MILF: BDA conducts Values Transformation Training to Indigenous Peoples of South Cotabato

From the MIF Website (Dec 10): BDA conducts Values Transformation Training to Indigenous Peoples of South Cotabato



The Bangsamoro Development Agency in Southern Mindanao Region conducted Values Transformation Training (VTT) in Barangay Poblacion, Lake Sebu, Province of South Cotabato on December 1-3, 2012, aimed to promote important values among the community volunteers (CVs) that are crucial in unity and community development. The training, conducted in coordination to the Polical Committee of the MILF in Lake Sebu, was participated by the CVs for the Child Protection Component Program (CPCP) of UNICEF in Barangay Lam Lahak of Lake Sebu.

Barangay Lam Lahak is the pilot community in the province where the CPCP is implemented. The program implementation is facilitated by the BDA. Around 40 participants, Christians and reverts to Islam, all belonging to Tboli tribe completed the training. Some local MILF members also joined the activity. The paricipants learned the essence of embracing values in personal and community development. VTT topics include Islamic and Universal Values that Promote Development, Importance of Faith, Self-Purification, Islamic Values in Dealing with non-Muslims, Application of Islamic Values in Development, Pillars of Islam, Articles of Islamic Faith, and Values Enhancement. They have also undergone Training on Journey Of Life (JOL) from UNICEF as one of the trainings in CPCP.

Mohalikin D. Piang, BDA Regional Manager in Southern Mindanao Region, said VTT is a basic training in all project and program implementations of the BDA. The agency has been implementing other programs in conflict affected areas in Southern Philippines funded by development partners such as JICA, World Bank and UN agencies. He explained the importance of personal, spiritual and universal values to every person’s undertakings in the daily life in this world and in the hereafter.
Piang related further that BDA was establised in accordance with the Humanitarian and Development Aspect of the GRP-MILF Peace Agreement of June 21,2002. He also presented the role, mission, vision and goals of the BDA in the Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao.....



http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2985:bda-conducts-values-transformation-training-to-indigenous-peoples-of-south-cotabato&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

MILF: Public Interest on Framework Agreement Increases

From the MILF Website (Dec 10): Public Interest on Framework Agreement Increases



Officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) including Datu Antonio P. Kinoc, an alternate MILF Peace Panel member that represents the indigenous people are now taking advantage of the momentum as interest and widespread support on the FAB increase and gaining ground even in Christian localities in Central Mindanao and among the indigenous people in Maguindanao. This was shown by series of invitations received by the Front and Datu Kinoc in recent days. Non-government organizations are also exerting efforts to intensify information drive through conduct of forums and other forms of public gathering to enlighten the people on the letter and intent of the FAB as well as the benefits that maybe derived from it. MinHRAC is one of the frontrunners of this campaign advocacy.

Datu Kinoc has been invited to various advocacy forums on the FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON THE BANGSA MORO signed last October 15, 2012 in Manila. On November 22, 2012, he was invited by the National Code NGO Assembly through MINCODE, its Mindanao Office headed by Ms. Pat Sarenas. Datu Kinoc spoke in the afternoon ahead of GPH Panel Member Bai Yasmin Busran Lao. Last November 27, 2012, Datu Kinoc was again invited to speak on the framework agreement at the Mindanao State University, General Santos City Campus at Tambler, General Santos City. The forum was organized by the MINHRAC in coordination with the chancellor of the University. It was attended by more than two thousand students, faculty and community leaders who came as far as Glan. Many questions were asked and were ably answered by both Datu Kinoc and Atty Zainudin Malang of MINHRAC.

On November 28, 2012, the SIMM CARRD also invited Datu Kinoc at a forum on the same subject at the El Comidor Restaurant along Sinsuat Ave. Cotabato City. It was attended by a mixed audience of Christian and Moro stakeholders representing the urban poor, agrarian reform beneficiaries and ten (10) barangay chairmen and other officials of Cotabato City. Then on December 1, 2012, upon invitation of MINHRAC, a forum of similar nature was also held in South Upi, A large delegation of MILF Officials led by the General Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) and other functionaries of the MILF notably the Chair of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Peace Panel on normalization, Mohammad Nassif and Atty Naguib Sinarimbo. Mayor Abdullah Campong also attended the program......

