‘Hong Kong businessman was not carrying ransom money’

From the Star Online (Jul 8): ‘Hong Kong businessman was not carrying ransom money’

KOTA KINABALU: A Hong Kong businessman who died in a road accident in Sandakan on Saturday was carrying money for his personal use and not likely for the purpose of securing the release of his kidnapped fish farm manager.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said a total of RM3,000 in assorted currencies was found at the scene where Kee Kwok Edien, 63, and three others in a taxi were killed in the accident at Batu 21, Jalan Labuk.

“We believe it was for his personal use,” he said stressing that it was government policy not to entertain ransom demands.

Kee was travelling from Sandakan to Lahad Datu with a Malaysian businessman, Jaafar Kassim, 40, from Langkawi, and Filipino worker Pedro Jr Pajimola, 36, in the taxi that crashed into a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The three, together with the taxi driver Salah Ibno, 64, died after the collision.

Kee was the owner of Won­derful Terrace Fish Farm in Lahad Datu, from where his manager Yang Zau Lin, a 34-year-old Chinese national, was abducted by Filipino gunmen on May 6.

Speculation that Kee was carrying a large sum of money to secure his manager’s release emerged when Hong Kong media said that he was on his way to Lahad Datu to make deals with mediators to negotiate for Yang’s freedom.

Jalaluddin said as far as Malaysian police were concerned, Yang was still being held by kidnappers for ransom in the Sulu area.

Kee’s wife and other family members as well as Jaafar’s family claimed their bodies at the Duchess of Kent Hospital mortuary.

Kee’s family, who were accompanied by a Kuching-based China consulate officer, requested privacy while Jaafar’s family said that he (Jaafar) was on a business trip to Sabah to meet Kee.

It is believed that it was about the possible sale of the fish farm to Jaafar.

Hong Kong Legislative Council member Steven Ho Chun-yin was quoted by the media as saying that Kee’s wife had told him that she was proud of him (her husband) as he was trying to get his worker released.

Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, which identified him as Edwin Yong Kee Kwok, said that he was on his way to work out a deal for the freedom of his farm manager who is believed to be held in the notorious Abu Sayyaf hideout of Jolo.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/07/08/HK-businessman-was-not-carrying-ransom-money/

Southeast Asian jihadist leader and bomb expert is alive, in Philippines

From the Long War Journal (Jul 6): Southeast Asian jihadist leader and bomb expert is alive, in Philippines

Zulkifli bin Hir, a jihadist commander and bomb expert who has worked with three jihadist groups in Southeast Asia and was reported killed by the Philippine military in 2012, is alive and thought to be operating in the southern Philippines.

The deputy chief of Malaysia's Counter Terrorism Division said that Zulkifli, who is a Malaysian citizen, is alive.

"We are aware of reports that said he was killed a few years ago. That is not true. We believe he is hiding in southern Philippines," Datuk Ayob Khan told the Malaysian Chronicle on July 3.

Two years ago, the Philippine Air Force asserted that Zulkifli and 14 other jihadists, including Umbra Jumdail, a senior Abu Sayyaf commander, were killed in an airstrike that targeted a camp in the village of Duyan Kabaw in Parang in the southern province of Sulu on Feb. 2, 2012.

"I am sure because I will not easily issue a statement here," Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa, the Philippines' top military commander, confidently said in a press briefing the day of the strike. "We have intelligence people and locals in the area." But the military never recovered Zulkifli's body.

One indication that Zulkifli survived the strike is that the US State Department's Rewards for Justice Program never removed him from its list of wanted terrorists. A $5 million reward for information leading to his capture and conviction remains in place.

Zulkifli is the second jihadist leader from Southeast Asia to have surfaced after being thought killed in a counterterrorism operation. Abdul Basit Usman, an Abu Sayyaf Group operative and master bombmaker, was reportedly killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan, Pakistan in 2010. But he has recently been spotted in Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Zulkifli bin Hir, a.k.a. Zulkifli Abdhir, who goes by a number of aliases, including "Marwan," is "an engineer trained in the United States" and "is thought to be the head of the Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM) terrorist organization and a member of Jemaah Islamiyah's central command," according to Rewards for Justice. He is said to have been sheltering in the Philippines since 2003 and has served as a bomb maker for the Abu Sayyaf Group. All three groups -- KMM, Jemaah Islamiyah, and Abu Sayyaf -- are linked to al Qaeda.

