Duterte, Misuari to talk peace

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 4): Duterte, Misuari to talk peace

‘Nur the only known leader who has the influence and the structure’

President Duterte is set to meet with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari in Davao soon to advance the peace process in Mindanao.

 

The President said Misuari, described as the only known leader who has the influence and the structure, would be given safe passage when he comes out of hiding for their meeting.

 

“Nur Misuari is scheduled to get out of his camp. Bigyan ko lang siya ng conduct pass. He will go to Davao, we will talk,” the President said during his remarks at the MassKara festival in Bacolod City.

 

Duterte first announced his intention to meet with Misuari, former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), in the first weeks in office but such meeting has not pushed through. Misuari has long been wanted by authorities for his alleged involvement in the deadly Zamboanga siege in 2013.

 

Last month, the President said he was willing to meet Misuari in any place, including Malaysia, the rebel leader’s preferred venue, to promote peace and prevent bloodshed in Mindanao.

 

Duterte said he told Misuari via phone that the police have been directed not to enforce a pending arrest warrant against him.

 

In refusing to arrest the MNLF leader, Duterte explained he wanted to avoid a situation wherein Misuari might die while under government custody. “He’s the only known leader who has the influence and the structure. Nobody else,” he said.

 

In 1996, the Ramos government forged a peace agreement with the MNLF led by Misuari, resulting in the establishment of the ARMM.

 

Decades later, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the breakaway group of the MNLF, inked a peace deal with the Aquino administration that would dismantle the ARMM and create a new political entity called Bangsamoro region.

 

Back in July, President Duterte gave the green light to a comprehensive “roadmap to peace” covering various rebel groups that include proposing an alternative measure to replace the botched Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

 

Under the new roadmap, the Duterte government plans to introduce a “more inclusive” peace bill in lieu of the BBL previously endorsed by President Aquino.

 

Aquino’s proposed BBL failed to get the nod of Congress due to questions of unconstitutional provisions and fallout following the January, 2015 Mamasapano debacle.

http://www.mb.com.ph/duterte-misuari-to-talk-peace/

US Embassy: No plan to bring back American bases in PH

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 4): US Embassy: No plan to bring back American bases in PH

The US has no plans of reopening military bases in the Philippines and nowhere in the PH-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) provides for such, according to the US Embassy in its Tuesday (Oct. 4) statement.

“All activities to assist with the long-term modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are planned and conducted with the concurrence and invitation of the Philippine government,” said US Embassy press attaché Molly Koscina.

In his fresh tirade against the United States, President Duterte over the weekend threatened to stop the implementation of the EDCA, which he pointed out as merely an executive agreement since it was not signed in 2014 by then President Benigno Aquino III.

The warning came as he rehashed his disgust over the US in response to its admonitions over his brutal war on drugs during the 37th Maskara Festival in Bacolod City on Sunday.

In his speech, he disclosed that his administration has started reviewing the EDCA, which was signed two years ago by then defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin and a US aide but was not implemented until the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality last January.

“Better think twice now because I would be asking you to leave the Philippines altogether,” Mr. Duterte had said.

In the same speech, the President also apologized to the Jewish community for his comments drawing parallels between his war on drugs and Adolf Hitler’s genocide of Jews before and during the World War II.

His earlier remarks drew condemnation from the United Nations, German and Israeli governments, the Pentagon and international rights groups.

In a statement, Koscina said the Embassy has not been officially contacted by Philippine authorities about the President’s recent statements on the EDCA.

“EDCA is a mutually beneficial agreement, which will, among other things, enhance our ability to provide rapid assistance in the Philippines in cases of natural disasters by allowing us to pre-position relief and other supplies,” said Koscina.

She also said the US government would continue to focus on its “broad relationship” with the Philippines, anchored on shared values and beliefs, including in human rights and dignity.

The US embassy said it was “deeply troubled” by Mr. Duterte’s Hitler remarks and that it was also aware of his apology to the Jews.

