From InterAksyon (Jul 25): Goldberg in Benguet to promote disaster risk reduction activities
Benguet - U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg visited Benguet Province from July 24 to July 25 to lead activities aimed at further advancing disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures in the region.
Benguet is one of the most vulnerable provinces to climate change in the Philippines. The province is highly exposed to typhoons, landslides, soil erosion, and drought.
U.S. Embassy Manila's United States Agency for International Development (USAID) partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) to implement a disaster risk reduction and response/climate change adaptation program that aims to increase risk reduction initiatives in nine provincial governments, 23 municipal governments and eight cities outside Metro Manila by strengthening their capacity for climate change adaptation.
The program is also working with seven academic institutions to introduce locally available and innovative solutions to address disaster risks, and nine non-government organizations to do community-based disaster risk reduction interventions.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/91953/goldberg-in-benguet-to-promote-disaster-risk-reduction-activities
Saturday, July 26, 2014
PNoy meets with BTC on draft Bangsamoro Basic Law
From MindaNews (Jul 26): PNoy meets with BTC on draft Bangsamoro Basic Law
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III met with members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) in Malacanang for nearly four hours on Thursday to discuss the still unresolved issues on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law four days before delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The draft BBL was earlier expected to be submitted to Congress on or before the SONA, with the President certifying the bill as “urgent.” But the parties have yet to come up with a “mutually acceptable” draft or what the President had earlier said would be a draft that “both sides will fully endorse and support.”
In his SONA on July 22 last year, Aquino urged Congress to pass the BBL before the end of 2014 to give enough time for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to take over and prepare for the May 2016 election of the Bangsamoro’s first set of officials.
“I want to be able to push this (Bangsamoro Basic Law) with conviction,” the OPAPP quoted Aquino as saying, adding that the President acknowledged this is his “obligation to the people who are yearning for peace in Mindanao.”
The meeting, according to the OPAPP, came on the heels of what government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer referred to as “significant points of differences” between government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Malacanang’s proposed revisions to the draft.
The OPAPP did not say that BTC chair and concurrent MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal did not attend the Malacanang meet. Iqbal told MindaNews he was in a meeting with the MILF Central Committee while Robert Maulana Alonto, a member of both the MNLF peace panel and BTC, did not attend, too, as he was not feeling well.
Iqbal had earlier said Malacanang’s proposed revisions had “heavily diluted” the draft submitted on April 22 by the 15-member MILF-led Joint GPH-MILF commission, the body tasked to draft the BBL.
He said Malacanang’s proposed revisions would render the Bangsamoro less autonomous than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that it seeks to replace.
“Serious concerns”
The BTC passed a resolution on July 3 expressing “serious concerns over some major revisions, modifications and alterations that deviated from the significant contents” of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that the parties signed on March 27 in Malacanang.
The BTC, now with only 14 members, elevated the concerns to the panels for “clarification, discussion and resolution” of the issues affected by the proposed revisions “… in the higher interest of finding a lasting solution to the conflict in Mindanao.”
The panels met in Kuala Lumpur on July 8 to 11 and in Manila on July 18 to 21 but failed to come up with a “mutually acceptable” draft.
While the KL meeting ended with “moderate progress,” a joint statement and a commitment to meet in Manila, the Manila meeting ended with no major issue resolved, no joint statement and no next meeting scheduled.
The panels, according to the OPAPP, “are set to resume discussions on the draft BBL today, July 25.”
The meeting is supposed to start Friday evening, after the iftar.
Thursday’s Malacanang meeting came a day after the MILF’s Committee on Information which Iqbal also heads, posted a strongly-worded editorial titled “MILF position on BBL’s delay.”
No renegotiation
“ Obviously, the government peace panel line is to let the MILF accept a version of the BBL that may be constitutional but will not solve the Bangsamoro Question. On the other hand, the MILF overall objective is ‘to end tyranny, restore dignity and secure a bright and prosperous future for all in the Bangsamoro Homeland.’ The current government proposals will not restore dignity to a people who suffered tyranny and will not secure a peaceful and prosperous future.”
The editorial reiterated the MILF’s stand on the draft BBL: “All those issues that are settled in the FAB and its Annexes will not be subject for renegotiation;” and “Settled language in the FAB and its Annexes will not be subject for renegotiation.”
“Open mind”
The OPAPP press release quoted the President as telling the BTC commissioners to approach the reviewed draft “with an open mind, see if everything is consistent with the CAB and limit the potential challenges.”
Iqbal had earlier said that the BTC’s draft “mainly copy-pasted the essential elements of the CAB.” He told MindaNews that the 97-page BTC draft did not even contain recommendations from the BTC’s Committee on Constitutional Amendments because they were repeatedly assured by government that the Bangsamoro can be entrenched “within the flexibility of the 1987 Constitution.”
The President’s meeting with the BTC was done in the presence of, among others, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, GPH panel chair Ferrer.
According to OPAPP, the President asked the BTC members to “put ourselves in each other’s shoes” and for the parties to work together to bridge the differences. “Mula sa Kayo at Kami, ibalik natin sa Tayo,” Aquino was quoted as saying.
The OPAPP also said Aquino read a printout of MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim’s speech at the signing of the CAB on March 27, particularly this sentence, “After all, the CAB is not only for the MILF, but also for the MNLF, for all Muslim ethnic tribes, Christian settlers, and indigenous peoples.”
“Unacceptable status quo”
Under the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the parties agreed that the “status quo was unacceptable” and that they would set up a new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro, that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The BTC submitted the draft to Malacanang on April 22, the latter handing over a copy of the reviewed draft on June 21.
MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Iqbal aired their concerns about the Malacanang-proposed revisions to the President in Hiroshima, shortly before he delivered his keynote address at The Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao seminar on June 24.
