2 killed, 1 wounded as Abu Sayyaf bandits assault civilians in Sulu

From InterAksyon (May 20): 2 killed, 1 wounded as Abu Sayyaf bandits assault civilians in Sulu

Reports reaching Manila indicated that two civilians were killed and a woman was wounded after their boat was assaulted by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group Tuesday afternoon in waters off Maimbung and Tapul towns in Sulu.

Colonel Alan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, reported Wednesday that the fatalities were brothers. "The wounded woman was the wife of one of them. We're still trying to get the names of the victims. We have an initial report here that the victims belong to the Gamid clan," Arrojado told InterAksyon.com.

The incident happened at around 3 p.m. near Tiomabal Island.

Arrojado said the victims are residents of Laminusa Island, in Siasi, Sulu. They were traveling on board a motorized boat from the town proper of Maimbung when assaulted.

"The bandits opened fire with automatic weapons that instantaneously killed the two brothers. They spared the woman but she was wounded. The bandits fled after the killings," Arrojado said.

Boatmen who saw the incident only approached the victims to help after the armed men fled. They brought them to the nearest Pata Island.

"The perpetrators were remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group with some cohorts from an unidentified kidnap-for-ransom group responsible for the foiled kidnapping of Guan Kim Maujon from Laminusa," Arrojado said.

Maujon was abducted on May 6, 2015 but members of the Civilian Volunteer Organization pursued the kidnappers and killed at least 5 of them. The victim was left behind somewhere in Parang town where the police recovered her.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/110863/2-killed-1-wounded-as-abu-sayyaf-bandits-assault-civilians-in-sulu

DND execs fail to convince senators that P1.2-B chopper deal above board

From InterAksyon (May 21): DND execs fail to convince senators that P1.2-B chopper deal above board

Top Department of National Defense officials on Wednesday failed to convince members of the Senate panel that the procurement of the P1.2-billion helicopter deal between the DND and the joint venture of Rice Aircraft Services Inc. (RACI) of the United States and Eagle Copter of Canada last year was above board.

At the continuation of the hearing by Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III as regards the transaction, DND assistant secretary Patrick Velez admitted the contract was awarded to RACI despite being disqualified three times by the department’s own Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

“Yun na nga ang nakapagtataka, three times nang na-disqualify, pagkatapos sa RACI pa rin nila (DND) ibinigay ang kontrata,” said Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, one of the three senators who had filed a resolution calling on the Senate panel to probe the scandal that first broke out two months ago.

According to Velez, when the procurement project under the Armed Forces’ modernization program finally got underway in 2012, the BAC had to disqualify RACI, the first time for its “failure” to submit even “basic documentary requirements”, the second time due to the more serious offense of “falsification”, and the final time for again failing to submit basic documentary requirements.

But according to Rhodora Alvarez, an employee at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) who blew the whistle on the scandal using the alias ‘Joey,’ RACI still ended up getting the contract because it has been “tailor-fitted” for RACI “from the very start”.

Appearing for the first time in an official investigation, Alvarez said she ended up “coordinating” the procurement of the helicopters for use in “combat mission” by the Philippine Air Force beginning in late 2013 after RACI’s Philippine representative, ‘Tac Nguyen,’ went into hiding after being hunted by the US government for “misrepresenting” himself as an “official” of the US Department of State.

She said she got to know Nguyen after the latter sought her help in getting their clearance from the BIR, which is among the documentary requirements by the DND.

RACI owner Robert Rice, who was also present during the hearing, confirmed that Nguyen is now under detention in the US for the offense, adding that Nguyen’s act has “something to do” with the company’s transaction with the PAF.

As “coordinator,” Alvarez said she was privy to all the details and every step of the negotiation for the delivery by RACI of supposedly 21 “refurbished” ‘UH-1D’ helicopters that, she noted, was not the original objective of the project.

She averred further that the changes in the contract and the many violations by RACI of the country’s procurement law during its implementation were done with the knowledge not only of Velez, but also, of undersecretary of finance and munitions Fernando Manalo and DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Alvarez said Manalo had represented the interest of RACI in a previous transaction with the DND, a claim that Manalo denied at the end of the hearing.

