From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): Puerto Princesa signs commitment to stay alert vs ASG threats
A commitment agreement to keep this city safe from threats of the Abu Sayyaf and other communist-terrorist groups was signed here late Tuesday afternoon by various peace and order stakeholders and the leadership of Mayor Luis Marcaida III.
The signing of the commitment was done following a meeting of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), a coordination body which plays an important role in maintaining the peace and order in Puerto Princesa.
Marcaida said the commitment holds the Philippine National Police (PNP) office in the city, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM), business sector, barangay officials, religious sector, and Muslim brothers responsible to ensure that none of the communist-terrorist groups would be able to disturb the peace and order situation in Puerto Princesa by being attentive and ready to act against any situation that poses a risk on the lives of residents.
In an interview with Marcaida shortly before nightfall on Tuesday, he said that despite the WESCOM’s confirmation that reports about the presence of armed ASG members were “confirmed negative, it is still better for everyone to be on alert without let up.”
This should be done to protect the contribution of the tourism industry to Puerto Princesa’s economy, especially since it is a tourism destination in the province and the Philippines.
Marcaida said residents living near the coastal areas of the city, as well as fishermen who frequent the sea, are requested to report suspicious-looking individual, groups, or situations like what was done in Bohol immediately to authorities to prevent untoward incidents from happening here.
“We request our residents who live in the coastal areas, our fishermen, to be constantly on alert to report individuals or situations that do not seem to be normal to our authorities as soon as possible, so we can prevent anything that will disturb Puerto Princesa’s peace and order condition,” said Marcaida.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), on the other hand, issued a directive to all barangay officials that they are duty-bound to help ensure that are vigilant in their areas against threats from the ASG and other communist-terrorist groups.
The signing of the commitment was done following reports on the third week of April that alleged armed members of the ASG were spotted in southern Palawan, and after the incident in Bohol.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984522
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Davao mayor orders intensified security measures
From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): Davao mayor orders intensified security measures
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday directed the police and the military to step up security measures in the city after authorities foiled a bomb plot by alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
The mayor urged the police and the military to craft a holistic plan to further ensure the safety and security of people in the city.
On Tuesday, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) tracked down a suspected terrorist. The suspect was killed after shooting it out with police operatives along Magtuod road in Maa, this city. The suspect was identified as alias "Bin Ladin." Two of his companions,identified only as "Saqdat" and "Omar" have escaped the police dragnet.
Aside from the improvised explosive device, police operatives also recovered from Bin Ladin a hand grenade, detonation cord, two pieces of blasting caps and a cal. 38 pistol.
"I told them to come up with a holistic plan to address the concern of terrorism and to ensure that the people are safe," the mayor said.
Based on their investigation, DCPO director Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum said the suspect came from either Basilan or Sulu.
Benito De Leon, chief of the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center, said the mayor wants a review of the city’s security protocol to prevent similar incidents in the future.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984672
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday directed the police and the military to step up security measures in the city after authorities foiled a bomb plot by alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
The mayor urged the police and the military to craft a holistic plan to further ensure the safety and security of people in the city.
On Tuesday, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) tracked down a suspected terrorist. The suspect was killed after shooting it out with police operatives along Magtuod road in Maa, this city. The suspect was identified as alias "Bin Ladin." Two of his companions,identified only as "Saqdat" and "Omar" have escaped the police dragnet.
Aside from the improvised explosive device, police operatives also recovered from Bin Ladin a hand grenade, detonation cord, two pieces of blasting caps and a cal. 38 pistol.
"I told them to come up with a holistic plan to address the concern of terrorism and to ensure that the people are safe," the mayor said.
Based on their investigation, DCPO director Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum said the suspect came from either Basilan or Sulu.
Benito De Leon, chief of the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center, said the mayor wants a review of the city’s security protocol to prevent similar incidents in the future.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984672
More Abu Sayyaf bandits seen to yield due to intensified military operations
From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): More Abu Sayyaf bandits seen to yield due to intensified military operations
The military commander in the island province of Sulu is confident "that more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) will surrender to government authorities."
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana Jr., commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, on Wednesday said "there are indicators the ASG is now feeling the heat" of the intense military operations against them
“As we speak, there is fighting ongoing,” Sobejana told the Philippines News Agency, but he declined to give details as "this might affect their operations."
The military has intensified its intelligence operation and launched “focused military operations” against the Abu Sayyaf, a "precise tactical offensive" to ensure the safety its more than 20 hostages and to prevent collateral damages.
Last week, two followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan surrendered to the authorities amid intense military operations.
Sobejana identified them as Udon Hashim and Haidal Kimar. They also surrendered their high-powered assault rifles.
There are about 18 ASG members who surrendered to the military since January this year, following the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to finish off the ASG within six months.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984678
The military commander in the island province of Sulu is confident "that more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) will surrender to government authorities."
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana Jr., commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, on Wednesday said "there are indicators the ASG is now feeling the heat" of the intense military operations against them
“As we speak, there is fighting ongoing,” Sobejana told the Philippines News Agency, but he declined to give details as "this might affect their operations."
The military has intensified its intelligence operation and launched “focused military operations” against the Abu Sayyaf, a "precise tactical offensive" to ensure the safety its more than 20 hostages and to prevent collateral damages.
Last week, two followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan surrendered to the authorities amid intense military operations.
Sobejana identified them as Udon Hashim and Haidal Kimar. They also surrendered their high-powered assault rifles.
There are about 18 ASG members who surrendered to the military since January this year, following the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to finish off the ASG within six months.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984678
Army steps up intelligence gathering in Samar
From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): Army steps up intelligence gathering in Samar
The Philippine Army here has stepped up intelligence gathering in Eastern Visayas after the foiled attack by the New People’s Army (NPA) at an army detachment in Hilomot village, San Jose de Buan, Samar.
Major Gen. Raul Farnacio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the attack on Monday dawn is alarming since it took place just five kilometers away from the town center.
At least three armed rebels were killed during the clash while five soldiers were hurt.
Government troops recovered a high powered firearm and grenade. A day after the attack, soldiers found 10 kilograms of explosives near the camp and subversive documents.
“I ordered our soldiers to intensify their intelligence operation to prevent similar attacks. This was a large scale and a well-planned attack; however, the army unit foiled such attempt because of some information given by civilians,” Farnacio said.
Hot pursuit operation against withdrawing rebel troops is still ongoing, concentrating in the mountainous areas of San Jose de Buan town, some 70 kilometers from this city, the provincial capital.
San Jose de Buan is a 4th class town in Samar province with a population of 7,769 people living in 14 villages.
Samar is known to be one of the hotbeds of armed rebels in the country. Several encounters between the army and NPA have been reported in Samar in the past years.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984685
The Philippine Army here has stepped up intelligence gathering in Eastern Visayas after the foiled attack by the New People’s Army (NPA) at an army detachment in Hilomot village, San Jose de Buan, Samar.
Major Gen. Raul Farnacio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the attack on Monday dawn is alarming since it took place just five kilometers away from the town center.
At least three armed rebels were killed during the clash while five soldiers were hurt.
Government troops recovered a high powered firearm and grenade. A day after the attack, soldiers found 10 kilograms of explosives near the camp and subversive documents.
“I ordered our soldiers to intensify their intelligence operation to prevent similar attacks. This was a large scale and a well-planned attack; however, the army unit foiled such attempt because of some information given by civilians,” Farnacio said.
Hot pursuit operation against withdrawing rebel troops is still ongoing, concentrating in the mountainous areas of San Jose de Buan town, some 70 kilometers from this city, the provincial capital.
