be receiving instruction on how to undertake terror attacks on cities
6 Malaysians - aged between 17 and 56 - found to be receiving instruction on how to undertake terror attacks on cities
Malaysian police have arrested nine men -- including three former foreign military soldiers -- on suspicion of links to Daesh, all believed to be plotting terror attacks in the Middle East and Malaysia.
Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in statement Saturday that the men were arrested in four states of Malaysia in a secret July 20-Aug. 9 mission by the police's counterterrorism unit.
"The three foreigners were arrested in capital Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 2 for making Malaysia a transit point to get false travel documents and of planning to launch an attack on a country in the Middle East," he said.
The statement did not, however, provide details on the nationality of the foreigners or the Middle East target.
"Out of the six local suspects, three were counterfeit VCD sellers while the others comprised a factory operator, an unemployed person, and a tractor driver," he said.
The men -- aged between 17 and 56 -- were found to be receiving instruction on how to undertake terror attacks on the country's major cities.
Bakar said all were arrested for terrorism under the Penal Code and would be probed under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
He added that a 17-year-old arrested in eastern Sabah was suspected of receiving instructions from Malaysian Daesh members in Syria to launch lone wolf attacks and kill non-Muslims in the state, along with threatening to kill Bakar.
Another Malaysian -- aged 26 years old -- was arrested for planning to launch an attack on the federal police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and on the government complex in administrative capital Putrajaya.
The man was receiving instructions from Mohamad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi to launch attacks in Malaysia, said Bakar.
Jedi -- a Malaysian-born Daesh leader who is suspected of recruiting locals to join the terror movement in Syria -- was instrumental in Daesh's first attack in Kuala Lumpur on June 28 when eight customers at an entertainment center were injured after a hand grenade was hurled towards them.
He is believed to be targeting Malaysia's senior political leaders, police and judges.
After Australia issued an alert last February warning of potential violence in capital Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Najib Razak said that security in major tourist areas countrywide had been beefed up by a joint patrolling team comprised of the military and police.
To-date, some 90 Malaysians have been identified as being involved with Daesh in Syria.
More than 230 terror suspects have been detained in Malaysia since 2013, including 200 locals.
Some 84 suspects have been charged, while 62 have been freed.
Families of kidnapped sailors under stress as ransom deadline looms
From the Jakarta Post (Aug 13): Families of kidnapped sailors under stress as ransom deadline looms
The tugboat Charles enters Semayang Port in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on June 25. Seven of its 13 crew members were taken hostage by the Filipino militant group Abu Sayyaf on June 20.(Kompas/Dani Julius Zebua)
The families of seven kidnapped Indonesian crew from the tugboat Charles are said to be under stress with two days remaining until a deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf group for a Rp 60 billion (US$4.6 million) ransom.
Several family members of the crew said they were frustrated as the Aug. 15 deadline approached, a spokesman for the family, Kapten Ginting, said on Saturday.
"Approaching August 15, the psychological state of the families is that they are in shock as there are only two days left to the deadline," he said as quoted by kompas.com.
The families have yet to receive updated information from the government after a meeting in Jakarta last week with a crisis team set up by the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister. The families trusted the government to secure the release of the sailors, Ginting added, but had received no word on recent efforts.
A team of doctors and psychologists from the Foreign Ministry is currently examining and providing counselling to the family members at the headquarters of shipping company PT PP Rusianto Bersaudara, which owns the Charles, in Sungai Lais, Palembang.
The Charles, carrying 13 Indonesian crew, was hijacked by the notorious Filipino militant group in Sulu waters in the southern Philippines on June 20. Seven sailors were taken from the boat while six others were released.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/08/13/families-of-kidnapped-sailors-under-stress-as-ransom-deadline-looms.html
The tugboat Charles enters Semayang Port in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on June 25. Seven of its 13 crew members were taken hostage by the Filipino militant group Abu Sayyaf on June 20.(Kompas/Dani Julius Zebua)
The families of seven kidnapped Indonesian crew from the tugboat Charles are said to be under stress with two days remaining until a deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf group for a Rp 60 billion (US$4.6 million) ransom.
