AFP sees Abu Sayyaf hand in Sabah abduction — spokesman

From GMA News (Apr 14): AFP sees Abu Sayyaf hand in Sabah abduction — spokesman

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday said the Abu Sayyaf Group may be behind the abduction of a Filipina worker and a Chinese tourist at the Singamata Resort near Semporna in Sabah, at around 10:30 pm. Wednesday.

In an interview with GMA News Online, AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the victims were kidnapped by seven armed men believed to be members of an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) unit in Tawi-Tawi.

One of the members of the unit is Murphy Ambang Ladia (also known as Haji Gulam), a former member of the Moro National Liberation Front who joined the bandit group operating in Tawi-Tawi, he added.

In a separate text message to GMA News Online, Zagala also said: "Subject [Gulam] later joined the ASG operating in Tawi-Tawi under ASG Binang Sahirol. Initial available information obtained further states that said abductors proceeded to the vicinity of Simunol Munipality in Tawi-Tawi, eluding Malaysian authorities conducting pursuit operations."

Zagala said the bandits immediately boarded a white speedboat and proceeded towards the Philippine Sea.

Abducted Pinay identified

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs identified the abducted Pinay as Marcelita Dayawan, 40, a staff worker of the resort.

"Embassy officials are in touch with Ms. Dayawan’s relatives and are extending consular assistance. Philippine and Malaysian authorities are closely and actively working together towards the speedy resolution of the case," the DFA said in a statement.

Earlier, Malaysia's The Star Online quoted Brig. Gen. Martin Pinto, head of the military's Sulu task force, as saying they are gathering intelligence information on the gunmen's whereabouts.

"We have mobili(z)ed our naval assets in the Sulu and Tawi-Tawi areas and all bases along coastal areas for possible entry," he said.

However, he said they have yet to confirm reports the group might have slipped into the Philippines.

The Star Online said that as of Friday morning, neither the Philippine nor Malaysian side had made any sighting of the gunmen or the hostages.

It added Malaysia continued sea, air and ground searches in various locations within the east coast of Semporna waters, while police checked the background of some resort workers.

In a  phone interview with GMA News Online, Capt. Ryan Lacuesta, Joint Task Force Sulu spokesman, said units from the military's 2nd Marine Brigade have been monitoring for possible entry of suspects in the Sulu province.

"As of [Thursday]... wala pang sightings dito sa area ng Sulu," he said.

On April 23, 2000, Abu Sayyaf bandits took 21 hostages, including 10 tourists from Europe and the Middle East at the world-renowned diving resort of Sipadan Island near Semporna.

The hostages were brought to Sulu using high-powered speedboats. Most of the hostages were released in the following months; the last hostage, Roland Ulla (Filipino), was able to escape on June 6, 2003.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/355469/news/nation/afp-sees-abu-sayyaf-hand-in-sabah-abduction-spokesman

Philippines continues search for Sabah raiders, 2 hostages

From the Mindanao Examiner blog site (Apr 4): Philippines continues search for Sabah raiders, 2 hostages

Filipino authorities continue to build up intelligence to determine whether gunmen who raided and seized 2 people at a Malaysian dive resort have sneaked into the southern Philippines.

Persistent reports suggest the Abu Sayyaf could be involved in the daring raid late Wednesday on Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort in the town of Semporna in Sabah where 5 gunmen abducted a 29-year old Chinese holidaymaker Gao Huayun, 29, and seized a Filipino hotel employee, Marcy Dayawan, 40.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has not release any information about the Filipina.

“We still have no confirmation whether the Abu Sayyaf was behind the raid or if the gunmen have sneaked into the Sulu Archipelago, but we have alerted our forces and continue to gather intelligence information about this incident,” Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, the Sulu police chief, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

There was also no report from authorities in the Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi which is near Sabah whether the raiders have sought refugee there or not. 

Search 

The navy also deployed small boats to patrol the long coastline of the archipelago.

“We are exerting efforts to search and locate the kidnapped victims in probable areas in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi where they could have been brought. Naval Task Force 62 is now conducting extensive search while other units in the area have been in high alert,” marine Captain Maria Rowena Myuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, told the Mindanao Examiner.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the raid, but Malaysian authorities have initially blamed the Abu Sayyaf which has stormed several resorts and kidnapped tourists and Malaysians over the past two decades and ransomed them off.

Putrajaya has been largely criticized for the latest breach in security, but relatives and families of Filipinos working in Sabah fear that Malaysia may launch a crackdown again on Filipino communities and illegal workers on the mineral-rich island which is being claimed by the Sultanate of Sulu.

Royal Security Force

The raid came barely a week after General Panglima who claimed to be a leader of the Royal Security Force of the Sultanate of Sulu threatened to launch violent campaign if President Benigno Aquino to support a long-standing historical claim on the island of Sabah – then known as North Borneo - which Malaysia illegally annexed in 1963.

