All OV-10s grounded following Bronco crash off Palawan - Air Force

From InterAksyon (Jun 24): All OV-10s grounded following Bronco crash off Palawan - Air Force



File photo of a Philippine Air Force OV-10 from Balikatan 2012. ELMER BADILLA/InterAksyon.com

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has issued an order temporarily disallowing all its OV-10 aircraft from flying after one such plane belonging to its 15th Strike Wing crashed Sunday night.

All OV-10s--a surveillance aircraft equipped with weapons systems such as rockets and bombs--have been ordered grounded pending investigation of the latest incident involving the same plane with tail 630 that went down off Palawan during a "night proficiency flight" on Sunday, PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said.

“As per instructions by our PAF chief Lt. Gen. dela Cruz, all our OV-10s are temporarily grounded. The 15th Strike Wing has also convened a board of inquiry that will lead the crash investigation. But as of now we’re concentrating efforts for the search-and-rescue of our two pilots,” Okol said.

Search-and-rescue teams from PAF, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Coast Guard are scouring a 50-nautical mile radius of the crash site.

Okol said the distance from the runway of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan where it took off together with another OV10 at around 6:30 p.m. Sunday was only about five nautical miles.

“All our aircraft have tracking devices that is why we will know exactly the location of the crash site. When the OV-10 went down last night, alam na natin yung (we already know the) location where. It’s just about five nautical miles from Runway 27,” he said.

No 'mayday' call

Two pilots of the missing OV-10 Bronco plane did not issue a “mayday” or distress call before its communications totally went off, Air Force spokesman Okol said.

“Ang last transmitting niya is on final approach. Wala siyang distress [call], wala siyang mayday. So, we’re still finding out [kung] bakit (why that is so),” Okol said. “Our search teams have already recovered parts of the plane but there is still no sight of the two pilots."

He refused to give the names of the two pilots in “accordance with regulations.”

In a report, Commander Armand Balilo, spokesman of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), said its team was able to recover the “nose” of the plane.

The plane took off the runway of the Western Command (Westcom) based in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in tandem with another OV-10 from the 15th Strike Wing for a routine flight at around 6:30 p.m. Sunday. It failed to return at the expected arrival time of around 8 p.m.

Okol said the pilots were on a Night Flight Capability Training Mission, which lasts for 50 minutes.

The OV-10 Bronco Aircraft is from the 15th Strike Wing of the Philippine Air Force, according to PAF’s 570th Composite Tactical Wing.

Earlier in the day, Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero said: "Lahat ng barko natin naka-deploy na (All our ships have been deployed) to search the area, and we are hoping to recover the pilots today."

Guerrero also appealed to all the local residents in nearby coastal areas to report any sightings of the aircraft or its pilots.

Only eight OV10s left

With another one stricken out from the air fleet, PAF has only 8 units left.
But Okol said, “We have a squadron of OV10s and that is distributed around the country.”

Okol immediately dismissed speculations the aircraft might have ventured into the disputed Spratly Islands.

In November 9, 2012, an OV-10 (with tail 801) was about to land at the runway of the Edwin Andrews Airbase in Zamboanga City when it crashed.

The two pilots survived.

Investigation showed the aircraft’s engine malfunctioned.

'OV-10 crash latest in a string of deadly accidents'

The crash is the latest in a string of deadly accidents involving surplus and often old foreign aircraft acquired by the Philippine military.

The air force's fleet of 30 Broncos were acquired from the United States in 1991 and Thailand in 2004.

Developed in the 1960s as a counter-insurgency aircraft by the US Air Force, the Broncos can carry heavy ammunition for a few hours in the air.

They are used primarily for close air support missions against Muslim and communist insurgents, mainly on the southern island of Mindanao, Okol said.

However, they are also used to monitor the archipelago's extensive coastal areas, as well as for search and rescue missions in the disaster-prone Philippines, he added.

Okol would not say exactly how old the crashed plane was, but insisted that all of the Broncos were in good condition.

"They have received a good number of upgrades, and we maintain them very well," he said.

The Philippine military is among the most poorly equipped in the region, and past modernization efforts have consisted mostly of surplus hardware acquired from its traditional ally, the United States.

In May, two pilots were killed when an air force trainer plane crashed north of Manila.

