Bernama: Malaysia ready for so-called Kiram reinforcements

From GMA News (Apr 9): Bernama: Malaysia ready for so-called Kiram reinforcements

Malaysiais ready to deal with so-called reinforcements for followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, its defense minister reiterated on Monday.

Defense minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed Malaysia's police and military are not to be fooled around with.

"Although Kiram's family in Manila ... is making (a) fuss about sending more people to intrude Sabah, the Malaysian government and people are confident with our (military and police forces) ability," he said in a report by Malaysia's Bernama news agency.

On Monday, Malaysian forces intercepted at least 32 armed men suspected to be Kiram followers off the waters of Sabah.

Kiram's followers had engaged Malaysian forces in a three-week standoff that ended with deadly clashes March 1 and 2.

The deadly clashes triggered Malaysian offensives against Kiram followers starting March 5.

Meanwhile, Zahid said a territorial army that includes the people of Sabah will be set up to join the security forces in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZONE) soon.

He said interviews will be held to find suitable candidates. Those selected will receive monthly remuneration as normal soldiers.

Zahid also said the Eastern Sabah Safety Command (ESSCOM) center will be beefed up in terms of resources and manpower.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/302986/news/nation/bernama-malaysia-ready-for-so-called-kiram-reinforcements

Chinese fishing vessel does a Guardian, runs aground in Tubbataha

From GMA News (Apr 9): Chinese fishing vessel does a Guardian, runs aground in Tubbataha




Nearly three months after an incident involving a US minesweeper, a Chinese fishing vessel ran aground in Tubbataha Reef shortly before midnight Monday.

The incident involving the Chinese fishing vessel with hull number 63168 occurred at 11:40 p.m. Monday, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported Tuesday.

Initial information from the Tubbataha Management Office indicated the vessel ran aground some 1.1 nautical miles east of the ranger station.

Tubbataha Reef is a World Heritage site.

Park rangers were quoted in the dzBB report as saying the Chinese vessel had at least 12 crew members on board.

The Philippine Coast Guard has sent a search and rescue vessel (SARV-3503) to the area to investigate.

Monday night's incident occurred barely three months after the minesweeper USS Guardian ran aground in Tubbataha Reef last Jan. 17.

Authorities estimated the USS Guardian damaged 2,345.67 square meters, and may fine the US government P58.4 million.

Coast Guard quizzes Chinese fishermen

An updated report by dzBB Palawan affiliate James Viernes said the Coast Guard’s BRP Romblon is expected to arrive in the reef area at 9:30 a.m.

Coast Guard Palawan and Task Force Tubbataha head Commodore Enrico Evangelista said they will conduct an inventory of the fishing vessel.

He said they will particularly look for weapons and illegal catch.

Evangelista also said they may turn over the fishermen to the Bureau of Immigration for “illegal entrance” into the country.

The Coast Guard may also check the damage to the reef and then tow the Chinese fishing vessel toward Puerto Princesa City.

The last time Philippine authorities attempted to arrest Chinese fishermen and seize poached marine life, in April last year, an international stand-off between the Philippines and China at Panatag Shoal near the Zambales coast resulted in the occupation by China of the shoal, a situation that persists one year later.

The dzBB report Tuesday morning said the Coast Guard is having problems communicating with the 12 Chinese fishermen in Tubbataha, and may need the services of an interpreter.

North islet

The Chinese fishing vessel ran aground on the eastern flank of the north islet, said World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines president Lory Tan.

Tan said WWF-Philippines is monitoring the area with a team from the Department of Science and Technology on Tuesday.

The USS Guardian ran aground on the south islet, Tan added.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/302979/news/regions/chinese-fishing-vessel-does-a-guardian-runs-aground-in-tubbataha?ref=bannerh1

AFTER USS GUARDIAN | Chinese vessel runs aground in Tubbataha

From InterAksyon (Apr 9): AFTER USS GUARDIAN | Chinese vessel runs aground in Tubbataha

As wreckage of the US minesweeper USS Guardian had just been removed at Tubbataha Reef, another vessel, this time Chinese, ran aground at the marine protected area in Palawan.