“Nananawagan kami sa pamahalaan na sana po gawin nila o hanapan na lang ng paraan ang isyu na ito at huwag naman nila ito isantabi. One year na kami sa giyera at naghihintay mula ng sumiklab ang gulo sa Sabah noon February 2013 at 2014 na ngayon ay wala pa rin action ang pamahalaan ukol dito sa Sabah claim,” General Panglima said.

In February last year, the ailing Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, of the Sultanate of Sulu, sent about 200 followers headed by his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to Sabah to exert their claim and historical rights over the island, which is also being claimed by Malaysia.

Sultan Jamalul’s group has rejected Malaysian demand for them to surrender peacefully and a fighting erupted in Lahad Datu town where more than 60 of the sultan’s men had been killed and over 300 Filipinos arrested on suspicion they were supporting or aiding the group of Raja Muda Agbimuddin.

Malaysia also put Sultan Jamalul and his brother on its wanted list and branded them as terrorists for intruding into Sabah and killing and decapitating 10 policemen and soldiers in separate clashes on the island. Raja Muda Agbimuddin managed to escape the Malaysian assault in Sabah, while Sultan Jamalul died in October last year from a lingering illness at age 75.

General Panglima also said that Manila failed or refused to help sultanate members and Filipinos illegally detained in Sabah in connection to the fighting last year.

“Binalewala nila ang aming isyu (sa Sabah). Masakit man sa amin na pumanaw na ang mahal namin pinuno na si Sultan Jamalul Kiram III at hindi rin sila nakinig. Kung kaya’t gulo lang ang gusto nilang pag-usapan o pakinggan ng pamahalaan, kaya din namin gumawa ng malaking gulo o karahasan sa buong Mindanao kahit na minamaliit pa nila ang aming puwersa o grupo kaya nananawagan kami sa pamahalaan na tulungan kaming hanapan ng paraan ang isyu ma ito. Magtulungan at magkaisa tayo at laban na ito para sa buong Pilipino, Kristiyano at Muslim ay magkapatid at iisang dugo,” he said.

The threats came following the signing of the peace agreement between the Philippines and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front which Malaysia has brokered.

Sabah is ours

The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo continues to lay claim to Sabah. It obtained Sabah from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on the Borneo Island. The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of World War II.

But the Sulu Sultanate said it had merely leased North Borneo in 1878 to the British North Borneo Company for an annual payment of 5,000 Malayan dollars then, which was increased to 5,300 Malayan dollars in 1903.

The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north. North Borneo was annexed by Malaysia in 1963 following a referendum organised by the Cobbold Commission in 1962, the people of Sabah voted overwhelmingly to join Malaysia.

Malaysia continues to pay an annual stipend of 5,300 ringgits to the Sultanate of Sulu on the basis of the sultanate ceding the Borneo state. But fighting also persists among those who claim to be the heir of the Sultan of Sulu and as many as four dozen people are saying they are the real sultan.

 http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/04/philippines-continues-search-for-sabah.html

Army Kills 2 NPAs Treats Wounded Rebel

From the Negros Daily Bulletin (Apr 4): Army Kills 2 NPAs Treats Wounded Rebel

Soldiers of the 79th Infantry Battalion extended medical assistance to a New People’s Army (NPA) squad leader who was wounded and captured during yesterday morning’s encounter in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

The soldiers also took care of the remains of two other rebels who died during that encounter with government troops 7:30 yesterday morning in Sitio Makasakasa, Brgy. Balayong in Pamplona.

1Lt Ronnie Sarmiento, 79th IB’s acting civil military operations officer said the wounded NPA, Jessie Dacaldacal alias Jukol/RC/Aiza, a squad leader of the NPA operating in Sta. Catalina and boundaries of Pamplona, was left behind by their comrades, together with the two still unidentified NPAs who died during the clash.

"The troops captured Dacaldacal and found out he had wounds on his neck and chest, so they applied first aid to prevent loss of blood while waiting for the ambulance. He was then brought to a hospital in Dumaguete City for immediate treatment," he said.

Lt. Col. Harold Anthony F. Pascua, Acting Commanding Officer of the 79th IB, said the situation in the area is already peaceful.

"Peace and order in Brgy. Balayong in Pamplona and adjacent barangays is back to normal. Our troops are still there to secure the communities against the rebels. The troops continue their pursuit operations and we will ensure that standard operating procedure will be observed as far as the captured NPA," Pascua said.

Major General Aurelio Baladad, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said "We condole and extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the slain NPA members. It was tragic that they have taken arms against the peace-loving people of Negros despite that they were given the chance to lay down their arms peacefully. There is another way to push their cause but not through violence."