Zulkifli is thought to be sheltering with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a Muslim insurgent group in the southern Philippines that broke off from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Members of Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf, and the KMM routinely shelter with and operate alongside other Muslim insurgent groups in the southern Philippines.

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is an Islamist terrorist group that seeks to establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia. While it is most active in Indonesia and the Philippines, Jemaah Islamiyah also conducts operations in Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. The terror group is al Qaeda's regional affiliate in Southeast Asia, and its operatives have been responsible for devastating attacks in the region, including the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings, the 2004 suicide car bombing outside the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, the August 2003 car bombing of the JW Marriott hotel in Jakarta, and a series of bombings in Manila.

Jemaah Islamiyah has suffered major setbacks inside Indonesia, with many of its top leaders killed or captured over the past several years. Among them are Dulmatin, a top leader and military commander (killed in 2010); and Noordin Mohammed Top, a senior leader, recruiter, strategist, and fundraiser (killed in 2009). Umar Patek, a top JI leader, was captured in March 2011 in Abbottabad, Pakistan, just months before al Qaeda emir Osama bin Laden was killed in the same city in a US special operations raid. Abu Bakir Bashir, the terror group's founder, is currently in prison for founding, financing, and supporting al Qaeda in Aceh.

The Abu Sayyaf Group is a Philippines-based terrorist and criminal gang formed by fighters who returned from the Afghan jihad against the Soviet Union. The group was funded and financed by Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, one of Osama bin Laden's brother-in-laws, according to Khaddafy Janjalani, the leader of Abu Sayyaf before his death in September 2006. Khalifa, an al Qaeda financier and facilitator, was killed by US special operations forces in Madagascar in January 2007.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/07/southeast_asian_jiha.php#

‘NPA’ killed in clash named

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 8): ‘NPA’ killed in clash named

The alleged member of the New People’s Army, who was killed in an encounter in Bais City, Negros Oriental, last week, has been identified and his body turned over to relatives Sunday.

The alleged rebel was identified as Janray Cadayday, 20, single, son of Ricardo Cadayday and Susana Hanipin Casilao, of Sitio Avocado, Barangay Talalak in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

Cadayday’s parents, with members of the militant group, Karapatan, claimed the body in Bais City Sunday, the Philippine Army said.

Cadayday, allegedly a member of Squad 3 of the Sentro de Gravidad platoon of the NPA Komiteng Rehiyon Negros-South East Front, was killed in an encounter Friday in Sitio Sandana, Barangay Mansangaban in Bais City.

A soldier of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Army was also killed in that incident. He identified as Pfc. Marlon Lanes of Roxas City, and his body was brought there Saturday, Lt. Col. Harold Pascua, OIC commander of the 79th IB, said.

He also said combat operations continue in the area as government troops are going after the suspected rebels, who, he said, are now on the run. The soldiers clashed with the alleged NPA members for about 30-minutes Friday.

Army officials claimed that the remnants of the NPA operating in Negros Oriental now number around 14, and the government continues to call on them to lay down their arms peacefully and return to the folds of the law.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/July/08/negor2.htm

RPA leader out on bail

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 8): RPA leader out on bail

Detained rebel leader Marlon de los Santos was ordered freed from jail by San Carlos City Judge Peter Parco, after posting the P200,000 bail, on July 4, Supt. Victorino Romanillos, San Carlos police chief, yesterday said.

De los Santos used to be the RPA-ABB commander in the 1st district of Negros Occidental. He is now the secretary of the KAPATIRAN para sa Progresong Panlipunan (Brotherhood for Social Progress), that used to be the RPA-ABB.

 

The recent raid on the house of de los Santos in Brgy. 2, San Carlos City, by the Regional Special Operations Group of the Police Regional Office 6, had yielded an M-16 assault rifle, a carbine and a .45 caliber pistol, with magazines of assorted ammunition, police records show.

 

Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano called for an immediate investigation by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police on the arrest of de los Santos, saying that his apprehension and confiscation of firearms from his possession, that was already profiled by the OPPAP is a violation of the peace agreement.

 

Paduano used to be the national commander of the RPA-ABB.

