From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): CHR 7 to probe death of ASG member in Bohol
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 based here on Friday sent investigators to Bohol to start its probe on the early Friday killing of a suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member arrested in Tubigon, Bohol.
Saad Samad Kiram, alias Abu Saad, was killed three hours after he allegedly escaped from police custody.
The CHR 7 investigators will secure a copy of the official police report on Kiram’s death as part of an in-depth investigation.
CHR 7 Director Arvin Odron said it was necessary to investigate Kiram’s death because he found the circumstances surrounding his death highly questionable.
Odron said they would also ask the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an autopsy on Kiram’s body.
He said the autopsy will determine the trajectory of the bullets that hit Kiram.
The autopsy will also show whether Kiram was shot at close range and all the other details on the manner he was shot, he said.
Kiram, one of the remnants of the ASG members who entered Inabanga, Bohol, was arrested on Thursday morning in Barangay Tanawan, Tubigon town after he went out of hiding to look for food.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985378
Friday, May 5, 2017
PHL Air Force discloses identities of UH-1D crash victims
From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): PHL Air Force discloses identities of UH-1D crash victims
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has finally identified the casualties in Thursday's UH-1D helicopter crash in Tanay, Rizal that killed three personnel and severely wounded another.
The fatalities were pilot-in-command Capt. Christian Paul Litan, 30, of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas; crew Staff Sgt. Byron Tolosa, 38, of Pasay City; and gunner Airman 1st Class Joseph de Leon, 30, of Lingayen, Pangasinan, PAF spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco said.
Injured was the other command pilot, 1st Lt. Ceazar Rinas, 27, a resident of General Trias, Cavite.
"PAF head Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina immediately sent out personnel of the 505th Search and Rescue Group to conduct retrieval operations and make initial assessment regarding the incident,” Francisco added.
An investigation team will be dispatched once assessment has been made.
All UH-1D choppers in the Air Force inventory have been grounded immediately after the crash as part of their standard operating procedure.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985296
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has finally identified the casualties in Thursday's UH-1D helicopter crash in Tanay, Rizal that killed three personnel and severely wounded another.
The fatalities were pilot-in-command Capt. Christian Paul Litan, 30, of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas; crew Staff Sgt. Byron Tolosa, 38, of Pasay City; and gunner Airman 1st Class Joseph de Leon, 30, of Lingayen, Pangasinan, PAF spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco said.
Injured was the other command pilot, 1st Lt. Ceazar Rinas, 27, a resident of General Trias, Cavite.
"PAF head Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina immediately sent out personnel of the 505th Search and Rescue Group to conduct retrieval operations and make initial assessment regarding the incident,” Francisco added.
An investigation team will be dispatched once assessment has been made.
All UH-1D choppers in the Air Force inventory have been grounded immediately after the crash as part of their standard operating procedure.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985296
Useful info extracted from Abu Sayyaf bandit before his death: AFP
From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): Useful info extracted from Abu Sayyaf bandit before his death: AFP
Authorities were able to extract much information from Saad Samad Kiram, the Abu Sayyaf bandit who was arrested in Tubigon town in Bohol Thursday but was shot dead for attempting to escape his police escorts early Friday.
“When asked, Kiram volunteered valuable information about their plan, their composition (in Bohol) and their capabilities. His revelations confirmed the dissolution of the threat in the province of Bohol,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, said during an interview.
The slain bandit was a member of the 11-man team brought to Inabanga town, Bohol last April 10 by their chief Muamar Askali alias "Abu Rami" in a bid to wreak havoc on the province's affluent tourist trade.
During the government offensives last April 11 and 22, Askali and Abu Sayyaf contact Joselito Milloria were killed, along with six of their companions.
The fatalities on the government side were three troopers and one policeman, along with an elderly couple, leaving Kiram and two others straggling in the forested areas of Bohol.
With Kiram's capture and death, only two bandits remain unaccounted for, Padilla said.
Kiram was arrested by military troops last Thursday and was immediately scheduled to be detained at the district jail in Tagbilaran City as a high-profile inmate.
According to Padilla, during the transfer, the bandit claimed to have diarrhea and requested his escorts some time off to relieve himself, a request the police officers granted by stopping in Cortez town at 2 a.m. Friday.
This gave the suspect an opportunity to escape, prompting his escorts to launch a two-hour chase that ended at 4 a.m. with Kiram being shot dead for attempting to wrest away the gun of one of the pursuing police officers, Padilla said.
The incident was described as unfortunate by Central Command spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, as more information could have been extracted from the bandit.
“We were informed early this morning about the death of Saad Samad Kiram. It is unfortunate that this incident happened because we still want to know more about his group, their other plans,” he said.
Aguilar said the police treated Kiram well, feeding him and giving him ample time and space to rest.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985419
Authorities were able to extract much information from Saad Samad Kiram, the Abu Sayyaf bandit who was arrested in Tubigon town in Bohol Thursday but was shot dead for attempting to escape his police escorts early Friday.
“When asked, Kiram volunteered valuable information about their plan, their composition (in Bohol) and their capabilities. His revelations confirmed the dissolution of the threat in the province of Bohol,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, said during an interview.