San Jose de Buan is a 4th class town in Samar province with a population of 7,769 people living in 14 villages.
Samar is known to be one of the hotbeds of armed rebels in the country. Several encounters between the army and NPA have been reported in Samar in the past years.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984685
China to work with ASEAN countries for full implementation of DOC
From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): China to work with ASEAN countries for full implementation of DOC
China is willing to work with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has said.
In his regular press conference Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said China is also willing to deepen maritime practical cooperation to arrive at a code of conduct (COC) “based on consensus at an early date”.
”According to the work plan, China and ASEAN countries will finish consultation on the draft framework of the COC in the first half of this year,” Geng told the media.
On the occasion of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary this year, Geng said China will support important consensus in building the ASEAN community, maintaining centrality in regional cooperation and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.
”We congratulate it (ASEAN) on its achievements in growth, commend it for its contribution to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity,” he said.
”We believe ASEAN will make greater progress under the concerted efforts of the Philippines as the rotating chair and other ASEAN countries.”
Geng said China took note of the statement of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as chair of the 30th ASEAN Summit held last weekend in Manila.
”We have also noted what was mentioned in the chairman's statement about the South China Sea,” he said.
In the final version of the chairman’s statement, President Duterte said the ASEAN countries have reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea.
The ASEAN leaders have also underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the DOC “in its entirety”.
Geng said the joint efforts of the ASEAN countries have "cooled down" the situation in the South China Sea.
”The situation in the South China Sea has since last year stabilized, thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, including the Philippines. It serves the common interests of all countries in the region,” the Chinese official said.
He said the 30th ASEAN summit reconfirmed the positive changes in the South China Sea where other ASEAN countries, such as Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, have territorial claims.
”Going forward, the Chinese side will continue to properly address the South China Sea issue with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation and create an enabling atmosphere for the sound and steady growth of China-Philippines relations and all-round progress in bilateral practical cooperation," he said.
Geng further noted that the concerted efforts made by both Philippines, under President Duterte, and China, under President Xi Jinping, have resulted in the “overall improvement” of the two countries' bilateral relationship.
”Practical cooperation has fully unfolded, producing remarkable results and bringing tangible benefits to people of both countries. It fully proves that good neighborliness and friendly cooperation is the right choice in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples,” the official said.
President Duterte is set to return to Beijing to attend the Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 14-15, eight months after his first visit in October last year that revived the Philippines-China relations amid the South China Sea issue.
Geng, meanwhile, described President Duterte’s visit to the Chinese naval vessel that docked in Davao City last Sunday as a show of “growing political mutual trust” between the Philippines and China.
”The Chinese side will work with the Philippine side to continue to strengthen mutual trust, properly handle the issue of the South China Sea, deepen practical cooperation and push for the sustained, sound and steady growth of the bilateral relationship for the benefit of the two peoples,” Geng said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984561
China is willing to work with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has said.
In his regular press conference Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said China is also willing to deepen maritime practical cooperation to arrive at a code of conduct (COC) “based on consensus at an early date”.
”According to the work plan, China and ASEAN countries will finish consultation on the draft framework of the COC in the first half of this year,” Geng told the media.
On the occasion of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary this year, Geng said China will support important consensus in building the ASEAN community, maintaining centrality in regional cooperation and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.
”We congratulate it (ASEAN) on its achievements in growth, commend it for its contribution to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity,” he said.
”We believe ASEAN will make greater progress under the concerted efforts of the Philippines as the rotating chair and other ASEAN countries.”
Geng said China took note of the statement of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as chair of the 30th ASEAN Summit held last weekend in Manila.
”We have also noted what was mentioned in the chairman's statement about the South China Sea,” he said.
In the final version of the chairman’s statement, President Duterte said the ASEAN countries have reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea.
The ASEAN leaders have also underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the DOC “in its entirety”.
Geng said the joint efforts of the ASEAN countries have "cooled down" the situation in the South China Sea.
”The situation in the South China Sea has since last year stabilized, thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, including the Philippines. It serves the common interests of all countries in the region,” the Chinese official said.
He said the 30th ASEAN summit reconfirmed the positive changes in the South China Sea where other ASEAN countries, such as Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, have territorial claims.
”Going forward, the Chinese side will continue to properly address the South China Sea issue with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation and create an enabling atmosphere for the sound and steady growth of China-Philippines relations and all-round progress in bilateral practical cooperation," he said.
Geng further noted that the concerted efforts made by both Philippines, under President Duterte, and China, under President Xi Jinping, have resulted in the “overall improvement” of the two countries' bilateral relationship.
”Practical cooperation has fully unfolded, producing remarkable results and bringing tangible benefits to people of both countries. It fully proves that good neighborliness and friendly cooperation is the right choice in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples,” the official said.
President Duterte is set to return to Beijing to attend the Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 14-15, eight months after his first visit in October last year that revived the Philippines-China relations amid the South China Sea issue.
Geng, meanwhile, described President Duterte’s visit to the Chinese naval vessel that docked in Davao City last Sunday as a show of “growing political mutual trust” between the Philippines and China.
”The Chinese side will work with the Philippine side to continue to strengthen mutual trust, properly handle the issue of the South China Sea, deepen practical cooperation and push for the sustained, sound and steady growth of the bilateral relationship for the benefit of the two peoples,” Geng said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984561
PHL urges China not to resort to threat, force to settle WPS dispute
From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): PHL urges China not to resort to threat, force to settle WPS dispute
The Philippine government continues to urge China to refrain from the threat or use of force towards Filipino fishermen in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
This, even as the Chinese side has informed the Philippines that investigations did not reveal any reported harassment incidents.
“We have asked them to continue the investigations and to share the results with Philippine authorities,” said acting Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Robespierre Bolivar in a statement.
It was reported that Chinese coast guard had harassed Filipino fishermen near the Union Bank in the West Philippine Sea last March.
Several countries have made competing claims over parts or all of South China Sea, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984633
The Philippine government continues to urge China to refrain from the threat or use of force towards Filipino fishermen in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
This, even as the Chinese side has informed the Philippines that investigations did not reveal any reported harassment incidents.
“We have asked them to continue the investigations and to share the results with Philippine authorities,” said acting Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Robespierre Bolivar in a statement.
It was reported that Chinese coast guard had harassed Filipino fishermen near the Union Bank in the West Philippine Sea last March.
Several countries have made competing claims over parts or all of South China Sea, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984633
AFP right on track in eliminating ASG threat
From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): AFP right on track in eliminating ASG threat
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday expressed confidence that it is capable of meeting the six-month deadline imposed by Gen. Eduardo Año in eliminating the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) during his assumption of command last December.
"The AFP is right on track. We have achieved important milestones through deliberate military action backed by intense stakeholder engagements. Besides the neutralization of key terrorist leaders and other lawless elements, the number of firearms and IED (improvised explosive devices) recovered as well as the increasing number of surrenderees and those sending word of wanting to do so is a significant indicator that demoralization has seeped into the enemies ranks," said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.
He was referring to the neutralization of ASG sub-leaders Muamar Askali alias "Abu Rami" and Alhabsy Misaya during focused military operations in Bohol and Sulu last April and massive numbers of surrenderees and their firearms in the Western Mindanao area during the past few weeks.
"And it won't be long before we see their demise. All the AFP needs to do is see through the completion of its plans against these bandits," he added.
During Año's assumption as AFP chief, he ordered all military units to focus on the elimination of the ASG especially those assigned in the Western Mindanao area.
He added no efforts will be spared in the allocation of personnel and equipment so that the bandit group will be totally eliminated.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984666
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday expressed confidence that it is capable of meeting the six-month deadline imposed by Gen. Eduardo Año in eliminating the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) during his assumption of command last December.