 

The signing of closure agreement between the RPM-RPA-ABB Tabara Paduano Group and government by President Benigno Aquino III is still in limbo almost 14 years after the breakaway rebel group entered into peace talks with the government in year 2000.

 

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/July/08/topstory7.htm

Guns-for-cash program at center of controversy

From the Manila Times (Jul 7): Guns-for-cash program at center of controversy

It comes with different names and is associated with billions of pesos in funds.

However, not everyone is happy with the Guns-for-Peace Program (GFP) of the government that was formerly called the Balik-Baril Program (BBP).

For something that supposedly gives cash incentives to rebels to surrender weapons and start a new life, the program is mired in controversy.

Authorities insist that since it started in 1986, the program has lured thousands of rebel returnees who have since been awarded billions in pesos in cash and livelihood assistance.

Others are skeptical and call the program the “milking cow” of government and military officials, allowing them to present fake rebels and make money out of old—some say vintage—weapons.

The “baril” in BBP is short for “Bring a Rifle, Improve Your Livelihood.” The program was introduced by former President Corazon Aquino on December 24, 1986.

Under this program, formerly under the National Reconciliation and Development Program (NRDP), the government paid as much as P25,000 for every weapon surrendered and P18,000 in livelihood aid.

It was not until 1988 that the program went into full swing, providing loans left and right to rebel returnees.

Cory’s administration said the program was so successful that peace and order councils were ordered to hasten the process of helping rebels.

It added that the NRDP had greatly contributed to the substantial neutralization of the secessionist movement in southern Philippines, and improved the peace and order situation in rebel-infested areas.

From 1987 to 1991, the BBP reportedly attracted over 1,800 members of the New People’s Army, 837 from the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, and 12,978 Muslim rebels.

Another 1,845 subversive mass activists and 4,655 NPA sympathizers also availed of the program.

Rebel returnees received P53.8 million in financial assistance for livelihood, resettlement, and training programs.

Owing to the BBP’s success, the government expanded the program by offering a higher cash reward for guns and a P50,000 livelihood assistance fund.

In July 1992, newly elected President Fidel Ramos continued the BBP that now covered Abu Sayyaf members in Basilan and Sulu.

But many rebels later returned to the mountains shortly after receiving government aid.

Others who surrendered were not even rebels at all but were reportedly labelled as such for publicity purposes. Many of the weapons collected were defective Garand and homemade rifles. Worse, the military had incomplete records regarding those who surrendered.

The same thing reportedly happened under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Rebels accused the government of pocketing billions of pesos in BBP funds and accused the military of parading “fake” rebel returnees with dilapidated weapons to collect money from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Under President Benig- no Aquino 3rd, the BBP continued but the Abu Sayyaf, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Mindanao were excluded from the program.

In 2000, the BBP was again the subject of controversy when Commission on Audit revealed that over P124 million in funds were unaccounted for.

The last straw came in 2011 when Major Christopher Patindol, an AFP disbursing officer, went into hiding after being accused of pocketing P1.4 million in BBP funds. Judge Maria Filomena Singh of the Regional Trial Court Branch 85 issued a warrant for his arrest last year.

To fix things, the AFP scrapped the BBP and started the Guns-for-Peace Program (GPP). But it followed the same mechanics of BBP.

The reward was again raised to P200,000 for a machine gun; P60,000 for an M14 rifle; P50,000 for an M16 rifle; and P40,000 for an M203 grenade launcher aside from other livelihood and financial aid.

In Southern Philippines, the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) in Davao City said the GPP has also attracted many communist rebels in recent months.

The 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City headed by Major Gen. Ricardo Visaya, which is also under the EMC, said a total of 97 rebel returnees have been presented to AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista and Lt. General Ricardo Rainier Cruz 3rd in May.

Of this number, 33, including two women, were regular NPA members, while 64 belonged to the NPA’s underground Barrio Revolutionary Committees or Militia ng Bayan. Seventy of them are Manobo tribesmen, including 12 minors.

The EMC said the rebel returnees received a total of P881,750 from the GPP for surrendering 93 assorted high-powered weapons.

So where are these rebel returnees now? Since the BPP was introduced, some served as military and police informants, some rejoined their comrades, while others were killed.

