From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 22): Bayan airs 20-point ‘people's demands'
The militant group, Bayan Negros, and its allies yesterday aired their 20-point urgent people's demands for President Rodrigo Duterte who is delivering his state of the nation address on Monday, which include a call for continued peace talks with the National Democratic Front and the lifting of Martial Law in Mindanao.
Christian Tuayon, Bayan Negros secretary general, said about 3,000 persons will join a “SONA ng Bayan” at the Bacolod Public Plaza Monday afternoon to air their demands as Duterte delivers his SONA at the BatasangPambansa, saying he has failed to deliver on many of his promises.
It has been a year since a people's summit presented to the president a comprehensive “people's agenda for nationalist and progressive change”, which included national industrialization, the peace talks, an independent foreign policy, expanded social services, respect for human rights and measures against corruption, he said.
However, Tuayon said many of these proposals have not been addressed by government, and some have even been rejected.
“We are still far off from the change promised by the president. Most alarming is the administration's dangerous drift to the right,” a Bayan statement released at a press conference yesterday added.
It said the 20-point people's demands are:
*The continuation of the 5 th and succeeding rounds of formal peace talks with the NDF without any preconditions, and the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms within the year;
*The lifting of martial law in Mindanao and a stop to aerial bombings in Marawi and other parts of the country;
*The freeing of all political prisoners as a matter of justice and in compliance with government's obligations to the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law;
*The recall of Department of Labor and Employment Order No.174 and,in cooperation with other labor groups, the issuance of an executive order that would prohibit all forms of labor contracting;
*Support for labor's demand for a national minimum wage of P750 a day, and the certifying of measures in Congress to set the basic salary of government employees at P16,000 a month;
*Certifying as urgent measures in Congress to reduce income taxes for rank and file employees ahead of any other measure that seeks to raise taxes on basic goods and services;
*The issuance of an executive order for a 2-year moratorium on the conversion of agricultural lands recommended by the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council;
* The provision for freeNational Irrigation Authority services as well as irrigation subsidies to small farmers nationwide;
*An order for all state colleges and universities to implement a “No tuition policy” starting this school year;
*The distribution of about 50,000 idle AFP and PNP housing units nationwide to the homeless with basic facilities for electricity, water and sanitation;
*Issuance of an executive order to stop the further privatization of public hospitals;
*The prohibition of the participation of American troops and their private military contractors in military operations inMarawi and other parts of the country;
*A halt to the implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and the cancellation of the remaining military exercises set for this year under the VFA;
*Orders forthe PNP and AFP to stop the extrajudicial killings;
*Pull out the military and AFP-backed paramilitary groups from Lumad communities in Mindanao and the safe return of evacuees to their communities;
*Overhaul of the Philippine National Police to weed out corrupt and abusive police personnel;
*The implementation of closure and suspension orders of former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez against erring mining companies;
*Asserting through diplomatic means the Philippines sovereign rights over the West Philippines Sea;
*Overhauling the Energy Regulatory Commission and prosecute its commissioner and officials who have connived with industry players in burdening the consumers; and
*Ensuring the Commission on Appointments' confirmation of Secretaries Judy Taguiwaloand Rafael Mariano to their posts.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/July/22/topstory5.htm
Saturday, July 22, 2017
‘NPA terrorizing Negros'
From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 22): ‘NPA terrorizing Negros'
The New People's Army is bent on terrorizing Negros Island Region, Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 3rd Infantry Division commander said yesterday.
Six policemen and a civilian died yesterday in separate attacks initiated by the New People's Army in Sitio Gi-ob, Brgy. Magsaysay, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. Three policemen and two civilians were also hurt, military records showed.
Aying said the attempt of the NPA to kill Guihulngan City Councilor Eddie Dela Rita and the inhumane killing of the six policemen and a civilian is a clear manifestation of their true intent of terrorizing the Negros Island, to prove that peace and development is far from realization.
Col. Eliezer Losañes, commanding officer of the 303 rd Infantry Brigade, said “this barbaric act will not go unpunished”.
“We will continue to conduct pursuit operation to give justice to our law enforcers who are simply performing their duties,” Losañes said.
“This actions of the NPA simply show their true nature, that they are indeed terrorists and that they continue to deceive the people to advance their selfish interest”, he added.
. Dela Rita, who was initially reported as missing, and his driver survived and were under police custody. But the councilor's body guard Michael Jambalos was killed, Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 18, said.
Supt. Arnel Arpon, Guihulngan City police chief, one of the six policemen who died in the ambush, used to be assigned as police chief of Bago and Sipalay cities in Negros Occidental, before he took up a career advancement course, for his promotion to the rank of senior superintendent.
The other policemen killed were Senior Police Officer 2 Mecasio Tabilon, SPO1 Jesael Ancheta, SPO2 Chavic Agosto, and PO2s Alfredo Dunque and Alvin Bulandres.
Wounded were PO3 Jordan Balderas, PO2 Jorie Maribao, and SPO4 Jerome Delara, De la Rita and his driver.
The two ambush incidents took place as the Communist Party of the Philippines ordered tactical offensives against government forces, following plans of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in Mindanao for another five months.
Before the ambush in Guihulngan, the NPA in central and northern Negros claimed responsibility for the ambush of a sugar planter and his driver in Calatrava, the liquidation of a former Army soldier in Canlaon City and a leader of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army in Salvador Benedicto.
Col. Eliezer Losañes, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, recalled that Dela Rita was among those being targeted for liquidation by the NPA, and his name was found in documents recovered during an encounter with communist rebels last month in Negros Oriental.
The Guihulngan City Police Station in Negros Oriental, where Arpon served as police chief, and thecpolice stations of Himamaylan and Kabankalan cities in Negros Occidental, are also among the targets for attack by the NPA, the seized documents showed.
Arpon led a group of 15 policemen, who tried to rescue Dela Rita and his two companions, but they were ambushed by about 60 suspected NPA rebels armed with high powered weapons , Losañes said.
It was a certain Edward Jimenez, a local government employee, who reported to the Guihulngan City Police Station that Dela Rita was ambushed in the barangay, a Police Regional Office 18 report showed.
Aying said the NPA atrocities will continue if security forces and the public will not be vigilant. He also revealed that there are some politicians who are helping the rebel group to get even with their political opponents.
The 303rd Infantry Brigade and the Regional Public Safety Battalion 18 have already shifted some of their troops to central Negros, to help in the conduct of pursuit operations against the rebel ambushers.
Two years ago, the provinces of Negros Occidental and Oriental were both declared as peaceful and ready for further development by their respective provincial governments, and concurred in by the Philippine Army.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/July/22/topstory1.htm
The New People's Army is bent on terrorizing Negros Island Region, Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 3rd Infantry Division commander said yesterday.
Six policemen and a civilian died yesterday in separate attacks initiated by the New People's Army in Sitio Gi-ob, Brgy. Magsaysay, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. Three policemen and two civilians were also hurt, military records showed.
Aying said the attempt of the NPA to kill Guihulngan City Councilor Eddie Dela Rita and the inhumane killing of the six policemen and a civilian is a clear manifestation of their true intent of terrorizing the Negros Island, to prove that peace and development is far from realization.
Col. Eliezer Losañes, commanding officer of the 303 rd Infantry Brigade, said “this barbaric act will not go unpunished”.
“We will continue to conduct pursuit operation to give justice to our law enforcers who are simply performing their duties,” Losañes said.
“This actions of the NPA simply show their true nature, that they are indeed terrorists and that they continue to deceive the people to advance their selfish interest”, he added.