Guingona also asked Alvarez to repeat in a sworn statement what she knows about the scandal as her allegations against the DND top brass were “very serious”, Guingona noted.

“We asked her to submit a comprehensive affidavit, hindi iyong pa-chop-chop lang,” Guingona said

Guingona said he would also be “arranging” for the physical security of Alvarez who also bared the alleged threats on her person since she first bared details of the scandal to the media.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/110875/dnd-execs-fail-to-convince-senators-that-p1-2-b-chopper-deal-above-board

China warns US spy plane out of disputed South China Sea area - CNN report

From InterAksyon (May 21): China warns US spy plane out of disputed South China Sea area - CNN report

The Chinese navy warned a US surveillance plane flying over artificial islands that Beijing is creating in the disputed South China Sea to leave the area eight times, according to CNN, which was on board the flight on Wednesday.

At one stage, after the American pilots responded by saying the plane was flying through international airspace, a Chinese radio operator said with exasperation: "This is the Chinese navy ... You go!"

The P8-A Poseidon, the US military's most advanced surveillance aircraft, flew at 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) at its lowest point, CNN said.

The incident, along with recent Chinese warnings to Philippine military aircraft to leave areas around the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, suggests Beijing is trying to enforce a military exclusion zone above its new islands.

Some security experts worry about the risk of confrontation, especially after a US official said last week the Pentagon was considering sending military aircraft and ships to assert freedom of navigation around the Chinese-made islands.

Footage taken by the P8-A Poseidon and aired by CNN showed a hive of construction and dredging activity on the new islands the plane flew over, as well as Chinese navy ships nearby.

CNN said it was the first time the Pentagon had declassified video of China's building activity and audio of challenges to a US aircraft.

"We were just challenged 30 minutes ago and the challenge came from the Chinese navy," Captain Mike Parker, commander of US surveillance aircraft deployed to Asia, told CNN aboard the flight.

"I'm highly confident it came from ashore, this facility here," Parker said, pointing to an early warning radar station on Fiery Cross Reef.

Military facilities on Fiery Cross Reef, including a 3,000-meter (10,000-foot) runway, could be operational by year's end, one US commander recently told Reuters.

Asia's rising power China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week asserted Beijing's sovereignty to reclaim the reefs, saying China's determination to protect its interests was "as hard as a rock."

China has also said it had every right to set up an Air Defense Identification Zone in the South China Sea but that current conditions did not warrant one.

ADIZs are used by some nations to extend control beyond national borders, requiring civilian and military aircraft to identify themselves or face possible military interception.

During the P8-A mission, the pilot of a Delta Air Line flight in the area spoke on the same frequency after hearing the Chinese challenges, and identified himself as commercial. The Chinese voice reassured the pilot and the Delta flight went on its way, CNN said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/110904/china-warns-us-spy-plane-out-of-disputed-south-china-sea-area---cnn-report

Suspected Abu Sayyaf member killed in Jolo shootout

From the Philippine News Agency (May 21): Suspected Abu Sayyaf member killed in Jolo shootout

A suspected Abu Sayyaf Group member was killed during a shootout with members of the Jolo Municipal Police Station late Wednesday afternoon.

Joint Task Group Sulu commander Col. Alan Arrojado identified the slain suspect as Mindas Manda alias "Muktader".

Recovered from his possession were an M-16 automatic rifle and a magazine containing 10 5.56mm rounds.

Manda was cornered by members of the Jolo Municipal Police Station at the Jolo Wet Market, Barangay Walled City, Sulu at 5:50 p.m.

The suspect refused to surrender and fired on the pursuing police officers, forcing authorities to retaliate killing Manda in the process.

Arrojado said Manda is a member of he Muktader Brother ASG Kidnap-for-Ransom Group which is based in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.

The group is working under ASG sub-leaders Idang Susukan, Alhabsy Misaya, Anga Adji and Yasser Igasan.

