Retired general bags Peace Awards

From the Manila Standard Today (Mar 31): Retired general bags Peace Awards

Ret. Brig. General Manuel Mariano and wife Mrs. Lolit Mariano, bagged one of the most prestigious special awards, “Integrity In Action” in the Peace  Awards held recently at the Manila Hotel. General Mariano is  known to be an advocate of reforms. He cleansed the AFP LogCom and got rid of   scalawags and grafters  in the command, sharing a common vision and devoted to the idea that this nation very badly needs a strong- willed, dedicated and enlightened leadership.

He co-authored the book, “The Power of Reform”, detailing the culture of corruption in the AFP LogCom and how he cleansed it almost single handedly and reaped the fruits of the Reform Program and thereby benefitted the recipients for the AFP, PNP, the out-of-school youths and its various outreach program.

The PEACE AWARDS for “Integrity in Action”, was bestowed on   Mariano as a deserving individual in his field of expertise that contributes to honesty, integrity and peace. Together with his wife, Lolit Mariano, they are known for their continuing advocacy pursuits for humanitarian and religious communities.

The Integrity Circles Movement, nominated the couple for the  award which was long overdue as they remained bloodied but unbowed in their joint efforts to fight corruption.

The PEACE AWARDS was indeed, a recognition of unsung and unheralded new heroes who, by purity of intensions just do what is beneficial to our communities and country. It was attended by dignitaries, heads of state, foreign and local media from the print, Radio, TV and Social Media practitioners during the First Asian Summit held recently at the historic Manila Hotel.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/03/31/retired-general-bags-peace-awards/

Military: Strength of BIFF halved

From the Manila Standard Today (Mar 31): Military: Strength of BIFF halved

THE military claimed to have reduced the strength of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters by half as it ended a month-long offensive that has already caused the dislocation of more than 120,000 residents of Mindanao.

“We have accounted for 139 enemies killed, 53 wounded and 12 captured,” AFP chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang said on Monday.

“They are now splintered into small groups to evade the pursuing soldiers,” Catapang said, adding that the military will continue mopping-up operations against the smaller groups while the government undertakes development projects in areas that used to be controlled by the BIFF.

“Effective (March 30), the all-out offensive against the BIFF would be ended,” he added of the operations that started February 25.

But he stressed the military will continue to pursue the extremists who have fled to the highlands and the Liguasan Marsh.

“We are now entering the new phase of our operation which is peace and development. I want to emphasize that still, we will continuously deploy forces to secure communities and deny the BIFF entry into their former enclaves in Maguindanao,” Catapang said.

Catapang said that the military will coordinate with the regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the province of Maguindanao for the safe return of the residents back to their homes.

“Now that we have driven out the armed BIFF members and the small group of terrorists led by Basit Usman, we will focus our attention in rebuilding the affected communities,” he said.

“We will help the LGUs, other government agencies, and the national government as a whole in delivering public services to the people. We will support the implementation of development projects that are intended to spur the economic activities in these areas,” he added.

Catapang said the military sympathizes with the people who were affected by the offensive and the military will help local government in building Maguindanao, which bore the brunt of the operations, into a highly-developed area where people enjoy peace, progress and prosperity.

“We understand the physical and emotional challenges experienced by the non-combatants who were among those who were adversely affected by the armed conflict with the BIFF,” he said .

“It is very important to note that from as high as 120,000 evacuees last month, they are now down to about 90,000 people who have remained in various evacuation centers and houses of relatives.

According to the Automous Region in Muslim Mindanao Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART), a total of 17,956 families, or 91,602 people, are still living in 79 evacuation centers in 13 municipalities in Maguindanao.

But this was already down from 20,030 families, or 102,005 people, who were reported to have been dislocated as of March 26. Up to 25,000 families or 124,000 individuals were displaced at the height of the conflict.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/03/31/military-strength-of-biff-halved/

AFP rescues 4 human trafficking victims

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 30): AFP rescues 4 human trafficking victims

Authorities rescued four victims of human trafficking and arrested their recruiter during a joint operation in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, the military said.

Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesperson Capt. Rowena Muyuela, citing a report from Joint Task Force Zambasulta (Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi Tawi) public information officer Ensign Chester Ramos, said the victims were onboard M/L Sea Glory when rescued around 11:00 a.m. Friday.

