Army’s 10ID turns 10

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 18): Army’s 10ID turns 10

The 10th Infantry ‘Agila’ Division (10ID), the youngest in the Philippine Army, celebrates today its 10th year founding anniversary at their headquarters in Mawab, Compostela Valley Province, with the theme, “10th ID @ 10: A Decade of Service for Lasting Peace in Southern Mindanao.”

Highlighting the celebration was the inauguration of the 10ID’s new facilities including their main gate, the tactical operations center and the technical intelligence company building.

Former 10ID commander and now commanding general of the Philippine Army, LtGen Eduardo Año and current 10ID commander MGen Rafael Valencia led the unveiling of markers of the the new structures, while their wives, Jean Jocelyn Maria Año and Teresa Valencia cut the ribbon as ceremonial opening of the facilities.

In his speech, Lt. Gen. Año promised to give another P33-million worth of hospital building to the division.

“Within the year, we will start the construction of a P33-million hospital for 10ID, P25-million for the building and P8-million for the equipment, so that our soldiers will get the necessary health and medical services that they deserve,” Año said.

He also stressed that he is proud to be a part of the Agila division, though the youngest division in the army but it has proven its value through different successes.

He added that for the first semester of the year, the division reported the neutralization of 144 personalities of the New People’s Army and confiscation of 76 assorted firearms.

During the program, the division also honoured its seven former commanders namely, MGen Ernesto Boac (Ret), MGen Jogy Leo Fojas (Ret), MGen Reynaldo Mapagu (Ret), MGen Carlos Holganza (Ret), MGen Jorge Segovia (Ret), MGen Ariel Bernardo (Ret) and LtGen Año.

Present during the anniversary celebration were Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, Davao Oriental former governor and now First District Congresswoman Corazon Malanyaon, Compostela Valley former governor and now Board Member Arthur Uy, and Compostela Valley Congresspersons Maricar Zamora and Ruwel Peter Gonzaga.

According to the Division Public Affairs Office, the Agila Division was created through HPA General Orders No. 355 dated August 9, 2006 and was activated as division on August 16 holding a temporary headquarter at Camp Panacan, Davao City.

The division moved to its present headquarters at Camp General Manuel T. Yan, Sr. in Brgy. Tuboran, Mawab on February 9, 2011.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2871471509678/army-s-10id-turns-10

Army honors gallant personnel in 10th ID anniversary

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 18): Army honors gallant personnel in 10th ID anniversary

Some 11 military and CAFGU personnel of the 10th Infantry Division earned combat and non-combat awards during the division’s 10th year anniversary program today at Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr in Mawab, Compostela Valley.

As bravery for their outstanding service during combat, Cpl Brandy Barrometro and Cpl Roy Juanitez earned Gold Cross awards, while 2Lt Andrew Ollasic and Sgt Ronito Dotosme gained Military Medals with Bronze Spearhead Device.

On non-combat awards, LtCol Louie Demaala got the Gawad sa Kaunlaran; 1Lt Roel Manuel with Silver Cross Medal; and Cpl Rany Paler and Cpl Winny Viña with military merit medal each.

The division also awarded their best military personnel during the anniversary program. 1Lt Israel Damasco was conferred as the Best Junior Officer award; Cpl Alvin Pandia garnered the Best Enlisted Personnel; and CAA Roque Makaiwa was adjudged as the Best CAFGU Active Auxiliary.

Seven infantry battalions were also recognized in their adherence to the Army Governance Pathway. The battalions were 25th IB, 27th IB, 28th IB, 39th IB, 60th IB, 67th IB and 72nd IB. Also, the 1001st, 1002nd and 1003rd infantry brigades were awarded with complaint status in their Army Governance Pathway.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2871471509770/army-honors-gallant-personnel-in-10th-id-anniversary-

PMA offers Samarnons to lead the armed forces

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 18): PMA offers Samarnons to lead the armed forces

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is offering young and passionate Samarnons a chance to be an officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In PIA’s Huruhimangraw Radio Program aired at MBC-Aksyon Radyo-DYMS, Captain Ian Fabellon of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, announced that a team of PMA cadets and officers are in Samar for the campaign and to conduct  examination on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the Samar State University, Mercedes Campus, Catbalogan City.