"The AFP is right on track. We have achieved important milestones through deliberate military action backed by intense stakeholder engagements. Besides the neutralization of key terrorist leaders and other lawless elements, the number of firearms and IED (improvised explosive devices) recovered as well as the increasing number of surrenderees and those sending word of wanting to do so is a significant indicator that demoralization has seeped into the enemies ranks," said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.
He was referring to the neutralization of ASG sub-leaders Muamar Askali alias "Abu Rami" and Alhabsy Misaya during focused military operations in Bohol and Sulu last April and massive numbers of surrenderees and their firearms in the Western Mindanao area during the past few weeks.
"And it won't be long before we see their demise. All the AFP needs to do is see through the completion of its plans against these bandits," he added.
During Año's assumption as AFP chief, he ordered all military units to focus on the elimination of the ASG especially those assigned in the Western Mindanao area.
He added no efforts will be spared in the allocation of personnel and equipment so that the bandit group will be totally eliminated.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984666
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Five Reasons Why the World’s Longest Communist Revolution is Still Going Strong
From the News Lens (May 2): Five Reasons Why the World’s Longest Communist Revolution is Still Going Strong
Ka (Comrade) Kathryn, a young NPA combatant in Southern Tagalog who has become the face of a new breed of red fighters. Photo Credit: KODAO Productions
Why you need to know: The war in the Philippines is far from over, explains Michael Beltran
The New People’s Army (NPA) is showing no signs of slowing down. The armed component of the world’s longest-running communist revolution celebrated its 48th anniversary on March 29.
NPA is led by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and was founded a year after the party in 1969. Since then, each president has vowed to quash the rebel forces while the CPP has attributed a nearly 50-year long struggle to support peasants.
The National Democratic Front (NDF), CPP’s political alliance, has been engaged in peace negotiations with the government since the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term. Despite some hurdles along the way, the talks have reached unprecedented milestones. The main mission of the talks is to resolve the armed conflict — namely the widespread poverty and injustice.
There have been temporary ceasefires during the talks but armed encounters between the rebels and military have persisted. Being in the spotlight, the NPA has had a unique opportunity to further open up to the public, and public figures are responding. Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said last week that she “loved the NPA, ” which she described as “nice people” that she wanted to work with to safeguard environmental concerns.
According to the CPP, guerrilla fronts have been established in most of the country’s rural areas since 1977, a vast majority of the landscape. By 2013, CPP leadership had declared that the NPA operates in 71 out of 81 provinces.
This number doesn’t come as a surprise. It’s not uncommon for folks in far-flung areas to occasionally share tales of meeting the armed revolutionaries.
NPA spokesperson Ka (the Filipino prefix for “comrade”) Oris has said that the number of tactical offensives increases by the hundreds each year. This is especially true in Mindanao — the southernmost region of the country and a perceived stronghold for the rebels.
Communist parties and revolutionary armies are certainly not passé in the Philippines. A hundred years after Vladimir Lenin led the October Revolution, an armed struggle for liberation and establishing socialism is still very much a thing of the present in the Philippines. Here are five reasons why:
1. Persistent reasons to carry on the fight
Aside from the chokehold American imperialism has on the country, feudalism reigns over the nation’s countryside. There are 13,000 hectares of agricultural land but seven out of 10 farmers are without any land of their own.
Landlordism in its barest and most backward stature is very much at the heart of these feudal systems. I have seen farmers harvesting only once a year, living off sweet potatoes the rest of the time. Their farming tools and methods have been inherited from the Spanish era 400 years ago and do not produce nearly enough for them to avoid hunger.
I have seen sacks of rice and vegetables placed down in front of landlords by tenants who in return receive what amounts to spare change. I have seen flowers, fruits and even children offered in a festive manner to landlords as forced tribute. Land monopolies, landlessness and a destitute peasant class have crystallized the conditions for armed uprisings.
The nation has shown increasingly alarming displays of social inequality. According to the World Bank in 2015, the Philippines has the highest unemployment rate in Southeast Asia. In the last six years, the net worth of the 40 richest Filipino families grew from 14 percent to 24 percent of the GDP, and the total income of the 25 richest individuals in 2016 is equivalent to that of 76 million Filipinos.
It doesn’t take much for marginalized, impoverished and hungry Filipinos to see that “history needs a push.”
2. Strong revolutionary tradition
Contrary to the laid back and hospitable nature of Filipinos, our history is one of constant conflict. Filipinos have been fighting foreign intervention and local elites ever since Magellan arrived in 1521.
Throughout the 300-year Spanish colonial period, more or less 200 revolts of various sizes and aims broke out. The 1986 revolution led by Andres Bonifacio took this a step further by establishing a national network of rebels.
The Spanish were replaced by the American occupation in the early 1900s and early Marxists in the country established the first communist party in 1930. By World War II and the Japanese takeover, the CPP had established an anti-colonial force in the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (People’s Anti-Japanese Army), or HUKBALAHAP.
The re-establishment of the CPP in 1968 quickly led to the formation of the NPA a year later. Youngblood of the new CPP took inspiration from the “unfinished revolution” of Bonifacio for national liberation and democracy.
Photo Credit: Boy Bagwis of Pinoy Weekly Full battle gear: Pulang Bagani Battalion kicks off the CPP anniversary in DAVAO.
3. Self-governing in the mountains
One nation, two states — the status of belligerency endorsed by European Parliaments in the 1990s means there are two sovereign entities at war with each other. Essentially, the communists have their own standing army, defined “red areas,” laws, officials and social platforms. The virtual non-existence of any governing body to address concerns of the people coupled with the injustices of feudalism led the CPP to oversee and manage affordable basic services and social systems in the countryside as best it can. Most farmers in these areas identify as part of the People’s Government rather than the one headed from the Presidential Palace in Manila. These are also places where the people make the rules and the government follows.
A few years back, the CPP released a video showcasing a municipality run by the rebels holding an independent election for their town's leader outside of the Philippine government’s mandate.
Areas managed by people's governments over the years have also built social structures to facilitate everyday concerns. Ways on how to improve irrigation are carried out along with increasing food production and security. Literacy programs are also part of the NPA’s tasks while the health and marriage of people are taken into account as well.
Other than the Vatican, the Republic of the Philippines is the only state in the world where divorce is illegal. But the revolutionary movement has its own marriage guidelines that include same-sex unions and divorce.
4. A wealth of supporters
Despite the cancelation of the ceasefire between the NPA and the Duterte administration in February, the two parties say that negotiations can continue even during times of combat. But the truce was still in effect Dec. 26, 2016 — Mao Zedong’s (毛澤東) birthday and the anniversary of the CPP. A communist Christmas if you will, as the occasion was widely and seriously marked in guerrilla fronts nationwide.
During the latest anniversary celebration, the CPP invited the public and their sympathizers to the guerrilla zones, especially a particular one in Mindanao where a grand commemoration would be held. Government officials, nuns and priests, scholars, foreign delegates, artists and farmers were among the 15,000-strong crowd, enjoying music, dance and a festive atmosphere to the theme “People’s War is for People’s Peace.”
This was just one of the guerrilla fronts; another notable one took place in Southern Tagalog, not so far from Manila and drew in over 1,000 people. Ka Diego, a spokesman for the region, and Ka Kathryn, a vocal and iconic persona, called on young people to join the NPA and led the celebrations.
Photo Credit: Altermidya 15,000 attended last year's CPP anniversary on Dec. 26.