In 2010, eight air force personnel and a civilian were killed when a light cargo airplane crashed in the southern city of Cotabato.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/64744/all-ov-10s-grounded-following-bronco-crash-off-palawan---air-force

NUJP calls for release of kidnapped Fil-Moroccan filmmakers

From Rappler (Jun 23): NUJP calls for release of kidnapped Fil-Moroccan filmmakers

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chapter in Zamboanga City has called on security forces and local officials to "coordinate and move for the safe and speedy release" of the Fil-Moroccan sisters who were kidnapped on June 22.
The kidnapping "stains further the image of the Philippines as the most dangerous country for media workers to operate on," the NUJP said in a statement on Sunday, June 23.

Sisters Nadjova and Linda Abdelbasit, both indie filmmakers, were kidnapped by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Barangay Liangm Patikul, Sulu, on Saturday.

Initial media reports showed they are Fil-Algerians, but the source issued a correction on Sunday, June 23. "They are Filipino-Moroccans who are Tausug. Their late father was an imam. They grew up in Zamboanga but live in Manila," the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

The kidnappers, who were identified as part of the kidnap-for-ransom group's Lucky Nine Group, fled with their victims toward Sitio Kanjimaw, through Barangay Tugas, in Patikul.

The police report on their case did not identify them as filmmakers or as visitors in Sulu.

In the statement, NUJP said the kidnapped filmmakers traveled to Sulu to take footages for an upcoming film. They previously produced the first film on the sea gypsies in Mindanao.

Nadjova took up film studies at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and works for Amnesty International. Her film Bohe, Sons of the Waves ("bohe" is Tausug for "water") earned her a nomination for the Gawad Urian and Cinemalaya Awards.

"We respectfully call on the Philippine national government not to allow this incident to be another demonstration of its helplessness in addressing the roots of the social conflict in Sulu. Instead let its immediate action towards the Bansil sisters’ freedom from their captors, young orphaned sons of the Abu Sayyaf Group members, be an initial manifestation of the GPH’s efforts to address the structural and cultural violence that have long been inflicted upon those in these conflict areas," the group said in its statement.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/31982-nujp-release-kidnapped-fil-moroccan-filmmakers

Soldiers turn teachers in Alabang

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 24): Soldiers turn teachers in Alabang

Select Army personnel will temporarily trade their guns for chalk and other teaching materials this year to take on a different role as teachers to former street children.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes on Sunday said 25 personnel belonging to the Army’s Civil-Military Operations Group had undergone formal training as members of the first batch of the soldiers-as-teachers program dubbed as “Pinoy Batang Bayani.”

For the next nine months, he said the soldiers would handle pilot classes and teach Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) to rescued street children staying at Tuloy Foundation Inc. (TFI) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

According to Coballes, the program is part of the military’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, the Armed Forces’ anti-insurgency blueprint.

“[The soldiers] will share their expertise in imbibing the spirit of nationalism and love of country among these children every Tuesday and Thursday… for the duration of the current school year,” the Army chief said in a statement.

The program will be formally launched on Monday at the foundation’s center, which is home to close to 1,000 former street children.

“Chosen subjects to be taught are aimed to instill discipline, values formation and character development that will reinforce the spirit of patriotism, love of country and nationalism through classroom instruction,” Coballes said.

He said the classroom discussions would be “complemented by outdoor activities that will enhance the use of their imagination by the street children.”

Coballes expressed confidence the Army’s “unique undertaking and partnership” with TFI would “contribute to the fulfillment of the goals of IPSP Bayanihan.”

He said TFI’s “Aral Program” had been approved by the Department of Education to provide “in-house, nonformal education classes” using the Alternative Learning System modules.

Fr. Rocky Evangelista, TFI founder and president, said the foundation’s joint project with the Army was “envisioned to be a model template” for other nongovernment organizations involved in youth rehabilitation and education.

“[Providing education to] street children with varied upbringing [and] experiences… needs order, discipline and direction. Hence, the military’s unique disciplinary practices [would help us] realize the TFI’s vision and mission of keeping the rescued street children off the streets for good and transforming them into responsible and contributing members of society,” Evangelista said.