“This is your chance not just to be an ordinary soldier but an officer,” said Fabellon. In PMA, a cadet already receives his salary the moment he is sworn in as a PMA cadet, he added.

The cadet is trained for four years in the academy where he receives the best military education.

If interested, one must be a natural-born Filipino, stands at least 5 feet for both male and female, Physically fit, with good moral character, single and has never been married. The applicant must be a high school graduate on or before April 2015, prior to the implementation of K-12, has no administrative nor criminal case and should have been born from April 1, 1995 to April 1, 2000.

Presently, the PMA team is doing the rounds of information drive in universities and colleges in the whole Eastern Visayas.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1221471482974/pma-offers-samarnons-to-lead-the-armed-forces

PRRD leads PNP’s 115th Police Service anniversary, awards outstanding policemen, units

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 18): PRRD leads PNP’s 115th Police Service anniversary, awards outstanding policemen, units

President Rodrigo R. Duterte  led the awarding of outstanding police officers and units during the 115th Police Service anniversary of the Philippine National Police. held at Camp Crame yesterday.

The President was assisted by PNP chief Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa and Usec.Catalino Cuy representing Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ Sueno handing out plaques of recognition to the awardees in a ceremony held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Senior Superintendent Valeriano T. de Leon of the Police Regional Office 11 in Southern Mindanao led the individual awardees. He received Medalya ng Kasanayan and Achievement award being the Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration

Supt. Reynald E Ariño of the elite PNP Special Action Force also received Medalya ng Kasanayan and Achievement award for being the Best Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operations.
  
Other individual awardees are: Senior Inspector Lito T. Pirote of the PNP Anti- Illegal Drugs Group – Best Junior Police Commissioned Officer;  Senior Police Officer 1 Mhay M Rubio of the Police Regional Office 3 in Central Luzon- Best Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer;   PO2 Jonathan G. Robles, also of the PRO 3 – Best Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer; ·  Non-Uniformed Personnel Rosana D. Tupaz of the PRO6 in Western Visayas – Best Non-Uniformed Personnel (Supervisory Level); and NUP Mary Jeanne D.L. Nadres of the PNP Directorate for Plans-  Best Non-Uniformed Personnel (Non-Supervisory Level)
  
Unit awardees are: the Police Regional Office 2  headed by Chief Supt. Gilbert C. Sosa– Best Police Regional Office; the PNP Special Action Force headed by Chief Supt. Benjamin M. Lusad as Best
  
National Operational Support Unit; the PNP  Information Technology Management Service  headed by Chief Supt. Edwin Jose G. Nemenzo  as Best National Administrative Support Unit; the Bulacan Police Provincial Office  headed by Senior Supt. Romeo M. Caramat Jr. as Best Police Provincial Office; the Iligan City Police Office  headed by Senior Supt. Leony Roy G. Ga as Best City Police Office;
  
The Sta. Rosa City Police Station  headed by Supt. Giovanni S. Martinez as Best Component City Police Station; the  Nagcarlan Municipal Police Station  headed by Chief Inspector Leopoldo M. Ferrer Jr. as Best Municipal Police Station; the Regional Public Safety Battalion 13 headed by Supt. Chito G.  Bersaluna as Best Regional Public Safety Battalion;
  
The Pangasinan Provincial Public Safety Company  headed by Supt. Virgilio C. Pascua Jr. as Best Provincial Public Safety Company; the Zamboanga City Public Safety Company  headed by Supt. Arston D. Limos  as Best City Public Safety Company; the Women And Children Protection Desk of PRO 11 in Southern Mindanao headed by Chief Inspector Jacqueline A. Antero as Best Women And Children Protection Desk; the Regional Police Human Rights Desk of PRO 3  headed by Supt. Hercules P. Ileto as Best Regional Human Rights Desk; the  Police Strategy Management Unit of the Cordillera Police headed by Cordillera Deputy Regional Director for Administration, Chief Supt. Robert G. Quenery as Best Police Strategy Management Unit; and the Regional Special Training Unit of PRO 2 in Cagayan Valley headed by Supt. Jojo S. de la Cruz as Best Regional Special Training Unit.
  