“We continue to focus on our broad relationship; one of the most enduring and important relationships in the Asia Pacific Region,” said Koscina. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/146078/us-embassy-no-plan-to-bring-back-american-bases-in-ph

Philippines' President says he'll 'break up' with US, tells Obama 'go to hell'

From CNN (Oct 4): Philippines' President says he'll 'break up' with US, tells Obama 'go to hell'

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's vitriol against the United States took another caustic turn Tuesday, when he threatened to "break up" with the US and said President Barack Obama can "go to hell."

Duterte's latest remarks came just as the US and Philippines started joint military exercises -- perhaps for the last time.

 

The war drills began Tuesday in Manila and will last until October 12. Last week, Duterte said this round of joint drills with the US would be the last.

 

"I serve notice to you now that this will be the last joint military exercise with US," Duterte said.

'I will break up with America'

 

Durterte's verbal tirade against the US heated up after widespread criticism of his anti-drug campaign.

 

Thousands of suspected drug dealers and users have died during Duterte's aggressive crackdown on the illegal drug trade.

 

Some were killed during shootouts with local police when suspects allegedly resisted arrest. Others died in nightly vigilante-style killings, where bodies are left on the streets with cardboard signs describing their alleged drug-related crimes.

 

US officials have slammed Duterte, especially after he compared himself to Hitler. Duterte later apologized for the remarks.

 

On Tuesday, Duterte said he's willing to cut ties with the US in favor of Russia and China.

 

"Respect is important," he said in one of three speeches Tuesday. "If this is what happens now, I will be reconfiguring my foreign policy. Eventually I might, in my time, I will break up with America. I'd rather go to Russia and to China."

 

Duterte also had harsh words for the US President and the European Union: "Mr. Obama, you can go to hell. ... The EU better choose purgatory."

Obama administration responds

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Duterte's recent comments, such as telling Obama to "go to hell," contradicted the "warm relationship" between the two countries.

 

He cited US recovery efforts after natural disasters as an example of the close ties between the two nations. Earnest also said the US has not received any request from the Philippines to change their bilateral relationship.

 

But the White House spokesman insisted the US will "not hesitate" to raise concerns about extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, which he said were "entirely inconsistent" with universal values of human rights.

 

"We won't be silent in raising our significant concerns about these reports," Earnest said.

'If you will not leave my city, I will kill you'

Duterte won the presidency by a landslide this year on a platform of ending drug proliferation, despite having been accused of running the Davao Death Squad when he was mayor of Davao.

On Tuesday, Duterte said he won't stop his anti-drug crackdown "until the last pusher is taken out of the street."

 

"It will be unrelenting," the President said.

 

Duterte also defended his threats to kill criminals, saying he used similar language when he was mayor of Davao.

 

"If you will not leave my city, I will kill you," he reminisced.

 

"There is no law at all which says I cannot threaten criminals as mayor or even as president."

 

Under Duterte's presidency, police have made thousands of arrests and have implemented a controversial "knock and plead" policy of visiting suspected drug users in their homes and inviting them to register as users with community officials.

 

Duterte has also told police they can kill drug dealers if they fight back.

Souring relations with the US?

In his first few months in office, Duterte has made shocking remarks about the US, a longtime ally of the Philippines.

 

 

 

Speaking at  press conference to unveil his new cabinet in  May 31, 2016, Rodrigo Duterte said that journalists killed on the job in the Philippines were often corrupt.

 

He's called both Obama and the US ambassador to the Philippines a "son of a bitch."

American investors have already expressed concern over drug-related killings under the Duterte administration.

 

"The increased number of killings during the heightened anti-drug campaign is harming the country's image, as portrayed by international media, and some investors are now asking whether this campaign reduces the rule of law," the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. said last month.

 

But US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said last week that the decades-old alliance with the Philippines was "ironclad."

 

He said US-Philippines cooperation "has served the interests of our nations for many years now" and added that he had good discussions about "ongoing alliance operations" with his counterpart from the Philippines.

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/04/asia/philippines-duterte-us-breakup/index.html

Military, clerics pledge support to fight extremism

From the Philippine Star (Oct 4): Military, clerics pledge support to fight extremism



Major Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. met with moderate clerics in Camp Siongcoon Monday and discussed with them the need for cooperation in addressing Islamic militancy in central Mindanao. Philstar.com/John Unson

The military and moderate clerics on Monday agreed to cooperate against Islamic militancy in central Mindanao, being spread by local jihadists boasting of loyalty to the Independent State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Major Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) and clerics from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, from the local Darul Iftah, also known as House of Opinions, and from the academe reached the consensus during a meeting Monday, after a two-hour religious symposium at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in the first district of Maguindanao.

