NPA leaders tagged as behind deadly attack in Agusan Sur

From the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 1): NPA leaders tagged as behind deadly attack in Agusan Sur



The Eastern Mindanao Command and the 4th Infantry Division have tagged New People’s Army leaders Leonida Sanchez, Randy Subla, Ariel Ornales and Renato Sayasat as behind the ambush in Rosario town in Agusan del Sur province that killed four people and injured 7 others, including a soldier and two pro-government militias. (Mindanao Examiner)

The Philippine military has tagged Monday four communist rebel leaders as behind a deadly ambush that killed four people and wounded seven more in the southern province of Agusan del Sur.

The Eastern Mindanao Command and the 4th Infantry Division have tagged New People’s Army leaders Leonida Sanchez, Randy Subla, Ariel Ornales and Renato Sayasat as behind the ambush in Rosario town.

The victims were returning home from a church service when some 20 rebels attacked Sunday the ambulance they were using in the village of Marfil. The ambulance was carrying 11people, according to the military.

The fatalities were identified as Neljoy Cerna, 27; Noni Mabong, 51, Alfredo Cerna, 51; and Vanessa Sabas, 30. And the injured as Liza Casilla, 47; Elmer Adonis, 37, village chieftain Emillio Solidor Jr., 49; and eight-year old Mae Roselyn Adonis, army soldier Diryun Mordeno and pro-government militias Expedito Sabado and Reynaldo Austral.

The military said the ambushers belong to the Guerilla Front 14 operating in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. The NPA has been fighting for a separate state in the country.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20141201093617

Two soldiers kidnapped by leftist rebels in S. Philippines

From the Global Times (Dec 2): Two soldiers kidnapped by leftist rebels in S. Philippines

Leftist rebels on Tuesday kidnapped two soldiers guarding a Japanese banana farm in southern Philippines, the authorities said.

Some 20 New People's Army guerrillas disguised as farm workers stormed the compound of the Sumitomo Fruits Philippines (Sumifru) in a village in New Corella town, in Mindanao's Davao del Norte province around 4 a.m., Senior Superintendent Samuel Gadingan, provincial police chief, said.

"The rebels were wearing white overall suits used by farm workers disarmed the guard of his shotgun and two communication radios and headed to the bunkhouse where the soldiers were staying, " Gadingan told Xinhua by text message. "The suspects then seized the troopers at gunpoint."

Gadingan said the kidnapped soldiers belong to the army's 60th Infantry Battalion and served as augmentation guards for the Japanese banana company.

The suspects took a truck owned by the firm and used this in fleeing.

Police and army troops were now conducting pursuit to locate and rescue the soldiers, the police officer added.

Tuesday's attack came just a day after alleged NPA gunmen ambushed an ambulance in a hinterland village in Surigao del Sur province, also in Mindanao, killing four civilians and wounding a village chief and four others.

The 4, 000-strong NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting a leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces since 1969.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/894573.shtml

IED found in South Cotabato town

From InterAksyon (Dec 2): IED found in South Cotabato town



Civilians and police authorities prevented another bombing in South Cotabato after they discovered an improvised explosive device in Banga town Monday morning, police said Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Jose Briones Jr., South Cotabato police provincial director, said the bomb was fashioned from an 81mm mortar shall with a mobile phone used as a triggering device.

The bomb, which was placed inside an unattended bag left at the provincial road in Purok Maligaya, Barangay Bangsa, was found by civilians around 9 a.m.

Village councilman Henry Puig said residents at first thought it was garbage but when he checked inside, he found the mortar round.

Police quickly cordoned off the area and bomb disposal teams removed the bomb.

Briones said whoever made the bomb may have planned to bring it elsewhere but abandoned it in Banga because of military and police checkpoints on major roads in the province.

He said the IED bore the signature of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which government has blamed for a series of bombings in North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Cotabato City recently.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/100336/ied-found-in-south-cotabato-town

PH monitoring 4 groups ahead of Pope visit

From ABS-CBN (Dec 2): PH monitoring 4 groups ahead of Pope visit

Police intelligence agents have not monitored any threats to Pope Francis, who is scheduled to visit the Philippines next month, but military intelligence agents are monitoring at least four groups capable of harming the pope.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said yesterday “there are no threats” monitored by police officers, except for that posed by the New People’s Army (NPA).