Several family members of the crew said they were frustrated as the Aug. 15 deadline approached, a spokesman for the family, Kapten Ginting, said on Saturday.
"Approaching August 15, the psychological state of the families is that they are in shock as there are only two days left to the deadline," he said as quoted by kompas.com.
The families have yet to receive updated information from the government after a meeting in Jakarta last week with a crisis team set up by the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister. The families trusted the government to secure the release of the sailors, Ginting added, but had received no word on recent efforts.
A team of doctors and psychologists from the Foreign Ministry is currently examining and providing counselling to the family members at the headquarters of shipping company PT PP Rusianto Bersaudara, which owns the Charles, in Sungai Lais, Palembang.
The Charles, carrying 13 Indonesian crew, was hijacked by the notorious Filipino militant group in Sulu waters in the southern Philippines on June 20. Seven sailors were taken from the boat while six others were released.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/08/13/families-of-kidnapped-sailors-under-stress-as-ransom-deadline-looms.html
Duterte visits military camps
From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Aug 13): Duterte visits military camps
PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to military camps is part of Duterte’s official tasks as the Armed Forces commander-in-chief.
Andanar issued the statement following observations that President Rodrigo Duterte had been visiting the major military camps around the country.
President Duterte visited Friday the troops in Camp General Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu and met with top military officials to get first hand information of the ongoing focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Camp Bautista, which houses the Joint Task Force Sulu, is the eighth military camp President Duterte has visited since he assumed the presidency.
Andanar said President Duterte has to visit the military camps just like the previous Presidents to boost the soldiers’ morale and to personally interact with the on the government’s programs lined up for the AFP.
However, Andanar said there are two military camps which President Duterte has visited that were never visited by the previous presidents.
The secretary said he cannot say yet “as of now” what military camp President Duterte is going to visit.
President Duterte has reiterated during his “talk to the soldiers” that all their needs will be provided by the government.
He announced that the presidential jet will be converted into an air ambulance to serve the soldiers in the battlefield.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/08/13/duterte-visits-military-camps-491245
PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to military camps is part of Duterte’s official tasks as the Armed Forces commander-in-chief.
Andanar issued the statement following observations that President Rodrigo Duterte had been visiting the major military camps around the country.
President Duterte visited Friday the troops in Camp General Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu and met with top military officials to get first hand information of the ongoing focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Camp Bautista, which houses the Joint Task Force Sulu, is the eighth military camp President Duterte has visited since he assumed the presidency.
Andanar said President Duterte has to visit the military camps just like the previous Presidents to boost the soldiers’ morale and to personally interact with the on the government’s programs lined up for the AFP.
However, Andanar said there are two military camps which President Duterte has visited that were never visited by the previous presidents.
The secretary said he cannot say yet “as of now” what military camp President Duterte is going to visit.
President Duterte has reiterated during his “talk to the soldiers” that all their needs will be provided by the government.
He announced that the presidential jet will be converted into an air ambulance to serve the soldiers in the battlefield.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/08/13/duterte-visits-military-camps-491245
Military drill at Davao Naval Station
From the Sun Star-Davao (Aug 13): Military drill at Davao Naval Station
DAVAO. Servicemen and personnel from the Navy, Army, Philippine Coast Guard, Phippine National Police, and the Davao Central 911 share lunch after the Joint Maritime Exercise on Friday, August 12, at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan. (Christian Mark Lim)
TROOPS of Eastern Mindanao geared up Friday, August 12, at Naval Station Felix Apolinario (NFSA), Panacan Davao City for a joint marine exercise in a bid to test and intensify the level of preparedness in emergency and maritime security through a series of tactical operations.
Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) Naval Task Force Deputy Commander Captain Wilfredo Burgonio expressed his confidence that the skills, competence, and dedication of the security forces to respond to various scenarios were enhanced through this exercise.
“We have successfully pursued this endeavor which will enhance our capability and interoperability and readiness of the AFP, PNP and PCG units to respond on short notice to scenarios that warrant the conduct of law enforcement and tactical operations succeed,” Burgonio said.