5. The Communist Party doesn't stop
Numerous tactical offensives since the start of the year have punished military troops of the government. It has become a common news story to feature NPA units having conducted raids on enemy camps, burning the heavy equipment of maligned large-scale mining companies and so on.
In the cities, NPA members and supporters organized parades of masked men calling on the people to join the revolution. Two parades were held in the past month — unusually frequent for an underground and illegal organization.
Every president since the inception of the NPA has had their own counter-insurgency program with the promise of eradicating the guerrillas. None have really come close to wiping out the movement. The increased rebel activity and capacity to fight over the past few years affirm this. Just one provincial formation of the NPA in northeastern Mindanao successfully launched 181 strikes and operations against military troops.
Winning battles is one thing but the red fighters are apparently even winning the hearts and minds of some of their enemies. Two prisoners of war held by the NPA for three months were recently freed and their reaction was surprising to many. They thanked the guerrillas “for giving us a second chance at life.” “You did not hurt us and freed us without a single scratch,” they said.
Photo Credit: Altermidya
The war is far from over. No doubt the communists know this. At this rate and with both parties at the negotiating table, the tide may finally turn in their favor.
https://international.thenewslens.com/article/67077
Ka (Comrade) Kathryn, a young NPA combatant in Southern Tagalog who has become the face of a new breed of red fighters. Photo Credit: KODAO Productions
Why you need to know: The war in the Philippines is far from over, explains Michael Beltran
The New People’s Army (NPA) is showing no signs of slowing down. The armed component of the world’s longest-running communist revolution celebrated its 48th anniversary on March 29.
NPA is led by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and was founded a year after the party in 1969. Since then, each president has vowed to quash the rebel forces while the CPP has attributed a nearly 50-year long struggle to support peasants.
The National Democratic Front (NDF), CPP’s political alliance, has been engaged in peace negotiations with the government since the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term. Despite some hurdles along the way, the talks have reached unprecedented milestones. The main mission of the talks is to resolve the armed conflict — namely the widespread poverty and injustice.
There have been temporary ceasefires during the talks but armed encounters between the rebels and military have persisted. Being in the spotlight, the NPA has had a unique opportunity to further open up to the public, and public figures are responding. Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said last week that she “loved the NPA, ” which she described as “nice people” that she wanted to work with to safeguard environmental concerns.
According to the CPP, guerrilla fronts have been established in most of the country’s rural areas since 1977, a vast majority of the landscape. By 2013, CPP leadership had declared that the NPA operates in 71 out of 81 provinces.
This number doesn’t come as a surprise. It’s not uncommon for folks in far-flung areas to occasionally share tales of meeting the armed revolutionaries.
NPA spokesperson Ka (the Filipino prefix for “comrade”) Oris has said that the number of tactical offensives increases by the hundreds each year. This is especially true in Mindanao — the southernmost region of the country and a perceived stronghold for the rebels.
Communist parties and revolutionary armies are certainly not passé in the Philippines. A hundred years after Vladimir Lenin led the October Revolution, an armed struggle for liberation and establishing socialism is still very much a thing of the present in the Philippines. Here are five reasons why:
1. Persistent reasons to carry on the fight
Aside from the chokehold American imperialism has on the country, feudalism reigns over the nation’s countryside. There are 13,000 hectares of agricultural land but seven out of 10 farmers are without any land of their own.
Landlordism in its barest and most backward stature is very much at the heart of these feudal systems. I have seen farmers harvesting only once a year, living off sweet potatoes the rest of the time. Their farming tools and methods have been inherited from the Spanish era 400 years ago and do not produce nearly enough for them to avoid hunger.
I have seen sacks of rice and vegetables placed down in front of landlords by tenants who in return receive what amounts to spare change. I have seen flowers, fruits and even children offered in a festive manner to landlords as forced tribute. Land monopolies, landlessness and a destitute peasant class have crystallized the conditions for armed uprisings.
The nation has shown increasingly alarming displays of social inequality. According to the World Bank in 2015, the Philippines has the highest unemployment rate in Southeast Asia. In the last six years, the net worth of the 40 richest Filipino families grew from 14 percent to 24 percent of the GDP, and the total income of the 25 richest individuals in 2016 is equivalent to that of 76 million Filipinos.
It doesn’t take much for marginalized, impoverished and hungry Filipinos to see that “history needs a push.”
2. Strong revolutionary tradition
Contrary to the laid back and hospitable nature of Filipinos, our history is one of constant conflict. Filipinos have been fighting foreign intervention and local elites ever since Magellan arrived in 1521.
Throughout the 300-year Spanish colonial period, more or less 200 revolts of various sizes and aims broke out. The 1986 revolution led by Andres Bonifacio took this a step further by establishing a national network of rebels.
The Spanish were replaced by the American occupation in the early 1900s and early Marxists in the country established the first communist party in 1930. By World War II and the Japanese takeover, the CPP had established an anti-colonial force in the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (People’s Anti-Japanese Army), or HUKBALAHAP.
The re-establishment of the CPP in 1968 quickly led to the formation of the NPA a year later. Youngblood of the new CPP took inspiration from the “unfinished revolution” of Bonifacio for national liberation and democracy.
Photo Credit: Boy Bagwis of Pinoy Weekly Full battle gear: Pulang Bagani Battalion kicks off the CPP anniversary in DAVAO.
3. Self-governing in the mountains
One nation, two states — the status of belligerency endorsed by European Parliaments in the 1990s means there are two sovereign entities at war with each other. Essentially, the communists have their own standing army, defined “red areas,” laws, officials and social platforms. The virtual non-existence of any governing body to address concerns of the people coupled with the injustices of feudalism led the CPP to oversee and manage affordable basic services and social systems in the countryside as best it can. Most farmers in these areas identify as part of the People’s Government rather than the one headed from the Presidential Palace in Manila. These are also places where the people make the rules and the government follows.
A few years back, the CPP released a video showcasing a municipality run by the rebels holding an independent election for their town's leader outside of the Philippine government’s mandate.
Areas managed by people's governments over the years have also built social structures to facilitate everyday concerns. Ways on how to improve irrigation are carried out along with increasing food production and security. Literacy programs are also part of the NPA’s tasks while the health and marriage of people are taken into account as well.
Other than the Vatican, the Republic of the Philippines is the only state in the world where divorce is illegal. But the revolutionary movement has its own marriage guidelines that include same-sex unions and divorce.
4. A wealth of supporters
Despite the cancelation of the ceasefire between the NPA and the Duterte administration in February, the two parties say that negotiations can continue even during times of combat. But the truce was still in effect Dec. 26, 2016 — Mao Zedong’s (毛澤東) birthday and the anniversary of the CPP. A communist Christmas if you will, as the occasion was widely and seriously marked in guerrilla fronts nationwide.
During the latest anniversary celebration, the CPP invited the public and their sympathizers to the guerrilla zones, especially a particular one in Mindanao where a grand commemoration would be held. Government officials, nuns and priests, scholars, foreign delegates, artists and farmers were among the 15,000-strong crowd, enjoying music, dance and a festive atmosphere to the theme “People’s War is for People’s Peace.”
This was just one of the guerrilla fronts; another notable one took place in Southern Tagalog, not so far from Manila and drew in over 1,000 people. Ka Diego, a spokesman for the region, and Ka Kathryn, a vocal and iconic persona, called on young people to join the NPA and led the celebrations.
Photo Credit: Altermidya 15,000 attended last year's CPP anniversary on Dec. 26.
5. The Communist Party doesn't stop
Numerous tactical offensives since the start of the year have punished military troops of the government. It has become a common news story to feature NPA units having conducted raids on enemy camps, burning the heavy equipment of maligned large-scale mining companies and so on.