“[The] foundation’s comprehensive program [aims] to empower these children so they can regain their self-worth, self-dignity and self-respect,” he added.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/431659/soldiers-turn-teachers-in-alabang

Reef grounding: SC orders US to explain

From the Philippine Star (Jun 24): Reef grounding: SC orders US to explain

The Supreme Court (SC) has acted on the petition filed by a multisectoral group in April seeking higher penalties for and criminal prosecution of US Navy officers and crew of the USS Guardian, which ran aground on Tubbataha Reef last January.

The SC has asked the US government to answer the petition that named as respondents Scott Swift, commander of the US Seventh Fleet, and Mark Rice, commanding officer of the Guardian.

A member of the high court confirmed to The STAR over the weekend that a letter has been sent to the US embassy in Manila for this purpose.

“The US embassy has been notified that they must file a comment on the petition, among others, to pay a fine for the destruction of the World Heritage Site and for illegal entry into a protected site,” the insider said.

The insider, who asked not be named, said the US government’s response would serve as a test case if the US will even pay attention to it or invoke international treaties or laws,” the source stressed.

Apart from the US embassy, the SC also sought comments from Malacañang, Cabinet members and officials of the military to the petition for writ of Kalikasan filed by two Catholic bishops, environmentalists, activists and lawyers.

The SC, however, did not immediately issue a temporary environment protection order (TEPO) on the UNESCO world heritage site sought by petitioners.

The month-long recess of justices intended for writing of decisions delayed the action on the case. The high court resumed session last June 4.

In a 90-page petition filed last April 17, the group asked the SC to assess the damage caused to the reef by the grounding of the Guardian.

Apart from issuance of the writ and TEPO, they also sought a determination of the fine to be imposed on the US Navy and the prosecution of the officers of the Guardian.

Petitioners are also asking the SC to order a stop to US war games and port calls by US ships in the absence of clear guidelines on environmental protection under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

The filing came exactly three months after the USS Guardian, a minesweeper of the US Navy, got stuck in the corals in Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO heritage site.

The last section of the ship was removed last March 29 and more than 2,000 square meters of reef were assessed to have been damaged by the warship.

This is the first time foreign troops have been named respondents in a petition for writ of Kalikasan.

The petition cited, in general, the violation of the right to a balanced and healthful ecology and Republic Act No. 10067 (Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009).
The petitioners include Bishop Pedro Arigo of Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Bishop Deogracias Iniguez Jr., Bishop-Emeritus of Caloocan; Quimpo, Clemente Bautista Jr. of Kalikasan-Pne; Maria Carolina Araullo and Renato Reyes Jr. of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan); Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares; Roland Simbulan of Junk VFA Movement; Teresita Perez; Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino; Peter Gonzales of Pamalakaya; Giovanni Tapang, Agham; Elmer Labog, Kilusang Mayo Uno; Joan May Salvador, Gabriela; Jose Enrique Africa; Theresa Concepcion; Mary Joan Guan; Nestor Baguinon, and public interest lawyer Edsel Tupaz.

Bayan, together with other petitioners, are seeking a fine for the US that is 12 times the initial estimate of the Philippine government.

Comparing valuations in the 2009 grounding of the USS Port Royal in Hawaii, the petitioners said the just and reasonable compensation for the damage to Tubbataha is between $16.8 million and $27 million, a far cry from the $1.4 million Philippine government estimate.

Four years ago under similar circumstances, they said the US Navy paid the state of Hawaii a total of $15 million for restoration and settlement for damage to an Oahu reef, which while larger than Tubbataha, has not been identified as a world heritage site.

Petitioners pointed out Tubbataha’s biodiversity concentration is 2.3 times more than that of the Hawaii reef.

As for their call for prosecution, petitioners said the US Navy cannot invoke immunity under the VFA.

They also believe that the US war games and port calls by US warships pose a threat to the environment, especially since there are no clear guidelines under the VFA.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/06/24/957437/reef-grounding-sc-orders-us-explain

PHL Air Force resumes search for military plane gone missing in Palawan

From GMA News (Jun 24): PHL Air Force resumes search for military plane gone missing in Palawan

Search operations resumed Monday morning for a Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco light strike/reconnaissance aircraft that went missing Sunday, during a night proficiency flight .

PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said that the OV-10 aircraft went missing three to four nautical miles from the end of the runway of Puerto Princesa Airport in Palawan.

Okol described Sunday night 's weather conditions in the area as "favorable."

