AFP, US Marines host 13-day non-lethal weapons training and seminar

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 4): AFP, US Marines host 13-day non-lethal weapons training and seminar

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) together with the United States Marine Forces-Pacific will host and conduct a 13-day non-lethal weapons training and seminar in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The event dubbed as Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar (NOLES) 2014, started Monday, and will consist of a field training exercise between the AFP and the US Marines and a leadership seminar with expected participants from 17 countries.

Now on its 13th iteration, NOLES is designed to promote awareness and effective use of non-lethal weapons (NLW) in low-intensity conflicts.

The event is held annually and hosted by various nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The event will culminate in a bilateral capability demonstration on Aug. 14, followed by a series of briefings that will run from Aug. 14-16.

There will be subject-matter experts on the use of NLWs and International Humanitarian Laws and Human Rights, among other topics.

Non-lethal weapons are designed to incapacitate equipment and personnel with minimal fatalities or permanent injuries and collateral damage.

The capability is used during rescue missions, force protection, checkpoint or convoy operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

It is also effective in situations where hostages are being used as human shields.

The NOLES 2014 is another example of the many benefits of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.

It is an opportunity to improve interoperability, especially in situations where innocent civilians are at risk.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=669250

AFP to construct a forward base in Zamboanga City

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 4): AFP to construct a forward base in Zamboanga City

To prevent another repeat of the bloody Zamboanga City siege, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it will construct a forward base at Barangay Rio Hondo to prevent rebel groups and other threats from infiltrating in the locality.

The project is worth P3.2 billion, AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said over the weekend.

He added that the new forward base will be designed so that it can detect threats outside Zamboanga City.

"They (troops) manning it can check threats from the outside and it can also be used as a staging base (to intercept and neutralize attackers)," Catapang said in Filipino.

The forward base will also have facilities to maintain and house the new helicopters and the ships the Navy has acquired along with a Marine unit.

With these assets in place, Catapang said the AFP will able to control the movement of people going in Zamboanga City and monitor its approaches more efficiently.

And when asked on where these threats might possibly come from, the AFP chief mentioned Basilan, Jolo, and Tawi-Tawi.

"We want to normalize the lives of the people, because if they see that there are soldiers around, they become more comfortable and they feel that they are safe," he added.

Catapang expects the forward base to be completed by next year and stressed that its construction has the blessing of the local government unit.

He said that its construction is also part of the AFP's shift to territorial defense, adding that there is need for the country to secure its border more closely considering that threats are more global in nature these days.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=669270

GPH-MILF review of draft BBL going on smoothly

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 4): GPH-MILF review of draft BBL going on smoothly

The chair of the government peace panel talking peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Monday said the joint review of the draft law that will create a new political entity in Mindanao had been going on smoothly and on tract.

Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer, GPH panel chair, said the meeting held at the Insular Hotel in Davao City entered its fourth day today and expected to be over by Aug. 10.

”(The review process has been going on smoothly, hopefully we achieve more success in the discussions in the coming days,” Ferrer said, adding that on the fourth day of the process, both the GPH and MILF, are focusing on the vital articles like articles on fiscal autonomy, power sharing and wealth.

“We formed sub committees to focus on article, making it sure the draft will have smooth sailing in Congress,” she added.

Both sides invited legal minds to help in the review.

“We have panel of independent lawyers and constitutional experts to ensure the provisions will not violate the Philippine Constitution,” Ferrer said.

Once the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is completed, it will be submitted to Congress for review and once approved it will be subjected to plebiscite.

According to the road map of Malacanang, the law takes effect within the term of President Aquino.

Earlier, the MILF expressed optimism the review will clear all the doubts about the draft law crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=669111

Army officer wounded in clash fighting for life

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 4): Army officer wounded in clash fighting for life

A junior Army officer injured in an encounter with suspected New People's Army rebels in Barangay Dian-ay, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, is still fighting for his life, two days after the gunbattle.

