From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 25): USAID vows 5-year road maintenance in Or. Mindoro
Provincial authorities announced this week the commitment of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to finance a five-year road maintenance program for the national highway in this province, starting January, 2015.
Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso V. Umali Jr. said the pledge of USAID to fund the maintenance of the province’s typhoon-prone highway, which forms part of the Western Nautical Highway, was assured to him during a recent meeting of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), in which he sits as official member of the board.
He said the USAID’s commitment is important since the province has a stretch of 328 kilometers of national highway, 225 km of which were already completed by the Department of Public Works of Highways this year. Another 57 km will be constructed in 2015, he added.
Umali said aside from the said USAID-funded road maintenance project, the P250-million Puerto Galera-Abra De Ilog Road Construction Project connecting the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro in the northern part of the island.
Early next year, the work on the completion of the P.9-billion Mindoro Circumferential Road Project will begin.
From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 25): Soldiers cheer NPA families and Mangyans
Soldiers assigned on Mindoro Island spent their “time-out” from fighting insurgents this Yuletide season by distributing “Noche Buena” or “Christmas midnight feast” food packs to families and relatives of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and the Mangyan tribe.
The military’s Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) said the three-day activity which started last Tuesday was led by 1st Lieutenant June Matugas, who topped her military uniform with a Santa Claus hat.
“We were able to visit and render Christmas carols to 20 families who have members or relatives in the NPA,” said 1Lt. Matugas.
Maj. Angelo Guzman, SOLCOM spokesman, said 1Lt. Matugas’ group not only distributed gifts but performed Christmas carols for the community known to be providing support to the NPA.
A mother, Matugas said, had told her how she misses her son who is fighting in the NPA and wishes he would join the fold of the law.
“These activities aim to somehow uplift their morale and spirit this Yuletide season. We know they miss their husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who are now in the mountains. We hope to ease their worry and add to their Christmas cheer,” said Lt. Col. Ariel Mabagos, commander of the 4th Infantry Battalion.
From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 25): NPAs launch attack despite gov’t ceasefire
Four heavy equipment in a bridge construction site were torched by men who identified themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) last Monday (Dec. 22) in Paracale, Camarines Norte, four days after the military declared a ceasefire on Dec. 18.
The attack happened before the NPA-declared ceasefire which took effect yesterday, Dec. 24, until Dec. 26; Dec. 31 to Jan. 1; and Jan. 15-19, 2015.
IN CAMARINES NORTE
According to a statement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), the burning of construction equipment occurred around 10 p.m., Dec. 22, at Barangay Gumaos in Paracale town where a bridge was being constructed.
“A backhoe, a road roller, and two pay loaders of the Varin Construction Company were burned by suspects who introduced themselves as NPA members,” said Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, commander of the 49th Battalion.
EXTORTION DEMAND
The suspects told Justino Cardenas, assistant foreman of the Varin Construction Company, that the attack was carried out as punishment to the contractor for not giving in to their extortion demands.
MILITARY CEASEFIRE
The AFP had implemented a suspension of military operation (SOMO) effective midnight of Dec. 18 until Jan 19, 2015.
“They took advantage of the SOMO by attacking unarmed civilians and a government project,” said Aguilar.
Despite the burning incident, Solcom will continue the observance of the SOMO, he said. Soldiers were deployed to secure the area.
“We will continue to undertake active security operations and proactive actions to secure civilian communities, government establishments, investment facilities, vital installations and military bases to ensure the safe celebration of the yuletide season,” said AFP Solcom chief, Maj. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya.
Likewise, to prevent similar incidents, 902nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Amador Tabuga scheduled a conference with all contractors on Dec. 28 to coordinate security arrangements of all government projects in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 25): MILF invites Pope
In an unprecedented move, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) invited Pope Francis to make a side trip to Cotabato City during his visit to the country next month.
But it was not immediately known whether Pope Francis received the invitation-letter written by MILF Chairman Al-Haji Murad Ebrahim.
But based on the Pope’s itinerary, the pontiff’s only trip outside Metro Manila is to Tacloban City on January 17, 2015, where he is scheduled to meet survivors of super-typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) that pummeled Eastern Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013.
Pope Francis will be in the Philippines from January 15-19, 2015.
