Aquino: Embracing ISIS ways not in our culture

From the Manila Standard Today (Sep 20): Aquino: Embracing ISIS ways not in our culture

DESPITE the confirmation of Department of Foreign Affairs that it did send a memo to Malacanang on the possible recruitment of Filipino Muslim rebels to the Islamic State in Syria and warnings from the United States and Australia of the growing number of returning ‘jihadists’ among their citizens, President Benigno Aquino said there was no ‘hard’ evidence that Filipinos had actually been recruited by ISI jihadists.

“I have not had hard documentary evidence or hard evidence that says Filipinos have already been engaged. We do recognize the threat that we have a very significant population in the Middle East. In just two countries alone, where the major concentration is, in the neighborhood of something like 1.2 million who might be recruited, might be brainwashed by their good organizers,” said Aquino during a television interview in Paris, France.

At the same time, Aquino said the government was aware of the threat to Filipinos in both Syria and Iraq, although that it was ‘unlikely’ that Filipinos would join in the actions of ISIS.

“We would not have...for instance, suicide bombing in our country. It is not part of the culture,” he said.

The President believes that conflict has to devolve into personal level rather than one that is based solely on ideology or religious extremism. To counter this, Aquino said the government has to enable citizens to participate in the economic gains that are happening.

While Aquino said he acknowledged that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front stated that there is existing ISIS encroachment into the Bangsamoro, the president also clarified that the MILF has not confirmed the ascendancy of the so-called “caliphate”.

“What we have in the Philippines currently are people who used to say that they were affiliates of Al Qaeda. And then now that ISIS seems to be the ascendancy, they are now affiliates of the ISIS. And then tomorrow a new group comes about. I assume they’ll be joining the group or they will be the ones forming that new group to take over,” he said.

Still, the Australian Federal Police has urged its allies in the Southeast Asian Region for a cohesive intelligence cooperation against terrorists.

In a four-day Anti-Terrorism conference held in Cebu City last Monday, Australian Federal Police Commander Chris Sheehan called its counterparts in the Asian region to enhance their intelligence operations to interdict terrorists in its respective nations.

Exploring the theme dubbed as “Intelligence exchange and Intelligence Fusion,” Sheehan said “there’s a need for us to work closely together to defeat the threat of terrorism.”

Sheehand said that in Australia, the Federal Police recently arrested and detained 15 people and foiled an alleged plot by the ISIS jihadist to conduct ‘demonstration killings,’ among Australian citizens.

Sheehan also urged his colleagues in the police force to exert utmost efforts in combating terrorism through intelligence exchanges and fusion to effectively monitor the movements of suspected terrorist along their borders.

Other concerns tackled during the conference was the prevention of possible transshipment of explosive devices and materials to its respective borders by unidentified sea crafts.

The forum ended Thursday, a day after former Philippine National Police Intelligence Director Chief Supt Rodolfo “Boogie” Mendoza appealed to the government to make a shift of strategies and tactics to meet the challenges of preserving the country’s internal and external security.

Mendoza also underscored the need to developed a sub-system to cope up with the growing threat of terrorism as the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant recruits more militants in Mindanao, which he said dates to as far back as 2006.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/09/20/aquino-embracing-isis-ways-not-in-our-culture/

Twin blasts rock Basilan; Abu eyed

From the Manila Standard Today (Sep 21): Twin blasts rock Basilan; Abu eyed

Two explosions rocked Lamitan City in Basilan Friday, the second and third blasts to hit Mindanao, and three days after an improvised explosive device exploded and injured seven people in General Santos City.

The spate of bombings comes at a time when international Muslim jihadists have been trying to lure volunteers from around the world into joining an Islamic State first established in Syria and Iraq.

The Gensan blast was blamed on a group which allegedly had links with the IS,  but so far,  no group has owned up in the Basilan blasts.

Authorities, however, suspect that the kidnap gang Abu Sayaff Group, also allied with the al-Qaeda linked Jemmaah Islamiya, may be behind the blasts.

Lamitan City police chief Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo said the blast took place along the national Highway in Sitio Lagasan, Brgy. Kulay Bato, at past 9 p.m.

Gallardo said one of the explosives was placed at the foot of an electric post while the other was put under a nearby acacia tree.