 

Lt. Col. Rommel Cordova, 62 nd Infantry Battalion commander, said that while the condition of Army 1Lt. John Rey Espinosa is improving, he was still at a critical stage, as of yesterday.

 

Espinosa, 27, commander of the 62IB Bravo Company, was hit in the head, when he and his men figured in an encounter with about 10 suspected NPA rebels in Sitio Madrak, Brgy. Dian-ay, Escalante, that is among the venues of the peace and development activities of the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit in northern Negros.

 

The Friday encounter also claimed the life of an NPA member, identified as Danilo Amar, of Tibi-ao, Antique, and caused an injury to Romly Palotes, who was among the group of rebels who opened fire at the Army soldiers, Cordova said.

 

Palotes claimed in radio interviews that he is a civilian, but Cordova dismissed this as a plain alibi, pointing out that Palotes served as guide for the rebel group looking for Army soldiers.

 

Despite what happened to Espinosa, Cordova said they have extended burial assistance to the family of the slain NPA member, and bought medicines for Palotes and took care of his wife, who had asked for assistance from Dian-ay barangay officials.

 

Unfortunately, Cordova said Amar was used by the NPA, who left him behind at the encounter site. He also said they will extend counseling assistance to the victims, who are being exploited by the NPA.

 

A .45 caliber pistol with ammunition left behind by the fleeing rebels was recovered at the encounter site by Army soldiers pursuing them.

 

Cordova said they may file charges against Palotes and his companions, if he does not cooperate with them.

 

Palotes is now being treated for his injury at the Alfredo Marañon Sr. Memorial Hospital in Brgy. Bato, Sagay City.

 

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/August/04/topstory2.htm

Pool of independent lawyers now assisting GPH, MILF peace panels

From MindaNews (Aug 3): Pool of independent lawyers now assisting GPH, MILF peace panels  

A newly-formed pool of independent lawyers is assisting the peace panels of the government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the ongoing 10-day meeting here to work on a “mutually acceptable” draft Bangsmaoro Basic Law (BBL).

Chosen by both panels, the lawyers — Benedicto Bacani, Sedfrey Candelaria, Nasser Marohomsalic and Camilo “Bong” Montesa — provide advice as the panels review, provision by provision, the proposed 97-page BBL drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) along with the Malacanang-reviewed draft.

The 10-day meeting at the Waterfront Insular Hotel here started August 1.
Last month, the panels met on July 8 to 11 in Kuala Lumpur, 18 to 21 and 25 to 27 in Manila but failed to come up with a “mutually acceptable” draft.

Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said it was the government panel that suggested they get a pool of independent lawyers (PIL) to help them, a proposal the MILF agreed to, she said. The proposal was made on July 24 and the lawyers attended the meeting in Manila on July 26.

 

Ferrer said the lawyers give the panels a written consolidated opinion on the issues referred to them.

Bacani, Marohomsalic and Montesa are Mindanawons. Bacani is from Cotabato City, Marohomsalic is from Ganassi, Lanao del Sur and Montesa is from Cagayan de Oro City.

Bacani and Marohomsalic have been attending the sessions since Day 1 (August 1) while Montesa arrived on Day 2.

The pool

Bacani, Executive Director of the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in Cotabato City is former Dean of the College of Law of the Notre Dame University in the same city and founder of IAG.

Marohomsalic, National Secretary of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, is former Commissioner at the Commission on Human Rights. He was a member of the 1988 Regional Consultative Commission that drafted the Organic Act for what is now the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Montesa, principal mover at the De Bono Method Thinking, was head of the Technical Working Group of the government peace panel in talks with the MILF from 2003-2007, was advisor to the Afable, Garcia and Seguis panels, was former executive director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, and Assistant Secretary for Peacemaking at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. Montesa also chaired the Implementation Review of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.

Candelaria, Dean of the College of Law at the Ateneo de Manila University, was chief legal consultant of the government peace panel under retired General Rodolfo Garcia.

Garcia headed the panel from June 2007 until its dissolution by the Arroyo administration on September 4, 2008, following the botched signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) on August 5, 2008, after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order a day earlier, barring Garcia from signing the MOA-AD.