He issued the statement following an announcement by Central Command spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Jim Alagao that the NPA may pose a threat during the pope’s visit in Cebu and Leyte.

Valmoria said no major problem has cropped up in their security preparations, particularly for a mass at the Quirino Grandstand that the pope will officiate.

The Catholic Church said it is expecting six million devotees to attend the mass.

Meanwhile, the military intelligence community is watching the NPA, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the emerging terror group Khalifa Islamiya Mindanao and the Abu Sayyaf.

“We have been preparing for this for several months now, with our efforts focused on any possible plot coming from any of these threat groups against the pope,” a source privy to the security preparations said.

On the other hand, the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies said the government must also look out for “lone wolves,” individuals who could have embraced the teachings for Muslim fundamentalists and be plotting on their own to harm the pope.

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said the military is “war gaming,” using “scenario-building tabletop exercises” to check for loopholes in the government’s security measures for the papal visit.

He declined to say what threats are being addressed during the exercises.
http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/02/14/ph-monitoring-4-groups-ahead-pope-visit

Chinese websites hacked over poaching, Spratlys reclamation

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 1): Chinese websites hacked over poaching, Spratlys reclamation



The hacktivist group Blood Security International has defaced several Chinese websites over their reclamation and poaching activities in the West Philippine Sea

Several Chinese websites were hacked by hacktivist group Blood Security International on Monday to protest China’s poaching and reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea.

The website of the Chinese Forestry Bureau and two university websites were defaced.

As of Monday afternoon, the homepage of a university website bore the message “Greetings China! We are here to deliver you the people’s message from the Philippines.”

“Stop claiming what doesn’t belong to you! Stop the hunting of our marine endangered species! Go build your own island! Leave Philippines!” the message on the defaced site said.

On the Forestry Bureau site, the Blood Hackers Security inserted the message: “Leave Philippines Alone. The Spratly Islands belongs to the people of the Philippines.”

The university websites were http://morus.swu.edu.cn and http://vpa.tju.edu.cn. Another unidentified site http://leeking.cn was also defaced.

Last May 2014, 11 Chinese fishermen were apprehended off the coast of Palawan with at least 500 sea turtles onboard their fishing vessel.

After being charged in court for violating Philppine fishing laws, nine of the 11 fishermen were fined $102,000 each by a Philippine court in November. China has demanded that the fishermen be released unconditionally insisting they were within China’s territory.

China has been widely criticized for its territorial claim on the South China Sea and its reclamation activities in the Spratly Islands.



China’s reclamation on Johnson Reef in the Spratly Group of Islands

Tensions rose in the Southeast Asian region due to the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China and several other countries claiming Spratly Islands.

The Philippines has already filed a case before the international tribunal on the law of the sea to protest China’s nine-dash line claim. China has refused to participate in the proceedings.

The hacktivist group Blood Security Hackers previously defaced the website of Globe Telecommunications, protesting their poor internet connection service.

http://technology.inquirer.net/39636/chinese-websites-hacked-over-poaching-spratlys-reclamation

16-year-old girl accuses 3 soldiers of gang-rape in Mindoro Occidental

From GMA News (Dec 1): 16-year-old girl accuses 3 soldiers of gang-rape in Mindoro Occidental

A 16-year-old girl in Mindoro Occidental has accused three soldiers of raping her, a report on “24 Oras” Monday.

The report said the incident happened in May last year after the victim and her mother attended an event at a military base in Paluan town.

The victim's mother, “Aling Ester,” said her daughter went missing during the party and they searched for her for two hours.

It was later learned that a soldier brought the victim, “Siena,” near the sea where she was raped, after which she was brought home where two other soldiers raped her.

"Hinila po siya sa braso, dinala siya sa aplaya [kung saan] isa ang gumamit sa kanya. Tapos dinala po sya sa bahay, tapos yung dalawa naman po [ang gumamit sa kanya]," said Aling Ester in the report.

Aling Ester, who later on arrived at their house, said she found her daughter crying in one corner. She also saw the two soldiers there.

“Tinaas daw po yung kanyang, binuksan daw po yung zipper ng short pants niya at sinandal daw po siya sa dingding ng bahay namin,” she said.

She described the suspects as armed and wearing Army uniforms.