Brigadier General Francisco M. Patrimonio, Commander of 302nd Brigade meanwhile stressed that the insurgency situation in the province is very manageable and the rebel’s activity is confined in the hinterland barangays.

"The NPA in Negros Oriental is already insignificant. The province is now moving out of the communist affectation as manifested by the desire of the people to once and for all move their province towards development. In fact, Negros Oriental will be formally declared as ‘Conflict Manageable and Development Ready’ province on April 25, 2014," Patrimonio disclosed.* (Edith B. Colmo)

* * *
MEANWHILE, in a statement, the Army said forces under 79th IB based in Siaton, Negros Oriental neutralized the remnant forces of the lawless armed elements when they figured in that encounter with the NPA in Pamplona, Negros Oriental yesterday.

"Government forces under 1Lt. Tumamao received reports from the civilians regarding the presence of lawless armed elements, so they responded immediately. While conducting security patrol around 6:30 a.m. in the area, the troops confirmed the report from the residents and were able to locate the lawless armed elements. Being extra cautious of the safety and security of the civilians, the troops surrounded the location of the NPA and ensured that no one will be caught in between when the hostile situation arises," the statement said.

Baladad meanwhile stressed, "We will continue our efforts and work even more together with the LGUs, other government agencies, NGOs and the local communities in pursuing our goal for this province to become an insurgency-free Negros Oriental."

"We reiterate our call to those who continue with the protracted warfare to peacefully lay down their arms and abandon the armed struggle. With the IPSP Bayanihan, the main issues in our society are now being addressed. Let us foster this culture which has made significant progress in our thrust to end the insurgency for the sake of peace and development," Baladad added.

Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) are now conducting investigation in the encounter site while troops of 79IB are in close communication with the barangay officials to ensure the safety and security of the residents in the area. Likewise, coordination is being made with the local officials for the assistance that will be extended for the decent burial of the slain NPA members.

http://ndb-online.com/040414/local-news/local-news-army-kills-2-npas-treats-wounded-rebel

Rebels in NegOr insignificant: Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 4): Rebels in NegOr insignificant: Army

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has declared the New People’s Army in Negros Oriental “insignificant”, after the continuing surrender of their members, and with others apprehended or killed in gunbattles.

Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, 3rd Infantry Division commander, yesterday said that Negros Oriental is now moving out of the communist affectation as manifested by the desire of the people to, once and for all, move their province towards development.

The Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas has reportedly moved out from Negros Oriental and the number of its members continues to dwindle. This is due to sustained military pressure on them by the 302nd Infantry Brigade, that is working with the provincial government, and other sectors, through Oplan Bayanihan in the development of insurgency-affected communities, he said.

The AFP Central Command in the Visayas had said earlier that they are moving towards the turnover of peace security to the local governments of Negros Oriental.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday that Negros Oriental will be formally declared a “Conflict Manageable and Development Ready” province on April 25.

The military estimates KRSB remnants in southeast Negros Oriental at less than 20.

Since last year, 11 NPA members have abandoned the armed struggle and five others were apprehended, with 18 firearms, 12 rifle grenades and an improvised explosive device either surrendered or recovered, in encounters, military records show.

Two more rebels died yesterday, while another one was captured in an encounter with the 79th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Brgy. Balayong, Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

The supervision of the remnants of the South East Front SDG has reportedly been transferred from KRSB to KR-Negros.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/April/04/negor2.htm

2 NPAs slain, 1 injured in Pamplona encounter

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 4): 2 NPAs slain, 1 injured in Pamplona encounter

Two suspected members of the New People’s Army were killed, and one was wounded in an encounter with troopers of the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion of the Philippine Army in Sitio Makasakasa, Barangay Balayong in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental, at around 7:30 a.m. yesterday.

The 79th IB identified the fatalities only as “Ka Andoy” and “Ka Jury”, and the seriously wounded as Jessie Dacaldacal, squad leader of the NPAs operating in Sta. Catalina and the boundaries of Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

Their two other companions were able to evade arrest, but are believed to be wounded due to the presence of bloodstains in the encounter site, the military also said.

Brigadier General Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, said the encounter was the result of reports from civilians and residents about the presence of armed men asking for food and supplies in the sitio.

A section of the Charlie Company of the 79th IB, headed by 2Lt John Tumamao, was sent to the area to negotiate for the surrender of five armed men who were reportedly inside the house of Felix Rabor.

Instead, the NPA combatants fired at the soldiers, who returned fire.

Recovered at the encounter site were four armalite rifles with grenade launchers, and one armalite rifle with an attached M203 tube, subversive documents with high intelligence value, and personal belongings, the military said.

Scene of the crime operatives were dispatched to the area after the encounter.

Commission on Human Rights field officer Jess Cañete was also present to investigate and to determine if laws of engagements were followed during the firefight.

Dacaldacal was brought to the provincial hospital by a military ambulance on orders of Patrimonio, who also coordinated with the Pamplona government for assistance in providing decent burial for the two slain rebels.

