GRP-NDF peace talks get showbiz flare

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 4): GRP-NDF peace talks get showbiz flare

After Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista attended the first round of the peace negotiations between the Philippine Government (GRP) and National Democratic Front in Oslo, Norway last August as a consultant for the government panel, another show business figure, former Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, will reportedly be joining the second round of talks in the Scandinavian country which starts Thursday.

 

Isko Moreno (Manila Bulletin file photo)

 

 

Moreno, who is Francisco Domagoso in real life, will reportedly be acting as one of the consultants of the National Democratic Front (NDF). The former child actor ran for senator in the May national elections but lost.

 

According to a source in the NDF, Moreno was tapped to act as a consultant because of his “unassailable concern for the urban poor from which he came.”

It was not yet clear whether or not Bautista, whose show business career as a comedian catapulted him to great heights in politics, would be returning to the talks.

 

But a source at the Royal Norwegian Embassy confirmed that Bautista and Moreno came to the embassy together last week to process their visas.

 

Bautista had attended the first round of talks in Oslo from August 23 to 27 where he acted as consulted for the GRP.

 

The main bulk of the GRP and NDF delegations left for Oslo, Norway Tuesday night.

http://www.mb.com.ph/grp-ndf-peace-talks-get-showbiz-flare/

Duterte’s first 100 days: OPAPP to launch peace app, ‘public conversation’ series in Mindanao

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Oct 5): Duterte’s first 100 days: OPAPP to launch peace app, ‘public conversation’ series in Mindanao

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process will launch a mobile-based peace application and series of “public conversations” in Mindanao as the Duterte administration is nearing to its first 100-day, an official said yesterday.

Patricia Melizza B. Ruivivar, OPAPP communications director told DavaoToday that a social networking application called PeaceBOC (Peace Buddies Organizing for Change)  will be officially launched to commemorate the event.

“We are  going to launch the peace app that we have so that people can participate directly  by giving their input to the peace process through social media. Using the app they can also access information and be updated,” she said.

Ruivivar said through the PeaceBOC app “peace builders” across the country can get the latest updates, news and other materials about the peace process.

“This is an opportunity for you to be engaged now and to be really taken seriously with your proposals. OPAAP welcomes creative ideas from people who are not involved in the peace process by drawing them— scientists, millenials. That’s why we have this peace hacks because we need to think outside of the box to seek creative solutions from outside,” she added.

OPAAP’s PeaceBOC app features “President’s Peace Challenge” where “people can perform challenges that aim to promote collective action and inclusivity towards real change and genuine peace.”

“We want to capture the most creative and captivating entries. By promoting the hashtag #TayoAngKapayapaan,  they will have a chance to be featured on the social media pages of OPAPP,” she said.

The PeaceBOC app can be downloaded for free via Apple’s App Store and Google’s Google Play platforms.

Meanwhile, Ruivivar has expressed optimism that both the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front would be able to “agree” on the substantive agenda on socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms, end of hostilities and disposition of forces.

“It is important that both parties agree on what will be the items to be included in the respective substantive agenda. And also the discussion on the proposed bilateral ceasefire,” she said.

The GRP-NDF will have the second round of talks from October 6-10, 2016.  OPAPP said both parties will take up a proposed amnesty proclamation for all listed detained NDF members.

As the first 100 days of the Duterte administration nears,  Ruivivar said  Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza  Sec. Dureza will present  the achievements of OPAAP.

“We are engaging the Filipino communities in Europe especially in Oslo to be our peace ambassadors.  We are going to have a ceremony, appointing leaders in the Filipino community in Europe during the celebration of the  first 100 Day,” she said.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/dutertes-first-100-days-opapp-to-launch-peace-app-public-conversation-series-in-mindanao/

Revolutionary tax a ‘prerogative’ -NDF

From the often pro-Communist Party of the Philippines online publication the Davao Today (Oct 4): Revolutionary tax a ‘prerogative’ -NDF



UTRECHT, The Netherlands – For National Democratic Front of the Philippines chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni, the collection of revolutionary tax by communists is “not an extortion” but a “prerogative” of a government that renders social services to the people.

“The people in the area of the people’s democratic government welcomes its presence and the protection and services given by the New People’s Army,” Jalandoni told Davao Today in an interview at the NDF International Office here Monday afternoon.

“Taxation is a prerogative of the people’s democratic government. Tinatanggap yan ng population dyan sa area dahil nakakatanggap rin sila ng services. Diba may preventive health program, merong NPA medical units, tapos culture, protection (That is accepted by the population in the area because they themselves receive services such as preventive health program from the NPA medical units, culture, and protection),” he said.

Jalandoni said compared with the government taxation, the revolutionary tax is “well-audited.”
He said if the government panel will take the issue to the next round of talks scheduled on October 6-10 in Oslo, Norway, the NDF is ready to answer it.

The issue of revolutionary taxation was brought up during a press conference of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association on September 26 in Davao City.

PBGEA believes that the ongoing peace talks between the government of the Philippines and the communists could only mean good for the banana industry, citing  that the imposition of revolutionary taxation has affected their business.

