Why Visayas needs ‘Balikatan’ more than ever

From the Manila Bulletin (May 3): Why Visayas needs ‘Balikatan’ more than ever

Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City — More than ever, members of the military’s Central Command (Centcom) are seeing the importance of the ongoing Philippines-United States “Balikatan” Exercises 2014 (BK14) as the 15-day (April 29-May13) activity focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster response training.

 

Representatives from Hawaii National Guard are also joining the event to share and discuss their expertise, barely half a year after one of the world’s worst natural disasters named “Yolanda (Haiyan)” barreled through the Visayas.

The training involves the conduct of search and rescue operations; confined space rescue operations; rope rescue operations; lifting and hauling operations; and casualty extraction which complements the first Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) conducted last March.

About 151 participants are joining the activities which include representatives from the Naval Forces Central, 2nd Air Division (2AD) of the Philippine Air Force and other line units of Centcom.

Civilian USAR teams like the Emergency Response Unit Foundation (ERUF), the Philippine Red Cross- Cebu Chapter, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Bohol’s Telephone and Radio System Integrated Emergency Response, Office of Civil Defense were also among the participants in the training program.

“The classroom exercise will enable participants to share their expertise and experiences in dealing with natural disasters and draw strategies on how to address them,” said Brig. Gen. Romeo Labador of Centcom during the opening ceremony of the event.

He added that the command post, table-top and field training in the next few days will mainly focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response training which also seeks to promote interoperability and readiness between the AFP and the US Pacific Command.

“This is very fitting given what seemed to be insurmountable odds our nation had experienced with the recent sting of major disasters that happened last year,” he further said.

Labador also cited that the joint and combined training conducted in the past Balikatan exercises, coupled with the resiliency of the Filipinos and the selfless commitment of foreign support, particularly from the Unites States helped the country overcome the challenges left by recent disasters.

https://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/news/why-visayas-needs-balikatan-more-ever-170547252.html

'Kidnapping a cottage industry in poverty-stricken Sulu'

From the Star Online (May 4): 'Kidnapping a cottage industry in poverty-stricken Sulu'




SULU: The hinterland of Jolo island is a terrorist stronghold which even the marines cannot penetrate, according to a source from the Philippines National Police (PNP) anti-kidnapping group.

“Civilians will text the Abu Sayyaf if they spot the marines. Some troops end up being killed in an ambush.

“Sabah is a soft target. It is near Tawi-Tawi islands and there are many vulnerable resorts in Semporna,” said the PNP anti-kidnapping group source.

According to Father Romeo P. Villanueva, who heads a human rights NGO called Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation, Semporna is a target for the Sulu kidnappers because of its proximity to Jolo island.

“They can easily cross the border,” said Father Romeo, who is a Catholic priest based in Jolo town. “They know that Malaysia is not secure.”

Jolo island was also lawless, said Father Romeo. “If the security forces neutralise them in Sulu, they would not be able to do cross-border kidnapping,” he said.

Kidnapping, the priest noted, had become a cottage industry in poverty-stricken Sulu, which is the poorest province in The Philippines.

An Armed Forces of The Philipp­ines intelligence officer described kidnapping as a big business.

“After the Sipadan hostages were released, it rained dollars in Sulu. That was how big the ransom was,” said the CEO of Assist Jolo, Octavio A. Dinampo, who lives in Jolo island.

Some Sulu politicians, Dinampo alleged, also sponsored kidnapping operations.

“Each time they lose in an election, they regain campaign expenses by organising kidnappings,” he said. “Some politicians organise kidnappings in Jolo island to make their winning rival look bad.”

Whenever there was a kidnapping in Semporna, Sulu province would get a bad name as the media would report that the hostage was held in Jolo island, noted Sulu provincial police director Orbita.

“Sometimes, it is true but not all the time,” he said. “Sometimes the hostage is kept somewhere else and when the ransom negotiation is complete, they will release the victim in Jolo island.”

Orbita said there were islands outside Sulu province that were ideal for holding hostages.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/05/04/Kidnapping-a-cottage-industry-in-povertystricken-Sulu/

NPA, military claim responsibility for at least 12 killings

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 3): NPA, military claim responsibility for at least 12 killings

The New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao claimed to have killed nine soldiers and wounded several others in a series of attacks in the Paquibato district of Davao City since April 26.