“Due diligence”
The OPAPP said “due diligence is necessary since President Aquino will certify the BBL as an urgent bill to fast-track its passage in Congress.”
“Due diligence” was also the reason cited by the government peace panel during the crafting of the FAB and its four annexes – Power-sharing, Wealth-Sharing, Normalization and Transitional Arrangements and Modalities – and the CAB.
The OPAPP said the President “urged the parties to finalize the draft bill soon, stressing that Congress is concerned about the timeframe for the bill’s enactment into law if it is not submitted soon.”
“We want the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to be put in place next year, as early as possible,” the President was quoted as saying.
The press release did not say how many days the panels’ meeting would be.
The government and MILF negotiated for 17 years before signing the CAB in March.
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2014/07/26/pnoy-meets-with-btc-on-draft-bangsamoro-basic-law/
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III met with members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) in Malacanang for nearly four hours on Thursday to discuss the still unresolved issues on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law four days before delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The draft BBL was earlier expected to be submitted to Congress on or before the SONA, with the President certifying the bill as “urgent.” But the parties have yet to come up with a “mutually acceptable” draft or what the President had earlier said would be a draft that “both sides will fully endorse and support.”
In his SONA on July 22 last year, Aquino urged Congress to pass the BBL before the end of 2014 to give enough time for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to take over and prepare for the May 2016 election of the Bangsamoro’s first set of officials.
“I want to be able to push this (Bangsamoro Basic Law) with conviction,” the OPAPP quoted Aquino as saying, adding that the President acknowledged this is his “obligation to the people who are yearning for peace in Mindanao.”
The meeting, according to the OPAPP, came on the heels of what government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer referred to as “significant points of differences” between government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Malacanang’s proposed revisions to the draft.
Iqbal had earlier said Malacanang’s proposed revisions had “heavily diluted” the draft submitted on April 22 by the 15-member MILF-led Joint GPH-MILF commission, the body tasked to draft the BBL.
He said Malacanang’s proposed revisions would render the Bangsamoro less autonomous than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that it seeks to replace.
“Serious concerns”
The BTC passed a resolution on July 3 expressing “serious concerns over some major revisions, modifications and alterations that deviated from the significant contents” of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that the parties signed on March 27 in Malacanang.
The BTC, now with only 14 members, elevated the concerns to the panels for “clarification, discussion and resolution” of the issues affected by the proposed revisions “… in the higher interest of finding a lasting solution to the conflict in Mindanao.”
The panels met in Kuala Lumpur on July 8 to 11 and in Manila on July 18 to 21 but failed to come up with a “mutually acceptable” draft.
While the KL meeting ended with “moderate progress,” a joint statement and a commitment to meet in Manila, the Manila meeting ended with no major issue resolved, no joint statement and no next meeting scheduled.
The panels, according to the OPAPP, “are set to resume discussions on the draft BBL today, July 25.”
The meeting is supposed to start Friday evening, after the iftar.
Thursday’s Malacanang meeting came a day after the MILF’s Committee on Information which Iqbal also heads, posted a strongly-worded editorial titled “MILF position on BBL’s delay.”
No renegotiation
“ Obviously, the government peace panel line is to let the MILF accept a version of the BBL that may be constitutional but will not solve the Bangsamoro Question. On the other hand, the MILF overall objective is ‘to end tyranny, restore dignity and secure a bright and prosperous future for all in the Bangsamoro Homeland.’ The current government proposals will not restore dignity to a people who suffered tyranny and will not secure a peaceful and prosperous future.”
The editorial reiterated the MILF’s stand on the draft BBL: “All those issues that are settled in the FAB and its Annexes will not be subject for renegotiation;” and “Settled language in the FAB and its Annexes will not be subject for renegotiation.”
“Open mind”
The OPAPP press release quoted the President as telling the BTC commissioners to approach the reviewed draft “with an open mind, see if everything is consistent with the CAB and limit the potential challenges.”
Iqbal had earlier said that the BTC’s draft “mainly copy-pasted the essential elements of the CAB.” He told MindaNews that the 97-page BTC draft did not even contain recommendations from the BTC’s Committee on Constitutional Amendments because they were repeatedly assured by government that the Bangsamoro can be entrenched “within the flexibility of the 1987 Constitution.”
The President’s meeting with the BTC was done in the presence of, among others, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, GPH panel chair Ferrer.
According to OPAPP, the President asked the BTC members to “put ourselves in each other’s shoes” and for the parties to work together to bridge the differences. “Mula sa Kayo at Kami, ibalik natin sa Tayo,” Aquino was quoted as saying.
The OPAPP also said Aquino read a printout of MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim’s speech at the signing of the CAB on March 27, particularly this sentence, “After all, the CAB is not only for the MILF, but also for the MNLF, for all Muslim ethnic tribes, Christian settlers, and indigenous peoples.”
“Unacceptable status quo”
Under the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the parties agreed that the “status quo was unacceptable” and that they would set up a new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro, that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The BTC submitted the draft to Malacanang on April 22, the latter handing over a copy of the reviewed draft on June 21.
MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Iqbal aired their concerns about the Malacanang-proposed revisions to the President in Hiroshima, shortly before he delivered his keynote address at The Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao seminar on June 24.
“Due diligence”
The OPAPP said “due diligence is necessary since President Aquino will certify the BBL as an urgent bill to fast-track its passage in Congress.”
“Due diligence” was also the reason cited by the government peace panel during the crafting of the FAB and its four annexes – Power-sharing, Wealth-Sharing, Normalization and Transitional Arrangements and Modalities – and the CAB.
The OPAPP said the President “urged the parties to finalize the draft bill soon, stressing that Congress is concerned about the timeframe for the bill’s enactment into law if it is not submitted soon.”