Four levels of engagement
The MILF-led 15-member GPH-MILF Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the body tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law, submitted its draft to Malacanang (Office of the President) on April 22.

MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal, concurrent BTC chair, told MindaNews that after the submission, there were supposed to have been four levels of engagement between the BTC and Malacanang: first between Malacnanag and the BTC Coordinating Committee composed of the heads of the standing committees and the BTC chair; second with other commissioners on call; third with BTC lawyers and the fourth between the principals – President Aquino and MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.

Iqbal said only the fourth level engagement happened. He was referring to the “15 to 20” minute meeting between the President and Murad and himself at the Sheraton Hiroshima Hotel, shortly before the President delivered his keynote address at The Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao seminar on June 24.

Aside from the peace panels and the PIL, members of the International Contact Group (ICG) the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) are also attending the 10-day meeting.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2014/08/03/pool-of-independent-lawyers-now-assisting-gph-milf-peace-panels/

Anti-communist group holds condemnation rally in Bislig City

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 1): Anti-communist group holds condemnation rally in Bislig City 

The anti-communist group called Movement Against Communist Organization gathered on the streets marching along Mangagoy, Bislig City from Saint Vincent Catholic Church, Bus Terminal to Bislig City Central Market on Tuesday, July 29.

Around 200 demonstrators participated in denouncing the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF/CNN) terroristic activities such as arson, extortions, bombings, ambuscades and other atrocities conducted by the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Former Rebel Alias “Tatay Boom” led the activity and addressed over the people about the true color of CNN inside and outside the organization about their terroristic activities.

Accordingly, the linkages of NPA (Red), the Legal Fronts (White) and the mode of recruitment in these people are not fighting for the sake of the poor as what they claimed, but they are extorting money from business sectors, construction companies and mining firms for their own interests. Their existence is not only to paralyze the economy but to gain logistic to extort money.

Meanwhile, the group composed of different sectors from tribal groups, former rebels, army reservists, church members of Philippine Prayer for Peace Inc, and Business sectors urges the people to remain united and continue to fight against these insurgents. The democracy stands strong many years ago and no one can destroy it according to them.
          
75IB commanding officer LTC Noman Alcovindas said, “the key to peace and development is the concerted efforts of all stakeholders specially the combination of LGU and AFP/PNP.”

Just recently, series of threats had been made by the CNN to all business sectors and construction companies to include the civilian in the area, official said.

Alcovindas further said, “we appeal to the members of NPA to abandon armed struggle and work jointly with the government. We are happy to note, that today there are people now who stand up and fight against the CNN.”

Lt. Col Alcovindas also cited that the manifestation of Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP)- Bayanihan was the best approach to fight for insurgency requiring all sectors of society to participate.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1741406859306

Army chief cites new Agila Brigade commander as “perfect fit”

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 1): Army chief cites new Agila Brigade commander as “perfect fit”

The footsteps  of former Philippine Army (PA) 10th Infantry “Agila” Division commanding general is hard to follow, but Philippine Army chief, Maj. Gen. Hernando Iriberri believes that the new Agila Division commander is equally capable.

In  his message during the  recently held turning over ceremony at Camp Manuel Yan in Mawab, Compostela Valley,  PA commanding general Maj. Gen Iriberri described new 10ID commander, Maj. Gen. Eduardo M. Ano as “experienced”  and  “perfect fit” replacement for retired Major Gen. Ariel Bernardo.

He revealed Ano as a “Scout Ranger,  intelligence officer and counter-terrorism specialist” who started his field assignments with the 36th IB, 4ID in Mindanao after graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Ano had various assignments in the intelligence units before he became commander of several fighting units and “before he became Chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP)”.

“His capabilities as an officer are augmented by his leadership expertise, a result of training and experience, a testament to the formidable qualities that make Major General Eduardo Manahan Ano a perfect fit as commander of the 10ID,” Iriberri said.