“We’re really happy that the peace process is progressing, because without peace I believe that Mindanao will not attain its full development,” said Stephen Antig, executive director of PBGEA.

According to estimates by the Mindanao Business Council early January this year, damages to the business sector incurred through attacks by the NPA were higher than P246 million, the number set by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command.

The next round of peace talks between the National Democratic Front and the government of the Philippines will be discussing substantial agreements with the hope to address the root causes of the armed conflict.

Renato Baleros, one of the peace consultants of the NDF said the people’s revolutionary government has been established from the barangay “up to provincial-wide” level.

In a media conference held at the NDF-Joint Monitoring Committee in Cubao, Quezon City on September 13, Baleros said the people’s government is also implementing land reform for the farmers in the countrysides.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/revolutionary-tax-a-prerogative-ndf/

U.S., Philippine Airmen increase interoperability during subject matter exchange

From the Pacific Air Forces (Oct 4): U.S., Philippine Airmen increase interoperability during subject matter exchange



Communication professionals with the 18th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and the Armed Forces of the Philippines conduct a subject matter expert exchange on a communications flyaway kit during the first day of the current iteration of the Air Contingent at Antonio Bautista Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 26, 2016. The flyaway kit is a rapidly deployable, self-contained satellite communication link that can be used in situations in which military forces must deploy to an area that does not have available communication platforms, particularly in times of natural disaster. The Air Contingent is helping build the capacity of the Philippine Air Force and increases joint training, promotes interoperability and provides greater and more transparent air and maritime situational awareness to ensure safety for military and civilian activities in international waters and airspace. Its missions include air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and assuring access to the air and maritime domains in accordance with international law. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. George Maddon)



Philippine Air Force Airman 2nd Class Eldie Bryan Obregon and Airman James Monforte, communications professionals, exchange best practices with U.S. Senior Airman Eric Kimble, 18th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron communications specialist, during a subject matter expert exchange regarding a communications flyaway kit during the first day of the current iteration of the Air Contingent at Antonio Bautista Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 26, 2016. The Air Contingent is helping build the capacity of the Philippine Air Force and increases joint training, promotes interoperability and provides greater and more transparent air and maritime situational awareness to ensure safety for military and civilian activities in international waters and airspace. Its missions include air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and assuring access to the air and maritime domains in accordance with international law. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. George Maddon)

Communication professionals from both the United States and the Philippine armed services exchanged best practices during a flyaway communication setup subject matter expert exchange here as part of U.S. Pacific Command’s Air Contingent Sept. 26.

The Air Contingent is helping to build the capacity of the Philippine Air Force and increase joint training, promote interoperability and provide greater and more transparent air and maritime situational awareness to ensure safety for military and civilian activities in international waters and airspace. Its missions include air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and assuring access to the air and maritime domains in accordance with international law.

“A subject matter expert exchange is the sit-down between us and a partner nation exchanging ideas and best practices,” said Capt. Eduardo Ramirez, 18th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron air advisor. “It’s a great memory to have with them. It just feels good when you feel like they’re welcoming and they’re working with us to exchange ideas.”

During this exchange, U.S. Air Force members from throughout U.S. Pacific Command, with their Philippine counterparts, set up a Hawkeye mobile communications platform on an austere runway, with the Filipinos sharing specific best practices learned from similar deployments throughout their country.  The Hawkeye is a rapidly deployable, self-contained satellite communication link.  It is used in situations in which military forces must deploy to an area that does not have available communication platforms, particularly in times of natural disaster, when existing infrastructure has been compromised or is nonexistent.  Philippine Air Force members could use this technology to establish vital telephone and computer links to higher headquarters or other groups operating in the area during a natural disaster.

The deployment of the air contingent detachment is another example of how the United States and the Philippines are committed to maintaining credible combat power throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific region while the U.S. continues to work closely with the Philippines and our network of partner nations.

“The Philippine service members were very interested in the events of the day,” said Senior Airman Eric Kimble, 18th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron communications specialist who was on the SMEE event. “After a while, they got acquainted with the system and were asking more questions, wanting to know more about it. This is one of those steps integrating our communications knowledge, integrating our military knowledge, and with that, we build strong relationships and ties.”

The communications exchange is just one way the United States is exercising continued presence and demonstrating our commitment to our partners and allies in the region.

Other planned events are mass casualty response exchanges, security forces best practices discussions and maintenance-based exchanges between the two countries.
http://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/377/Article/964207/us-philippine-airmen-increase-interoperability-during-subject-matter-exchange.aspx

CA defers Cusi confirmation; approves those of 22 AFP officers

From InterAksyon (Oct 5): CA defers Cusi confirmation; approves those of 22 AFP officers

The Commission on Appointment chaired by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III deferred Wednesday the confirmation of the interim appointment of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.

The Commission, however, confirmed the appointment to higher rank of 22 General/Flag and Senior Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In an interview, Pimentel said Cusi's case was deferred only for one week as he has not answered three major concerns of the CA members, led by Senator Panfilo Lacson, on the energy situation.

“He was given one week to answer three questions,” Pimentel said.

Among them, Pimentel said are: The number of sitios electrified and energized by the department; to submit data on take or pay payments under the emergency power way back in 1995; and information regarding the feed-in tariff on renewable energy.