The four were identified as Marilou Olico, Clarisa Pardines, Claiza Ann Lorez, and Ritz Pas. Their recruiter, Henry Alsamala, who was also on the vessel, was immediately arrested.

M/L Sea Glory was then anchored at Chinese Pier, Barangay Poblacion, Bongao town and bound for Malaysia when the rescue happened.

The joint operation was conducted by elements of the Naval Intelligence and Security Group- Western Mindanao (NISG-WM), Provincial Women and Children Protection Desk- Bongao, Tactical Operations Group Sultaw (TOG Sultaw), Regional Intelligence Unit-9 (RIU9); and 304th Area Intelligence Security Service (304th AISS).

Muyuela said intensified law enforcement operations were continuously being conducted to expedite arrest of lawless groups and curb illegal activities in the province.

http://www.mb.com.ph/afp-rescues-4-human-trafficking-victims/

C-295 can be configured for maritime patrol --PAF

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30): C-295 can be configured for maritime patrol --PAF

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said on Monday its newly-acquired Airbus Military C-295 can be modified and fitted for maritime patrol work.

"It is capable of being fitted with external fuel tanks and pods which can be equipped with sensors and surveillance equipment needed for maritime patrol work," PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said in Filipino in an interview with the Philippines News Agency

This can be done by fitting pylons to the wings of the aircraft, he added.

Aside from this, the C-295 is capable of staying aloft for 11 hours, making it an ideal maritime patrol platform.

Meanwhile, turnover and commissioning ceremonies for the new aircraft on Monday were headed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Air Force head Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Canaya earlier said that the last time the PAF acquired brand-new transport planes was in the 1980s when it acquired three Fokker F-27 "Friendship" aircraft from the Netherlands.

"The additional C-295s will enhance the overall capability of the PAF in providing airlift requirements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations," he added.

Lift requirements of the PAF is presently being carried out by three Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" and three F-27s.

The PAF has an existing order for three C-295s at Airbus Military.

The contract, worth PhP5.29 billion, was signed last year.

Training for the first batch of four PAF pilots and 24 maintenance crew was done in Seville, Spain and was completed last March 10.

"Succeeding training for pilots will continue this year in anticipation of the delivery of two more C-295s," Canaya said.

The first C-295 arrived at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga in the afternoon of March 22. Its arrival is five months earlier than the scheduled August delivery date.

The two remaining planes are expected to be delivered in the last quarter of 2015.

Canaya said the C-295 is categorized as medium lift aircraft equivalent to the Fokker F-27 aircraft being maintained by the 220th Airlift Wing. The C-295s have rear ramp door similar to that of the C-130s for easier access and loading/unloading of passengers and cargoes.

"Thus, it can augment in the type missions performed by the C-130s for lesser payload requirements," the PAF spokesperson added.

He said that the C-295s can carry as much as 71 passengers, 50 paratroops, 24 stretchers with five to seven attendants or up to about 20,000 pounds of cargoes.

It is capable of short field landing and takeoff and has a top speed of 358 miles per hour.

Canaya said the aircraft departed last March 16 from Seville, Spain, where it was assembled. It was flown into the country by civilian pilots and crew of Airbus Military.

Airbus won the Department of National Defense medium lift aircraft program by tendering a bid for PhP5.29-billion for three aircraft last year.

This is considerably lower than the PhP5.3-billion stipulated in the contract.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=749030

2 rebels yield on eve of NPA anniversary

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 30): 2 rebels yield on eve of NPA anniversary

The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the government in Bukidnon province a day before the rebels celebrated their anniversary on Sunday.

In a statement sent to the media, Eastmincom spokesperson Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr. identified the NPA members as Ronie Dumpali Lino, alias Rey, and 19-year-old Genden Gocor Gutual, Jr. alias Junjun.

Lino was a team leader in Bukinon, who voluntarily yielded to the Army last March 26 in Sitio Masalugpo, Barangay Kalgangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon, while Gutual surrendered to the elements of 69th IB last March 27 in Barangay Fatima, Paquibato District here.

Brawner said disillusionment with the movement was the main reason they returned to the folds of the law.

Their relatives also played an important role in convincing them to give up the armed struggle, the statement added.

“They said they were not happy even if their anniversary was nearing, when their morale was supposed to be at its highest,” Brawner pointed out in the statement.

