Duterte gives Joma Sison '60 days' to come home

From Rappler (May 30): Duterte gives Joma Sison '60 days' to come home

The President also says there is no need to take Sison's suggestion to meet in Hanoi as he will guarantee the communist leader's safety in the Philippines

CPP FOUNDER. President Duterte wants to meet Joma Sison in the Philippines, not anywhere else. File photo by Fritzie Rodriguez

President Rodrigo Duterte asked Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison to come home in 60 days, as he rejected Sison's suggestion that they meet in Vietnam.

"I have provided a small window of 60 days and if you come home, do not worry about being killed. I do not do that," said Duterte on Wednesday, May 30.

This was part of his speech at the Presidential Security Group Change of Command Ceremony, attended by defense, military, and police officials.

"Come home and talk and as long as you do not ask for a coalition government which I cannot give and will not give, you can come home and talk to me and the others," added Duterte.

He said there was no need to meet in Hanoi in Vietnam, which Sison suggested. Duterte surmised that Sison, his former professor, only made the recommendation because he felt unsafe meeting in the Philippines.

"He took offense and said, 'Let's just talk in Hanoi or the Netherlands. He might have felt threatened," said Duterte in a mix of English and Filipino.

Sison can return to Netherlands

If nothing is resolved in their meeting in the Philippines, the President said he would let Sison return to the Netherlands "unfettered, unbridled."

"If it is unsucessful, please go home. Hatid ko siya sa airport, walang Aquino-style na patayan. Barilin ko sa likod? No," said Duterte, referring to the murder of democracy icon Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino. (I'll bring him to the airport, no Aquino-style killing. I'll shoot his back? No.)

The President, who promised to pursue peace with communists, hoped talking with Sison would end the communist insurgency, Asia's longest-running.

"Maybe in the fullness of God’s time, we can achieve peace," said the Mindanaoan Chief Executive.

Duterte formally terminated peace talks with the communists in November 2017 but has expressed openness to its resumption since then.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, however, has been vocal against the peace talks, insisting the communists were making "unreasonable demands."

 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/203723-duterte-gives-joma-sison-60-days-come-home-philippines

P6.3-M reward for tipster in BIFF bombmaker Basit Usman's death

From Rappler (May 31): P6.3-M reward for tipster in BIFF bombmaker Basit Usman's death

The informant against Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters bombmaker Basit Usman is one of several recipients of reward money totaling P27.6 million in a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo

 

REWARD MONEY. The Philippine military hands out P27.6 million reward money to 10 informants in a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo on May 31, 2018. Rappler photo

The military on Thursday, May 31, awarded P6.3 million ($119,745*) to a tipster who led the military to a successful operation to neutralize notorious bombmaker Basit Usman of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

 

Armed Forces chief General Carlito Galvez Jr handed the money to an unrecognizeable recipient clad in black balaclava. He came with a backpack where he stored the bundles of cash with the help of the military chief.

He was one of 10 informants who received a total of P27.6 million reward money in a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday.

WATCH: AFP chief General Carlito Galvez Jr hands out P6.3 million to an unrecognizeable tipster in BIFF bombmaker Basit Usman's death @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/QCbEgh9Pu3

— Carmela Fonbuena (@carmelafonbuena) May 31, 2018

Usman was a notorious bombmaker in Central Mindanao, a member of the local armed group that broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) over disagreements in the peace process.

 

He and Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan worked together. Both were in the Most Wanted Terrorist list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

The tipster received the reward 3 years after Usman was killed in May 2015. The military previously claimed that MILF members killed Usman.

 

The military continues operations against the BIFF and the peace process with the MILF is poised for implementation.

The rest of the inform

ants helped in operations against the following targets:

• Muhiden Abdusalam Uyong alias ‘Waning Abdusalam’ (Abu Sayyaf Group)
• Kiri Hamid Sahiron (Abu Sayyaf Group)
• Mustapha Guindalangan alias ‘Tha’ (Abu Sayyaf Group)
• Basit Balahim alias ‘Ballan’ (Abu Sayyaf Group)
• Regin Onsing Nazirin alias ‘Sahirun’ (Abu Sayyaf Group)
• Abdullah Mutalib (Abu Sayyaf Group)
• Aldimar Sangkula alias ‘Kompol-Kompol’ (Abu Sayyaf Group)
• Eduardo Genelsa alias ‘Lando’ (New People's Army)
• Ricardo Ampan Manili alias Joker (New People's Army)

The military said the cash reward system that started in 2001 is aimed at "encouraging citizens to join in the AFP and other law enforcement agencies’ counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts."