The military said this was an empty claim and reported instead that three NPA rebels were killed in a clash in Compostela Valley on April 30.

Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Southern Mindanao,  said in a statement issued Friday that the military has been concealing its casualties even as it continued to conduct psychological and combat warfare in the hinterlands of the Davao provinces.

Sanchez said that on April 26, New People’s Army rebels ambushed and killed two soldiers in Paquibato district.

The following day, he said, five soldiers were killed in another NPA attack in Paquibato.

On May 1, Sanchez said, two more soldiers were slain in Paquibato when soldiers stormed an NPA encampment in Barangay Fatima.

In a statement, the military’s 10th Infantry Division said the NPA has been making false claims.

Captain Ernest Carolina, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said that on the contrary, soldiers killed three NPA rebels in an encounter in Montevista, Compostela Valley, on April 30.

Carolina said the firefight lasted around 10 minutes. Aside from the bodies of the slain rebels, he said, soldiers of 25th Infantry Battalion also recovered two handguns and landmines.

“The NPA frequent this area in order to replenish their supplies and collect extortion money from establishments in the area. They use civilians to run errands for them like buying groceries and they have also laid a landmine in the road here in the past,” he said.

Sanchez said the NPA attacks would continue as it has to defend civilians from abuses the military allegedly commits.

Major General Ariel Bernardo, 10th Infantry Division commander, said the military expected the NPA to conduct more attacks.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/599282/npa-military-claim-responsibility-for-at-least-12-killings

Landmine blast hits 4 troopers

From Tempo (May 3): Landmine blast hits 4 troopers

Four soldiers were wounded when they were hit by a landmine that exploded during a clash with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sitio Bentuin, Barangay Fatima, Paquibato District, here, at about 7 a.m., Thursday.

Report said soldiers belonging to 69th IB of the Philippine Army were conducting foot patrol when they chanced upon a group of NPA rebels that resulted in a 20-minute gunfight.

Four of the soldiers were hit by a landmine planted by the rebels in the area of encounter, the report added.

The wounded soldiers were identified as Sgt. James Cabang, Pfc. Rommel Castillo, Pfc. Ben Mondero and Pfc. Emmanuel Sebastian.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2014/05/landmine-blast-hits-4-troopers/#.U2YOe8ZOWAI

Leftist rebels attack construction firm in Batangas

From the Philippine Star (May 3): Leftist rebels attack construction firm in Batangas

Suspected members of leftist New People's Army (NPA) torched late Friday night heavy equipment of a construction firm in Batangas, local police said today.

Batangas Provincial Police Office said the armed men, who introduced themselves as members of NPA, burned backhoe and graders of Toreja Construction Company in Bulihan village, Nasugbu town at around 10:00 p.m. local time.

Authorities were yet to determine if the incident was in relation to alleged failure of the company to pay "revolutionary taxes" to the rebels.

Elements of Nasugbu police, along with the 730th company of the Philippine Air Force and 22nd military intelligence company of the Philippine Army, are now conducting investigation into the incident, police said.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/05/03/1319041/leftist-rebels-attack-construction-firm-batangas

Activist really an NPA leader, says military

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 4): Activist really an NPA leader, says military

Government operatives arrested an antimining activist in South Cotabato, claiming that he was a ranking officer of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in southeastern Mindanao.

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, said antimining activist Romeo “Ging” Rivera was actually “notorious NPA front secretary Felix Armodia who operated in Davao del Sur, South Cotabato and Tulunan, North Cotabato.”

Caber said Armodia was arrested in Barangay (village) San Roque in Tampakan, South Cotabato, around noon on May 2 by joint operatives of the Philippine Army and the police.

“He was responsible for the series of attacks on plantations and construction firms in the region that did not give in to their extortion demands,” he said.

Romeo Rivera is one of his aliases, Caber said in a text message to the Inquirer. He said the military was not mistaken about Armodia’s identity and that the arrest was made after a civilian tipped off authorities about (his) location.

