Rebel recruit surrenders in Davao City

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10): Rebel recruit surrenders in Davao City

A 17-year-old New People's Army (NPA) recruit voluntarily surrendered to troopers of the 84th Infantry Battalion last Monday after suffering severe hardships while serving the rebel band.

In a statement forwarded by Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs office chief, Wednesday, the surrenderee identified only as "Ryan," gave himself up to authorities at Malagos, Bagiuo District, Davao City at 3:30 p.m.

Upon questioning, the surrendered rebel recruit said that he finished his elementary education at Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology in Barangay Doroluman, Arakan town, North Cotabato.

"Ryan" also said that he was working as a garbage collector in a mall when recruited by the NPAs last year.

He added that he decided to surrender after experiencing hunger and other hardships while serving in the NPA ranks in the mountains.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=770742

Police identify slain rebels in Pampanga encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10): Police identify slain rebels in Pampanga encounter

The Pampanga Provincial Police has finally identified the five members of the Marxist-Leninist Party of the Philippines-Rebolusyunaryong Hukbong Bayan, a breakaway group from the Communist Party of the Philippines, who were killed during an encounter with authorities at Barangay San Jose Matulid, Mexico, Pampanga Tuesday early morning.

Senior Supt. Rodolfo Recomono, Pampanga Provincial Police director, identified the slain rebels as Roel Gomez, 32, married; Ruth Liberty Vudade, 29, married; Evan Balaguis, 23, single; Renato Nucum, 52, married; and Aries Nucum, 25.

All five sustained gunshot wounds during an encounter with Pampanga police operatives at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday.

All were declared dead on arrival at the Mexico Community Hospital.

The encounter stemmed from police operations against the rebel group who were reported to be engaged in robbery hold-up, carnappping and gun-for-hire rackets in Pampanga and other provinces of Central Luzon.

While 28-year-old Ryan Lising, a resident of Barangay San Jose Matulid, was wounded and captured by police officers.

Recovered from the encounter scene were four short firearms, two carbines, one 5.56 caliber rifle, a bow and three arrows, cross bow, subversive documents, electronic gadgets and a pair of binoculars.

No losses were reported on the police.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=770734

PCG helicopter 684 up for maintenance

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10): PCG helicopter 684 up for maintenance

To ensure the mission readiness of all its available air assets, the Philippine Coast Guard has allocated the sum of Php1,712,514 for the maintenance of PCG helicopter with tail number 684.

The money will be use for the procurement of rear and center stack exhaust pipe assembly, module oil indicator, and module oil temperature oil indicator.

Winning bidders are required to deliver the items within 30 calendar working days.

Bid opening shall be on June 18, 9 a.m. at PCG Conference Room, 2nd floor administration building, 139 25th Street, Port Area, Manila.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=770888

RBN chief vows closer cooperation with PN

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10): RBN chief vows closer cooperation with PN
 

Royal Brunei Navy commander First Admiral Pengiran Norazmi Bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad vowed closer cooperation with the Philippine Navy following a meeting last Monday with PN flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C. Millan.

Norazmi also expressed his enthusiasm in deepening and strengthening of the relationship between the PN and RBN.

The former also visited the PN headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Blvd., Manila. He arrived in the country last Sunday.

Prior to his meeting with Millan, the RBN commander made a courtesy call on Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang.

The PN and the RBN have a regular bilateral training codenamed Maritime Training Activity Seagull (MTA Seagull) hosted alternately to strengthen the bilateral relationship and enhance the mutual cooperation and understanding between the two navies.

MTA Seagull is held every other year in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam signed on Aug. 22, 2001 which serves as a framework for fostering closer defense relations and cooperation between the armed forces of both countries.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=770967

SSVs to boost defense, humanitarian assistance capabilities of PN

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10): SSVs to boost defense, humanitarian assistance capabilities of PN

The Philippine Navy (PN) said that having strategic sea-lift vessels (SSVs) in its inventory will greatly boost the defense and humanitarian assistance capabilities of the naval service.

This was disclosed by PN public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna as PT PAL (Persero), the Indonesian shipbuilder who won the contract for the two ships, is now making steady progress in the construction of the SSVs at its Surabaya shipyard.

"It (SSVs) will definitely boost the defense capabilities of (our country). It will be the PN's command center carrying out their main purpose as military sea-lift and transport vessel, and for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," he added.