He also told dzBB radio that the Navy and the Coast Guard were joining the search.

Okol added that  the missing aircraft was equipped with a tracking system.

OV-10s are used as close air support aircraft for ground troops. They are also used for maritime patrol.

"Ang concern natin sa piloto," Okol said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/314205/news/regions/phl-air-force-resumes-search-for-military-plane-gone-missing-in-palawan

PHL Air Force searches for military plane gone missing in Palawan

From GMA News (Jun 24): PHL Air Force searches for military plane gone missing in Palawan

A Philippine Air Force OV-10 Bronco light strike/reconnaissance aircraft went missing Sunday over Palawan, GMA 7 program “Unang Hirit” reported.

According to Air Force spokesman, Col. Miguel Okol, the plane and its two-man crew were in the middle of a training flight when it went missing.

Okol declined to provide the names of the plane's crew.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/314205/news/regions/phl-air-force-searches-for-military-plane-gone-missing-in-palawan

MILF: Editorial - Strong Partner Good in Peacemaking

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Jun 23): Strong Partner Good in Peacemaking

The MILF is receiving “apprehensions” from international friends who are doing rehabilitation, humanitarian, and skills and capacity trainings for Moros in Mindanao regarding restraints on their movements.
  

They also feel that their programs are “unnecessarily looked into intensely”. The reasons were not clearly defined, but we feel it is attached to fear of MILF getting stronger, which is viewed negatively rather than positively, as asset in the current peace process in Mindanao. We are sure it is not about MILF’s belligerent status being bolstered, because this theory is already obsolete. The advent of globalization especially in terms of technology (communication) and the growing adherence to human rights law, international humanitarian law, principles of parity of esteem, and equality of peoples, and increasing acceptance of peaceful redress of conflicts have relegated it to the back burner. In addition, the current talk is not about secession which requires bringing the law of international armed conflict into play for both sides. The engagement has always been to strike a deal on sharing of powers and resources in an asymmetrical arrangement.

So, what then are the real reasons? If it is to prevent the MILF to become stronger, then it is not only a flawed thinking but a sign of insincerity. A good partner in peacemaking is one that is capable to commit and deliver and not the one who fails when called to account. If, however, the reason is not one of the above, then it has something to do with control of resources, which every government invariably wants to exercise. We can understand it without necessarily conceding its correctness. 

It is time government examines the wisdom of this approach. It is driving away friends of the peace process. The Arroyo administration had tried this before but it backfired. It only courted irritation, which in no way shortchanged the MILF. From anger to sympathy, it can even blossom into a kind support to further the cause of peace in the region. As proved by our experience, denial or restriction does not always disadvantage the MILF; on the contrary, this in many ways offers it many windows of opportunities.

We are sure this seemingly unnecessary restriction is not the official policy of the present dispensation. Perhaps, this is just the discretion (or indiscretion) of one or two officials in government. We are sure the President does not want an inutile organization as partner in peace, especially the MILF. Our deal with the government is one that is based on trust and partnership and surely this can best served by capable players.

The time has come that we must be fully aware that any decision or action taken that does not auger well with the generally accepted norms of conduct will find it very hard for decision-makers to defend. For us, it is better to base decision on trust rather than on mere suspicion. Trust relieves us of inner hard feeling, while suspicion, not only poisons the mind, but makes the world gloomy.

http://www.luwaran.com/

No contact yet from abductors of 2 sisters

From ABS-CBN (Jun 23): No contact yet from abductors of 2 sisters

Abductors of the two sisters in Sitio Liag, Patikul Municipality in Sulu province have not made any contacts with the authorities, nor with friends, since their disappearance on Saturday morning, the military said.

The victims, Nadjova Abdelbasit and her sister Linda Abdelbasit, were on board a passenger jeep en route to Jolo when they were forcibly taken into custody by at least 10 armed men at around 9 a.m.

The victims are reportedly members of a private organization called Tausug Citizen, based in Indanan municipality.

Reports reaching Western Mindanao Command identified the abductors as members of the Abu Sayyaf led by Aljini Mundoc (also known as Ninok Sapari) and Bensaudi Mundoc.