Details of the letter were not clear. However, one of the highlights of the letter was Ebrahim requesting the Pope to speak to the Bangsamoro people and endorse the Mindanao peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF.
Ebrahim’s letter to Pope Francis was coursed through Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, who is based in Cotabato City.
While in Metro Manila, the Pope will be at events in Malacañang, the Manila Cathedral, the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
The MILF request for the Pope to say something about the Mindanao peace process comes at a crucial stage of the 17-year-old negotiations, vis-a-vis the submission of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to Congress by President Aquino and its deliberations by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Now filed in Congress as House Bill No. 4994, its public hearings are now in the penultimate stage. If passed and signed by the President, the BBL will be the implementing vehicle for the March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which GPH and MILF forged after long and protracted peace talks punctuated by an all-out war, an all-out offensive, and many eruptions of fighting.
The Mindanao conflict, starting with the separatist rebellion of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the early 1970s, killed over 100,000 people, spilling rivers of blood in what is known as the “Land of Promise.”
Meanwhile, the Imam Council of the Philippines (ICOP) has lauded the inclusion of two Muslim leaders in the Pope’s dialogue to be held at the UST on January 18 with leaders of other Christian sects and other faith traditions, including Islam and Buddhism, etc.
The Archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, D.D., invited Prof. Julkipli Wadi, dean of the University of the Philippines-Institute of Islamic Studies (UP-IIS), and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Supt. Ebra Moxsir of the PNP Chaplain Service.
“We welcome the participation of Muslims in the papal dialogue,” said ICOP Chairman Aleem Ahmad Said Basher. Moxsir is ICOP president.
From the Manila Times (Dec 25): De Lima: VFA law under scrutiny
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said there are “vague provisions” in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States that needs to be thoroughly reviewed.
De Lima said the case against US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton over the killing of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude last October highlighted the need to go over the 1999 agreement.
The first issue raised by de Lima is custody. Under the VFA, the United States has custody of American soldiers who run afoul of Philippine law. The Philippines, meanwhile, has jurisdiction of a case against a US serviceman.
Still, de Lima, who is a member of the government’s VFA commission, said the custody issue is an “inevitable and recurring problem” that must be addressed soon.
The custody of US soldier Daniel Smith after he was charged with raping a Filipino woman issue also became a serious sticking point in 2005.
“We are having these problems because vague provisions in the VFA are prone or susceptible to varying and differing implementations,” De Lima said.
Manila and Washington have been unsuccessful in coming up with clear implementing guidelines on the VFA.
“One of the problems is until now, the implementing guidelines have not been completed. We tried working on it for two year or more, but there are certain aspects where both sides couldn’t agree on,” de Lima said.
With the guidelines, the US cannot be compelled to surrender Pemberton to Philippine authorities to comply with the arrest warrant issued by an Olongapo City court.
De Lima agreed with Senate President Franklin Drilon that the government needs to revisit the provisions of the VFA on custody and detention.
Article V Paragraph 6 of the VFA is particularly contentious. It states that in extraordinary cases, the Philippine government has to present its position to the US government regarding custody of an American serviceman.
The US insists on detaining Pemberton at the Mutual Defense Board (MDB) and Security Engagement Board (SEB) facility in Camp Aguinaldo, saying the VFA provides for their custody of American servicemen until completion of all judicial proceedings.
The Olongapo RTC Branch 74 has suspended the start of the trial for 60 days while the DOJ studies the custody question.
From the Philippine Star (Dec 25): Treaty regulating global arms trade takes effect Wednesday
A landmark treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade comes into force on yesterday, a milestone hailed by the United Nations and campaigners seeking to stop weapons sales to dictators, terrorists and human rights abusers.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday the treaty's speedy entry into force — less than two years after its historic adoption by the UN General Assembly — reflects the commitment of states, international organizations and civil society "to stop irresponsible arms transfers."
The treaty requires countries that ratify it to establish national regulations to control the transfer of conventional arms and components, and to regulate arms brokers. It prohibits the transfer of conventional weapons if they violate arms embargoes or if they promote acts of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes, and if they could be used in attacks on civilians or civilian buildings such as schools and hospitals.
So far, 60 countries have ratified the treaty including five of the world's top 10 arms exporters — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain. Another 129 countries have signed but not ratified the treaty including the United States, the largest arms producer and exporter.