Lincuna also stressed that SSVs are critical assets for civil-military operations due to its capability of transporting large numbers of soldiers, logistics, and supplies.

These ships also have the capability to house three helicopters which could be use for search-and-rescue missions.

Steel-cutting for the first SSV took place last Jan. 22, while steel-cutting for the second unit took place last June 6.

The first SSV is expected to be delivered on May 2016 while the second one is slated for May 2017.

The strategic sea-lift acquisition project for the PN was initiated upon the approval of Acquisition Decision Memorandum Number 2012-060 by the Secretary of National Defense last Oct. 30, 2013.

The Department of National Defense declared Persero as the Single Calculated Responsive Bidder with a bidding price of Php3,870,000,000 on Nov. 18, 2014.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=771007

DND denies seeking 7% commission on Huey deal

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10): DND denies seeking 7% commission on Huey deal

The Department of National Defense (DND) vehemently denied allegations that Secretary Voltaire Gazmin sought a "seven percent commission" in exchange for awarding the Php 1.2-billion refurbished "Huey" contract to Rice Aircraft Services Inc. (RASI).

"The allegations of Rhodora Alvarez are figments of her imagination. The SND (Secretary of National Defense) has never asked nor issued instructions to seek favors from any entities nor manipulate transactions that would violate the public trust and result in a disadvantage to the government," DND spokesperson Dr. Reuben Peter Paul Galvez said.

He also said that Gazmin had strict instructions to all DND officials to avoid acts of impropriety in all their dealings or acts that might be wrongly perceived.

Alvarez, an employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, said in her sworn statement to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee that she learned about the alleged “commission” in a “secret” meeting between DND undersecretary Fernando Manalo and RASI president Robert Rice, Jr., inside the DND official’s office last Nov. 4, 2013.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=771024

AFP to join 117th Philippine Independence Day celebrations

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10): AFP to join 117th Philippine Independence Day celebrations

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be joining the rest of the country in celebrating its 117th Independence Day this coming Friday (June 12).

In line with this, the military has lined up its own events this June 11 to 12, said AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc.

This includes the MUSIKALAYAAN Concert slated on June 11 at 7 p.m. at the Open Air Auditorium of Luneta Park.

The concert will feature talents from the Major Services of the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy, Civil Relations Service AFP and AFP GHQ & HSC Combo Bands.

Cabunoc said the event will also be graced by performances from the Chorale Group of Philippine Veterans Office, Department of National Defense, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Admission to the concert is free.

Meanwhile, the military will also field static/kinetic displays will exhibit the different capabilities of the AFP on June 11 to 12 in Lapu-Lapu Area of Luneta Park.

It will be open to the public for free from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Independence Day 2015 bears the theme “Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay Sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay Na Ng Bayan.”

Cabunoc said celebrations of the AFP for this year are lined up in recognition to the heroism of our heroes and to promote the renewed commitment of the Filipino soldiers.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=770986

BIFF camp captured in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10): BIFF camp captured in Maguindanao

Troopers from the 601st Infantry Brigade captured a newly-constructed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) camp located at a mountainous area of Barangay Macalag, Datu Unsay town, Maguindanao last June 7.

In a statement forwarded Wednesday by Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said government troopers, while conducting patrol operations, spotted an undetermined number of BIFF members at about 7 a.m. Sunday.

The troopers engaged the BIFF in a firefight for 15 minutes and resulted in the withdrawal of the latter after sustaining undetermined number of casualties.

Recovered from the encounter scene was a 7.62mm automatic rifle.

Pursuing troops spotted and captured an abandoned BIFF camp a kilometer away.

The camp has seven huts that can accommodate an about 60 persons.

Seen in the area were four jungle hammocks; two pairs battle dress uniforms; one upper PNP SAF uniform with a "Usman" name tag, one bandoleer for M-14 rifle; one bandoleer for M-16 and a sweatshirt with "BIFF" markings.

Petinglay said Sunday's operation was a continuing effort of 6th Infantry Division to go after the remnants of the BIFF after the group was displaced from their encampments and most of them killed during the all-out offensive conducted against them more than a month ago.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=771136

Ancient map won’t help RP in UN case, says China

From the Daily Tribune (Jun 10): Ancient map won’t help RP in UN case, says China

China doused cold water on the chances of the government’s plan to submit an almost 300-year-old map to the United Nations Tribunal on the Law of the Sea in The Hague which supposedly shows that Huangyan Island or the dispute Scarborough Shoal is part of Philippine territory, in helping the Philippines’ case in the arbitration case.