The latest two surrenders led to a total of 32 NPAs who surrendered since January this year that contributed to the six percent reduction in  NPA strength in Eastern Mindanao.

http://www.mb.com.ph/2-rebels-yield-on-eve-of-npa-anniversary/

C-295 sets maiden mission to Palawan, Mactan

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30): C-295 sets maiden mission to Palawan, Mactan
 

The country's first ever Airbus Military C-295 medium transport, which was formally commissioned Monday, will have its maiden mission in Philippine Air Force (PAF) colors by flying supplies to Palawan and Mactan Tuesday.

"We will have our logistic flight tomorrow (Tuesday) and we were informed that we will be flying to Palawan and Mactan," said Capt. Geraldine Matienzo, one of the first pilots to qualify to fly the Philippines' latest transport aircraft.

Matienzo is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2005.

She said that the aircraf's payload consisted mostly of supplies needed by military manning the airbases in Palawan and Mactan.

Matienzo said that having the C-295 in PAF inventory will greatly enhance the Air Force's capability.

"Now (that) it has been enhanced and we are very happy for that and we are honored to be part of the pioneer aircrew to perform such missions that will enhance our capability," she said.

The PAF has an existing order for three C-295s at Airbus Military.

The contract is worth Php5.29 billion. It was signed last year.

Training for the first batch, composed of four PAF pilots and 24 maintenance crew, was done in Seville, Spain and was completed last March 10.

"Succeeding training for pilots will continue this year in anticipation of the delivery of two more C-295s," Canaya said.

The first C-295 arrived at Clark Air Base, Pampanga on March 22. Its arrival was five months earlier than the scheduled August delivery date.

The two remaining planes are expected to be delivered in the last quarter of 2015.

The C-295 is categorized as medium lift aircraft equivalent to the Fokker F-27 aircraft being maintained by the 220th Airlift Wing. C-295s have rear ramp door similar to that of the C-130s for easier access and loading/unloading of passengers and cargoes.

It can carry as much as 71 passengers, 50 paratroops, 24 stretchers with five to seven attendants or up to about 20,000 pounds of cargoes. It is capable of short field landing and takeoff and has a top speed of 358 miles per hour.

The aircraft departed from Seville, Spain last March 16 where it was assembled. It was flown into the country by civilian pilots and crew of Airbus Military.

Airbus won the Department of National Defense medium lift aircraft program after offering Php 5.29-billion bid for three aircraft last year, considerably lower than the Php5.3 billion stipulated in the contract.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=749047

Soldiers to get higher subsistence allowance

From the Manila Times (Mar 30): Soldiers to get higher subsistence allowance

President Benigno Aquino 3rd has signed a joint resolution passed by Congress increasing the subsistence allowance for all enlisted personnel, including policemen and soldiers.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the resolution that Aquino signed on Friday raises the allowances of the police and military workforce to P150 from P90 effective January 1, 2015.

Also covered are personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The amount needed to raise the subsistence allowances will be derived from the savings of relevant government agencies this year and will be appropriated in the national budget in the succeeding years.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, the principal author and sponsor of the measure in the Senate, lauded Aquino for promoting the welfare and recognizing the sacrifices of the uniformed personnel by signing the measure into law.

”It has been a long time since the subsistence allowance of our soldiers and police was increased. Despite their significant role in the country, they remain to be among the measly paid public servants. We are thankful that finally our government has addressed this need,” said Trillanes, chairman of Senate Committee on National Defense and Security.

”We hope that through this measure, we would uplift their morale and inspire them more to serve faithfully this country, especially in these trying times,” he added.

http://www.manilatimes.net/soldiers-to-get-higher-subsistence-allowance/172999/

PHL denies Sabah trade-off with Malaysia

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30): PHL denies Sabah trade-off with Malaysia

The Philippine government on Monday belied reports that it has proposed to drop its claim on Sabah in exchange for Malaysia's support on its arbitration case against China.

A report over the weekend was quoting a Philippine diplomatic note to Malaysia, saying the country is reviewing a 2009 protest on Kuala Lumpur’s Sabah claim if it will back Manila’s case. Both nations are contesting ownership of Sabah.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose confirmed the existence of the note but said its content is all about the “features in the South China Sea and their implications in the extended continental shelf claims.”

“Sabah is not in any way part of the note,” Jose said.