Armodia has been slapped with charges of murder, robbery with violence and illegal detention, among others. He is detained at the Digos City police jail, Caber added.

Supt. Querubin Manalang, city police chief, confirmed the Digos police had custody of Armodia, adding that “it was up to the suspected rebel leader to prove his innocence in court.”

Opposed mining firm

On the other hand, Ryan Lariba, spokesman of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in the South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City area, said that Rivera, 53, was a member of the antimining group Tampakan Panalipdan (Protect Tampakan), which has been vigorously opposing the presence of Xstrata’s Sagittarius Mines Inc. in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Lariba said Rivera was forcibly taken by some 20 unidentified men who barged into his house in Koronadal City, tied him up and dragged him to one of three waiting trucks. He was struck with rifle butts, Lariba said.

“Socksargen (South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos) is now one of the most dangerous places for environmental activists in the country,” Lariba said.

The arrest comes less than two months after the alleged chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Benito Tiamzon, and his wife, Wilma, were arrested with five others in Cebu.

There has been an increase in the number of deadly encounters with insurgents following the arrest of the Tiamzons.

Three soldiers were killed in an NPA ambush in the northern Philippines on Thursday, while three alleged NPA members were killed in a clash with troops in Mindanao on Wednesday.

Peace talks between the Maoist CPP-NPA and the government collapsed in April last year.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/599407/activist-really-an-npa-leader-says-military

Army, PNP on alert after arrest of NPA leader who doubles as anti-mining activist

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): Army, PNP on alert after arrest of NPA leader who doubles as anti-mining activist

Military authorities placed its forces in southern Mindanao on heightened alert in anticipation of hostilities to be carried out by suspected New Peoples Army following the arrest of a ranking leader over the weekend, officials said Sunday.

Army units and policemen in the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, South Cotabato and North Cotabato have been placed on alert following the arrest of Romeo Rivera who was also known as Felix Armodia in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Armodia is the secretary of Front Guerilla 72 operating in the tri-borders of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato and North Cotabato, according to Army Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesman of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City.

"He was an anti-mining activist bearing the name Romeo Jing Rivera and strongly opposing the Sagittarious mining in Tampakan, South Cotabato," Caber said.

Caber said he led about 50 heavily armed NPAs who attacked the police office of Matanao, Davao del Sur on March 10, killing two policemen and nine elements of the 39th Infantry Battalion who conducted pursuit operations.

Armodia has three warrants of arrests issued by Regional Trial Court of Bansalan town and Digos City in Davao del Sur, and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.

"We expect retaliatory attacks from Armodia's followers, we are on alert," Caber said in a text message.

The NPA leader was arrested in Barangay San Roque in Tampakan, South Cotabato, at 12:45 p.m. by joint forces of the 1002th Infantry brigade and South Cotabato police.

Police tagged him as the leader of several attacks on plantations, construction firms who refused to shell out extortion money the NPAs have been demanding.

Armodia has been facing charges of murder, robbery with violence and illegal detention, among others, and is currently detained at the Digos City detention facility.

Prior to his arrest, police and Army agents tracking him following the March 10 attack in Matanao police office had received text message from civilians about Armodia's movement and location.

With the participation of the public, Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III lauded public's support.

In a statement, Cruz said all Army units are on alert in eastern Mindanao with arrest of Armodia even as he urged the civilians to continue supporting the military because they have roles to play in the overall security operations in the region.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=640302

Thousands join peace caravan, rally in GenSan in support of BBL passage

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): Thousands join peace caravan, rally in GenSan in support of BBL passage

Calling it the key to lasting peace in Mindanao, thousands of Bangsamoro residents from this city and parts of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces rallied for support on Sunday for the early passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Carrying streamers and placards, around 10,500 members of Bangsamoro civil society and community organizations gathered at the oval plaza here on Sunday morning to specifically call on the Senate and the House of Representatives to fast track deliberations on the BBL and ensure that it would be passed as scheduled before the end of the year.

“Congress pass the BBL for the sake of peace and development in Mindanao,” read one of the streamers during the rally, which is part of a Mindanao-wide mobilization organized by Bangsamoro civil society groups.