A report from Tubbataha parks superintendent Angelique Songco said the Chinese fishing vessel with hull number 63168 ran aground some 1.1 nautical miles east of the Tubbataha Reef ranger station.

The fishing vessel had 12 crew members, allegedly Chinese poachers.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the incident occurred shortly before midnight Tuesday.

The ship's crew are "most probably are Chinese poachers and illegal entrants," the Coast Guard said.

A Coast Guard rescue vessel, SARV 3503, was deployed in the area to investigate.

The USS Guardian ran aground the reef last January 17 and it took more than two months to remove the wreckage. The Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board earlier assessed the damage left by the USS Guardian at the reef to be at 2,345.67 square meters. A fine of P58.4 million will be imposed on the US Navy.

Four USS Guardian officers were also relieved because of the incident.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/58980/after-uss-guardian--chinese-vessel-runs-aground-in-tubbataha

DVIDS: Timberlake visits airfield, greets Marines during Balikatan 2013

From the Defense Video & Imagery Distribution Service (DVIDS) (Apr 7): Timberlake visits airfield, greets Marines during Balikatan 2013


Brig. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake, left, greets Lance Cpl. Derek E. Arbuckle at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines April 6 during exercise Balikatan 2013. Timberlake, commanding general of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force greeted Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing as they planned for future training evolutions scheduled to take place during the exercise. The exercise, in its 29th iteration, is an annual bilateral training evolution aimed at ensuring interoperability of the Philippine and U.S. militaries during planning, contingency and humanitarian assistance operations. Arbuckle is a flight equipment technician with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Kasey Peacock/Released)

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines – Brig. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake visited Marines working at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines April 6 during exercise Balikatan 2013.

Timberlake, commanding general of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force greeted Marines with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, as they planned for future training evolutions scheduled to take place during the exercise.

“As Marines we are trained to respond to any crisis, and so far we are proving that by demonstrating our capabilities here during Balikatan,” said Timberlake. “Our partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been a long-standing alliance based on trust, mutual respect and dedication to one another.”

The exercise, in its 29th iteration, is an annual bilateral training evolution aimed at ensuring interoperability of the Philippine and U.S. militaries during planning, contingency and humanitarian assistance operations.

Timberlake visited the MAW to gather knowledge on its capabilities, and gain a better understanding of its role in the exercise.

“We wanted to show the general our expectations for the exercise, and how hard our Marines are working to get us there,” said Col. Jeff K. Arruda, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III MEF. “We got a lot of guys putting in a lot of hours to make sure everything runs smoothly for this exercise. Our goal is to demonstrate what we are capable of to the best of our ability.”

The MAW’s capabilities for the exercise include approximately 262 personnel, four MV-22B Osprey’s, one KC-130J Hercules and seven F/A-18 Hornets.

“A lot of preparation has been done on our part to ensure this exercise runs efficiently,” said Capt. Chris J. Kapey, a pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 1st MAW, III MEF. “The bilateral training that we conduct out here not only increases our readiness in the Asia-Pacific Region, but keeps with our lasting relationship with our Filipino counterparts.”

Throughout the exercise, the MAW will conduct mishap drills, navigation flights, day and night tactical recover of aircraft and personnel, aerial refueling, ship to shore extractions and other bilateral training with the AFP.

Other units participating in the exercise will conduct training in multiple regions throughout the Republic of the Philippines to include humanitarian civic assistance, ground military training operations and a natural disaster response command post exercise.

This year, the Philippines and the United States have invited a number of personnel from other regional partner nations to attend or observe the exercise including Australia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. The exercise is scheduled to run from April 5 to April 17.

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/104770/timberlake-visits-airfield-greets-marines-during-balikatan-2013

Local rescuers to get training from Hawaii National Guard in Subic

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 8): Local rescuers to get training from Hawaii National Guard in Subic

Search and rescue operators from flood-prone areas in Zambales will be receiving training on swift-water rescue from members of the Hawaii National Guard, as part of this year’s Balikatan military exercise (BK13) between the Philippines and the United States.