“Senator Lacson is opposing [Cusi's confirmation],” Pimentel said.

Cusi hails from Roxas Town in Oriental Mindoro and from Cebu. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 197 from La Salle College in Bacolod, his Master’s degree in Business Administration in 1976 from the University of the Philippines-Cebu; and his Doctorate in Business degree, honoris causa, in 2008 from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

He was also the vice-chairman of PDP-Laban prior to his appointment as a member of Duterte Cabinet.

22 AFP officers

Meanwhile, the CA confirmed the interim appointment to higher rank of the following military officers:

1.     Rear Admiral Gaudencio C. Collado, Jr.

2.     B/Gen. Paterno V. Morales

3.     M/Gen. Melquiades L. Feliciano

4.     B/Gen. Rizaldo B. Limoso

5.     B/Gen. Anastacio C. Cabading, Jr.

6.     B/Gen. Eric C. Uchida

7.     B/Gen. Arthur M. Biyo

8.     B/Gen. Arnulfo G. Rafanan

9.     B/Gen. Albert A. Mogol

10. Army Col. Jose Emmanuel L. Mariano

11. M/Gen. Domingo B. Palisoc, Jr.

12. B/Gen. Dionisio L. Robles

13. LT/Gen. Ferdinand F. Quidilla

14. M/Gen. Edgar F. Gonzales

15. B/Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista

16. M/Gen. Elvin B. Velasco

17. Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph S. Mercado

18. B/Gen. Eric R. Calip

19. B/Gen. Martin G. Villasan

20. Commodore Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo

21. B/Gen. Casiano C. Monilla

22. Commodore Samuel Z. Felix

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/133026/ca-defers-cusi-confirmation-approves-those-of-22-afp-officers

Duterte threat to cut US-PH ties worries Army officers–Trillanes

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 5): Duterte threat to cut US-PH ties worries Army officers–Trillanes

Some military officers have expressed concern over President Rodrigo Duterte’s threats to cut ties with the United States but it was “nowhere near enough to launch a coup,” Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said on Wednesday.

While no one has approached him “physically,” Trillanes said he has been getting word about the “sentiments” of some military officers and men.

“But let just say that by and large, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is very supportive of the President and they are loyal to the chain of command so there are no factions within the armed forces,” he said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel.

Asked what those sentiments were, the senator said: “It can’t be generalized. I believe some are concerned about the direction the President is going particularly ending ties with the US armed forces because these ties go way back and it’s not easy to do that.”

Asked again if the sentiments were coming from the soldiers, Trillanes said: “No. Some officers randomly expressing concerns, but it’s nowhere near enough to launch a coup.

“From what I’m getting is nowhere near that but again by and large, soldiers, the rank and file, enlisted personnel, junior officers are happy with the apparent concern of the President when he visited their camps and he promised them to double their salaries so who would not agree with that? So by and large the morale is very high,” said the senator, who led a failed mutiny against then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Trillanes said he saw nothing wrong with the President visiting the soldiers and promising them higher pay if he said the concern was genuine and the intention was to uplift their morale.

Looking at the profile and history, however, the senator said there could also be risks once the President gets the loyalty of the armed forces.

“Because once he would be able to harness the loyalty and support of the soldiers to a point that it’s a blind following or cult following, then he can easily shift or redirect their fire from supposed fight against criminality and illegal drugs and terrorism. He can easily shift to other targets like the political opposition and the effective and totalitarian control of society,” Trillanes pointed out.

“That’s a risk and it’s so easy to do that once you’re there,” he said.

Trillanes also denied Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco’s reported claim that unidentified businessmen linked with the Liberal Party have allegedly approached him to plot Duterte’s ouster.

“No. No one (has approached me) so I believe that is a misdirection probably to justify some draconian measures that they put in place in the future in the guise of serving democracy or probably to deflect from the issues, the criticisms they’ve been facing right now as a result of the different or numerous diplomatic blunders of President Duterte,” he said.

READ: Evasco: Groups displaced by Duterte may plan coup

The senator earlier said that there was no need to launch a coup against the Duterte administration as it has been “self-destructing” anyway.

READ: Duterte admin ‘self-destructing,’ no need for coup–Trillanes

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/146165/duterte-threat-to-cut-us-ph-ties-worries-army-officers-trillanes

State Dep’t on Duterte’s latest remarks: ‘We’ve spoken to this kind of rhetoric’

From BusinessWorld (Oct 6): State Dep’t on Duterte’s latest remarks: ‘We’ve spoken to this kind of rhetoric’

US GOVERNMENT spokesmen continued to reaffirm their country’s historic ties with the Philippines, even on the heels of fresh insults hurled by President Rodrigo R. Duterte at his American counterpart, Barack H. Obama, and at the United States as well as the European Union.

Meanwhile -- amid the latest presidential insults in Manila on Tuesday -- the White House, on its Web site and in a “special” message signed by Mr. Obama, marked Filipino American History Month this October, “recognizing Filipino Americans across our country for the many ways they have enriched our society.”