Ban called on all countries that haven't ratified the treaty to do so "without delay."
However, there is little hope of US ratification, which requires approval by two-thirds of the Senate. Republicans, who will control the Senate in January, overwhelmingly oppose gun restrictions and the treaty is vehemently opposed by the powerful National Rifle Association.
The global trade in arms and ammunition has been estimated to generate between $60 billion and $85 billion annually. But Amnesty International, which started campaigning for a treaty in the early 1990s, said Tuesday the value of the secrecy-shrouded international arms trade is approaching $100 billion annually.
"This achievement is a truly historic breakthrough," Amnesty Secretary General Salil Shetty said. But "it is not a panacea. It will require even more widespread support and pressure to ensure states strictly adhere to its principles."
Anna Macdonald, director of the Control Arms Coalition representing over 100 organizations working in more than 120 countries, said civilians from the Syrian city of Aleppo to Peshawar in Pakistan, and from Gaza to South Sudan, "have paid far too high a price this year" as a result of the poorly regulated arms trade.
"If robustly implemented, this treaty has the potential to save many lives and offer much-needed protection to vulnerable civilians around the world," Macdonald said. "It is now — finally — against international law to put weapons in the hands of human rights abusers and dictators. December 24 marks the dawn of a new era."
From the Philippine Star (Dec 25): US think tank proposes shake-up of Taiwan defense
Fears of war between Taiwan and China have eased in recent years, but the growing gap in their military capabilities has prompted a U.S. think tank to lay out a radical new approach in how Taiwan could defend itself if China invaded, relying less on conventional forces and more on guerrilla-style tactics and cyberwarfare.
The nongovernment Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments is wading into delicate territory. Relations have between democratic Taiwan and communist-governed China have improved as they have forged economic agreements — a development welcomed by the United States.
Washington, however, remains obligated by U.S. law to provide Taiwan the means to defend itself. U.S. lawmakers have accused the Obama administration of refusing to sell Taiwan new fighter jets and submarines for fear of angering Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the self-governing island.
Congress last week approved the possible sale of four U.S. frigates to Taiwan, drawing Chinese criticism, but Taiwan shows growing willingness to develop its own hardware. On Tuesday, it launched a stealthy, missile-launching corvette, the first of ship of its kind produced by Taiwan.
But China's rapid military modernization has exposed a widening gulf between its forces and those on Taiwan, which spent $10.8 billion on its defense in 2013.
According to a U.S. Defense Department estimate, China's military spending that year was $145 billion.
"With the resource gap approaching fourteen-to-one, even if Taiwan were to massively increase its defense budget, it would not reverse the cumulative advantages the PRC has accrued over the past two decades," said the center's report, released this week. PRC stands for the communist-governed People's Republic of China.
A U.S. congressional advisory panel reported last month that China has about 2,100 combat aircraft and 280 naval ships available for a Taiwan conflict, and more 1,100 short-range ballistic missiles that could incapacitate Taiwan's air force in the early hours of a conflict. Taiwan has about 410 combat aircraft and 90 naval combat ships.
The center advocates an "asymmetric approach," with Taiwan using lighter forces to counter rather than match China's strengths. While Taiwan increasingly emphasizes such tactics, its military modernization plan still calls for big, conventional acquisitions, the report says.
For a fraction of the cost of building eight large diesel submarines that Taiwan is also planning, it could produce a fleet of 42 "midget submarines" similar in size to craft that North Korea and Iran have, the report says. These submarines could provide warning and targeting data for anti-ship cruise missiles deployed on mobile launchers resembling trucks hauling shipping containers.
To combat Chinese fighter planes, the report proposes "guerrilla" air defense, using hundreds of surface-to-air missiles — a tactic it says proved effective for North Vietnam against the United States during the Vietnam War. And if Chinese forces make it on land, guerrilla tactics to harass the occupying forces would slow their advance toward Taipei. It says cyberwar against Chinese battle networks would also be one of Taiwan's viable deterrents and "cost-imposing strategies."
The report's authors say asymmetric approaches toward defense would reduce Taiwanese dependence on U.S. armaments, and should also appeal to other neighbors concerned over China's military buildup.