. Dela Rita, who was initially reported as missing, and his driver survived and were under police custody. But the councilor's body guard Michael Jambalos was killed, Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 18, said.
Supt. Arnel Arpon, Guihulngan City police chief, one of the six policemen who died in the ambush, used to be assigned as police chief of Bago and Sipalay cities in Negros Occidental, before he took up a career advancement course, for his promotion to the rank of senior superintendent.
The other policemen killed were Senior Police Officer 2 Mecasio Tabilon, SPO1 Jesael Ancheta, SPO2 Chavic Agosto, and PO2s Alfredo Dunque and Alvin Bulandres.
Wounded were PO3 Jordan Balderas, PO2 Jorie Maribao, and SPO4 Jerome Delara, De la Rita and his driver.
The two ambush incidents took place as the Communist Party of the Philippines ordered tactical offensives against government forces, following plans of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in Mindanao for another five months.
Before the ambush in Guihulngan, the NPA in central and northern Negros claimed responsibility for the ambush of a sugar planter and his driver in Calatrava, the liquidation of a former Army soldier in Canlaon City and a leader of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army in Salvador Benedicto.
Col. Eliezer Losañes, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, recalled that Dela Rita was among those being targeted for liquidation by the NPA, and his name was found in documents recovered during an encounter with communist rebels last month in Negros Oriental.
The Guihulngan City Police Station in Negros Oriental, where Arpon served as police chief, and thecpolice stations of Himamaylan and Kabankalan cities in Negros Occidental, are also among the targets for attack by the NPA, the seized documents showed.
Arpon led a group of 15 policemen, who tried to rescue Dela Rita and his two companions, but they were ambushed by about 60 suspected NPA rebels armed with high powered weapons , Losañes said.
It was a certain Edward Jimenez, a local government employee, who reported to the Guihulngan City Police Station that Dela Rita was ambushed in the barangay, a Police Regional Office 18 report showed.
Aying said the NPA atrocities will continue if security forces and the public will not be vigilant. He also revealed that there are some politicians who are helping the rebel group to get even with their political opponents.
The 303rd Infantry Brigade and the Regional Public Safety Battalion 18 have already shifted some of their troops to central Negros, to help in the conduct of pursuit operations against the rebel ambushers.
Two years ago, the provinces of Negros Occidental and Oriental were both declared as peaceful and ready for further development by their respective provincial governments, and concurred in by the Philippine Army.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/July/22/topstory1.htm
Photo: A scene from the ambush site in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental
From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 22): Photo: A scene from the ambush site in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental
A scene from the ambush site in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, posted on several Facebook walls yesterday
http://www.visayandailystar.com/
A scene from the ambush site in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, posted on several Facebook walls yesterday
http://www.visayandailystar.com/
Between Butig and Marawi, Maute Group came prepared – drones, scanners, ‘unli’ bullets – for siege: soldier
From InterAksyon (Jul 23): Between Butig and Marawi, Maute Group came prepared – drones, scanners, ‘unli’ bullets – for siege: soldier
Army 1Lt. Kent Fagyan narrates the war against terrorists in Marawi City during the joint session of Congress on the extension of martial law. At right is AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo M. Año. PHIL. STAR PHOTO BY BOY SANTOS
Before the Maute siege began May 23, the military had confronted the Maute Group for weeks in other parts of Lanao del Sur, but the extremists’ campaign to take over the progressive Islamic city – with an eye to courting full recognition from the Islamic State – was obviously made with “unlimited” firepower and advanced weaponry.
This was the observation given lawmakers by a commanding officer of an Army unit that is seeing action in Marawi City, as members of both chambers of Congress met in joint session Saturday to tackle President Duterte’s bid to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2017. Congress voted to grant the 150-day extension, with 261-18 of the total of attendees from both Senate and the House of Representatives.
The unit of 1Lt. Kent Fagyan, commanding officer of the 15th DRC, of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, 1st ID PA, was among the first sent to confront the Maute group in Marawi when some 200 members descended on the city, and laid siege to it. He witnessed them occupy the poblacion and raise the ISIS’ black flag.
Weeks before that, his unit was also among those deployed by the military to root out the Maute members from their lairs in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
Fagyan himself was also the veteran of a much earlier siege, in Zamboanga in 2013, when he was platoon leader at the 44th IB.
‘Maute better armed in Marawi’
“Comparing sa mga previous encounters with the Maute Group saka dito sa Marawi, upgraded po yung dito sa Marawi kasi meron na po silang, maraming 50 calibre, may radio frequency scanner, may drones saka parang unlimited yung bala nila [Compared to our previous encounters with the Maute Group, we noticed they had upgraded their weaponry: they had lots of 50 caliber rifles, radio frequency scanners and drones. Their bullets seemed unlimited],” said Fagyan, who was presented by security officials called in to brief Congress Saturday on the status of the anti-Maute campaign before the lawmakers tackled the martial law extension.
The 29-year-old officer had a sling on one arm, having been wounded in one encounter.
Besides the vastly “upgraded” weaponry of the Maute Group, Fagyan said government troops also had a much more difficult time – compared to the Zamboanga siege – because most of the homes and buildings where the skirmishes took place since May 23 were made of solid concrete and had 3, even 4 floors.
The Maute Group took defensive positions in most of these fortified buildings, just waiting for soldiers to come out and then pick them out one by one. “So yung Maute Group kung lalabas kami, ang gagawin lang nila titirahin kami, so kailangan naming dahan-dahan talaga.”
From darting about corner by corner, block by block, the soldiers would then enter certain houses and buildings to check for the presence of extremists or civilians stranded by the fighting.
“So hindi kami kailangang magpakita sa mga kalsada kasi titirahin kami. So kailangan naming butasin yung mga pader; dun kami papasok, and then sa mga bahay naman magkakalapit [So we don’t expose ourselves on the streets as they will hit us. We’d often bore holes through some houses and then get through those holes.]”
They would use those homes to monitor for the enemy’s presence and possible resistance before moving in to another location. If they sense resistsnace they would use tear gas or, if resistance is quite strong, grenades.
Going floor by floor and room by room was hard “because the enemy knew those places well; for every area they had a vantage position,” said Fagyan, speaking mostly in Filipino.
At one point, a comrade of his sat on a chair and sensed something hard beneath, which turned out to be an improvised explosive device (IED). “Mercifully, it did not explode. And then, in the next house, which the Maute Group had abandoned, they also put IEDs, so we were always very observant.”
They tried everything to avoid casualties, but it was tough going every step of the way. “Mahirap talaga yung ginagawa namin. As much as possible iniiwasan namin na may casualty sa amin pero magaling din po yung kalaban, so ‘yun po yung ginagawa namin.”
The extremists took dozens of civilians, some of whom earlier claimed they were forced to do chores for the Maute Group, and some were summarily executed.
Fagyan said their unit bumped into several unarmed civilians, and their SOP was to quickly interrogate them to make sure they were not deliberately planted by the enemy.
He said most of those in his unit had been in training for one month, and subsequently were deployed in Marawi the past two months. That means they had not gone home the past three months, but that “kahit stressed kami ginagawa namin yung trabaho namin [even though we are stressed we tried to do our job] to liberate Marawi.”
Fagyan thanked all those who reached out to the soldiers with both material and moral aid.
“Sa konting pagbigay nyo ng damit, tubig, malaking bagay na po ‘yun kasi doon hindi ka makakain sa tamang oras, hindi ka makatulog kasi putok dito putok doon, almost 24 hours na [The clothes, water and other stuff you gave meant so much to us because out there we rarely ate on time, we couldn’t sleep because of the constant sound of gunfire].”