The slain bandit was a member of the 11-man team brought to Inabanga town, Bohol last April 10 by their chief Muamar Askali alias "Abu Rami" in a bid to wreak havoc on the province's affluent tourist trade.
During the government offensives last April 11 and 22, Askali and Abu Sayyaf contact Joselito Milloria were killed, along with six of their companions.
The fatalities on the government side were three troopers and one policeman, along with an elderly couple, leaving Kiram and two others straggling in the forested areas of Bohol.
With Kiram's capture and death, only two bandits remain unaccounted for, Padilla said.
Kiram was arrested by military troops last Thursday and was immediately scheduled to be detained at the district jail in Tagbilaran City as a high-profile inmate.
According to Padilla, during the transfer, the bandit claimed to have diarrhea and requested his escorts some time off to relieve himself, a request the police officers granted by stopping in Cortez town at 2 a.m. Friday.
This gave the suspect an opportunity to escape, prompting his escorts to launch a two-hour chase that ended at 4 a.m. with Kiram being shot dead for attempting to wrest away the gun of one of the pursuing police officers, Padilla said.
The incident was described as unfortunate by Central Command spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, as more information could have been extracted from the bandit.
“We were informed early this morning about the death of Saad Samad Kiram. It is unfortunate that this incident happened because we still want to know more about his group, their other plans,” he said.
Aguilar said the police treated Kiram well, feeding him and giving him ample time and space to rest.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985419
PHL Air Force chief wants probe on UH-1D crash in Tanay, Rizal
From the Philippine News Agency (May 5): PHL Air Force chief wants probe on UH-1D crash in Tanay, Rizal
Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief, Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, has ordered an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash of the UH-1D combat utility helicopter in Tanay, Rizal that killed three of his men and severely wounded another on Thursday.
Fallorina also ordered the immediate grounding of the remaining five UH-1Ds in PAF service following the crash at Sitio Hilltop, Barangay Sampaloc at about 3 p.m. of May 4.
“The PAF has already sent a probe team to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, as well as to inspect other UH-1D helicopters as per standard operating procedure,” PAF spokesperson, Col. Antonio Francisco, said.
The UH-1D with tail number 8469, piloted by Capt. Christian Paul Titan along with co-pilot 1st Lt. Ceazar Rimas, was executing landing procedures when it crash-landed and went up in flames.
The mishap killed Titan, the pilot-in-command and of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas; helicopter gunner, Airman 1st Class Joseph de Leon of Lingayen, Pangasinan; and Air Force crew chief, Sgt. Byron Tolosa, of Barangay Villamor, Pasay City.
The retrieved bodies of the fallen airmen were brought to Villamor Air Base for a sendoff honor Friday with their respective families.
Meanwhile, Rimas, lone survivor of the mishap, is stable but in guarded condition at the Armed Forces of the Philippine-Medical Center (AFP-MC) in V. Luna, Quezon City.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985423
Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief, Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, has ordered an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash of the UH-1D combat utility helicopter in Tanay, Rizal that killed three of his men and severely wounded another on Thursday.
Fallorina also ordered the immediate grounding of the remaining five UH-1Ds in PAF service following the crash at Sitio Hilltop, Barangay Sampaloc at about 3 p.m. of May 4.
“The PAF has already sent a probe team to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, as well as to inspect other UH-1D helicopters as per standard operating procedure,” PAF spokesperson, Col. Antonio Francisco, said.
The UH-1D with tail number 8469, piloted by Capt. Christian Paul Titan along with co-pilot 1st Lt. Ceazar Rimas, was executing landing procedures when it crash-landed and went up in flames.
The mishap killed Titan, the pilot-in-command and of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas; helicopter gunner, Airman 1st Class Joseph de Leon of Lingayen, Pangasinan; and Air Force crew chief, Sgt. Byron Tolosa, of Barangay Villamor, Pasay City.
The retrieved bodies of the fallen airmen were brought to Villamor Air Base for a sendoff honor Friday with their respective families.
Meanwhile, Rimas, lone survivor of the mishap, is stable but in guarded condition at the Armed Forces of the Philippine-Medical Center (AFP-MC) in V. Luna, Quezon City.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985423
Thursday, May 4, 2017
NPA rebel dies in Zamboanga del Sur clash
From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (May 4): NPA rebel dies in Zamboanga del Sur clash
A NEW People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash with government troops in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the military reported on Thursday, May 4.
A NEW People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in a clash with government troops in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the military reported on Thursday, May 4.
Lieutenant Colonel Virgilio Hamos, Jr., commander of the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion, said the clash ensued around 12:40 p.m., Wednesday, at Sitio Sirawag in the village of Lison Valley, Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur province.
Hamos said the troops from his battalion’s Charlie Company led by First Lieutenant Roderick Alcantara were conducting security patrol when they clashed with the NPA rebels led by a certain Ka Marlon.
Hamos said the clash, which lasted for about 15 minutes, resulted to the death of a follower of Ka Marlon, who belong to the Seksyon Yunit Pangpropaganda-KARA (SYP-KARA) of the NPA’s Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC).