Authorities are now in hot pursuit of the suspects, who reportedly fled to the direction of Sitio Kanjimaw, Barangay Tugas.

 http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/23/13/no-contact-yet-abductors-2-fil-algerians

2 Filipino-Algerians, 1 Islamic study clerk abducted by Abu Sayyaf gunmen

From the Philippine Star (Jun 23): 2 Filipino-Algerians, 1 Islamic study clerk abducted by Abu Sayyaf gunmen

A Muslim clerk of an Islamic study center and two Filipino-Algerian sisters in Sulu were abducted yesterday separately by suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen, security officials said today.

The Filipino-Algerian sisters, daughters of a Tausug Imam (Muslim preacher), grew up in Zamboanga city, said Jose Joriel Cenabre, chief of the Task Force in Sulu.

Initial investigation showed that the two victims were on board a jeepney that was flagged down by the Abu Sayyaf group at the village of Liang in Patikul town at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The gunmen immediately seized the two victims and escaped toward unknown direction.

The military unit in Sulu said they had no information yet as to whether the suspects have set any demands for the release of the two victims.

In another case, a Muslim clerk of an Islamic Study center of state-run Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) was abducted by eight gunmen Saturday night in a coastal Muslim village in Zamboanga, police said.

The victim was seized by the gunmen wearing camouflage uniforms from his house at Campo Islam village shortly before 8 p.m. yesterday, Zamboanga city police director Edwin de Ocampo, said.

The police, navy, and military forces in adjacent province of Basilan have launched search on the possible presence of the victim and his abductors.

De Ocampo said they were investigating the motive of the abduction. 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/06/23/957344/2-filipino-algerians-1-islamic-study-clerk-abducted-abu-sayyaf-gunmen

2 Army troopers killed in NPA encounter in Agusan Del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): 2 Army troopers killed in NPA encounter in Agusan Del Sur

Two troopers from the 4th Infantry Division's 26th Infantry Battalion were killed following an encounter with 15 heavily-armed New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Sitio Maliwanag, Esperanza town, Agusan Del Sur Saturday afternoon.

The firefight took place around 4:00 p.m., according to 4th Infantry Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Leo Bongosia.

The soldiers were on routine security patrol when the incident happened.

The encounter lasted for 15 minutes after which the rebels quickly withdrew.

Bongosia said that pursuit operations were ongoing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=537173

Air defense component part of PHL military modernization program

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Air defense component part of PHL military modernization program

While remaining committed to acquiring fighter jets that will protect the country's aerospace against intruding aircraft, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez admitted that the Philippines is eying the possibility of acquiring air defense missiles to further bolster its capabilities.

"The air defense component is part of the AFP Modernization Program. A lot of countries have expressed their interest to sell us some of their air defense missiles," he added in Filipino.

Galvez also stated that he does not have the names of the specific countries yet.

"But these (air defense missiles) go hand-in-hand with the fighter aircraft (we are acquiring)," the DND spokesperson stressed.

Air defense missiles are needed to repel aircraft attacks or incursions which may break through fighter screens.

It is commonly deployed on sensitive political and military installations.

Earlier, unconfirmed reports claimed that the Philippines is now in the closing stages with the Israel Military Industries regarding the acquisition of the country's first-ever air defense missile system.

The report also added that the system will be set in within the next three months.

In a related development, DND observers stated that ranking defense officials are now talking with representatives of South Korea's Defense Acquisition and Procurement Authority regarding its intention to acquire the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) F/A-50 "Golden Eagle".

Around 12 units are expected to serve as the interim fighter aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

"The ongoing talks with the South Korean representative is to ensure that the aircraft will be acquired through government-to-government procurement mode. So far, the talks have been progressing well and they are now talking on the unit price (of the F/A-50) and the weapons, navigation, and technical and logistic support that will be provided to the Philippine ordered jet planes," the DND observer pointed out.

The latter declined to comment on how long the talks will last or whether this would lead to a contract signing.

The Philippines is in the market for 12 supersonic trainer aircraft which can double as interim fighter and attack planes for the PAF. It has allocated P18 billion for this program.

The Government Procurement Policy Board earlier gave the DND the "green-light" to start pre-negotiations with the South Korean government for 12 F/A 50 aircraft last January.

The F/A-50 is also known as the TA-50.