“We want the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to be put in place next year, as early as possible,” the President was quoted as saying.
The press release did not say how many days the panels’ meeting would be.
The government and MILF negotiated for 17 years before signing the CAB in March.
http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2014/07/26/pnoy-meets-with-btc-on-draft-bangsamoro-basic-law/
Military forces pursue NPA rebels in Bukidnon province
From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Jul 25): Military forces pursue NPA rebels in Bukidnon province
Four soldiers were wounded and a still undetermined number of communist rebels had been killed and wounded in a clash in the town of Quezon in Bukidnon, an army spokesman said Saturday.
Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the fighting broke out Friday afternoon in the village of Cawayan after patrolling troops encountered a group of New People’s Army rebels, sparking a firefight.
Caber said troops were deployed to the village after residents sought the military’s help to stop the extortion activities of rebels in the area. “The soldiers were on security patrol to protect the people and communities from NPA harassment and extortion activities,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He said Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the regional military chief, ordered troops to pursue the rebels.
“The order of General Cruz is to track down the rebels, pursue them until they are captured and brought to justice. There is no other way for rebel forces to escape the law, except to surrender peacefully,” Caber said.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/07/military-forces-pursue-npa-rebels-in.html
Four soldiers were wounded and a still undetermined number of communist rebels had been killed and wounded in a clash in the town of Quezon in Bukidnon, an army spokesman said Saturday.
Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the fighting broke out Friday afternoon in the village of Cawayan after patrolling troops encountered a group of New People’s Army rebels, sparking a firefight.
Caber said troops were deployed to the village after residents sought the military’s help to stop the extortion activities of rebels in the area. “The soldiers were on security patrol to protect the people and communities from NPA harassment and extortion activities,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He said Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the regional military chief, ordered troops to pursue the rebels.
“The order of General Cruz is to track down the rebels, pursue them until they are captured and brought to justice. There is no other way for rebel forces to escape the law, except to surrender peacefully,” Caber said.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting for decades for the establishment of a separate state in the country.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/07/military-forces-pursue-npa-rebels-in.html
Pa, son missing nearly a month after their arrest in Maguindanao province
From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Jul 25): Pa, son missing nearly a month after their arrest in Maguindanao province
A 14-year old Muslim villager and his father remain missing nearly a month after government troops arrested them on a village near Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines, according to the Kawagib Moro human rights group.
It said the victims - Mohammad Abdulkarim and his son - were heading home to the village of Dapiawan from their neighboring town of Sharif Aguak when soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion arrested them July 3 for a still unknown reason.
Kawagib Moro which recently finished a fact-finding mission said it also recorded many cases of human rights violations against civilians allegedly committed by soldiers in Maguindanao, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. It condemned the abuses.
“For the longest time, these civilians have had to endure the fascism of the mercenary troops of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) resulting to lose of life, security, and property. In this holy month of Ramadhan, it is revolting that common Moro people, adults and children alike, have to be victims of human rights violations from the hands of the forces that are supposed to deliver peace and security in Moro communities,” it said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
It also said that troops, belonging to the Mechanized Brigade, have been encamping in civilian community in Dapiawan village which is a gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.
“In the guise of protecting people and going after members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the mercenary army is targeting civilians and putting them at risk of further violations,” Kawagib Moro said, adding, an infant was also wounded after being hit by a stray bullet in one military operation in the province on June 7.
“These are not the only cases of gross violation of human rights of the AFP against the Moro people. The fascist and mercenary troops have a long record of utmost contempt and inconsideration to life and security of civilians. It is convulsing to note that in the face of President Aquino’s pretense of peace in the Bangsamoro, the Moro people are still suffering and victims are yet to claim justice.”
“With these, it is expected that Kawagib Moro together with the Moro people will continue its vigilance, expose any form of violation to their rights, and ardently struggle to claim justice and peace in Mindanao,” it said.
There was no immediate statement from the 6th Infantry Division or the Mechanized Brigade on the allegations and accusations of the human rights group.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/07/pa-son-missing-nearly-month-after-their.html
A 14-year old Muslim villager and his father remain missing nearly a month after government troops arrested them on a village near Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines, according to the Kawagib Moro human rights group.
It said the victims - Mohammad Abdulkarim and his son - were heading home to the village of Dapiawan from their neighboring town of Sharif Aguak when soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion arrested them July 3 for a still unknown reason.
Kawagib Moro which recently finished a fact-finding mission said it also recorded many cases of human rights violations against civilians allegedly committed by soldiers in Maguindanao, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. It condemned the abuses.
“For the longest time, these civilians have had to endure the fascism of the mercenary troops of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) resulting to lose of life, security, and property. In this holy month of Ramadhan, it is revolting that common Moro people, adults and children alike, have to be victims of human rights violations from the hands of the forces that are supposed to deliver peace and security in Moro communities,” it said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
It also said that troops, belonging to the Mechanized Brigade, have been encamping in civilian community in Dapiawan village which is a gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.
“In the guise of protecting people and going after members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the mercenary army is targeting civilians and putting them at risk of further violations,” Kawagib Moro said, adding, an infant was also wounded after being hit by a stray bullet in one military operation in the province on June 7.
“These are not the only cases of gross violation of human rights of the AFP against the Moro people. The fascist and mercenary troops have a long record of utmost contempt and inconsideration to life and security of civilians. It is convulsing to note that in the face of President Aquino’s pretense of peace in the Bangsamoro, the Moro people are still suffering and victims are yet to claim justice.”
“With these, it is expected that Kawagib Moro together with the Moro people will continue its vigilance, expose any form of violation to their rights, and ardently struggle to claim justice and peace in Mindanao,” it said.