He said Marlon’s group fled to the hinterlands leaving behind the cadaver of their slain comrade.
He said the troops recovered from the slain NPA rebel, who remain unidentified, were fragmentation grenade, NPA flag, two mobile phones, ammunition for 12-guage shotgun, NPA uniform and subversive documents of high-intelligence value.
“The position of the grenade strongly indicates they tried to make the cadaver of their slain comrade as booby trap to inflict injuries to the troops,” he added.
The troops sustained no casualty during the firefight.
NPA rebel surrenders in Kalinga
From ABS-CBN (May 4): NPA rebel surrenders in Kalinga
An active member of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Mountain Province surrendered to the battalion commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade in Tabuk City.
According to Colonel Leopoldo Imbang, the rebel identified only by his pseudonym, "Eddie," voluntarily surrendered last Monday afternoon.
"Eddie" was an active member of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla Marco before deciding to quit the armed struggle.
He also turned over a caliber .30 carbine rifle, magazine, and 9 pieces of ammunition.
He said the decision to surrender was because of frustration.
“The things that they are doing, terrifying the people of Mountain Province, are not humane,” Eddie said in the vernacular.
Major General Paul Atal expressed delight over Eddie’s surrender.
“Your decision to renew your life is a manifestation that the communist terrorists bring nothing but misery to the lives of their members and the community,” Atal told Eddie.
Atal also encouraged other rebels to surrender and return to their community.
Meanwhile, Imbang assured Eddie that he will receive all the benefits intended for surrenderers under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/17/npa-rebel-surrenders-in-kalinga
An active member of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Mountain Province surrendered to the battalion commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade in Tabuk City.
According to Colonel Leopoldo Imbang, the rebel identified only by his pseudonym, "Eddie," voluntarily surrendered last Monday afternoon.
"Eddie" was an active member of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla Marco before deciding to quit the armed struggle.
He also turned over a caliber .30 carbine rifle, magazine, and 9 pieces of ammunition.
He said the decision to surrender was because of frustration.
“The things that they are doing, terrifying the people of Mountain Province, are not humane,” Eddie said in the vernacular.
Major General Paul Atal expressed delight over Eddie’s surrender.
“Your decision to renew your life is a manifestation that the communist terrorists bring nothing but misery to the lives of their members and the community,” Atal told Eddie.
Atal also encouraged other rebels to surrender and return to their community.
Meanwhile, Imbang assured Eddie that he will receive all the benefits intended for surrenderers under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/17/npa-rebel-surrenders-in-kalinga
NPA rebel slain, 2 others surrender in Pagadian
From the Manila Times (May 5): NPA rebel slain, 2 others surrender in Pagadian
A communist rebel was killed in a clash with government troops in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday while two others surrendered in Sindangan town in Zamboanga del Norte.
Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, identified the slain New People’s Army (NPA) rebel as Diego Becsala, whose group clashed with members of the 53rd Infantry Battalion in Lisson Valley.
Troops recovered from Becsala a hand grenade and a flag of the rebel group.
In another report, soldiers captured a rebel who was wounded in the fighting in Lisson Valley, led by 1st Lt. Roderick Alcantara after a clash with at least 15 rebels.
Police did not identify the captured rebel. Two NPA members – Christopher Saplid and Joliber Candao – surrendered to the 44th Infantry Battalion in a village in Sindangan.
http://www.manilatimes.net/npa-rebel-slain-2-others-surrender-pagadian/325470/
A communist rebel was killed in a clash with government troops in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday while two others surrendered in Sindangan town in Zamboanga del Norte.
Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, identified the slain New People’s Army (NPA) rebel as Diego Becsala, whose group clashed with members of the 53rd Infantry Battalion in Lisson Valley.
Troops recovered from Becsala a hand grenade and a flag of the rebel group.
In another report, soldiers captured a rebel who was wounded in the fighting in Lisson Valley, led by 1st Lt. Roderick Alcantara after a clash with at least 15 rebels.
Police did not identify the captured rebel. Two NPA members – Christopher Saplid and Joliber Candao – surrendered to the 44th Infantry Battalion in a village in Sindangan.
http://www.manilatimes.net/npa-rebel-slain-2-others-surrender-pagadian/325470/
Army, NPA clash in Pagadian; 1 dead
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 5): Army, NPA clash in Pagadian; 1 dead
In a report, the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division said the clash took place in Barangay Lisson Valley past 12 p.m.
The military said the slain rebel was identified only by his surname, Becsala.
Soldiers found Becsala’s body with a hand grenade, a communist flag and documents after the clash, the military said.
Soldiers belonging to the 531st Battalion, under the 103rd Brigade, clashed with at least 15 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) led by a certain Marlon in Pagadian City.
According to the military report, Becsala, alias “Ka Diego,” was killed during the clash, which lasted for about 15 minutes.
The rebels withdrew to different directions, leaving behind Becsala’s body.
In another report, the military claimed that two members of the NPA’s Mobile Regional Guerrilla Unit, of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, surrendered to soldiers in Zamboanga del Sur.