President Duterte also presented Special Awards to: the Police Regional Office 5 headed by Chief Supt. Melvin Ramon G. Buenafe for being the unit with most members of private armed groups neutralized during the election period (regional level); the Cebu Police Provincial Office headed by Senior Supt. Jose B. Macanas for being the unit with most number of firearms accounted, seized.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/231471431276/prrd-leads-pnp-s-115th-police-service-anniversary-awards-outstanding-policemen-units

Lopez optimistic about military and police's new role as environmental protectors

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 19): Lopez optimistic about military and police's new role as environmental protectors

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez hopes to put the image of the military and the police on a more positive light with their new role as "protectors of the environment."

 Lopez said the country's security forces play a crucial role in the newly created anti-environmental crime task force led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which will go after environmental offenders and ensure strict implementation of environmental laws and regulations.

The DENR recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with other key government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, for the creation of the task force called "A-TEAM Kalikasan."

Lopez said their new role in environmental protection will help erase the bad image of soldiers and policemen as bodyguards of influential politicians and businessmen and make them guardians of the nation's wealth and the environment.

"The [military and the police] were being used as bodyguards for big business interests. I want to shift that and work together with them, to work with the farmers, to work with the indigenous people, because my experience with the military has been only very good and we need to shape that," Lopez said.

Lopez said she views the military and the police as partners in development. "I think of we do that and we all work together with the civil society, I don't see why we can't make a difference."

Other parties to the MOA are the Department of National Defense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Transportation, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

The task force aims to respond to the clamor for social justice, especially among the indigenous peoples who complain about land grabbing and the negative impacts of mining and illegal logging to the environment and their livelihoods.

Lopez expressed high optimism and expectation that the task force will succeed in its mission. "I am counting on three things from you -- will, heart and integrity," Lopez told the members of the task force.

"Yes, we will make things happen. In the immediate future we will see a much, much better Philippines because enforcing is really number one and let’s make it good," she added.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141471483790/lopez-optimistic-about-military-and-police-s-new-role-as-environmental-protectors

PH welcomes JICA’s support to maritime safety

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 19): PH welcomes JICA’s support to maritime safety

The Philippines welcomed the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the country’s maritime safety with the arrival of “Tubbataha”, the first of the ten 40-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“The cooperation aims to build the capacity of the Philippines in boosting maritime safety for socio-economic development. As an archipelago, the Philippines will benefit greatly from the Japanese ship,” said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

The MRRVs was part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) agreement with the Philippines signed during the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo in 2013. JICA signed a Japanese ODA loan agreement with the Republic of the Philippines amounting to ¥18.732B in December 2013.

PCG chief Rear Admiral Melad lauded the Japanese government for the continuous and unwavering support to the PCG’s capability development programs.

The vessel was named after Lighthouse Tubbataha which is located in Tubbataha Marine National Park, Palawan.

JICA’s cooperation will help augment the PCG’s fleet operations and contribute to the Philippines’ maritime safety by quickly and appropriately responding to maritime incidents, such as search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, monitoring, pollution control, and disaster response, Ito added.

The MRRVs from Japan utilize a hybrid structure and special welding technique that gives speed, stability, and sea-worthiness of vessels for maritime safety. Deliveries of the remaining vessels are expected every quarter until 2018.

The Philippines has been prone to maritime accidents and crimes due to passenger and freight transport volumes. In 2015, PCG data shows that 474 maritime accidents have been recorded, more than twice of the 220 reported cases in 2008.

Since the 1990s, JICA has long supported the initiatives of the PCG. Among the other projects undertaken by JICA and the PCG are provision of rescue equipment, training facilities, communication systems, and maritime safety equipment. JICA has also trained 600 PCG personnel for effective operations for maritime safety and security. In 2014, JICA extended ¥1.152 billion grant aid to PCG to install a satellite-based communication system, and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to manage vessel movement and port traffic. An expert from the Japan Coast Guard has been also dispatched to PCG as part of a technical cooperation.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241471513124/ph-welcomes-jica-s-support-to-maritime-safety