“The Philippines has excellent relations with Malaysia. In the context of our friendly bilateral relations, our two countries have been for years exchanging ways on how to address the issue of extended continental shelf in the South China Sea,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=749147

Palace: No such Sabah offer

From the Manila Times (Mar 30): Palace: No such Sabah offer

Malacañang on Monday dismissed a report that the Philippines has offered to ease its claim on Sabah in return for Malaysia’s support in Manila’s territorial dispute with China.

“There is absolutely no basis to such report,” its spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

Lacierda’s comment was sought on a Vera Files story that was published by The Manila Times on Monday.

The article said a note verbale recently handed over by the Philippine government to Kuala Lumpur amounted to a quid pro quo in which Manila would backpedal on its Sabah claim if Malaysia manifests before a UN body an extended continental shelf (ECS) definition favoring the Philippines in its case against China.

The note verbale was given by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to visiting Malaysian Defense Minister Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

Manila has taken its territorial dispute with Beijing to the United Nations International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas (Itlos) for arbitration.

China however, refuses to recognize the process, insisting that the Itlos has no jurisdiction over the issue as the matter has to be resolved bilaterally.

Quoting a DFA statement, Lacierda clarified that the note verbale is part of the two neighbors’ “friendly bilateral relations” and does not in any way include the Sabah issue.

“The Philippines has excellent relations with Malaysia in the context of our friendly bilateral relations. Our two countries have been for years exchanging ways on how to address the issue of the [ECS] in the South China Sea [West Philippine Sea],” he said.

“The note verbale that was written about was part of this process. The note is about the features in the South China Sea and their implications on ECS claims. Sabah is not in any way part of the note,” Lacierda added.

While the note verbale, a copy of which was obtained by VERA Files, indeed made no mention of Sabah, it alluded to a 2009 complaint filed by Manila against a joint submission by Malaysia and Vietnam before a UN body.

The Philippines had said then that such joint submission would impact its standing claim on Sabah–a resource-rich territory leased by British overlords from the Sultanate of Sulu, but which Britain later simply handed over to Malaysia.

According to the Vera Files story, the note verbale referred to the May 6, 2009 joint submission by Malaysia and Vietnam to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in which Malaysia claimed an extended continental shelf (350 nautical miles from baseline) that was clearly projected from Sabah.

The Philippines, in an August 4, 2009 note to the UN Secretary General, protested the joint submission because it effectively declared Sabah to be a Malaysian territory.

The Philippines claims ownership of Sabah, which at present is occupied by Malaysia, based on the title of the Sultan of Sulu who ceded proprietary rights over the 76,115-square-kilometer land to the Philippines in 1962.

In last week’s note verbale, however, the DFA informed the Malaysian government that it is “reviewing” its 2009 protest–something that an expert said could weaken Manila’s claim to Sabah.

The note verbale said the Philippines’ action as its reviews the 2009 complaint would depend on Malaysia’s response to Manila’s two requests related to the South China Sea conflicting territorial claim.

The first request is for Malaysia to “confirm” that its claim to an extended continental shelf is “entirely from the mainland coast of Malaysia, not from any of the maritime features in the Spratly islands” in the South China Sea.

The DFA also requested Malaysia to confirm that it “does not claim entitlement to maritime areas beyond 12 nautical miles from any of the maritime features in the Spratly islands it claims.”

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), a state is entitled to 12-nautical-mile territorial sea over which it exercises sovereignty.

Malaysia, like the Philippines, claims parts of the Spratly islands, which are being claimed almost wholly by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. Brunei Darussalam is another claimant to some parts of the Spratlys.

There are some parts in the Spratlys where the 200 nautical mile EEZs of the Philippines and Malaysia overlap.

http://www.manilatimes.net/palace-no-such-sabah-offer/173021/

Military badly needs more money – AFP chief

From the Manila Times (Mar 30): Military badly needs more money – AFP chief

ARMED Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. wants at least one percent of next year’s national budget to be allocated for defense spending even as he admitted that the country’s military capabilities are no-match against the Chinese.

Catapang made the admission amid reports on China’s ongoing reclamations in disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)

Apparently reacting to the apparent military activities in contested waters, he said, “I hope this is just like an [SM] Mall of Asia that they are constructing but I think they have some military or defense purpose.

The Philippine military had noted that seven reclamations are taking place in the conflict areas.