 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/203817-biff-basit-usman-death-tipster-reward-money

AFP chief welcomes BBL passage as 'antidote to terrorism'

From Rappler (May 31): AFP chief welcomes BBL passage as 'antidote to terrorism'



The new Bangsamoro region will make way for 'more cooperative management' between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, says Armed Forces chief General Carlito Galvez Jr

AFP CHIEF. General Carlito Galvez Jr is a known advocate of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. File photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Carlito Galvez Jr said he's "so happy" with the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

"We're so happy. As I have said, the BBL is one of the antidotes to terrorism. Once we have passed the BBL, the political solution will be embraced," Galvez said.

Galvez is a known advocate of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He worked closely with the dominant Muslim rebel group when he served as co-chairman of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.

Galvez said the MILF "on the ground" also welcome the BBL's passage.

"I believe they are very happy with the passage. This is a long negotiation since 1997 when we had a ceasefire. I believe this is a very positive milestone," said the AFP chief.

The creation of a new Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will make way for "more cooperative management" between the military and the MILF, added Galvez.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/203827-afp-carlito-galvez-jr-bangsamoro-basic-law-antidote-terrorism

Interim peace agreement must include basic reforms – NDFP

From the often pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) online publication the Davao Today (May 31): Interim peace agreement must include basic reforms – NDFP

Even as she sees the probability of the signing of an interim peace agreement (IPA) with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), a member of the panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) reiterated the significance of integrating basic reforms into the agreement.

In a statement on Monday, Julie de Lima, the chairperson of the NDFP-Reciprocal Working Group on Social and Economic Reform (RWC-SER) said the interim peace agreement, if agreed to and signed by both parties, will signify movement in the stalled peace talks.

“This would be a significant development in the peace process, only if the interim peace agreement includes basic social reforms. The NDFP has always been consistent that social and economic reforms must be the cornerstone of any peace agreement.” De Lima pointed out.

She added that among the basic reforms needed to be incorporated in the IPA include Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ARRD) and the National Industrialization and Economic Development (NIED).

ARRD and NIED are two major sections of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), the second substantive agenda in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations.

The inclusion of the reforms, de Lima noted would be the first step towards addressing the roots of armed conflicts.

She also reported that the bilateral teams of the RWC-SER have agreed on the common drafts of ARRD and NIED.

“The still unresolved contentious issues are being referred to the RWC-SERs of the two Parties for resolution before negotiations at the level of the GRP-NDFP Negotiating Panels,” De Lima added.

The teams, she said, still need to discuss the other parts of CASER to include the Environmental Protection, Rehabilitation and Compensation (EPRC), Rights of the Working People, Monetary and Fiscal Policy and Foreign Economic Trade relations.

“Genuine agrarian reform with rural industrial development and national industrial and economic development that benefits and protects the rights of the working people are among the many issues at the heart of any peace agreement. Ceasefire alone will not resolve the centuries-old problems from which the Filipino masses have struggled to break free,” De Lima said.

She also asserted that previously signed agreements such as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), must also be complied with as a matter of justice in the IPA.

Earlier, NDFP chief consultant Jose Maria Sison has indicated the signing of IPA this coming June.

Various sectors also lauded the move and the recent developments announced by both peace panels.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/interim-peace-agreement-must-include-basic-reforms-ndfp/

Captured NPA leader transferred to Davao City to face charges

From the often pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) online publication the Davao Today (May 29): Captured NPA leader transferred to Davao City to face charges

New People’s Army leader Elizalde Cañete alias Jinggoy at the Davao City Police Office
(Photo from DCPO Police Community Relation Branch’s Facebook page)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Davao City Police Office has taken custody of Injured New People’s Army leader,​ Elizalde Cañete​,​ alias Ka Jinggoy after his release from the Don Carlos Doctors Hospital in Bukidnon on Tuesday, May 29.

DCPO Director, Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum told media that Cañete was transferred here “​since most of the charges against him are filed in Davao City regional trial court​”​.

Tagum said Cañete is facing 12 different cases, five of which are non-bailable crimes including illegal detention and four cases of murder.

 

Cañete is also facing a case of robbery ​in​ b​a​nd with P100,000 bail, four different cases of attempted murder amounting to P400,00 bail, frustrated murder with around P80,000 bail bond recommended, and an alias warrant amounting to P50,000 bail bond.