Ka Paris freed, will join Oslo peace talks

From Rappler (Aug 18): Ka Paris freed, will join Oslo peace talks

Alfredo Mapano, also known as Ka Paris, doubts he could spend time with his family since he is expected to fly to Norway along with 20 other National Democratic Front (NDF) negotiators as soon as possible



FREED. Wilfredo Mapano, also known as Ka Paris, inside the visitor's hut at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail in Cagayan de Oro City, minutes before he is freed on bail. Photo by Bobby Lagsa/ Rappler

As he stepped out of the Misamis Oriental provincial jail on Wednesday afternoon, August 17, Communist rebel leader Alfredo Mapano, also known as “Ka Paris,” is optimistic that the peace talks between the government and the Maoist rebels will bear fruit after years of being stalled.

Mapano is one of the 22 National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants who was ordered released by Judge Florencia Abbu of the Regional Trial Court branch 17 after paying the P100,000 bail.

Mapano has been imprisoned for close to 7 years, facing multiple counts of criminal charges including murder, robbery and frustrated murder.

Incarcerated since 2009, Mapano finally tasted temporary freedom so he could attend the formal peace talks in Oslo, Norway between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) on August 22. The Royal Norwegian government will be acting as a third-party broker.

Mapano said he doubted he could spend time with his family since he was expected to fly to Norway along with 20 other National Democratic Front (NDF) negotiators as soon as possible.

Mapano has been an NDF peace consultant since the time of the late Pres. Corazon Aquino in 1986.

In a statement, Jose Maria Sison, Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder, said he was grateful to the Duterte administration for allowing the peace talks to continue after decades of being suspended.

“Once more I am grateful to President Duterte for his acts of goodwill to move forward the peace negotiations between his government and the NDFP,” Sison said.

He maintained that he and the President remain good friends and that “our friendship has a strong basis in previous cooperation of long duration and in a common desire to serve the national and democratic rights and best interests of the Filipino people.”

In the course of the talks in Norway, Sison said he will be in constant contact with Duterte.

“We intend to perform our respective parts in order to make the talks successful and beneficial to our people,” he added.

The government is set to release 22 NDF consultants, listed below:

1. Benito Tiamzon
2. Alan Jazmines
3. Concha Araneta Bocala
4. Adelberto Silva
5. Ruben Saluta
6. Jaime Soledad
7. Kennedy Bangibang
8. Loida Magpatoc
9. Reynante Gamara
10. Alfredo Mapano
11. Emeterio Antalan
12. Leopoldo Caloza
13. Wilma Austria
14. Eduardo Sarmiento
15. Ernesto Lorenzo
16. Pedro Codaste
17. Porferio Tuna
18. Tirso Alcantara
19. Eduardo Genelsa
20. Ariel Arbitrario
21. Renato Baleros, Sr.
22. Edgardo Friginal

http://www.rappler.com/nation/143397-ka-paris-freed-oslo-peace-talks-philippines

New rescue ship arrives in PH from Japan

From Rappler (Aug 18): New rescue ship arrives in PH from Japan

The Philippine Coast Guard says 9 more MRRVs are being built for its fleet, to be delivered from December 2016 to August 2018



NEW SHIP. The Philippine Coast Guard'€™s first ever multi-role response vessel, the BRP Tubbataha, arrives at the port in Manila on August 18, 2016. Photo by Noel Celis/AFP

The Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday, August 18, welcomed the arrival of its brand new multi-role vessel from Japan which will augment its search and rescue assets, as well as its patrols in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Upon its arrival at the Port of Manila, it was inspected by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration (BOI), and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).

 

The PCG said the vessel is equipped with special features for search and rescue missions, and maritime security and law enforcement operations such fire monitors, night vision camera, radio direction finder, and a work boat.

 

The navigational bridge of the vessel is bullet-proof. (LOOK: PH Coast Guard gets new rescue ship from Japan)

 

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said 9 more brand-new MRRVs from Japan will be built for the PCG. Succeeding vessels will be delivered quarterly beginning December 2016, until the final MRRV arrives in August 2018.

 

The MRRVs will be deployed to various PCG districts across the Philippines, including Manila, La Union, and Puerto Princesa.

 

The vessels will have a standard cruising speed of 16 knots (30 km/h), and a range of 1,500 nautical miles (2,778 kilometers).