Sen. Richard Gordon praised Fagyan for his courage and patriotism.
“I just want to commend you for your bravery,” Gordon said, noting, “that is to hard to bear for a 29-year-old . . . to fight and see your brothers fall dead or to fight your fellow Filipinos . . . so you don’t find pleasure [in] it, hindi ka natutuwa, nahihirapan ka [killing them doesn’t make you happy; it’s hard].”
Army 1Lt. Kent Fagyan narrates the war against terrorists in Marawi City during the joint session of Congress on the extension of martial law. At right is AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo M. Año. PHIL. STAR PHOTO BY BOY SANTOS
Before the Maute siege began May 23, the military had confronted the Maute Group for weeks in other parts of Lanao del Sur, but the extremists’ campaign to take over the progressive Islamic city – with an eye to courting full recognition from the Islamic State – was obviously made with “unlimited” firepower and advanced weaponry.
This was the observation given lawmakers by a commanding officer of an Army unit that is seeing action in Marawi City, as members of both chambers of Congress met in joint session Saturday to tackle President Duterte’s bid to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2017. Congress voted to grant the 150-day extension, with 261-18 of the total of attendees from both Senate and the House of Representatives.
The unit of 1Lt. Kent Fagyan, commanding officer of the 15th DRC, of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, 1st ID PA, was among the first sent to confront the Maute group in Marawi when some 200 members descended on the city, and laid siege to it. He witnessed them occupy the poblacion and raise the ISIS’ black flag.
Weeks before that, his unit was also among those deployed by the military to root out the Maute members from their lairs in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
Fagyan himself was also the veteran of a much earlier siege, in Zamboanga in 2013, when he was platoon leader at the 44th IB.
‘Maute better armed in Marawi’
“Comparing sa mga previous encounters with the Maute Group saka dito sa Marawi, upgraded po yung dito sa Marawi kasi meron na po silang, maraming 50 calibre, may radio frequency scanner, may drones saka parang unlimited yung bala nila [Compared to our previous encounters with the Maute Group, we noticed they had upgraded their weaponry: they had lots of 50 caliber rifles, radio frequency scanners and drones. Their bullets seemed unlimited],” said Fagyan, who was presented by security officials called in to brief Congress Saturday on the status of the anti-Maute campaign before the lawmakers tackled the martial law extension.
The 29-year-old officer had a sling on one arm, having been wounded in one encounter.
Besides the vastly “upgraded” weaponry of the Maute Group, Fagyan said government troops also had a much more difficult time – compared to the Zamboanga siege – because most of the homes and buildings where the skirmishes took place since May 23 were made of solid concrete and had 3, even 4 floors.
The Maute Group took defensive positions in most of these fortified buildings, just waiting for soldiers to come out and then pick them out one by one. “So yung Maute Group kung lalabas kami, ang gagawin lang nila titirahin kami, so kailangan naming dahan-dahan talaga.”
From darting about corner by corner, block by block, the soldiers would then enter certain houses and buildings to check for the presence of extremists or civilians stranded by the fighting.
“So hindi kami kailangang magpakita sa mga kalsada kasi titirahin kami. So kailangan naming butasin yung mga pader; dun kami papasok, and then sa mga bahay naman magkakalapit [So we don’t expose ourselves on the streets as they will hit us. We’d often bore holes through some houses and then get through those holes.]”
They would use those homes to monitor for the enemy’s presence and possible resistance before moving in to another location. If they sense resistsnace they would use tear gas or, if resistance is quite strong, grenades.
Going floor by floor and room by room was hard “because the enemy knew those places well; for every area they had a vantage position,” said Fagyan, speaking mostly in Filipino.
At one point, a comrade of his sat on a chair and sensed something hard beneath, which turned out to be an improvised explosive device (IED). “Mercifully, it did not explode. And then, in the next house, which the Maute Group had abandoned, they also put IEDs, so we were always very observant.”
They tried everything to avoid casualties, but it was tough going every step of the way. “Mahirap talaga yung ginagawa namin. As much as possible iniiwasan namin na may casualty sa amin pero magaling din po yung kalaban, so ‘yun po yung ginagawa namin.”
The extremists took dozens of civilians, some of whom earlier claimed they were forced to do chores for the Maute Group, and some were summarily executed.
Fagyan said their unit bumped into several unarmed civilians, and their SOP was to quickly interrogate them to make sure they were not deliberately planted by the enemy.
He said most of those in his unit had been in training for one month, and subsequently were deployed in Marawi the past two months. That means they had not gone home the past three months, but that “kahit stressed kami ginagawa namin yung trabaho namin [even though we are stressed we tried to do our job] to liberate Marawi.”
Fagyan thanked all those who reached out to the soldiers with both material and moral aid.
“Sa konting pagbigay nyo ng damit, tubig, malaking bagay na po ‘yun kasi doon hindi ka makakain sa tamang oras, hindi ka makatulog kasi putok dito putok doon, almost 24 hours na [The clothes, water and other stuff you gave meant so much to us because out there we rarely ate on time, we couldn’t sleep because of the constant sound of gunfire].”
Sen. Richard Gordon praised Fagyan for his courage and patriotism.
“I just want to commend you for your bravery,” Gordon said, noting, “that is to hard to bear for a 29-year-old . . . to fight and see your brothers fall dead or to fight your fellow Filipinos . . . so you don’t find pleasure [in] it, hindi ka natutuwa, nahihirapan ka [killing them doesn’t make you happy; it’s hard].”
If checkpoint personnel wear stag uniform, they must be fake: AFP
From the Mindanao Times (Jul 21): If checkpoint personnel wear stag uniform, they must be fake: AFP
IF THE MEN manning checkpoints are in incomplete uniform and even wearing non-military boots, then they are posers.
Military and police authorities yesterday informed the public how to spot a fake checkpoint from the legitimate one.
This as communist rebels posed as Task Force Davao personnel in conducting a checkpoint in the boundary of the City and Arakan, North Cotabato on Wednesday. An encounter ensued as members of the Presidential Security Group passed along the highway.
This as communist rebels posed as Task Force Davao personnel in conducting a checkpoint in the boundary of the City and Arakan, North Cotabato on Wednesday. An encounter ensued as members of the Presidential Security Group passed along the highway.
Speaking on Wednesday’s AFP- PNP press conference, Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said they have always been reminding the stakeholders, particularly the motorists and commuters, to verify if the checkpoint is legitimately done by government forces.
“We are really following protocols if we are conducting checkpoints,” Batchar said. “It is very important (for the public to know) so they can immediately relay to us information (if they are indeed fake checkpoints).”
The military officer said in conducting the checkpoints, the soldiers and police should be in proper uniform bearing name plates that can easily be visible.
“We are really following protocols if we are conducting checkpoints,” Batchar said. “It is very important (for the public to know) so they can immediately relay to us information (if they are indeed fake checkpoints).”
The military officer said in conducting the checkpoints, the soldiers and police should be in proper uniform bearing name plates that can easily be visible.
“If they could observe that persons conducting checkpoint are in stag uniform and wear (non-military) boots, then it is already a manifestation that it is not a legitimate checkpoint,” Batchar said. “It is a threat already,” he explained.
He said checkpoint should be in a lighted area and must be visible to the incoming vehicles.
The vehicles used by the checkpoint personnel should have proper government marking, and not private-owned vehicles, he said.
If those manning the checkpoint have varied firearms and communication equipment, they could be posers.