The gathering here was spearheaded by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace and the Consortium for Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), which is an umbrella group of around 100 Bangsamoro civil society organizations.

Prior to the mobilization, which organizers also described as a prayer rally, around 200 vehicles staged a “peace caravan” from several key areas in South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces to this city.

Quraish Lancap, a lead member of the organizing secretariat, said the gathering was mainly aimed to highlight the sentiments and aspirations of Bangsamoro residents in the area regarding the BBL.

He said majority of them are fully supportive of the BBL and wants it immediately approved and implemented.

“Dapat maipasa ito ng buo, ng walang labis at walang kulang. Dapat walang mangyayaring dagdag-bawas (It should be passed in full and not anything more or less than what was proposed. There should be no padding and shaving of its provisions),” he told PNA at the sidelines of the mobilization.

Langcap, who is the project officer for conflict resolution of the CBCS, said House and Senate leaders should safeguard the provisions of the proposed BBL from possible alterations or modifications that would eventually destroy the “principles and true spirit” of the measure.

He said such scenario would only trigger major problems similar to what happened with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

He was referring to the fallout between the government and the MNLF, especially with the faction led by its founder and chair Prof. Nur Misuari, despite signing a peace agreement in 1996.

“The BBL is a product of long and careful negotiations, and that should be considered when Congress starts its deliberations,” he said.

Ustadz Satar Alangan, a leader of the Bangsamoro religious sector here, said Senate and House members should consider the situation and the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people in their deliberations on the BBL.

“By that, they will see that the BBL represents what we really aspire for as a people,” he said.

“They will see that we are even ready to stake our own lives anew just to make sure that our children’s children will have a better future,” Alangan added.

For his part, former Akbayan partylist Rep. Mario Aguja expressed support to the full passage of the BBL, which he described as a “revolutionary measure.”

He said the BBL, which is mainly based on the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that was signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last March, “has no equal” when compared to past related measures and agreements.

“It answers a lot of our problems here in Mindanao like the present ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” he said.

Among the BBL’s main provisions is the abolition of the ARMM and pave the way for the establishment of a new Bangsamoro entity in Mindanao.

“It will not only benefit the Moro people but us, Christian settlers, and the Lumads as well. So it’s important for us to ensure that it muster enough support from our Senate and House members all the way to its passage,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=640369

Moro people pinning hopes on P-Noy, calls on Congress to pass draft BBL

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): Moro people pinning hopes on P-Noy, calls on Congress to pass draft BBL

Thousands of Moro people Sunday held a peaceful rally here calling on Congress to immediately pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that will establish the Bangsamoro government.

Bobby Benito, chair of the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) and rally organizer, said the gathering which was similarly held in other parts of Mindanao calls for the passage of the BBL.

The rally was simultaneously held a day before Congress resumes session on Monday.

”We strongly appeal for the passage of the proposed bill expected to be certified as urgent by President Aquino,” Benito told reporters, adding that the Bangsamoro people subscribed to the roadmap for peace of President Aquino.

The proposed law, drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, is expected to undergo scrutiny by the Senate and House of Representatives and once approved, will be subjected to a plebiscite.

”Our gathering is a democratic process, it was very peaceful and successful,” Benito said. “It simply shows our desire for lasting peace in Mindanao.”

The event was organized by MAP, an umbrella organization of peoples and civic organizations working for the attainment of peace in Mindanao during the term of President Aquino.

”No other President have shown so much passion and concern for Bangsamoro people than President Aquino, we would like to take that opportunity so peace is achieved in our homeland,” he said.

Participants of the peaceful rally here came from the towns of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur who have grown tired of armed conflict and never ending displacements.

”We are hopeful the BBL will be ratified on or before 2015, still within the term of President Aquino,” he said. “We are pinning our hope on P-Noy, I hope he will never fail us.”

Similar activity was also held in Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos, Pagadian, Isabela, Marawi, Jolo, Tawi-tawi and the towns of Baloi in Davao del Norte, Isulan, Sultan, Kudarat and Pikit, North Cotabato.

To show how eager the Bangsamoro people to realize peace in their communities, Benito said a peaceful mass mobilization and vigil will also be held in Batasan, Quezon City on Sunday night.