Trauma

After the incident, Siena became introverted, Aling Ester said.

“Hindi na po siya nagsasalita, hindi na po naimik,  hindi na marunong maligo, madalang na ring kumain sa isang araw,” she said.

The victim's mother said they didn't report the incident to authorities because the soldiers had threatened them.

Aling Ester said she instead focused her attention on taking care of Siena, who was traumatized by the incident.

File a complaint

The Philippine Army, meanwhile, urged the victim to file a complaint so it could start an investigation.

“Wala kaming ma-find out na information na something like that happened, so we're encouraging na kung may complainant, file a formal complaint on any person of authority so it will be the basis of our investigation,” said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato in the same “24 Oras” report.

The report said Siena is being assisted in her case by Gabriela party-list, which is advocating women's rights.

According to Gabriela, 30 rape victims by soldiers have already approached them since 2010. On the other hand, another 42 victims said they were raped by policemen.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390553/news/regions/16-year-old-girl-accuses-3-soldiers-of-gang-rape-in-mindoro-occidental

22 PAF personnel detained over hazing

From GMA News (Dec 2): 22 PAF personnel detained over hazing

At least 22 Philippine Air Force personnel are currently detained at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for their alleged involvement in a hazing incident last August, according to a television report.

 

Quoting PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya, a report on GMA News TV's News To Go said nine of the personnel were recommended to be dismissed from service, while the other 13 will undergo preliminary investigation.

 

Canaya, however, declined to name the 22 personnel linked to the incident while an investigation is ongoing.

 

The report said the alleged hazing occurred during training at Lipa City in Batangas last August.

 

Meanwhile, Canaya condemned the incident, saying the PAF does not tolerate such behavior.

 

Earlier in November, a video, titled "Ultimate Military Training of the Philippines," went viral on the Internet, showing men in camouflage uniform being harassed and beaten by men also in military uniforms, and some in civilian clothing.
 

However, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc had said the military has long removed hazing in their training.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390633/news/nation/22-paf-personnel-detained-over-hazing

MILF: Primer on draft Basic Law launched

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 2): Primer on draft Basic Law launched



A handy, reader-friendly primer on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was formally launched on November 28 at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City in a bid by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to make the draft law easily understandable.
  

The 55-page primer seeks “to explain, expound and clarify the provisions of the proposed BBL,” said BTC Chairman Mohagher Iqbal in his message.

Solidarity statements were also given by OPAPP Secretary Teresita Q. Deles, Malaysian Facilitator Tengku Dato’ Ab Ghafar Bin Tengku Mohamed and Ali Saleem, Country Representative of Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue – Philippines.

Deles said the “primer will be even more crucial as we anticipate the passage of the proposed law and as the plebiscite for its popular ratification draws near.”

The Malaysian Facilitator said the primer can be used to “assuage any doubts in people’s minds and explain exactly what the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law contains” while Saleem, whose office was greatly helpful to the BTC in the making of the primer, described the reading material as “BTC's own product and seeks to respond and clarify questions and concerns raised at different fora by stakeholders.”

 A talk-show type of forum with Iqbal and NCMF Secretary Yasmin Busran-Lao serving as discussants preceded the simple public presentation for the primer in the event that was well attended by diplomats, legal luminaries, media, academicians, BTC commissioners and key government officials.

Iqbal and Busran-Lao, who also served in the GPH Peace Panel, discussed the historical context of the Bangsamoro, salient features of the proposed BBL, and issues and concerns regarding the said bill.

Written questions from the audience were also entertained during segment breaks.

Ambassador Guy Ledoux, Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines, remarked that the “primer on the Bangsamoro Basic Law is a tool which can be used to organise conversation, debate and dialogue with all the stakeholders.”

Ledoux also expressed pleasure that “EU funds have enabled the production of this key publication.”

The primer has been printed initially in 10,000 copies and will be translated into Magindanawn, Sinug, M’ranaw, Kagan, Cebuano, Ilongo and Filipino languages.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1378-primer-on-draft-basic-law-launched

MILF: MKCCIFI & SPMC hold focus group discussion on BBL

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 1): MKCCIFI & SPMC hold focus group discussion on BBL



The Metro Kidapawan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc (MKCCIFI) and the Southern Philippines Methodist College (SPMC) jointly conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Bangsamoro Basic Law on November 26, 2014 at the Spottswood Methodist Mission Center, Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
   

Among the invited participants were selected group of tri-people, representatives from the church, academe, groups of students, women, MNLF Christian Affairs, local NGO, and the business sector.