He said Manda is also involved in the series of recent kidnapping incidents in Malaysia.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=763902

Northern Luzon Command participates in 'Water Rescue Olympics'

From the Philippine News Agency (May 21): Northern Luzon Command participates in 'Water Rescue Olympics'
 

In a bid to gain more knowledge about rescue missions in the water, the Tarlac City-based Northern Luzon Command announced that it has joined in the ongoing "Water Rescue Olympics" in Monte Cruz Resort, Barangay Sto. Niño, San Felipe, Zambales.

Major Gina Daet, Northern Luzon Command spokesperson, said the activity started Wednesday and will culminate on the Friday.

She added that they have deployed three teams to participate in the event.

The guest-of-honor and speaker during Wednesday's opening ceremonies was Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane.

Other participants in "Water Rescue Olympics" came from different government, non-government units and uniformed services.

Live Saving, Boat Capsizing, Rubber Boat Operations and Water Rescue Relay are the four events in the competition.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=763915

Marine units in Sulu conduct security patrol to prevent criminal activities

From the Philippine News Agency (May 21): Marine units in Sulu conduct security patrol to prevent criminal activities
 

Marine units, on security patrol, have engaged and inflicted an undetermined number of casualties to lawless elements they have encountered in Barangay Panducan, Pangutaran town, Sulu on May 19.

Reports forwarded by Capt. Ben June Cerbo, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, Thursday, stated that the firefight took place at 10: 20 a.m.

Troops who took part in the 25-minute firefight are from the Naval Task Group Sulu which are composed of two special operation platoons.

Cerbo said that no losses were sustained by government forces while an undetermined number of the brigands were wounded.

Clearing operations ended at 3:20 p.m. of the same day.

Law enforcement operations are continuously being conducted to deter criminal activities in Sulu.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=763980

(Special Report) PHL presence off WPS to continue despite tensions

From the Philippine News Agency (May 21): (Special Report) PHL presence off WPS to continue despite tensions

Despite ongoing tensions at the West Philippine Sea, soldiers and civilian residents manning Filipino-owned features in the Spratlys Island Group, especially those living in Pagasa, have expressed willingness to defend their fishing ground and vast maritime resources against illegal fishers and intruders.

Pagasa (known as Thitu internationally) is one of the islands lying in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Out of the seven island and three reefs being controlled by the Philippines, Pagasa is the largest measuring 37.2 hectares.

Other Philippine possessions in the Spratlys include Likas Island which measures 18.6 hectares, Parolo Island, 12.7 hectares, Lawak Island 7.93 hectares, Kota Island, 6. 45 hectares, Patag Island, 0.57, Panata Island, 0.44, Rizal, Balagtas and Ayungin Reefs.

Mary Joy Batiancila, Pagasa Island administrator, said that fisherfolk in the locality are deeply concerned with the illegal fishing activities being done by foreign fishermen around the island.

She said these illegal fishermen, particularly the Chinese and Vietnamese, were always seen using unauthorized means in fishing around Pagasa Island.

Batiancila said the Philippine Coast Guard, Pagasa barangay officials and their fishermen would regularly chase or warn these illegal fishers away.

“They are engaged in blast or dynamite fishing. They also use cyanide,” she added.

Batiancila said these illegal activities are ruining the natural ecosystem and physical makeup of the “bahura” or the coral reefs around Pagasa Island.

“This leads to a drop in the fish catch or incomes of our own fishermen,” she said.

Kalayaan town mayor Eugenio Bitoon-on said that these illegal fishing activities made local officials of Kalayaan and Palawan alert and concern over the condition of the marine ecosystem in the West Philippine Sea.

The presence of such illegal fishing activities endangers the West Philippine Sea which is considered as one of the richest fishing grounds of the Philippines.

Batiancila said the area around Pagasa alone is abundant with turtles, dolphins, manta rays and various kinds of fish.

Pagasa is surrounded by around 20 to 30 hectares of rich coral reefs home to aquarium and commercial fish.