Iriberri further revealed he and Ano were commanders of  the PMA “Matikas” Class of 1983 and that he had known Ano to have shown “intellectual prowess” even during  their Academy years , leading   the latter to graduate with honors.

“From then on, he topped all his basic, advanced and Command and General Staff courses,”  Iriberri added.

 Such excellent academic  performance paved way for Ano to specialize on Intelligence, eventually leading him to land as the group commander of ISAFP and assistant chief of staff for Intelligence of the Philippine Army.

Though Iriberri had a hard time letting go of Ano who has become “so valuable in the intelligence community,”  Iriberri deemed it important for a commander like Ano “to sustain the peace” in the area of responsibility of the 10th ID which covers the entire Davao Region and the SOCSKSARGEN--- considered as “economically and strategically important regions of the country”.

Iriberri banked on the experience, intelligence skills and community mobilization expertise  of Ano to be of great use for the 10ID operation.

Despite his immense trust,  Iriberri threw the challenge for Ano to continue winning peace under the Internal Peace  and Security Plann (IPSP) Bayanihan Framework, to protect and  to build upon the gains made under the leadership of retired Maj. General Bernardo.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1591406878478

MILF says it is still taking the path to peace amid delays in BBL

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): MILF says it is still taking the path to peace amid delays in BBL

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Sunday said it is still taking the path to peace despite uncertainties hounding the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The stance, contained in the editorial of the MILF website, said much has been invested in the almost 18-year peace process aimed at ending the decades-old Moro problem in southern Philippines.

”It is better for the government and the MILF to continue the path of peace, in which they have already invested so much, rather than go back to where they started, which is not only practical but also laden with dangers and uncertainties, the MILF editorial said.

The MILF said the difficulty both peace panels are facing in coming up with an agreed version of the draft BBL is considered temporary.

”If they persevere and remain committed to solving the Bangsamoro Question, no obstacle, God willing, can stop their way,” it said.

The draft prepared by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) was submitted to Malacanang in May for review by the Palace legal team.

As initially agreed, the draft would have been submitted to Congress right after President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

”But this is no reason to give up - rather, there are more to proceed,” the editorial said.

Both peace panels are now meeting at the Waterfront Hotel in Davao City and the discussions are expected to end on August 7.

”It was discussion and not renegotiation on contentious issues,” Mohaqher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said, adding that after the “agreed version” is reached, the panels will present the same to the Malaysian third party facilitator.

The MILF said the current discussion does not need to be finger-pointing. “But it is not good either to just ignore the cause of the delay. Like the GPH’s 3-for-1 formula, which the MILF outright rejected, as an extraneous effort, the conservative or restrictive interpretation of the Constitution adopted by the Review Team of the Office of the President (OP) and the resort to the use of “concepts, words and terms.”

It said the “concepts, words and terms,” are alien to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and its Annexes, explained much of the difficulty.

”While we do not question intention, but the truth is that we do not know the wisdom either,” it said.

Clearly, the MILF is banking on the sincerity of President Aquino to come to terms with the MILF which he repeatedly expressed in his meeting with MILF chief Al Haj Murad, in his SONA and meeting between the government panel, concerned government agency representatives last July 23.

”One can safely say that he (President) is still fully committed to make peace with the MILF as his legacy. His limited reference to the BBL is simply an economy of words appropriate to the true state of the current discussion of the BBL,” the MILF said.

Claiming it understood the position of the President, the MILF said as partners in the peace-making, it is objective in assessing the situation in reference to the difficulty confronting both panels.

”The road ahead still offers some promises,” it said.

The MILF cited the reason for its optimism amid delays.

”One good determining factor is that both Parties have expressed willingness to travel the extra miles to be able to produce a mutually agreed version of the BBL,” the MILF said.

”All what is needed is a little time more; and more importantly, both sides must be truthful and faithful to the FAB and its Annexes, which is the basis of the BBL,” the editorial said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=669060

NPA rebels strafed army patrol base in Zamboanga Sur

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 3): NPA rebels strafed army patrol base in Zamboanga Sur

Suspected communist rebels strafed an army detachment before dawn Sunday in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, but police said there were no reports of casualties.