In a news briefing, Catapang showed aerial photos of the ongoing reclamations, including two that are inside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.

He did not say who took the photos, which were taken in December last year and in February and March this year.

“So as [of] now we have monitored about seven reclamations in the area but we are much more concerned [with] two specific areas [that are] inside our exclusive economic zone.

These include the development that they [Chinese] would like to do in Mischief Reef, also in Mabini Reef and Chigua Reef, all of these are inside the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of the Philippines,” Catapang said.

When asked if the AFP is not frustrated about not being able to do anything to stopping China’s apparent military activities and saber-rattling, he replied, “That’s the reality.”

He noted the need to increase military and defense expenditures and suggested that if the country cannot raise them to two percent of the gross national product (GNP), a law must be passed to allow the AFP modernization to be secured for the next 15 years.

“What I am proposing is that at least one percent of the national budget, approved national budget, will go [to] improvement of the capabilities of our defense and military units, to include the OCD [Office of Civil Defense] because we are fighting or facing also another global challenge, which is global climate change,” Catapang said.

He, however, pointed out that the AFP is prepared to defend the country, citing continuing naval patrols and troop supplies in the West Philippine Sea.

The AFP chief said it is now up to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to decide on what to do regarding the matter.

“Our job is just to know what is happening in the area and it is up to our national leaders to give us the marching orders on what to do,” he added.

“What we would like to highlight here is it’s not only the Philippines that should be concerned about what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea but entire nations or countries all over the world,” Catapang said.

According to the AFP chief, he is hoping that the Chinese government will recognize the Philippine claim to areas in the disputed waters so that no provocative actions will be taken against Filipino troops deployed there.

http://www.manilatimes.net/military-badly-needs-more-money-afp-chief/173025/

Holy Week ceasefire

From the Manila Times (Mar 30): Holy Week ceasefire

Military halts large-scale offensive vs BIFF

The Armed Forces high command on Monday ordered its ground troops in Maguindanao to stop its all-out offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), claiming it has already achieved its objective of neutralizing the breakaway rebel group.

“Effective today [March 30], the all-out offensive against the BIFF would be ended. After the relentless operations against the BIFF, we have achieved our objectives including the neutralization of more than 50 percent of their ranks, the capture of bomb factories and the seizure of their enclaves or safe havens in different Maguindanao localities,” the military’s Chief of Staff. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said in a news conference at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City (Metro Manila).

Catapang, however, noted that remnants of the bandit group have splintered into small groups to evade pursuing soldiers and have sought refuge outside the conflict areas.

“The BIFF remnants have nowhere to hide,” he said.

“Formerly, they were in groups of 50 to 100, now they are just 20 to 30, so it’s part of our tactical move[s] because if we move also a hundred soldiers, easily the enemy can know or locate us or see us,” Catapang added.

We will still conduct offensive operation[s] but not big operations like brigade or battalion operations but [these] will be small-sized operations, Ranger-type,” he explained.

The military said the last reported clash between government forces and the BIFF happened on Sunday in Barangay Malangog in Datu Unsay town and Barangay Pamalian in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, both in Maguindanao, where four soldiers and 12 BIFF members including a certain Commander Bisaya were killed.

Commander Bisaya was among the BIFF fighters who engaged the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) in Mamasapano town last January 25 that resulted in the death of 44 police commandos.

Catapang ordered the all-out offensive on February 25 or exactly a month after the Mamasapano incident, a tragic ending to a mission meant to arrest suspected international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman.

Since the launch of the offensive, the AFP claimed, 151 BIFF bandits have been killed, 65 wounded and 12 arrested.

Ten soldiers and more than 30 others were wounded on the government side, the also military claimed.

Catapang said the military will continue to deploy soldiers to secure communities and deny the BIFF reentry into their former enclaves in Maguindanao.

“We will continue to hunt down the terrorists, like Basit Usman and his cohorts, who are now hiding outside the conflict areas,” he added.

As of Monday, military officials were coordinating with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the safe return of residents to their homes.

Catapang said the number of displaced persons has dwindled from 120,000 to 90,000 who remain in various evacuation centers and houses of their relatives.

While pursuing the terrorists particularly high-valued targets, other units of the military will focus on rebuilding affected communities.

“We will help the LGUs [local government units], other government agencies, and the national government as a whole, in delivering public services to the people. We will support the implementation of development projects that are intended to spur the economic activities in these areas,” Catapang said.