Those who assumed false identities for fear of being assassinated continue to live quietly with their families.

http://www.manilatimes.net/guns-for-cash-program-at-center-of-controversy/109748/

Ranking female NPA leader nabbed in Zambo Peninsula

From the Manila Times (Jul 8): Ranking female NPA leader nabbed in Zambo Peninsula

A ranking female New People’s Army (NPA) leader was nabbed by militiamen under the 20th Special Forces Company during operations in Sitio Guigang, Barangay Guibo, Siayan town, Zamboanga Del Norte Monday.

Capt. Franco Suelto, 1st Infantry Division spokesperson, said the troops were on routine security patrol when fired upon by a band of NPA guerillas, including arrested rebel leader Mercy B. Maghinay around 12 noon the other day.

Return fire from government troopers forced the NPAs to retreat leaving Maghinay behind along with one .45 caliber pistol, one hand grenade, one shotgun and PHP100,000 in cash.

Suelto said Maghinay is believed to be the top leader of local NPA group “Feliciano Bravo” frequenting the hinterlands of Zamboanga Del Norte.

Her group was also said to be responsible in the burning of construction equipments approximately worth PHP50.3 million pesos in Sitio Gusay, Barangay Titik, Sindangan,Zamboanga Del Norte last Nov. 19.

Last month in Zamboanga Del Norte, the NPA also left a female member behind after an engagement with 10th Infantry Battalion which eventually prompted her to surrender to the operating troops.

“The incident was the latest on the strings of captured or surrendered NPA. After hiding several years in General Santos City, Maghinay was previously arrested by virtue of different warrant of arrest related to her crimes as top leader of NPA in Oct. 5, 2008. She opted to rejoin her comrades which reflects the dwindling and weak leadership of the NPA in Western Mindanao that even previouslycaptured leaders were accepted to lead the group,” Suelto pointed out.

http://www.manilatimes.net/ranking-female-npa-leader-nabbed-in-zambo-peninsula/109919/

Marine dead, 6 others hurt in Sulu road bomb attack

From the Daily Zamboanga Times (Jul 6): Marine dead, 6 others hurt in Sulu road bomb attack

A marine sergeant  was killed, while six  others were wounded in roadside bomb attack carried out by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in Barangay Taung, Patikul, Sulu yesterday morning.

 

A police intelligence officer from Jolo island who requested anonymity as he was not authorized to talk on the attack disclosed that one platoon of marines were aboard an M-35 truck on their way to pick up firewood when an improvided explosive device went off hitting the vehicle at Barangay Taung around 7:30 a.m.

 

The intelligence officer said the seven soldiers belong to the Headquarter Service Company 1st Marines Company.

 

Killed was Sgt. Mel and wounded in action were Sgt. Senoses, PFC Bait, PFC Rendon, PFC Conones, PFC Cacho and PFC Patangan.

 

Military forces were immediatly sent for a hot pursuit operation.

 

This developed as the military denounced what it described as a treacherous killing using a landmine or IED which is banned  under international laws.

 

The six wounded soldiers were airlifted to the Western Mindanao Command Hospital in Zamboanga City for treatment.

 

http://zamboangatimes.ph/zamboangatimes/top-news/11317-marine-dead-6-others-hurt-in-sulu-road-bomb-attack.html

Ten kidnap victims still with Abu Sayyaf

From the Zamboanga Today (Jul 7): Ten kidnap victims still with Abu Sayyaf

At least ten kidnap victims are still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province.

 

This was reported by Western Mindanao Command Commander Lt. Gen Rustico Guerrero amid ongoing operations against the bandit group by Marines in Sulu.

 

The kidnap victims reportedly include two Malaysian fish cage caretakers who were kidnapped in Semporna last month.

 

“We have reason to believe they are still alive, not necessarily in one spot,” Guerrero said.

 

Guerrero said the Wesmincom is still verifying reports that one kidnap victim had been injured in an encounter last month. 

 

The report surfaced after one kidnap victim, Remigio Lingayan reported through a phone conversation to his wife Anna Liza that his companion,

 

Joselito Gonzales, was injured during the inital encounter between government troops and ASG bandits last June.

 

There had been no reports of civilian casualties during the military operations since that time.

 

The troops were reportedly given the instruction to ensure the safety of the victims during the operation.

 

Guerrero made the statement after the capture of a main camp of the Abu Sayyaf last Wednesday in the continuing operation against the bandits.