 

The BRP Tubbataha is part of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) awarded to the Japan Marine United Corporation (JMUC) in April 2015.

The MSCIP is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) project, via a tied loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

It is the first of 10 Philippine coast guard ships being built in Japan, supported by Japanese aid money, as the former World War II foes seek to boost defense ties in the face of growing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

Japan – the Philippines' top source of development aid – said this month it would give Manila two additional patrol vessels, and that it was discussing the possible lease of surveillance aircraft.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/143481-japan-rescue-ship-arrives-ph

Left hails release of NDFP consultants, sees bright prospects for talks

From InterAksyon (Aug 18): Left hails release of NDFP consultants, sees bright prospects for talks

The legal left welcomed the release of consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, saying this augured well for the imminent resumption of formal peace negotiations between the Duterte administration and communist rebels on August 22.

At the same time, four of the freed detainees called on government to release the rest of their fellow consultants and the more than 500 political prisoners in the country.

As of Thursday afternoon, the NDFP consultants released on bail are:

1. Winona Birondo
2. Alex Birondo
3. Kennedy Bangibang
4. Ruben Saluta
5. Tirso Alcantara
6. Allan Jasminez
7. Renante Gamara
8. Ernesto Lorenzo
9. Jaime Soledad
10. Alfredo Mapano
11. Concha Araneta-Bocala
12. Ariel Arbitrario
13. Eduardo Genelsa
14. Adelberto Silva

Silva was the latest to be released Thursday afternoon, Cristina Palabay, secetary general of the human rights group Karapatan, said.

However, she said the expected release of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, ordered by four trial courts where they are facing charges, had yet to take place because of the "callousness" of Arnel Apud, warden of the PNP Custodial Center.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, in a statement, called the release of the rebel consultants “historic” in “terms of number and significance” and underscored the “goodwill on the part of the Duterte administration.”

It hailed President Rodrigo Duterte for showing “he is willing to do more for the peace talks with the NDFP than his predecessors,” Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III, during whose terms negotiations came to a standstill.

Bayan said the releases “raise hopes” the talks would resume “on a positive note and that new agreements beneficial to the people will be forged” as it called the consultants “a formidable addition to the peace negotiations as they can draw from their rich experience in advancing the national and democratic interests of the people.”

In a separate statement following their release from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City Wednesday, Jazmines, Lorenzo, Gamara and Alcantara expressed appreciation “that the matter of the questionable, if not dubious, arrest and detention of NDF peace consultants by previous regimes is now being rectified by the new Duterte regime,” citing the interventions leading to their release.

“If wrongly detained NDF peace consultants are now freed and are able to participate in the peace talks, we expect that they will be able to qualitatively help a lot in the NDF's work in the peace process,” they said. “In the meantime, we are also seriously pushing for the soonest release of all other political prisoners -- more than 500 of them throughout the country.”

http://interaksyon.com/article/131538/left-hails-release-of-ndfp-consultants-sees-bright-prospects-for-talks

Second Indon hostage recovered in Philippine province

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 18): Second Indon hostage recovered in Philippine province







Sulu provincial photos show Governor Toto Tan with escaped Indonesian sailor Mohamad Soyfan after police presented him the foreigner.

The Philippine military on Thursday said a second Indonesian hostage had been recovered by troops following a daring escape from Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern province of Sulu.

It said the victim, Ismail – one of 7 crew members of the tugboat Charles – was found late Wednesday afternoon walking alone by soldiers who were scouring the town of Luuk for other hostages.

No other details were provided by the military on Ismail.

Civilians on Wednesday spotted Mohamad Soyfan, also a tugboat crew member, in a fish pen in the village of Bual after he allegedly escaped from the Abu Sayyaf. The military said the Abu Sayyaf had set Soyfan’s execution when he managed to flee from his guards.

Soyfan was handed by village officials to the police and later presented to Governor Totoh Tan, who is the head of the provincial crisis management committee.

There were no reports on the remaining tugboat crew members – Ferry Arifin, the skipper; M. Mahbrur Dahri, Edi Suryono, Ismail, M.Nasir, and Robin Piter. The boat – owned by PT Rusianto Brothers – was heading to Samarinda in East Kalimantan following a trip from the Philippines when gunmen on speedboats intercepted it on June 22.