Brig. Gen. Rolando Bautista, Tabak Division commander, said the military welcomed NPA rebels who “want to return to the folds of the law and live a normal life.”
He said for rebels who continued to fight, “there will be no letup in focused military operations.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/894491/army-npa-clash-in-pagadian-1-dead
In a report, the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division said the clash took place in Barangay Lisson Valley past 12 p.m.
The military said the slain rebel was identified only by his surname, Becsala.
Soldiers found Becsala’s body with a hand grenade, a communist flag and documents after the clash, the military said.
Soldiers belonging to the 531st Battalion, under the 103rd Brigade, clashed with at least 15 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) led by a certain Marlon in Pagadian City.
According to the military report, Becsala, alias “Ka Diego,” was killed during the clash, which lasted for about 15 minutes.
The rebels withdrew to different directions, leaving behind Becsala’s body.
In another report, the military claimed that two members of the NPA’s Mobile Regional Guerrilla Unit, of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, surrendered to soldiers in Zamboanga del Sur.
Brig. Gen. Rolando Bautista, Tabak Division commander, said the military welcomed NPA rebels who “want to return to the folds of the law and live a normal life.”
He said for rebels who continued to fight, “there will be no letup in focused military operations.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/894491/army-npa-clash-in-pagadian-1-dead
Top official of CPP/NPA in Region 2 captured
From the Manila Bulletin (May 5): Top official of CPP/NPA in Region 2 captured
The highest ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CNN) in Region 2 was apprehended Thursday (May 4) afternoon in Penablanca, Cagayan province, by joint operatives of 17th Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army in Cagayan ,Intelligence Support Unit, 5th ID of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police.
David Soriano (MANILA BULLETIN)
The Philippine Army said David Soriano, Regional Secretary, Komiteng Rehiyon ng Hilagang Silangan ng Luzon of the CNN’s Northern Front, was captured at Barangay Camasi, Penablanca, Cagayan. Arrested with Soriano was Jude Malana Cipriano, driver of their van, with plate no. WML500.
They were traversing the provincial road in Penablanca when intercepted by the joint police and military operatives who were tailing them.
Confiscated from them were two 9mm pistols, which were found to be PNP – issued properties; one fragmentation grenade; one rifle grenade and various subversive documents.
David Soriano is Cagayan Valley’s most wanted person and believed to be involved in several high-profile crimes in the region. Police Regional office said Soriano was the mastermind in the ambush of police personnel in Baggao in February 2016 during which six policemen, who were on their way to investigate CNN atrocities in Baggao, were killed while 10 others were wounded.
Soriano was also the principal suspect in the murder of Gonzaga, Cagayan, Mayor Carlito Pentecostes Jr in 2015.
Meanwhile, in what was deemed a diversionary tactic by the CNN in the region, at least 30 rebels attacked a police sub-station in nearby Amulung town in Cagayan, almost simultaneously with the arrest of Soriano.
The armed men took away four M16s and two PNP-issued 9mm pistols. The armed men also burned the police Mahindra patrol vehicle before escaping.
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/05/top-official-of-cppnpa-in-region-2-captured/
The highest ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CNN) in Region 2 was apprehended Thursday (May 4) afternoon in Penablanca, Cagayan province, by joint operatives of 17th Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army in Cagayan ,Intelligence Support Unit, 5th ID of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police.
David Soriano (MANILA BULLETIN)
The Philippine Army said David Soriano, Regional Secretary, Komiteng Rehiyon ng Hilagang Silangan ng Luzon of the CNN’s Northern Front, was captured at Barangay Camasi, Penablanca, Cagayan. Arrested with Soriano was Jude Malana Cipriano, driver of their van, with plate no. WML500.
They were traversing the provincial road in Penablanca when intercepted by the joint police and military operatives who were tailing them.
Confiscated from them were two 9mm pistols, which were found to be PNP – issued properties; one fragmentation grenade; one rifle grenade and various subversive documents.
David Soriano is Cagayan Valley’s most wanted person and believed to be involved in several high-profile crimes in the region. Police Regional office said Soriano was the mastermind in the ambush of police personnel in Baggao in February 2016 during which six policemen, who were on their way to investigate CNN atrocities in Baggao, were killed while 10 others were wounded.
Soriano was also the principal suspect in the murder of Gonzaga, Cagayan, Mayor Carlito Pentecostes Jr in 2015.
Meanwhile, in what was deemed a diversionary tactic by the CNN in the region, at least 30 rebels attacked a police sub-station in nearby Amulung town in Cagayan, almost simultaneously with the arrest of Soriano.
The armed men took away four M16s and two PNP-issued 9mm pistols. The armed men also burned the police Mahindra patrol vehicle before escaping.
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/05/05/top-official-of-cppnpa-in-region-2-captured/
Arrested Abu Sayyaf member gave vital info on group's plan –officials
From GMA News (May 4): Arrested Abu Sayyaf member gave vital info on group's plan –officials
Authorities on Thursday said the suspected Abu Sayyaf member arrested in Bohol had given them vital information regarding the group's plan in the province.
