From the Sun Star-Manila (Oct 5): Groups appeal for release of Lumad teachers
TO COMMEMORATE Teacher's Day, various groups held protest in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Wednesday to call for the release of illegally detained Lumad teachers in Mindanao.
Representatives from Save our Schools (SOS), Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), Salinlahi, and women's group Gabriela appealed to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to review the cases of detained teachers in Mindanao Amelia Pond and Dominiciano Duya.
Pond, 64, a missionary teacher, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) in Cebu on August 19 after attending an assembly of RMP. Her arrest was based on a warrant named after a certain Adelfa Toledo.
According to the groups, she is facing "trumped up charges" for murder and frustrated murder while Duya is also facing "fabricated charges" of illegal possession of firearms, multiple murder, double frustrated murder, robbery with double homicide and damage to properties.
Salinlahi Secretary General Kharlo Felipe Manano believes that these charges filed against the Lumad teachers undermine the rights of the indigenous people in the Southern Philippines.
"Their arrests are part of the systematic design by state forces to undermine the rights of the lumads, targeting as well those individuals and advocates who are supportive of the struggle," Manano said.
Based on a joint affidavit from certain Alberto Egagamo, Jaymar Gonzaga and Andro Bansag, Pond is a member of the New People's Army (NPA) involved in the killing of a barangay official in Compostella Valley in 2000.
The allegation was denied by Pond. Oliver Castor of RMP also claimed that Pond is not Adelfa Toledo, contrary to the claims of the CIDG.
The groups are seeking for a dialogue with Aguirre to discuss the cases of the two and appeal for their unconditional release.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/10/05/groups-appeal-release-lumad-teachers-501759
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Du30 set to meet Misuari in Davao
From Tempo (Oct 4): Du30 set to meet Misuari in Davao
President Duterte is set to meet Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari in Davao soon to advance the peace process in Mindanao.
The President said Misuari, former governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, 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 the fugitive leader in his first weeks in office but such meeting did not push through. Misuari has long been wanted by authorities for his alleged involvement in the deadly Zamboanga City 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 in which Misuari might die while under government custody. “He’s the only known leader who has the influence and the structure. Nobody else,” he said.
http://tempo.com.ph/2016/10/04/du30-set-to-meet-misuari-in-davao/
The President said Misuari, former governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, 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 the fugitive leader in his first weeks in office but such meeting did not push through. Misuari has long been wanted by authorities for his alleged involvement in the deadly Zamboanga City 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 in which Misuari might die while under government custody. “He’s the only known leader who has the influence and the structure. Nobody else,” he said.
http://tempo.com.ph/2016/10/04/du30-set-to-meet-misuari-in-davao/
NDF Chair Jalandoni says amnesty proclamation possible with Duterte’s ‘supermajority’
From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Oct 4): NDF Chair Jalandoni says amnesty proclamation possible with Duterte’s ‘supermajority’
“We think the concurrence of Congress will be gotten by President (Rodrigo) Duterte because the PDP-Laban now has an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives,” Jalandoni told Davao Today in an interview Monday (7:00 pm PH time).
PDP-Laban or the Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas – Lakas ng Bayan is the President’s political party.
Jalandoni said they got reports that “from three members originally, they have gone up to more than 260, out of the 292.”
“In the Senate, due to various arrangements with the members of the Senate, we expect that the Senate will be able to give the majority for a declaration of amnesty by President Duterte,” he said.
Both negotiating panels of the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines are looking forward to the success of the next round of talks.
But while they have similar hopes to have positive developments for the peace negotiations, the two panels apparently differ in the priorities to be attained immediately.
Three days before the talks, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza said the government panel hopes to come up with a ceasefire agreement. He also said the agreement will include a joint monitoring and a possible third party overseer.
During his State of the Nation Address on July 25, President Duterte announced a unilateral ceasefire with the NDF. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army National Operations Command declared a unilateral ceasefire on August 28.
But Dureza said the government “is eyeing a more permanent cessation of hostilities.”
“We need to craft mechanisms to monitor violations and resolve conflicts and issues arising from them,” Dureza said.
Dureza said this is only possible if the negotiating panels achieve an agreement on social economic reforms described as “the heart and soul” of the peace process.
Meanwhile, the NDF is drumbeating the release of political prisoners in “compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).”
“The amnesty and release of all political prisoners is an act of righting the violations of the CARHRIHL and the Hernandez political offense doctrine,” NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison said in a statement on Monday, October 3.