The Hawaii National Guard and the CBRNE Emergency Response Package Team (CERP-T) will also conduct a joint field training exercise in the form of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). This simulated disaster-response activity will be held on April 10-17 at the training facility here of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Fire Department.

To maximize the training opportunity, 32 rescue operators from flood-prone municipalities in Zambales were invited to join the classroom training on swift-water rescue, said SBMA fire chief Ranny Magno.

Aside from swift-water rescue, the field training will focus on disaster-response scenarios on collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) utilizing the SBMA CSSR training facility.

The rescue training will be held while the annual RP-US Balikatan Military Exercise runs from April 5 to 17 in various places in Central Luzon, particularly in the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the rescue training would serve as a very timely preparation for the coming rainy season.

“Readiness and high response capability are the very key to effective disaster-response in areas hit by floods and other calamities to avoid loss of lives,” Garcia said.

He added that the SBMA Emergency and Rescue Team (SERT) has been enhancing its skills through trainings because of its commitment to provide search and rescue assistance in various emergency situations in the community.

More than 8,000 Filipino and American military personnel, complemented by 30 military aircraft, the US Navy ship USS Tortuga, and two Philippine Navy ships, will be participating in this year’s Balikatan training activity.

The primary objective of the USAR is to reinforce the humanitarian assistance and disaster-response capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said AFP USAR planner Commander Antonio Alexis Manuel Jr.

Manuel said the activity also aims to improve the capacity for joint and combined inter-operability and disaster-response readiness between the AFP and US Armed Forces.

To make the training realistic, AFP included emergency responders from AFP’s Northern Luzon Command, AFP rescue teams, Philippine National Red Cross emergency rescue unit, and the SBMA Fire and Rescue Team as training audience and participants.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=561365321197

Abogado named PMA chief

From the Manila Times (Apr 8): Abogado named PMA chief

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd has appointed four star-rank officers to vital positions in the military.

Military spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. on Monday said that leading the new batch of appointees was Vice Admiral Edgar Abogado, the current commander of the Central Command (CentCom).

Abogado will replace Lt. Gen. Ireneo Espino as superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) who is set to retire.

Abogado is a member of the PMA “Mapitagan” Class of 1980. Prior to his designation as CentCom commander, he was the Navy’s vice commander, chief of Naval Staff, deputy commander of the Philippine Fleet, and commander of Assault Craft Force.

Maj. Gen. Roy Deveraturda replaced Abogado in simple turnover ceremonies yesterday at the CentCom headquarters in Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City.

CentCom is one of the AFP’s wide support commands combating terrorism and insurgency in the Visayas region.

Deveraturda was former commander of 2nd Air Division (AD), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans or J5 of the AFP, chef of the AFP Modernization Program Management Office and commander of the 15th Strike Wing and 570thComposite Tactical Wing.

Maj. Gen Romeo Poquiz, the current Air Force Inspector General (AFIG), will replace Deveraturda as commander of the 2nd AD. Poquiz was commander of the 710th Special Operations Wing and the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4 of the AFP.

Poquiz’ post as AFIG will be passed on to Brig. Gen Richard Siga-an, the current chief of AFP
Pension and Gratuity Management Center (PGMC). Prior to his current position, Siga-an served as the Air Force internal auditor.

Siga-an’s post will go to Col. Enrique Reyes, current deputy commander of the 15th Strike Wing.

Meanwhile, Col Arnold Mancita, former assistant chief of Air Staff for Logistics, formally assumed his post as wing commander of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing. He replaced Brig. Gen Alexander Bote who retired on April 5.

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/45038-abogado-named-pma-chief

Idjirani: Firefight in Sabah continues

From the Manila Standard Today (Apr 9): Idjirani: Firefight in Sabah continues

Fighting continued over the weekend in Lahad Datu, Sabah, between Malaysian security forces and the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, the sultanate said Monday.

Abraham Idjirani, a spokesman for the sultanate, said Malaysian troops attacked the encampment of Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram in Tanjung Batu on the afternoon of April 6, and again the following morning.