The symposium was organized by Galvez and his Moro civil-military relations staff, Lt. Col. Markton Abo, in line with Monday’s Amon Jaded, or day one of Muharram, the first month in the lunar-based Islamic Hijrah calendar.

The moderate Imams who spoke during the symposium lectured on Islamic principles on fraternalism, universal love, respect for non-Muslims and freedom in religion.

One guest told The STAR it is wrong for Muslims to force non-Muslims to embrace Islam, or persecute them over sectarian differences.

“There is an Islamic preaching which says `la iqra fidin’ which means there is no compulsion in religion. That’s very clear and true Muslims ought to obey that,” he said.

Galvez said he is optimistic Islamic militancy, based on contemporary doctrines brought in recently from the Middle East by Filipinos who had either worked or studied in Islamic schools there, can never influence adventurists to join groups fashioned like ISIS as long as the mainstream moderate clerics, the police, the military, the MILF, the Moro National Liberation Front and the local government units are cohesively united against it.

In an emailed statement, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, presiding chairman of the provincial peace and order council, said he supports 6th ID’s diplomatic efforts to address religious extremism in central Mindanao.

The 6th ID has jurisdiction over Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the adjoining North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces, both under Administrative Region 12.

Mangudadatu said he is keen on expanding the now 6,000-slot college scholarship program of his office, the Maguindanao Program for Education and Community Empowerment, to boost Malacanang’s bid to quell the Islamic militancy now plaguing certain areas in Southern Mindanao.

“If we can have more educated constituents, educated and productive people in Maguindanao, we shall not have this thing in our midst,” Mangudadatu said in his email to The STAR.

Galvez, who assumed as 6th ID commander only last September 12, has been trying to enlist the support of all sectors in central Mindanao in nipping religious extremism in the region from its bud.

Galvez even want to convince the MILF's central committee to woe members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) back in its fold provided they renounce their allegiance to Middle Eastern jihadist blocs and adhere to peaceful means of resolving the now four-decade Moro issue.

The MILF, which is engaged in peace talks with government since Jan. 7, 1997, had thrice disowned the BIFF and is even helping the 6th ID monitor its activities and restrain its forces in their enclaves.

In what seemed hyperbole in reverse, the BIFF announced last week that it delisted from its roster five senior members for having links with ISIS, as if it forgot that it has, in months past, also announced repeatedly its loyalty to the transnational terror group.

The BIFF is known for its being news savvy. Surprisingly, however, it announced its move only last week, claiming that the five men, the radical jihadists Salahudin Hassan, Abdulmalik Esmael, Bashir Ungab, Nasser Adil and Ansari Yunos, had been booted out as early as August, owing to their being fanatical extremists and their desire to create a more radical group in the fashion of ISIS.

Key sources from the municipal peace and order councils in the second district of Maguindanao said the five jihadists even branded themselves as “moassesseen,” which means founders in Arabic, to imply that they are the pioneer organizers of a self-styled domestic ISIS group that would fight for an Asian Islamic caliphate under a Middle Eastern principal.

Ironic too, the BIFF and the emerging militant group both use the black ISIS flag as revolutionary banner.

The BIFF was established in the late 2010 by Imam Ameril Ombra Kato, who studied Islamic theology in Saudi Arabia as a government scholar during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos.

Kato started as chief of the MILF’s 105th Base Command, but bolted due to irreconcilable differences with his superiors and eventually organized the BIFF, whose revolutionary objective is to create a puritan Islamic state in Mindanao.

He died in 2014, about two years after half of his body was paralyzed as a result of a hypertensive stroke while hiding in his hinterland lair surrounded by Maguindanao’s  Datu Saudi, Guindulungan, South Upi and Datu Unsay towns.

Among the guests in Monday’s Amon Jaded symposium at 6th ID’s Harmony Hall in Camp Siongco were Thoks Upam of the MILF’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities, Islamic theologians from the ARMM’s regional Darul Ifta and Muslim officers from different Army units in central Mindanao.