Police said the attack was believed carried out by the New People’s Army which is fighting for a separate Maoist state.

It said the gunmen strafed the detachment in the village of Libayoy in Tigbao town used as patrol base by members of the 10th CAAC of the army.

“The enemy approximately prepositioned at more or less a distance of three hundred meters away direction from the said patrol base particularly at the bridge situated at said place.”

“The strafing incident lasted for about two minutes. The AFP troops detailed in the area deployed at their respective sector of fire and observed the enemy’s location whereby the enemy withdrew towards unknown direction. There was no reported killed or wounded during said incident,” police said.

Just recently, one soldier was also wounded in a rebel attack in the village of Tuburan, also in Tigbao town, a known stronghold of the NPA in the province.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20140803091303

Abu Sayyaf strikes again in Sulu, seizes two women

From InterAksyon (Aug 3): Abu Sayyaf strikes again in Sulu, seizes two women

Just days after the government gave assurances that the security in Sulu province has been beefed up following the killing of 20 civilians, suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group snatched two women Sunday afternoon in a remote village in Patikul town, police reported.

Initial reports reaching the PNP national operations center in Camp Crame identified only one of the victims, Nursalyn Ahamadon; the other remains unidentified at press time.

The women were riding a motorcycle enroute to Taglibe town from Jolo when an unknown number of men blocked them around 2:40 pm at Barangay Kaunayan, Patikul, Sulu and seized them at gunpoint.

The ASG bandits then sped off with the women towards the southern portion of Barangay Kaunayan also of the same town.

Last week, some Abu Sayyaf men ambushed a group of civilians enroute to a celebration of Eid-al Ftr and killed more than 20 people and wounded 16 others.

The ambush led the military and police to beef up their forces in Sulu province.

The al-Qaeda linked ASG is the smallest terror group in the Southern Philippines, but it is the most ruthless, having killed several victims before and beheading them, as well as government troops it waylaid. Dozens of foreigners have fallen victim to its kidnap-for-ransom activities.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/92522/abu-sayyaf-strikes-again-in-sulu-seizes-two-women

MILF/MCPA: President BS Aquino’s peace negotiation with the MILF conducted in bad faith

Posted to the MILF Website (Aug 3): President BS Aquino’s peace negotiation with the MILF conducted in bad faith



(Editor’s note) This is a full text of Moro Christians Peoples Alliance (MCPA) statement on the current status of the peace process between the GPH and MILF Peace Panels re: BBL draft published in MindaNews on July 28, 2014)

The BS Aquino government’s peace negotiation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is ‘insincere, dishonest, and deceptive. Pres. BS Aquino cannot flaunt in his 5th State of the Nation Address the success of the GPH-MILF peace talks.

Two months after the MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) submitted the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to Malacanang, Aquino failed to certify and submit the draft as an urgent bill to Congress. Instead, Aquino’s legal team mangled the BBL draft. The MILF declared as unacceptable the ‘diluted Malacanang version’ of the BBL.

The BBL was crafted based on the agreed and signed Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and its four annexes, and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) by both the GPH and MILF panels. Both the FAB and CAB were signed in grand fashion and personally witnessed by Pres.BS Aquino and MILF chair Murad Ibrahim. These agreements were hailed as milestones in the GPH-MILF peace negotiations. After Pres. BS Aquino conjured the illusion that peace now reigns in the Bangsamoro homeland, now considers the BBL as unconstitutional that need major revisions.

The Aquino regime will not enter into any agreement that is contrary to the Philippine Constitution which guarantees and protects the current social system. More so, if the agreement concedes even limited power and benefit for the Moro people. Aquino’s rejection of the BBL is beyond the question of constitutionality. Aquino’s main objective is to preserve the interests of the ruling elite.