The event was participated by the different agencies including Eastern Mindanao Command of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Police Regional Office of Philippine National Police (PNP) and Maritime Police of Nfem.
During the exercise, there were two scenarios that involve maritime interdiction.
First, there was a suspicious vessel and apprehended because of illegal actions.
The second scenario was the search and rescue for the passengers of the sunk vessel.
“This simply highlights the level of preparedness to respond to any form of emergency. It maybe a security emergency, a serious emergency concerning search and rescue of natural disaster,” he added.
He noted how Davao City personnel have close working relationships with the different forces.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2016/08/13/military-drill-davao-naval-station-491144
DAVAO. Servicemen and personnel from the Navy, Army, Philippine Coast Guard, Phippine National Police, and the Davao Central 911 share lunch after the Joint Maritime Exercise on Friday, August 12, at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan. (Christian Mark Lim)
TROOPS of Eastern Mindanao geared up Friday, August 12, at Naval Station Felix Apolinario (NFSA), Panacan Davao City for a joint marine exercise in a bid to test and intensify the level of preparedness in emergency and maritime security through a series of tactical operations.
Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) Naval Task Force Deputy Commander Captain Wilfredo Burgonio expressed his confidence that the skills, competence, and dedication of the security forces to respond to various scenarios were enhanced through this exercise.
“We have successfully pursued this endeavor which will enhance our capability and interoperability and readiness of the AFP, PNP and PCG units to respond on short notice to scenarios that warrant the conduct of law enforcement and tactical operations succeed,” Burgonio said.
The event was participated by the different agencies including Eastern Mindanao Command of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Police Regional Office of Philippine National Police (PNP) and Maritime Police of Nfem.
During the exercise, there were two scenarios that involve maritime interdiction.
First, there was a suspicious vessel and apprehended because of illegal actions.
The second scenario was the search and rescue for the passengers of the sunk vessel.
“This simply highlights the level of preparedness to respond to any form of emergency. It maybe a security emergency, a serious emergency concerning search and rescue of natural disaster,” he added.
He noted how Davao City personnel have close working relationships with the different forces.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2016/08/13/military-drill-davao-naval-station-491144
AFP assures no ISIS in PHL amid alleged threat to sabotage beauty contest
From the Business World (Aug 13): AFP assures no ISIS in PHL amid
alleged threat to sabotage beauty contest
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a statement on Friday said it is “yet to establish the authenticity and, possibly, the source” of an alleged video by the Islamic State (ISIS) threatening to sabotage next year’s Miss Universe 2017 to be held in the Philippines.
“That notwithstanding, we are taking the threat seriously. As in any threats, whether verified or not, it behooves the AFP -- in coordination with the PNP [and] other counterpart agencies -- to take appropriate measures to counter the threats,” said a statement by the AFP’s Public Affairs Office.
“We reiterate that there is no ISIS in the Philippines,” the statement added, in contrast to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s recent statements of that particular threat in the country.
alleged threat to sabotage beauty contest
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a statement on Friday said it is “yet to establish the authenticity and, possibly, the source” of an alleged video by the Islamic State (ISIS) threatening to sabotage next year’s Miss Universe 2017 to be held in the Philippines.
“That notwithstanding, we are taking the threat seriously. As in any threats, whether verified or not, it behooves the AFP -- in coordination with the PNP [and] other counterpart agencies -- to take appropriate measures to counter the threats,” said a statement by the AFP’s Public Affairs Office.
“We reiterate that there is no ISIS in the Philippines,” the statement added, in contrast to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s recent statements of that particular threat in the country.
“What we have are groups claiming affiliations with ISIS in their bid to draw funds. It is not farfetched for ISIS to claim to have cells in the Philippines to show global membership,” the statement noted.
“That said, the AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo [R.] Visaya calls on our people to remain calm,” the statement also said, adding that “Gen[eral] Visaya...calls on our people to be vigilant, not only because of the threat, but more so because security is a concern for everybody not only of the security forces.”