In the cities, NPA members and supporters organized parades of masked men calling on the people to join the revolution. Two parades were held in the past month — unusually frequent for an underground and illegal organization.
Every president since the inception of the NPA has had their own counter-insurgency program with the promise of eradicating the guerrillas. None have really come close to wiping out the movement. The increased rebel activity and capacity to fight over the past few years affirm this. Just one provincial formation of the NPA in northeastern Mindanao successfully launched 181 strikes and operations against military troops.
Winning battles is one thing but the red fighters are apparently even winning the hearts and minds of some of their enemies. Two prisoners of war held by the NPA for three months were recently freed and their reaction was surprising to many. They thanked the guerrillas “for giving us a second chance at life.” “You did not hurt us and freed us without a single scratch,” they said.
Photo Credit: Altermidya
The war is far from over. No doubt the communists know this. At this rate and with both parties at the negotiating table, the tide may finally turn in their favor.
https://international.thenewslens.com/article/67077
Pag-asa, Kalayaan islands ours; all PH activities there legal – DFA
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 2): Pag-asa, Kalayaan islands ours; all PH activities there legal – DFA
Pag-Asa Island (AP Photo/Rolex Dela Pena, Pool, File)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has maintained that Pag-asa Island and the Kalayaan Island Group are part of Philippine territory and any activity in them are perfectly legal.
The pronouncement on Tuesday was in response to Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua who claimed that the occupation of and any activity on the islands by the Philippines were illegal.
Foreign affairs spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said the “Pag-asa Island and the larger Kalayaan Island Group are a municipality of Palawan.”
Bolivar further said, “Any visit of activity we undertake there are part and parcel of our Constitutional mandate to ensure the safety, well-being, and livelihood of our citizens living in this municipality.”
Residents in the area are mostly Filipinos, according to Bolivar.
On Monday, Zhao was asked by reporters on the April 21 incident where a C-130 aircraft bearing Philippine secretary of defense Delfin Lorenzana and the top military brass was reportedly harassed by the Chinese military as the plane headed for Pag-asa Island.
The Chinese envoy to the Philippines said that it was common practice to warn aircraft that “intrude” in their territory.
He was further quoted as saying that the Philippine occupation of Pag-asa Island as well as the construction of structures on the island were illegal, although he assured Filipinos that China — as a policy — would negotiate to resolve the matter peacefully
President Duterte previously directed the defense secretary to repair and upgrade existing facilities and structures on Pag-asa Island as he ordered the military to occupy Philippine-inhabited islands and reefs on the West Philippine Sea to assert the country’s sovereignty over them.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/155974/pag-asa-kalayaan-islands-ours-all-ph-activities-there-legal-dfa
Pag-Asa Island (AP Photo/Rolex Dela Pena, Pool, File)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has maintained that Pag-asa Island and the Kalayaan Island Group are part of Philippine territory and any activity in them are perfectly legal.
The pronouncement on Tuesday was in response to Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua who claimed that the occupation of and any activity on the islands by the Philippines were illegal.
Foreign affairs spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said the “Pag-asa Island and the larger Kalayaan Island Group are a municipality of Palawan.”
Bolivar further said, “Any visit of activity we undertake there are part and parcel of our Constitutional mandate to ensure the safety, well-being, and livelihood of our citizens living in this municipality.”
Residents in the area are mostly Filipinos, according to Bolivar.
On Monday, Zhao was asked by reporters on the April 21 incident where a C-130 aircraft bearing Philippine secretary of defense Delfin Lorenzana and the top military brass was reportedly harassed by the Chinese military as the plane headed for Pag-asa Island.
The Chinese envoy to the Philippines said that it was common practice to warn aircraft that “intrude” in their territory.
He was further quoted as saying that the Philippine occupation of Pag-asa Island as well as the construction of structures on the island were illegal, although he assured Filipinos that China — as a policy — would negotiate to resolve the matter peacefully
President Duterte previously directed the defense secretary to repair and upgrade existing facilities and structures on Pag-asa Island as he ordered the military to occupy Philippine-inhabited islands and reefs on the West Philippine Sea to assert the country’s sovereignty over them.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/155974/pag-asa-kalayaan-islands-ours-all-ph-activities-there-legal-dfa
Informant gets P1.1-M for death of Abu leader
From the Visayan Daily Star (May 2): Informant gets P1.1-M for death of Abu leader
An informant got richer by P1.1 million for the neutralization and death of Abu Sayyaf leader Joselito Milloria in Bohol last week.
Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 3rd Infantry Division commander, who supervises Army units stationed in Negros Island Region, Western and Central Visayas, including Bohol, said the reward of P1 million, which came from President Rodrigo Duterte, and a counterpart of P100,000 given by Governor Edgar Chatto, was recently received by the informant, whose identity he has withheld for security reasons, from the AFP Central Command.
The discovery of the presence of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Bohol, led to a series of armed skirmishes between ASG bandits, troopers of the 47 th Infantry Battalion, 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company and the police, and led to the death of six terrorist group members, including the two ASG leaders.
Aying attributed their successful campaign against ASG bandits to timely information relayed to them by Boholanos.
President Duterte ordered the military and police to “finish the game” and hunt down the ASG remnants. A police official and her lover, a member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, were also intercepted by 3ID troopers at a checkpoint, following the death of Milloria and two others.
The series of encounters in Bohol also caused alarm to nearby island provinces that are known tourist destinations.
Aying allayed fears about spillover of violent extremism to other areas of the Visayas, including the Negros Island Region, saying that they have not received such reports, as of this time.
“But still, we are working hard to verify if there are really vulnerable people or communities. If there are, then we have to apply our approach in preventing violent extremism,” said Aying, who led the celebration of the 43rd founding anniversary of the 3rd Infantry Division here, with Maj. Gen. Harold Cabreros, Army vice-commander, as guest of honor and speaker.
Aying also stressed that there is no ASG supporter or collaborator in their areas of operation.
Cabreros commended the 3ID troops, under the leadership of Aying, for a job well done.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/May/02/topstory3.htm
An informant got richer by P1.1 million for the neutralization and death of Abu Sayyaf leader Joselito Milloria in Bohol last week.
Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 3rd Infantry Division commander, who supervises Army units stationed in Negros Island Region, Western and Central Visayas, including Bohol, said the reward of P1 million, which came from President Rodrigo Duterte, and a counterpart of P100,000 given by Governor Edgar Chatto, was recently received by the informant, whose identity he has withheld for security reasons, from the AFP Central Command.
The discovery of the presence of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Bohol, led to a series of armed skirmishes between ASG bandits, troopers of the 47 th Infantry Battalion, 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company and the police, and led to the death of six terrorist group members, including the two ASG leaders.
Aying attributed their successful campaign against ASG bandits to timely information relayed to them by Boholanos.
President Duterte ordered the military and police to “finish the game” and hunt down the ASG remnants. A police official and her lover, a member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, were also intercepted by 3ID troopers at a checkpoint, following the death of Milloria and two others.
The series of encounters in Bohol also caused alarm to nearby island provinces that are known tourist destinations.
Aying allayed fears about spillover of violent extremism to other areas of the Visayas, including the Negros Island Region, saying that they have not received such reports, as of this time.
“But still, we are working hard to verify if there are really vulnerable people or communities. If there are, then we have to apply our approach in preventing violent extremism,” said Aying, who led the celebration of the 43rd founding anniversary of the 3rd Infantry Division here, with Maj. Gen. Harold Cabreros, Army vice-commander, as guest of honor and speaker.