....... On December 2, 2012, the group of Datu Kinoc was also invited to another forum at Barangay Manarapan, Carmen, North Coabato were more than 400 people attended. The audience was told that Carmen is prominent in the Bangsamoro struggle because it was in this town that the infamous Manili massacre took place sometime in 1971 that added to the sentiments and anger of the Moro people who later on waged a war of rebellion that engulfed Mindanao and Sulu. Another Peace Forum was also organized by the SIMM CARRD on December 3, 2012 at the town of Alamada, North Cotabato where the delegation of Datu Kinoc was present. Barangay chairmen and other local leaders attended the program......

..... Similar gatherings in connection with the campaign dissemination of the agreement were also conducted in Shariff Aguak. Maguindanao; Midsayap, North Cotabato, Malapatan, Sarangani; and Mati City in Davao Oriental where top Front officials personally attended, including Ghazali Jaafar, MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2984:public-interest-on-framework-agreement-increases&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

MILF: BLMI holds 2nd training on accounting, management

From the MILF Website (Dec 10): BLMI holds 2nd training on accounting, management

The Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), in conjunction with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), held another four-day seminar-workshop on Accounting and Management at the BLMI Training Center in Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao from December 2 to 5. This is the second training on the subject jointly conducted by the BLMI and BDA. The first was held on November 24-27, which was attended by male participants, while the second by all female participants, who came from the various parts of Mindanao.

However, most trainings conducted by the BLMI drew male and female trainees together, although BLMI’s policy requires that there will be no free mixing of sexes. Both seminar-workshops were sponsored and funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a leading international donor organization. JICA has been deeply involved in the relief, rehabilitation and development aids to the conflicted affected areas in Mindanao.

Datu Hamlon Usman, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), the BDA finance head, and Miss Gina Aisha Ladiasan, BDA finance officer, were the resource speakers. The resource persons mainly focused on the modern system and principle of accounting and management, with occasional input on Islamic economic system. They also required the participants to undergo hand’s on practice by using computers in order to ensure efficiency, transparency and effectiveness in the aspects of financial operation in the context of honest and functional governance when the Bangsamoro Government will be in place.

BLMI Executive Director, Sheikh Mahmod Ahmad, and BDA’s Executive Director Sheikh Mohammad S. Yacob, graced the occasion and exhorted the participants to give all their best in order to learn and internalize the essence of their training.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2983:blmi-holds-2nd-training-on-accounting-management&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

MILF: MILF compliance to anti-personnel mines ban explained

From the MILF Website (Dec 9): MILF compliance to anti-personnel mines ban explained



Prof. Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, executive director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS) discussed how the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has enforced its obligations under the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel mines during the side event on the occasion of the 12th Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention held from 3-7 December 2012 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

The side event titled “Implementing mine ban commitments: Successes and challenges faced by current and former armed non-state actors” organized by Geneva Call was held after the opening session of the Convention on December 3. The other speaker was Mr. Hussein Abdirizak Issa, Director of the Puntland Mine Action Centre (PMAC) of Somalia, who spoke about the development of mine action in Puntland from the signing of Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel mines in 2002 to Somalia accession to the Mine Ban Convention this year.

Prof. Lingga said that the MILF Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) issued General Order No. 3 on September 23, 2011 which integrates into the BIAF Code of Conduct the total ban on anti-personnel mine. Geneva Call in partnership with the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies assisted the BIAF General Staff in the dissemination of the order in all its base commands to ensure compliance. Prof. Lingga urged armed non-state actors to commit to ban the use of anti-personnel mines. The use of anti-personnel mines is not the way towards peace it only increases the sufferings of people. States, Prof. Lingga said, should cooperate with Geneva Call in the monitoring and verification of compliance of armed non-state actors to the Deed of Commitment.

General Order No. 3 prohibits all BIAF members to own, possess, keep, use, manufacture, stockpile, and utilize victim-activated anti-personnel mines. The MILF is one of the two initial signatories of the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment banning Anti-Personnel mines in March 2000. The MILF re-affirmed - and extended - its obligations by signing a revised and current version of the Deed of Commitment in 2002.