The program started with an interfaith prayer.

Ms. Susan B. Palad, Technical Assistant of the Coordinating Office of the Executive Secretary – Office of the President of the Philippines was the resource speaker. She gave the rationale of the activity and explained the importance of focus group discussion on BBL as the right venue to get the collective views of the ordinary people from the grassroots level through a process of consultation. 

The FGD workshop was facilitated by Prof. Framer Christy P. Mellae, President of the Southern Philippines Methodist College; Ms. Arthela L. Millomeda, President of the Metro Kidapawan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.; and Mr. Gil T. Maganda, Secretary General, Acting Executive Director of MKCCIFI as master of ceremonies.

They presented the mechanics of the FGD ground rules with presentation of the guide questions written in English and Tagalog as follows:

1.    What is your understanding about Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL)?
Ano ang iyong pagkaunawa tungkol sa BBL?
2.    Is there anything that you do not understand or you want to clarify about BBL?
Mayroon ka bang hindi nauunawaan o nais linawin tungkol sa BBL?
3.    What do you think would be the positive and negative impacts of BBL to you and your community?
Ano sa palagay mo ang maganda at di magandang maidudulot ng BBL sa iyo at iyong komunidad?
4.    Are you in favor or against of BBL? Why? (optional)
Pabor kaba o hindi pabor sa BBL, bakit?
5.    Do you have any suggestions/recommendations about BBL?
Mayroon ka bang suhestyon/rekomendasyon tungkol sa BBL?

The FGD output was turned-over to the representative of the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Office of the Presidential Assistance on the Peace Process (OPAPP). Participants were urged to undertake more information and educational campaign (IEC) on BBL to the grassroots level so that they can express their views, understand well the proposed BBL and feel the essence of their involvement on the issue that will surely affects them in Mindanao.

A synchronize schedule of public hearing and consultation in North Cotabato will be conducted by the House Ad Hoc Committee on BBL headed by Honorable Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City.

The FGD ended at around 3pm with a closing prayer by Rev. Abelardo N. Guerrero.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1377-mkccifi--spmc-hold-focus-group-discussion-on-bbl

MILF: Pagalungan LGU and MILF Political Committee hold forum on BBL

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 1): Pagalungan LGU and MILF Political Committee hold forum on BBL



The local government of Pagalungan, Maguindanao and the local MILF Political Committee held public forum on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on November 23, 2014 at Municipal Covered Court in the municipality.
  

Two thousand one hundred forty six (2,146) comprising men and women from 34 villages participated in the activity. The program was opened with a very inspiring message of Dato Ali Simpal, Chairman of the Pagalungan Political Committee.

Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod in his message pronounced his full support to the BBL. He enjoined the participants to vote YES to BBL and Bangsamoro Government during plebiscite.  Mayor Mamamsabulod is supportive to all peace and development programs in Pagalungan as he supported the conducted of public forum in the locality. About 99% of the populations of Pagalungan are Bangsamoro.

Mr. Esmael “Mike” Abdullah, from the MILF Committee on Information was the speaker. In his presentation, he said that the BBL is for all people residing in the Bangsamoro. All of them will benefit from the Bangsamoro either economically, socially, etc.
He urged his audience to vote “YES” during the plebiscite.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1376-pagalungan-lgu-and-milf-political-committee-hold-forum-on-bbl

CPP: CPP urges Sen. Santiago to put foot down on EDCA

Propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Dec 1): CPP urges Sen. Santiago to put foot down on EDCA

Communist Party of the Philippines

 

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today applauded Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago for initiating a senatorial investigation into the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The investigation, set to start today, is to be undertaken by the foreign relations committee which Santiago chairs.

“Senator Santiago will serve well the Filipino people’s patriotic cause if she puts her foot down on the EDCA,” said the CPP.

“The Aquino and US government are hoodwinking the Filipino people in claiming that EDCA does not revive the US military bases which have long been opposed by the Filipino people,” added the CPP.

“The so-called ‘Agreed Locations’ within AFP camps provided for by the EDCA are nothing but American military bases since the US military will have exclusive control to land aircraft, dock warships, store weapons and house servicemen in these areas,” said the CPP.