Gallardo said extortion may be part of the motive of the blasts even as the police continue to gather evidence on the incident.

“They (bombers) wanted to scare the people in Lamitan in order to obtain money from the community,” Gallardo said.  He did not name any suspect pending the completion of the probe.             

On Monday, unidentified suspects threw a grenade inside a warehouse in Brgy Maganda.

But Lamitan police director Sr. Supt Mario Dapillosa said they are looking at the possibility that the explosion at the warehouse was accidental in nature.

But he added that they are still looking for hard evidence aimed at ‘ferreting the truth behind the incident because witnesses said the grenade came from the outside.”

No one was injured in the two blasts which Gallardo hardly affected the normal activities of Lamitan residents.

The explosions happened barely hours before a city government sponsored fun run was held at around 5 am the following day.

“In fact, we conducted a fun run sponsored by the city government and we had a good turnout,” Galardo said.

But Dapillosa said the new explosions at his jurisdiction maybe a  handiwork of the ASG and other lawless elements aimed at creating panic as he dispelled the presence of jihadists in Basilan.

But some reports said that Basilan was used as a training ground of the Jemaah Islamiya, where recruits learned jungle warfare and other techniques.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/09/21/twin-blasts-rock-basilan-abu-eyed/

Bomb explodes in Basilan province; no one killed or injured

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 20): Bomb explodes in Basilan province; no one killed or injured

Police and military forces have placed their forces on alert to avert possible bomb attacks and atrocities by lawless elements in the province of Basilan.

This came after an improvised bomb explosion toppled an electric post and plunged Lamitan City, Basilan late Friday into total darkness.

However, no one was either killed or injured in the blast.

Lamitan City police chief Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo said the incident took place around 9:25 p.m. Friday in Sitio Lagasan, Barangay Kulay Bato, Lamitan City.

Gallardo said the improvised bomb was placed beneath an electric post and an acacia tree near the office of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM).

He said explosive ordnance personnel sifted the blast site and found that the main charged of the explosive is an 81-mm mortar shell.

Lamitan Vice-Mayor Roderick Furigay suspects that the Abu Sayyaf brigands were behind the incident. He did not elaborate.

Troops were deployed to secure public places and vital installations to ensure safety of the public.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=686476

2 NPA rebels killed in Surigao encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 20): 2 NPA rebels killed in Surigao encounter

Two unidentified New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a running gun battle with government troopers in the hinterlands of Surigao Del Sur on Friday morning, the military reported on Saturday.

Army Maj. Christian Uy, the spokesperson of the army’s 4th Infantry Division, said that the army’s 36th Infantry Battalion also recovered the NPA’s firearms consisting of one AK-47 and one M16 rifle in a clashed in the hinterland of Hinapuyan, Carmen, Surigao Del Sur.

He said that the military dispatched a team from the army’s 36th IB to the area after the farmers complained of the presence of an armed group who were reportedly extorting money among the civilian residents there.

Uy said that upon reaching the place, the military encountered five fully armed NPA rebels, which ensued a 10-minute running gun battle before the rebels withdrew toward the southwest direction.

Aside from recovering the two bodies and firearms of the rebels, the military also recovered personal belongings, live ammunitions and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

Uy said that the military continue to pursue the fleeing rebels who were believed members of the Guerrilla Front-30 of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee operating in the mountainous areas of Carmen, Madrid and Cantilan, all neighboring municipalities in Surigao Del Sur.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=686491

2 rebels killed, 2 high-powered weapons seized in Surigao Del Sur clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 20): 2 rebels killed, 2 high-powered weapons seized in Surigao Del Sur clash

Two New People's Army ((NPA) fighters were killed and two high-powered weapons seized during a clash between the 36th Infantry Battalion with with the communist rebels in the hinterlands of Sitio Togopon, Barangay Hinapuyan, Carmen town Surigao Del Sur Friday morning.

The firefight took place around 9:15 a.m. Seized were a M-16 and an AK-47 automatic rifles, 4th Infantry Division spokesperson Major Christian Uy said.

He added that their troopers were conducting routine security patrols in the area, in wake of reports that the rebels were extorting money from local residents, when the former chanced upon five NPA fighters.