He said the commuters, at all time, can ask those conducting the checkpoint of their units if they have doubts.
“The (the commuters) can call us to verify if there is a checkpoint conducted by the particular unit in the area, he added.
Batchar said they have been reminding their troops to be vigilant since the rebels target government forces.
Sr. Supt. Samuel Gadingan, director of Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office (DSPPO), also said that they also coordinate with their AFP counterpart in every checkpoint they conduct.
“Our checkpoint is almost the same with the AFP,” Gadingan said.
He said even random checkpoints need coordination to avoid any misencounter.
Gadingan said he has directed the Provincial Public Safety Company to conduct aggressive operation against the armed group.
He said checkpoint should be in a lighted area and must be visible to the incoming vehicles.
The vehicles used by the checkpoint personnel should have proper government marking, and not private-owned vehicles, he said.
If those manning the checkpoint have varied firearms and communication equipment, they could be posers.
He said the commuters, at all time, can ask those conducting the checkpoint of their units if they have doubts.
“The (the commuters) can call us to verify if there is a checkpoint conducted by the particular unit in the area, he added.
Batchar said they have been reminding their troops to be vigilant since the rebels target government forces.
Sr. Supt. Samuel Gadingan, director of Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office (DSPPO), also said that they also coordinate with their AFP counterpart in every checkpoint they conduct.
“Our checkpoint is almost the same with the AFP,” Gadingan said.
He said even random checkpoints need coordination to avoid any misencounter.
Gadingan said he has directed the Provincial Public Safety Company to conduct aggressive operation against the armed group.
PEACETALK: This Bangsamoro Basic Law is our new formula for the very elusive peace in Mindanao
Posted to MindaNews (Jul 22): PEACETALK: This Bangsamoro Basic Law is our new formula for the very elusive peace in Mindanao (By Ghazali B. Jaafar)
(Message of Ghazali B. Jaafar, Vice Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission during the submission of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by the BTC to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Malacañan Palace on July 17, 2017)
Mr. President,
It is four months since the Bangsamoro Transition Commission officially began its task crafting the new Bangsamoro Basic Law, which started during the Plenary Session in Cotabato City on March 6, 2017. And finally, the BTC Commissioners signed the draft basic law on June 16, 2017 or three (3) months and ten (10) days to be exact.
Mr. President, we can still remember the exhortations you made to us during the launching of the expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which was held on February 24, 2017 in Davao City.
Allow me to quote you, Mr. President, Put your hearts into it, (unquote), you said so Mr. President and that is precisely what we did as a collegial body.
And so today, we are submitting the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) wherein we put our energy, dedication, collective intellect and with one singular interest, and that of the Bangsamoro people.
Conscious of the need for the implementation of signed agreements, particularly the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), we have made this new proposed BBL, faithful to the letter and spirit of the CAB and considerate of other agreements gained through decades of peace process such as the Tripoli agreement and the Final Peace agreement.
In fact, the new proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is now more inclusive, being a product of a Commission whose composition also reflects the widest inclusivity of all important stakeholders in the prospective Bangsamoro.
Again, let me quote you, Mr. President, Navigate the hindrances and obstructions, (unquote) you also told us that Mr. President.
Time, resources and unexpected events may have caused us difficulties, but these factors have been overcome by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission because we simply cannot allow these things to hinder or obstruct us in the performance you mandated us.
We believe that this new proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) reflects the diversity of interests of the Bangsamoro people, non-Bangsamoro indigenous people and settler communities; yet, these interests are all united under one goal of establishing a just, dignified and lasting peace in the Bangsamoro, in Mindanao and the country in general.
We humbly submit this new proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is the best antidote to violent extremism that has wrought havoc in many parts of the Bangsamoro.
Once legislated, this new BBL would erase the doubt on the peace process, that mistaken notion, which is fueling violent extremism among some Moros.
Mr. President, this Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is our new formula for the very elusive peace in Mindanao. The recent tragedy in Marawi City can only lead to the isolation and public hatred over the extremists. We believe that what they have done to the people of Marawi City they did it out of frustration.
What our people need is a just and dignified peace. They need the promises of peace that this Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) offers. Once established, the Bangsamoro government would be at the forefront of keeping public order and safety, dispensing justice within the bounds of law, and addressing the basic requisites of a good life long denied to the Moros.
The leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, as signatory to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), and the leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front as signatory to the Tripoli Agreement and the Final Peace Agreement are committed to the fulfillment of the signed agreements, which practically cover all the legitimate aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. We need the passage of this proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) into law so that we can start rebuilding our lives.
We Moros truly believe that in your time and under your leadership, Mr. President, we your Moro brothers and sisters, as you have publicly declared, would see the dawning of a government in the Bangsamoro homeland which they truly deserve.
On behalf then of the entire Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), and the Bangsamoro people in general, and in behalf of the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and in behalf of the several hundreds Martyrs or Sahid of the Moro struggle I humbly submit to you Mr. President as our brother, as our leader, and as our President the new proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Thank you Mr. President.
http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2017/07/peacetalk-this-bangsamoro-basic-law-is-our-new-formula-for-the-very-elusive-peace-in-mindanao/
(Message of Ghazali B. Jaafar, Vice Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission during the submission of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by the BTC to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Malacañan Palace on July 17, 2017)
Mr. President,
It is four months since the Bangsamoro Transition Commission officially began its task crafting the new Bangsamoro Basic Law, which started during the Plenary Session in Cotabato City on March 6, 2017. And finally, the BTC Commissioners signed the draft basic law on June 16, 2017 or three (3) months and ten (10) days to be exact.
Mr. President, we can still remember the exhortations you made to us during the launching of the expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which was held on February 24, 2017 in Davao City.
Allow me to quote you, Mr. President, Put your hearts into it, (unquote), you said so Mr. President and that is precisely what we did as a collegial body.
And so today, we are submitting the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) wherein we put our energy, dedication, collective intellect and with one singular interest, and that of the Bangsamoro people.
Conscious of the need for the implementation of signed agreements, particularly the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), we have made this new proposed BBL, faithful to the letter and spirit of the CAB and considerate of other agreements gained through decades of peace process such as the Tripoli agreement and the Final Peace agreement.
In fact, the new proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is now more inclusive, being a product of a Commission whose composition also reflects the widest inclusivity of all important stakeholders in the prospective Bangsamoro.
Again, let me quote you, Mr. President, Navigate the hindrances and obstructions, (unquote) you also told us that Mr. President.
Time, resources and unexpected events may have caused us difficulties, but these factors have been overcome by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission because we simply cannot allow these things to hinder or obstruct us in the performance you mandated us.
We believe that this new proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) reflects the diversity of interests of the Bangsamoro people, non-Bangsamoro indigenous people and settler communities; yet, these interests are all united under one goal of establishing a just, dignified and lasting peace in the Bangsamoro, in Mindanao and the country in general.
We humbly submit this new proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is the best antidote to violent extremism that has wrought havoc in many parts of the Bangsamoro.
Once legislated, this new BBL would erase the doubt on the peace process, that mistaken notion, which is fueling violent extremism among some Moros.
Mr. President, this Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is our new formula for the very elusive peace in Mindanao. The recent tragedy in Marawi City can only lead to the isolation and public hatred over the extremists. We believe that what they have done to the people of Marawi City they did it out of frustration.
What our people need is a just and dignified peace. They need the promises of peace that this Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) offers. Once established, the Bangsamoro government would be at the forefront of keeping public order and safety, dispensing justice within the bounds of law, and addressing the basic requisites of a good life long denied to the Moros.
The leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, as signatory to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), and the leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front as signatory to the Tripoli Agreement and the Final Peace Agreement are committed to the fulfillment of the signed agreements, which practically cover all the legitimate aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. We need the passage of this proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) into law so that we can start rebuilding our lives.
We Moros truly believe that in your time and under your leadership, Mr. President, we your Moro brothers and sisters, as you have publicly declared, would see the dawning of a government in the Bangsamoro homeland which they truly deserve.
On behalf then of the entire Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), and the Bangsamoro people in general, and in behalf of the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and in behalf of the several hundreds Martyrs or Sahid of the Moro struggle I humbly submit to you Mr. President as our brother, as our leader, and as our President the new proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Thank you Mr. President.
http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2017/07/peacetalk-this-bangsamoro-basic-law-is-our-new-formula-for-the-very-elusive-peace-in-mindanao/
PEACETALK: You have been given the unique privilege of correcting that historical injustice by entrenching the Bangsamoro
Posted to MindaNews (Jul 22): PEACETALK: You have been given the unique privilege of correcting that historical injustice by entrenching the Bangsamoro (By Al Haj Murad Ebrahim)
(Message of Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on the occasion of the submission of the BBL to President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacanang Palace on 17 July 2017)
Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, Very Good Evening:
At the outset, allow me to thank the leadership and the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission for completing its task of drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Let me congratulate all of you for a job well done. The composition of the commission, which drew its membership from government, the MNLF, and the MILF demonstrated our ability to rise above our partisan interests and to work for the welfare of our people.
As we submit today the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, we consign to the President the hope and dreams of the Bangsamoro people; As we hand over to your Excellency the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, we put our trust and confidence in the process of government; As we submit to you Mr. President the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, we hold on to the promise of the fulfillment of the covenant we signed three years ago with government.
Today marks the end of our active participation in the shaping of the Basic Law and commences our complete trust in the ability of government to deliver on the promise of peace and development in our homeland. As government takes over the shepherding of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, we can only hope that the spirit that inspired us to forge ahead with peace despite all the challenges will animate our partners in government to enact a law that shall embody our people’s dreams and aspirations.
We have gone this far in our journey to peace because we hold on to the belief that together we can better achieve peace and fulfill our mutual commitment to uplift the condition of our people. That partnership has brought us to this stage; That partnership I hope will carry us forward to the establishment to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the establishment of the Bangsamoro government.
We live in very dangerous times. A couple of years ago, as we watched with agony the systematic dismantling of the first draft of the BBL in Congress, we also observed with growing concern the increasing frustration of our people and the fearful rearing of the ugly head of violent extremism.
Today we watch with utter disgust at the destruction that violent extremism has inflicted on the City of Marawi. These misguided people have filled the vacuum created by our failure to enact the Basic Law and fed into the frustration of our people.
Even as we speak, fighting and destruction in Marawi continues.
I ask, therefore, that we pause for a minute of silence and say a prayer for the brave men and women who stood against violent extremism, for the civilians who have died and for those who have displaced, for those who have shown courage by saving lives despite putting their lives in danger, and for the hundreds of civilians still trapped in the conflict zone and whose suffering no words can describe. (Pause for Silence).
The danger of violent extremism is that it feeds into the frustration of our people and takes over the narrative of historical injustice so that it can justify its virulent ideology which in reality is never linked to the national aspiration of a people. But because it exploits the narrative of historical injustice, it is important to address legitimate grievances and correct historical injustice so that it will be denied any semblance of legitimacy.
Mr. President, we hear you speak of the need to address historical injustice committed against our people and we marvel at the ease with which you narrate the historical basis of our cause. Today, at a crucial moment in our history, you have been given the unique privilege of correcting that historical injustice by entrenching the Bangsamoro Government-the embodiment of the legitimate aspiration of our people, through the enactment of the this Bangsamoro Basic Law. We trust you. We trust that you will shepherd the passage of this law and see through the establishment of the Bangsamoro Government.
By this document Mr. President, you would have taken the first step in correcting the historical injustice committed against our people and laid the foundation for a more just country. By this joint action, we have co-founded a new Philippines-a new country firmly set on the unshakable foundation of justice and truth, and bequeath upon our succeeding generation a country united but respecting and drawing strength from its diversity.
Finally, let me express on behalf of the MILF and the Bangsamoro people our very sincere appreciation to Secretary Jess Dureza for recommending to the President the certifying of the BBL as urgent Bill during its endorsement to Congress. We pray to Allah that the President will highly consider such important step which will ultimately hasten the process and ensure that the agreed Road Map in the Peace Process will be met, inshaAllah.
Thank you very much and may peace be with you all.
http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2017/07/peacetalk-you-have-been-given-the-unique-privilege-of-correcting-that-historical-injustice-by-entrenching-the-bangsamoro1/
(Message of Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on the occasion of the submission of the BBL to President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacanang Palace on 17 July 2017)
Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, Very Good Evening:
At the outset, allow me to thank the leadership and the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission for completing its task of drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Let me congratulate all of you for a job well done. The composition of the commission, which drew its membership from government, the MNLF, and the MILF demonstrated our ability to rise above our partisan interests and to work for the welfare of our people.
As we submit today the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, we consign to the President the hope and dreams of the Bangsamoro people; As we hand over to your Excellency the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, we put our trust and confidence in the process of government; As we submit to you Mr. President the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, we hold on to the promise of the fulfillment of the covenant we signed three years ago with government.
Today marks the end of our active participation in the shaping of the Basic Law and commences our complete trust in the ability of government to deliver on the promise of peace and development in our homeland. As government takes over the shepherding of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, we can only hope that the spirit that inspired us to forge ahead with peace despite all the challenges will animate our partners in government to enact a law that shall embody our people’s dreams and aspirations.
We have gone this far in our journey to peace because we hold on to the belief that together we can better achieve peace and fulfill our mutual commitment to uplift the condition of our people. That partnership has brought us to this stage; That partnership I hope will carry us forward to the establishment to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the establishment of the Bangsamoro government.
We live in very dangerous times. A couple of years ago, as we watched with agony the systematic dismantling of the first draft of the BBL in Congress, we also observed with growing concern the increasing frustration of our people and the fearful rearing of the ugly head of violent extremism.
Today we watch with utter disgust at the destruction that violent extremism has inflicted on the City of Marawi. These misguided people have filled the vacuum created by our failure to enact the Basic Law and fed into the frustration of our people.
Even as we speak, fighting and destruction in Marawi continues.
I ask, therefore, that we pause for a minute of silence and say a prayer for the brave men and women who stood against violent extremism, for the civilians who have died and for those who have displaced, for those who have shown courage by saving lives despite putting their lives in danger, and for the hundreds of civilians still trapped in the conflict zone and whose suffering no words can describe. (Pause for Silence).
The danger of violent extremism is that it feeds into the frustration of our people and takes over the narrative of historical injustice so that it can justify its virulent ideology which in reality is never linked to the national aspiration of a people. But because it exploits the narrative of historical injustice, it is important to address legitimate grievances and correct historical injustice so that it will be denied any semblance of legitimacy.
Mr. President, we hear you speak of the need to address historical injustice committed against our people and we marvel at the ease with which you narrate the historical basis of our cause. Today, at a crucial moment in our history, you have been given the unique privilege of correcting that historical injustice by entrenching the Bangsamoro Government-the embodiment of the legitimate aspiration of our people, through the enactment of the this Bangsamoro Basic Law. We trust you. We trust that you will shepherd the passage of this law and see through the establishment of the Bangsamoro Government.