 

‘GREEN CARDS’

Mr. Obama in his message dated Oct. 1 also said in part: “This year, my administration launched the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program, which enables certain Filipino-American veterans to request that their family members join them in the United States as they wait for their green cards.”

 

“For many, this policy will allow loved ones to provide support and care for elderly veterans and their spouses.”

At the White House on Tuesday, Press Secretary Josh Earnest noted the variety of ways in which the United States and the United States military [have] benefitted the Filipino people, citing, for example, additional “resources to their maritime security efforts.”

 

“The United States military was also instrumental in helping to mobilize a response to a deadly typhoon in the Pacific Ocean in the last couple years -- a response that certainly was instrumental to meeting the needs of thousands of Filipinos who had been negatively affected by this devastating storm,” Mr. Earnest said.

“So that’s the kind of relationship I think that you would expect between two treaty allies. And it’s the kind of relationship that has the United States being held in quite high regard by the Filipino people,” he added.

Mr. Earnest was responding to questions that kicked off his press briefing about Mr. Duterte’s remarks on Tuesday.

At a forum on local governance and before Manila’s Jewish community marking the Jewish New Year, Mr. Duterte renewed his attacks on the US State Department and on Mr. Obama, saying “you can go to hell.” He again denounced the “hypocrisy of the European -- EU and America and Obama,” adding that he “will break up with America.”

“I am very emotional because America has certainly failed us. Instead of being a friend, it’s their election time and they just, you know, go ahead and talk, reprimand another president in front of the international -- is that good?” Mr. Duterte also said.

On the other hand, Mr. Duterte was emphatic in his apologies to the Jewish community, following what he described as “a classic faux pas” last Friday, when he likened his government’s war on drugs to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s genocide of the Jews.

‘CREATIVE IMAGINATION’

The next day, his spokesman Ernesto C. Abella was again endeavoring to clarify Mr. Duterte’s remarks, even appealing to the press: “intindihin natin ang konteksto ng pagkakasalita niya, okay (Let’s understand the context of what he says, okay).”

He also urged the press to “try to use our creative imagination, okay. Huwag tayo masyadong tayong literal (Let’s not be too literal).”

But at the White House and at the US State Department, reporters were pressing the spokesmen of both these offices for comments on the “increasing hostility from President Duterte” toward Washington, as one reporter put it.

Mr. Earnest, when asked about Mr. Duterte’s “threat to end the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement,” as the question went, said: “Well, as it relates to the defense agreement, it’s, of course, a binding one, and there’s a formal process for withdrawing from it or changing it, and I’m not aware that that process has commenced in any way.”

 

For his part, Deputy Spokesperson Mark C. Toner of the State Department said: “we’ve spoken to this kind of rhetoric,” adding that “we’re a treaty ally of the Philippines and also that we have the strong cultural bond, people-to-people bond, [so] we’re going to continue [in relations with the Philippines].”

“We’ve got a lot of patience,” Mr. Toner also said.

But he also added that “no one’s giving any head of state a free pass on unhelpful rhetoric,” and that “whenever we see or hear of credible allegations of human rights abuses, we’re never going to give that a pass.”

Amid the controversy following Mr. Duterte’s remarks, the US Embassy in Manila issued a statement on Wednesday that said: “Congratulations to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and member agencies of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group on the arrest of Jonjon Villamin, Jr. for attempting to smuggle 4.4 kilograms of cocaine into the Philippines.”

“We are especially pleased that information from the US Embassy’s Drug Enforcement Administration Office was instrumental in making this arrest, a testament to our longstanding bilateral counternarcotics and law enforcement coordination,” the statement also said.

LOQUACITY

For her part, Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo in a news conference on Wednesday cautioned Mr. Duterte to be more “deliberate” in his remarks. “[B]aka makakatulong na mas deliberate... Mas pinag-iisipan bago nagsasalita (Maybe it will help if one were deliberate... giving [something] more thought before speaking).”

Senators sought for comment on Mr. Duterte’s latest remarks expressed concern on its implications.

“Be careful how you speak, because you are the president. Your statement[s] are [the] statement of this country,” said Senator Richard J. Gordon, who along with other senators had earlier cautioned Mr. Duterte about his loquacity.

“These are unnecessary comments, ’yung go to hell. For what? Pero ang (But the) impact sa kabilang (to the other) party, masyadong matindi (will be great),” said Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr. adding, “And kung ayaw n’ya mag-shut ng mouth (if he doesn’t want to shut his mouth), it’s up to him. And it seems hindi talaga siya tinatablan ng (he really cannot be persuaded by) advice.”

“We will all pay the price for this,” Senator Ralph G. Recto for his part said. “We’re preparing a resolution to seek clarity from the executive, where is our foreign policy headed?”

Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV said Mr. Duterte’s statements are putting Filipinos in the US “in an awkward position,” and they have to “justify... kung bakit ganun ’yung President (why the President is like this).”

Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III, on the other hand, said: “If the president’s style is bringing him difficulty, he should be feeling it right now. I’m sure he will make adjustments. Otherwise, let him be.”

“We should not be seen by the rest of the world to have an umbilical cord that is connected with the umbilical cord of the US,” the Senate leader added.