A 10-minute firefight erupted and resulted in the death of the two rebels and captured of the two weapons.

Civilians have seen some of the surviving NPAs carrying their wounded comrades.

Aside from the weapons, also seized were assorted ammunition and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

Pursuing operations were still ongoing as of this posting.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=686494

Navy deploys personnel for disaster response missions in Metro Manila, Cavite

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 20): Navy deploys personnel for disaster response missions in Metro Manila, Cavite

In line with its disaster response missions, the Philippine Navy (PN) on Saturday announced that it has deployed 116 officers and enlisted personnel to help in the ongoing relief and rescue missions in severely flooded areas of Metro Manila and Cavite.

Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo, PN public affairs office chief, said this contingent can be divided into 13 officers and 103 enlisted personnel.

Helping along are six reservists and two civilians.

Domingo said these personnel are equipped with six M-35 trucks, three amphibian trucks, two ambulances, four trailers of disaster response equipment, one Light Amphibious Resupply Craft and one Dehavilland motorboat.

She added that the contingent coordinated with various Metro Manila and Cavite local government units that needed assistance.

As of Saturday morning, 838 civilian from Navotas, San Juan City and Quezon City had been rescued.

In Cavite, in the towns of Rosario, Noveleta and Kawit, some 97 displaced persons were aided.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=686377

Blast rocks Lamitan City

From MindaNews (Sep 20): Blast rocks Lamitan City

A suspected improvised explosive device went off in Basilan province late Friday prompting government forces to be placed on alert status.

The explosion toppled down an electric transmission line post sending Lamitan City into total darkness. Power was restored hours later
Senior Insp. Gean Gallardo, Lamitan City police chief, said no one was killed or wounded in the blast that took place around 9:25 p.m. Friday in Sitio Lagasan, Barangay Kulay Bato, Lamitan City.

Gallardo said they immediately set up checkpoints to prevent lawless elements from taking advantage of the situation.

He said the explosive was placed beneath an electric post and an acacia tree near the office of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He said explosives and ordnance personnel sifted the blast site and found that the main charge of the explosive was an 81-mm mortar shell.

Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay blamed the explosion on the Abu Sayyaf.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/09/20/blast-rocks-lamitan-city/

Sayyaf nagpasabog ng 2 bomba sa Lamitan City

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Sep 20): Sayyaf nagpasabog ng 2 bomba sa Lamitan City

Dalawang bomba ang pinasabog ng Abu Sayyaf sa tabi ng kalsada sa Lamitan City sa Basilan, isa sa 5 lalawigan ng Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Walang nasaktan o nasawi sa pagsabog ng improvised explosive device kamakalawa ng gabi sa kahabaan ng kalsada sa Barangay Kulay Bato.

Magkasunod itong sumabog at ayon sa army ay target umano ng Abu Sayyaf ang Department of Public Works and Highway na matagal ng hinihingian ng salapi ng teroristang grupo.

Halos mawasak at tumumba naman ang isang poste sa lakas ng pagsabog ng bomba. Walang umako sa panibagong karahasan ng Abu Sayyaf, ngunit hindi naman mabatid kung paanong nakalusot ito sa pulisya.

Wala rin pahayag na inilabas ang Western Mindanao Command ukol sa pagsabog, ngunit ito ay naganap kasabay ng anunsyo ng militar sa pagkakatatag ng “Joint Task Force ZAMBASULTA” na siyang tututok sa banta ng terorismo at rebelyon sa Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu at Tawi-Tawi.

Ang hepe ng Naval Forces Western Mindanao na si Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma ang tumatayong commander ng joint task force.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/09/sayyaf-nagpasabog-ng-2-bomba-sa-lamitan.html

‘Peace dividends changes lives’

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 20): ‘Peace dividends changes lives’

Undersecretary Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, said yesterday that the “peace dividends”, from the agreement between the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade and the government, are now changing the lives of the families and kin of former combatants.

In a statement issued by OPPAP, Sandoval said “We see how peace impacts in the lives of families and individuals”. She cited the employment of 95 former rebels belonging to the RPA-ABB, now known as KAPATIRAN, as forest guards, through the DENR-PAMANA partnership in the implementation of National Greening Program in Negros and Panay.