Scarborough Shoal is where China is undertaking a massive reclamation work as part of its efforts to solidify its claim on the disputed area.

The government is banking on the map, first published in 1734, to disprove the nine-dash-line claim of China in proving that almost the entire South China Sea is within its territory.

“The map cannot help the Philippines regarding its territorial claims,” Zhuang Guotu, a professor from the Research School for Southeast Asian Studies of Xiamen University, said as he emphasized the role that the 1898 Spanish-American War played in the dispute.

The US took over Spain’s colonies including the Philippine islands in 1898 but “did not take control of Huangyan Island according to Zhuang.”

“The island was not a part of the Philippines either after the country gained independence in 1946,” he added.

“It is common to depict surrounding areas on a map. It is for sure the map can not prove that the islands belong to the Philippines,” Global Times quoted Zhuang as saying.

“The tribunal has its own way to reach a judgment … Anyone who knows history or law will see that the map will not help the Philippines,” Zhuang argued.

China, however, maintained that The Hague tribunal’s decision has no binding effect on it.

According to China’s position paper on jurisdiction in South China Sea arbitration released last year by Chen Qinghong, a research ­fellow from the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceania Studies under the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, the tribunal “has no jurisdiction over this arbitration, unilaterally initiated by the Philippines.…

“[The arbitration] will not change the history and fact of China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and adjacent waters,” it added.

Senior Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said a definitive ruling from UN body on the border conflict with China will ease the tension in the region.

Speaking with a Spanish academic, Carpio underscored that a favorable ruling by the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration on the Philippines’ case against China may help reduce the tension over the territorial dispute in the South China Sea adding that if the tribunal declares China’s controversial nine-dash line as invalid, then Beijing cannot claim as sovereign territorial waters the entire South China Sea.

Carpio was interviewed with Mario Esteban of the Elcano Royal Institute in Madrid, Spain, as part of the former’s series of lectures on the West Philippine Sea in Europe where he spoke about the ongoing territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing.

Carpio said a ruling by the arbitral tribunal favorable to Manila will reduce the area of the conflict from the entire South China Sea to the islands, which he added, can be managed by claimant countries.

“If the Tribunal will declare the nine-dash line as void, therefore, China cannot claim as sovereign territorial waters the entire South China Sea. It will have to limit its claim to the islands and the 12-nautical mile territorial sea. So that will drastically reduce the area of conflict from the entire South China Sea to the islands and that kind of conflict over small islands can be managed,” Carpio said in the transcripts, copies of which are provided by the SC Public Information Office.

“Our problem now is China claims the entire South China Sea, and that is a problem for our fishermen because these are their traditional fishing grounds, and if they go there now they will be water cannoned. So if we have a favorable ruling, the area of the dispute will be reduced considerably and we can leave on that kind of dispute,” he added.

He explained that if the nine-dash line is allowed to stand by the Tribunal, then it will have far-reaching consequences since other countries may use it to claim entire seas in their region.

“If the Tribunal will allow the nine-dash line to stand, then the law of the sea, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, will not apply in the South China Sea. If it can’t apply in the South China Sea, it cannot apply in other seas or oceans because other naval powers will demand the same rights as China. We cannot create an exemption because naval powers will also demand an exemption. Why is China alone being given an entire sea? India will claim the Indian Ocean. I think we will go back to the 1200, the 1300, 1400 or the 1500 where nations tried to claim the oceans and seas as their own,” he said.

Carpio said nations claiming entire oceans and seas as their own were a thing of the past adding that this has been settled in the 1600 between two great scholars, Hugo Grotius and John Selden.
He said maritime territorial disputes are now governed by UNCLoS signed by 165 countries, including the Philippines and China.

“We are trying to get a ruling from the Tribunal that the nine-dash line has no basis under international law. China can claim the islands and territories, and we can discuss that over time, but in this time and age, no state can claim an entire sea anymore. That era long passed and settled a long time ago. We are now under the UNCLoS,” he said.

He added that the UNCLoS is very clear in that countries are only entitled to 12 nautical miles territorial sea and additional Exclusive Economic Zone of 200 nautical and at most, 150 nautical miles of continental shelf.With this, he said “no one country can claim the entire sea.”