It provides livelihood and food for Pagasa’s more or less 200 dwellers. It is often visited by rare types of turtles like the endangered leatherback.

Just some three nautical miles away from Pagasa is the sandbar Pagasa Islanders call the “Secret Island”, Batiancila said.

The island is also home to teeming marine life which the Islanders are keeping watch over.

Pagasa is the nearest neighbor of Subi Reef, which is only 25.7 kilometers away.

Subi Reef is now included among the areas in West Philippine Sea where the Chinese government is doing massive reclamation activities by building structures on and around it, destroying corals and hectares upon hectares of coral reefs in the process.

Bitoon-on said the Chinese seem bent on transforming the reef into a man-made island.

Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen often visit Subi Reef and the Secret Island to gather giant clams from the area.

Batiancila said recent surveys by Coast Guard and the local government revealed that there is a decline in the number of giant clams in there.

“We cannot perform arrests against them even though we have the maritime police with us. We do not have facilities and transportation to stand against them,” she said.

Batiancila said that the least their authorities could do is to chase away the illegal fishermen that they could.

“But we can never engage them,” she said.

Despite not having the right facilities, the people of Pagasa and the local officials of Kalayaan and Palawan expressed utmost support in protecting the natural treasures of West Philippine Sea.

Bitoon-on said he is thankful for the support that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Coast Guard give to the people of Pagasa.

He said he is confident that the people of Pagasa are secure and safe in their homes on the island.

He said among the projects of the municipality is creating a tourism route through West Philippine Sea which will include Pagasa Island.

Bitoon-on added that the new industry would help generate more jobs and income for the people of Kalayaan Group of Islands.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, during his May 11 visit to Pagasa Island, called on the people to continue supporting the claims of the Republic of the Philippines on the West Philippine Sea and all the islands in it.

“This is ours!” was the battle cry of AFP for the disputed territories.

He said the AFP is willing to support the agenda of enlivening tourism in the West Philippine Sea. He said Pagasa Island and the reefs around it alone has enough to offer for both domestic and international tourists.

He also assured that the AFP will remain protecting the island and its surrounding waters against any threats.

As this develops, Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said Filipino pilots under him will continue their sovereignty patrols.

This is despite seven incidents involving Chinese monitoring platforms challenging Filipino aircraft.

"We told the pilots to answer them (Chinese) the correct way. That they are navigating in international airspace and we are doing our normal air patrol missions," he added.

Lopez also said that they are not scared by these incidents and stressed that they are not cowed by the challenges.

The Western Command chief said that Chinese attempts to challenge Philippine maritime patrol flights started last April 19.

Another challenge was reported on May 10, Lopez said.

Lopez also clarified that the no-fly zone over Subi Reef, where a Chinese reclamation project, does not legally exist.

"There is no such thing. Again, it's an international airspace. (We have) freedom of flight," he added.

The Western Command chief said that Chinese reclamation progress in Subi Reef is very fast as only patches of work can be seen last Feb. 25.

"If you will base it from the last flight that we had (there)sometime Feb. 25, (It is now big) Before (only) patches (can be seen). (Now you can see) solid connections)," he pointed out.

In line with this, Lopez also urged Filipino fishermen to continue asserting their fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal as it is legitimate Philippine territory.

"Our message (to Filipino fishermen despite the purported Chinese harassment) is to continue going there (because) it is ours.That's a traditional fishing country," he added.

He made this appeal especially to those fishermen based in Northern Luzon.

China gain control of Scarborough Shoal after a tense stand-off with the Philippine Navy in April 2012.

At the same time, Lopez said that there is an average three Chinese Coast Guard ships off Scarborough Shoal.

These vessels are deployed there with the sole purpose of driving away Filipino fisherfolk.

He also stressed that they are still to detect any Chinese reclamation efforts in the vicinity.

Scarborough Shoal has been placed under the operational jurisdiction of the Palawan-based Western Command in February 2014.