 

These Bantay Gubat employees patrol forests for timber poachers and illegal loggers, she added.

 

The RPM-P-RPA-ABB signed a peace agreement with the government in Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental in year 2000. The signing of the closure agreement is now imminent, Sandoval said.

 

In both the RPM-P-RPA-ABB and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army peace tracks, Sandoval also reported that scholarships under the Commission on Higher Education Study Grant Program and health insurance coverage by PhilHealth, have also ensured that families of former combatants as well as immediate community members, have basic social protection benefits.

 

In Negros Occidental, former rebels belonging to the New People’s Army, who surrendered to the government, also availed of the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Care Program, military records show.

 

Sandoval acknowledged the commitment of RPM-P-RPA-ABB and CPLA to the peace process. He said “We are now seeing communities reaping the benefits of peace through the different community development projects, employment opportunities and livelihood support under Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan.”

 

Peace is a shared responsibility and through sustaining partnerships, the responsibility to preserve its gains is cemented, Sandoval said, but admitted that there is still much that needs to be done.

 

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/September/20/topstory2.htm

DOJ rejects suspension of arrest warrants vs Nur, Kato

From the Philippine Star (Sep 20): DOJ rejects suspension of arrest warrants vs Nur, Kato

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has rejected the request of the House of Representatives to move for the suspension of the arrest warrants against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) chief Umbra Kato to allow them to join public hearings on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she finds the proposal of the congressional panel tasked to scrutinize the BBL “not legally defensible.”

“My position is that it is not feasible. We are the prosecutors and we want the warrants implemented immediately,” she said.

De Lima pointed out Misuari or Kato or their defense lawyers should move for the suspension of the arrest warrants – not the DOJ.

But De Lima still expressed reservations on the proposal.

“I don’t know if we already have a precedent on suspension of warrant of arrest. It’s not a simple issue,” she said.

De Lima suggested that getting the side of the MNLF in the review of the draft BBL could be achieved even without the presence of Misuari and Kato.

“There could be other ways for the House committee to get the side of MNLF. Does Nur Misuari really have to appear? Would a representative who will articulate the position of MNLF not suffice?” she asked.

Panel chairman Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez earlier said the presence of Misuari and Kato in the congressional hearings would greatly help the lawmakers in fine-tuning the BBL.

He said Misuari specifically could help make the BBL compatible with the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF that was brokered by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Rodriguez added they would ask Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to issue safe conduct passes to the two rebel leaders for their travel to and from Manila.

He said they have already invited Misuari and Kato and details are being finalized for their attendance in the congressional hearing.

Rodriguez said Congress would hold a series of public consultations in Mindanao and Sulu to get the pulse of the people in the affected areas.

Misuari and 83 of his followers are facing charges of rebellion and violation of international humanitarian law over the three-week siege in Zamboanga City last year that left hundreds of people killed and thousands homeless.

Kato, on the other hand, is being hunted for the attacks in the villages of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte in 2008 that left over 40 dead and thousands homeless.

Kato led the BIFF as a breakaway group from the MILF. He vowed to pursue all means to derail the peace process between the government and the MILF and establish an independent Islamic state.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama yesterday said they rejected the offer to participate in the congressional hearings on the BBL.

“We cannot join in any peace process that falls short of our bid for an independent Moro state,” Mama said over dxMS in Cotabato City.

“We better keep on fighting the military in the field than engage in any hearing on that draft BBL. That is purely an initiative of the MILF and the government,” Mama said in Filipino.

“We can only tell Congressman Rodriguez thanks for the invitation. None from the BIFF can join the hearings,” he said.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/09/20/1371107/doj-rejects-suspension-arrest-warrants-vs-nur-kato

MNLF's Sema wants Misuari in Bangsamoro law talks

From ABS-CBN (Sep 18): MNLF's Sema wants Misuari in Bangsamoro law talks

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman and former Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema is hopeful that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will be able to achieve their objective on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is now in the hands of Congress.

However, Sema expressed concern on how the BBL can be harmonized with the previous agreements signed by the government with the MNLF in 1976 and 1996.

"But given the proper forum, we will be able to help. We are also for peace and after implementing the peace agreement that we have signed. Our only worry is how we can jibe, how we can harmonize these agreements for example 1976, 1996 and the Comprehensive Agreement," he said.