 

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=state-dep&8217t-on-duterte&8217s-latest-remarks-&145we&8217ve-spoken-to-this-kind-of-rhetoric&8217&id=134463

US: ‘We’re not going to walk away’

From Update.Ph (Oct 5): US: ‘We’re not going to walk away’

“No one’s giving any head of state a free pass on unhelpful rhetoric. But I think what’s important is that any bilateral relationship be seen in the broader context, and by broader context I mean the fact that we have had and continue to have good, solid cooperation and productive cooperation with Philippines on a number of levels. And we’re going to continue to pursue that. We’re not going to walk away,” United States State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark C. Toner said when asked by the press to comment on President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest comments on US-Philippines relationship.

President Duterte said Tuesday that the US has criticized his campaign against illegal drugs instead of helping his months-old administration. The President said US President Barack “you can go to hell.”

“I would be reconfiguring my foreign policy. Eventually in my time I would break up with America. I would rather go to Russia or to China. Even though we don’t agree with the ideology, they have respect for the people,” President Duterte also said.

When pressed for more specific comment on Duterte’s statement, Toner said “I do not want to get into a tit-for-tat with President Duterte. I would simply say that we have a very strong bilateral relationship and a very strong people-to-people relationship, and I think if you asked any Filipino citizen they would say that same thing.”

“We value our relations with the Philippines. They’re a strong ally, a strong partner in the region. Again, we’ve had decades of strong relations with the Philippines. We’ve had each other’s backs and we want to continue that cooperation going forward. Public comments, rhetoric aside, we believe that the foundation still exists for that relationship to continue and strengthen,” Toner said.

http://www.update.ph/2016/10/us-were-not-going-to-walk-away/10014

Commitment to PH security made Marines supporters of PHIBLEX

From Update.Ph (Oct 5 ): Commitment to PH security made Marines supporters of PHIBLEX



Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) commandant Major Gen. Andre Costales said the commitment to provide better security to the country has made them active partners to the ongoing US-PH Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) which formally started Tuesday.

“[Commitment is] the value which started the engagements and exercises for PHIBLEX, and the value which keeps us going. Our commitment to the rendering service to provide security has brought us this part and it has been continuously updated, upgraded to stand with the advancements of technology, demands of natural and man-made threats, and hybridized warfare strategies,” he added.

PHIBLEX started Tuesday and will end on October 12. It will take place in selected areas in Luzon and Palawan.

Around 1,400 US military personnel and 500 Filipino soldiers will be taking part in the 33rd iteration of the exercises this year.

“Along with the changes, PHIBLEX has not been exempted from the tests of cultural differences, resource and mobility challenges, and external criticisms. yet, our forerunners kept their word, and that’s commitment. I am sure, all of us know what is expected from your marines and from our successors, our commitment – persistent, unbroken,” the PMC head added.

Through maintaining the country’s commitment to the conduct of PHIBLEX, Costales said PMC has been able to contribute to the attainment of national objectives pertinent to our international defense and security engagement program.

“Through PHIBLEX, we are able to focus on opportunities that enable my marines to develop capability and enhance personnel capacity to address various challenges that are regularly identified, cultivate support from our domestic allies for national initiatives and priorities and promote cooperation in addressing regional and international issues,” he added.

“I suppose our strategic allies also stand by the same principle. With goodwill, I have boundless faith that the commitment of my marines is also the commitment of domestic and regional stakeholders in terms of military integration and inter-operability,” Costales concluded.

http://www.update.ph/2016/10/commitment-to-ph-security-made-marines-supporters-of-phiblex/10019

Pimentel dispels fears on threat to stop EDCA

From Update.Ph (Oct 5): Pimentel dispels fears on threat to stop EDCA



Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Wednesday dispelled fears that President Rodrigo Duterte would stop honoring the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Pimentel, ally and party-mate of the President, came to his (Duterte) defense after the latter vowed to review the two-year-old defense deal that allows the US to put up military bases in the Philippines.

The President said that while the agreement is an official document, it did not contain the signature of his predecessor former President Benigno S. Aquino III but only by then Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Pimentel noted the EDCA is a formal agreement that could only be terminated through a procedure that has not even started yet.

“EDCA is a formal agreement and the way to terminate the formal agreement is (already) found in the agreement. Let’s follow the procedures,” he said.

Pimentel explained there will first have to be a notice that will come from the Executive Branch, the Departments of Foreign Affairs and National Defense (DFA, DND) and effectivity of the notice of termination will come years or months after the notice.

He said because there were such procedures, it would take some time before any halt in the agreement would take place.

“The first step has not yet kicked in so there’s nothing to talk about,” Pimentel said.

He also explained that there was no need to consult the Senate on the matter because it has already ratified and approved the EDCA.

The Senate President also expressed hope that President Duterte will put the matter in the agenda so he could get their opinions but noted that it is still him who forms the decision as head of the Executive branch.

Despite concerns that the President’s latest remark could dampen Philippine and US ties, Pimentel assured that ties would remain strong.