This was done through the orders of then Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

"The area of Bajo De Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) has been transferred from the Northern Luzon Command to the Western Command, this is to enhance our external defense capabilities which is now being concentrated at the Western Command and unity of effort and command so that our external defense efforts will just be under one commander and that is the Western Command commander," he added.

 

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=764103

MILF group frees 3 people abducted in Lanao del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): MILF group frees 3 people abducted in Lanao del Sur

The members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have released the three people they abducted two months ago in Lanao del Sur, a military official said Wednesday.

Capt. Ben June Cerbo, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) acting information officer, said the victims were freed shortly after 12 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Bualan, Balindong, Lanao del Sur.

Cerbo identified the released victims as Omainah Cuno, Jabbar Mimbala and Maisara Mangoranca, who were abducted last March 16 in Barangay Gandamato, Ditsaan Ramain, Lanao del Sur.

Cerbo said the victims were abducted by the group of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) commander Haji Malik.

He said Malik’s group released the victims following pursuit operations and prior coordination with the peace mechanism of the MILF-Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (MILF-AHJAG) by the Joint Task Force Zampelan.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=763643

Police intel officer killed in ambush; girl wounded by stray bullet

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): Police intel officer killed in ambush; girl wounded by stray bullet

A police intelligence officer died on the spot when unidentified armed men ambushed him in Barangay Gabao, Irosin, Sorsogon Tuesday.

PO2 Roque Anonuevo, 37, married and resident of Barangay San Julian, Irosin, was on board his motorcycle monitoring wanted persons in the area at about 10:20 a.m. when shot by the unknown persons.

Seven-year-old Merry S. Camo was hit by a stray bullet while playing at the road side.

After the shooting, the suspects hurriedly left the place.

Responding police officers failed to catch up with the killers.

Police are still determining the identities of the suspects and their motive for the killing.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=763646

Bicol police chief orders no whitewash on probe of misencounter in Legazpi village

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): Bicol police chief orders no whitewash on probe of misencounter in Legazpi village

Chief Supt. Victor Deona, Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol regional director, on Wednesday ordered a full investigation on the reported misencounter on Tuesday morning between PNP members and a squad of Philippine Army soldiers that killed a police officer and wounded another cop in Sitio (sub-village) San Jose, Barangay (village) Maslog here.

Deona said he had ordered a no-whitewash investigation of the incident, saying “I gave Sr. Supt. Marlo Meneses, Albay provincial director, 72 hours to investigate whether indeed there was a misencounter and recommend appropriate actions so that no similar incident would happen in the future.”

In a phone interview, Deona assured that the probe would be transparent, as the investigating team has already started gathering pieces of evidence in the encounter site and testimonies from policemen patrolling the area.

The investigation will also determine if there were operational lapses committed, specifically, if there were “coordination” protocols violated.

Quoting initial scene of the crime operatives (SOCO) report, Deona said operatives have recovered an M16 rifle, cell phones, wristwatch, empty bullet shells and slugs at the clash scene, which is about 200 meters away from the barangay road.

Meneses said in a text message that two teams from the Albay Public Safety Command (PPSC) were on security operations after receiving intelligence report that an NPA leader would visit a relative in the village, which was at that time celebrating its fiesta.

He said the teams were also responding to reports about the presence of armed group in the area.

Army Lt. Col. Perfecto Penaredondo, commanding officer of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, said in a text message that “as of now, we are investigating elements of our unit who figured in a clash at almost the same vicinity in Barangay Maslog yesterday.”

He said his squad of Army soldiers responded to an earlier tip about NPA presence in the area, after checking with the City Police Action Center in Barangay Taysan, a neighboring upland village in the southern part of the city.

Penaredondo further said investigation is also being conducted by his command to see if there are any possible lapses.

He said the firearms used by his men have been collected for ballistic examination to determine if these were the ones that hit the PNP men or the bullets were from the NPA rebels.

The alleged misencounter was reported by a press statement issued on Tuesday by the New People’s Army (NPA) Santos Binamira Command, saying that no members of their group were operating in that area when the incident occurred.