The Hernandez doctrine or the Amado V. Hernandez doctrine refers to the Supreme Court ruling in 1956, in the case People of the Philippines vs. Hernandez, saying that a person who commits a political offense could be charged with rebellion but not with common crimes such as murder, arson, robbery, etc.
Sison said the release of all political prisoners “would also serve as a very big incentive for a stable kind of ceasefire.”
Government panel head and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said there is already a draft amnesty proclamation that they will submit when the talks resume on this week in Oslo, Norway.
“The list has been narrowed down to just over 400 from a high of more than 500. As per agreement during the formal resumption of the peace talks in August, the proclamation will only cover NDF members currently detained,” Bello said.
Bello, in the same statement, said Duterte, who ordered the release of 22 detained peace consultants of the NDF “could declare a general amnesty once the peace talks are brought to a successful conclusion.” The declaration of general amnesty will also require the concurrence of Congress, which Jalandoni said Duterte could do.
The government believes that it will be able to strike a deal with the communist rebels waging the longest Maoist insurgency in Asia by August next year.
http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/ndf-chair-jalandoni-says-amnesty-proclamation-possible-with-dutertes-supermajority/
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines believe that under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Congress may pass the amnesty proclamation for more than 400 political prisoners. (davaotoday.com file photo by Paulo C. Rizal)
National Democratic Front chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni said the concurrence of Congress for the declaration of a general amnesty for political prisoners is possible under the Duterte administration.
PDP-Laban or the Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas – Lakas ng Bayan is the President’s political party.
Jalandoni said they got reports that “from three members originally, they have gone up to more than 260, out of the 292.”
“In the Senate, due to various arrangements with the members of the Senate, we expect that the Senate will be able to give the majority for a declaration of amnesty by President Duterte,” he said.
Both negotiating panels of the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines are looking forward to the success of the next round of talks.
But while they have similar hopes to have positive developments for the peace negotiations, the two panels apparently differ in the priorities to be attained immediately.
Three days before the talks, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza said the government panel hopes to come up with a ceasefire agreement. He also said the agreement will include a joint monitoring and a possible third party overseer.
During his State of the Nation Address on July 25, President Duterte announced a unilateral ceasefire with the NDF. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army National Operations Command declared a unilateral ceasefire on August 28.
But Dureza said the government “is eyeing a more permanent cessation of hostilities.”
“We need to craft mechanisms to monitor violations and resolve conflicts and issues arising from them,” Dureza said.
Dureza said this is only possible if the negotiating panels achieve an agreement on social economic reforms described as “the heart and soul” of the peace process.
Meanwhile, the NDF is drumbeating the release of political prisoners in “compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).”
“The amnesty and release of all political prisoners is an act of righting the violations of the CARHRIHL and the Hernandez political offense doctrine,” NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison said in a statement on Monday, October 3.
The Hernandez doctrine or the Amado V. Hernandez doctrine refers to the Supreme Court ruling in 1956, in the case People of the Philippines vs. Hernandez, saying that a person who commits a political offense could be charged with rebellion but not with common crimes such as murder, arson, robbery, etc.
Sison said the release of all political prisoners “would also serve as a very big incentive for a stable kind of ceasefire.”
Government panel head and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said there is already a draft amnesty proclamation that they will submit when the talks resume on this week in Oslo, Norway.
“The list has been narrowed down to just over 400 from a high of more than 500. As per agreement during the formal resumption of the peace talks in August, the proclamation will only cover NDF members currently detained,” Bello said.
Bello, in the same statement, said Duterte, who ordered the release of 22 detained peace consultants of the NDF “could declare a general amnesty once the peace talks are brought to a successful conclusion.” The declaration of general amnesty will also require the concurrence of Congress, which Jalandoni said Duterte could do.
The government believes that it will be able to strike a deal with the communist rebels waging the longest Maoist insurgency in Asia by August next year.
http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/ndf-chair-jalandoni-says-amnesty-proclamation-possible-with-dutertes-supermajority/
Alvarez rejects plan to make Red rangers
From The Standard (Oct 5): Alvarez rejects plan to make Red rangers
SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday thumbed down a senator’s proposal to deputize former New People’s Army rebels as forest rangers.
“We better hire them as tax collectors [of the Bureau of Internal Revenue] or Customs police,” Alvarez told reporters, stressing the need for NPA returnees to be reintegrated into society and that the government must be able to support and provide them livelihood.