Prof. Lingga also attended the opening session of the convention. The purpose of the Convention is to “put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines” through universal acceptance of a ban on anti-personnel mines; destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines; clearance of mined areas; and providing assistance to mine victims. As of date, 160 states have ratified the Convention, and the use and production of anti-personnel mines has decreased significantly. More than 44.5 million mines have been destroyed by the States Parties and 155 States Parties now no longer hold stocks.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2982:milf-compliance-to-anti-personnel-mines-ban-explained-&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

Protest march to mark International HR Day

From InterAksyon (Dec 10): Protest march to mark International HR Day



To them, it doesn’t feel like International Human Rights Day at all. Hundreds of peasants and indigenous peoples from the ManiLakbayan of Mindanao and those who joined the Lakbayan from Southern Luzon meet today at Recto-Morayta to march to Mendiola to protest what they called unabated extrajudicial killings and the climate of impunity over two years in the presidency of President Aquino. The march organizers said they will burn an effigy, a combined military tank and backhoe with a “Noynoy Aquino” figure at the steering wheel. The effigy symbolizes both the Oplan Bayanihan, Aquino’s counterinsurgency blueprint, and the devastating effects of mining by multinational corporations. Both, the protesters say, have caused them their lives and livelihood. With the Mindanao and Southern Tagalog marchers are members of people’s organizations of workers, urban poor, Church people, and human rights advocates led by Karapatan and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).  A program will be held in Mendiola with speeches from representatives from Mindanao and Southern Tagalog; cultural presentations and a ritual by several Datu from Mindanao tribes.....

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50025/protest-march-to-mark--international-hr-day

Soldiers used to typhoons shocked by ‘Pablo’s’ fury

From MindaNews (Dec 9): Soldiers used to typhoons shocked by ‘Pablo’s’ fury



The devastated headquarters of Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion at the town proper of New Bataan. Mindanews Photo by Keith Bacongco

NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley — “Maayo pa ang gyera sini kay makalikay pa, pero ining bagyo waay gid kami paadtuan (War is better because we can hide, but with typhoon there’s no way to go),” said Staff Sgt. Antonio Sodosta of the Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion. Sodosta, who was assigned in typhoon-prone Samar province for eight years, said he had never experienced such strong winds and seen such magnitude as the fury unleashed by Typhoon Pablo.

On December 5, the 40-year old soldier and his comrades suffered Pablo’s wrath while they were at their headquarters in the town proper here. “Grabe ang hangin. Tapos perti kakusog sa tubig. Una gid namon gi-save ang amon mga pusil pero ang iban mga gamit nagkala-anod. Pero di namon ma biyaan amon mga kubo kay may mga importante na gamit” (The wind was terrible. The (rain)water was very strong. We first saved our guns but the other documents were swept away. We also did not leave our hut because there are important things),” said Sodosta, who hails from Tantangan, South Cotabato.

He recalled that rocks bigger than their heads hit them in the different parts of the body while holding on inside their huts. The huts inside the Army Battalion’s base are made of light materials.
Several huts were totally damaged while many were still standing but partially damaged. Two 105mm howitzers remained on their positions amid the strong water current. “Di na basta-basta maanod kay bug-at pa na sa 6×6 truck (That can’t easily be swept away because that’s heavier than a 6×6 truck),” Sodosta added.

He recalled that during his stint in Samar with a different battalion, they could still rest well inside their huts whenever a typhoon hits the island province. “Pero ini nga bagyo, wala gid kalikay iban nga upod namon (But this typhoon was so strong that some of our comrades were swept away),” Sodosta said. As of Friday, four solders were reported killed while five others remained missing after the flashflood hit their outpost in Barangay Andap.

Andap was the hardest-hit village here, its barangay proper totally wiped out. While interviewing Sodosta, another Army sergeant arrived to have his lunch break before resuming the retrieval operations beside the nearby Catholic church. Sgt. Anthony Mendez, from Pavia town of Iloilo, also told MindaNews that he has experienced typhoons when his unit was still in Iloilo. But the magnitude of their wrath was not the same as Typhoon Pablo. “Grabe gid kakusog hangin sang Martes, wala gid ko kaagi amo sini sang nagbagyo sa Iloilo (The wind was very strong last Tuesday. I haven’t experienced this kind of typhoon while in Iloilo),” he said referring to Typhoon Frank in 2008.

Moderate rains started to fall in this town again in the middle of the interview, prompting the soldiers to scamper back to their huts to place temporary cover on the holes of the roofs. “Sa panahon sang kalamidad sundalo gid permi ga una bulig, pero karon, biktima man kami (In time of calamity, soldiers are the first to respond. But now we are also victims),” a more senior soldier told MindaNews.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/12/09/soldiers-used-to-typhoons-shocked-by-pablos-fury/

MILF denies involvement in 'Bumbaran massacre'

From ABS-CBN (Dec 9): MILF denies involvement in 'Bumbaran massacre'