Nations like Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia "have territorial disputes with China and face many of the same challenges responding to the rapid Chinese military modernization looming over Taiwan," the report says.
From the Philippine Star (Dec 25): 1 Marine dead, another hurt in heated argument
A member of the Philippine Marines was killed while another was wounded after they shot each other while manning a checkpoint in Basilan on Christmas eve.
Initial reports on Thursday said that Sgt. Errol Molin Chaves, 31, of Barangay Poblacion, Bingwan, Iloilo City, died from a gunshot wound on his chest and arm.
Private First Class Dave Bryan Cerbito Abang, 23,of Tacurong City, who also sustained gunshot wounds, is now being treated for his injuries.
Police said the shooting occurred at a checkpoint near the detachment of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 at Sitio Canas, Barangay Calang Canas, Maluso town around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The two Marines reportedly had an argument which led to the gunfight, police said.
The soldiers used their M-16 assault rifles to shoot each other.
From the Philippine Star (Dec 25): AFP seeks to focus on territorial defense in 2015
Members of the Philippine Marines stand in formation beside the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15) warship at Manila's pier, Philippines Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. The refurbished former U.S. Coast Guard Hamilton-class weather high endurance cutter is now the country's biggest and most modern warship and is part of a drive by the Philippines to modernize its navy amid tensions with China over the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. AP/Aaron Favila
The military aims to focus on a gradual transition toward territorial defense next year even as it admitted that some parts of the country are still beset with internal security problems.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said while internal peace and security plan Bayanihan is on track in most provinces, some areas still need to be cleared of insurgency.
"We are committed to transition to territorial defense but for as long as there are packets within the archipelago that need AFP presence because of the security situation, we will stay until the business is done," Padilla said in a recent interview.
"While we made some assumptions, there are developments that we cannot control," he added.
Despite the remaining internal security issues, the military is starting to develop its territorial defense capabilities.
"We are expecting the delivery of several equipment. The main reason they were acquired is territorial defense," Padilla said.
"We will use them as we gradually transition (to territorial defense) so we can include them in our doctrine. That will be our focus next year," he added.
Under Bayanihan, the military would focus on addressing internal armed threat groups from 2011 to 2013.
The final three years would devoted to handing over the lead role in ensuring internal peace and security to appropriate government agencies namely the police and the local executives. The turnover will allow the AFP to shift its focus to territorial defense.
The Department of Defense's planning guidance for 2013 to 2018 directs the military to conclude internal security combat operations by 2014.
As 2014 draws to a close, provinces are still grappling with communist insurgency and lawless groups. The strength of the communist rebellion in the country remains at 4,000 while that of the Abu Sayyaf stands at about 400.
The need to shift focus on territorial defense was highlighted by China's aggressive expansion in the West Philippine Sea, including its occupation of some areas under the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Bayanihan to be extended?
Padilla admitted that the handover of the lead role in maintaining internal peace and security to civilian agencies might be delayed in some areas.
Padilla said among the areas that are still facing communist insurgency are Compostela Valley, Agusan and Surigao provinces and parts of Bicol region.
The military is still addressing threats posed by lawless groups in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, he added.
Padilla said the AFP may recommend the extension of Bayanihan in some areas if the internal security threats persist.
"If necessary and if the objective of IPSP (internal peace and security plan) Bayanihan is not yet attained, the armed forces may recommend (an extension in some areas)," the military spokesman said.
"We are doing an assessment primarily to ascertain if it (extension) is needed," he added.
From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 25): Talks with Reds resume
Breakthrough leads to end of three-year impasse
NEGOTIATIONS to end the longest-running communist insurgency in the world will likely resume after the visit of Pope Francis in January, a breakthrough in the three-year impasse in talks that started 28 years ago, according to Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison.
Sison Photo from josemariasison.org“We can expect the resumption of the formal talks of the government and [National Democratic Front] negotiating panels sometime in January,” Sison said in interview with Manila Standard, referring to the coalition organization of the national democratic movement in the country.
Sison founded the CCP in Alaminos, Pangasinan on Dec. 26, 1968 while its military wing, the New People’s Army was established the following year. Amid its victories during the Martial Law era, the NDF was formed in 1973.