“According to the Raja Muda, no one among them was hurt. It was the Malaysians who attacked,” Idjirani said, pointing out that Royal Security Force remained in a defensive posture.

The leader of the Sabah contingent, the sultan’s younger brother, called the sultanate at about 11 a.m. Sunday, Idjirani.

Idjirani also said that they have yet to confirm reports that about 1,000 fighters from Tawi-Tawi and Sulu have slipped into Sabah to join Agbimuddin’s army.

Raja Muda only mentioned the arrival of 100 armed reinforcements, he added.

“Aside from lack of food, the RSF remained in fighting strength,” Idjirani said.

Also over the weekend, two men suspected of having links with the Sulu sultanate were arrested and detained in Sabah on Sunday, Bernama, Malaysian’s state-run news agency, reported.

Bernama quoted Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib as saying that the two men, whose nationalities were not disclosed, were arrested in Semporna under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act.

The two suspects were allegedly in possession of two letters from Sultan Kiram and “dangerous weapons”, Bernama said.

The arrests brought to 135 the number of suspects detained for alleged links to the sultanate’s army. At least 16 Filipinos have been formally charged in court.

The Sabah conflict started on Feb. 12 when 235 followers of the sultanate of Sulu sailed to the disputed territory. The so-called Sulu Royal Security Force was led by the sultan’s brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram.

The Malaysian government gave the Sulu intruders until March 1 to surrender then attacked the group despite President Aquino’s appeal for “maximum tolerance.”

What followed was a series of firefights between Kiram ‘s men and Malaysian security forces. Based on Malaysians’ tally, 68 Filipinos and eight policemen and soldiers have been killed so far.

The Sulu sultanate claims Sabah as part of its territory, insisting that the land is only leased to Malaysia.

Sabah historically belonged to the sultanate until it was leased to a British company in the 1800s. The British colonial government ceded the territory to Malaysia when it gained independence in 1963.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/04/09/idjirani-firefight-in-sabah-continues/

Another US warship visits Manila

From the Business Mirror (Apr 8): Another US warship visits Manila
















A COMBAT ship of the US Navy is due to arrive on Tuesday in Manila, a statement from the US Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday.

The vessel is the tenth US warship to visit the country this year.

USS Freedom (LCS1), the US Navy’s first littoral combat ship, will arrive in Manila on Tuesday for its first port visit in Southeast Asia. The visit will highlight the strong historic, community, and military relations between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines,” the statement said.

 

It said the port visit will be an opportunity for the ship’s crew to refuel and receive supplies for the next period of its eight-month deployment.

 

“From Manila, the ship will proceed to Singapore, where it is scheduled to participate in the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference. The ship is also expected to take part in select phases of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise series in Southeast Asia.

 

 Freedom’s visit to Manila is unrelated to Balikatan 13, which opened on April 5,” the Embassy said.

“While in Manila, the Freedom’s crew will also be given opportunity for rest and recreation. The Freedom has a crew of 91, and its Filipino-American crew members will use the port call to take time off with their relatives and friends. The families of Filipino-American sailors aboard Freedom hail from Manila, Quezon, Tarlac, and Zambales,” it added.

 

Commissioned in 2008, USS Freedom’s maiden overseas deployment started with its departure from its homeport San Diego, California, on March 1. The first-in-its-class ship has since transited the Pacific Ocean and made port visits in Hawaii and Guam.

 

Several days ago, the amphibious dock landing ship, USS Tortuga (LSD46), arrived in Manila to participate in the April 5 to 17 Exercise Balikatan, where 8,000 Filipino and American soldiers are participating.

 

Last month the submarine USS Ohio, the destroyer USS Decatur, submarine tenders USS Frank Cable and USS Emory S. Land (AS39) and the US 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge visited Manila. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG106) visited in February.

 

The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Cheyenne (SSN773) and the Avenger-class minesweeper USS Guardian (MCM5) visited in January. The Guardian, however, met its demise on the Tubbataha Reef, on Sulu Sea, where it ran aground.