The suspect was identified as Saad Samad Kiram, 36, a resident of Tulayan, Luuk, Sulu.
He was nabbed around 7 a.m. in Barangay Tanawan, Tubigon, Bohol, by the combined police, military, and village security forces.
"When asked, Samad volunteered valuable informations about their plan, composition and capabilities. His revelations confirm [sic] the dissolution of the threat in the Province of Bohol," a joint military-police statement said.
The statement was shared by Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Restituto Padilla.
It said Saad, weakened by hunger and exhaustion, was easily subdued by the arresting team who responded to the information provided by a tipster. Seized in his possession are a cal. 45 pistol with two magazines, a hand grenade, a cellphone, and personal belongings.
It was Saad who was the subject of “rescue” operation by Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza and Abu Sayyaf member Renoor Lou Dongon. Nobleza and Dongon were arrested in April and are now detained in Camp Crame.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/609540/arrested-abu-sayyaf-member-gave-vital-info-on-group-s-plan-officials/story/
Authorities on Thursday said the suspected Abu Sayyaf member arrested in Bohol had given them vital information regarding the group's plan in the province.
The suspect was identified as Saad Samad Kiram, 36, a resident of Tulayan, Luuk, Sulu.
He was nabbed around 7 a.m. in Barangay Tanawan, Tubigon, Bohol, by the combined police, military, and village security forces.
"When asked, Samad volunteered valuable informations about their plan, composition and capabilities. His revelations confirm [sic] the dissolution of the threat in the Province of Bohol," a joint military-police statement said.
The statement was shared by Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Restituto Padilla.
It said Saad, weakened by hunger and exhaustion, was easily subdued by the arresting team who responded to the information provided by a tipster. Seized in his possession are a cal. 45 pistol with two magazines, a hand grenade, a cellphone, and personal belongings.
It was Saad who was the subject of “rescue” operation by Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza and Abu Sayyaf member Renoor Lou Dongon. Nobleza and Dongon were arrested in April and are now detained in Camp Crame.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/609540/arrested-abu-sayyaf-member-gave-vital-info-on-group-s-plan-officials/story/
Number of Abu Sayyaf intruders in Bohol down to 2 after Saad’s death
From GMA News (May 5): Number of Abu Sayyaf intruders in Bohol down to 2 after Saad’s death
Authorities are now searching for just two wounded Abu Sayyaf members in Bohol province, after the death of Saad Samad Kiram alias Abu Saad, a police official said Friday.
"May dalawa pa according to Saad pero parehong may sugat," Region 7 police director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño said in a text message to GMA News Online when asked if there are other bandits they are hunting down on tourist island province of Bohol.
Saad was killed earlier in the day as he was trying to escape while being transported to the Bohol District Jail (BDJ).
Taliño said Saad was supposed to be temporarily transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology's BDJ. At about 2:30 a.m., after his interrogation at the Bohol Provincial Police Office.
Along the way nagpaalam, magdumi at nag-LBM (loose bowel movement), medyo malayo pa ang jail (kaya) pinayagan but he tried escaped," the police chief said in a text message.
He said the police looked for Saad for two hours after he disappeared.
"Nag-hot pursuit pa for two hours, madilim sa area," he said.
He said Saad suddenly emerged around 4:30 a.m. and tried to grab the firearm of one of his police escorts, and that it was during the grappling that Saad was shot.
"Around 4:30 a.m. Nag-attempt agawan ang isang tropa ng baril, kaya nag-agawan, nabaril," he said.
Saad was arrested Thursday in Tubigon, Bohol.
In a joint statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP said they gathered important information from Saad.
"When asked, Saad volunteered valuable information about their plan, composition and capabilities. His revelations confirm the dissolution of the threat in the Province of Bohol," the statement read.
Saad was the subject of a foiled "rescue operation" launched by Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza and her lover Renoor Lou Dongon.
But police arrested the couple last month as they tried implement the rescue mission.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/609592/number-of-abu-sayyaf-intruders-in-bohol-down-to-2-after-saad-s-death/story/
Authorities are now searching for just two wounded Abu Sayyaf members in Bohol province, after the death of Saad Samad Kiram alias Abu Saad, a police official said Friday.
"May dalawa pa according to Saad pero parehong may sugat," Region 7 police director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño said in a text message to GMA News Online when asked if there are other bandits they are hunting down on tourist island province of Bohol.
Saad was killed earlier in the day as he was trying to escape while being transported to the Bohol District Jail (BDJ).
Taliño said Saad was supposed to be temporarily transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology's BDJ. At about 2:30 a.m., after his interrogation at the Bohol Provincial Police Office.
Along the way nagpaalam, magdumi at nag-LBM (loose bowel movement), medyo malayo pa ang jail (kaya) pinayagan but he tried escaped," the police chief said in a text message.
He said the police looked for Saad for two hours after he disappeared.
"Nag-hot pursuit pa for two hours, madilim sa area," he said.
He said Saad suddenly emerged around 4:30 a.m. and tried to grab the firearm of one of his police escorts, and that it was during the grappling that Saad was shot.