The Santos-Binamira command claimed that the incident was a misencounter as the police were engaged in a gunbattle with a group of Army soldiers who were also in the same area.

The engagement, which lasted for 45 minutes, led to the killing of PO3 Rene Balaguer and the wounding of PO2 Ronald Bondad, both members of the 16-man Albay PPSC team.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=763651

2 killed, 1 wounded as ASG strafes motorboat off Sulu waters

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): 2 killed, 1 wounded as ASG strafes motorboat off Sulu waters

Suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits, with vengeance in mind, killed two civilians and wounded another after strafing a motorboat passing at the municipal waters of Tiomabal, Maibung, and Tapul, Sulu Tuesday afternoon.

Joint Task Group Sulu commander Col.Alan Arrojado said the incident took place at 3 p.m.

He added that the victims and all surviving passengers of the motorboat are residents of Laminusa Island, Siasi town, Sulu.

Arrojado said the names of the victims were still being determined as of this posting.

He added that suspected ASG men, aboard a fast motor boat, came from the direction of Lugus and fired on the civilian-packed craft.

Arrojado said that they saw no motive for the incident saved for the successful rescue of kidnap victim Guan Kim Maujon, a native of Laminusa Island, from the clutches of the bandit group last week.

In the said operation, seven ASG men were killed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=763814

Trooper wounded in Iloilo clash with rebel remnants

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): Trooper wounded in Iloilo clash with rebel remnants

A trooper from the 82nd Infantry Battalion was wounded during an encounter with 10 suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels at the boundary of Sitios Aray-aray and Gibas, Barangay Tigbanaba, Igbaras town, Iloilo Tuesday afternoon.

The firefight which lasted for 20 minutes started at 3:10 p.m.

Wounded was Pfc. Merdian M. Parajile.

3rd Infantry Division spokesman Major Ray Tiongson said the rebels sustained an undetermined number of wounded in the shootout as several blood trails were discovered in the encounter site.

He added that these bandits are remnants of the NPA's Southern Front, KR-Panay.

Pursuit operations are now ongoing.

Tiongson said the encounter stemmed from reports of residents of the above-mentioned barangay regarding the presence of heavily armed men extorting in their area.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=763790

Ferrer lauds Congress for retaining substantive elements of BBL

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): Ferrer lauds Congress for retaining substantive elements of BBL

Government of the Philippines (GPH) chief peace negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer conveyed her appreciation to the members of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) for exerting due diligence as they deliberated and voted on every section of the proposed measure, noting that substantive elements of the proposed law were retained in response to the call of the Bangsamoro people for genuine autonomy.

“We have been monitoring the proceedings in Congress since Monday and we definitely appreciate that our honorable representatives have exerted all efforts and and responded to the call of the people to draft a BBL consistent with the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro) and in accordance to the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” she said as the ad hoc committee on the BBL approved on Wednesday the proposed law at the committee level.

The line by line voting on the specific provisions on the proposed BBL started Monday afternoon. The lawmakers resumed their session early morning Tuesday and adjourned once more around 11 p.m. The Ad Hoc Committee continued its proceedings today for referral of the bill to the House committee on appropriations and the committee on ways and means before submission to plenary.

Substantive parts of BBL

According to Ferrer, the three most substantive elements of the BBL were carried in the amended draft of the ad hoc committee.

“The important elements are still there, notably: the structure of government; automatic block grant; and the layered voting process where the majority vote in the six Lanao del Norte municipalities and 39 North Cotabato barangays shall be determined at the level of the local government unit,” she said.

The chief peace negotiator added that most articles, especially on fiscal and economic matters were also preserved.

“We are thankful that substantive parts and the spirit of the BBL to address the Bangsamoro aspiration for political and fiscal autonomy were heeded by our lawmakers in their voting on the provisions of the Bangsamoro law,” she said.

During the two-day proceedings, the ad hoc committee has entrenched certain substantial changes to the bill such as the provision for the Chief Minister to have two deputies, one from the island provinces and another from central Mindanao; as well as the unequivocal recognition of the validity of the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) in the Bangsamoro. The latter has allayed the anxiety of the Lumad communities who have been clamoring for the same.