He added that they are still hoping that the MILF as well as the government will continue talking to them after their last meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and discuss how the parties can come up with one version of political solution on the problem in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Sema only grinned when he was asked if he would welcome an invitation from Congress for the public hearings and consultations on the BBL.

"We will see, we will try to assess it..., how we can contribute," Sema said.

He said, however, that he is in favor of inviting MNLF founder Nur Misuari to Congress' hearings, but only if the government would be able to convince Misuari to do so following his declaration of independence last year.

Sema said it would be a good move if Misuari would be heard in Congress.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/18/14/mnlfs-sema-wants-misuari-bangsamoro-law-talks

BIFF rejects invite to Bangsamoro law congressional hearing

From the Philippine Star (Sep 19): BIFF rejects invite to Bangsamoro law congressional hearing

The outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on Friday again rejected invitations to participate in congressional hearings on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“We cannot join in any peace process that falls short of our bid for an independent Moro state,” the group’s spokesman, Abu Misry Mama, announced over Catholic station dxMS in Cotabato City.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the 75-member House committee now working on the proposed law, earlier said they want the BIFF’s reclusive chieftain, Imam Ameril Ombra Kato and Nur Misuari of the Moro National Liberation Front to participate in the BBL deliberations.

The draft BBL, once enacted into law and ratified via a plebiscite, will pave the way for the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a new, more politically empowered Bangsamoro self-governing entity based on the March 27, 2014 final peace compact between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Kato, now debilitated as a result of a hypertensive stroke in 2011, started as chief of the MILF’s 105th Base Command, but was booted out in 2010 due to insubordination and other offenses.

“We better keep on fighting the military in the field than engage in any hearing on that draft BBL. That is purely an initiative of the MILF and the government,” Mama said.

Kato, who studied Islamic theology in Saudia Arabia in the 1970s as a scholar of then President Ferdinand Marcos, had issued a communiqué reaffirming their group’s firm stand against the GPH-MILF peace initiative.

“We can only tell Congressman Rodriguez thanks for the invitation. None from the BIFF can join the hearings,” Mama said.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/09/19/1370864/biff-rejects-invite-bangsamoro-law-congressional-hearing

Peace adviser shuts door on Misuari, Kato factions

From the Manila Times (Sep 19): Peace adviser shuts door on Misuari, Kato factions

Public hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) can do without Muslim rebel leaders Nur Misuari and Ameril Umbra Kato.

Secretary Teresita Deles, also Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, on Thursday night cited orders for the arrest of Misuari, founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Kato, the leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Deles, however, said she still believes that “discussion [on the proposed BBL] should be as inclusive as possible.”

Meanwhile, she added, they had given their views on the BBL, as well as on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which was signed between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in March this year.
“
For me, whether they are able to [join the discussion does not matter because] you already know what their views are. Hindi naman nila tinatago yan [They are open about it]. They [Misuari and Kato] want independence. The BBL will not be able to give them independence. The BBL is about autonomy,” Deles said.

When asked if the presence of the two rebel leaders will be helpful to the passage of the proposed law, she replied, “It all depends on what you want.”

“But Misuari wants independence. How much clearer do you need to get with his position? The same thing with the BIFF. They separated from the MILF because they did not like it when the MILF agreed to negotiate autonomy [with the Philippine government],” Deles said.

She, however, disclosed that the government is in touch with some senior leaders of the MNLF who are willing to participate in the process, apparently referring to a faction of the MNLF that has distanced itself from Misuari.

“As far as Misuari’s position is concerned, there are many who are talking on his behalf,” Deles said.

She pointed to a statement of Habib Mujahab Hashim, MNLF chairman for the Islamic Command Council, who said the MNLF Misuari faction will not participate in the process even if invited.

But, Deles said, if anyone from the Misuari faction is willing to join in the process, he will not be stopped.

http://www.manilatimes.net/peace-adviser-shuts-door-misuari-kato-factions/127901/

Aquino: West Philippine Sea ‘aggression a global threat’

From the Manila Times (Sep 20): Aquino: West Philippine Sea ‘aggression a global threat’

Escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) brought about by the “emerging pattern of aggression” by some claimant countries threatens not only regional security but even the global community, according to President Benigno Aquino 3rd.