The BIFF, which broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) supposedly in 2008, is mostly active in Maguindanao and other places in central Mindanao.

It was founded by Ameril Umbra Kato who wants full independence for Mindanao and disagrees with the MILF’s acceptance of autonomy offered by government peace negotiators.

Kato also claimed to have 5,000 fighters on his side but the military said that he only had 300 men. It was only in August 2011 that the MILF recognized the break and declared the BIFF a “lost command.”

The BIFF rejected the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, a preliminary peace agreement signed between the Philippine government and the MILF, and vowed to continue the fight for an independent Islamic state in Mindanao in southern Philippines.

http://www.manilatimes.net/holy-week-ceasefire/173028/

DSWD sends more aids for armed conflict evacuees

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30): DSWD sends more aids for armed conflict evacuees

To securely address the needs of displaced families brought about by the ongoing armed conflict in Mindanao, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vows to continue sending additional food and non-food relief supplies in the affected areas.

The DSWD, in a statement, said that as of Monday (March 30), the DSWD provided Php 24.76 million worth of assistance in the 13 towns in Maguindanao; in Pikit and Matalam, North Cotabato; and in Bitaugan, Surigao del Sur where a clash between the military and members of the New People’s Army (NPA) occurred on Feb. 27.

The DSWD has also included Brgy. Estado, Matalam, North Cotabato and Monkayo, Compostela Valley as among the areas it continues to assist after armed conflicts ensued there on March 20 and March 24, respectively.

The DSWD released the relief supplies either through the DSWD-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) or through concerned local government units (LGUs), as well as through the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH)-Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

As of press time, a total of 27,178 families or 132,870 persons have been affected by the incident.

Of this number, 20,078 families or 100,390 persons are inside 78 evacuation centers. The evacuation centers in Pikit have already closed, but 1,629 families or 8,145 persons who opted to stay with their relatives continue to receive relief assistance.

The Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams in the affected towns remain in close coordination with the LGUs for further assessment of the needs of the evacuees. While at the evacuation centers, evacuees are given psycho-social counseling and children-evacuees undergo play therapy sessions to lessen their trauma.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=749226

Proposed Bangsamoro gov’t to get Php36.8B, not Php75B in first year – Abad

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 30): Proposed Bangsamoro gov’t to get Php36.8B, not Php75B in first year – Abad

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Butch Abad on Monday clarified that the Bangsamoro government will get only Php36.8 billion and not Php75 billion as reported in the first year.

”This Php36.8 billion is provided in the (proposed) law. They have to study the law,” Abad said in a press briefing in Malacanang, referring to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Some lawmakers claimed that the Bangsamoro government will get Php75 billion budget in 2016 if the BBL will be approved this year.

Abad explained the budget is almost the same amount that the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been getting from the national government.

He also said the ARMM also gets Php26 billion in the form of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

”That (IRA) will not be touched in the Bangsamoro government because that is provided for under the local government code and it goes directly — we release that directly to the LGUS,” he said.

Should the BBL hurdles Congress, the Bangsamoro government will replace the ARMM.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=749214

MILF: “Every Filipino needs to understand the GPH-MILF peace negotiation”: DP Spokesperson Valte

Posted to the MILF Website (Mar 29): “Every Filipino needs to understand the GPH-MILF peace negotiation”: DP Spokesperson Valte



After President Benigno Aquino’s announcement on the creation of a peace council and holding of peace summit to make people fully understand the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Saturday (March 28) that “Every Filipino needs to understand and get involved in the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Valte said the details of the summit would be up to the convenors who would gather other responsible and respected leaders to spearhead the event – how it would be executed and the number of days it would be held.

During last Friday’s commemoration of the 1st anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in Manila, President Aquino stood firm in his belief that the peace process must be pursued and that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) must be passed or the nation would have “to count body bags later on” because of war in Mindanao.

The peace council comprises “citizen leaders known for their wisdom and integrity” as independent convenors that included Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, former ambassador and peace advocate Howard Dee and Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, a youth leader and founder of Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, a non-profit organization with a mission of making every youth a peace builder.

Aquino said the independent convenors would dissect the proposed law in a calm and reasonable manner that would not incite anger and hopelessness.
“This way, the BBL can be improved. They will write a report that will be made public, so that everyone may be informed, and so that more of our countrymen may understand the matter. In this manner, we will be able to advance a reasonable decision as regards the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” the President said.