Patrimonio said he considers the capture of Dacaldacal and the deaths of two others a big blow to the NPA. It will cause demoralization, he added, and urged other rebels to surrender as the government is willing to extend livelihood and cash assistance for them to start their new lives decently and peacefully.

Lt. Col Harold Pascua, commander of the 79th IB, meanwhile denied reports that four of his soldiers were killed during the encounter.

He added that a pursuit operation was ongoing to capture the two other wounded rebels.

The result of the latest encounter helped boost the recommendation of Patrimonio to declare Negros Oriental as "conflict manageable and development ready" province by April 25, he said.

Patrimonio added that recent encounters in Bahian, Tanjay City and in Balayong Pamplona are indications that the NPAs are on the run, and that the Army has permanently occupied their guerilla base in Sta. Catalina.

They (rebels) were forced to go out to other areas where they have no hold to establish their mass base. But unfortunately for them, their presence was reported by residents because the area is not their comfort zone, he added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/April/04/negor1.htm

Kidnappings, violence erupt in Mindanao, a week after GPH-MILF sign peace deal

From the Zamboanga Today (Apr 3): Kidnappings, violence erupt in Mindanao, a week after GPH-MILF sign peace deal

Kidnappings and violence erupted in different parts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim  Mindanao (ARMM) and Zamboanga Peninsula on Tuesday a week after the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The military and police had to augment security forces to thwart any alleged attacks or destabilization plot by a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction loyal to its founding chairman Nur Misuari, Abu Sayyaf bandits and communist rebels.

In Barangay (Village) Poblacion, Siocon Municipality, Zamboanga del Norte, more or less four gunmen abducted a son of the owner of Petron gasoline station at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Abducted was Michael Kho, who was taken by his captors on board a sportage colored maroon to a remote area of Barangay Latabon, also of Siocon town.

Police said the armed men broke into gasoline station and and forcibly took undetermined amount of cash money and while fleeing they also took Kho with them.

In Tawi-Tawi, a deputy education official was shot to death by an unidentified gunman at past 4 p.m. Tuesday outside the Department of Education (DepEd) office in the province.

Killed was Nihma Lakian Unda, an Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) in ARMM.

Few hours after, a powerful explosion rocked the city of Lamitan in Basilan Province, but no casualties were reported.

The explosion went off at around 7:20 p.m. at the residential compound of Rose Tauto at Imam Uto Street in Sitio Tinambakan, Barangay Maganda.

Policemen responded to the area and recovered pieces of fragmantation grenade at the crime scene.

Police and military officials remain mum on media question if the series of violence and kidnappings are indignation acts of MNLF-Misuari faction and Abu Sayyaf group who oppose the peace deal between the government and the MILF.

The three separate incidents occurred two days after the kidnapping of a school principal in Sumisip town in Basilan believed to be by the extremist Abu Sayyaf group under Juhaiber Alhamsirul aka Abu Kik.

Kidnappers are demanding a P1 million ransom payment in exchange for the safe release of Manggal school principal Benita Latonio.
http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/17153-kidnappings-violence-erupt-in-mindanao-a-week-after-gph-milf-sign-peace-deal.html

Misuari: Video: [Just Released] The return of the "Lion Sheikh of Sulu" Ustadz Khaber Malik, explaining the TAWHEED, the purpose of life...

Posted to the Facebook page of Nur Misuari (Apr 1): Video: [Just Released] The return of the "Lion Sheikh of Sulu" Ustadz Khaber Malik, explaining the TAWHEED, the purpose of life...

May Allah rewards his Juhood in Jihad and Da'awah...Ameen Ya Rabb!

More lectures coming, inshaAllah, direct from true Ulama of our times, from his Mobile Madrasa in the Jungle of Sulu...

courtesy : AhlussanMedia — at Jolo,Sulu Philippines.



[Video: TAWHEED | The Purpose of Life | Shaykh Khabir Malik Hafidhahullah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWnY1wAxu3c&feature=youtu.be]

Tawheed in Arabic means attributing Oneness to Allaah and describing Him as being One and Unique, with no partner or peer in His Essence and Attributes.
With regard to the shar'i definition of Tawheed, it means believing in Allaah alone as God and Lord and attributing to Him alone all the attributes of Lordship and divinity.

It may be defined as follows: Believing that Allaah is One with no partner or associate in His Lordship (ruboobiyyah), divinity (uloohiyyah) or names and attributes (al-asma' wa'l-sifaat).

This word (Tawheed) and its derivatives are used with this meaning in the Qur'aan and Sunnah. For example:

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say (O Muhammad): He is Allaah, (the) One [Ahad].