 

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/17908-ten-kidnap-victims-still-with-abu-sayyaf.html

MILF: Moro Question is political

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Jul 8): Moro Question is political

There is no way we can stop people’s minds to speculate on the nature of the comments made by the Office of the President (OP) on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which was submitted to it by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) last April 22.
  

For this reason, it is better to discuss, at least the generalities of the comments, rather than close the door of their understanding completely. The people have the right to know.

Right now there are groups who asked the government to make public the BBL. The MILF is not taking an active endorsement. We are aware of the consequence, plus or minus, of disclosing or withholding it. Besides, negotiation is not always transparency but also confidentiality.

Without delving into details, the OP’s comments are like a cow bearing a horse, which defies the law of science or nature that the offspring will always carry the genes of the parents. Genes are the working subunits of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is the chemical information database that carries the complete set of instructions for the cell as to the nature of the proteins produced by it, its life span, maturity, function and death. Each gene contains a particular set of instructions, usually coding for a particular protein or for a particular function.

We do not know what made the review team look at the Moro Question as purely legal matter.  While we respect the Philippine Constitution, but it is too shallow and limited to fully address this problem. This is the reason that up to now the MILF is firm on its conviction that the current Constitution would require an amendment to finally put to rest the conflict in Mindanao. But the government side is equally firm on their stand that this Constitution has the flexibilities to accommodate and implement legally the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The government also repeatedly said that they will not sign an agreement that they cannot implement. These two theses are put to test now and soon a verdict comes out.

Frankly, we cannot fathom, except those of the lawyers’, why they had that kind of comments, which are purely based on legalese.  Part of the review team were the very office tasked by the government to oversee the conduct of peace negotiations not just with the MILF but with all “rebel” groups in the Philippines and a former lady commissioner of the BTC who did not sign the proposed BBL. Both are fully aware that the issue of the Bangsamoro is political that requires a political solution. Pure legalism will bring us to nowhere.

However, whatever is the reason is not the real issue. The real thing is how the Parties, especially their Principals manage the situation not to retrogress seriously. This if and they are still committed to settle the issue. Both sides have invested so much and it is easier to push forward rather than revert back to uncertainty.

It is time that on the side of the government, President Benigno Aquino III should personally attend to this issue. Success or failure, it is his name which will be at the forefront and at stake. More seriously, success or failure of the peace-making matters much. Everybody will be affected.

The truth is that like the MILF, not all in government prefer to solve this conflict in Mindanao through peaceful means and fairly. There are those whose agenda run counter to the policies of the MILF and government and whenever opportunity arises they will do their thing on their own fashion. The worst enemy is not from without but from within. That is why spies and traitors are punished painfully during wars or even in peacetime.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/1076-moro-question-is-political

MILF: Malacañang returns to BTC overhauled draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law

Posted to the MILF Website (Jul 7): Malacañang returns to BTC overhauled draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law

A source privy to the GPH-MILF Peace Talks told leading national daily Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) on Saturday, July 5 that the Office of the President has returned to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) the draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) mangled by so many comments and revisions that practically nothing has been left unchanged in the original document.
   

The PDI quoting the source saying, “the comments and revisions, which comprised a thick pile of paper, reportedly veer away from the four annexes that are the heart and soul of the two parties’ peace agreement”.

Sought for comment by PDI, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal confirmed that the Palace has returned the draft after its review, with a thick pile of comments. But Iqbal, also the BTC Chairman told the Inquirer in a text message that “we don’t discuss the content.”

Despite Malacañang’s review of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Iqbal said the situation was “not hopeless.” As of press time Government Chief Negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer has not commented on the issue.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law, if approved by Congress and ratified by the people, would pave the way for the establishment of a Bangsamoro new political entity.

In his brief closed-door meeting with President Aquino at Hiroshima, Japan on June 23, 2014, MILF Chairman Murad Ebrahim told the president about the comments made on the draft BTC signed version of the basic law.

After the meeting, President Aquino vowed there would be a Bangsamoro autonomous region before he steps down in June 30, 2016.