“Countries are not that shallow,” he said.

http://www.update.ph/2016/10/pimentel-dispels-fears-on-threat-to-stop-edca/10041

Efforts to provide President Duterte clearer picture of benefits from joint military exercises underway

From Update.Ph (Oct 5): Efforts to provide President Duterte clearer picture of benefits from joint military exercises underway



Efforts are now underway to provide President Rodrigo Duterte with information showing that the country’s military forces are benefiting from the various exercises being conducted with US forces. This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Wednesday.

“It seems that the President was not provided with complete details (regarding benefits accrued by Filipino forces during exercises with their American counterparts). It is very likely that the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines failed to provide the proper information. We will address this shortcomings with the coming days,” he said in Filipino.

Lorenzana issued this statement in wake of the President’s statements that Filipino troops get no note-worthy benefits while exercising with US forces.

The Chief Executive made this statement prior the start of the 33rd iteration of the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) which is now ongoing.

PHIBLEX started Oct. 4 and will end on the 12th. It involves 1,400 American troops and 500 Filipino military personnel. It will take place on various locations in Luzon and Palawan.

“But base on information we have gathered from General Headquarters and Army officers, they get ideas on how to train and use latest US weaponry, protective clothing and other equipment we do not have. This gives them incentive to acquire similar equipment and their reviews are use in the basis of procuring this weapons, Also, joint-training also gives our soldiers exposure on new war fighting systems, tactics and concepts like joint-landing, marksmanship, fire- and-maneuvers,” Lorenzana said.

Also, training with American forces gives Filipino units additional scope on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness, giving them more capabilities to respond in times of calamities and disasters.

The DND chief said this concept was readily demonstrated by US forces during the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in Leyte in Nov. 8, 2013 where American aircraft, ships and personnel readily help their Filipino counterparts until the situation was stabilized.

Aside from this, other benefits obtained during American-Filipino war exercises are the conduct of joint-civic action projects in marginalized areas.

These missions provide these localities with new school buildings, multi-purpose halls, basketball courts and medical and dental missions.

Lorenzana also added that these joint exercises, especially the so-called “Table Top” ones give Filipino officers a chance to make decisions on war tactics and security.

http://www.update.ph/2016/10/efforts-to-provide-president-duterte-clearer-picture-of-benefits-from-joint-military-exercises-underway/10046

EDCA up for review by Duterte’s legal team

From Update.Ph (Oct 5): EDCA up for review by Duterte’s legal team



Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Wednesday said the legal team of President Rodrigo Duterte is now reviewing the Philippines-United States’ Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

”Regarding the EDCA needing a President’s signature, I just like to say that the President’s legal team is currently addressing the matter,” Abella said in a press briefing.

During last Sunday’s 37th Maskara Festival in Bacolod City, President Duterte said the EDCA was just an executive agreement since it was not signed by former President Benigno Aquino III.

President Duterte has said EDCA was signed in 2014 only by former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg.

Last Monday, President Duterte said he might, under his presidency, break up ties with America and would rather establish alliances with Russia and China.

”He said that he might, okay? Let’s base in on that. He might. It is not a definite yes, it’s not a definite no. He said he might. Okay?,” Abella clarified when asked for comment.

Abella also explained that President Duterte is not leaning towards Russia and China.

”It (is) just that he has expanded his options. He is simply broadening his options in relationship,” he said.

”So you can tell that the tenor is not so much what economic benefits he can get from the country but that he is getting respect. And that’s exactly what the President apparently is wanting. He wants the Philippines to be on equal footing with others whether they’re big or not,” he added.

President Duterte’s threat to break ties with the United States has emanated from the US’ criticism of the Philippine government’s intensified war against illegal drugs.

“The way he expresses himself, it is still that he wants an independent foreign policy. In other words, the breaking may not necessarily be a breaking up of alliances in that way,” Abella said.

“Going back to the statement that he has made, it is basically expressing an independent policy. That it is not exclusive, that it is inclusive, that we are not be held down by any just one treaty, for example,” he added.

Last July, the Supreme Court has declared with finality that EDCA is constitutional agreement which provides for an increased rotational presence of US troops and use of Philippine military facilities by US forces.

The Philippines and the US have a Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1951 and a Visiting Forces Agreement inked in 1998.

http://www.update.ph/2016/10/edca-up-for-review-by-dutertes-legal-team/10051

US says EDCA is binding, reminds PH of aid after Yolanda

From Rappler (Oct 5): US says EDCA is binding, reminds PH of aid after Yolanda

US Press Secretary Josh Earnest says the American government is confident that Filipinos recognize the benefits of close ties with the US



WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING. US Press Secretary Josh Earnest highlights decades-long relations between the US and the Philippines. Photo from whitehouse.gov

US Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the military-to-military deal between the Philippines and the US that President Rodrigo Duterte is putting under review is a "binding" agreement that may only be withdrawn through a formal process. 
 

Earnest said the US remains "committed" to strengthen its alliance with the Philippines, noting US assistance to the Philippine military and the victims of the 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that devastated the Visayas region.

 

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) was signed in 2014 under the previous Aquino administration to increase US presence in the Philippines amid escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). It allows US forces to build facilities and place assets inside military bases.