“That’s all over now, that idea in the 1600 that the world has rejected and China is reviving today,” he further said.

If the territorial dispute is allowed to fester and flares into military conflict, Carpio said “the world economy will be in danger because more than one half of the seaborne trade of the world passes through the South China Sea.

”He called on the European Union to support a ruling of the Tribunal. Once there is a ruling, we expect the EU to also support the ruling because this is a ruling of an international tribunal in which the EU is a member,” he said adding that the entire international community should also follow suit in supporting such ruling.

The Philippines took China to the arbitral tribunal in January 2013 as it challenged the legality of the latter’s nine dash line claim over nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas included in the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

The DFA said the country expects that it will finally resolve the territorial dispute in the South China Sea through peaceful means as well as clarify the country’s maritime entitlements.

China has refused to participate in the arbitral proceedings and insisted on bilateral negotiation with the Philippines to resolve the territorial dispute.

Its claims over the South China and its aggressive stance, including the reclamation activities in Kagitingan, Zamora and Panganiban Reefs as well as the building of artificial islets over Mabini, Burgos, Calderon and Kennar Reefs has rattled the nerves of other claimant countries, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam.......

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/ancient-map-won-t-help-rp-in-un-case-says-china

Army, police foil bombing attempt in North Cotabato, manhunt on vs. perpetrators

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): Army, police foil bombing attempt in North Cotabato, manhunt on vs. perpetrators

Police and military authorities here have conducted joint manhunt against two men who left components of a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) in a remote village here Monday.

This after military bomb experts prevented a bombing attempt in North Cotabato or elsewhere in the region with the recovery of components of improvised explosive device in Purok Lumboy, Barangay New Leon, Aleosan, North Cotabato.

Four live 60 mm mortars were found tucked in the “u-box” or compartment of a motorcycle left unattended in Purok at past 4 p.m. Monday, according to Senior Inspector Arnel Melocotones, Aleosan town police chief.

Melocotones said the Aleosan police office has received information at past 3 p.m. that two men were acting suspiciously in the village when they abandoned a motorbike.

Army bomb experts checked on the motorbike and were surprised to discover four 60 mortars, detonating cords, blasting caps, steel balls and other metals.

“It will not explode, the triggering device was not yet complete,” Melocotenes said in Filipino.

He theorized the two men left the motorbike in Barangay New Leon and other men will drive the vehicle to an unknown place where they will set off the IED.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing attempt but police and Army investigators said it has the "signatures" of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

An Army colonel said the recovered IED components were similar to those found and recovered by the military in BIFF camps and stronghold in Maguindanao last February when an all out offensive was launched to neutralize the BIFF.

Following the incident, Senior Supt. Danilo Peralta, North Cotabato police chief, has ordered all police units in the province to be on guard against peace saboteurs.

He also sought the help of civilians in preventing bombings and other terrorism in the province.

North Cotabato had been subjected to BIFF bombings in the past, the latest bloody attacks were in November and December last year where three bombings, one in Kabacan town and two in Mlang, both in North Cotabato, leaving at least six persons dead and about 60 civilians wounded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=770280

10th ID launches Project 'Shoe Box'

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): 10th ID launches Project 'Shoe Box'

In line with its efforts to gain rapport with the community it is serving, the Compostela Valley-based 10th Infantry Division together with its civilian stakeholders launched its Project "Shoe Box" Monday.

This took place at Task Force Davao headquarters, Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City.

Project "Shoe Box" aims to provide school items to indigent children living in the 10th Infantry Division area-of-operations.

In Monday's ceremony, 10th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Eduardo M. Ano personally handed shoe boxes containing school items and other materials to Department of Education and National Commission of Indigenous People representatives.

Helping the 10th Infantry Division in this endeavor were non-government organizations Children’s Hour, Kiwanis International, Unifrutti Phils Inc., Davao Travel Agencies Association, Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines, Motor Riders Association, NCCC Mall Davao, Fraternal Order of Eagle, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and other private sectors and stakeholders that are committed to provide school materials.

Donated school items consists of 36,088 shoe boxes.

These consists of pencils, pad papers, crayons, slippers, school bags, uniforms, shoes and raincoats.