There was no immediate statement from the 6th Infantry Division or the Mechanized Brigade on the allegations and accusations of the human rights group.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/07/pa-son-missing-nearly-month-after-their.html
Gov’t troops seize NPA camp, high-powered firearms in Northern Samar
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): Gov’t troops seize NPA camp, high-powered firearms in Northern Samar
Government troops discovered a camp owned by New People’s Amy (NPA) while conducting security operation Caputoan village, town ofLas
Navas in Northern Samar on
Wednesday.
Col. Herminigildo C. Aquino, commanding officer of the 803rd Infantry Brigade of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) Philippine Army based atCamp Sumoroy ,
Catarman also in Northern Samar said the First
Scout Ranger Battalion consequently discovered two carbine rifles hidden under
the bushes beside a makeshift hut.
The Philippine Army (PA) credited the successful recovery to the information provided by the people in the community.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=666308
Government troops discovered a camp owned by New People’s Amy (NPA) while conducting security operation Caputoan village, town of
Col. Herminigildo C. Aquino, commanding officer of the 803rd Infantry Brigade of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) Philippine Army based at
The Philippine Army (PA) credited the successful recovery to the information provided by the people in the community.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=666308
Navy eyes base in Mactan as home of Philippine fleet
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26): Navy eyes base in Mactan as home of Philippine fleet
The Philippine Navy is planning to convert their naval base in Mactan,Cebu into the new home for its Philippine Fleet.
Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, the Philippine Navy's Flag Officer in Command, said Cebu is the ideal site to accommodate the Philippine Fleet because it is the hub of all the shipping companies, repair facilities and because ofCebu ’s accessibility to air and sea ports.
"Considering the strength of the area, this will be the official place and home for all our support and current floating assets and those that will be acquired in the future,” Millan said.
Millan said he has asked Commodore Ronald Joseph Mercado, the new Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) chief, to makeCebu 's
Naval Base Rafael Ramos as a hub for all its ground and sea assets under the
Philippine Fleet.
Mercado, who hails from Banawa,Cebu
City
Mercado was last assigned with the Offshore Combat Force of the Philippine Navy.
Mercado said he is willing to take the challenge as the new Navforcen chief.
He also vowed to continue and strengthen the humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the Visayas.
"We need to be more prepared after what we have experienced and we already learned our lesson," Mercado said.
Millan said Yoma did well particularly when he faced three major man-made and natural calamities -- a sea collision, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Cebu andBohol and super typhoon Yolanda in most
parts of the Visayas -- during his stint.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=666450
The Philippine Navy is planning to convert their naval base in Mactan,
Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, the Philippine Navy's Flag Officer in Command, said Cebu is the ideal site to accommodate the Philippine Fleet because it is the hub of all the shipping companies, repair facilities and because of
"Considering the strength of the area, this will be the official place and home for all our support and current floating assets and those that will be acquired in the future,” Millan said.
Millan said he has asked Commodore Ronald Joseph Mercado, the new Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) chief, to make
Mercado, who hails from Banawa,
Mercado was last assigned with the Offshore Combat Force of the Philippine Navy.
Mercado said he is willing to take the challenge as the new Navforcen chief.
He also vowed to continue and strengthen the humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the Visayas.
"We need to be more prepared after what we have experienced and we already learned our lesson," Mercado said.
Millan said Yoma did well particularly when he faced three major man-made and natural calamities -- a sea collision, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Cebu and
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=666450
Government agencies sign agreement to implement law to protect children in armed conflict
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): Government agencies sign agreement to implement law to protect children in armed conflict
Representatives of various government agencies on Friday signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) to carry out Executive Order 138 on protecting the welfare of children involved in armed conflict.
Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Presidential peace adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles, and Department of Education Undersecretary Albert Muyot were among those who signed the memorandum during a ceremony held at the Social Hall of Mabini Building in Malacañang.
The signing of the MOA seeks the support of government agencies and other stakeholders to commit to their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of EO 138 on the monitoring, reporting and organization of a response system to prevent the abuse of children’s rights in situations of armed conflict.
Executive Order 138 "Amending Executive Order 56 Adopting the Comprehensive Program Framework for Children in Armed Conflict, Strengthening the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and for Other Purposes" was signed by the President in August last year.
The Comprehensive Program Framework for Children in Armed Conflict directs government agencies and local government units to address the alarming involvement of children in armed conflict as combatants, couriers, guides, spies, medics, cooks or any similar non-combatant capacity.
The CWC, which serves as the focal interagency body for the government, will coordinate and lead the organization of the Monitoring, Reporting and Response System Team, composed of several government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP).
They are mandated to respond to concerns of children in situations of conflict, such as killing, maiming, recruitment and use of children, attacks on schools and health facilities, rape and other abuses.
The Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Armed Conflict, organized through a memorandum of agreement in April 2007, will be chaired by the CWC.
Its members are the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Education, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Justice, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine National Police, Presidential Human Rights Committee, Presidential Management Staff, and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process.
Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act," declares children as Zones of Peace and as such, they shall not be recruited to become members of the armed forces or its civilian units, or be used as fighters, couriers or spies.
From 2011 to 2013, the DSWD took care of 229 children who were victims of armed conflicts. Last February, local and foreign media reported that three child soldiers were among 53 people killed in a week-long fighting between the military and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666316
Representatives of various government agencies on Friday signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) to carry out Executive Order 138 on protecting the welfare of children involved in armed conflict.
Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Presidential peace adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles, and Department of Education Undersecretary Albert Muyot were among those who signed the memorandum during a ceremony held at the Social Hall of Mabini Building in Malacañang.
The signing of the MOA seeks the support of government agencies and other stakeholders to commit to their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of EO 138 on the monitoring, reporting and organization of a response system to prevent the abuse of children’s rights in situations of armed conflict.