“He [Cañete] was referred to us so that we will serve the warrant of arrest to him and we will be also in charge of returning those warrants to the courts that handle the cases that involve Commander Jinggoy,” said Tagum.

Tagum added they will immediately process all the cases filed against the NPA leader.

Tagum refused to go into details but assured they will implement a stricter security measures while Cañete is under their custody.

“Commander Jinggoy will also face the same level of security measures we enforced when Maute patriarch, Mr. Cayamora, was apprehended while he is under the custody of DCPO,” Tagum added.

Cañete was released from the intensive care unit of Don Carlos Doctors Hospital and later brought to Don Carlos Municipal Police Station on Monday, May 28.

Karapatan Southern Mindanao spokesperon Jay Apiag said the police arrest and detention was hasty and could be harmful for Cañete who underwent a major brain surgery last May 11 after sustaining head and body injuries in a clash with government troops on May 10 at Barangay Kipilas in Kitaotao town, Bukidnon.

The group said no doctor or health personnel checked on Cañete’s condition inside the police jail.

Apiag said police and military must be held liable with whatever happens to Cañete under their custody.

Meanwhile, the ​Exodus for Justice and Peace,​ which acted as third party facilitator during NPA release​s​ of prisoners of war, disputed Cañete’s transfer to a regular jail, citing that he is a hors de combat who needs medical care.

“We contest this arrest, as Cañete is a hors de combat, a wounded combatant that should be tended first for his critical medical condition as stipulated under the CARHRIHL (Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law) signed by the government and the NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines),” EJP said.

​Also, it said the arrest and forced travel of Cañete ​”​is worrisome as it has implications to the ongoing back channel talks for the resumption of peace talks​”​.

According to CARHRIHL, “the wounded and the sick shall be collected and cared for by the party to the armed conflict which has them in its custody or responsibility.”

The CARHRIHL is the first of four substantive agenda slated in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations signed in 1998 which obligated both parties engaged in the civil war to respect and adhere to international humanitarian law.

NDFP Senior Adviser Luis Jalandoni condemned​ the arrest of Cañete in a tweet on Tuesday morning.

“[We] condemn in the strongest terms the military’s arresting hors de combat Z​aldy C​anete , who suffered a traumatic head injury and was recuperating after an eleven hour operation in a hospital in Bukidnon. This is a ​flagrant violation of International Laws of War and CARHRIHL!” Jalandoni said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Eastern Mindanao Command announced that Cañete also known as Ka Jinggoy was apprehended by joint military and police forces last May 12 at Don Carlos Doctors Hospital.

The ​​military said Cañete replaced the late Leoncio Pitao also known as Comannder Parago as leader of the 1st Pulang Bagani Command of the NPA that operates in the boundary of Bukidnon, Davao del Norte and the mountainous parts of Davao City.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/captured-npa-leader-transferred-to-davao-city-to-face-charges/

5 explosives intercepted along Cotabato highway

From MindaNews (May 31): 5 explosives intercepted along Cotabato highway

Elements of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade intercepted a package loaded with five improvised explosive devices (IEDs) placed along the highway in Carmen, North Cotabato noon Tuesday, reports from the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO) said.

Bomb experts found out that each explosive was made from an 81mm projectile or mortar, with power supply, a trigger, and a detonator.

According to the CPPO, two still unidentified males onboard a motorcycle left the bag along the national highway, in particular at Sitio Galay, Barangay Kibayao in Carmen.

Before this happened, the CPPO said they received an intelligence report that a group is out to sow terror in North Cotabato and nearby provinces by placing IEDs in their areas.

When elements of the 7th Infantry Battalion and 62nd Reconnaissance Company of the 602IB, including the police, received an information that a package was left along the Carmen highway, they immediately proceeded to the area.

The Carmen municipal police station, with their K9 units, immediately cordoned the area while elements of the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team rendered safety procedure on the IEDs.

The CPPO said that the bombs were so powerful that they could really inflict damages both to life and property.

Police has yet to determine the group and the motive behind it.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/05/5-explosives-intercepted-along-cotabato-highway/

CPP’s Sison welcomes Duterte’s assurance of safety

From MindaNews (May 31): CPP’s Sison welcomes Duterte’s assurance of safety

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison welcomes the assurance of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to ensure his safety when he comes home after three decades of seeking asylum as a political refugee in the Netherlands.