 

"As it relates to the defense agreement, it's, of course, a binding one, and there's a formal process for withdrawing from it or changing it, and I'm not aware that that process has commenced in any way," Earnest said on Monday, October 3, at a regular White House press briefing in Washington, DC.

 

The briefing was held after the Philippine president questioned the validity of the agreement without the signature of Aquino, but before he told US President Barack Obama to "go to hell." These are the latest in a series of Duterte's tirades against the US, whose ties with the Philippines he is threatening to cut.

 

International agreements do not require a president's signature, however. EDCA was signed by Aquino's defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg. The deal has a period of 10 years and is renewable.

 

Duterte's pronouncements have not been translated to formal directives.

 

PH-China relationship doesn't undermine US

 

Earnest said Duterte's plan to strengthen alliances with China does not have to hurt its ties with the US, citing the relations of China with Japan and South Korea.

 

"Sometimes it's difficult to determine precisely what President Duterte's intent is in offering public comments, but if his intent is to seek a more effective relationship with China, that doesn’t undermine US positioning in that region of the world," Earnest said.

 

"When they've had conversations with President Xi [Jinping] or other senior Chinese officials, what we've said at every turn is that the United States believes it's in our interest for our closest friends in the Asia Pacific to have an effective working relationship with the Chinese," he said. (READ: Recalibrating PH-US alliance under Duterte)

 

Duterte was scheduled to meet Obama on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting in Laos in September, but their talks were cancelled after Duterte's "son of a bitch" comment.

 

Super Typhoon Yolanda

 

Earnest said the US remains "committed" to the Philippines, confident that Filipinos recognize the benefits of the alliance.

 

He cited Obama's state visit in Manila in 2014, a few hours after the signing of EDCA, where the US president showcased the transfer of a US Coast Guard vessel to the Philippine Navy to become its most capable warship.

 

He also cited US assistance to the small country's maritime security efforts, counter-terrorism campaign, and the rapid mobilization of US troops and assets in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. (READ: Duterte's pivot to China won't be easy for Americanized AFP)

 

The same message was echoed by the Americans in Manila on Tuesday, October 4, during the opening ceremony of the Philippine-US Amphibious Landing Exercises (Phiblex). (READ: US, PH marines link arms amid uncertainty)

 

"The relationship building and capability enhancement [pays off] during natural disasters, thus allowing our combined troops to preserve life. Response in hours versus days helps us save lives.

 

This was proven in 2013 when Supertyphoon Yoalnda [hit the Philippines]. Within 4 hours, Ospreys arrived to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations," said Brigadier General John Jansen, commander of the US Marine 3rd Mechanized Brigade, in his speech at the ceremony.

 

US Marine Mike Wiley, one of the US officers who took the first C130 flight to Tacloban City after the typhoon, is among those who returned to the Philippines to join the war games that Duterte threatened to be the last.

 

"It's good to be back in the Philippines," said Wiley, refusing to comment on the uncertainty of future war games.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/148242-edca-binding-white-house-yolanda

DND chief Lorenzana says Duterte may be 'misinformed' on US alliance

From InterAksyon (Oct 5): DND chief Lorenzana says Duterte may be 'misinformed' on US alliance

Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sought to patch up cracks in a military alliance with the United States on Wednesday, saying President Rodrigo Duterte, who has appeared intent on scrapping joint programs, might be misinformed about their value.

Referring to recent strongly worded comments by Duterte, in which he has declared that the Philippines’ military gained little from US security ties, Lorenzana said the armed forces were still weak and the country got a lot out of the US relationship.

"That's why I said the President was misinformed, because I think the information he is getting is incomplete," Lorenzana told reporters, a day after the launch of the latest round of PHIBLEX military exercises involving troops from both sides.

"Maybe, the defense ministry and the armed forces were remiss in providing him the correct information. This, we will address in the coming days."

The United States has been on the receiving end of a torrent of hostility from Duterte, who was angered by US expressions of concern over his war on drugs.

On Tuesday, Duterte said US President Barack Obama should "go to hell" and that in his time, he might "break up" with Washington, with which Manila has had a security treaty since 1951.

[Read related story: Duterte tells Obama to 'go to hell', threatens to end PH alliance with US]

Last week, he also caused a stir when he said the PHIBLEX exercises would be "the last one" and on Sunday said a US-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) would be reviewed.

That deal includes setting up storage facilities for maritime security, humanitarian and disaster response operations and grants US troops some access to Philippine bases.

Lorenzana said the ongoing exercises gave Philippine troops exposure to new guns, technology and body armor and training in warfare tactics, marksmanship and quick responses to natural disasters.

"According to him, only the American troops are benefiting from those exercises," he said, referring to President Duterte.

"But based on what we gathered from the GHQ (general headquarters) and army, there are (benefits)."

US officials have played down Duterte's remarks, focusing instead on the decades-long alliance which they have sought to bolster in recent years in response to China's moves to enforce its claims over the South China Sea.

The White House said on Tuesday the United States had not received any formal communications from Duterte's government about changing the relationship.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/133039/dnd-chief-lorenzana-says-duterte-may-be-misinformed-on-us-alliance

Duterte tells Obama to 'go to hell', threatens to end PH alliance with US

From InterAksyon (Oct 5): Duterte tells Obama to 'go to hell', threatens to end PH alliance with US

Firebrand Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told US President Barack Obama to "go to hell" Tuesday, as he threatened to end his nation's decades-old alliance with the United States in favor of China and Russia.