2. Allaah‑us‑Samad [Allaah — the Self‑Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)].

3. He begets not, nor was He begotten.

4. And there is none co‑equal or comparable unto Him"

[al-Ikhlaas 112:1-3]

"And your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah [ilaahun waahidun] (God — Allaah), Laa Ilaaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"[al-Baqarah 2:163]

"Surely, disbelievers are those who said: 'Allaah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).' But there is no Ilaah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilaah [ilaahun waahidun] (God —Allaah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall on the disbelievers among them"[al-Maa'idah 5:73]

https://www.facebook.com/Nur.P.Misuari

CPP/NPA: Liderato ng 3rd IDPA, Maj. Ray Tiongson, sirang plaka

NPA propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Mar 30): Liderato ng 3rd IDPA, Maj. Ray Tiongson, sirang plaka

Jurie Guerrero
Spokesperson
NPA Central Panay Front Operations Command (Jose Percival Estocada Command)

 

Katulad sa sirang plaka ang liderato ng 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army sa pahayag nito sa pamamagitan ng kanyang tagapagsalita na si Maj. Ray Tiongson na humihina na ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan dahil marami umanong mga kasapi ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) ang sumuko. Mahigit tatlong taon nang paulit-ulit na deklarasyong ito ng militar sa layong maipakita na nagtatagumpay ang Oplan Bayanihan at patuloy na makakuha ng lumalaking pondo ang militar.

Nitong Marso 29, 2014 kasabay ng anibersaryo ng BHB, ihinarap ng militar sa midya ang umano’y dalawang kasapi ng BHB sa ilalim ng Central Front-Panay na mga bagong sumuko. Wala nang maisipan pang mapaniniwalaang propaganda si Maj. Ray Tiongson kundi ang gasgas nang linya sa pagpakilala ng mga “recycled surrenderees” para patunayang humihina na ang rebolusyonaryong armadong kilusan. Ang mahalaga ay makaagaw ng atensyon ng mass media sa araw ng anibersaryo ng BHB.

Kahit ilang beses pang ulit-ulitin ni Maj. Ray Tiongson ang kanyang pahayag, hindi maitatago ang katotohanang patuloy na nabibigo ang Oplan Bayanihan sa layuning nitong mapahina ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan partikular sa Central Panay. Sa kabila ng walang awat na maigting na operasyon sa mahigit nang tatlong taon namantine ng larangang gerilya sa Central Panay ang kanyang laking kumpanyang armadong pwersa at patuloy na nagpupunyaging mapalakas ang inisyatiba at kakayahang maglunsad ng mga aksyong militar habang patuloy na pinapalawak at pinalalakas ang baseng masa nito. Ang apat na sunud-sunod na mga operasyong harasment laban sa mga detatsment ng PA-CAA nitong buwan ng Marso ay patunay na nakabawi ito ng inisyatiba.

Lubos ang tiwala ng mga Pulang kumander at mandirigma sa ilalim ng Jose Percival Estocada Jr. Command sa Central Panay na makapag-ambag ito sa panawagan ng Komite Sentral ng PKP na “paigtingin ang mga opensiba para maangkin ang ibayong inisyatiba sa pagsulong ng digmang bayan” habang patuloy ding pinamumunuan ang pagbangon ng mamamayan na sinalanta ng superbagyong Yolanda.

Mabuhay ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan!
Mamamayan, magbangon, singilin ang inutil na rehimeng Aquino sa kapabayaan nito sa mga biktima ng superbagyong Yolanda!

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140330_liderato-ng-3rd-idpa-maj-ray-tiongson-sirang-plaka

CPP: National Sovereignty and Patrimony Week

Propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Apr 3): National Sovereignty and Patrimony Week

Communist Party of the Philippines

 

In the face of heightening US intervention, increasing presence of US and allied foreign troops, intensifying foreign economic plunder and worsening puppetry of the Aquino regime to the US government, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) calls on the Filipino people and all their patriotic, democratic, progressive and revolutionary forces to launch a widespread campaign to banner the call for national liberation. Let us declare April 22-30 as National Sovereignty and Patrimony Week to jumpstart this intensified propaganda and education campaign to drum up the patriotic demands of the Filipino people.

Let us recall the Filipino people’s heroes in ther struggle for national independence, from Andres Bonifacio to Macli-ing Dulag, from Amado V. Hernandez to Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran, from Ka Bert Olalia to Ka Roger, from Teresa Magbanua to Juvy Capion, and all those who have died upholding national freedom.

The National Sovereignty and Patrimony Week will cover the scheduled swing-by visit of US imperialist chieftain Barack Obama. It will also cover the upcoming anniversary of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). It covers as well as the death anniversary of Macli-ing Dulag and the celebrations of the International Earth Day which underscore the issue of increasing foreign plunder of the country’s unrenewable resources and the resulting worsening state of environmental destruction.