By this document Mr. President, you would have taken the first step in correcting the historical injustice committed against our people and laid the foundation for a more just country. By this joint action, we have co-founded a new Philippines-a new country firmly set on the unshakable foundation of justice and truth, and bequeath upon our succeeding generation a country united but respecting and drawing strength from its diversity.
Finally, let me express on behalf of the MILF and the Bangsamoro people our very sincere appreciation to Secretary Jess Dureza for recommending to the President the certifying of the BBL as urgent Bill during its endorsement to Congress. We pray to Allah that the President will highly consider such important step which will ultimately hasten the process and ensure that the agreed Road Map in the Peace Process will be met, inshaAllah.
Thank you very much and may peace be with you all.
http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2017/07/peacetalk-you-have-been-given-the-unique-privilege-of-correcting-that-historical-injustice-by-entrenching-the-bangsamoro1/
Duterte inspects troops in besieged city
From the Mindanao Examiner (Jul 21): Duterte inspects troops in besieged city
Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show President Rodrigo Duterte speaking to soldiers and inspecting seized ISIS weapons.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday inspected troops battling local ISIS fighters in the besieged city of Marawi where security forces seized a major bridge previously held by militants, officials said.
Officials said troops also recovered the body of a slain militant and 9 assorted weapons, including an M60 machine gun, a grenade launcher and 3 rifles after they cleared 16 buildings and occupied the Mapandi Bridge.
Duterte also inspected some 500 assorted high-powered firearms recovered in Marawi since the battle began in May 23 when ISIS militants occupied the city in an effort to put an Islamic State province and the military told the President that 427 extremists had been allegedly killed since the start of the violence. It was unknown how the military came up with the number of enemy casualties or whether it was based on intelligence reports or body counts. But nearly 100 soldiers and about four dozen civilians also perished in the war.
“I have to be here to visit you. Your life is not less important than mine. All of our lives are equally important. We are here to die for our country,” Duterte told soldiers in the frontline, but he became emotional while talking when he remembered how reading the daily security briefer from Marawi units devastate him every night. “I grieve every time i learn that soldiers die every day in Marawi.”
Duterte, clad in a camouflage uniform, was accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, military chief General Eduardo Año, Army Chief Lieutenant General Glorioso Miranda and military adviser Arthur Tabaquero, among other officials.
“I say a little prayer for those who have fallen. I grieve for all the deaths, both civilians and soldiers, especially that I was the one who made you come here,” Duterte said and vowed to put up a 50-billion trust fund for the children of the military and police, and to supply the troops best equipment. “I urge you to continue to fight for your country and always remember that I will fight for your rights.”
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/duterte-inspects-troops-in-besieged-city/
Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show President Rodrigo Duterte speaking to soldiers and inspecting seized ISIS weapons.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday inspected troops battling local ISIS fighters in the besieged city of Marawi where security forces seized a major bridge previously held by militants, officials said.
Officials said troops also recovered the body of a slain militant and 9 assorted weapons, including an M60 machine gun, a grenade launcher and 3 rifles after they cleared 16 buildings and occupied the Mapandi Bridge.
Duterte also inspected some 500 assorted high-powered firearms recovered in Marawi since the battle began in May 23 when ISIS militants occupied the city in an effort to put an Islamic State province and the military told the President that 427 extremists had been allegedly killed since the start of the violence. It was unknown how the military came up with the number of enemy casualties or whether it was based on intelligence reports or body counts. But nearly 100 soldiers and about four dozen civilians also perished in the war.
“I have to be here to visit you. Your life is not less important than mine. All of our lives are equally important. We are here to die for our country,” Duterte told soldiers in the frontline, but he became emotional while talking when he remembered how reading the daily security briefer from Marawi units devastate him every night. “I grieve every time i learn that soldiers die every day in Marawi.”
Duterte, clad in a camouflage uniform, was accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, military chief General Eduardo Año, Army Chief Lieutenant General Glorioso Miranda and military adviser Arthur Tabaquero, among other officials.
“I say a little prayer for those who have fallen. I grieve for all the deaths, both civilians and soldiers, especially that I was the one who made you come here,” Duterte said and vowed to put up a 50-billion trust fund for the children of the military and police, and to supply the troops best equipment. “I urge you to continue to fight for your country and always remember that I will fight for your rights.”
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/duterte-inspects-troops-in-besieged-city/
Rebels continue offensives
From the Mindanao Examiner (Jul 23): Rebels continue offensives
Communist rebels have vowed to continue attacks on military targets as government peace negotiators failed miserably to convince the separatist group to sign a ceasefire accord and pursue talks aimed at ending the decades-old insurgency in the country.
President Rodrigo Duterte has trashed peace negotiations with communist leaders and abandoned efforts by his peace negotiators to convince rebels to stop attacks on government and military targets.
Rebels demanded the immediate release of nearly 500 political prisoners, mostly commanders and leaders of the New People’s Army, as a condition for the resumption of the stalled talks. Duterte already freed over 2 dozen communist leaders, but the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, said the President should have released all political prisoners.
Just last week, rebels killed a pro-government militia and wounded 5 presidential guards in separate attacks in North Cotabato’s Arakan town in the restive southern Philippine region. NPA rebels, who set up a checkpoint on the highway, attacked a convoy of presidential guards who were part of Duterte’s security group while heading to Cagayan de Oro City.
The ambush sparked a firefight, but there was no report of enemy casualties. The rebels also overran a detachment manned by militias and killed one of them. The attack occurred a day after rebels swooped down on the house of Vice Mayor Emmanuel Suarez of Surigao del Sur’s Cortes town. Suarez and his family were unhurt from the raid, but the rebels seized several firearms and warned the politician to do something to stop illegal fishing and logging in his town.
The daring attack on soldiers coincided with Duterte’s proposal to extend the martial law until the end of the year. Duterte declared martial law after local ISIS militants occupied Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province in an effort to put up an Islamic State province in the region. Fighting still raging in the besieged city and hundreds of people had died from the violence that already displaced over 200,000 more.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/rebels-continue-offensives/
Communist rebels have vowed to continue attacks on military targets as government peace negotiators failed miserably to convince the separatist group to sign a ceasefire accord and pursue talks aimed at ending the decades-old insurgency in the country.
President Rodrigo Duterte has trashed peace negotiations with communist leaders and abandoned efforts by his peace negotiators to convince rebels to stop attacks on government and military targets.
Rebels demanded the immediate release of nearly 500 political prisoners, mostly commanders and leaders of the New People’s Army, as a condition for the resumption of the stalled talks. Duterte already freed over 2 dozen communist leaders, but the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, said the President should have released all political prisoners.
Just last week, rebels killed a pro-government militia and wounded 5 presidential guards in separate attacks in North Cotabato’s Arakan town in the restive southern Philippine region. NPA rebels, who set up a checkpoint on the highway, attacked a convoy of presidential guards who were part of Duterte’s security group while heading to Cagayan de Oro City.
The ambush sparked a firefight, but there was no report of enemy casualties. The rebels also overran a detachment manned by militias and killed one of them. The attack occurred a day after rebels swooped down on the house of Vice Mayor Emmanuel Suarez of Surigao del Sur’s Cortes town. Suarez and his family were unhurt from the raid, but the rebels seized several firearms and warned the politician to do something to stop illegal fishing and logging in his town.