Malacañang is expected to transmit the draft BBL to Congress on July 28 when it opens after President Aquino delivers his State of the Nation Address.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1075-malacañang-returns-to-btc-overhauled-draft-of-bangsamoro-basic-law

MILF: Moro-Christian People’s Alliance issues statement on plight of Zamboanga IDP’s

Posted to the MILF Webpage (Jul 8): Moro-Christian People’s Alliance issues statement on plight of Zamboanga IDP’s

The Moro-Christian People’s Alliance or MCPA issued a press statement on the plight of Moro internally-displaced persons (IDP’s) on Zamboanga City.   

The statement dated June 28, 2014 entitled “Moro Victims of 2013 Zamboanga Siege observe Ramadan in squalid evacuation center”, said as follows:

Muslim Ramadan starts today.  But more than 3,000 Moro families displaced in the Zamboanga siege last year are forced to observe Ramadan in the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex evacuation center in Zamboanga City.  The evacuation center, an emergency and supposedly temporary shelter for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of the infamous 20-day Zamboanga siege is congested, filthy and unsanitary.  The Muslim IDPs are both sad and angry of their present situation.  They find it very difficult to faithfully observe Ramadan’s obligations of fasting and praying. 

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam is a month-long religious event that obliges every Muslim to fast from sunrise to sunset; a compulsory religious duty that must be observed every day.

“The hard life situation of my fellow Muslims in the evacuation center in Zamboanga City makes them victims twice over due to the BS Aquino government’s turtle-paced action and negligence, Ahmad Hamja , a member of the Moro-Christian People’s Alliance (MCPA) said.

Hamja further stated, “This harsh situation poses serious distraction in fulfilling our Ramadan obligations of deep meditation and worship by reading the Holy Quran “.

President Benigno Simon C. Aquino III who ordered and personally supervised the military operation against the  forces of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) allied with Prof. Nor Misuari  promised  immediate shelter and livelihood rehabilitation for the estimated 100,000 displaced people, majority Moros.   The presidential promise and commitment remain unfulfilled to this day.

Nine months have passed since the September 2013 Zamboanga siege, there are still thousands of internally displaced Moro families who are suffering in the evacuation center facing uncertain future.  And the holy month of Ramadan has caught them in a situation unfit for observing their religious duties.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1077-moro-christian-people’s-alliance-issues-statement-on-plight-of-zamboanga-idp’s

CPP/Ang Bayan: 4 sundalo, patay sa Albay

From the Tagalog edition of the CPP propaganda publication, Ang Bayan (Jul 7): 4 sundalo, patay sa Albay

Apat na elemento ng 9th Infantry Division ng Philippine Army ang napatay ng mga Pulang mandirigma ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) sa magkahiwalay na ambus na inilunsad sa bayan ng Daraga at sa Ligao City. Nakasamsam ang BHB ng dalawang kal .45 pistola.

Dalawang sundalo ng 9th ID Recon Coy ang napatay nang tambangan ng isang tim ng BHB sa Barangay Busac, Ligao City habang patungo sa kanilang kampo sa Barangay Oma-oma sa naturang syudad noong Hunyo 28, alas-4 ng hapon. Isang kal .45 pistola ang nakumpiska ng mga Pulang mandirigma.

Bago ito, isang sarhento at isang sundalo ng 9th ID Civil Military Operation (CMO) ang napatay nang ambusin ng isang tim ng BHB sa Sityo Banasian, Barangay San Ramon, Daraga noong Hunyo 16 kung saan nasamsam ang isang kal .45 pistola.

Samantala, sa Sorsogon, nagtamo ng di bababa sa tatlong kaswalti ang 31st IB nang pasabugan sila ng CDX ng mga Pulang gerilya ng Celso Minguez Command sa Barangay Fabrica, Barcelona noong Hunyo 21.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20140707/4-sundalo-patay-sa-albay

CPP/Ang Bayan: Inisyatiba sa labanan, hawak ng BHB sa NEMR

From the Tagalog edition of the CPP propaganda publication, Ang Bayan (Jul 7): Inisyatiba sa labanan, hawak ng BHB sa NEMR

Patuloy na hinahawakan ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) sa Northeastern Mindanao Region (NEMR) ang inisyatiba sa digma sa harap ng pinaigting na opensibang militar ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa rehiyon mula Enero, kung saan nagdagdag ang AFP ng tatlong batalyon sa dating limang batalyong nakatalaga rito.