The struggle to uphold national sovereignty and patrimony is set to become one of the Filipino people’s central points of resistance in the rest of the year and in succeeding years as they amplify their demand for the ouster of the current puppet Aquino regime.

This struggle currently involves:

(a) opposing the planned presentation or signing of the Agreement for Enhanced Defense Cooperation which will allow the US to carve military enclaves in the Philippines in order to maintain its permament presence and increase the number of its troops to several thousand;

 

(b) opposing increasing US military interventionism in providing the puppet regime with military funding and arms support, conducting surveillance operations, providing logistical support and direct participation during combat operations, conducting bombing runs;

 

© opposing the planned amendment of the 1987 constitution (“chacha” or charter change) which seeks to remove restrictions against foreign ownership of land and business operations in the Philippines;

 

(d) opposing the neoliberal policies of privatization, deregulation, liberalization and denationalization, especially the Aquino regime’s crony-controlled Public-Private Partnership projects;

 

(e) opposing the Aquino regime’s priorities that help generate an empty economic bubble of office space, mall and condominium construction but refuse to carry out genuine land reform and national industrialization

 

Let us vigorously push for the Filipino people’s fight against the US-Aquino regime’s schemes to further subject the country’s patrimony to foreign plunder by amending the 1987 constitution to allow foreign big capitalists to own land and run their wholly- or majority-owned enterprises to the further detriment of local capital; and to allow the US military to establish exclusive enclaves within camps of the local armed forces, carry out interventionism and make use of the Philippines as a base of its aggression in the Asia-Pacific region.

We must set the spotlight on the prevailing grave socio-economic conditions that is a result of US-imposed neoliberal policies which have brought about unprecendented hardships on the people, including the deregulation of the oil industry, the further liberalization of the power industry, the privatization of water services, the use of public funds to augment crony investments in tollways and other infrastructure projects and so on.

We must develop strong national criticism of the Aquino regime and all previous puppet regimes over the past seven decades for their failure to develop a national industrial base and independent economy capable of producing the needs for domestic consumption and production and sustaining employment. We must expose the import-dependent, export-oriented and debt-financed production that oppresses the workers with low wages and the peasants with widespread landgrabbing.

We must condemn the reactionary puppet state for subjecting the country’s national patrimony to foreign plunder, allowing foreign big capitalists to siphon out unrenewable mineral resources; and grab tens of thousands of hectares of land and carve out large tracts into chemical-fed plantations which cause massive soil erosion and the poisoning of rivers and streams.

Like the foreign-owned semi-manufacturing plants in the so-called “economic zones,” the foreign-owned mines and big logging and plantation operations are interested only in exploiting the cheap labor and cheap raw materials in the Philippines. These do not serve to develop local production and fail to generate a substantial number of jobs correspondent to the extent of its super-profits.

We must sharply criticize the Aquino regime for allowing the American and its partner Chinese big banks and finance oligarchs to generate a bubble of office-space and condominium construction and the artificial expansion of the local stock market without expansion in the real economy. Aquino has refused to carry out land reform and national industrialization, dismissing these as “ideologically charged concepts.” We must hold Aquino responsible for the Philippine bubble economy that is bound to burst within or right after his term.

We must aim to reinvigorate the Filipino people’s sense of patriotism and national dignity by carrying out, among others, a sustained campaign to review Philippine history from the nationalist point of view.

Since 2001, the puppet reactionaries and the US imperialists have carried out an all-out ideological offensive to portray US basing and interventionism as a necessary element in the so-called “war against terror.” The aim of the US and its local puppets is to counter the Filipino people’s strong sense of nationalism in opposing US military bases which they demonstrated in massive protests in 1991 demanding the abrogation of the 1946 Military Bases Agreement.

From 2002 onwards, the US will station in Zamboanga City a 600 (later 700) -strong contingent of interventionist troops from the US Pacific Command under the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P). The JSOTF-P has since been involved in surveillance, joint trainings, combat operations and bombing runs with the AFP. To cover up and make US basing and interventionism more palatable, this contingent has actively engaged in public relations activities, carrying out token school construction and village electrification projects, making use of loose change from the overflowing funds of the US military.

By the end of the 2000s, the US would become isolated in the conduct of its “war on terror” characterized by widespread abuses of human rights, the continued occupation of and defeats in Iraq and Afghanistan. Under the Obama regime, the US imperialists would come up with new excuses such as “freedom of navigation” and “democratic regime change” to justify the expansion of its military presence and interventionism.

Since 2011, the US-directed Aquino regime has played an important role in the “US pivot” towards Asia to provide the justification for the plan to deploy 60% of its overseas naval forces and 50% of its land-based troops in the Asia Pacific. Aquino received briefing by US officials aboard US warship USS Carl Vinson in May 2011 afterwhich made noise of asserting the Philippine claim over the South China Sea land formations and called for US military support. Henceforth, the Aquino regime will allow more and more US warships to dock in Philippine ports and sail by the disputed territories, effectively provoking China to become more assertive in defining and defending its territories and making incursions into the UN-defined exclusive economic territory of the Philippines.