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) denied any involvement in the massacre of eight farmers in Barangay Mansilano, Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur last Thursday. "Hindi naman gagawin ng sino mang MILF ang bagay na 'yun. Dapat magsagawa ng further investigation kasi baka 'yan ay rido (clan war), dinadamay lang ang MILF," said MILF first vice chairman Gazali Jaafar. Jaafar also strongly condemned the massacre, noting the MILF will conduct its own investigation into the matter. He said that if there is any member of the organization who violated any law, appropriate punishment shall be imposed. "The MILF as an organization is administering justice. Kapag 'yang kaso ay nadala sa korte ng MILF, ang may kasalanan ay dapat magdusa ...batas na nakabatay sa Shariah,” Jaafar added. Last Thursday's incident also left seven others wounded.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/09/12/milf-denies-involvement-bumbaran-massacre

8 dead in Lanao del Sur massacre

From ABS-CBN (Dec 8): 8 dead in Lanao del Sur massacre

Eight people were killed and 7 others were hurt in a shooting incident in Sitio Kalibuntod, Barangay Mansilano, Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur on Friday. Five of the victims, who were farmers, were identified as Jovie Lucañas, 22-year-old Terry Pacarat, 28-year-old Jerry Pacarat, 36-year-old Cerelo Pacarat and 30-year-old Joie Pacarat. Police said the victims were shot and hacked by around 30 unidentified armed men, suspected to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). They said the head of Lucañas is still missing. Authorities suspect that a dispute over a 30-hectare land is the motive for the killings. Initial reports also said the some of the wounded victims were able to fire back using improvised shotguns, killing 3 of the suspects. One of the killed suspects was identified as a certain Kumander Abu. Investigations are still ongoing.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/08/12/5-dead-alleged-land-dispute-lanao-del-sur

Moro rebels ready with talks

From Business World (Dec 9): Moro rebels ready with talks

The head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF ) negotiating panel yesterday said his team is ready to face its government counterpart led by a woman chief negotiator when the two parties resume talks within this month for the remaining key issues in the peace plan. In a statement, Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief peace negotiator, denied unconfirmed reports that the MILF wants the government peace panel to be headed by a male given the "Moro tradition and good practices, man is not supposed to argue with women." But the rebel leader said that "negotiation, it is not about argumentation and debate but essentially discussion of issues and concerns and to agree or to disagree or look for a common way out."

On Saturday, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, a professor of the University of the Philippines, was appointed chairman of the negotiating panel. She has been a member of the peace panel when the Aquino administration resumed the talks in 2010. She replaced Mario Victor F. Leonen, who was also associate justice of the Supreme Court last month.

Mr. Iqbal said he sees Ms. Ferrer as capable in dealing with talks. "She deserved it and [she] is capable to handle the task, besides her being the vice-chairwoman of the government peace panel right now," he said. "I wished her luck and looked up for more strides in the talks under her stewardship," Mr. Iqbal added.

For his part, Ghazali Jaafar, vice-chairman of the MILF, said in an interview at the weekend that the MILF has no right to be involved in the appointment of the government panel head. "It’s internal to the government," he said, adding that in the negotiations issues are more important than personalities. The MILF, however, has rejected a previous appointment by the government. In 2007, the Arroyo administration announced the appointment of Catholic priest Eliseo R. Mercado, Jr. to head the government panel, but this was abandoned over protests from the MILF. At that time, the MILF said appointing a church person will lead to a "highly partisan" discussion.

The government and MILF panels are expected to conclude discussions within the month on three annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. These are power and wealth sharing, and the normalization, which includes the disarmament of the Moro fighters.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Moro-rebels-ready-with-talks&id=62685

PH, Malaysia hold security meet

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 10): PH, Malaysia hold security meet

Malaysian armed forces chief. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin (right)assisted by Armed Forces Chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa confer a medal on Malaysian Armed Forces Chief Gen. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zin. FLORANTE SOLMERIN

 

Malaysia’s armed forces chief Gen. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zin arrived in the Manila last week for talks with Philippine defense and military officials on various issues, including bilateral security, officials said on Sunday. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa said a visit by Malyasia’s highest military official would strengthen cooperation between the two counties amid the tension caused by territorial conflict with China over the West Philippine Sea.“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is committed towards promoting and enhancing regional peace and security which is why we are undertaking these high-level visits aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relationship with other countries,” Dellosa said.