“The demand to trash the EDCA, as well as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), has become increasingly significant in the wake of the killing of Jennifer Laude by an American serviceman in Subic last October 11,” pointed out the CPP.

“Such killings are bound to happen again as long as the Philippines continues to allow the US to establish its military presence in the country and the region,” pointed out the CPP.

“At any given time, there are thousands of US troops in various parts of the country in outright contempt of Philippine territorial integrity and sovereignty,” said the CPP.

“Under the EDCA and the VFA, US warships freely enter Philippine waters while US jetfighters fly in Philippine airspace and land on Philippine soil anytime they want.”

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20141201_cpp-urges-sen-santiago-to-put-foot-down-on-edca

Ex-PSG general, terror hunter, heads task force

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 2): Ex-PSG general, terror hunter, heads task force

President Benigno Aquino III has appointed the former chief of the Presidential Security Group  Ramon Dizon, a retired general,  as chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Task Force.

Under Special Order No. 154, Dizon will have the rank of undersecretary and the ICTTF will be under Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

“As there is a need to make primarily strategic, tactical, or operational decisions, which requires inputs from diverse backgrounds, the ICTTF shall be a cross-functional team composed of members from different offices,” Aquino said.

The President said the task force shall be “provisional in nature” and would complement the functions of the existing Management Information Systems Office.

The task force shall include deputy executive secretaries Alberto Bernardo, Ronaldo Geron, Teofilo Pilando Jr., and Michael Aguinaldo.

Under the Special Order, the ICTTF shall coordinate with the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) of the Department of Science and Technology in implementing the Integrated Government Philippines (iGovPhil) project.

The iGovPhil project provides public infrastructure for secured online transactions, email and collaborative task management, resource and application sharing, document and file handling, an online payment scheme, and voice and video conferencing.

The task force shall also work with the National Economic Development Authority in implementing the Medium-Term Information and Communications Technology Harmonization Initiative.

The initiative aims to harmonize and ensure inter-operability among ICT-related resources, programs, and projects across the government.

The ICTTF shall also coordinate with all offices within the Palace complex - including the DBM, Komisyon ng Wikang Pilipino, Presidential Communications Development & Strategic Planning Office, and Presidential Communications Operations Office, among others- for the integration of their respective ICT plans.

Dizon, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Matikas Class of 1983, onced headed the military’s Joint Special Operations Group which was responsible for directing operations against local and foreign terrorists.

He was also a member of the Philippine Army-Scout Ranger Regiment which specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/12/02/ex-psg-general-terror-hunter-heads-task-force/

Soldier killed, 6 wounded in Sagada

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 2): Soldier killed, 6 wounded in Sagada

Suspected New People’s Army rebels ambushed on government troops Sunday evening in a remote village of Sagada town in Mountain Province resulting in the death of a soldier and six others wounded.

Capt. Randy Santa Maria, of the 5th Infantry Division said the identities of the casualties are being verified pending notification of relatives.

He said the military convoy led by Capt. Jefferson Somera and personnel of Alpha 5th Civil Military Office Battalion under 1Lt. Edelfred Mendoza and Cordillera Youth Leaders were attacked at Sitio Pogew in Barangay Teptep-an at 10:30 p.m. after conducting a Youth Leadership Summit at Sagada National High School.

The injured were brought for treatment at the Bontoc Provincial Hospital.

Santa Maria said teambuilding activities involved at least 72 participants “to further enhance the leadership skills, camaraderie and unity of the youth and prepare them to become responsible citizens and future leaders of the society.”

Lecturers included representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Department, National Youth Council and  non-government organizations.

Maj. Gen. Lysander Suerte, newly installed 5ID commander who replaced Maj. Gen. Benito De Leon, said “the remnants of the NPA are disrupting the strong cooperation among the government and the non-government organizations in the conduct of civil-military operations within Sagada.”

Recently, Governor Leonardo Mayaen and Vice Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. of Mountain Province have declared the locality as generally peaceful and ready for development.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/12/02/soldier-killed-6-wounded-in-sagada/

EDCA deterred sea disputes—Gazmin

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 2): EDCA deterred sea disputes—Gazmin

BEIJING stopped harassing Filipino ships in disputed areas of the West Philippine Sea after the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between Manila and Washington, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin claimed before a Senate committee on Monday.