Its design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI's previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the F/A-50.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=537185

1 hurt as blast rocks North Cotabato town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): 1 hurt as blast rocks North Cotabato town
 
KABACAN, North Cotabato -- A bystander was hurt when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted at a roadside canal in front of a business establishment went off Saturday night along Sinamar 2 Street here, Supt. Leo Ajero, Kabacan police chief said Sunday.

The IED fashioned from 60 mm mortar, exploded at 7:35 p.m.

Ajero said the victim remained unidentified but suffered only minor shrapnel wounds.

The victim was walking nearby when the explosion occurred in front of Laira Marketing.

Members of the police bomb disposal team recovered fragmentation of the improvised bomb.

No one has claimed responsibility but authorities suspect it was carried out by extortionist groups preying on business establishment.

The blast, the seventh since January this year, damaged glass panes of Laira Marketing.

Witnesses said the blast scene was near a narrow street leading to the house of incumbent Mayor George Tan.

Police could not say whether the mayor was the target or the business establishments.

Tan lost in the last elections.

Aside from bombings, grenade throwing and setting off of improvised bomb, Kabacan had also experienced a series of shooting, involving local politicians, businessmen, people engaged in drug trade and plain extortion, including transmission towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines situated at the outskirts of this bustling agricultural town.

Shortly before and after elections, a series of four explosions rocked this town where the vice mayor running for reelection was shot dead months earlier.

Ajero said additional police forces from Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office 12 have been sent to augment local police enforcers.

Ajero has repeatedly appealed to the locals to help police in maintaining law and order by reporting suspicious looking persons carrying suspicious baggage.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=537205

Army recovers firearms in Samar encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Army recovers firearms in Samar encounter
 
Elements of the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion have encountered on Friday morning about 10 members of the communist’s armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Bugho, Pinabacdao, Samar.

“Acting upon information given by a concerned citizen in Barangay Bugho about the NPA presence in the vicinity of their barangay, Capt. Tuguinay Agoy, the commanding officer of 87th IB’s Alpha Company formed a combat platoon to verify the information,” said Lt. Col. Cerilo Balaoro, 87th IB commander.

“When Capt. Agoy and his troops arrived in the area where the NPAs were reported to be harboring, they were fired upon and an encounter ensued for about 15 minutes until the NPAs withdrew,” Balaoro said.

It was learned the NPA rebels belonged to the Section Committee-Southern Samar I of the Samar Provincial Party Committee.

The encounter resulted to the recovery of the following enemy materiel—one M16 armalite rifle, one M653 baby armalite rifle as well as three loaded magazines of AK 47 rifle with 100 extra live ammunition, seven empty magazines for M16 rifle and NPA documents.

No one was hurt on both sides.

Maj. Gen. Gerardo T. Layug, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division congratulated the troops who conducted the successful combat operation.

“I assure the people that we will continue in clearing the interior barangays in the region from NPA influence so that LGUs can implement their programs and be able to provide basic services for the people,” Layug said in a statement.

“The chief executives of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran and Eastern Samar already declared their respective provinces as manageable conflict affected areas and ready for development and are now focusing on economic programs that will alleviate their people from poverty,” Layug added.

“On the same token, the local chief executives of the provinces of Samar and Northern Samar are currently working with other peace stakeholders for their provinces to be declared as manageable conflict affected areas and ready for development so that they can also focus on development programs they have crafted for their people. On our part, we assure the chief executives of these provinces that we will provide security for their programs to be implemented without interruption,” Layug said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=537188

MILF-BIFF clash with soldiers in Sultan Kudarat, 2 die

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): MILF-BIFF clash with soldiers in Sultan Kudarat, 2 die

Suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), backed by renegade rebels, clashed with militiamen and soldiers in Barangay Bagumbayan, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat province Saturday, the Army here said.

The rebels killed a local militiaman, a farmer and fired rockets toward the detachment of the 33rd Infantry Battalion in skirmishes the past two days which authorities attributed to a long standing land dispute involving MILF guerillas and local residents.

The attackers were led by a certain Ustadz Sukarno, believed to be a follower of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) leader Ustadz Umra Kato.

Sukarno's men sided with the group of MILF claiming ownership of a vast tract of land in Barangay Bagumbayan of President Quirino.

Killed Saturday was militiaman Vicente Macaraeg, a member of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and a resident of Barangay Bagumbayan.