Executive Order 138 "Amending Executive Order 56 Adopting the Comprehensive Program Framework for Children in Armed Conflict, Strengthening the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and for Other Purposes" was signed by the President in August last year.
The Comprehensive Program Framework for Children in Armed Conflict directs government agencies and local government units to address the alarming involvement of children in armed conflict as combatants, couriers, guides, spies, medics, cooks or any similar non-combatant capacity.
The CWC, which serves as the focal interagency body for the government, will coordinate and lead the organization of the Monitoring, Reporting and Response System Team, composed of several government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP).
They are mandated to respond to concerns of children in situations of conflict, such as killing, maiming, recruitment and use of children, attacks on schools and health facilities, rape and other abuses.
The Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Armed Conflict, organized through a memorandum of agreement in April 2007, will be chaired by the CWC.
Its members are the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Education, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Justice, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine National Police, Presidential Human Rights Committee, Presidential Management Staff, and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process.
Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act," declares children as Zones of Peace and as such, they shall not be recruited to become members of the armed forces or its civilian units, or be used as fighters, couriers or spies.
From 2011 to 2013, the DSWD took care of 229 children who were victims of armed conflicts. Last February, local and foreign media reported that three child soldiers were among 53 people killed in a week-long fighting between the military and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666316
Rebel acupuncturist surrenders to government forces in Ifugao
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26): Rebel acupuncturist surrenders to government forces in Ifugao
Tired of the causeless fighting being waged by his rebel comrades, a New People's Army (NPA) acupuncturist voluntarily surrendered to the Ifugao Provincial Police Office last Friday.
The rebel returnee was identified as Jerome Lindao alias "Ricky", 22, single and a resident of Barangay Pieza, Lamut, Ifugao.
He was immediately brought to Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet for questioning.
Lindao served as one of the NPA's logistic support personnel and acupuncturist of Team 2, Squad Dos, Samahang Partido Propaganda (SPP).
He decided to return to the fold of law as he was sickened by the violence being perpetuated by his rebel companions against peaceful civilians.
He also wanted to live peacefully with his family and avail of the government’s program for rebel returnees called the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666442
Tired of the causeless fighting being waged by his rebel comrades, a New People's Army (NPA) acupuncturist voluntarily surrendered to the Ifugao Provincial Police Office last Friday.
The rebel returnee was identified as Jerome Lindao alias "Ricky", 22, single and a resident of Barangay Pieza, Lamut, Ifugao.
He was immediately brought to Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet for questioning.
Lindao served as one of the NPA's logistic support personnel and acupuncturist of Team 2, Squad Dos, Samahang Partido Propaganda (SPP).
He decided to return to the fold of law as he was sickened by the violence being perpetuated by his rebel companions against peaceful civilians.
He also wanted to live peacefully with his family and avail of the government’s program for rebel returnees called the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666442
Military to help cops in securing INC 100th founding anniversary
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26): Military to help cops in securing INC 100th founding anniversary
An estimated 3,000 military personnel from the National Capital Region, Bulacan and Pampanga will be joining the Philippine National Police in securing the 100th year founding anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on Sunday, January 27.
This was disclosed by Major Emmanuel Garcia, 1st Civil Relations Group commander, in a message to the PNA.
"Three thousand troops (coming from the NCR, Bulacan and Pampanga) will be helping in the security operations Sunday," he added.
An estimated one million INC followers are expected to join in Sunday's festivities in Bocaue, Bulacan where the group's 55,000 capacity stadium, the Philippine Arena, is located.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666507
An estimated 3,000 military personnel from the National Capital Region, Bulacan and Pampanga will be joining the Philippine National Police in securing the 100th year founding anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on Sunday, January 27.
This was disclosed by Major Emmanuel Garcia, 1st Civil Relations Group commander, in a message to the PNA.
"Three thousand troops (coming from the NCR, Bulacan and Pampanga) will be helping in the security operations Sunday," he added.
An estimated one million INC followers are expected to join in Sunday's festivities in Bocaue, Bulacan where the group's 55,000 capacity stadium, the Philippine Arena, is located.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666507
Number of ASG casualties in Basilan clash climbs to 10
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26): Number of ASG casualties in Basilan clash climbs to 10
The Western Mindanao Command on Saturday announced that the number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) casualties in the encounter that took place in Barangay Sungkayot, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan last July 24 has now climbed to 10.
Earlier reports placed ASG losses to three and identified them as Sulaiman Ajanti alias "UlaY", a sub-leader of the brigands, Botqong Aliman and Madie Umangkat.
Also recovered were an M-16 automatic rifle, fitted with an M-203 grenade launcher and an M-14 rifle.
In her report, Capt. Rowena Muyuela, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said that they have learned that seven more ASG men were wounded in the 20-minute firefight that started 1 p.m.
Also killed in the encounter were militiamen identified as Damman Hasalal and Jakaria Gulok.
Wounded were their companions identified as Adzmin Hasalal and Ummal Kulok.
Troopers have spotted Ajanti and his followers at their lair when the firefight broke out.
104th Infantry Brigade public affairs officer 1st Lt. Sally Cristine Magno said Ajanti's group was responsible for the series of ambushes against civilians in 2011 and 2012 which resulted in the death of 29 and wounding of 59 rubber tappper workers of Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Cooperative in Tumahubong, Sumisip.”
Also, she added that “this lawless group is also responsible for the kidnapping of DSWD social worker Jennelyn Luna in 2013 and the abduction of US Nationals, Gerfa Yeats Lunsmann and son, Kevin Lunsmann, in 2012.”