The daring attack on soldiers coincided with Duterte’s proposal to extend the martial law until the end of the year. Duterte declared martial law after local ISIS militants occupied Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province in an effort to put up an Islamic State province in the region. Fighting still raging in the besieged city and hundreds of people had died from the violence that already displaced over 200,000 more.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/rebels-continue-offensives/
AirAsia extends free baggage allowance, meals to military personnel
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 22): AirAsia extends free baggage allowance, meals to military personnel
AirAsia announced on Wednesday that it will extend free baggage allowance to all AFP military personnel.
On their Facebook Page, AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said that “in recognition of their incredible sacrifice, the airline company will extend free baggage allowance of up to 40kgs including in-flight meals and snacks to all AFP military personnel on a peace-keeping mission to any of AirAsia’s flights upon presentation of official ID and mission order.”
This after a concerned ‘netizen’ narrated and posted a photo on her Facebook account on how other passengers helped three soldiers, who are headed to Marawi City and Cotabato, with their excess baggage. Captain Comendador also recognized the passengers who helped the soldiers in the spirit of Bayanihan among Filipinos.
The AirAsia Philippines CEO also said that the free baggage allowance and meals to soldiers is effective immediately.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241500617765/airasia-extends-free-baggage-allowance-meals-to-military-personnel
AirAsia announced on Wednesday that it will extend free baggage allowance to all AFP military personnel.
On their Facebook Page, AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said that “in recognition of their incredible sacrifice, the airline company will extend free baggage allowance of up to 40kgs including in-flight meals and snacks to all AFP military personnel on a peace-keeping mission to any of AirAsia’s flights upon presentation of official ID and mission order.”
This after a concerned ‘netizen’ narrated and posted a photo on her Facebook account on how other passengers helped three soldiers, who are headed to Marawi City and Cotabato, with their excess baggage. Captain Comendador also recognized the passengers who helped the soldiers in the spirit of Bayanihan among Filipinos.
The AirAsia Philippines CEO also said that the free baggage allowance and meals to soldiers is effective immediately.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241500617765/airasia-extends-free-baggage-allowance-meals-to-military-personnel
Phl Army in need of 200 new soldiers
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 22): Phl Army in need of 200 new soldiers
Philippine Army is currently in need of 200 soldiers to strengthen its forces.
In a statement, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Commander Brigadier General Casiano Monilla said it is open to applicants aged 18-26 years old, at least 5’2” in height, single, has at least one year in college related to security and education courses, interested in serving the country, and interested to be part of the Philippine Army.
Requirements for the said recruitment include certification of good moral character, medical and physical tests, and other basic requirements.
“Public Affairs Office and TRADOC Recruitment Office will help those who are interested and qualified to comply with all the requirements,” Monilla said.
Recruitment process is up to September 2017.
“Those who are qualified and interested may visit the TRADOC Recruitment Office and Public Affairs Office in Camp O’Donell, Capas, Tarlac to secure a copy of application form and for further details,” Monilla furthered.
They may also contact 09508862772, 09052553944 or 09162541399 for more information.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3341500450431/phl-army-in-need-of-200-new-soldiers-
Philippine Army is currently in need of 200 soldiers to strengthen its forces.
In a statement, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Commander Brigadier General Casiano Monilla said it is open to applicants aged 18-26 years old, at least 5’2” in height, single, has at least one year in college related to security and education courses, interested in serving the country, and interested to be part of the Philippine Army.
Requirements for the said recruitment include certification of good moral character, medical and physical tests, and other basic requirements.
“Public Affairs Office and TRADOC Recruitment Office will help those who are interested and qualified to comply with all the requirements,” Monilla said.
Recruitment process is up to September 2017.
“Those who are qualified and interested may visit the TRADOC Recruitment Office and Public Affairs Office in Camp O’Donell, Capas, Tarlac to secure a copy of application form and for further details,” Monilla furthered.
They may also contact 09508862772, 09052553944 or 09162541399 for more information.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3341500450431/phl-army-in-need-of-200-new-soldiers-
Lorenzana vows to intensify crackdown vs Maute with ML extension
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 23): Lorenzana vows to intensify crackdown vs Maute with ML extension
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said government troops will strive even further to end the ongoing Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City once and for all.
Lorenzana made the statement following the huge majority of Congress jointly voting for the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
"With the overwhelming vote of confidence from our legislature and the ardent support of the Filipino people, your defense department will strive even more to deal with the rebellion decisively and expeditiously," he said in a statement Sunday.
The Congress, in a 261-18 vote, affirmed the need to extend Presidential Proclamation Number 216 extending Martial Law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus until Dec. 31 as initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte.
It was declared in effect in Mindanao after Maute Group terrorists conducted a series of attacks in Marawi City following the botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon, last May 23.
"Makaaasa ang sambayanan na hindi namin sasayangin ang tiwalang ito. Gagampanan ng ating Hukbong Sandatahan ang pagtatanggol sa bayan at mga mamamayan nang buong katapatan," Lorenzana stressed.
He added that Maute Group terrorists or other lawless elements, wishing to reform and turn themselves in, will be accepted and given the necessary support by the government for their betterment.
"But if you persist in your crooked ways, the Armed Forces and the police will come after you without let up," Lorenzana pointed out.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002355
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said government troops will strive even further to end the ongoing Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City once and for all.
Lorenzana made the statement following the huge majority of Congress jointly voting for the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
"With the overwhelming vote of confidence from our legislature and the ardent support of the Filipino people, your defense department will strive even more to deal with the rebellion decisively and expeditiously," he said in a statement Sunday.
The Congress, in a 261-18 vote, affirmed the need to extend Presidential Proclamation Number 216 extending Martial Law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus until Dec. 31 as initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte.
It was declared in effect in Mindanao after Maute Group terrorists conducted a series of attacks in Marawi City following the botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon, last May 23.
"Makaaasa ang sambayanan na hindi namin sasayangin ang tiwalang ito. Gagampanan ng ating Hukbong Sandatahan ang pagtatanggol sa bayan at mga mamamayan nang buong katapatan," Lorenzana stressed.
He added that Maute Group terrorists or other lawless elements, wishing to reform and turn themselves in, will be accepted and given the necessary support by the government for their betterment.
"But if you persist in your crooked ways, the Armed Forces and the police will come after you without let up," Lorenzana pointed out.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002355
Duterte: No more talks with NDF
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22): Duterte: No more talks with NDF
Peace negotiations between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) dimmed as President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday declared "No more talks with the communists".
He also called on all communist leaders, who were released conditionally by the government to allow them to participate in the negotiations, to surrender
"You surrender and do not resist arrest," Duterte urged. He said he will pursue their arrest after government deals with Marawi crisis if none of them will surrender.
"I will hunt you down," Duterte warned in an interview at the sidelines of the 4th Davao Investment Conference.
The President gives another 50 years of fighting with the communists.
Speaking before the business sector during the 4th Davao Investment Conference at SMX Convention Center here on Friday, Duterte expressed his disappointment over latest pronouncements of the CPP over the declaration of martial law.
He said the communists had declared that the talks are not conducive under a situation of martial law.
I am only responding to what they are saying, he told reporters.
The President was also angered by the tag "bully" given to him by the CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison.
He also condemned continued fighting and killing of his soldiers.
On Wednesday, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) called off back channel talks after communist rebels attacked the security of Duterte in Arakan, North Cotabato.
“I am announcing the cancellation of backchannel talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF originally set within the next few days in Europe due to recent developments involving attacks done by the NPA,” Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said.