Sison said special teams from the communists and the government have met several times in The Netherlands since September “to iron out kinks” in the resumption of the talks in Oslo, Norway that were stalled several times in the past because of various disputes.
“The consensus reached by the special teams concern the agenda and compliance with existing agreements,” Sison said, pointing to previous pacts, including the so-called 1998 Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
“There shall be one more meeting of the special teams within the first half of January and then the resumption of formal talks of the panels shall be after the papal visit,” Sison added.
Sison announced the resumption of the talks after NPA spokesman Jorge Madlos said on Monday that they will release “prisoners of war” – four soldiers, three policemen, and two militiamen – will be released on the CPP’s 46th anniversary Dec. 26 as a gesture of goodwill.
“They will be released through their respective custodial units of the NPA,” Madlos said, adding that the prisoners will be released without conditions in the hope that it will lead to the resumption of the peace talks.
Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles earlier hinted that the public can expect a “surprise development” in the peace talks with the CPP-NDF in January.
“We are at what you’d call an impasse right now. But our goal has always been to revive the formal negotiations,” Deles said.
Deles disclosed many concerned stakeholders outside of the government and CPP negotiating panels have been doing back-channel talks.
Both the government and the NPA have issued extended unilateral ceasefire declarations for the holidays and until the visit of Pope Francis on Jan. 15 to 19.
The CPP also assured the public that there will be no threats against the pope from their end because they believe the papal visit will be an opportunity to draw attention to social problems in the Philippines.
The communist insurgency in the Philippines was born out of peasant revolts in various parts of the country in the 1930s and was officially named Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, whose leaders Crisanto Evangelista, Pedro Abad Santos and Jesus Lava were influenced by Stalinist Russia.
But the PKP waned with the prosperity of the 1950s and 1960s until growing poverty and agrarian inequities led Sison and other peasant leaders, spurred by the victories of Maoist China, to revive the communist movement under its current name in 1968.
The CPP gained ground during the Martial Law years and reached its peak in the early 1980s, when its armed wing was estimated to number some 25,000.
“In the 1980s, most of the communist parties in Southeast Asia have been already defeated or disbanded but the CPP achieved remarkable military strength and political influence during this period,” former congressman Raymond Palatino said in an article on the left-leaning website Bulatlat.com.
But abuses and human rights violations by communist leaders caused a substantial reduction in its mass support most especially in the provinces. The CPP has since apologized for what it described as “grave mistakes.”
“The CPP became the first Philippine political party to admit that it committed serious political errors in the 1980s,” Palatino said.
Talks to end the insurgency began in 1986 after leftists pushed Sison to come to a rapprochement with the administration of then President Corazon Aquino, but rightist elements threatened the Aquino administration with a series of coup attempts.
“The rectification campaign lasted throughout the 1990s which the CPP credited for the resurgence of the local mass movement,” Palatino added.
|The Philippine government will be the first to dispute this,” he said, “but what is certain is that the CPP has remained a major political force in the country; and after 45 years, it continues to lead the world’s longest Maoist revolution.”
From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 25): Strategy issues dog Pemberton case
THE case against US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, accused of murdering transgender Jennifer Laude, might be hampered by disagreements over legal tactics between state prosecutors and the private lawyers of the victim’s family.
The prosecution panel led by Olongapo City Prosecutor Emilie Delos Santos and the private prosecutors led by UP law professor Harry Roque Jr. are taking different approaches in handling the Laude case.
This became apparent after the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 granted the motion of Pemberton to suspend the trial pending a ruling by the Justice Department on his petition for review and the dismissal of the murder charge.
In an interview, Delos Santos admitted that they would have to wait for the ruling on Pemberton’s petition for review, adding that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is well aware that the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States requires that the trial be finished in one year.
“We will wait for the DOJ ruling. Once it is issued and our findings are affirmed, we will file a motion to proceed, although it should be automatic on the part of the court upon receipt of the DOJ resolution,” Delos Santos said.
But Roque said the 60-day suspension was too much and it would eat up a significant part of the one year allowed for the trial under the VFA.
“We will file a motion for reconsideration. We can’t afford a suspension,” he said.
In its resolution, the RTC used as basis Rule 116 of Rules of Court, which provides that arraignment of accused in criminal cases shall be suspended for 60 days at most from the filing of a petition for review,
It was not the first time Delos Santos and Roque took opposing strategies since the case was filed in court Dec. 15.