“Surely, the victims will be happy that finally justice had been served and the death of 'Ulay' will remind the remaining notorious ASGs’ that evil will not prevail,” Magno stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666472
The Western Mindanao Command on Saturday announced that the number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) casualties in the encounter that took place in Barangay Sungkayot, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan last July 24 has now climbed to 10.
Earlier reports placed ASG losses to three and identified them as Sulaiman Ajanti alias "UlaY", a sub-leader of the brigands, Botqong Aliman and Madie Umangkat.
Also recovered were an M-16 automatic rifle, fitted with an M-203 grenade launcher and an M-14 rifle.
In her report, Capt. Rowena Muyuela, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said that they have learned that seven more ASG men were wounded in the 20-minute firefight that started 1 p.m.
Also killed in the encounter were militiamen identified as Damman Hasalal and Jakaria Gulok.
Wounded were their companions identified as Adzmin Hasalal and Ummal Kulok.
Troopers have spotted Ajanti and his followers at their lair when the firefight broke out.
104th Infantry Brigade public affairs officer 1st Lt. Sally Cristine Magno said Ajanti's group was responsible for the series of ambushes against civilians in 2011 and 2012 which resulted in the death of 29 and wounding of 59 rubber tappper workers of Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Cooperative in Tumahubong, Sumisip.”
Also, she added that “this lawless group is also responsible for the kidnapping of DSWD social worker Jennelyn Luna in 2013 and the abduction of US Nationals, Gerfa Yeats Lunsmann and son, Kevin Lunsmann, in 2012.”
“Surely, the victims will be happy that finally justice had been served and the death of 'Ulay' will remind the remaining notorious ASGs’ that evil will not prevail,” Magno stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666472
Businessman’s daughter seized by gunmen in Zamboanga Sibugay
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26): Businessman’s daughter seized by gunmen in Zamboanga Sibugay
Joint military and police forces are tracking down the whereabouts of a nine-year-old girl seized by five gunmen believed to be members of a kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) in the nearbyprovince of Zamboanga
Sibugay
Army’s 1st Infantry Division public affairs officer-in-charge Capt. Franco Suelto identified the victim as Princess Jewel Mariel Nique.
Suelto said Nique is the daughter of James Nique, Jr., one of the known businessmen in Oluntanga town.
Suelto said the victim was seized around 4:20 p.m. Friday in Barangay Solar, Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Suelto said the victim was seized by three of five gunmen who barged into the Nique family-owned eatery while the other two gunmen waited at their motorized banca.
Suelto said the gunmen, two of them armed with M-16 Armalite rifles, are believed to be residents of Barangay Taguisian, Mabuhay municipality.
He said the gunmen forced the victim to board on the motorized banca and sped on the high seas.
He said the troops from the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion launched intelligence operations in coordination with Olutanga police force to track down the victim’s whereabouts.
He added that all militia detachments in the coastal areas of Oluntanga and of the nearby areas were alerted to be on the lookout for the victim and the suspects.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=666523
Joint military and police forces are tracking down the whereabouts of a nine-year-old girl seized by five gunmen believed to be members of a kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) in the nearby
Army’s 1st Infantry Division public affairs officer-in-charge Capt. Franco Suelto identified the victim as Princess Jewel Mariel Nique.
Suelto said Nique is the daughter of James Nique, Jr., one of the known businessmen in Oluntanga town.
Suelto said the victim was seized around 4:20 p.m. Friday in Barangay Solar, Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Suelto said the victim was seized by three of five gunmen who barged into the Nique family-owned eatery while the other two gunmen waited at their motorized banca.
Suelto said the gunmen, two of them armed with M-16 Armalite rifles, are believed to be residents of Barangay Taguisian, Mabuhay municipality.
He said the gunmen forced the victim to board on the motorized banca and sped on the high seas.
He said the troops from the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion launched intelligence operations in coordination with Olutanga police force to track down the victim’s whereabouts.
He added that all militia detachments in the coastal areas of Oluntanga and of the nearby areas were alerted to be on the lookout for the victim and the suspects.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=666523
Friday, July 25, 2014
BBL won’t be renegotiated, MILF warns Malacañang
From the Daily Tribune (Jul 26): BBL won’t be renegotiated, MILF warns Malacañang
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has maintained it won’t renegotiate matters that were settled in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) as the Muslim group blamed the Aquino administration for the delays in the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which would pave the way for a Bangsamoro government.
In its Website, the MILF said the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) version of the BBL will not bring a peaceful resolution to the Bangsamoro Question.
“Obviously, the government peace panel line is to let the MILF accept a version of the BBL that may be constitutional but will not solve the Bangsamoro Question,” it stressed, apparently referring to the “diluted” version of the BBL returned by the Office of the President (OP) to
the MILF last June 23.
“On the other hand, the MILF overall objective is to end tyranny, restore dignity and secure a bright and prosperous future for all in the Bangsamoro Homeland. The current government proposals will not restore dignity to a people who suffered tyranny and will not secure a peaceful and prosperous future,” it added.
The MILF also blamed the government for the delays in the passage of the BBL as it enumerated the reasons the BBL, which was submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to the OP last April 22, has been delayed.
The MILF cited first the 61-day period that took Malacañang in reviewing the BBL. The OP returned the BBL, already diluted, to the MILF only last June 23.
The MILF also said the four-tiered BTC-OP never took place except for the fourth and highest engagement between President Aquino and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in Hiroshima, Japan, last June 24.
“The OP’s comments on the BBL, which is essentially the position pursued by the GRP peace panel, diluted the BTC’s text and have in many instances departed from the letter and spirit of the FAB and its Annexes, which is the basis of the crafting of the BBL,” the MILF stated.
“Moreover, the OP adopted a very conservative interpretation of the Constitution, which is a radical departure from what the government has been saying — and promised — that the flexibility of the Constitution would enable them to implement the FAB and its Annexes,” it added.