Valte said the inputs from the summit would not be useless even as Congress deliberated on the proposed BBL because it would collect different positions or opinions from all sectors of society.

“This is an issue that everyone needs to understand. It is an issue that everyone needs to be able to dissect in a rational manner, so why oppose a space that could help the public understand and improve the draft BBL?” Valte argued.

Valte said the convenors would not in any way usurp the work of the lawmakers and there was nothing wrong in involving the people in the peace process.

“It’s Congress that has the power to go over the law and then to make refinements to it, but that does not exclude the people because Congress should primarily be listening to the people, and we do not see why the people should be excluded out of discussions that concern matters that affect them as well,” Valte said.

“Think of this as an additional discussion. This will not replace the discussions in Congress. It will not replace the system that the BBL has to go through to make it a law. This is just an additional space wherein stakeholders, community leaders and other citizens can take part in rational discussions about the BBL,” she said.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/819-every-filipino-needs-to-understand-the-gph-milf-peace-negotiation-dp-spokesperson-valte

MILF: Mindanao CSOs commemorate CAB 1st anniversary

Posted to the MILF Website (Mar 29): Mindanao CSOs commemorate CAB 1st anniversary



The Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus (MPC) organized on Saturday, March 28, a caravan for peace in Cotabato City, exactly a year after the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) at Malacańan Palace, Manila, on March 27.

The peace caravan started after the Friday congregational prayer at the Sultan Bolkiah Grand Mosque, Bubong, Cotabato City and proceeded to Tantawan Freedom Park, at the foot of Pedro Colina Hill, Cotabato City, where they held a short program.

Abdulbasit “Bobby” Benito, Secretary General of MPC said that the activity is in commemoration of the signing of CAB which he believes as the best and acceptable formula for peace in the Mindanao conflict.

“The CAB is a complete package formula for peace and it brings justice to the decades-old conflict and violence in our communities in Mindanao,” he said.

The Lumpingan, a people’s organization based in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, that joined the peace caravan rally at the Tantawan Freedom Park, recalled some attempts made by the Philippine government in resolving the conflict in Mindanao.

Lumpingan President Mods Tuan said “President Marcos during his Martial Law regime put-up the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook (LTP) to address the grievances of the Moros and when his reign ended due to the February 1986 People Power, President Corazon Aquino, mother of incumbent President Benigno C. Aquino III,  created a Constitutional Commission that paved the way for the enactment of Republic Act 9054 which established the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but all of these failed to resolve the Mindanao problem.”

He lamented that these formulas did not prospered because it was unilaterally introduced to the Moros by imperial Manila—laws that were never in consonant with the true aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

“The BBL was crafted by representatives of the Bangsamoro people founded on our right to self-determination for self-rule,” Tuan said.
“This is the genuine formula that can best answer our long clamor for peace, justice and progress,” Tuan added.

Mahdie Amella, Chairman of Sulong Bangsamoro Movement (SBM) called on congress to immediately pass the BBL. “Prolonging and/ or delaying the passage of the BBL will also prolong the sufferings of Moro people,” Amella said. “We appeal to Congress to pass this law,” he further said.



An evacuee from Maguindanao spoke on the plight of internally-displaced families in15 municipalities of Maguindanao province affected by “all-out offensive” of the military declared last February 25 against the Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters (BIFF), barely a month after the bloody encounter between the Special Action Forces of the Philippine National Police (SAF-PNP) and the armed groups in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, on January 25.

He said that, they are already tired of evacuating every now and then; every time there are military offensives or firefight between the military and rebel groups. While inside evacuation centers, they lack food, clean water and medicines for ailing members of families, mostly the children and the elderly.

Meantime, in an interview with Barangay Kagawad Saidi Ali Malik of Barangay Datu Kilay, Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, who was displaced many times in the past, said that children and the elderly are getting sick already, some evacuees are starving too due to lack or absence of food supplies. Their source of livelihood, a ‘mongo’ or ‘beans farm’ supposedly ready for harvest this month was gone to waste due to lack of access going to their farm”.

He asked the authorities to stop the offensive and let the IDP’s go back to their communities and live peacefully.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/818-mindanao-csos-commemorate-cab-1st-anniversary