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

The hostages are believed being held by the group of Alhabsi Misaya, a former member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996. Misaya had split with the MNLF and joined the Abu Sayyaf several years ago after Misuari reportedly ordered his execution for a still unknown reason, according to military intelligence reports.

The Abu Sayyaf previously kidnapped 14 Indonesian tugboat crewmembers in separate attacks at sea just this year and brought them to Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, and eventually released through the intercession of the MNLF headed by Nur Misuari.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/second-indon-hostage-recovered-in-philippine-province/

Army honors 2 soldiers killed in anti-drug ops

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 18): Army honors 2 soldiers killed in anti-drug ops



Troops honor fallen soldiers in Maguindanao province on Thursday, Augusy 18, 2016 in this photo released by the 6th Infantry Division to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

The Philippine Army’s 6^th Infantry Division on Thursday honored two soldiers who were slain during an anti-drug operation in North Cotabato’s Midsayap town.

Captain Jo-ann Petinglay, an army spokeswoman, said the soldiers – Corporal Josel P. Miravalles and Private First Class Jay Pee Z. Duran – were killed on August 14 while fighting the group of notorious drug lord Madrox Masgal, who is also wanted by authorities in Central Mindanao.

She said the soldiers were part of operating team, composed of 62^nd Reconnaissance Company, Philippine Public Safety College, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Naval Intelligence Security Group that engaged with Masgal’s group at the boundaries of Kadilingan and Nabalawag villages. Petinglay said one NISG member was also killed and 8 soldiers from the 62^nd Reconnaissance Company were wounded in the fierce fire fight.

Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, the division commander, handed over a Posthumous Military Merit Medal to the families of the late soldiers for their acts of heroism. “These two men did not only die fighting terrorists in Central Mindanao but they also risk their lives fighting the illegal drugs in the country,” he said.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/army-honors-2-soldiers-killed-in-anti-drug-ops/

NDF panel member from Misamis Oriental flies to Manila for Oslo talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 18): NDF panel member from Misamis Oriental flies to Manila for Oslo talks

One of the consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF) from Misamis Oriental who was released Wednesday flew to Manila Thursday noon in preparation for his flight to Oslo, Norway to join the peace negotiations with the government.

The Cagayan De Oro-based Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP), said that Alfredo Mapano, a.k.a. “Paris,” 62, was escorted by Fr. Christopher Ablon, the PEPP Coordinator for Mindanao.

Mapano was released from the Misamis Oriental provincial jail facilities Wednesday afternoon after the regional court here waived the payment of the Php100,000 bail with the permission of the Supreme Court.

Mapano, the former secretary general of the Communist North Central Mindanao Revolutionary Party Committee (NMRC), was arrested on August 20, 2009 while visiting his family in Cagayan De Oro City for 11 criminal offenses.

Chona Mapano, wife of Paris, was thankful that her husband was released to join the NDF peace panel in Oslo, Norway on August 22.

Mapano was one of the 22 NDF consultants that the Norway-based Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA) wants released to join the peace panel.

The release of another NDF consultant along with Mapano last Wednesday, was delayed due to some hitches in the issuance of the release papers.

Pedro Codaste, a.k.a “Gonyong,” who was imprisoned in Malaybalay City Jail, succeeded as the secretary general of the North Central Mindanao Revolutionary Party Committee of the CPP-NDF-NPA, after the arrest of Mapano.

Codaste, 66, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest on murder and frustrated murder charges at a checkpoint in Bayugan, Agusan Del Sur, on December 17, 2010.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=915221

Coast Guard's 1st multi-role response vessel BRP Tubbataha arrives

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 18): Coast Guard's 1st multi-role response vessel BRP Tubbataha arrives

The BRP Tubbataha, one of the 10 multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) ordered from Japan, was formally delivered to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Thursday morning.

PCG Spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said the handover took place around 9 a.m. at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor.

BRP Tubbataha was delivered by Japan Marine United Corporation (JMUC) sailing personnel with 12 observers from the PCG. It departed the JMUC shipyard in Yokohama, Japan last Aug. 11.