During his four-day visit that ended yesterday, Zulkifeli visited various military commands in the country, including the 6th Infantry Division in Mindanao and the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio. The two countries signed a military and defense pact in 1994. The Philippines and Malaysia have claimed some areas in the disputed West Philippine Sea that China claims as entirely its territory. Other claimants include Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei. No details were released regarding Zulkifeli’s talks with defense and military officials but Dellosa said the visit could result to better cooperation between the two countries.

“We are confident that with a stronger bilateral relationship with our Malaysian counterpart and other neighboring countries, more opportunities for security cooperation and peace and development programs will emerge to benefit the people in the region,” Dellosa said. Last October, Malaysia brokered the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that resulted in a Framework Agreement, which officials hoped could end the decades-old armed rebellion in Mindanao.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/12/10/ph-malaysia-hold-security-meet/

Balweg group surrenders guns under terms of pact

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 9): Balweg group surrenders guns under terms of pact

The militia formed by slain rebel priest Conrado Balweg was recently recognized as a nongovernmental organization (NGO) by the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) after the former rebel group began the process of disarmament. But members of the Cordillera Forum for Peace and Development Inc. (Cordillera Forum), the NGO formed by members of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA), asked the government how it would protect them during the elections.  Sadanga (Mt. Province) Mayor Gabino Ganggangan, a reelectionist and one of Balweg’s former aides, said a faction of the militia was not party to an agreement with President Aquino in July and must be considered an armed group. This faction, composed of Balweg’s supporters in Kalinga, had refused to participate in negotiations to finalize the peace agreement started by the late President Corazon Aquino in 1986. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, however, has started negotiations with the faction for a separate peace deal.

Ganggangan said up to 10 former CPLA members are taking part in the 2013 elections, two of them reelectionist mayors like himself.  “We are like sitting ducks,” he told RPOC members on Thursday. RPOC members voted to make Cordillera Forum a member of the council after discussing the progress made by former militiamen in the disarmament process. Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang, RPOC chair, said CPLA no longer exists as far as the government is concerned, so the armed faction would have to be classified as “another armed group” like the private armed groups being dismantled by the government.

Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong, Cordillera police director, said he has reservations about condemning the armed CPLA faction.  “Let us accept the fact that we have two factions in the CPLA… and right now we are dealing with Cordillera Forum. As for the other faction, we continue to engage them [in dialogue] and they have been very cooperative. They have a mechanism to discipline their members and our communication with them is very open,” Magalong said.  He said police, though, are not happy about the quality and quantity of weapons which CPLA members had surrendered. He said they were expecting at least 635 firearms from CPLA members but only 386 weapons had been inventoried and recorded by police, many of them antiquated guns.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/321043/balweg-group-surrenders-guns-under-terms-of-pact

Anti-mining activist, kin killed in Nueva Vizcaya

From the Philippine Star (Dec 10): Anti-mining activist, kin killed in Nueva Vizcaya

An anti-mining activist and her cousin-in-law were killed by unidentified gunmen in Nueva Vizcaya last Friday night, ahead of the observance of the International Human Rights Day today, according to an environmental group. Reports said Cheryl Ananayo, a member of the Didipio Earthsavers’ Multipurpose Association (DESAMA), and her cousin-in-law Randy Nabayay were headed to Didipio town when they were shot at around 6 p.m. Friday. DESAMA is a people’s organization opposing the 17,626-hectare Didipio gold-copper project of Australian mining firm OceanaGold Corp. in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.  Nabayay was a small-scale miner who had differences with OceanaGold over his property. Ananayo was with her four-year-old child and three-month-old baby during the attack, but the two were both unharmed.

With the killing of Ananayo, the Kalikasan green network placed the death toll of environmental activists this year at 15. “Is this how (President) Aquino wants to celebrate Human Rights Day, with more impunity toward our beleaguered environment defenders?” said Fr. Oliver Castor, spokesman of Task Force-Justice for Environment Defenders. Castor said 27 environmentalists have been killed under the Aquino administration. The list included B’laan anti-mining advocate Juvy Capion who was slain together with her two sons in Davao del Sur last October, he said. “It angers us how not a single case of extrajudicial and politically motivated killing toward environmentalists has ever been resolved since 2001, and still the number has risen with the killing of Ananayo and Nabayay,” Castor said. “We call for an immediate independent investigation into the killings, as already the police are initially looking at the angle of a holdup incident. We cannot allow yet another case of whitewash in the making,” he said.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2012/12/10/884131/anti-mining-activist-kin-killed-nueva-vizcaya

PH, Malaysia armed forces boost cooperation amid China's bullying

From InterAksyon (Dec 9): PH, Malaysia armed forces boost cooperation amid China's bullying