“Many of them are qualified [to either be BIR tax collectors or Customs police] because most of them came from schools before they seek refuge to [sic] the mountains because of perceived social inequalities,” Alvarez stressed.
“Let’s bring them back to normal living by giving them decent jobs. We can train them for BIR or Bureau of Customs,” Alvarez added.
Senator Ralph Recto earlier broached the idea of hiring ex-rebels as “guardians of the forest,” saying the latter are fit for the job for they have more knowledge with the mountain terrain.
Recto said the country’s forest guards need reinforcements, having only one government guard per 3,376 hectares.
“The lack of forest guards has made our timberlands prone to fires, poachers, and destruction,” Recto said as he urged the government to come up with the financial cost of transforming rebels into civilians.
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/218009/alvarez-rejects-plan-to-make-red-rangers.html
SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday thumbed down a senator’s proposal to deputize former New People’s Army rebels as forest rangers.
“We better hire them as tax collectors [of the Bureau of Internal Revenue] or Customs police,” Alvarez told reporters, stressing the need for NPA returnees to be reintegrated into society and that the government must be able to support and provide them livelihood.
“Many of them are qualified [to either be BIR tax collectors or Customs police] because most of them came from schools before they seek refuge to [sic] the mountains because of perceived social inequalities,” Alvarez stressed.
“Let’s bring them back to normal living by giving them decent jobs. We can train them for BIR or Bureau of Customs,” Alvarez added.
Senator Ralph Recto earlier broached the idea of hiring ex-rebels as “guardians of the forest,” saying the latter are fit for the job for they have more knowledge with the mountain terrain.
Recto said the country’s forest guards need reinforcements, having only one government guard per 3,376 hectares.
“The lack of forest guards has made our timberlands prone to fires, poachers, and destruction,” Recto said as he urged the government to come up with the financial cost of transforming rebels into civilians.
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/218009/alvarez-rejects-plan-to-make-red-rangers.html
TNI Commander Hopeful of Another Hostage Release
From Tempo.Co (Oct 6): TNI Commander Hopeful of Another Hostage Release
The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander, General Gatot Nurmantyo. TEMPO/Subekti
The National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo has sent a positive signal about the efforts to release the two remaining Indonesians who has been taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu waters, southern Philippines, since June 2016.
“As for the two [hostages], let’s pray for a good news this week,” Gatot Tuesday said in his office on Jalan Medan Merdeka in Jakarta.
Gatot said the negotiation to release the two hostages Robin Peter and M. Nasir is difficult but can be done.
“We are still attempting [to free them] through total diplomacy, wish us luck. It could be a [birthday] present for the TNI,” Gatot said.
On Saturday, the government freed three crew members of tugboat Charles from Abu Sayyaf group. As such, five crew members of tugboat Charles have been freed, as two had managed to escape already on August 17.
Earlier, the government had released four Indonesians who were kidnapped in Malaysian waters, namely Emanuel, Lorence Koten, Theodorus Kopong and Herman Manggak.
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2016/10/05/055809707/TNI-Commander-Hopeful-of-Another-Hostage-Release
The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander, General Gatot Nurmantyo. TEMPO/Subekti
The National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo has sent a positive signal about the efforts to release the two remaining Indonesians who has been taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu waters, southern Philippines, since June 2016.
“As for the two [hostages], let’s pray for a good news this week,” Gatot Tuesday said in his office on Jalan Medan Merdeka in Jakarta.
Gatot said the negotiation to release the two hostages Robin Peter and M. Nasir is difficult but can be done.
“We are still attempting [to free them] through total diplomacy, wish us luck. It could be a [birthday] present for the TNI,” Gatot said.
On Saturday, the government freed three crew members of tugboat Charles from Abu Sayyaf group. As such, five crew members of tugboat Charles have been freed, as two had managed to escape already on August 17.
Earlier, the government had released four Indonesians who were kidnapped in Malaysian waters, namely Emanuel, Lorence Koten, Theodorus Kopong and Herman Manggak.
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2016/10/05/055809707/TNI-Commander-Hopeful-of-Another-Hostage-Release
GRP-NDF peace talks get showbiz flare
From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 4): GRP-NDF peace talks get showbiz flare
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.
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.
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.
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/
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/
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
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
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
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.
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.”
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 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.
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.”
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’
“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
“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.
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
“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
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
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
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