Roque earlier filed two motions asking the court to allow live media coverage of the hearings and to transfer Pemberton to a regular jail.
Delos Santos did not support both pleadings, saying the issue of custody of the accused is a matter under the VFA that is beyond the business of prosecutors. In fact, it was Delos Santos who announced the RTC’s denial of both motions.
The two prosecutors also hold separate press conferences after court hearings.
The two camps agreed on only one move so far—to seek the inhibition of Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde because she was a classmate of Pemberton’s lead defense counsel Rowena Garcia-Flores, when they were in the San Beda School of Law.
During the preliminary investigation, Roque had sought Delos Santos’ inhibition over her alleged bias in favor of the US government.
Roque said private prosecutors have an important role to play.
“It bears stressing that while all criminal prosecutions are carried out on behalf of the state, the reality is that private prosecutors, as a matter of practice, are delegated the prosecution of the case subject to the ‘direct control and supervision of the public prosecutor,’” he said.
“This control and supervision is proof that where a private complainant retains a lawyer for the civil aspect of the case, private prosecutors are allowed to actively prosecute the case for and in behalf of the state. It is only in high profile cases that public prosecutors opt to directly participate in the prosecution for obvious reasons,” he said.
“My problem with Chief De Los Santos is from Day One, she has been antagonistic towards us because of her alleged prior unpleasant experience with the private prosecutor in the Smith rape case. But despite this, I tried all the tricks I knew to convince De los Santos that I am not a carbon copy of the private prosecutor that she had disagreements with. I finally gave up when I learned that in my absence, she has not stopped her public tirades against me,” Roque said.
From GMA News (Dec 25): On eve of CPP anniversary, AFP renews call for NPA rebels to end armed struggle
On the eve of the 46th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday renewed its call for the group and its armed wing, the New People's Army, to end armed struggle, saying they have been harmful to the very communities they purportedly wish to help.
“The senseless attacks perpetrated by the NPA against peaceful communities and infrastructure projects have caused more suffering and denied the people of development in the countryside. We must reflect why we have allowed ourselves and our communities to endure forty six years of bloody violence and senseless deaths among fellow Filipinos,” military information chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said in a press release.
The CPP-NPA is still waging a protracted war in the Philippines, which is considered as the longest running insurgency in Asia.
The military estimates the CPP-NPA membership at about 4,000.
But Cabunoc enjoined the CPP to lay down their arms to foster peace in the country.
“We can have the choice between a better life for ourselves and our children by embracing peace or continued violence and poverty through bloody armed conflict. The door for reconciliation and healing remains open to all our misguided brothers who want to embrace peace,” he said.
“It has been proven that nobody is a real winner in bloody armed conflicts. We are witness to the endless misery experienced by our own people who are caught in the crossfire,” Cabunoc added.
The AFP, as well as the Philippine National Police has suspended its operations against the CPP and the NPA, in celebration of the Christmas season.
The ceasefire will be from December 19, 2014 to January 19, 2015.
From GMA News (Dec 25): Sison's greetings: NDFP open to resuming talks with government
A year after giving up on peace negotiations under the Aquino administration, the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is open to resuming talks with the Philippine government in 2015.
In a podcast posted on his website, NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison said the two parties may return to the negotiating table by mid-January.
"Puwedeng mag-formal talks muli ang mga negotiating panel ng dalawang panig sa ikalawang hati ng Enero, matapos ang bisita ng Papa," Sison said in the podcast, recorded last week.
"Kung mapakatino ang rehimeng Aquino at OPAPP [Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process], posible pang matapos ang comprehensive agreement on economic reforms at agreement on truce and cooperation bago matapos ang term ni Aquino," he added.
Sison said a "special team" composed of representatives from both parties has been the agenda of the fresh peace talks since last September.
In April last year, the Philippine government ended its peace negotiations with the NDFP after a 22-month impasse, citing the lack of "sincerity and political will" on the part of the party and its affiliate groups – the NDF and the New People's Army (NPA).
'Friends of process' brokering talks
In a separate text message, presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said there have been no meetings between the government and the NDFP on the possible resumption of peace talks.