The fresh tirade came as the Philippines and the United States launched annual war games that Duterte had already warned may be the last of his presidency, in response to US criticism of his deadly war on crime.

In his latest salvo, Duterte said he had lost respect for the United States and railed at its concerns about his bloody war on drugs, calling his critics "fools" who could not stop him carrying out a campaign that has killed more than 3,400 people in just over three months.

"I have lost my respect for America," Duterte said as he complained at length in two speeches about calls by the United States, the United Nations and the European Union to respect human rights.

He said the United States should have supported the Philippines in tackling its chronic drugs problems but instead criticized him for the high death toll, as did the European Union.

"Instead of helping us, the first to hit was the (US) State Department. So you can go to hell, Mr Obama, you can go to hell," he said.

"EU, better choose purgatory. Hell is full already. Why should I be afraid of you?"

Duterte also branded Americans "hypocrites" and warned there may come a time when he would completely break the two nations' alliance, which includes a mutual defense pact.

His comments were the latest in a near-daily avalanche of hostility toward the United States, during which Duterte has started to contrast the former colonial power with its geopolitical rivals Russia and China.

"Eventually I might in my term, break up with America. I would rather go to Russia or to China.
Even if we do not agree with their ideology, they have respect for the people. Respect is important," he said.

Duterte, who took office on June 30, has said the top priority of his six-year term is eradicating illegal drugs in society, and he is "happy to slaughter" three million addicts to achieve his goal.

More than 3,400 people have died in the crime war so far, according to official figures, with rights groups warning of vigilante death squads carrying out mass murder and a general breakdown in the rule of law.

Although he uses fierce rhetoric, Duterte insists he is not breaking any laws, that police are killing only in self defense and many of the other deaths are as a result of gang wars.

'The right way'

Nevertheless, a UN rights envoy has warned Duterte may be breaking international law with incitements to kill.

Obama also last month urged Duterte at a regional summit in Laos to respect the rule of law and carry out his drug war "the right way".

Before flying to Laos for the ASEAN Summit, Duterte told reporters that he would curse Obama if he lectures him on human rights in connection with the drug-related killings.

Military ties between the Philippines and the United States had grown stronger in recent years partly in response to China's expanding presence in the strategically vital South China Sea.

China claims nearly all of the sea, even waters close to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, and has in recent years built artificial islands in the disputed areas that are capable of hosting military bases.

To counter China, the Philippines' previous president, Benigno Aquino III, sought to draw the United States closer.

This included the signing on 2014 of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a new US-Philippines defense pact that allowed thousands more US soldiers to rotate through the Philippines and for American military hardware to be stationed on Filipino bases for maritime security and humanitarian and disaster response operations.

Aquino also launched international legal action that in July saw a UN-backed tribunal declare China's vast claims in the sea illegal.

However, Duterte has reversed course, warning he wants to scrap the new pact and that he will not allow any more joint patrols with the United States in the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, Duterte told Filipinos they could not count on the United States, the Philippines' former colonial ruler.

"Don't believe in those Americans; they will not fight to die for us," he said.

In a tangential, at times profane speech in Manila, Duterte said the United States did not want to sell missiles and other weapons, but he did not care because Russia and China had told him they could provide them easily.

"Although it may sound shit to you, it is my sacred duty to keep the integrity of this republic and the people healthy," Duterte said in his second of two televised speeches on Tuesday.

"If you don't want to sell arms, I'll go to Russia. I sent the generals to Russia and Russia said 'do not worry we have everything you need, we'll give it to you'.

"And as for China, they said 'just come over and sign and everything will be delivered'."
On Sunday, he said he had got support from Russia and China when he complained to them about the United States.

About 2,000 American and Filipino troops are taking part in the eight-day war games, which will be held partly in waters near the disputed areas of the South China Sea.

In speeches to launch the exercises in Manila, military chiefs from both sides acted as if relations were normal.

"I am confident that we will continue to build our partnership and capabilities together," the 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commander, Brigadier General John Jansen, said at the opening ceremony.

However a statement released by the US Embassy in Manila, hinted at the tensions.

"We will continue to honor our alliance commitments, and we expect the Philippines to do the same," embassy spokeswoman Molly Koscina said in the statement.

According to some US officials, Washington has been doing its best to ignore Duterte's rhetoric and not provide him with a pretext for more outbursts.

While an open break with Manila would create problems in a region where China's influence has grown, there were no serious discussions about taking punitive steps such as cutting aid to the Philippines, two US officials said on Monday.

Several of Duterte's allies on Monday suggested he act more like a statesman because his comments had created a stir. On Tuesday, he said his outbursts were because he was provoked by criticism of his crackdown on drugs.

"When you are already at the receiving end of an uncontrollable rush, the only way out is to insult," he said.

"That is my retaliation."

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/133017/duterte-tells-obama-to-go-to-hell-threatens-to-end-ph-alliance-with-us