We must expose, debunk and oppose the claim of the Aquino regime that it is defending Philippine national sovereignty in allowing the US military to maintain its presence in Philippine seas and have restricted access to Philippine facilities in order to confront China’s aggressive assertion of its claim over the South China Sea land formations.

Aquino’s assertion is no different from the justification of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo for welcoming US colonial troops to supposedly fight the Spanish colonialists. The result will not be different: through its military, the US will maintain its power and dominance over the Philippines and make use of the country for its strategic economic and military interests.

We must assert and prove that upholding and defending national sovereignty and national patrimony can only be carried out as an independent act of a country. To claim that one’s country can assert its sovereignty with the help of a superpower is to beg to become a protectorate of that power.

We must be able to gather the united voice of the Filipino people to oppose the Agreement for Enhanced Defense Cooperation being forged by the US and the Aquino governments which will allow the US to circumvent prohibitions in the 1987 constitution against foreign military facilities. Let us generate a strong national demand to abrogate the Mutual Defense Treaty (1956), the Visiting Forces Agreement (1998) and the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (2002).

We must relentlessly oppose US interventionism in the internal affairs of the Philippines. We must expose how the US embassy operates as the center of political power of the reactionary state in the Philippines were policies, laws and programs emanate. We must expose how the US military directs the Philippine military in the conduct of the counterrevolutionary war Oplan Bayanihan, which was patterned after the US Counterinsurgency Guide of 2009.

We must shatter the illusion of a “globalized” world being promoted by the imperialists’ ideological and cultural agencies which seek to erase the national boundaries of the third world countries and subject these to military intervention and economic plunder. We must assert the necessity of achieving national sovereignty and defending the country’s patrimony as the key factors for securing the country’s future as a modern and progressive state amid the global crisis of capitalism.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20140403_national-sovereignty-and-patrimony-week

PA's 5th Infantry Division to welcome new commander Friday

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): PA's 5th Infantry Division to welcome new commander Friday

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela -- Soldiers of Camp Melchor dela Cruz here will welcome their new commanding general in a turnover ceremony to be held inside the camp on Friday morning.

Army 1st Lt. Charmaign Leonero, public affairs chief of 5ID, said the present officer-in-charge of the Army Division, Brig. Gen. Ricardo Jalad, will turn over the command to Major Gen. Benito Antonio T. de Leon.

De Leon is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Dimalupig” Class of 1981 and a former commander of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) at Camp O’Donnell based at Capas, Tarlac.

The army described De Leon as a “Mindanao veteran” who saw action as battalion commander in the all-out-war of then President Joseph Estrada against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

During the time of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, De Leon was the commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade that implemented the 2009 “Martial Law” order in Maguindanao against the private armies of the Ampatuan clan, who were implicated in the Maguindanao Massacre of 58 people, most of them members of media.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=632146

Army accuses NorCot NPAs of collecting protection money

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): Army accuses NorCot NPAs of collecting protection money

The military here said Friday the communist New Peoples Army has forcibly collected more than Php 40 million worth of protection money from farmers, businessmen and even politicians in North Cotabato.

Lt. Colonel Nilo Vinluan, commander of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the NPA's Front 53 and Front 54 have been collecting revolutionary taxes from multi-national firms least they will be subjected to harassment and bombing or torching of company facilities.

"We have documents to show that they have been collecting protection money from businessmen, ordinary farmers and politicians who have no choices but give away the past two years," Vinluan told reporters.

The 57th IB is operating in the towns of President Roxas, Antipas, Arakan, Makilala, Magpet and Kidapawan City

Among ordinary farmers, Vinluan said NPAs collect five centavos for every kilo of rubber cup lump.

During election campaign period, the NPAs collect permit to campaign fee for politicians to allow them campaign sorties in communities where they have influenced.

“We have reports that they collect bigger amounts from big corporations and rubber farms,” Vinluan said.

North Cotabato is hosting rubber plantations, banana firms and other agricultural corporations.

Local government units in the province are also victims of NPA extortions, Vinluan said.

Mayor Jaime Mahimpit of President Roxas survived an NPA attack last January for refusing to give to the rebels extortion activities.

The rebels were extorting money from the local government units to ensure that the road project in a remote village will be safe.

Vinluan said Mayor Mahimpit refused to give in and came to the village to explain to the rebels that the project was intended for the benefit of villagers who are mostly relatives and supporters of communist movement.