The MILF’s ceasefire committee works with a counterpart government panel in resolving security issues besetting areas covered by the group’s 1997 interim ceasefire accord with Malacañang.

In a message during the symposium, Galvez, who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1986, explicitly mentioned the need for multi-sectoral cooperation in pushing forward the Mindanao peace process which aims to put a negotiated closure to the Mindanao Moro rebellion.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/10/04/1630263/military-clerics-pledge-support-fight-extremism

Philippines may be terrorism's new frontier, Duterte tells Army

From the Philippine Star (Oct 4): Philippines may be terrorism's new frontier, Duterte tells Army

The military must prepare to combat terrorism because militants may make the Philippines part of a new frontier of extremism, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday.

 

Speaking at the Philippine Army headquarters in Taguig City, Duterte said "terrorism is here to stay."

 

The president said that "there seems to be no force, influence — forceful influence" that can stop extremism from spreading.

 

"[F]rom what I just basa-basa and talks with the intelligence community of the other countries, especially in the Middle East, mukhang naghanap ito sila ng bagong frontier. And I think na ang susunod nito would be Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines," he said.

 

He said that while he has been able to convince the "mainstream" rebel groups Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front to talk peace, the government cannot talk to extremists like the Abu Sayyaf. The armed forces has been conducting intensified operations against the bandit group in Sulu province.

 

READ: Dureza: Extremism will not take root in the Philippines

 

According to reports, five radical preachers from the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have broken away to form a new group that aims to establish an Asian Islamic caliphate allied with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

 

The breakaway group has also reportedly formed alliances with the Maute armed group and the Abu Sayyaf.

 

On Sept.2, a bomb exploded in a night market in Davao City, killing 14 and leaving close to 70 injured. Duterte, who was in the city at the time, declared a State of National Emergency in the country after the bombing. 

 

"[S]tart now dealing with terrorism. I’m giving so many books to you but one is sa drugs. You must… ‘yon ‘yung sa profiling. Naka-cap, naka-shades, naka-short pants. ‘Yan ang pag-aralan ninyo because ang terrorism is not being fought with armies eh... five, six, seven, car bombs, ‘yung ganon," the president said.

 

He added he was giving the soldiers Glock handguns because of the nature of the terrorist threat.

 

"In my time, in my time, you’d have everything you need to fight effectively. Wala kayong problema sa akin.  May priority kayo sa government spending basta trabaho lang kayo because I know how hard it is to keep the peace of the country and to protect its integrity," he said.

 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/10/04/1630345/philippines-may-be-terrorisms-new-frontier-duterte-tells-army

Muslim preachers form radical ISIS-style group

From the Manila Times (Oct 4): Muslim preachers form radical ISIS-style group

Five radical Muslim religious preachers have bolted the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and formed their own revolutionary group perceived to be more radical, being inspired by the ideology of the notorious Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Calling themselves as the genuine “Muashasin,” an Arabic term meaning “founders,” they declared the new revolutionary group as the counterpart of ISIS in southern Mindanao.

Local officials in three towns in Maguindanao confirmed the preachers’ separation, including that of their followers, from the BIFF, during a gathering recently.

The Muashasin have pledged allegiance to the ISIS and adopted the latter’s infamous black flag as the group’s revolutionary banner.

Last week, the BIFF leadership distributed a press statement confirming that the clerics–Hassan, Abdulmalik Esmael, Bashir Ungab, Nasser Adil and Ansari Yuno– have left to form a breakaway faction focused on establishing an Asian Islamic caliphate allied with the ISIS.

Local residents said Salahudin and Esmael, both of Maguindanaon lineage, were trained by the slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, known as Marwan, in the manufacture and handling of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Mamasapano town southwest of Maguindanao.

They are both from Shariff Saidona town in Maguindanao, according to local officials.

“They are no longer with the BIFF and the BIFF has nothing to do with their activities now,” BIFF’s spokesman, Abu Misry Mama, said.

Relatives said the five jihadists broke away from the BIFF after forging alliances with the Maute terror group in the first district of Lanao del Sur and the more notorious terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu.