Dureza said the situation on the ground necessary to provide the desired enabling environment for the conduct of peace negotiations are still not present up to this time.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002240
Peace negotiations between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) dimmed as President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday declared "No more talks with the communists".
He also called on all communist leaders, who were released conditionally by the government to allow them to participate in the negotiations, to surrender
"You surrender and do not resist arrest," Duterte urged. He said he will pursue their arrest after government deals with Marawi crisis if none of them will surrender.
"I will hunt you down," Duterte warned in an interview at the sidelines of the 4th Davao Investment Conference.
The President gives another 50 years of fighting with the communists.
Speaking before the business sector during the 4th Davao Investment Conference at SMX Convention Center here on Friday, Duterte expressed his disappointment over latest pronouncements of the CPP over the declaration of martial law.
He said the communists had declared that the talks are not conducive under a situation of martial law.
I am only responding to what they are saying, he told reporters.
The President was also angered by the tag "bully" given to him by the CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison.
He also condemned continued fighting and killing of his soldiers.
On Wednesday, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) called off back channel talks after communist rebels attacked the security of Duterte in Arakan, North Cotabato.
“I am announcing the cancellation of backchannel talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF originally set within the next few days in Europe due to recent developments involving attacks done by the NPA,” Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said.
Dureza said the situation on the ground necessary to provide the desired enabling environment for the conduct of peace negotiations are still not present up to this time.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002240
North Cotabato grenade attack hurts 5
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22): North Cotabato grenade attack hurts 5
Five persons were injured here when an unidentified man tossed a hand grenade in a house where a village official was dining with friends Friday night, police said.
Chief Inspector Julius Malcontento, Carmen town police chief, said the grenade attack transpired in a house in Purok Pag-asa, Barangay Gen. Luna, Carmen, North Cotabato at about 6:45 p.m.
Malcontento identified the victims who sustained shrapnel injuries as David Orteza, 50; Joel Aragon; Henry Nobleza, 54; and Darwin Ortiz, 15, a special child, all residents of Barangay Gen. Luna, and Armando Aquino, 51, of Barangay Barangay Aringay, Kabacan, North Cotabato.
Malcontento said Barangay Gen. Luna chairperson Renato Ortiz Jr. and his companion-farmers were having dinner in the house of one Larry Mundo in Purok Pag-asa who was hosting a dinner with the four farmer victims in his home in Purok Pag-asa when a man tossed a hand grenade and quickly fled.
Chairperson Ortiz was unhurt.
“Our initial finding shows it was triggered by land dispute involving the victims and the attacker,” Malcontento said. He refused to reveal the names of personalities involved in the land dispute.
Responding police officers chased the suspect who managed to elude arrest under cover of darkness.
Malcontento said the police Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) are still determining the kind of hand grenade used by the attacker.
Investigation continues.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002249
Five persons were injured here when an unidentified man tossed a hand grenade in a house where a village official was dining with friends Friday night, police said.
Chief Inspector Julius Malcontento, Carmen town police chief, said the grenade attack transpired in a house in Purok Pag-asa, Barangay Gen. Luna, Carmen, North Cotabato at about 6:45 p.m.
Malcontento identified the victims who sustained shrapnel injuries as David Orteza, 50; Joel Aragon; Henry Nobleza, 54; and Darwin Ortiz, 15, a special child, all residents of Barangay Gen. Luna, and Armando Aquino, 51, of Barangay Barangay Aringay, Kabacan, North Cotabato.
Malcontento said Barangay Gen. Luna chairperson Renato Ortiz Jr. and his companion-farmers were having dinner in the house of one Larry Mundo in Purok Pag-asa who was hosting a dinner with the four farmer victims in his home in Purok Pag-asa when a man tossed a hand grenade and quickly fled.
Chairperson Ortiz was unhurt.
“Our initial finding shows it was triggered by land dispute involving the victims and the attacker,” Malcontento said. He refused to reveal the names of personalities involved in the land dispute.
Responding police officers chased the suspect who managed to elude arrest under cover of darkness.
Malcontento said the police Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) are still determining the kind of hand grenade used by the attacker.
Investigation continues.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002249
Gov't soldiers capture NPA campground in Palawan
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22): Gov't soldiers capture NPA campground in Palawan
Government troops in southern Palawan were able to capture a New People's Army campground suspected to be a training area for improvised explosive devices (IEDs)-making on Friday afternoon.
Lt. Col. Danilo Facundo,commanding officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 (MBLT-4), on Saturday said the capture of the NPA site happened during clearing operations, several hours after his troops clashed with the armed rebels at Sitio Ilyan, Barangay Malihud, Bataraza on Friday.
The NPA camp was discovered at Sitio Kambingan, only a kilometer north of the encounter site in Sitio Ilyan.
“It appears this is the campground where they are training to make IEDs to do more roadside bombing activities that may hurt innocent civilians. Losing this is definitely a major stumbling block to the rebels in Palawan,” he said.
Facundo said the site was abandoned by the NPA terrorists because of the Marines’ pursuit operations as a result of the Malihud encounter.
Recovered from the area were numerous components for IED-making and some mutinous documents.
The base camp has 21 existing small and large single-story buildings made of crude indigenous materials, a tower guard post tree house, an advance post, a sizable outhouse for assemblies, and more than a few reinforced underground shelters.
Meanwhile, Western Command (WESCOM) spokesperson Captain Cherryl Tindog said with the breakdown of government peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF after the resurgence of their extremist activities, Team WESCOM gave assurance that it would continue its conduct of focused military operations and humanitarian activities in Palawan.
She thanked the help of partner communities in reporting the sightings of armed rebels which led to the capture of the campground.
“The CPP-NPA-NDF will continue to lie to defend their acts of violence, but the people of Palawan know better -- this extremism will only hurt innocent lives,” she said.
The capture of the NPA campground in Malihud happened after President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement that he would no longer talk with the CPP-NPA-NDF for peace.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002313
Government troops in southern Palawan were able to capture a New People's Army campground suspected to be a training area for improvised explosive devices (IEDs)-making on Friday afternoon.
Lt. Col. Danilo Facundo,commanding officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 (MBLT-4), on Saturday said the capture of the NPA site happened during clearing operations, several hours after his troops clashed with the armed rebels at Sitio Ilyan, Barangay Malihud, Bataraza on Friday.
The NPA camp was discovered at Sitio Kambingan, only a kilometer north of the encounter site in Sitio Ilyan.
“It appears this is the campground where they are training to make IEDs to do more roadside bombing activities that may hurt innocent civilians. Losing this is definitely a major stumbling block to the rebels in Palawan,” he said.
Facundo said the site was abandoned by the NPA terrorists because of the Marines’ pursuit operations as a result of the Malihud encounter.
Recovered from the area were numerous components for IED-making and some mutinous documents.
The base camp has 21 existing small and large single-story buildings made of crude indigenous materials, a tower guard post tree house, an advance post, a sizable outhouse for assemblies, and more than a few reinforced underground shelters.
Meanwhile, Western Command (WESCOM) spokesperson Captain Cherryl Tindog said with the breakdown of government peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF after the resurgence of their extremist activities, Team WESCOM gave assurance that it would continue its conduct of focused military operations and humanitarian activities in Palawan.
She thanked the help of partner communities in reporting the sightings of armed rebels which led to the capture of the campground.
“The CPP-NPA-NDF will continue to lie to defend their acts of violence, but the people of Palawan know better -- this extremism will only hurt innocent lives,” she said.
The capture of the NPA campground in Malihud happened after President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement that he would no longer talk with the CPP-NPA-NDF for peace.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002313
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