“That said, the AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo [R.] Visaya calls on our people to remain calm,” the statement also said, adding that “Gen[eral] Visaya...calls on our people to be vigilant, not only because of the threat, but more so because security is a concern for everybody not only of the security forces.”
25 hurdle 1st Philippine Navy reservists training in northern Luzon
From the Philippine Star (Aug 13): 25 hurdle 1st Philippine Navy reservists training in northern Luzon
Twenty-five men and women finished the first ever training course for Philippine Navy reservists held in northern Luzon held at the Philippine Military Academy. Philstar.com/Artemio Dumlao
For former television journalist Andrew Pinero, 48, his seven-day rigid but enjoyable Philippine Navy reservist training jumpstarts his preparation for the future.
“Especially with the situation in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. “When the time comes na kailanganin tayo ng bansa, handa ako.”
Twenty-five “brave and willing” men and women finished the first ever training course for Philippine Navy reservists held in northern Luzon held at the Philippine Military Academy complex here on Saturday.
Eleven women, which is almost half or 48 percent of the batch, joined the 04-16 class “Bakunawa” (sea dragon).
Lt. Commander Anthony De Leon, commander of the 112th Squadron, Northern Luzon Naval Reserve Command said the training aims to develop a high sense of volunteerism among the pioneer men and women.
“We want to enhance and improve the image of the reservists,” De Leon said, citing the road rage incident which involved reservist Vhon Tanto.
Being a reservist enhances the sense of service to community and service to country, De Leon added.
Pinero, who eventually placed as topnotcher of the class, together with his 24 other classmates underwent a seven-day basic military course that included military and defense doctrines, map reading, firearms proficiency, field training exercises and other basic military skills.
The reserve naval officer said the training will also prepare the reservists when they are called into duty. But during peace time, naval reservists could become responders during disasters or extend community services or conduct environmental protection efforts within the community.
There are 15,000 Navy reservists in the whole of northern Luzon.
De Leon said there will be a second batch of trainees in October to add up to the increasing number of interested would-be Naval reserve officers.
“There are doctors, other professionals intending to join us,” he said.
Reservists comprise 80 percent of the 120,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines. Only 20 percent are regular members.
According to De Leon, the campaign for Navy reservists is gaining up in the area as more Filipino patriots show fervor to serve and become ready when the time comes.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/08/13/1613101/25-hurdle-1st-philippine-navy-reservists-training-northern-luzon
Twenty-five men and women finished the first ever training course for Philippine Navy reservists held in northern Luzon held at the Philippine Military Academy. Philstar.com/Artemio Dumlao
For former television journalist Andrew Pinero, 48, his seven-day rigid but enjoyable Philippine Navy reservist training jumpstarts his preparation for the future.
“Especially with the situation in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. “When the time comes na kailanganin tayo ng bansa, handa ako.”
Twenty-five “brave and willing” men and women finished the first ever training course for Philippine Navy reservists held in northern Luzon held at the Philippine Military Academy complex here on Saturday.
Eleven women, which is almost half or 48 percent of the batch, joined the 04-16 class “Bakunawa” (sea dragon).
Lt. Commander Anthony De Leon, commander of the 112th Squadron, Northern Luzon Naval Reserve Command said the training aims to develop a high sense of volunteerism among the pioneer men and women.
“We want to enhance and improve the image of the reservists,” De Leon said, citing the road rage incident which involved reservist Vhon Tanto.
Being a reservist enhances the sense of service to community and service to country, De Leon added.
Pinero, who eventually placed as topnotcher of the class, together with his 24 other classmates underwent a seven-day basic military course that included military and defense doctrines, map reading, firearms proficiency, field training exercises and other basic military skills.
The reserve naval officer said the training will also prepare the reservists when they are called into duty. But during peace time, naval reservists could become responders during disasters or extend community services or conduct environmental protection efforts within the community.
There are 15,000 Navy reservists in the whole of northern Luzon.
De Leon said there will be a second batch of trainees in October to add up to the increasing number of interested would-be Naval reserve officers.