On his way to the remote village, the NPA set off a land mine that slightly hurt the local official and also wounded his four police escorts.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=632306

Strengthening PHL-Singapore defense cooperation is key to regional stability --President Aquino

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): Strengthening PHL-Singapore defense cooperation is key to regional stability --President Aquino

President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday that strengthening defense and security cooperation between the Philippines and Singapore is the key to maintaining stability in the Southeast Asian region.

The President made the statement as he welcomed visiting Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam and his delegation at Malacanang Thursday morning.

In his welcome message, President Aquino expressed excitement in the opportunity to host this year’s Asian Defense and Security Exhibition on July 16 to 18, 2014.

“The Philippines proposed the holding of a Defense Dialogue in order to further strengthen our cooperation,” the President said.

He also enumerated the topics he discussed with President Tan on both countries’ defense and security cooperation, including high-level training, educational and intelligence exchanges.

President Aquino said that the "revival of the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan, as a mechanism for expanding bilateral discussions between our countries" had also been discussed.

“The Action Plan provides a consolidated framework for strengthening our bilateral cooperation, covering expansive areas, including trade and investments, information technology, education, culture, defense, and people-to-people exchanges,” the President said.

“I look forward to the implementation of initiatives in these areas, knowing that it will have a positive impact on relations between the Philippines and Singapore,” he added.

The Singaporean President arrived in Manila on Wednesday afternoon for a four-state visit to the Philippines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=632012

1st ID pursuing lawless elements who abducted trader in Zamboanga del Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): 1st ID pursuing lawless elements who abducted trader in Zamboanga del Norte

Army soldiers from the Zamboanga del Sur-based 1st Infantry Division are now conducting hot pursuit operations against the lawless elements who abducted a 27-year-old businessman in Barangay Poblacion, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte Wednesday night.

Capt. Jefferson Mamauag, 1st ID spokesperson, said the incident took place at around 7 p.m. at a Petron gas station in Siocon town.

Mamauag said that the suspects, who were aboard a maroon-colored KIA sports car, suddenly arrived, dragged the victim, Manuel Co, at gunpoint and quickly motored to the direction of Barangay Labaton, also in Siocon town.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=631945

2 rebels killed, 1 captured, 5 weapons seized in Negros Oriental encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): 2 rebels killed, 1 captured, 5 weapons seized in Negros Oriental encounter

Troopers from the 79th Infantry Battalion conducting routine and patrol missions have shot and killed two New People's Army (NPA) fighters, capturing one wounded rebel and seizing five high-powered firearms during an encounter in Sitio Makasakasa, Barangay Balayong, Pamplona town, Negros Oriental Thursday morning.

Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, said the firefight took place around 7:30 a.m.

He added that his men were patrolling the area when they meet five armed rebels, triggering a 20-minute firefight.

Two of the NPAs were quickly killed while the remaining three retreated and ditched their weapons.

Recovered were five M-16 automatic rifle including one with a M-203 grenade launcher.

Pascua added that some personal items of the fleeing rebels were captured.

Pursuit operations resulted in the capture of one ranking wounded NPA leader, whose identity is being withheld, for medical and security reasons.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=632093

Only pilots with high jet time to fly F/A-50s

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 3): Only pilots with high jet time to fly F/A-50s

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that only pilots with considerable hours in jet time and operations will be trained and assigned to the 12 F/A-50s "Fighting Eagle" which the country will be acquiring from South Korea.

This was confirmed by Col. Miguel Ernest Okol, Air Force spokesman, who said that military pilots who trained and highly qualified in the SIAI Marchetti S-211 jet trainers were the ones who will be the ones getting the first chance to fly and operate the Mach 1.5 capable F/A-50s.

"And all of these people are relatively junior in rank so that the PAF will be having more time in employing them," Okol said in Filipino.

He earlier said that the pilot pool for the F/A-50s has been finally identified and selected.

The pilot pool includes two instructor pilots, two operational pilots, and two test pilots.

Deployment of these PAF pilots to South Korea for training and familiarization briefing on the F/A-50 will be determined later, Okol said.

Aside from the six pilots selected for testing, operational and instructor positions, another six pilots who have just finished training in the S-211 were selected for line pilot training.

The PAF spokesman said these individuals will undertake F/A-50 simulator training once the senior "Fighting Eagle" pilots have returned to the country.

The Philippines and Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd (KAI) signed the P18.9 billion deal for 12 units of the F/A-50 last Friday.

Department of National Defense Undersecretary for finance, modernization, installations, and munitions Fernando Manalo said that the first two F/A-50 jet aircraft will be delivered 18 months after the opening of the letter of credit, the next two will be delivered 12 months later and the remaining eight jet planes to be delivered in staggered basis within eight months.

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

The F/A-50 will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines get enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.

The F/A-50 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.

The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.

The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 feet), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.

There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons), five in the fuselage and two in the wings.

An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.

Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.

The F/A-50 "Fighting Eagle" uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and KAI.

The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4-1.5.

Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=632081