Until now, the people are kept blind to the contents of the BBL and Malacanang’s revisions. It is to Malacanang’s interests that the contents of the BBL remain confidential to conceal its deception, dishonesty and insincerity in negotiating peace.

BS Aquino also conducted his peace negotiation in bad faith. In the midst of the GPH-MILF peace negotiations, Pres. Aquino publicly declared the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) a failed experiment that has to be abolished and replaced with the Bangsamoro in 2016. In spite of this declaration, Pres. Aquino used more than Php8B from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to resurrect the failed experiment.

The shameless admission of OPAPP Secretary Deles and ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman that the “much-awaited” reforms in the ARMM were made possible by the billions of stimulus fund from the highly criticized and Supreme Court-declared unconstitutional DAP, exposes Aquino’s hypocrisy and dishonesty in the GPH-MILF peace negotiation.

This is a political ploy. “Reforming” the ARMM is Aquino’s strategy to strengthen the central government’s control and influence in the region beyond its abolition in 2016. The move is to consolidate political patronage in the resource-rich and vote-rich Muslim Mindanao. Aquino is preparing the current local government officials and loyal allies to challenge the MILF leadership and candidates in the 2016 elections for the Bangsamoro National Assembly. This is the highest form of treachery against the Moro people.

It appears that the objective of the Aquino regime in entering the peace process is merely to pacify and quell the people’s armed resistance instead of addressing the root causes of the conflict. The MILF and the National Democratic Front share the same experience.

With the way BS Aquino conducts his peace initiative, genuine and lasting peace remains elusive in the Bangsamoro homeland and the nation.

Moro Christian People's Alliance

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1123-president-bs-aquino’s-peace-negotiation-with-the-milf-conducted-in-bad-faith

AFP: Filipino soldiers in Liberia safe

From the Sun Star (Aug 3): AFP: Filipino soldiers in Liberia safe

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the families of the 115 soldiers deployed in the United Nations (UN) mission in Liberia that they are in good condition and their safety is being closely monitored by the UN peacekeeping operation center, a military official said.

AFP public affairs chief Ramon Zagala said the troops, staying in a compound together with other soldiers from other countries, were ordered to limit their movements particularly their contact or communication with each other as well as with the people "from the outside" to avoid the spread of the virus.

"Routine meeting with local communities should be suspended unless determined relevant to the chain of command all off duty movements are to be ceased," the military spokesperson said, noting the Department of Health (DOH) has issued an advisory to Filipino soldiers in Liberia, which is one of the countries affected by the outbreak.

He added that none of the 115 Filipino soldiers are affected by the virus.
Zagala said the Filipino troops in Liberia were also refrained from keeping fruit bats and monkeys as pets as well as eating their meat since it can also be a source of the virus.

"We would like to assure them all (families of the soldiers) that health and safety precautions are being done and led by the UN to ensure na safety and health nila (soldiers) will not be compromised," he said.

The Filipino soldiers have been in the African country since December 2013 and they are expected to finish their peacekeeping duties by September or October.

Ebola virus is an extremely contagious disease, which can be spread from close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected organism — both human and animal. There is no known available cure for the disease.

The incubation period for the virus is 2-21 days and the virus becomes contagious when the affected person already exhibits symptoms such as fever, headache, intense weakness, joint and muscle pains and sore throat.

The virus can also impair kidney and liver function and cause external and internal bleeding.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2014/08/03/afp-filipino-soldiers-liberia-safe-357487

NPA rebels attack army outpost

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Aug 3): NPA rebels attack army outpost

THE New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have failed to inflict casualties when they briefly attacked a military outpost in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Sur, an official said Sunday.

Zamboanga del Sur police director Senior Superintendent Sofronio Ecaldre said the incident took place around 12:35 a.m. Sunday in the village of Libayoy, Tigbao municipality.

The attack came two days after a soldier was wounded in a clash with NPA rebels in the nearby village of Tuburan of the same town.

However, Ecaldre said no one among the troops stationed at the patrol base were either killed or wounded during the volley of fires unleashed by the NPA rebels.