Supt. Rolen Balquin, Cotabato City police chief, said the rally was peaceful and orderly.

He placed the number of participants to about 5,000 people from various places.

Solema Abdullah, a 40-year-old mother from Datu Piang, Maguindanao, brought along her three teenage girls to participate in the rally which she described as peaceful and solemn.

”Peace is at hand, we are looking forward for the realization of our long dream of having peace in our communities,” said Abdullah, who fled countless times when war breaks out in her village.

Another participant, farmer Usop Dakutin, 50, said he would like to see genuine peace in his town before he dies.

”I am helping attain peace not for me but for my children and grand children,” Dakutin, who was obviously sickly, said.

The rally started at about 8 a.m. and peacefully ended at past noon.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=640355

Thousands join peace rally in Basilan in support of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): Thousands join peace rally in Basilan in support of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

Some 7,000 people have gathered here Sunday in a peace rally urging Congress to approve the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law “without undue delay.”

The participants--men and women--aboard jeepneys, trucks and motorcycles arrived in groups coming from this province’ 11 municipalities and two cities.

The gymnasium of the Basilan State College, where the peace rally was held, was filled with people who started arriving as early as 8 a.m.

The peace rally was organized by the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) and its allied Civil Society Organizations as well as the academe.

MAP Provincial Coordinator Hamdie Tanjil said the main purpose of the peace rally is to send across their strong appeal to Congress for the immediate approval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

“For the sake of peace and progress, please approve and pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) immediately. Our Honorable Representatives and Senators please do not deprive the Bangsamoro and the Filipino people of the promises of a peaceful and prosperous co-existence between and among all the constituents of the proposed Bangsamoro New Political Entity by the BBL,” Tanjil said.

“We believe that this (BBL) could be the solution for a sustainable peace in Mindanao,” Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Caucus Chairman Ahmad Al-Amin said in a separate interview.

Hazar Muarip Ahmad, president of the Barangay Women Groups of this province, said they are already “sick and tired of war.”

Ahmad said when the women and children are the very first ones to be affected once war erupts in a particular area.

She said war affects the quality of education of the children.

“Sa lahat ng pagkakataon pag may giyera, kami ang unang-una apektado. Kapag apektado ang isang nanay, pati anak apektado,” she said.

The peace rally was simultaneously held in Mindanao areas like the provinces of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and in the cities of Pagadian, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Marawi and Tacurong.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City information officer Sheila Covarrubias said in a text message that “the supposed rally of the Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) at Plaza Pershing from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today was cancelled by the city government based on the recommendation of the police and military authorities and for the interest of the majority of Zamboangueños.”

“The deployment of police and military forces in strategic areas downtown and the outlying barangays is part of the pre-emptive security measures to safeguard the city and people,” Covarrubias explained after it was noted that troops were deployed in different areas of Zamboanga City.

A team of civil disturbance management (CDM) policemen was also deployed at City Hall.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=640417

8th Infantry Division conducts youth development seminars

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): 8th Infantry Division conducts youth development seminars

In line with its community development role, the 8th Infantry I Division together with the Catbatlogan City government conducted the 2nd Catbalogan City Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) lastApril 28 to 30, officials said Sunday.

In a statement forwarded by Capt. Amado Gutierrez, 8th Infantry Division spokesperson, the activity took place at Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar.

Major Gen. Jet B. Velarmino, 8th Infantry Division commander and Catbalogan City Stephanie Uy- Tan led the closing ceremony that was held April 30.

The three-day activity was participated in by 89 youths consisting of college and high school students of Catbalogan City.

The YLS was designed to develop and to enhance the leadership potentials of participants as well as to empower them to bring positive changes in their respective communities.

The participants of the summit underwent series of team-building activities designed to equip them with skills on how to work with others as a team.

They also underwent lectures from subject matter experts about knowing oneself, the importance of family and community, leadership, human rights, environment protection, criminality and drug addiction prevention, community needs assessment and action planning.

“A nation makes no greater investment than that made toward the upright upbringing of its young men and women. That’s you! The success of our country heavily relies on how we have trained and educated you as your tatays, nanays, kuyas (father, mother, elders), friends, partners and mentors,” Velarmino said.