The group is headed by brothers Abdullah and Omar Maute.

The brothers studied Islamic theology while employed as OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in the United Arab Emirates before they established their so-called “black flag movement” in Lanao del Sur.

The BIFF earlier split into two factions, one led by Karialan and the other by Bongos, both Imams, but differed in their views on Islamic militancy and on how to relate with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ward off IED attacks in Central Mindanao.

The government and the MILF are bound by a 1997 ceasefire agreement to mutually cooperate in maintaining law and order in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

The BIFF was founded in late 2010 by Ustadz Ameril Ombra Kato, who started as commander of the MILF’s 105th Base Command.

Kato bolted the MILF in late 2010 because of irreconcilable differences with its central committee, headed by Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, determined to pursue a negotiated peace deal with the Philippine government.

Kato died of a lingering illness in 2014 at Datu Saudi town in Maguindanao, after half of his body was paralyzed as a result of a stroke two years before.

Like the ASG, the BIFF also proclaimed loyalty to the ISIS and incites people in areas where it operates to hate non-Muslims and treat them with animosity for being kuff’r, or unbelievers of the Islamic teachings.

http://www.manilatimes.net/muslim-preachers-form-radical-isis-style-group/289435/

Zamboanga bomb plot: More Abu Sayyaf suspects may still be at large

From CNN Philippines (Oct 5): Zamboanga bomb plot: More Abu Sayyaf suspects may still be at large



After arresting three suspected Abu Sayyaf members for supposedly planning to bomb a festival in Zamboanga City, local police are on the lookout for more suspects.

Sr. Supt. Luisito Magnaye, Zamboanga City Police Director, on Tuesday said some Abu Sayyaf members wanting to wreak havoc at the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival may still be at large.

Magnaye said the Abu Sayyaf are planning to hurl a hand grenade at RT Lim Boulevard, one of the popular sites in this year's festivities, happening October 1-12.

Read: Police arrest Abu Sayyaf suspects in Zamboanga bomb plot

Magnaye advised the public to be vigilant and report any unusual incident to authorities.

The suspects might also create an improvised explosive device, Magnaye said, since a detonating cord was confiscated from the three suspects arrested on Monday. 

Police also recovered grenades, a 45-caliber pistol, and a blasting cap.

Zamboanga Police Office Spokesperson Chief Inspector Helen Galvez identified the first group of suspects as Abde dela Cruz (aka Sherwin), Jabar Ignohasim, and Abdulla Yusup – all residents of Jolo, Sulu.

They are believed to be members of the Sulu-based subgroup of the Abu Sayyaf under the leadership of Alhabsi Misaya, according to police intelligence officers. 

The suspects were also planning to kidnap a prominent businessman in Zamboanga City, police said.
Magnaye refused to confirm if one of the suspects in Monday's arrest is involved in the beheading of captives in Sulu province.  Magnaye said they are still validating reports.

Zamboanga police officers were about to serve a warrant of arrest against Dela Cruz at a pension house in Zamboanga City when he and two other suspects tried to escape.

The police nabbed the suspects at 2:45 p.m. on Monday.

According to police, the three suspects arrived via a passenger vessel from Jolo Monday morning and checked in at a local pension house.

Related: Who are the Abu Sayyaf?

http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2016/10/04/zamboanga-bomb-plot-more-abu-sayyaf-suspects-may-still-be-at-large.html

Indonesian Firm Gave Abu Sayyaf Money for Release of Hostages: Family Rep

From Benar News (Oct 4): Indonesian Firm Gave Abu Sayyaf Money for Release of Hostages: Family Rep



A Philippine soldier, left, escorts freed Indonesian sailors Edi Suryono, Muhammad Mabrur Dahri and Ferry Arifin in the town of Jolo, Oct. 2, 2016.

A man who represents relatives of three Indonesian sailors who were freed from Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) custody over the weekend claims their company sent money to the southern Philippine militant group before their release.

“There is no free lunch. [The company] did not pay ransom but gave ‘thank you’ money to cover the meals and all costs when they were held hostage,” Amrullah, who represents families of crew members of the tugboat Charles 001 who were kidnapped at sea in June, told BenarNews in an interview.