Aying also stressed that there is no ASG supporter or collaborator in their areas of operation.
Cabreros commended the 3ID troops, under the leadership of Aying, for a job well done.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/May/02/topstory3.htm
Army awardee describes clash with ASG
From the Visayan Daily Star (May 2): Army awardee describes clash with ASG
It was a fierce gunbattle with nobody wanting to surrender and ready to fight until death.
That was how 1Lt. Richard Paul Gobway of the 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company, described yesterday their running gunbattle with remnants of the Abu Sayyaf bandits, led by Joselito Milloria, in Clarin town, who had earlier also figured in the encounter with 47 th Infantry Battalion in the neighboring town of Inabanga, Bohol.
Gobway, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 2015, and three other DRC troopers, including Sgt. Remegio Bayoneta, PFCs Leo Dumayac and Jay Abisado, were conferred yesterday with Gold Cross Medals, by Maj. Gen. Harold Cabreros, Army vice commander, who was assisted by Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 3rd Infantry Division commander, during the 43rd founding anniversary of the 3ID, here.
The Gold Cross Medal is the third highest medal for bravery of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Gobway said he thanked the Lord for giving him and his men a second chance to live, as none of them was even injured in what he called the “fiercest gunbattle” he had experienced up to now.
The encounter in Clarin town, almost two weeks after the death of ASG leader Muammar Askali, alias Abu Rami, on April 11 in the neighboring town of Inabanga, Bohol, also claimed the life of Joselito Milloria and two other ASG bandits, with all six bandits accounted for by the Philippine military troops.
Milloria assumed leadership of the ASG stragglers, following the death of Askali and several of his men.
Gobway said the running gunbattle took place at a distance of about 10 meters.
He also thanked 3ID families and relatives for their prayers, as they were unhurt in the series of running gunbattles.
Aying, admitting that Abu Sayyaf bandits are seasoned fighters, said the training that 3ID soldiers have acquired also proved that they are effective against any threats from the New People's Army, ASG members, and other lawless groups. Due to the proximity of combat, Gobway, who is an Ifugao, figured in a hand to hand combat with Milloria, whom he subdued, resulting in the death of the latter.
Gobway also became emotional and teary-eyed when asked for his reaction to being awarded the Gold Cross Medal.
“I am thankful to God that he has given me a second life but I am saddened that we lost an officer and two other soldiers in the encounter,” he said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/May/02/topstory2.htm
It was a fierce gunbattle with nobody wanting to surrender and ready to fight until death.
That was how 1Lt. Richard Paul Gobway of the 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company, described yesterday their running gunbattle with remnants of the Abu Sayyaf bandits, led by Joselito Milloria, in Clarin town, who had earlier also figured in the encounter with 47 th Infantry Battalion in the neighboring town of Inabanga, Bohol.
Gobway, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 2015, and three other DRC troopers, including Sgt. Remegio Bayoneta, PFCs Leo Dumayac and Jay Abisado, were conferred yesterday with Gold Cross Medals, by Maj. Gen. Harold Cabreros, Army vice commander, who was assisted by Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 3rd Infantry Division commander, during the 43rd founding anniversary of the 3ID, here.
The Gold Cross Medal is the third highest medal for bravery of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Gobway said he thanked the Lord for giving him and his men a second chance to live, as none of them was even injured in what he called the “fiercest gunbattle” he had experienced up to now.
The encounter in Clarin town, almost two weeks after the death of ASG leader Muammar Askali, alias Abu Rami, on April 11 in the neighboring town of Inabanga, Bohol, also claimed the life of Joselito Milloria and two other ASG bandits, with all six bandits accounted for by the Philippine military troops.
Milloria assumed leadership of the ASG stragglers, following the death of Askali and several of his men.
Gobway said the running gunbattle took place at a distance of about 10 meters.
He also thanked 3ID families and relatives for their prayers, as they were unhurt in the series of running gunbattles.
Aying, admitting that Abu Sayyaf bandits are seasoned fighters, said the training that 3ID soldiers have acquired also proved that they are effective against any threats from the New People's Army, ASG members, and other lawless groups. Due to the proximity of combat, Gobway, who is an Ifugao, figured in a hand to hand combat with Milloria, whom he subdued, resulting in the death of the latter.
Gobway also became emotional and teary-eyed when asked for his reaction to being awarded the Gold Cross Medal.
“I am thankful to God that he has given me a second life but I am saddened that we lost an officer and two other soldiers in the encounter,” he said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/May/02/topstory2.htm
China And The U.S. Are Fighting For Influence Over The Philippines
From Forbes (May 2): China And The U.S. Are Fighting For Influence Over The Philippines
Eight months ago Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called his former American counterpart Barack Obama a son of a whore. Throughout much of last year, after his June 30 inauguration, the notoriously outspoken Duterte told the United States in just slightly less coarse language to quit helping his Southeast Asian country with military aid. He resented Washington, a former colonizer of the Philippines, for criticizing his deadly anti-drug campaign.
Now look who current U.S. President Donald Trump just invited to the White House.
Duterte hasn’t accepted the invitation and has hinted at taking a pass. He's busily making friends with China, Washington’s chief political and military rival in Asia. China pledged $24 billion in aid to the largely impoverished Philippines in October. Washington never offered such a wide-reaching package, some Filipinos argued then. Beijing and Manila still dispute tracts of the South China Sea, a reason Duterte's predecessors preferred the United States. Boats from both Asian countries intensively fish the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea. The two governments hope to strike oil or gas under the seabed.
Duterte likes China so much he may have let Chinese vessels explore off the Philippine archipelago’s Pacific Ocean continental shelf last year. Only Manila claims sovereignty to that tract. Following a few flaps over maritime sovereignty in March and April, China on Monday docked three warships on a goodwill visit to Duterte’s hometown Davao. The president suggested the two countries might jointly patrol the Sulu Sea where the Philippines is trying to squelch the Abu Sayyaf terrorist-slash-Muslim-rebel group.
The U.S. president who just passed his 100th day in office hasn’t come out with a solid policy on the South China Sea, analysts in Asia say. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hinted in January at an eventually stiff anti-China stance, but Trump is trying to work with China now on containing the North Korea threat. Beijing claims about 95% of the resource-rich sea, covering parts of exclusive economic zones normally controlled by Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam as well as the Philippines. China has the region’s strongest military, which it’s prepped to deploy on some of the sea’s islets that it has landfilled over the past half-decade, a Washington-based think tank says.
In defending the invitation to Duterte against critics of his anti-drug campaign, the White House said Sunday it hoped to solidify an Asian alliance against North Korea. Washington may ultimately try sustain a military protectorate relationship in effect with Manila since colonization ended in 1946. Duterte scaled that back last year by canceling joint South China Sea patrols that irritated Beijing. The arrangement gives Washington a Southeast Asian base to monitor and resist China’s expansion.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C, wearing cap) disembarks after visiting the guided missile frigate Changchun berthed at the Davao international port on May 1, 2017. (MANMAN DEJETO/AFP/Getty Images)
China’s growing influence in the Philippines – something that Duterte’s predecessors strongly resisted – makes it hard if not impossible for a U.S. president to stick the archipelago in its back pocket again. “I would not anticipate that Duterte will seek assistance from the United States going forward,” says Carl Baker, director of programs at the think tank Pacific Forum CSIS in Honolulu. That’s even after Duterte said last month he would improve structures on nine Spratly Island features his country controls but that China claims. “I think he is pretty confident that China is not going to protest too strongly to the efforts being undertaken to make the existing features more habitable.”
The two superpowers may end up living with each other’s bids to influence Manila. Southeast Asian neighbors Indonesia and Vietnam already play both sides with little incident. You never know when you might need one more than the other.