"As a youth, you constitute the embodiment of the nation’s destiny, the signpost of the nation’s hope and aspirations, the emblem of our future and the catalysts of our national socio-economic growth and development,” he concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=640362

NPA on arrest of leader: AFP nabbed wrong person

From Rappler (May 4): NPA on arrest of leader: AFP nabbed wrong person

The New People's Army says the military got the wrong guy, alleged to be an NPA leader



WRONG GUY. Rebel spokesman Ka Efren says the military nabbed the wrong guy, believed to be New People’s Army commander Felix Armodia.

The spokesman of the underground communist movement New People's Army (NPA) said the man arrested by police and military forces was not NPA commander Felix Armodia.

On Saturday, May 3, the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced the capture of Armodia, identified as the secretary of the NPA's Front 72.

Front 72 operates in the quad-boundaries of North and South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Rebel spokesman "Ka Efren" of the Far South Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the CPP said in a phone interview that Armodia is “safe with our comrades in the guerrilla front.”

On Friday, May 2, authorities arrested local anti-mining activist Romeo Rivera in South Cotabato for his alleged participation in the communist movement.

Captain Alberto Caber, public affairs chief of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command, said Rivera led NPA rebels in Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, and North Cotabato.

"He was responsible for the series of attacks on plantations and construction firms in the region that do not give in to their extortion demands," Caber said.

Mistaken identity

Rivera is now under the custody of police in Digos City, Davao del Sur, while waiting for the trial of his cases. But Rivera's family and local activisits insist the arrest was a case of mistaken identity.

Emily Lopez of environmental group Panalipdan said the 52-year-old carpenter is a member of their group and is widely known in Tampakan for his involvement in the anti-mining campaign.

Rivera, along with the Panalipdan network, opposed the large-scale mining in Mindanao, particularly against XSTRATA-SMI in South Cotabato, Sarangani and Davao del Sur.

Lopez also said that contrary to reports, Rivera was not arrested but was abducted by intelligence operatives in his residence in Koronadal City.

Ka Efren said Rivera was either mistakenly abducted or the intelligence units that nabbed him utterly failed in their information.

“They want to make up for the Matanao raid where they suffered heavy losses,” Ka Efren added.

The military tagged Armodia as the leader of some 100 NPA guerrillas who launched simultaneous attacks in Matanao in Davao del Sur in March.

Three policemen were killed when the rebels overran the town’s police station, carrying away 7 M-16 Armalite rifles and 3 service pistols from the policemen.

The guerrillas also detonated a land mine, hitting a military truck that was sent to reinforce the policemen.

Nine soldiers and two rebels were killed in the land mine explosion.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/57169-npa-arrest-leader-afp-nabbed-wrong-person

AFP chief awards South Korean Yolanda contingent, helps build houses in Leyte

From InterAksyon (May 3): AFP chief awards South Korean Yolanda contingent, helps build houses in Leyte



AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista awards a medal to Colonel Lee Chul Won, commander of the the Republic of Korea Armed Forces Joint Support Group-Philippines in Leyte. (AFP PIO)

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista on Saturday honored the 100 South Korean soldiers who have been carrying out humanitarian and relief assistance to survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in Leyte.

Bautista gave the members of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces Joint Support Group Philippines the Military Civic Action Medal in ceremonies at the foreign troops’ base camp in Barangay Candahug, Leyte, the AFP’s public information office said.

The AFP chief also volunteered to help lay the foundation of a house in Leyte as part of the military's participation in the annual “Bayani Challenge” of Gawad Kalinga.



Gen Bautista helps lay the foundation of a house in Leyte (AFP PIO)

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/85992/afp-chief-awards-south-korean-yolanda-contingent-helps-build-houses-in-leyte

EDCA can stand legal scrutiny - Palace

From InterAksyon (May 4): EDCA can stand legal scrutiny - Palace

As the Senate prepares to hear arguments for and against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), Malacañang on Sunday expressed confidence that the accord signed between officials of the Philippines and the United States can withstand legal scrutiny in the Supreme Court.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma made the statement as militant lawmakers in the House of Representatives were reported preparing to question the legality of the agreement before the High Court. And in the Senate, members have called in resource persons from both sides of the debate in a bid to hearings next week  amid concerns that the chamber vested by the Constitution with treaty-ratifying powers had shirked its responsibility and allowed the Executive branch to have  absolute say on the EDCA, which critics insist is a new treaty.