"Around 4:30 a.m. Nag-attempt agawan ang isang tropa ng baril, kaya nag-agawan, nabaril," he said.
Saad was arrested Thursday in Tubigon, Bohol.
In a joint statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP said they gathered important information from Saad.
"When asked, Saad volunteered valuable information about their plan, composition and capabilities. His revelations confirm the dissolution of the threat in the Province of Bohol," the statement read.
Saad was the subject of a foiled "rescue operation" launched by Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza and her lover Renoor Lou Dongon.
But police arrested the couple last month as they tried implement the rescue mission.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/609592/number-of-abu-sayyaf-intruders-in-bohol-down-to-2-after-saad-s-death/story/
Abu Sayyaf member killed in Bohol hours after escaping – police
From CNN Philippines (May 5): Abu Sayyaf member killed in Bohol hours after escaping – police
An arrested Abu Sayyaf member was killed Friday morning in Bohol, more than two hours after he allegedly escaped authorities.
Police said Saad Samad Kiram, 36, managed to escape at around 2:30 a.m. while on their way to the Bohol District Jail in Tagbilaran City, where he was supposed to be detained. He was initially held at the Bohol Provincial Police Office (PPO) for questioning.
After around two hours of pursuit operation, police killed Saad because he "fought back," Bohol PPO Director Felipe Natividad told CNN Philippines.
Saad was brought to the provincial hospital but was declared dead on arrival at around 5 a.m., Natividad added.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Noli Taliño told CNN Philippines he ordered the provincial police to investigate the attempted escape.
Initial reports show Saad asked to use the restroom but ran away instead. At around 4:30 a.m. he attempted to snatch a gun from one of the policemen, which resulted in his death, Taliño said.
Saad was arrested in Barangay Tanawan, Tubigon, Bohol at around 7 a.m. on Thursday.
He was among the Abu Sayyaf members who sneaked into Bohol last Holy Week, and engaged in deadly firefights with government forces.
Authorities are still hunting down two more Abu Sayyaf members in Bohol, who according to Saad were wounded.
Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza, who married Abu Sayyaf bomb expert Reneer Lou Dongon, earlier claimed they were attempting to rescue a certain "Saad" in an attempt to gain the rebel group's trust and extract information for the government.
http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2017/05/05/Abu-Sayyaf-Saad-Samad-Kiram-Bohol-escape-killed.html
An arrested Abu Sayyaf member was killed Friday morning in Bohol, more than two hours after he allegedly escaped authorities.
Police said Saad Samad Kiram, 36, managed to escape at around 2:30 a.m. while on their way to the Bohol District Jail in Tagbilaran City, where he was supposed to be detained. He was initially held at the Bohol Provincial Police Office (PPO) for questioning.
After around two hours of pursuit operation, police killed Saad because he "fought back," Bohol PPO Director Felipe Natividad told CNN Philippines.
Saad was brought to the provincial hospital but was declared dead on arrival at around 5 a.m., Natividad added.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Noli Taliño told CNN Philippines he ordered the provincial police to investigate the attempted escape.
Initial reports show Saad asked to use the restroom but ran away instead. At around 4:30 a.m. he attempted to snatch a gun from one of the policemen, which resulted in his death, Taliño said.
Saad was arrested in Barangay Tanawan, Tubigon, Bohol at around 7 a.m. on Thursday.
He was among the Abu Sayyaf members who sneaked into Bohol last Holy Week, and engaged in deadly firefights with government forces.
Authorities are still hunting down two more Abu Sayyaf members in Bohol, who according to Saad were wounded.
Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza, who married Abu Sayyaf bomb expert Reneer Lou Dongon, earlier claimed they were attempting to rescue a certain "Saad" in an attempt to gain the rebel group's trust and extract information for the government.
http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2017/05/05/Abu-Sayyaf-Saad-Samad-Kiram-Bohol-escape-killed.html
Carpio hopes e-book on disputed seas reaches Chinese audience
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 5): Carpio hopes e-book on disputed seas reaches Chinese audience
From left, Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Mel Velasco Velarde and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario unveil the original copy of the 1734 Murillo-Velarde Map which shows the disputed Spratlys group of islands and the Scarborough Shoal during the launching of his e-book titled “The South China Sea Dispute: Philippine Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea” in the financial district of Makati city east of Manila, Philippines, Thursday, May 4, 2017. A Philippine Supreme Court justice launched a book on Thursday that questions China’s historic claims to most of the South China Sea and said he will distribute it online to try to overcome China’s censorship and reach its people. AP PHOTO
Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio launched a book on Thursday that questions China’s historic claims to most of the South China Sea and said he will distribute it online to try to overcome China’s censorship and reach its people.
Carpio said his e-book can be downloaded for free in English now and will be made available later in Mandarin, Vietnamese, Bahasa, Japanese and Spanish to help more people understand the basis of the Philippines’ stand against China’s territorial claims.
Carpio said public opinion, including in China, can help pressure Beijing to comply with an arbitration ruling last year that invalidated China’s historic claims based on a 1982 maritime treaty. Carpio helped prepare the arbitration case, which the Philippines largely won.