“I think for both sides, China and the U.S., as long as the Philippines is not a source of challenges for either of them, they will be fine,” says Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines. Tolerance would break down, he says, only “if the Philippines is seen as causing trouble. The way China views, it’s the Philippines that causes trouble in the South China Sea. From the American perspective, it’s more of the Philippines trying to draw it into the South China Sea against China.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphjennings/2017/05/02/china-and-the-u-s-are-fighting-for-influence-over-the-philippines/#16861de04c48
Eight months ago Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called his former American counterpart Barack Obama a son of a whore. Throughout much of last year, after his June 30 inauguration, the notoriously outspoken Duterte told the United States in just slightly less coarse language to quit helping his Southeast Asian country with military aid. He resented Washington, a former colonizer of the Philippines, for criticizing his deadly anti-drug campaign.
Now look who current U.S. President Donald Trump just invited to the White House.
Duterte hasn’t accepted the invitation and has hinted at taking a pass. He's busily making friends with China, Washington’s chief political and military rival in Asia. China pledged $24 billion in aid to the largely impoverished Philippines in October. Washington never offered such a wide-reaching package, some Filipinos argued then. Beijing and Manila still dispute tracts of the South China Sea, a reason Duterte's predecessors preferred the United States. Boats from both Asian countries intensively fish the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea. The two governments hope to strike oil or gas under the seabed.
Duterte likes China so much he may have let Chinese vessels explore off the Philippine archipelago’s Pacific Ocean continental shelf last year. Only Manila claims sovereignty to that tract. Following a few flaps over maritime sovereignty in March and April, China on Monday docked three warships on a goodwill visit to Duterte’s hometown Davao. The president suggested the two countries might jointly patrol the Sulu Sea where the Philippines is trying to squelch the Abu Sayyaf terrorist-slash-Muslim-rebel group.
The U.S. president who just passed his 100th day in office hasn’t come out with a solid policy on the South China Sea, analysts in Asia say. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hinted in January at an eventually stiff anti-China stance, but Trump is trying to work with China now on containing the North Korea threat. Beijing claims about 95% of the resource-rich sea, covering parts of exclusive economic zones normally controlled by Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam as well as the Philippines. China has the region’s strongest military, which it’s prepped to deploy on some of the sea’s islets that it has landfilled over the past half-decade, a Washington-based think tank says.
In defending the invitation to Duterte against critics of his anti-drug campaign, the White House said Sunday it hoped to solidify an Asian alliance against North Korea. Washington may ultimately try sustain a military protectorate relationship in effect with Manila since colonization ended in 1946. Duterte scaled that back last year by canceling joint South China Sea patrols that irritated Beijing. The arrangement gives Washington a Southeast Asian base to monitor and resist China’s expansion.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C, wearing cap) disembarks after visiting the guided missile frigate Changchun berthed at the Davao international port on May 1, 2017. (MANMAN DEJETO/AFP/Getty Images)
China’s growing influence in the Philippines – something that Duterte’s predecessors strongly resisted – makes it hard if not impossible for a U.S. president to stick the archipelago in its back pocket again. “I would not anticipate that Duterte will seek assistance from the United States going forward,” says Carl Baker, director of programs at the think tank Pacific Forum CSIS in Honolulu. That’s even after Duterte said last month he would improve structures on nine Spratly Island features his country controls but that China claims. “I think he is pretty confident that China is not going to protest too strongly to the efforts being undertaken to make the existing features more habitable.”
The two superpowers may end up living with each other’s bids to influence Manila. Southeast Asian neighbors Indonesia and Vietnam already play both sides with little incident. You never know when you might need one more than the other.
“I think for both sides, China and the U.S., as long as the Philippines is not a source of challenges for either of them, they will be fine,” says Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines. Tolerance would break down, he says, only “if the Philippines is seen as causing trouble. The way China views, it’s the Philippines that causes trouble in the South China Sea. From the American perspective, it’s more of the Philippines trying to draw it into the South China Sea against China.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphjennings/2017/05/02/china-and-the-u-s-are-fighting-for-influence-over-the-philippines/#16861de04c48
Pag-asa is ours, PH says amid China remarks
From Rappler (May 2): Pag-asa is ours, PH says amid China remarks
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua says it is 'illegal' for the Philippines to occupy disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) islands
The Philippines on Tuesday, May 2, asserted its ownership of Pag-asa Island in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) after China said it is "illegal" for Filipinos to occupy it.
"Pag-asa Island and the larger Kalayaan Island Group are a municipality of Palawan," Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said in a statement on Tuesday.
Pag-asa Island is found in Kalayaan, a town created by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1978, which is now home to around 180 Filipinos with their own mayor.
Still on the town of Kalayaan, Bolivar added, "Any visit or activity we undertake there is part and parcel of our constitutional mandate to ensure the safety, well-being, and livelihood of our citizens living in this municipality."
Bolivar was reacting to a statement made by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on the sidelines of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's inspection of 3 Chinese warships docked in his hometown, Davao City.
Referring to the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, Zhao said on Monday, May 1: "We view the occupation by the Philippine side of those islands as illegal. And so the buildings on it are also illegal."
China earlier criticized the Philippines after Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led security officials in visiting Pag-asa Island.
Duterte on Monday had defended the Philippines' plans to improve facilities in Pag-asa Island, saying it is part of the government's duty.
Still, despite the dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, Duterte is bent on boosting ties with the Asian giant and moving away from the Philippines' traditional ally, the United States.
On Monday, Duterte said his trip to 3 Chinese warships "is part really of confidence-building and goodwill – and to show that we are friends."
http://www.rappler.com/nation/168584-pag-asa-island-philippines-china-ambassador-illegal
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua says it is 'illegal' for the Philippines to occupy disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) islands
The Philippines on Tuesday, May 2, asserted its ownership of Pag-asa Island in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) after China said it is "illegal" for Filipinos to occupy it.
"Pag-asa Island and the larger Kalayaan Island Group are a municipality of Palawan," Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said in a statement on Tuesday.
Pag-asa Island is found in Kalayaan, a town created by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1978, which is now home to around 180 Filipinos with their own mayor.
Still on the town of Kalayaan, Bolivar added, "Any visit or activity we undertake there is part and parcel of our constitutional mandate to ensure the safety, well-being, and livelihood of our citizens living in this municipality."
Bolivar was reacting to a statement made by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on the sidelines of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's inspection of 3 Chinese warships docked in his hometown, Davao City.
Referring to the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, Zhao said on Monday, May 1: "We view the occupation by the Philippine side of those islands as illegal. And so the buildings on it are also illegal."
China earlier criticized the Philippines after Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led security officials in visiting Pag-asa Island.
Duterte on Monday had defended the Philippines' plans to improve facilities in Pag-asa Island, saying it is part of the government's duty.
Still, despite the dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, Duterte is bent on boosting ties with the Asian giant and moving away from the Philippines' traditional ally, the United States.
On Monday, Duterte said his trip to 3 Chinese warships "is part really of confidence-building and goodwill – and to show that we are friends."
http://www.rappler.com/nation/168584-pag-asa-island-philippines-china-ambassador-illegal
U.S. senator threatens to block weapons sale to PNP
From Rappler (May 2): U.S. senator threatens to block weapons sale to PNP
Senator Benjamin Cardin also says he is 'deeply disturbed' by the invitation of President Donald Trump for President Rodrigo Duterte to visit the White House
US Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland threatened to block the sale of certain US weapons to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as a consequence of the "barbaric" actions of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
Cardin, along with US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, also promised to support human rights groups in the Philippines.