“How much it was, only the company knows. Even if I knew, I would not tell because there are still two of our colleagues who are detained by Abu Sayyaf,” said Amrullah, chairman of the Indonesian Seafarers Union in Samarinda, East Kalimantan province.

A spokesman for the company, P.T. Rusianto Brothers, declined to respond to the allegation.
“Regarding ransom, I don’t want to comment,” Taufikrahman told BenarNews on Tuesday.
A government official said Indonesia did not pay for the sailors’ release.

The three sailors who were released on Saturday have been identified as Ferry Arifin, 26, Muhammad Mahbrur Dahri, 27, and Edi Suryono, 27. Fellow shipmates Muhammad Nasir and Robin Pieter and six Malaysians are still in ASG custody.

Following the abduction of seven crew members off the tugboat Charles 001 on June 20, reports surfaced that ASG had demanded a ransom of 200 million Philippine pesos (U.S. $4.1 million) for their release.

Two of the crew members, Muhamad Sofyan and Ismail were rescued after they reportedly escaped from their captors.

Government: No ransom paid

The Indonesian government has consistently maintained that it has never paid any ransom money to secure the release of citizens being held captive by the militant group based in the southern Philippines.

“Maybe, it is costly, but the government will never compromise to terrorists by paying ransom,” Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, the foreign ministry’s director of protection and legal assistance for Indonesians overseas, told journalists.

Despite the government’s claim, Philippine-based news website Rappler.com reported last month that ASG had collected at least 354.1 Philippine pesos (U.S. $7.3 million) in 2016 from ransoms paid for hostages. Of that amount, at least 324.1 million pesos ($6.7 million) was raised through ransoms paid for Southeast Asian sailors.

Ransoms have been paid for 17 Indonesians who have been released by Abu Sayyaf this year, Rappler reported.

Joint sea, air patrols discussed

The release of the three hostages occurred as the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) announced that it was working with Indonesian and Malaysian defense officials to explore joint air patrols for safeguarding the seaways that separate the three neighbors.

These discussions took place during a meeting in Hawaii over the weekend between defense officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States, Philippine media reported.

In a statement DND noted that the three nations were finalizing plans for similar maritime patrols in what they consider areas of common concern in the Sulu and Celebes seas.

“The phenomenon of returning fighters from the conflict in the Middle East could eventually create security challenges for the three countries, something which the ministers recognized, and hence, their decision to further get their act together,” DND said in a press release.

Contact

Amrullah said he was able to maintain contact with the hostages while they were being held because he was in communication with Abu Qhasadah, also known as Pak Jul, the leader of the ASG faction holding them.

Amrullah said he had talked with the hostages several times to say hello, and ask about their health.

“I did not interfere in the release efforts by the government. I just merely asked about how they were, and gave them encouragement to survive,” he said.

http://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/freed-hostages-10042016171248.html

Gov't panel adviser says peace agreement with NDF will be accepted by Filipinos

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 4): Gov't panel adviser says peace agreement with NDF will be accepted by Filipinos

City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said that the government's ongoing peace negotiation with the National Democratic Front (NDF) has the support of the Filipinos and the future peace agreement will be embraced by the nation.

Pamintuan, who is also a government peace panel adviser, made this reaction following the rejection in a plebiscite of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP).

"The Colombian and Philippine peace negotiations have parallelisms but also differences. In the ongoing negotiation with the NDF, we are focused on the resolutions of the basic issues, the root causes of the almost five-decade war in our countrysides. We are resolved to settle everything on the negotiating table. And while we are talking, we are also informing, educating our people through various forms of information-dissemination particularly the media, the social media and thru the conduct of grassroots fora," Pamintuan said.

Likewise, he said the country has peace advocates and progressive leaders in various levels of government and civil society groups which are all-out in support of the ongoing peace efforts.

"The support mechanisms for a just and lasting peace are already in place," Pamintuan added.
Seeking to end more than 50 years of war, the Colombian government and FARC-EP inked a peace agreement on August 24, 2016.

The deal, however, was rejected during the October 2, 2016 referendum with 50.24% voting against and 49.76% in favor.