Macaraeg was driving his motorbike heading toward the town proper when shot by MILF-BIFF forces.

The gunmen fled when joint police and Army forces deployed as peacekeeping forces started to close in.

The next day, the armed men returned to the village and gunned down Roi Viola, a farmer for refusing to shell out money.

After killing Viola, the armed men harassed the 33rd IB detachment.The outnumbered Army in the detachment returned fire. It was unknown whether the attackers suffered casualties as they retreated when reinforcement arrived backed by armored personnel carrier and 105 howitzers.

Antonio Sebulla, a resident of Poblacion President Quirino, said three howitzers were fired by soldiers position in the town proper toward Barangay Bagumbayan while the harassment on the Army base was ongoing.

Several families have evacuated, according to Sebulla.

According to Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said soldiers were sent to Bagumbayan to prevent further skirmishes while concerned government agencies were trying to address the land dispute problem.

He said the Army is coordinating with the joint ceasefire committee of the government and the MILF in addressing the problem.

A similar land dispute has already claimed lives in the borders of Maguinanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.

The latest fatality was a farmer who was shot allegedly by MILF rebels in Sitio Barko-Barko, Barangay Maybula, Tulunan, North Cotabato.

MILF and armed militiamen clashed last week and sporadic skirmishes that claimed more lives have been ongoing since then.

Hermoso identified the slain militiaman as Dondon Palomo a resident of Sitio Barko-Barko.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmyloy Mendoza and Tulunan Mayor Lani Candolada both confirmed the conflict was deeply rooted and involved local residents and MILF forces who all claiming land ownership.

A resident of Sitio Barko-Barko told a local radio station that they have been subjected to harassment by MILF forces who wanted them out of Sitio Barko-Barko.

"We are forced to arm ourselves, who will protect us but us," he told reporters from Gen. Santos City.

Another man who identified himself as Sandro said the conflict had been settled in the past but the rebels keep on violating the local agreement.

"No one should claim ownership by force but to allow the Department of Agrarian Reform to address the problem, but they keep coming back," Sandro said.

Von Al-Haq, speaking for the MILF, claimed otherwise.

He said the area had been known as owned by the local native inhabitants who are Maguindanaons and relatives of the MILF.

"The civilians armed themselves and employed as CAFGU to attack MILF forces, that is the problem there," Al Haq said.

After a series of dialogues by local leaders, the government and the MILF, an immediate solution was agreed upon to stop fighting and loss of lives.

On Monday, a joint peacekeeping task force composed of the police, military, members of the GPH-MILF ceasefire committee, MILF and International Monitoring Team will be sent to the conflict area.

It aims to stop violence while the territorial dispute is being addressed by the government.

Mayor Candolada said the regional joint peace and security coordinating committee will deployed in Sitio Barko-Barko, former a peace zone to prevent further bloodshed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=537214

Philippine gov't optimistic of July talks with Muslim rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Philippine gov't optimistic of July talks with Muslim rebels

The Philippine government is hoping that contentious issues on the three remaining annexes of the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) could finally be resolved in the formal peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) set early next month, a senior government official said Sunday.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said that the Aquino administration is optimistic about the upcoming peace negotiation.

"We hope that there will be a good resolution to the talks that are scheduled in July," she said in an interview over a state-run radio station.

The last formal talks were held in April but ended without the signing of any of the three remaining annexes -- power-sharing, wealth-sharing and normalization. The annex on transitional arrangements and modalities was inked in February.

The government and the MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, have to complete first all the annexes of the FAB before they could forge a comprehensive agreement.

While the government is fully committed in the peace process with the MILF, Valte said, the Aquino administration wants to ensure that the three annexes and the comprehensive compact will "pass legal muster."

That was why the government thoroughly evaluated and studied the draft annexes, which are now with the MILF, she said.

Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer has announced that she and her counterpart with the MILF, Mohagher Iqbal, agreed at the sidelines of a forum in Norway to resume the formal talks early next month to discuss the three remaining annexes.

The MILF has been fighting government troops for decades to establish a self-rule Muslim state in southern Philippines.

The Aquino government and the MILF formally signed on Oct. 15 of 2012 the framework agreement, a road map for final political settlement to end the decades-old armed struggle in southern Philippines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=537239