"Later this week, I will introduce bipartisan legislation along with Senator Rubio and several other colleagues to make it clear to President Duterte that there will be consequences for his barbaric actions, including preventing certain US weapons from being sold to the national police and supporting human rights and civil society organizations in the Republic of the Philippines," Cardin said in a statement on Monday, May 1.
A bipartisan law is one supported by both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Cardin is a Democrat while Rubio is a Republican.
The proposed bipartisan legislation comes as Duterte's war on drugs has killed at least 7,000 people, from both legitimate police operations and vigilante-style killings.
Senator Benjamin Cardin also says he is 'deeply disturbed' by the invitation of President Donald Trump for President Rodrigo Duterte to visit the White House
US Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland threatened to block the sale of certain US weapons to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as a consequence of the "barbaric" actions of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
Cardin, along with US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, also promised to support human rights groups in the Philippines.
"Later this week, I will introduce bipartisan legislation along with Senator Rubio and several other colleagues to make it clear to President Duterte that there will be consequences for his barbaric actions, including preventing certain US weapons from being sold to the national police and supporting human rights and civil society organizations in the Republic of the Philippines," Cardin said in a statement on Monday, May 1.
A bipartisan law is one supported by both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Cardin is a Democrat while Rubio is a Republican.
The proposed bipartisan legislation comes as Duterte's war on drugs has killed at least 7,000 people, from both legitimate police operations and vigilante-style killings.
Recently, controversies related to the war on drugs have again hounded the PNP.
In a rare move, 7 witnesses named a Manila policeman, Police Officer 3 Ronald Alvarez, as allegedly behind drug-related summary killings in a poor community, according to an exclusive report by Rappler.
The PNP is also under fire for a secret detention cell uncovered in Manila, linked to alleged police abuses.
'Deeply disturbed'
The reported human rights abuses in the Philippines prompted another criticism from Cardin, this time against the invitation of US President Donald Trump for Duterte to visit the White House. (READ: Duterte 'can't promise' to accept Trump invite)
The senator said: "I am deeply disturbed by President Trump's cavalier invitation to President Duterte to visit the White House. This is a man who has boasted publicly about killing his own citizens."
He explained that "ignoring human rights will not advance US interests in the Philippines or any place else," and in fact will have an opposite outcome.
"The President should immediately rescind this invitation to the White House," Cardin said.
Cardin, 73, is a ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
As early as September 2016, he has criticized Duterte's war on drugs.
In November 2016, Duterte ordered the PNP to cancel the purchase of assault rifles from a US firm. This, after Reuters reported that Cardin wants to stop the sale of more than 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines due to alleged human rights abuses.
In the same month, however, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the PNP has "the blessing of the President to continue the transaction as long as it's not barred."
In a rare move, 7 witnesses named a Manila policeman, Police Officer 3 Ronald Alvarez, as allegedly behind drug-related summary killings in a poor community, according to an exclusive report by Rappler.
The PNP is also under fire for a secret detention cell uncovered in Manila, linked to alleged police abuses.
'Deeply disturbed'
The reported human rights abuses in the Philippines prompted another criticism from Cardin, this time against the invitation of US President Donald Trump for Duterte to visit the White House. (READ: Duterte 'can't promise' to accept Trump invite)
The senator said: "I am deeply disturbed by President Trump's cavalier invitation to President Duterte to visit the White House. This is a man who has boasted publicly about killing his own citizens."
He explained that "ignoring human rights will not advance US interests in the Philippines or any place else," and in fact will have an opposite outcome.
"The President should immediately rescind this invitation to the White House," Cardin said.
Cardin, 73, is a ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
As early as September 2016, he has criticized Duterte's war on drugs.
In November 2016, Duterte ordered the PNP to cancel the purchase of assault rifles from a US firm. This, after Reuters reported that Cardin wants to stop the sale of more than 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines due to alleged human rights abuses.
In the same month, however, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the PNP has "the blessing of the President to continue the transaction as long as it's not barred."
LOOK: PH, US soldiers build classrooms in Guiuan
From Rappler (May 2): LOOK: PH, US soldiers build classrooms in Guiuan
The school building, which doubles as an evacuation center, is among the community infrastructure projects being undertaken by Philippine and US soldiers in line with the 33rd Balikatan
The school building, which doubles as an evacuation center, is among the community infrastructure projects being undertaken by Philippine and US soldiers in line with the 33rd Balikatan
NEW SCHOOLBUIILDING. US Armed Forces engineers build classrooms in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Photo by Jazmin Bonifacio
EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines – Residents of Surok village in Guiuan town are looking forward to a new school building that will also provide safe shelter for them in times of disaster.
EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines – Residents of Surok village in Guiuan town are looking forward to a new school building that will also provide safe shelter for them in times of disaster.
The construction of the two-classroom school building is under the Humanitarian Assistance Program of the 33rd Balikatan (Balikatan 33-2017), the annual Philippines-US military exercises.
US military engineers, with members of the Philippine Army, are building the classrooms, which also serves as an evacuation center, said Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales.
"We do have so many reasons to be thankful to the US Armed Forces here and the Philippine Army. The school project in barangay Surok is more than just providing better learning environment for our students here but rather ensuring the safety of the children and the community itself in times of disasters," he said.
In 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) flattened Guiuan. Gonzales called the disaster a wake-up call that steered the local government into disaster-preparedness.
"We do have so many reasons to be thankful to the US Armed Forces here and the Philippine Army. The school project in barangay Surok is more than just providing better learning environment for our students here but rather ensuring the safety of the children and the community itself in times of disasters," he said.
In 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) flattened Guiuan. Gonzales called the disaster a wake-up call that steered the local government into disaster-preparedness.
BALIKATAN 2017. US soldiers work on an evacuation site in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, as part of the Balikatan exercises. Photo by Jazmin Bonifacio
Surok village chief Gloria Ecleo said: "The education of our children here is the only thing we have. And today was different because we knew that somebody thought we were that important."
"We are so grateful for this project this will be of great help to us here in our village and this will really improve the lives of our children and also those from nearby villages," Ecleo added.
Surok village has a population of 1,487 or 368 households.
First Lieutenant Martin Meehan, commanding officer of the US Marines Engineering, Alpha Company, told Rappler that the project is part of the humanitarian component of Balikatan 33-2017, to help restore the village's structure that was destroyed by Yolanda.
Surok village chief Gloria Ecleo said: "The education of our children here is the only thing we have. And today was different because we knew that somebody thought we were that important."
"We are so grateful for this project this will be of great help to us here in our village and this will really improve the lives of our children and also those from nearby villages," Ecleo added.
Surok village has a population of 1,487 or 368 households.
First Lieutenant Martin Meehan, commanding officer of the US Marines Engineering, Alpha Company, told Rappler that the project is part of the humanitarian component of Balikatan 33-2017, to help restore the village's structure that was destroyed by Yolanda.
Meehan praised the members of the US Marines and the Philippine Army who are part of the project, saying they will learn from each other and improve interoperability among the two countries' militaries for better cooperation when future disaster strikes.
The first Balikatan under the Duterte administration will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response and counter-terrorism.
The Guiuan schoolbuilding project is among the community infrastructure projects in Panay, Leyte, and Samar being undertaken by Philippine and US soldiers ahead of the Balikatan from May 8 to 19.
The first Balikatan under the Duterte administration will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response and counter-terrorism.
The Guiuan schoolbuilding project is among the community infrastructure projects in Panay, Leyte, and Samar being undertaken by Philippine and US soldiers ahead of the Balikatan from May 8 to 19.
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