"It is true, however, that friends of the process have been shuttling between the two parties to explore possible parameters for restarting talks at the earliest possible time," Deles told GMA News Online.
She added that Sison's "positive remarks indicate that common ground between the two parties may indeed be broadening."
In a separate text message, government peace panel chair Alexander Padilla also said "there is nothing yet to confirm" regarding the resumption of talks with the NDFP.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which heads the NDF, is set to commemorate its 46th anniversary on Friday.
In the same podcast, Sison said the government-proposed ceasefire between the military and the NPA is a big hindrance to the resumption of talks.
"Malaking balakid sa peace negotiations ang kagustuhan ng rehimen na magtigil-putukan at magsurrender na lang basta ang mga pwersang rebolusyonaryo," the NDFP official said.
He also demanded that the government release NDFP consultants and 500 political prisoners.
Deles meanwhile said that the Philippine government wants to make sure that peace talks with the NDFP will resume "on the basis of a doable and time-bound agenda."
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2010, President Benigno Aquino III said peace talks with the communists will be difficult without a ceasefire.
"Mahirap magsimula ang usapan habang mayroon pang amoy ng pulbura sa hangin. Nananawagan ako: Huwag po natin hayaang masayang ang napakagandang pagkakataong ito upang magtipon sa ilalim ng iisang adhikain," Aquino said four years ago.
From GMA News (Dec 25): BIFF: No truce with govt for the holidays
Despite having a ceasefire with communist rebels for the
holidays, government troops in Mindanao may
have to remain on alert against a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front.
A spokesperson for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters told a Davao news site Wednesday that a ceasefire is not part of the group's vocabulary.
"It’s not in our vocabulary to declare a ceasefire. Though we want peace, we won’t let our guards down because we are the victims of war. The government itself don’t want to have peace," BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama told Davao Today.
“Our offensive operations will remain active against the government troops as what we had done in the past yuletide holidays,” he added.
The BIFF has been linked to attacks in Maguindanao since 2008. The first attacks came shortly after the Supreme Court thumbed down a Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the government and MILF.
On the other hand, the MILF continues to work with the government on a peace agreement.
12:01 a.m. of Dec. 24 to 11:59 p.m. of Dec. 26, 2014
12:01 a.m. of Dec. 31 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 1, 2015
12:01 a.m. of Jan. 15 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 19
The Davao Today report said the military and police had said operations will continue against the BIFF and other groups such as the Abu Sayyaf.
Duterte invitation
Meanwhile, Mama welcomed a reported invitation by Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to a dialogue to discuss issues related to security, peace and order in Mindanao.
He said Duterte's intentions are good and the BIFF welcomes his call for a dialogue.
"(B)ut if he will negotiate that we will declare a ceasefire, it will never happen,” he said.
From Rappler (Dec 25): AFP to communist rebels: End senseless attacks
The Armed Forces of the Philippines calls on the NPA to ‘embrace peace’
4 DECADES. A file photo of communist guerrillas. File photo by Rappler
Embrace peace, lay down your arms.
On the eve of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)’s 46th anniversary, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) called on the rebels to “abandon the use of armed violence” and “embrace peace” to solve the country’s pressing problems.
“It has been proven that nobody is a real winner in bloody armed conflicts. We are witness to the endless misery experienced by our own people who are caught in the crossfire,” the AFP said in a statement released on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25.
The military recounted the following “atrocities” carried out by the CPP’s New People’s Army (NPA) in 2014:
The hostage-taking of civilians from the town of Mabini in Compostela Valley, allegedly by members of the NPA;
And the injury of 3 civilians when the NPA launched an attack on a military detachment in Masbate
“The senseless attacks perpetrated by the NPA against peaceful communities and infrastructure projects have caused more suffering and denied the people of development in the countryside,” the AFP said.
“We can have the choice between a better life for ourselves and our children by embracing peace or continued violence and poverty through bloody armed conflict.
The door for reconciliation and healing remains open to all our misguided brothers who want to embrace peace,” the military added.
Although their numbers have been dwindling, the NPA insists their bases have, on the contrary, been “rapidly expanding.”
In March 2014, the NPA suffered a huge blow when two of its
top leaders, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, were caught by Philippine authorities.
The two are detained inside the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s CustodialCenter
in CampCrame.