According to the MILF, many delays in the passage of BBL are actually caused by issues already settled in the FAB and its annexes but are “kept on coming back and forth at the instance of the GRP,” like for instance, ancestral domain to ancestral domains, central to national, Bangsamoro people to Bangsamoro peoples, among others.
“In view of the wide disparity between the two positions of the two parties, finding an agreed version takes some time,” the MILF said.
The MILF stressed that, just like the GRP, it is working on the timeline to have the BBL submitted before the House of Representatives immediately after Monday’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Aquino. It cited that even if the MILF panel members are fasting, they are stretching the protocols, including the absence of Malaysian facilitator, to come up with agreed version of the BBL.
The MILF is standing firm on its position on the current discussion of the BBL, which it officially registered during the special meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
“All those issues that are settled in the FAB and its Annexes will not be subject for renegotiation; and settled language in the FAB and its annexes will not be subject for renegotiation,” the MILF pointed out.
“If both parties only abide by these commitments, the process would really move forward faster and save them from some irritating moments in their current engagement. More importantly, the MILF will never renegotiate these settled issues,” it added.
In an apparent bid to pacify the “doubting” MILF, Aquino said he will aggressively push the long-delayed enactment of the draft BBL in Congress.
“I want to be able to push this (BBL) with conviction,” the President stressed, adding it is his obligation to the people who are yearning for peace in Mindanao.
Aquino said both parties must work together to bridge the differences.
Holding a print out of Murad’s speech during the March signing ceremony for the CAB, the President read out this sentence: “After all, the CAB is not only for the MILF, but also for the MNLF, for all Muslim ethnic tribes, Christian settlers and indigenous peoples.”
A political analyst, however, noted that the CAB may not materialize after all as the administration has been preoccupied in defending Aquino and his minions over major issues that haunt his leadership, the latest of which were the “unconstitutional” Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and impeachment complaints filed against him.
“After four long years doing peace talks, the Philippine government and the MILF continue to hurdle with constitutional issues on the agreement they signed as it is about to be translated into basic law and face scrutiny in Congress and possibly in the Supreme Court,” said Dean Julkipli Wadi of the Institute of Islamic Studies of the University of the Philippines-Asian Center.
In a public forum entitled: “A Damaged Presidency, A Besieged Administration,” held yesterday at the Assembly Hall of UP’s National College of Public Administration and Governance which was hosted by the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG), Wadi said Malacañang’s last-ditch effort to water down the draft of the BBL amid MILF’s insistence to have its own government in 2016 “is ominous of the difficulty ahead.”
Part of the pressure, he said, was the changing context into which the Aquino presidency has gone through enjoying high popularity before but now taking more defensive stances specially with Supreme Court’s ruling on DAP and impeachment charges filed against the President.
On the ground, coherence or at least some semblance of unity among Bangsamoros, their major players and stakeholders is even more wanting, Waldi said.
He further said that the Sabah standoff and the war in Zamboanga last year including the continuing campaign of violence by other rebel groups are “symptomatic of rough road of the Mindanao peace process.”
“Now, many people are concerned how the Aquino administration would be able to rally the major branches of government and the public to support the project to end the Mindanao conflict,” Waldi said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/bbl-won-t-be-renegotiated-milf-warns-malacanang
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has maintained it won’t renegotiate matters that were settled in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) as the Muslim group blamed the Aquino administration for the delays in the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which would pave the way for a Bangsamoro government.
In its Website, the MILF said the Government of the Republic of Philippines (GRP) version of the BBL will not bring a peaceful resolution to the Bangsamoro Question.
“Obviously, the government peace panel line is to let the MILF accept a version of the BBL that may be constitutional but will not solve the Bangsamoro Question,” it stressed, apparently referring to the “diluted” version of the BBL returned by the Office of the President (OP) to
the MILF last June 23.
“On the other hand, the MILF overall objective is to end tyranny, restore dignity and secure a bright and prosperous future for all in the Bangsamoro Homeland. The current government proposals will not restore dignity to a people who suffered tyranny and will not secure a peaceful and prosperous future,” it added.
The MILF also blamed the government for the delays in the passage of the BBL as it enumerated the reasons the BBL, which was submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to the OP last April 22, has been delayed.
The MILF cited first the 61-day period that took Malacañang in reviewing the BBL. The OP returned the BBL, already diluted, to the MILF only last June 23.
The MILF also said the four-tiered BTC-OP never took place except for the fourth and highest engagement between President Aquino and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in Hiroshima, Japan, last June 24.
“The OP’s comments on the BBL, which is essentially the position pursued by the GRP peace panel, diluted the BTC’s text and have in many instances departed from the letter and spirit of the FAB and its Annexes, which is the basis of the crafting of the BBL,” the MILF stated.
“Moreover, the OP adopted a very conservative interpretation of the Constitution, which is a radical departure from what the government has been saying — and promised — that the flexibility of the Constitution would enable them to implement the FAB and its Annexes,” it added.
According to the MILF, many delays in the passage of BBL are actually caused by issues already settled in the FAB and its annexes but are “kept on coming back and forth at the instance of the GRP,” like for instance, ancestral domain to ancestral domains, central to national, Bangsamoro people to Bangsamoro peoples, among others.
“In view of the wide disparity between the two positions of the two parties, finding an agreed version takes some time,” the MILF said.
The MILF stressed that, just like the GRP, it is working on the timeline to have the BBL submitted before the House of Representatives immediately after Monday’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Aquino. It cited that even if the MILF panel members are fasting, they are stretching the protocols, including the absence of Malaysian facilitator, to come up with agreed version of the BBL.