China has dismissed the ruling and continued to develop seven artificial islands in the South China Sea’s Spratly archipelago. China’s construction of the islands on disputed reefs has alarmed rival claimants and the United States.
“This book in its printed form can never be distributed in China. It will be banned,” Carpio said at the launch of his book in Manila. “The only way this e-book can reach the Chinese people is in electronic format through the internet.”
“I believe that like all other people of the world, the Chinese people are inherently good, but their government has drilled into their minds that they own the South China Sea since 2,000 years ago. This is, of course, utterly false and the world will never accept this,” he said.
Chinese Embassy officials were not immediately available for comment.
In the book, titled “The South China Sea Dispute: Philippine Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” Carpio uses old maps, photographs, excerpts from the arbitration ruling, Chinese government statements and documents to question the validity of China’s claims.
Former Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, who spearheaded the filing of the arbitration case against China in 2013, praised Carpio for promoting the rule of law and how that worked well for a small country standing up to a superpower, saying “international law is the great equalizer.” He gave a speech at the launch of Carpio’s book and said they stood together with most Filipinos in agreement that international rule of law applied to all.
Carpio’s studies on the South China Sea disputes are not part of his work on the Supreme Court. He said he asked the court’s permission in 2015 to give lectures in 17 countries to explain the territorial conflicts, which many fear could become Asia’s next flashpoint.
Carpio warns in the book that China may be planning to build more island outposts at Luconia Shoal off Malaysia and Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines.
If it constructs an island base at Scarborough, China would have enough radar coverage of the South China Sea to be able to impose an air defense identification zone similar to what it did a few years ago in the East Sea in a region where it has territorial rifts with Japan, he said.
China and the Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have overlapping claims to parts or all of the South China Sea that straddle busy sea lanes and are believed to be atop undersea deposits of oil and gas.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/156106/carpio-hopes-e-book-disputed-seas-reaches-chinese-audience
From left, Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Mel Velasco Velarde and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario unveil the original copy of the 1734 Murillo-Velarde Map which shows the disputed Spratlys group of islands and the Scarborough Shoal during the launching of his e-book titled “The South China Sea Dispute: Philippine Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea” in the financial district of Makati city east of Manila, Philippines, Thursday, May 4, 2017. A Philippine Supreme Court justice launched a book on Thursday that questions China’s historic claims to most of the South China Sea and said he will distribute it online to try to overcome China’s censorship and reach its people. AP PHOTO
Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio launched a book on Thursday that questions China’s historic claims to most of the South China Sea and said he will distribute it online to try to overcome China’s censorship and reach its people.
Carpio said his e-book can be downloaded for free in English now and will be made available later in Mandarin, Vietnamese, Bahasa, Japanese and Spanish to help more people understand the basis of the Philippines’ stand against China’s territorial claims.
Carpio said public opinion, including in China, can help pressure Beijing to comply with an arbitration ruling last year that invalidated China’s historic claims based on a 1982 maritime treaty. Carpio helped prepare the arbitration case, which the Philippines largely won.
China has dismissed the ruling and continued to develop seven artificial islands in the South China Sea’s Spratly archipelago. China’s construction of the islands on disputed reefs has alarmed rival claimants and the United States.
“This book in its printed form can never be distributed in China. It will be banned,” Carpio said at the launch of his book in Manila. “The only way this e-book can reach the Chinese people is in electronic format through the internet.”
“I believe that like all other people of the world, the Chinese people are inherently good, but their government has drilled into their minds that they own the South China Sea since 2,000 years ago. This is, of course, utterly false and the world will never accept this,” he said.
Chinese Embassy officials were not immediately available for comment.
In the book, titled “The South China Sea Dispute: Philippine Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” Carpio uses old maps, photographs, excerpts from the arbitration ruling, Chinese government statements and documents to question the validity of China’s claims.
Former Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, who spearheaded the filing of the arbitration case against China in 2013, praised Carpio for promoting the rule of law and how that worked well for a small country standing up to a superpower, saying “international law is the great equalizer.” He gave a speech at the launch of Carpio’s book and said they stood together with most Filipinos in agreement that international rule of law applied to all.
Carpio’s studies on the South China Sea disputes are not part of his work on the Supreme Court. He said he asked the court’s permission in 2015 to give lectures in 17 countries to explain the territorial conflicts, which many fear could become Asia’s next flashpoint.
Carpio warns in the book that China may be planning to build more island outposts at Luconia Shoal off Malaysia and Scarborough Shoal off the northwestern Philippines.
If it constructs an island base at Scarborough, China would have enough radar coverage of the South China Sea to be able to impose an air defense identification zone similar to what it did a few years ago in the East Sea in a region where it has territorial rifts with Japan, he said.
China and the Philippines, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have overlapping claims to parts or all of the South China Sea that straddle busy sea lanes and are believed to be atop undersea deposits of oil and gas.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/156106/carpio-hopes-e-book-disputed-seas-reaches-chinese-audience
2 suspected NPA rebels nabbed at checkpoint in Cagayan
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 5): 2 suspected NPA rebels nabbed at checkpoint in Cagayan
Two suspected members of the New People’s Army operating in Cagayan province were caught at a checkpoint on Thursday afternoon at Penablanca town, according to a report from the Philippine Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion.