Jose Ma. Sison. Photo courtesy of NDF International Information Office

Sison, Duterte’s former professor in Political Thought in college, said in a statement on Thursday that he would return to the Philippines after the signing of the Interim Peace Agreement, which is set for June, and the subsequent mutual approval of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), the “heart and soul” of the government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (GRP-NDFP) peace talks, in July or August.

He said it is better to have an assurance of safety from the President so that they could hold a dialogue and agree on how they could serve the interest of the Filipinos, especially the “toiling masses of workers and peasants through the peace negotiations and cooperation under the principles of national sovereignty, democracy and social justice.”

During the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Change of Command Ceremony at the PSG Grandstand in Malacañang Park on Wednesday, Duterte gave his former professor “his word of honor” that he should not worry about his safety and that he would not have him killed when he comes home.

“I may call on, maybe, members of his command to protect him. I have provided a small window of 60 days. And if you come home, do not worry about being killed. I will not do that,” he said.

He explained that he understands the communist leader’s ambivalence and that he knows how he feels as they both lost men to armed encounters.

The fifth round of GRP-NDFP peace talks was aborted for the second time just two days before it would resume on November 25 to 27 last year, when the President issued Proclamation 360, accusing the NDFP of “lack of sincerity,” following a New People’s Army (NPA) ambush on November 9 that killed four-month-old Walysha Manchorao and similar incidents.

The President subsequently signed Proclamation 374, designating the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing as terrorist organizations.

The President said Sison is free to leave the country “unhampered, unfettered, unbridled” if the talks would turn out unsuccessful.

“But this time, sabi ko nga, sabihin ko sa kanya, ‘please, if it is unsuccessful, please go home.’ Ihatid ko siya sa airport. Walang Aquino style na patayan, na barilin ko sa likod (I bring him to the airport myself. No Aquino-style murder, shot from behind),” he said.

Duterte reiterated that he will not agree on a coalition government with the communists.

“Come home and talk, and as long as you do not ask a coalition government, which I cannot give and will never give, you can come home and talk to me and the others, and maybe in the fullness of God’s time we can achieve peace in our land,” he said.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/05/ccps-sison-welcomes-dutertes-assurance-of-safety/

BIFF ‘weapons factory’ raided in Mindanao

From the Mindanao Examiner (May 30): BIFF ‘weapons factory’ raided in Mindanao

Security forces seized old and rusty guns from an alleged “firearms factory” being used by militants, whose group is tied to the Islamic State, in southern Philippines, officials said Wednesday.

Officials said police commandos, backed by army soldiers and armoured vehicles, raided several houses in the village of Tonggol in General Salipada Pendatun town suspected of being a weapons factory for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).







Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show illegal weapons seized from an alleged weapons factory in the troubled province of Maguindanao. Also troops headed by Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, and an armoured vehicle used in the operation.
The Tuesday raid, led by Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, was part of an operation aimed at weakening the BIFF’s access to illegal weapons. The raiders recovered a lathe machine, two anti-tank rocket launchers, one .45-caliber pistol, a shotgun, rifle grenades and several homemade guns.

“To keep our winning edge against a highly adaptive enemy in a complex environment, we employed different capabilities to maximize combined arms effects. The synergized effort enables the police commandos to serve the warrants against the suspects,” Cabunoc said.

Military and police forces failed to arrest or capture any BIFF militant, but over a dozen civilians were briefly held for questioning and eventually freed.

BIFF militants have previously attacked police and military targets in the province and in neighboring towns and have been fighting for a separate homeland in the troubled, but mineral-rich region.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2018/05/biff-weapons-factory-raided-in-mindanao.html

Army holds battalion commanders' conference

From the Mindanao Examiner (May 31): Army holds battalion commanders' conference

The Philippine Army’s 1^st Infantry Division hosted this year’s Battalion Commanders’ Symposium held in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province.

The three-day activity which ended Thursday was attended by 66 Western Mindanao Command-based battalion commanders from 1^st Infantry Division and 6^th Infantry Division including from Special Forces and Scout Rangers.

This year’s theme for BCS is: “Adaptable Battalion Commanders, Responding to Challenge”. The event emphasized the battalion  commander’s critical role in community security, development support, and accomplishing the given mission in their respective area of responsibility.

Governor Mujiv Hataman, of the Muslim autonomous region, was also invited as a resource speaker and he shared some valuable insights of the local chief executives and he underscored the importance of partnership and engagement between the local government and the armed forces in attaining peace and development of the region.