"The components for the success of our peace negotiation and its eventual acceptance by the Filipino people are already in place. We have already legalized the Communist Party and other ideologies. We have progressives participating in our electoral processes. We are ready for peace," Pamintuan said.

After a six-year hiatus, the peace negotiation with the NDF was revived during the successful first round of talks in Oslo, Norway on August 22 to 28, 2016.

The second round is scheduled on October 6 to 10, this year.

The Royal Norwegian Government is sponsoring the ongoing peace negotiation.

"Our people wants peace. They are exuberant and ecstatic on its prospects. We owe it to them and the future generation to bring the armed conflict to a just and lasting conclusion," Pamintuan added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=928505

President Duterte rejects Misuari’s request to bring security escorts in Davao City

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 4): President Duterte rejects Misuari’s request to bring security escorts in Davao City

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari agreed to talk to him in Davao City but with his own security escorts.

”Regarding Nur, I talked to him coming over here. He is willing to go to Davao to bring troops with him for security. I explained that’s not possible anymore. He is facing charges,” President Duterte said in his speech in an event with local government units (LGUs) leaders at Mayuree Grand Ballroom Dusit Thani in Makati City.

In his efforts to establish avenue to reach peace with the MNLF rebels, President Duterte called up and told Misuari that he is willing to fetch the fugitive MNLF leader from Jolo and bring him to Davao City where they can talk about peace.

”If you want, I myself would go to Jolo and I will bring you to Davao and talk there so that everything will be okay,” President said, relating his phone conversation with Misuari.

President Duterte said he would talk with Misuari again on Tuesday night.

The President reiterated his firm stand not to talk with Abu Sayyaf, a terrorist group that Misuari wanted to be included in the peace talks.

”I don’t want to talk to Abu Sayyaf. They are too brutal but outright criminals,” he said.

In a separate speech he delivered at the Philippine Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, President Duterte announced that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Murad Ebrahim and vice chair Ghadzali Jaafar have agreed to talk peace again with the government.

”They agreed to talk and we will resume the talk next…I will be out of the Manila for a quite some time,” President Duterte said.

President Duterte said he also talked with Moro scholars in Mindanao “and they said that Mindanao really belongs to them.”

”It was taken away by the Americans and that they will not negotiate with me. They will talk but they will not negotiate for as long as they find some Americans in Mindanao,” he said.

The President clarified that he was not asking the Americans to leave the entire Philippines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928652

AFP capable of defending PHL territory

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 4): AFP capable of defending PHL territory

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured is capable of defending the country's territory even without foreign help.

This was stressed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in an interview Monday.

"The AFP has its own capabilities and based on the threats that we face, it is sufficient and we are now preparing for other possible threats," he said in Filipino.

However, despite its willingness to defend the country, Padilla is hopeful that the AFP will not be mobilized to fight foreign aggressors or intruders as the Philippines has friendly relations with all nations, especially its neighbors.

"The current status of our country is we are friends with all our neighbors, we abide by the constitutional policy of always prioritizing peace and that's exactly what we are doing, so within the scope of our capabilities we are able to protect our interest at the moment and that far I can go," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928446

Troops involved in ASG campaign undergoing stress debriefing

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 4): Troops involved in ASG campaign undergoing stress debriefing

Troops,conducting focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists in Sulu, are continuously undergoing combat stress debriefing to cope with psychological rigors of their job.

Joint Task Force Sulu spokesperson Col. Rodrigo Gregorio in a statement Tuesday, said as of this posting, three companies from different battalions have so far undergone the combat stress debriefing being conducted by a steady flow of medical teams coming from the AFP Medical Center.

Gregorio said stress debriefing is now on its third week, with teams composed of health professionals with psychological specializations, helping in the campaign.

A priest from the AFP Chaplain Service is also helping, he also said.

Two teams from the AFP medical center have so far completed the three-week process and are set to be replaced by another team from Manila.

The combat stress debriefing is a mechanism to ensure the psychological health, morale and welfare of troops involved in highly dangerous combat operations.

Such type of stress was first observed on American troops during the Vietnam War by medical personnel and was found to be a type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

The debriefing aims to address possible cases of PTSD among troops, a sickness that is beyond superficial wounds common among soldiers, policemen and other law enforcers who have been to combat zones or some life threatening situations.