These will be given to 27,528 school children studying in 63 public schools in the 10th Infantry Division's area-of-operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=770299

Ex-NPA rebel gunned down by former comrades

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): Ex-NPA rebel gunned down by former comrades

A former member of the New People's Army (NPA) who turned a Citizens Armed Forces and Geographical Unit member was gunned down by his former comrades inside his house on Sunday night at Barangay San Sebastian, Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon.

A police report identified the former rebel-turned-CAFGU man as Biyong Garais, married and a farmer.

The report said Garais was busy watching the television with his family inside his residence at about 7:30 p.m. when young-looking men armed with .45-caliber pistol barged in and shot him dead.

After their mission, the rebels casually walked away towards the direction of the mountain in the village.

The report said Garais became active in fighting against his former rebel-companions when he joined the CAFGU after leaving the dissident movement.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=770368

Rebel killed in Northern Samar clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): Rebel killed in Northern Samar clash

A New People's Army (NPA) fighter was killed during a clash with 81st Division Reconnaissance Company troopers on "focus military operations" at Sitio Cabangahan, Barangay Mckinley, Catarman town, Northern Samar Monday afternoon.

The said unit is under the operational control of the 63rd Infantry Battalion commanded by Lt. Col. Carmelito T. Pangatungan.

Pangatungan said that the firefight took place at 2:25 p.m.

He said that his men were conducting operations in the locality when they chanced upon a NPA team passing by, triggering a brief battle, killing one rebel and scattering the others without losses to the government side.

Aside from the slain NPA fighter, the government forces recovered an AK-47 automatic rifle and assorted ammunition at the scene of the encounter.

The slain rebel was handed to Barangay Mckinley officials for identification and burial.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=770278

PN to hold joint training with JMSDF

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): PN to hold joint training with JMSDF

The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that it will conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response, maritime search-and-rescue, and maritime situational awareness training and cooperation with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF).

This was disclosed by PN spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo Tuesday.

"This is part of the customary engagements that the PN does with navies sojourning the Philippines. These are the activities lined-up for the JMSDF country visit on June 22-26, 2015," he added.

The JMSDF will deploy a Lockheed P-3C "Orion" maritime patrol aircraft in the above-mentioned exercise.

Arevalo stressed that these confidence building activities aim to foster camaraderie, nurture established friendship, and promote interoperability of the two navies.

"This Navy-to-Navy engagement envisions to share new tactics, techniques, and procedures as well as best practices to further maritime operations especially now that the Philippines is nearing the rainy season," he added.

"Finally, the ensuing staff-to-staff talks during the visit shall strengthen and institutionalize information-sharing between the PN and JMSDF to step-up maritime situational awareness," the PN spokesman said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=770503

Japan aims to send patrol aircraft to PH for exercise

Posted to ABS-CBN (Jun 9): Japan aims to send patrol aircraft to PH for exercise




Japan aims to send a P3-C Orion patrol aircraft to the Philippines for a search-and-rescue exercise this month in a further sign of deepening security ties as Japan looks to extend its military presence to the South China Sea.

Tension in the South China Sea has been rising, particularly since China began land reclamation projects on disputed reefs, extending its influence in a region through which about $5 trillion of trade passes annually, much of it to and from Japan.

The United States wants its Asian allies to be more assertive against what it sees as Chinese expansionism.

The proposed two-day exercise from June 24 near the Philippine capital, Manila, comes after Philippine President Benigno Aquino visited Japan last week for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"We will announce the details such as the schedule and assets we will send as soon as the plan is fixed," Tomohisa Takei, chief of staff for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, told media in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Japan is considering joint maritime air patrols in the South China Sea with the United States as a counterweight to China's growing power, sources told Reuters in April.

Close U.S. allies Japan and the Philippines are negotiating a visiting forces agreement that, if concluded, would allow Japanese military aircraft, such as the Lockheed Martin P3-C, to use bases in the Philippines for refueling.

Philippine navy spokesman Edgard Arevalo said the Philippine Navy and Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force were exploring areas of training and cooperation including humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Aquino and Abe also agreed to discuss transfers of defense technology and equipment that could help the Philippine's beef up patrols in areas of the South China Sea also claimed by China. With a much bigger navy, China is better able to push its claims.

Japan and the Philippines signed an agreement to forge closer defence ties in January and conducted their first joint naval drill in Philippine waters in May.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/09/15/japan-aims-send-patrol-aircraft-ph-exercise