“This is not the first I’m talking to you giving some important experiences working with the military. My positive outlook towards the armed forces happened as a result of these numerous experiences especially during the Marawi crisis where I appreciated too much the heroism and services of every soldier in protecting the civilians, defending peace and security, democracy, and the rule of law,” Hataman said.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2018/05/army-holds-battalion-commanders.html

New Negros army commander assumes post

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): New Negros army commander assumes post



NEW NEGROS ISLAND ARMY COMMANDER. Brigadier General Dinoh Dolina (center), commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, witnesses the turnover of command from Brigadier General Eliezer Losañes (right) to Colonel Alberto Desoyo as head of the 303rd Infantry Brigade in rites held at Camp Major Nelson Gerona in Murcia, Negros Occidental on Thursday (May 31, 2018). (Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)

MURCIA, Negros Occidental -- Colonel Alberto Desoyo assumed as commander of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Island during the change of command held at the headquarters in Barangay Minoyan here Thursday.

Desoyo, previously chief of staff of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, Samar, succeeded Brig. Gen. Eliezer Losañes, whose tour of duty in Negros lasted for about a year and a half.

“Today (Thursday), as I assume command of the Brown Eagle Brigade I cannot help but feel honored to be welcomed by all the combat support and its service unit commanders, and by no less than three fighting battalions,” the new brigade chief said in his message after receiving the unit colors from Brigadier General Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Gayas of the 3rd Infantry Division read the relief and designation orders of Losañes and Desoyo, respectively.

Desoyo is no stranger to Negros Occidental as he served as commander of the 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) headquartered in Barangay Bato, Sagay City in 2008.

At present, the 62nd IB remains as one of the three battalions under the 303rd Brigade along with the 15th IB in Cauayan, Negros Occidental and the 79th IB in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.

Desoyo, who belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class 1989, said he never expected to be back and be given the chance to serve the people of Negros anew.

“I was thinking then that I will be retiring in Samar. Pero narito po akong muli at dahil diyan, ipinapangako ko na gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya para magampanan ang trabahong ito at naniniwala ako na sa ating pagtutulong-tulong ay gagaan ang anuman nating trabaho. (But now I’m back and I promise to do everything I can do to fulfill my duties, and I believe that with us working together, our jobs would be easier). Some of jobs may be difficult. Yes, difficult but not impossible,” he added.

Meanwhile, from Negros, Losañes will join the 8th Infantry Division as assistant division commander.

He said that he is greatly honored and grateful to relinquish his command, citing the boosting of the troops’ morale and introducing initiatives to improve the well-being of soldiers as his most important accomplishment.

For his part, Dolina urged the Negrense stakeholders to show Desoyo the same support they gave to Losañes.

“We really need your support to accomplish our mission,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1037093

Galvez, 4 other AFP officials get CA nod

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): Galvez, 4 other AFP officials get CA nod



The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed the ad interim appointments of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., and four other military officials Wednesday.

This was announced by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato in a statement.

Galvez was promoted to the rank of general (four stars) on April 24 and was appointed as AFP chief on April 18. He is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985.

Detoyato said the other four military officials confirmed by the CA are AFP Reserve Command chief Brig. Gen. Rolando Rodil and 355th Aviation Engineer Wing commander Brig. Gen. Joselito Maclan.

Also confirmed were Reservists Brig. Gen. Nelson Collantes, 3rd Air Force Reserve Command head, and 7th Air Force Wing Reserve deputy commander Col. Emmanuel Mahipus.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1037019

PAF allots P49-M for FA-50PH seat cartridge escape system

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): PAF allots P49-M for FA-50PH seat cartridge escape system

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is looking for suppliers of seat cartridge escape systems for its South Korean FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle" jet fighters.

Budget for the project has been set at PHP49.98 million, said the bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.

Opening of bids is scheduled at 9:15 a.m. on June 6 at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

"The Philippine Air Force reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA (Republic Act No.) 9184 and its IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations), without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders," PAF Bids and Awards Committee head Brig. Gen. Ferynl Buca said in the same bid bulletin Thursday.

The FA-50PHs had its baptism of fire during the Marawi City campaign where it was heavily used for close-air support mission roles, along with the venerable OV-10 "Bronco" turbo-prop attack aircraft, SF-260 light bombers and various attack helicopters of the PAF.

The FA-50PHs has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one-and-a-half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted with air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles, aside from light automatic cannons.