"Combat stress debriefing is part of the program of the AFP to take care of the health and welfare of troops involved in combat. The AFP provides a continuing healthcare program to our soldiers from the moment officers and troops get commissioned or enlisted until they retire from the service," Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega said.

Combat fatigue and battle stress debriefing are provided to our soldiers in view of their perilous mission. This is to address any possible problem or stress that may affect the performance; and medical and psychological health of soldiers assigned in combat zones.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928464

PHIBLEX provides American, Filipino marines with insights to meet terror, internal security threats

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 4): PHIBLEX provides American, Filipino marines with insights to meet terror, internal security threats

Aside from beefing up the country's territorial defense capabilities, the annual amphibious landing exercises between American and Filipino marine units also provides more insight on meeting terrorism threats and internal security operations.

This was stressed by Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) commandant Major Gen. Andre M. Costales during opening salvo of the 33rd iteration of the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) which took place at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Tuesday.

PHIBLEX will take place in various locations in Luzon and Palawan and will last until Oct. 12.
"(The field exercises) covers the capacity and capability building not only for territorial defense but also on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, combating terrorism and internal security operations," Costales said.

And every year, PHIBLEX's aim is to enhance knowledge, skills, and strategy for inter-operability," he stressed.

Taking off from US and Philippines shared victories in the previous year’s exercises and learning a lot on the identified challenges and anticipated gaps and with commitment from the two respective marine forces, Costales said the goal to sustain to good relationship and cooperation has been kept, thereby upgrading each other’s capabilities and competencies.

An estimated 1,400 American military personnel and 500 Filipino soldiers will take part in PHIBLEX 33.
 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928511

Inter-operability between PHL, US amphibious vessels among primary goals of PHIBLEX

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 4): Inter-operability between PHL, US amphibious vessels among primary goals of PHIBLEX

The integration of the recently-delivered strategic sealift vessel, BRP Tarlac (LD-601), and landing craft heavies from Australia with similar craft from the United States is one of the primary goals of the ongoing Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercises (PHIBLEX).

"Our mission is to integrate the use of strategic sealift vessel, BRP Tarlac, and other non-traditional platforms such as the landing craft (heavies acquired from) Australia and small riverine crafts from the US," Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) head Major Gen. Andre Costales said.

The 33rd iteration of PHIBLEX started Tuesday and will end on October 12. Around 1,400 American military personnel and 500 soldiers will be taking part in the exercise.

PHIBLEX will take places in various areas in Luzon and Palawan.

"But, our vision does not end here. Our goal further extends its breadth by preparing the grounds for the PMC capability build up with or without external interventions; thereby including the rehearsal for the activation of the marine combat component of the AFP’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force and the utilization of landing and offload sites other than those traditionally used in previous PHIBLEX engagements," he added.

Costales said that this visions are not for the PMC alone as it involves the country's international and regional partner armed forces as well.

"With the apparent scale in the number of participants and the subsequent expectations from international communities of spectators, our PHIBLEX leaders are gearing up in order to achieve our goals. key planners before our season have known and have been executing measures to level up towards our vision," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928528

PA offers use of 8 more camps as possible treatment centers of drug dependents

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 4): PA offers use of 8 more camps as possible treatment centers of drug dependents

The Philippine Army (PA) has offered the use of eight more of its military camps as possible treatment and rehabilitation centers for drug dependents and users, according to PA spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao.

These camps include Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal; Camp Alfredo Santos in Calauag, Quezon; Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz; Camp Kibaritan in Kalilangan, Bukidnon; Camp Lucero in Carmen, North Cotabato; and Camp Paulino Santos in Alamada, North Cotabato.

Recently, the 401st Infantry Brigade headquarters opened its two-hectare facility inside the Prosperidad Military Reservation in partnership with the province of Agusan Del Sur.

The center, called the Residential Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (RTRC), can accommodate 60 patients at a time and shall be managed by the Agusan Del Sur provincial government.

"The PA is committed to give its all-out support to the anti-illegal drug campaign of President Rodrigo R. Duterte," Hao added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=928628