Gazmin made the claim even as Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago argued that the failure of the Aquino administration to submit the EDCA to the Senate for ratification diminishes its legislative power, although she admitted that President Benigno Aquino III cannot be forced to submit the agreement for ratification.

Gazmin, during his testimony, said the EDCA served as “a deterrent” against external security threats, such as those presented by China.

“Right now, we use EDCA as a deterrent to threats to our security. As we continue using the EDCA, we continue to fill the gap [of our Armed Forces] through our modernization program,” Gazmin said during the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on the EDCA.

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. questioned the deterrence factor since the agreements the Philippines have with the United States do not really guarantee US assistance if the country  is dragged into a war with another country.

“Why will an aggressive power be afraid to attack us?” Marcos said, but Gazmin insisted that the deterrence effect has already emerged in recent events.

“The deterrence is already happening,” Gazmin said. “As you see, we are no longer being attacked when we resupply our troops at Ayungin Shoal.”

Santiago, meanwhile, said she would file a resolution that will force Senate to take a position on the new Philippine-US deal allowing the US military to construct facilities and preposition defense assets inside Philippine military bases.

“I will first draft it and then circulate it for signatures of my colleagues and then I will present it in the form of sponsoring speech and then we’ll have a plenary debate on it,” she said.

Santiago said the Senate will pass a resolution expressing its “collective wisdom” on the country’s EDCA with the United States.

“We will pass a resolution to express the sense of the Senate about the failure of the President to endorse the EDCA to the Senate for concurrence in ratification,” she  also said   in a media briefing after her foreign affairs committee conducted a hearing on EDCA.

She noted that some senators are extremely disappointed after the Executive snubbed the Senate when it entered into the agreement.

“Basically, I think the sentiment is widespread that the Senate does not feel happy that its constitutionally accepted powers such as ratification of a treaty was short-circuited by the Executive branch in connection to EDCA. They did it behind their backs. They were not open about the process,” she said.

She cited Article 7, Section 21 of the Constitution, which states, “No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate.”

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/12/02/edca-deterred-sea-disputes-gazmin/

Civilians, cops foil bombing attempt with the discovery of IED in SoCot town

From the Manila Times (Dec 2): Civilians, cops foil bombing attempt with the discovery of IED in SoCot town

Civilians and police authorities prevented another attempt by suspected terrorist to set off bombs in South Cotabato when they discovered an improvised bomb in Banga town Monday morning, police said Tuesday.

Senior Supt. Jose Briones Jr., South Cotabato police provincial director, said the improvised bomb fashioned from 81 mm mortar with mobile phone as triggering device was found by civilians at 9 a.m. at a provincial road in Purok Maligaya, Barangay Bangsa, about 30 kilometers south of here.

He said the civilians found a suspicious bag left unattended at a roadside. When check they found it heavy and wirings were seen protruding from something wrapped with packing tape.

Briones said the civilians alerted the police about the suspicious bag who quickly cordoned off the area.

Henry Puig, village councilman, said the residents noticed the explosive early in the morning but did not mind it and thought it was just a piece of garbage. Curious, Puig tried to check on the bag and found a mortar round.

Briones theorized that the bomb carrier could have planned to bring the IED somewhere else or in a populated area to detonate but abandoned it in Banga due to the presence of soldiers and policemen manning checkpoints on major highways in the province.

Briones said the IED has the signature of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) blamed by government security officials in the series of IED bomb attacks in North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Cotabato City.

The IED is now in the possession of police and Army bomb disposal team for safekeeping.

Briones said he is waiting directives from Police Regional Office 12 in Gen. Santos City as to when the ordnance will be defused.

He lauded the civilians, village officials and the police for quick reporting and timely action by law enforcers.

Briones added that community participation in crime prevention was proven effective with the incident.

Had it not for the alertness of civilians, the IED could have gone somewhere and could have maimed or killed innocent civilians.

Following the incident, Briones directed all police units in the province to increase police visibility and mobile checkpoints to thwart nefarious activities of lawless elements, especially it is already Christmas season.

http://www.manilatimes.net/civilians-cops-foil-bombing-attempt-with-the-discovery-of-ied-in-socot-town/145942/