“There are doctors, other professionals intending to join us,” he said.
Reservists comprise 80 percent of the 120,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines. Only 20 percent are regular members.
According to De Leon, the campaign for Navy reservists is gaining up in the area as more Filipino patriots show fervor to serve and become ready when the time comes.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/08/13/1613101/25-hurdle-1st-philippine-navy-reservists-training-northern-luzon
AFP activates disaster response task force
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 13): AFP activates disaster response task force
Rescue workers carry a survivor on a stretcher after he was extracted from a collapsed wall in an informal settler house just beside the city jail building in Manila on Aug. 13. Two residents were killed and nine injured when a wall collapsed after heavy rains overnight, according to local authorities. AFP
The secretary of national defense on Saturday ordered the activation of the Disaster Response Task Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid heavy rains which triggered floods in some parts of the country.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had ordered the AFP to monitor the ongoing preemptive evacuations and get updates from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on flooded areas.
On Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned of possible flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.
Pagasa has issued an orange warning level in Metro Manila as most areas are submerged in flood waters.
In Quezon City, residents near Tullahan River were advised to evacuate as La Mesa Dam neared its spilling level.
The water level at La Mesa Dam has reached 13 cm below overflow level of 80.15 cm while the Marikina River was up to 17.77 cm as of 3:50 p.m.
All eight floodgates at the Marikina River have been opened.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805859/afp-activates-disaster-response-task-force
Rescue workers carry a survivor on a stretcher after he was extracted from a collapsed wall in an informal settler house just beside the city jail building in Manila on Aug. 13. Two residents were killed and nine injured when a wall collapsed after heavy rains overnight, according to local authorities. AFP
The secretary of national defense on Saturday ordered the activation of the Disaster Response Task Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid heavy rains which triggered floods in some parts of the country.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had ordered the AFP to monitor the ongoing preemptive evacuations and get updates from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on flooded areas.
On Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned of possible flooding in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.
Pagasa has issued an orange warning level in Metro Manila as most areas are submerged in flood waters.
In Quezon City, residents near Tullahan River were advised to evacuate as La Mesa Dam neared its spilling level.
The water level at La Mesa Dam has reached 13 cm below overflow level of 80.15 cm while the Marikina River was up to 17.77 cm as of 3:50 p.m.
All eight floodgates at the Marikina River have been opened.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805859/afp-activates-disaster-response-task-force
KMP claims leader 'illegally arrested'
From InterAksyon (Aug 12): KMP claims leader 'illegally arrested'
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas on Friday afternoon disclosed that its vice chairman was "illegally arrested" by police in Quezon province.
The leftist peasant organization indicated in an urgent alert and citing initial reports, that Tony Pajalla "was accosted by armed policemen on charges of rebellion" around 2 p.m. and detained at Macalelon town jail.
"Pajalla was able to contact and inform his colleagues about his arrest," KMP added.
Pajalla's arrest comes 10 days before formal peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels are scheduled to resume in Oslo, Norway, and on the same day that trial courts began granting bail to detained consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Among those granted bail Friday were rebel leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon and Adelberto Silva, all of whom are detained, and Rafael Baylosis, who "surfaced" before the Manila regional trial court.
http://interaksyon.com/article/131375/kmp-claims-leader-illegally-arrested
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas on Friday afternoon disclosed that its vice chairman was "illegally arrested" by police in Quezon province.
The leftist peasant organization indicated in an urgent alert and citing initial reports, that Tony Pajalla "was accosted by armed policemen on charges of rebellion" around 2 p.m. and detained at Macalelon town jail.
"Pajalla was able to contact and inform his colleagues about his arrest," KMP added.
Pajalla's arrest comes 10 days before formal peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels are scheduled to resume in Oslo, Norway, and on the same day that trial courts began granting bail to detained consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Among those granted bail Friday were rebel leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon and Adelberto Silva, all of whom are detained, and Rafael Baylosis, who "surfaced" before the Manila regional trial court.
http://interaksyon.com/article/131375/kmp-claims-leader-illegally-arrested
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