Balilo said the commissioning date is tentatively set on Aug. 22.

The BRP Tubbataha has a length of 44 meters, a draft of four meters and a maximum speed of 25 knots, a range of 1,500 nautical miles and a crew of 25 officers and enlisted personnel.

The BRP Tubbataha and the nine other MRRVs would be classified as "Parola (lighthouse)" class vessels and named after lighthouses. The Tubbataha Reef, a marine reservation area in Palawan, has a lighthouse similarly named.

The MRRV is equipped with special features for search and rescue and law enforcement operations such as fire monitors, night vision camera, radio direction finder and a workboat. It also has a bullet-proof navigational bridge.

The remaining MRRVs will arrive one after another every quarter or until 2018.

The PCG's MRRV program stemmed from the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project being implemented as an Official Development Assistance project, via a tied loan extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Under the project terms, the MRRVs will be used for:

• Primary rescue vessels within the PCG District’s areas of responsibility (AOR) when the extent of the disaster is beyond the capability of floating assets deployed within the area;

• Assistance in the control of oil pollution and protection of the marine environment;

• Enforcement of all applicable maritime laws within the designated AOR, particularly relating to illegal fishing and sea patrol;

• Service as platform for rapid response during relief operations in the area;

• Transport of personnel and logistical support.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=915086

KMU opposes hero’s burial for former President Marcos

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 18): KMU opposes hero’s burial for former President Marcos

National Labor Center Kilusang Mayo Uno appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to renounce his decision to give Ferdinand Marcos a hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani by citing that the late dictator was a murderer and a thief not a hero.

“Marcos is a murderer and a thief not a hero. We reject any plan to give a hero’s burial for the fascist dictator behind the mass murder of workers, peasants and activists and the massive plunder of the Filipino people’s taxes,” said KMU chairperson Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog in a statement.

Joining Martial Law victims and other sectoral organizations in a People’s Caravan against Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the labor leader insisted that giving a hero’s burial for Marcos would be an injustice to the countless victims of extra-judicial killings and other human rights violations under his fascist dictatorial regime.

“A hero’s burial for Marcos would be an injustice to all victims of his fascist rule. If there is anything President Duterte should be busying himself with regarding the Marcoses, it should be giving justice to the victims of atrocities during Martial Law and the return of the Marcoses’ ill-gotten wealth,” Labog said.

The KMU chairperson also said that burying Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani was a betrayal to the Filipino workers’ and people’s history and struggle for genuine democracy, freedom and social change.

“Hundreds of unionists and labor leaders have been killed for asserting workers’ rights during Martial Law. To claim that Marcos was a hero is to betray the real heroes and martyrs of the Filipino workers and people who gave sacrificed their lives in fighting for genuine democracy, freedom and social change in the country,” he added.

KMU meanwhile called on Filipino workers to oppose Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani saying to forego his crimes against workers and people now would give way to worse Marcosian fascist dictatorships in the future.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=915122

PA scores militants for conducting protest actions in LNMB

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 18): PA scores militants for conducting protest actions in LNMB

The Philippine Army (PA) scored the 60 to 70 militant group members who conducted a 20-minute protest action outside the the "Libingan Ng Mga Bayani" (LNMB), Fort Bonifacio Taguig City---well smack in the arrival honors for deceased 28th Army commander Major Gen. Rodolfo Canieso Thursday morning.

"There is a proper time for everything. The protest actions conducted by the League of Filipino Students, Gabriela and others outside the LNMB while (arrival honors) are taking place for the deceased (28th PA commander) Major Gen. Rodolfo Canieso and first Presidential Security Group commander of President Corazon C. Aquino this 11 a.m. is unacceptable," PA spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said in Filipino.

Canieso succumbed to a massive stroke last July 31. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1957. He served as the 28th PA commander from Feb. 28, 1986 up to July 1, 1987.

The militants were in the area to protest President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's decision to bury former strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos at the LNMB.

Interment is tentatively scheduled on Sept. 18.

"(We are asking) that they respect the LNMB as it is the final resting place for our dead heroes and soldiers and give peace, solemnity, and respect for the families (visiting there)," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=915153