Ecaldre said the NPA rebels positioned themselves at a bridge 300 meters away from the outpost and opened fire.

Ecaldre said the troops remained in their positions and were just waiting for the NPA rebels to advance. The NPA rebels have fled instead.

The attackers were believed to be from the NPA’s Front Committee Kara, whose members are on the run as combined soldiers and policemen are continuously pursuing them, Ecaldre said.

Last week, the government forces have overrun a camp of the NPA rebels in the village of Tuburan in the same town.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2014/08/03/npa-rebels-attack-army-outpost-357527

Rights group wants killings of 2 suspected NPA men probed

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 3): Rights group wants killings of 2 suspected NPA men probed

Human rights group Karapatan reiterated its call for an investigation into the recent killing of two civilians in Malita, Davao Occidental, by armed men believed to be soldiers who had accused the victims of being communist rebels or New People’s Army supporters.

Pastor Sadrach Sabella of Karapatan said the involvement of “elements of the state” in the deaths of Tony Bago and Arnel Tanduya was confirmed during the two-day fact-finding mission they conducted in the middle of July.

Bago, a fish vendor was killed last June 21 by two men wearing ski-masks in Barangay (village) Lagumit in Malita. Prior to the killing, the victim was summoned twice by soldiers of the Philippine Army for interrogation and persuaded him to convince his son, who has allegedly become a communist rebel, to surrender, he said over the weekend.

Bago, Sabella added, was also accused of being an NPA supporter and  had received threats before he was gunned down.

He said Tanduyan was also accused by soldiers of being an NPA supporter before he was killed on May 7.

“The victim had received report that he was one of the targets of the military,” Sabella said.

Davao del Sur Gov. Claude Bautista, who still has supervision over Davao Occidental, said he has ordered an investigation into the claims of Karapatan as soon as possible.

“But I also want the killing of an alleged military asset by suspected rebels probed,” he said, citing the July 17 killing of Henry Dasal in Barangay Palian in Malita.

Senior Supt. Michael John Dubria, Davao del Sur police chief, said Dasal was brutally murdered — with his face mutilated — and his relatives were supposedly informed by the NPA that rebels were behind his death.

Efren Aksasato, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front-Far South Mindanao, had earlier admitted that the NPA had “arrested” a Henry Dasal, a 50-year-old, resident of Barangay Pinalpalan in Malita on June 15.

“We want justice for all victims regardless of their supposed affiliation. We hope to establish the exact identities of the perpetrators so that we could file charges against them in court,” Bautista told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/625943/rights-group-wants-killings-of-2-suspected-npa-men-probed

AFP actively trying to rescue Abu Sayyaf hostages – Western Mindanao Command

From GMA News (Aug 2): AFP actively trying to rescue Abu Sayyaf hostages – Western Mindanao Command

The Philippine Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command chief, Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, said Saturday that security forces were actively trying to rescue all the hostages taken by the Abu Sayyaf group.

“There's a continuing effort jointly conducted by the AFP and the Philippine National Police. In fact we have had several engagements or encounters in Sulu [due to our efforts],” Guerrero said during a press conference in Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City.

Currently, rescue operations are active in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi - areas were the Abu Sayyaf is knwon to operate.

Guerrero, however, admitted that they were having difficulties as the hostages were being used as human shields. “Very careful po 'yung ating tropa na hindi po masaktan ang ating mga nire-rescue na kidnap victims,” he explained.

Meantime, Guerrero called on the locals to provide information on the bandit group and their hostages. “Mape-prevent po ito kung lahat ay makikipagtulungan sa ating gobyerno, especially the police and the military,” he said.

In February 2012, Dutch national Elwold Horn and Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra along with Ivan Sarenas from Davao were abducted in Tawi-Tawi by five gunmen.

Last May, two German nationals went missing in the seas between Palawan and Sabah. They are now believed to have been abducted by the Abu Sayyaf.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/373140/news/regions/afp-actively-trying-to-rescue-abu-sayyaf-hostages-western-mindanao-command