A total of 12 aircraft were acquired from Korea Aerospace Industries for PHP18.9 billion. Delivery commenced in November 2015 and was completed in May 2017.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1037029

PNP: Chain message on ISIS spreading AIDS a hoax

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): PNP: Chain message on ISIS spreading AIDS a hoax

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday urged the public to refrain from spreading a "chain message" hoax on social media claiming that members of terror group ISIS are out to infect people with the HIV virus.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said the prank is probably meant to sow fear with the undiscerning members of the general public.

"The PNP has previously declared as hoax this post because this is a mere chain text. Although poorly scripted, we ask the public not to share said post as this may create unnecessary fear among gullible individuals," Bulalacao said in an interview with reporters.

In one version of the message also spread through text messages, ISIS terrorists would allegedly poke infected needles to unsuspecting victims by pretending to be government doctors checking the victim's blood sugar.

Another version said the ISIS members are roving in medical centers and are offering free vaccines that purportedly contain AIDS virus.

"Paki inform mo mga friends nyo na my nag iikot daw kunyari sa medical center cla kunyari anti tetanus o anupaman wag daw magpabakuna kc mdami daw nagkakalat member ng muslim isis group iinject daw aids virus pampatay sa mga tao para mkaganti sa gobyerno wag kamo cla mag entertain ng mga ganon at dlikado post u na now," the viral message read.

A cursory check on Facebook showed variations of the scare message has been around in other countries since March.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1037059

AFP shells out P27.6-M reward money to 10 informants

From the Philippine News Agency (May 31): AFP shells out P27.6-M reward money to 10 informants



Ten informants who provided information that led to the neutralization of eight Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and two communist terrorist leaders received PHP27.6 million worth of reward money from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Thursday.

The awarding took place at the OJ-2 Multi-Purpose Hall, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) Compound at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. personally handed the reward to the 10 informants, whose identities are concealed for security reasons.

Also present in the reward handover ceremonies were AFP deputy chief-of-staff for intelligence (J-2) Major Gen. Fernando Trinidad.

"Through information shared by tipsters, eight ASG members and cohorts, and two communist terrorist leaders were either killed or arrested in law enforcement operations conducted by the AFP in coordination with the Philippine National Police," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said.

One of the known terrorist personalities neutralized was Ahmad Akmad Batabol alias "Basit Usman" with a PHP6.3 million-bounty on his head.

The latter is a bomb expert and a globally notorious terrorist, who was one of the associates of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan”. Batabol was included in the US most-wanted terrorists list.

Other neutralized personalities were ASG members Muhiden Abdusalam Uyong alias "Waning Abdusalam" with PHP3.7 million; Kiri Hamid Sahiron with PHP3.3 million; and Mustapha Guindalangan alias "Tha" with PHP1.2 million.

Arrested ASG cohorts with rewards were Basit Balahim alias "Ballan" and Regin Onsing Nazirin alias "Sahirun" with PHP1 million each; and Abdullah Mutalib and Aldimar Sangkula alias "Kompol-Kompol" with PHP600,000 each.

The arrested communist terrorist leaders were Eduardo Genelsa alias "Lando" with PHP5-million bounty and Ricardo Ampan Manili alias "Joker" with PHP4.9 million.

Detoyato said the cash reward system that started in 2001 is aimed at encouraging citizens to join in the AFP and other law enforcement agencies’ counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts.

This is also part of the military’s campaign towards a whole-of-nation approach in attaining the shared goal of a just and lasting peace and development for the country.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1037094

Gov't to publish national security strategy : Esperon

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30): Gov't to publish national security strategy : Esperon

For the first time ever, the government will publish a national security strategy that would serve as a roadmap in building a stronger nation, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon announced Wednesday.
Esperon made the revelation in a briefing by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on the recent developments in the WPS at the House of Representatives.

"For the first time, we are publishing our national security strategy," Esperon said, noting that it was already signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last May 16.

He said the national security strategy will address urgent security concerns and cope with the rapidly changing global security environment in line with the objectives set forth in the National Security Policy of 2017-2022.

"In order to protect our most cherished democratic institutions and way of life, we will create an environment where peace and economic development will complement each other," Esperon quoted Duterte as saying in the national security strategy.

"To defend our sovereignty and integrity of our national territory, we will continue to develop and improve our defense, intelligence, and law enforcement capabilities to enable our troops to end communist insurgency and terrorism and violent extremism," Esperon added.

Based on the document, the country would also bolster its position in the community of nations by "strengthening our diplomatic relations with our traditional allies, engaging non-traditional partners, and pursuing an independent foreign policy that gives primacy to our national interest."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1036933