 

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/11796-another-us-warship-visits-manila

CPP/NPA: Two fascist soldiers killed and one wounded in Apatan, Pinukpuk, Kalinga

Posted to the CPP Website (Apr 8): Two fascist soldiers killed and one wounded in Apatan, Pinukpuk, Kalinga

Tipon Gil-ayab
Spokesperson
NPA Kalinga Provincial Operations Command (Lejo Cawilan Command)

The Lejo Cawilan Command warmly congratulates the Marcial Daggay Front, its Red Commanders and Red Fighters, in outmaneuvering one platoon of the fascist troops in an encounter yesterday at exactly 9 A.M. in Mount Koldingon in Sitio Tamiing, Barangay Apatan, Pinukpuk. The firefight resulted in the death of 2 reactionary Philippine army and the wounding of another one. With no casualty, the NPA team retreated safely.

On the 3rd week of March, 2013, a turn-over ceremony was held at HQ of the 501st IBde at Calanan, Tabuk. The 17th IB and the 21st IB swapped areas of responsibility, the former now assigned to Kalinga and the latter has been transferred to the province of Cagayan. Right after Holy Week, the 17th IB began company-sized operations in the municipalities of Balbalan and Pinukpuk, which are still ongoing.

Making no pretensions, the AFP and the PNP is again violating COMELEC rules and is making a mockery of the electoral system. As has always been done in the past elections, the fascist soldiers in their on-going combat, intelligence and “peace and development team” operations are spreading smear propaganda and great fear among the masses against progressive candidates and party lists in the upcoming bourgeois electoral sarsuela. The reactionary AFP and PNP in Kalinga are now in cahoots with the diehard anti-people officials and candidates who have already started their vote-buying activities in order to cling to the seat of power or grab the seat of power in the province, presently controlled by landlords and compradors servile to US imperialism.Their common goal is to accelerate the imposition of “development” aggression projects of the US-Aquino 2 regime in mining, hydro-dam and geothermal projects in Kalinga and in other provinces of the Cordillera and Northern Luzon.

Guided by the CPP Central Committee in its statement on the 44th founding anniversary of the NPA, all NPA units in Kalinga must continuously seize the initiative to launch tactical offensives in order to contribute to the winning of ever greater victories in our people’s war nation-wide. The total victory of the national-democratic revolution through the people’s war is the only genuine and right path for the entire Filipino people to free themselves from enslavement, oppression and exploitation of US imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism.

Red salute to the Red Commanders and fighters that victoriously fought against elements of the 17th IB in Apatan, Pinukpuk, Kalinga!

Long live the 44th Founding Anniversary of the NPA!

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130408_two-fascist-soldiers-killed-and-one-wounded-in-apatan-pinukpuk-kalinga

AFP loses 200 guns in Zambo fire

From the Philippine Star (Apr 8): AFP loses 200 guns in Zambo fire

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lost more than 200 assault rifles and machine guns in a fire that razed its firearms supply building in Zamboanga del Sur shortly after midnight last Saturday.

Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo said the blaze that hit the 1st Infantry Division Training Unit (1DTU) supply building at Upper Labangan, Pulacan in Pagadian City, was preceeded by an explosion.

Among the burned weapons were calibers .50, and .30 machine guns, an M60 machine gun, 51 M-14 assault rifles, an M-653 rifle, an M4 rifle, an M-79 grenade launchers, four M16 with M203 grenade launcher, two spare barrels for M60 machine guns, 131 M16 assault rifles, four K-3 assault rifles (Minimi), four spare barrels for K3 rifles and five caliber .45 pistols.

Initial investigation conducted by fire probers showed faulty electrical connections could have triggered the fire. There was no mention, of the explosion that reportedly occurred before the blaze.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Richard Cafino said the fire reportedly started in the room of Capt. Orlando Tamayo, a relieved IDTU officer, who was on a new assignment in Misamis Occidental.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/04/09/928443/afp-loses-200-guns-zambo-fire

Air Force general assumes post as Central Command chief

From the Philippine Star (Apr 8): Air Force general assumes post as Central Command chief

An Air Force general assumed on Monday his post as commander of the military forces in the Visayas and vowed to end insurgency in the island.