Ayon kay Ka Maria Malaya, tagapagsalita ng National Democratic Front-NEMR, 44 sa 50 labanang naganap sa rehiyon mula Enero hanggang Hunyo ay pinasimulan ng BHB at aanim lamang ang nagmula sa inisyatiba ng kaaway.

Nagtamo ng 77 kaswalti ang kaaway sa mga labanang ito (39 ang napatay at 38 ang nasugatan). Sa kabilang banda, pito ang namartir sa BHB at pito ang nasugatan.

Sa pinakahuling ulat mula sa NEMR, tatlong elemento ng 26th IB ang nasugatan sa magkahiwalay na operasyong harasment ng dalawang tim ng BHB sa magkanugnog na mga barangay ng Ararat at San Juan sa Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur noong Hunyo 16 at 17.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20140707/inisyatiba-sa-labanan-hawak-ng-bhb-sa-nemr

CPP/Ang Bayan: AFP, nagtamo ng 29 kaswalti sa Southern Mindanao

From the Tagalog edition of the CPP propaganda publication, Ang Bayan (Jul 7): AFP, nagtamo ng 29 kaswalti sa Southern Mindanao

Labintatlong sundalo ang napatay at 16 ang nasugatan sa panig ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa magkakasunod na aksyong militar na inilunsad ng Comval-North Davao-South Agusan Subregional Command at Comval-Davao East Coast Subregional Command ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) noong Hunyo 20, 22 at 30 sa Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte at Davao Oriental.

Davao del Norte. Binigo ng mga Pulang mandirigma ng BHB ang tangkang pagkubkob ng mga tropa ng 72nd IB nang pasabugan nito ng command-detonated explosive (CDX) ang mga umaatakeng sundalo sa Sityo Mabuhay, Barangay Dacudao, San Isidro bandang alas-6 ng umaga noong Hunyo 22. Isang sundalo ang napatay at tatlong iba pa ang nasugatan. Isang kasapi ng BHB ang namartir sa labanang ito.

Compostela Valley. Dalawang elemento ng 25th IB ang napatay at isa ang nasugatan nang pasabugan sila ng CDX ng isang yunit ng BHB sa Sityo Saog, Barangay San Isidro, Monkayo noong Hunyo 20, mga alas-5:30 ng umaga. Pagkalipas ng apat na oras, dalawa pang tropa ng nasabing batalyon ang nasugatan sa operasyong pasabog ng mga Pulang mandirigma sa Sityo Anagase, Barangay Casoon, Monkayo.

Alas-3 ng hapon ng Hunyo 22, naglunsad muli ng operasyong pasabog ang mga Pulang gerilya kung saan napatay ang limang elemento ng 46th IB at nasugatan ang apat na iba pa sa Barangay Ampawid sa bayan ng Laak.
Isinagawa ang mga aksyong militar na ito sa harap ng mas pinaigting na kontra-rebolusyonaryong kampanya ng Eastern Mindanao Command ng AFP nitong ikalawang hati ng Hunyo sa lugar. Nag-operasyon ang siyam na platun sa Laak at anim na platun sa Monkayo. Nagpakat din ng pwersang militar sa halos lahat ng barangay sa Veruela at nagdeploy ng tatlong platun sa Loreto sa Agusan Sur at tatlong platun sa Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

Ang pinaigting na operasyong militar na ito ay kasunod ng pagpaslang ng mga elemento ng AFP sa mga sibilyang sina Wilfredo Estrebillo at Flaviano Morales sa Davao del Norte nitong Hunyo.

Davao Oriental. Limang sundalo ng 67th IB ang napatay at anim na iba pa ang nasugatan nang pasabugan ng command-detonated explosive ng mga Pulang mandirigma ng Comval-Davao East Coast Subregional Command habang nagpapatrulya sa Barangay Aliwagwag, Cateel nitong Hunyo 30, bandang alas-10 ng umaga.