The MILF is standing firm on its position on the current discussion of the BBL, which it officially registered during the special meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
“All those issues that are settled in the FAB and its Annexes will not be subject for renegotiation; and settled language in the FAB and its annexes will not be subject for renegotiation,” the MILF pointed out.
“If both parties only abide by these commitments, the process would really move forward faster and save them from some irritating moments in their current engagement. More importantly, the MILF will never renegotiate these settled issues,” it added.
In an apparent bid to pacify the “doubting” MILF, Aquino said he will aggressively push the long-delayed enactment of the draft BBL in Congress.
“I want to be able to push this (BBL) with conviction,” the President stressed, adding it is his obligation to the people who are yearning for peace in Mindanao.
Aquino said both parties must work together to bridge the differences.
Holding a print out of Murad’s speech during the March signing ceremony for the CAB, the President read out this sentence: “After all, the CAB is not only for the MILF, but also for the MNLF, for all Muslim ethnic tribes, Christian settlers and indigenous peoples.”
A political analyst, however, noted that the CAB may not materialize after all as the administration has been preoccupied in defending Aquino and his minions over major issues that haunt his leadership, the latest of which were the “unconstitutional” Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and impeachment complaints filed against him.
“After four long years doing peace talks, the Philippine government and the MILF continue to hurdle with constitutional issues on the agreement they signed as it is about to be translated into basic law and face scrutiny in Congress and possibly in the Supreme Court,” said Dean Julkipli Wadi of the Institute of Islamic Studies of the University of the Philippines-Asian Center.
In a public forum entitled: “A Damaged Presidency, A Besieged Administration,” held yesterday at the Assembly Hall of UP’s National College of Public Administration and Governance which was hosted by the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG), Wadi said Malacañang’s last-ditch effort to water down the draft of the BBL amid MILF’s insistence to have its own government in 2016 “is ominous of the difficulty ahead.”
Part of the pressure, he said, was the changing context into which the Aquino presidency has gone through enjoying high popularity before but now taking more defensive stances specially with Supreme Court’s ruling on DAP and impeachment charges filed against the President.
On the ground, coherence or at least some semblance of unity among Bangsamoros, their major players and stakeholders is even more wanting, Waldi said.
He further said that the Sabah standoff and the war in Zamboanga last year including the continuing campaign of violence by other rebel groups are “symptomatic of rough road of the Mindanao peace process.”
“Now, many people are concerned how the Aquino administration would be able to rally the major branches of government and the public to support the project to end the Mindanao conflict,” Waldi said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/bbl-won-t-be-renegotiated-milf-warns-malacanang
Numerous rebel war materials seized in Davao City clash
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 24): Numerous rebel war materials seized in Davao City clash
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=665989
Troopers
from the 72nd Infantry Battalion have recovered numerous rebel war materiel
following an encounter with 20 New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Sitio
Fatima, Barangay Mandug, Buhangin District, Davao City
Capt.
Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson, said the clash took place
8:30 a.m.
He
added that the 72nd Infantry Battalion troopers were alerted to the rebel
presence by civilians tired of the NPAs' marauding ways.
Captured
were several improvised explosive device, blasting caps, detonating wire,
assorted ammunition including those used in the M-60 machine gun.
Civilians
reported that there were NPA wounded carried by their companions during their
retreat to Bunawan, Davao
City
There
was no casualty on the government side and still on joint pursuit operations
with the police.
Other
items recovered items by the soldiers were CPP/NPA flag; subversive documents;
15 bag packs, rain coats, combat boots; civilian shoes; sack of rice; gas
stove; and assorted medicines.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=665989
5 killed, 2 hurt as ASG, government security forces clash in Basilan anew
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): 5 killed, 2 hurt as ASG, government security forces clash in Basilan anew
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666199
Five
people, including three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands, were killed while
another two were wounded following a clash with government security forces in
Sitio Magpasong, Barangay Sungkayot, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan Thursday afternoon.
Military
reports said the fighting erupted at around 1 p.m. as government forces located
the lair of key ASG member Sulaiman Ajanti, alias "Ulay."
A
20-minute firefight took place and this resulted in the death of Ajanti and two
of his followers.
Killed
in the government side were two militiamen identified as Damman Hasalal and
Jakaria Gulok. Two of their companions, identified as Adzmin Hasalal and Ummal
Kulok, were wounded.
The
reports said Ajanti and his cohorts were believed to be responsible for the
series of attacks against rubber tappers of TARBIDC in Tumahubong, Sumisip,
Basilan in 2011 and 2012 which resulted in the death of 29 civilians and
wounding of 59 others.
The
former's group was also responsible for the kidnapping of Department of Social
Welfare and Development social worker Jennelyn Luna in 2013 and kidnapping of
two United States
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666199
No truth to NPA report claiming 9 soldiers killed in Bukidnon clash -- AFP
From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25): No truth to NPA report claiming 9 soldiers killed in Bukidnon clash -- AFP
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666346
The
Eastern Mindanao Command on Friday denied reports being spread by the New
People's Army (NPA) that nine soldiers of 103rd Division Reconnaissance Company
were killed following a clash with their fighters in Quezon, Bukidnon Thursday
afternoon.
"The
claim of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA that nine soldiers
were killed in an encounter is a lie," said Capt. Alberto Caber, the
command spokesman.
While
admitting that an encounter did took place around 4:30 p.m. Thursday with an
estimated 30 NPA fighters, he said that only four soldiers were wounded in the
encounter.
Caber
said the troopers were on routine security mission when they encountered the
communist rebels in the vicinity of Sitio Lucat, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon,
Bukidnon.
"The
soldiers were on security patrol to protect the people and its communities from
the NPA harassment and extortion activities (when fired upon)," he added.
Pursuit
operations are still ongoing as of press time.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=666346
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