"We respect the opinion of those who do not agree with us. Our democratic system provides for steps that they may take, including seeking relief from the Supreme Court. It is best to wait if that will happen," Coloma said Sunday at the regular briefing with reporters.

The basis for Coloma’s confidence that EDCA can hurdle scrutiny is the government assertion that "in the entire process of the negotiations with the United States, the only consideration of the Philippine panel was no other than the national interest of  the Philippines."

5 key features

Coloma asked the public to try to first understand  the provisions of EDCA before rejecting the accord, signed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg last April 28, just three hours before the arrival of US President Barack Obama.

Coloma  disputed Senator Joker Arroyo’s position that the Aquino administration skirted the Constitutional ban on foreign military bases through the EDCA.

"We respect the views of Senator Arroyo and other leaders on the EDCA. Consistent with the President’s guidelines, the agreement has the following main features:

1.   Clear provision that the US would not establish a permanent military presence or base in the Philippines.

2.   US access to and use of designated areas in Armed Forces of the Philippines-owned and –controlled facilities— known as the agreed locations—will be at the invitation of the Philippine government.

3.   Prior consent of the Philippines through the Mutual Defense Board (MDB) and Security Engagement Board (SEB) with regard to US access and use of agreed locations which may be lifted in an annex and further described in implementing arrangement.

4.   Philippines’ retention of primary responsibility for security of the agreed location.

5.   Access of the AFP base commander to the entire area of the agreed locations."

Coloma also reiterated that the EDCA does not need Congress ratification since it only builds upon the existing Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/86029/edca-can-stand-legal-scrutiny---palace

NPA claims killing 7 soldiers in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (May 3): NPA claims killing 7 soldiers in Southern Philippines

Philippine communist rebels said it killed 7 soldiers and wounded 14 more in separate attacks in the restive region of Mindanao, south of the country, and that the military have hidden its casualties from the public.

Rigoberto Sanchez, a spokesman for the New People’s Army, said with the increasing military casualties, government troops have targeted civilians for failing to support the anti-insurgency campaign that resulted in widespread human rights violations, especially in Davao City and Davao del Norte province.

“The 10th Infantry Division-Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippine has concealed the rising number of casualties of its troops in the field as they intensify psychological warfare and combat operations in Davao hinterlands.”

“Raging against the civilians who have boldly exposed human rights abuses in the villages of Paquibato and Talaingod, Davao del Norte, the 10th ID has taken to downplaying, if not, hiding the incidents to stir terror in the minds and hearts and civilians. But no amount of cover-up can they stifle the growing armed struggle and increasing unity between the NPA and the masses,” Sanchez said in a statement sent late Saturday to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said rebel forces killed and wounded at least 21 soldiers in separate offensive in recent days in Davao City’s Paquibato district alone. 

“The AFP is relentless in waging war against civilians by its continued hamletting in Paquibato and interfering in the civilian bureaucracy in order to control the populace. These repressive acts further inflame the masses to struggle against fascism and turn to the people’s army for protection,” Sanchez said.

“As the abusive military operations continue to plague the masses, the NPA is determined to hit Army units, staging surreptitious attacks in greater latitude as possible, while the masses participate and become truly part of the people’s war,” he added.

There was no immediate statement from the 10th Infantry Division and the Eastern Mindanao Command about Sanchez’s allegations.

On Friday, security forces captured a senior NPA regional rebel leader Felix Armodia in Tampakan town in the southern province of South Cotabato. The Eastern Mindanao Command tagged Armodia as behind the spate of attacks on military and police targets, including various construction firms in the region.

The NPA is fighting for decades now to overthrow the democratic government and install a communist state in the country. It is the world’s longest-running communist insurgency.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/05/npa-claims-killing-7-soldiers-in.html