Speaking at a forum organized by the French Institute for International Relations in Paris on Thursday, Aquino stopped short of naming China, but the allusion was unmistakable.

“The Philippines has consistently expressed its concern on rising tensions in our part of the world, due to maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. As has been reported by international news agencies the world over, there is an emerging pattern of aggression bent on establishing new realities at sea and in the air,” the President said.

According to him, such “aggression” endangers not only those who lay claim over some territories in the area but other countries outside the Asian region as well.

“These violations of international law pose a danger not only to claimant countries, but also to the entire international community, since freedom of navigation and unimpeded lawful commerce are threatened,” Aquino said.

The President, who is on the third leg of his European trip, praised the support of the European Union to the Philippine position for a peaceful resolution of sea disputes. He maintained that the international community stands to gain from regained peace in the disputed waters.

“The international community as a whole stands to gain when the rule of law is upheld, for only through such legal mechanisms can a truly just and stable world order be ensured,” Aquino said.

“I believe that I share this idea with the European Union authorities and heads of government I have had the honor of meeting, who have manifested their support for the peaceful resolution of disputes based on the rule of law,” he added.

Earlier this week, the EU called on China and other countries with claims in the West Philippine Sea to abide by internationally recognized laws, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

At a joint news conference last Tuesday with Aquino in Brussels, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU supports all peaceful avenues to resolve territorial rows.

The commission is the EU’s executive body and represents the interests of Europe as a whole. It has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, with offices in Luxembourg.

The EU, on the other hand, is a politico-economic union of 28 member-states that are primarily located in Europe.

Barroso said a peaceful settlement is the best way to resolve the maritime row between the Philippines and China. Beijing has been aggressively backing its claim to the islets in the disputed waters, based on its nine-dash line territorial principle.

Manila has filed several complaints against Beijing’s reclamation activities in Burgos (Gaven) Reef, Kennan (Chigua) Reef and Calderon (Cuarteron) Reef on the Kalayaan islands in the Spratlys. China has brushed aside the protests, insisting that the reefs are part of its territory.

In his Paris speech, Aquino highlighted Manila’s twin approaches to resolving conflict–by promoting the crafting of a binding Code of Conduct among claimant countries; and arbitration, pertaining to the “memorial” filed by the Philippine government against China’s nine-dash line policy.

He invited other claimant countries “to join us, to accelerate the resolution of this very long-standing dispute, which has lately caused much tension in our region.”

“Asia, Europe and the rest of the world need to work together to ensure a stable environment and a brighter future,” Aquino said. “I believe that a reinvigorated Philippines-France relationship can contribute greatly to achieving this endeavor.”

http://www.manilatimes.net/aquino-west-philippine-sea-aggression-global-threat/127927/

Military vows to sustain drive vs. NPAs

From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 19): Military vows to sustain drive vs. NPAs

The military vowed to sustain efforts and initiatives to weaken and neutralize communist insurgents in Western Visayas.

“We will sustain the grounds gained by our internal peace and security operations,” said Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, newly installed commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).

Guerrero said he will continue the programs of his predecessor, Major Aurelio Bladed, to reduce the strength of New People’s Army (NPA) in Western Visayas as well as in two provinces in Central Visayas.  During Baladad’s tenure, 68 NPA rebels were neutralized.

It was also during Baladad’s term that Negros Oriental province was declared as a conflict-manageable area.

The 3ID is pushing to replicate the conflict-manageable declaration in Negros Occidental province, where communist insurgency remains to be a problem.

Capiz and Iloilo provinces are also priority areas in terms of clearing communist insurgency.

Guerrero reiterated that the key in defeating communist insurgency is public-private partnership.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners and stakeholders so that social and economic issues in the community can be appropriately and swiftly addressed,” Guerrero said.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old rebel who joined the communist movement as a teenager surrendered earlier this week.

1st Lieutenant Leo Francisco, chief of the 3ID’s 31st Civil Military Operation, only identified the former rebel as “Eric” of Maayon town, Capiz.

Eric served as assistant medical officer of the Southern Eastern Committee of the NPA in Panay Island.

http://www.mb.com.ph/military-vows-to-sustain-drive-vs-npas/