“The welfare of the indigenous peoples has been enhanced. The same is true with the protection of women’s rights and welfare. While there were cutbacks on the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro government over natural resources, the wealth-sharing from the exploration, development, and utilization of these resources were not changed,” continued Ferrer.

One step closer to BBL passage

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles also hailed the passage of the BBL at the committee level, saying that “this is a good day in our quest for just and lasting peace as the draft BBL is one step closer to passage, having been approved on the committee level.”

"Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa liderato ng Kamara de Representante at sa pamunuan at mga miyembro ng Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL sa kanilang pagsagot sa panawagan ng Bangsamoro para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran (We would like to express our thanks to the leadership of the House of Representatives and to the chair and members of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL for answering the call of the Bangsamoro for peace and prosperity)," she said.

"We are aware that there will still be challenges along the way but we are confident that our lawmakers will heed the call of the people for meaningful autonomy and end to conflict," Deles added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=763869

AFP defends decision not to allow civilians to pass through Crow Valley during 'Balikatan' exercises

From the Philippine News Agency (May 20): AFP defends decision not to allow civilians to pass through Crow Valley during 'Balikatan' exercises

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday defended its decision not to allow civilians to pass through Crow Valley, Tarlac during live-fire exercises held there during the recently concluded "Balikatan" 2015 exercises.

"For more than a decade now, we have given civilians the privilege to pass through the Crow Valley military reservation to access their livelihood sources. However, we normally suspend this privilege every time our soldiers are conducting live-fire exercises," said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc.

He made this statement in wake of reports that Sen. Miriam Santiago is planning to conduct a Senate inquiry on economic losses suffered by civilians who were prevented from passing Crow Valley during the height of the "Balikatan" war games which started on April 20 and ended on the 30th.

"During the recent 'Balikatan' exercises, the organizers implemented movement restrictions within the military reservation to ensure that nobody among the civilians will be harmed by the live munitions that are used by the training participants," Cabunoc said.

He was referring to the joint Filipino and American military forces conduct a capability demonstration in Crow Valley, Tarlac as part of the combined arms live-fire exercise between the American and Filipino militaries held on April 30, the last day of the maneuvers.

"The Balikatan exercises are part of our obligations as a signatory of the Mutual Defense Treaty," he added.

The exercise demonstrates cooperation and inter-operability between the Philippines and the United States, consistent with Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

"It is also part of our preparation and training enhancement to improve our readiness for territorial defense and in addressing other national security concerns," the AFP public affairs office chief stressed.

"We will fully cooperate with the investigating body that will be tasked to look into this issue," Cabunoc added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=763842

House approves PH sea lanes

From the Manila Bulletin (May 20): House approves PH sea lanes

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading last night the proposed Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, a measure that could impact on the ongoing territorial controversy over the West Philippine Sea between Philippines and China.

Pending in at least four congresses, House Bill 5487 seeks to empower the president to designate the archipelagic sea lanes in the archipelagic waters of the Philippines. This provision differed from previous measures filed on the issue.

With 146 congressmen favoring the bill, the Lower House finally disposed of two measures related to territorial waters of the country.

Earlier, the House approved House Bill 4889 defining the maritime zones of the country.

Endorsed by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, HB 5487 will establish the parameters for the establishment of archipelagic sea lanes (ASLs) in the Philippine archipelago.

Committee chairman and Albay Rep. Alfrancis Bichara said the bill prescribes the rights and obligations of foreign ships and aircraft when exercising the right of passage over Philippine waters in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“It emphasizes that the exercise of the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage (ASLP) by all foreign ships shall be consistent with the constitutional mandate of freedom from nuclear weapons in Philippine territory,” Bichara said.

Magdalo party-list Rep. Ashley Acedillo said doubts on the bill’s full implementation have been expressed by various quarters.

http://www.mb.com.ph/house-approves-ph-sea-lanes/