Malaysia and the Philippines, two of the four ASEAN members that have claims in the South China Sea, have bolstered their defense cooperation amid what is seen as a more aggressive projection by China in the oil-rich Spratly Islands. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines is committed towards promoting and enhancing regional peace and security which is why we are undertaking these high-level visits aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relationship with other countries’ military,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa said. He made the remarks as Malaysia’s armed forces chief visited Manila and toured some defense establishments in the country, holding closed-door meetings as well with Dellosa and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. “We are confident that with a stronger bilateral relationship with our Malaysian counterpart and other neighboring countries, more opportunities for security cooperation and peace and development programs will emerge to benefit the people in the region,” he added.

Military spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. was mum about the agenda in the meeting between Gen. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zin, Chief of Defense Forces of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), and Dellosa and Gazmin. Zulkifeli had also visited military commands in the country, notably the 6th Infantry Division based in Mindanao and the Philippine Military Academy in Fort del Pilar in Baguio City. The meetings tackled defense and security issues and cooperation, Burgos said, since both countries had signed in 1994 a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, promoting strong bilateral military and defense cooperation. Visiting Camp Aguinaldo last Wednesday, Zulkifeli met with the military top brass followed by a meeting with Gazmin.

Philippines and Malaysia are claiming some areas in the disputed Spratlys, but China claims entire ownership, pitting it against these and two other ASEAN members—Vietnam and Brunei----as well as Taiwan.  Malaysia earlier also brokered the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The outcome of this was the signing of a Framework Agreement (FRAG) last October, meant to end the over 4-decade-old armed rebellion in Mindanao.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50010/ph-malaysia-armed-forces-boost-cooperation-amid-chinas-bullying

PAGASA lifts storm warning signals as 'Pablo' weakens into LPA

From InterAksyon (Dec 9): PAGASA lifts storm warning signals as 'Pablo' weakens into LPA

Tropical depression "Pablo" further weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) on Sunday afternoon, the state weather bureau said. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Bell Masallo said that with the presence of the northeast monsoon "Pablo" continued to weaken into LPA. Masallo said that as of 4 p.m., the LPA was located at 105 kilometers west of Laoag City (18.1°N, 119.4°E). However, she said that the agency was still monitoring Pablo as it might intensify. But based on the agency's models, there's a slim chance of Pablo's regaining strength and it is expected to dissipate. With this development , all public storm warning signals are lifted, Masallo said. Still, she added that with the northeast monsoon, northern Luzon will experience light rains while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have brief rain showers and thunderstorms.

 

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50012/pagasa-lifts-storm-warning-signals-as-pablo-weakens-into-lpa

PH among most terrorism-hit countries

Posted to Yahoo News (Dec 8): PH among most terrorism-hit countries

The Philippines is among the countries most affected by terrorism last year, a new report said, as it noted a relapse in the number of deaths due to local terrorist acts. The country ranked 10th in the latest "Global Terrorism Index" report released by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace. The Philippines was given a score of 6.8 points in the index, which the report said is "based on a unique scoring system to account for the relative impact of incidents in the year." A total of 120 fatalities and 213 injuries due to 125 incidents recorded in the Philippines in 2011, the report noted. Although the number of fatalities is lower than the 212 recorded in 2003, this is a jump from a minimum of 19 deaths in 2006.

"Terrorism in the Philippines is intrinsically tied with nationalist or separatist claims by people living in provinces in southern Philippines," the report noted. This, as it claimed that attacks are "primarily carried out by the New People's Army, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf Group." The government has recently signed a framework peace agreement with the MILF, but it is still struggling to stifle attacks from a breakaway group known as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. "Excluding private citizens and property, businesses and the government were most likely targets for terrorists in Philippines," the report said. Among Asian countries, it is the second country worst hit by terrorism, following Thailand which ranked 8th in the global list.

"The global impact of terrorism increased significantly from 2002 to 2007. It reached its peak in 2007 and has since plateaued," the report said. Iraq topped the list of terrorism-affected countries. It was followed by Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, Thailand and Russia. The Philippines accounted for 4 percent of the global total of terrorist incidents in 2011. The report also noted that the country's performance on the indicators is "mixed with it performing relatively well in the Acceptance of the Rights of Others and High Levels of Education indicators..." "It underperforms in the other indicators with the poorest being Low Levels of Corruption where it is amongst the most corrupt in the world," the report added.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ph-among-most-terror-hit-countries-123507590.html