Ang mga abusadong tropa ng 67th IB ay protektor ng mga mapangwasak na malalaking magtotroso sa prubinsya. Sa kabila ng matinding pagsalanta ng bagyong Pablo noong 2012 sa Davao Oriental, patuloy ang malakihang pagtotroso sa nalalabing kagubatan nito. Suportado rin ng mga burukrata kapitalista sa lugar na sina Gov. Corazon Malanyaon at Kongresman Elmer Dayanghirang ang malakihang pagtotroso sa prubinsya at mismong ang meyor ng Cateel na si Camilo Nuñez ay isa ring malaking magtotroso.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20140707/afp-nagtamo-ng-29-kaswalti-sa-southern-mindanao

CPP/Ang Bayan: “Planong terorismo” sa Davao, pakana ng US

From the Tagalog edition of the CPP propaganda publication, Ang Bayan (Jul 7): “Planong terorismo” sa Davao, pakana ng US

Pakana ng gubyernong US ang ginawang pag-anunsyo ni Benigno Aquino III noong Hulyo 1 na may napipintong teroristang atake sa Davao City. Malinaw na ang layunin ng gayong anunsyo ay bigyang-matwid ang pagpapalakas ng presensya at panghihimasok-militar ng US sa Davao City sa ilalim ng “gerang anti-terorismo.”

Sinalubong ng batikos ang ginawang anunsyo ni Aquino na pasasabugan umano ng bomba ng isang Abdul Basit Usman ang mga instalasyon sa Davao City. Sinundan ang anunsyo ni Aquino ng malakihang pagpapakat ng mga pwersang pulis at militar sa palibot ng syudad at paghihigpit sa kilos ng mga tao. Matapos ang ilang araw, napilitan ang Malacañang na bawiin ang inianunsyong “planong teroristang atake” nang aminin nitong di kumpirmado ang impormasyon.

Ayon kay Kasamang Rubi del Mundo, tagapagsalita ng National Democratic Front-Southern Mindanao Region, walang ibang pakay ang ginawang anunsyo ni Aquino kundi ang bigyang-matwid ang paglulunsad sa Davao City ng “gerang anti-terorismo” at ang pagpasok ng mga dayuhang tropang Amerikano sa ilalim ng Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Ang EDCA ay isang bagong kasunduang militar na pinirmahan ng US at rehimeng Aquino upang pahintulutan ang militar ng US na magtayo ng mga base at pasilidad nito sa Pilipinas sa loob ng mga kampo ng AFP.

Binibigyan nito ng karapatan ang US na magtayo ng mga imprastruktura, maglagak ng mga armas, tumanggap ng kahit ilang sundalong Amerikano, maglunsad ng mga operasyong militar at iba pa.

Sa pagpapakana ng huwad na “planong teroristang atake” sa Davao City, nais ng militar ng US at ni Aquino na ipilit sa alkalde nitong si Mayor Rodrigo Duterte na pahintulutan ang malakihang presensya ng mga sundalong US sa syudad. Ilang ulit nang nagpapahayag si Mayor Duterte ng pagtutol sa pagpasok ng mga tropang Amerikano sa kanilang syudad at sa pagtatayo nito ng mga pasilidad at mga base militar sa ilalim ng EDCA.

Bago ito, inianunsyo ng militar ng US na isasara na nito ang himpilan ng Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) sa loob ng Camp Navarro sa Zamboanga City. Mula sa 700 pwersa, tinataya ng militar ng US na maiiwan na lamang doon ang 30 nitong tauhan sa katapusan ng taon.

Ang totoo, sa ilalim ng EDCA ay mas marami ngayong sundalo ng US ang makapananatili sa Pilipinas sa iba’t ibang mga kampo ng AFP sa buong bansa.

Samantala, nagrali noong Hulyo 4 ang mga progresibong grupo sa pamumuno ng BAYAN sa harap ng embahada ng US sa Maynila upang magprotesta laban sa EDCA. Ang protesta ay inilunsad sa araw ng “huwad na kalayaan” ng Pilipinas at bahagi ng lumalakas na pagtutol sa EDCA mula nang pirmahan ito noong Abril.

Sa kasalukuyan, tatlong magkakahiwalay na petisyon laban sa kasunduan ang nakahapag sa Korte Suprema. Hinihiling ng mga nagpetisyon na kagyat nang itigil ang implementasyon ng kasunduan at ideklara itong labag ito sa konstitusyon. Kabilang sa mga inihapag nilang dahilan ang pagiging tagibang pabor sa interes ng US ng kasunduan at paglabag nito sa soberanya at mga batas at proseso ng gubyerno ng Pilipinas.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20140707/planong-terorismo-sa-davao-pakana-ng-us