Maj. Gen. Roy Deveraturda took over as chief of the Cebu-based Central Command (Centcom), succeeding Vice Adm. Edgar Abogado, who has been named Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Deveraturda will be supervising the troops securing the entire Visayas, including known insurgency hotbeds like Negros and Samar.

Deveraturda said the military cannot be complacent even if some areas in Visayas like Cebu, Bohol and parts of Samar, Leyte, Negros and Panay have been declared insurgency-free.

“We simply cannot let our guards down. We must keep the momentum consistent and high. There will be no letting-up in this undertaking,” Deveraturda said in his assumption speech.

“Such accomplishment must be sustained to transform the rest of Centcom focus areas, particularly in Negros, Panay and Samar, to ultimately attain an insurgency-free Visayas. This goal is within reach,” he added.

Prior to his appointment as Central Command chief, Deveraturda was head of the Air Force’s 2nd Division.

Deveraturda also served as the Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and chief of the Modernization Program Management Office. He was also a former commander of the 15th Strike Wing and 570th Composite Tactical Wing.

Meanwhile, the military implemented some reassignments due to the promotion and retirement of some officers.

Abogado has been appointed PMA Superintendent, succeeding Lt. Gen. Ireneo Espino, who will retire on Thursday.

A graduate of PMA class ’80, Abogado held key Navy posts including Vice Commander, Chief of Naval Staff, Deputy Commander of the Philippine Fleet, and Commander of Assault Craft Force.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz, the outgoing Air Force Inspector-General, has been named commander of the 2nd Air Division. He was a former commander of the 710th Special Operations Wing and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics.

Succeeding Poquiz as Air Force Inspector-General is Brig. Gen. Richard Siga-an, the outgoing head of the Armed Forces Pension and Gratuity Management Center.

Col. Enrique Reyes, the outgoing deputy commander of the 15th Strike Wing, will succeed Poquiz as the military’s pension chief.

Meanwhile, Col. Arnold Mancita has been named Wing Commander of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, succeeding Brig. Gen. Alexander Bote, who retired last week.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/04/08/928352/air-force-general-assumes-post-central-command-chief

Fresh clashes between troops, rebels in Ifugao

From the Philippine Star (Apr 8): Fresh clashes between troops, rebels in Ifugao

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Communist guerrillas reportedly killed two government security forces in fresh clashes in remote Pinukpuk town in Kalinga Sunday, a day after rebels slew three policemen and hurt three more in an ambuscade Friday morning in Asipulo, Ifugao.

Tipon Gil-ayab, spokesman of the Kalinga based-Lejo Cawilan Command of the CPP-NPA said rebels from the Marcial Daggay Front outmaneuvered one platoon of government troopers in an encounter Sunday 9 A.M. in Mount Koldingon in sitio Tamiing, Barangay Apatan, Pinukpuk.

The firefight resulted in the death of two government troopers though the Philippine Army’s 5th Division based in Gamu, Isabela through its spokesman Col. Loreto Magundayao said only a soldier-- Corporal Gerry Malana – was wounded on his right hand.

The rebel spokesman said no one from the NPA were either killed or hurt while Magundayao said they believe there were rebel casualties who were dragged by their comrades while retreating.

On Friday morning, policemen from the Regional Public Safety Batallion, Ifugao and Benguet fought NPA guerrillas in sitio Nangkatinge, barangay Namal, Asipulo resulting in the death of -- Police Inspector George Lauro, the leader of the team; Police Officer 2 Jody Lino Mamgue; and Police Officer 2 John Codod; and wounding of -- Police Officers 2 Marcial Angaga; Solomon Pao-iton and Police Officer 1 Abdon Angayon.

According to Gil-ayab, NPA units in Kalinga are on their toes to “seize the initiative (in) launching tactical offensives in order to contribute to the winning of ever greater victories in our people’s war nation-wide.”

Police and the Philippine Army said security operations are still continuing in both Kalinga and Ifugao provinces.