David Soriano, allegedly the secretary-general of the NPA Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Hilagang Silangang, and an unidentified companion, were detained by the police and soldiers in connection with the death of a Cagayan mayor in 2014, said Lt. Col. Rembert Baylosis, 17th Infantry Battalion commander.
Soriano was charged in court as one of 8 armed men who shot dead Mayor Carlito Pentecostes Jr. on April 21, 2014 during a flag raising ceremony at the Gonzaga town hall. The communist rebels had issued a statement admitting they were behind the attack.
Soriano was also seen in footage recorded by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the Gonzaga town hall grounds, the army claims.
He was also among the 69 people charged for the abduction and murder of Privates First Class Victor Balao and Jayson Tugao, and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member Jayson Santor at the Zinundungan Valley at Rizal town in Cagayan province on July 2, 2015.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/894521/2-suspected-npa-rebels-nabbed-at-checkpoint-in-cagayan
Two suspected members of the New People’s Army operating in Cagayan province were caught at a checkpoint on Thursday afternoon at Penablanca town, according to a report from the Philippine Army’s 17th Infantry Battalion.
David Soriano, allegedly the secretary-general of the NPA Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Hilagang Silangang, and an unidentified companion, were detained by the police and soldiers in connection with the death of a Cagayan mayor in 2014, said Lt. Col. Rembert Baylosis, 17th Infantry Battalion commander.
Soriano was charged in court as one of 8 armed men who shot dead Mayor Carlito Pentecostes Jr. on April 21, 2014 during a flag raising ceremony at the Gonzaga town hall. The communist rebels had issued a statement admitting they were behind the attack.
Soriano was also seen in footage recorded by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the Gonzaga town hall grounds, the army claims.
He was also among the 69 people charged for the abduction and murder of Privates First Class Victor Balao and Jayson Tugao, and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member Jayson Santor at the Zinundungan Valley at Rizal town in Cagayan province on July 2, 2015.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/894521/2-suspected-npa-rebels-nabbed-at-checkpoint-in-cagayan
NPA attacks police outpost in Cagayan as cops nab rebel leader
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 5): NPA attacks police outpost in Cagayan as cops nab rebel leader
About 30 armed men on Thursday attacked a police outpost at Amulung town in Cagayan province right after government forces arrested an alleged rebel leader in the town of Peñablanca.
In a report, Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, Cagayan Valley police director, said the group of New People’s Army rebels stormed the police post in Annafatan village at 5:45 p.m., and seized four M16 rifles and two 9mm pistols from police personnel stationed there.
They also reportedly burned the station’s Mahindra police patrol vehicle.
No one was reported hurt in the attack, which was staged four days after about 70 armed rebels raided the police station in Maddela town, killing a police officer.
Rasco said the attack on the Amulung police outpost was the rebels’ “diversionary move” following the arrest of David Soriano, an alleged rebel leader, in Barangay (village) Camasi in Peñablanca, also on Thursday afternoon.
Soriano and his driver, Jude Cipriano, were flagged down while on board a Starex van at a checkpoint.
READ: 2 suspected NPA rebels nabbed at checkpoint in Cagayan
The police did not say whether Soriano was arrested by virtue of a standing warrant, but said he is the main suspect in the ambush-slay of six policemen in Baggao last year, and the killing of Gonzaga mayor Carlito Pentecostes, Jr. in 2014.
Soriano and his companion were detained at the Peñablanca police station and were later transferred to the Cagayan police office in Tuguegarao City.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/894523/npa-attacks-police-outpost-in-cagayan-as-cops-nab-rebel-leader
About 30 armed men on Thursday attacked a police outpost at Amulung town in Cagayan province right after government forces arrested an alleged rebel leader in the town of Peñablanca.
In a report, Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, Cagayan Valley police director, said the group of New People’s Army rebels stormed the police post in Annafatan village at 5:45 p.m., and seized four M16 rifles and two 9mm pistols from police personnel stationed there.
They also reportedly burned the station’s Mahindra police patrol vehicle.
Rasco said the attack on the Amulung police outpost was the rebels’ “diversionary move” following the arrest of David Soriano, an alleged rebel leader, in Barangay (village) Camasi in Peñablanca, also on Thursday afternoon.
Soriano and his driver, Jude Cipriano, were flagged down while on board a Starex van at a checkpoint.
READ: 2 suspected NPA rebels nabbed at checkpoint in Cagayan
The police did not say whether Soriano was arrested by virtue of a standing warrant, but said he is the main suspect in the ambush-slay of six policemen in Baggao last year, and the killing of Gonzaga mayor Carlito Pentecostes, Jr. in 2014.
Soriano and his companion were detained at the Peñablanca police station and were later transferred to the Cagayan police office in Tuguegarao City.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/894523/npa-attacks-police-outpost-in-cagayan-as-cops-nab-rebel-leader
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)