In the late 80s till the 90s, the insurgency in Asipulo was on its peak, said Magundayao, but was “decimated” after government counter-insurgency efforts.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/04/08/928364/fresh-clashes-between-troops-rebels-ifugao

Undetected flight highlights need to upgrade AFP capability

From the Philippine Star (Apr 8): Undetected flight highlights need to upgrade AFP capability

The flight of two unidentified aircraft over Pag-asa Island highlights the need to improve the military’s monitoring capabilities, an official said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Palawan-based Armed Forces Western Command, said that while the aircraft were detected by their troops, their capabilities are limited

“The capability upgrade of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is continuous because that is exactly what we need to address the minimum credible deterrence,” Guerrero said in an interview.

“We’re banking on the programs for the upgrade of our equipment and that is exactly the interest of security – to ensure that our borders are protected,” he added.

Guerrero said they would continue to fulfill their duty despite their limitations.

“We are on toes. We are continuously monitoring,” he said.

On Thursday, two unidentified aircraft were seen0 passing at high speed and high altitude over Pag-asa in Palawan.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues, said the aircraft were seen at around 9:50 a.m. and were headed north from the southwest.

Pag-asa is the second largest island in the Spratly archipelago, the subject of a long-standing territorial dispute in the region.

Kalayaan, a fifth class municipality in Palawan is located on Pag-asa and is inhabited by civilians and soldiers from the Armed Forces Western Command.

China claims virtually the entire West Philippine Sea while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/04/08/928372/undetected-flight-highlights-need-upgrade-afp-capability

Reds storm Camarines mining firm, burn equipment

From the Philippine Star (Apr 9): Reds storm Camarines mining firm, burn equipment

CAMARINES NORTE, Philippines – Armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) destroyed four heavy equipment in a pre-dawn raid on an international mining firm in Labo, Camarines Norte shortly after midnight Sunday.

The rebels, numbering around 80, swooped down on Bohai Top International Mining Corp. in Barangay Napaod, Labo town at past 1 a.m. and set two dump trucks and two payloaders on fire, said town police chief Superintendent Efren Tublan.

He said the rebels disarmed the two security guards and threatened to shoot the workers if they resisted.

The military said the attack was sparked by the refusal of the firm’s management to give in to the rebels’ extortion demand. The company is reportedly owned by Peein Man, a Chinese national.

Authorities have yet to determine the value of the property destroyed in the attack.

Army troops are pursuing the rebels who fled towards Barangay Benit also in Labo town.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/04/09/928444/reds-storm-camarines-mining-firm-burn-equipment

Peace talks with the MILF resume today

From the Philippine Star (Apr 8): Peace talks with the MILF resume today



Peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are expected to resume today in Malaysia after being postponed last month.

MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said the agenda of the talks would be the annexes of the Bangsa-moro framework agreement.

“It will push through on April 9 and the agenda is the same,” Jaafar told The STAR in a phone interview yesterday.

“We are optimistic because most of the issues have been settled. Hopefully we can finish the discussions in this meeting,” he added.

The annexes involve matters on wealth and power sharing and normalization.

Jaafar said the recent developments in Sabah, including the supposed regrouping of the Sulu sultanate forces, would not affect the talks.

The 37th round of exploratory talks was supposed to take place last March 25 but the government requested for its postponement.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said the President deems it necessary to have more time for review and consultations on the draft annexes.

Both panels are expected to finalize the annexes this month.

MILF chief negotiator and Transition Commission chair Mohagher Iqbal said the annexes could be finished before the May 13 elections.

There were speculations that the postponement was related to the Sabah conflict involving Malaysian forces and the followers of the Sulu sultanate. Malaysia serves as the third party facilitator of the negotiations.

MILF and government negotiators have repeatedly claimed that the peace process is not related to the Sabah conflict.

The government and the MILF signed the Bangsamoro framework agreement last Oct. 15 to pave way for the creation of a new entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The agreement also provided for a Transition Commission that would draft the law creating the Bangsamoro entity. The 15-man body was formed through an executive order issued by President Aquino last December.

The law, which will be certified as urgent by the President, will have to be approved by local residents through a plebiscite.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/04/09/928542/peace-talks-milf-resume-today