Ammunition facility to become economic zone

From the Business World (Jun 14): Ammunition facility to become economic zone

BAGAC, BATAAN -- A unit of the Department of National Defense which manufactures ammunition for the police and military will soon become a special economic zone once President Benigno S. C. Aquino III signs the requisite rules, Bataan Governor Albert S. Garcia said here last week.



A worker pours empty shells for loading at an arsenal plant in Limay, Bataan in this file photo. The facility will soon become a special defense economic zone as soon as President Benigno S. C. Aquino III signs rules, a local official said. -- AFP

The Government Arsenal is mandated to design, develop, manufacture, procure and stockpile military weapons for the Philippine government.

“We’re just waiting for the presidential proclamation for the incentives,” Mr. Garcia told reporters on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting.

Under Republic Act No. 10349 which establishes the revised modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, proceeds from joint ventures in the government arsenal may fund the AFP’s modernization trust fund.

Mr. Garcia said the revised modernization program allows for the creation of a “special defense economic zone” and, if realized, could become the first in Southeast Asia. He said the proclamation could be signed by August this year.

Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) Chairman Deogracias G. P. Custodio, for his part said in a separate interview: “It’s a government corporation now. They just want to be Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered so they can give incentives to locators who will set up shop there.”

“In fact I was telling the heads of the arsenal that we have a military boot manufacturer inside the FAB, so with a potential expansion, maybe they will put up shop there instead,” he added.

The Government Arsenal is located on a 370-hectare industrial estate in Limay, Bataan, its Web site said.

The arsenal was created by Republic Act No. 1884 which was signed in 1957.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=ammunition-facility-to-become-economic-zone&id=109646

West PH Sea documentary gaining ground

From the Philippine Star posted to ABS-CBN (Jun 14): West PH Sea documentary gaining ground

The documentary promoting awareness instilling patriotism among Filipinos worldwide in the country’s struggle to maintain its hold over some of the islands in the South China Sea is gaining ground on various social media platforms.

Dubbed as “Karapatan sa Karagatan” the maritime and sovereignty awareness video launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at the government-run television station PTV-4 on Friday has been picked up by local and foreign media.

The maritime and territorial awareness documentary also become an instant hit in various social media platforms, including Facebook, and is expected to attract further attention on the mounting maritime conflict in the region triggered China’s aggressive claim over the whole South China Sea.

The launching of documentary, the first of three parts, gained more meaning as it was aired on national television as the country celebrated its 117th Independence Day.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said that it is about time the entire nation must realize the importance of the country’s sovereignty issue in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

“This is a good initiative to raise awareness about our territorial claim. Our countrymen must realize the importance of the WPS territories. We must be united in supporting the government’s position in resolving the dispute peacefully,” Kakilala said.

On the security side, the AFP is currently in the forefront of the maritime row as its troops have been on forward deployment on one of the nine established positions in the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys archipelago.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the sovereignty awareness campaign will help instill patriotism in the hearts and minds of Filipinos, especially among those who are not really aware of the country’s maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea.

He said the campaign, being spearheaded by the DFA, is aimed at rallying support of the entire nation in resolving the maritime row in a diplomatic and peaceful manner.

The Philippines, now on the receiving end of China’s bullying in the region, has opted to legally deal with the issue by bringing the maritime conflict for international arbitration before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

China, however, has refused to participate in the proceedings and instead pressed on its occupation in the disputed region, saying it has indisputable rights to almost the entire South China Sea.

Beijing has launched massive reclamation and infrastructure developments over seven areas in the region it has occupied.

Peter Paul Galvez, spokesman of the Department of National Defense (DND), said the defense security sector viewed the documentary as an important thing for every Filipino to know more about issues that the country is facing.

“We believe the important thing for us today is for every Filipino to know more about our beloved country and the issues that we face,” Galvez told GMA News.

Environmental impact

On the other hand, a national scientist said the Philippines and Vietnam would be the first to bear the environmental impact of China’s reclamation in South China Sea.

Former environment secretary Angel Alcala said China’s construction projects could result in biodiversity loss and affect fish supply in the long term.

He noted that Philippines and Vietnam – two of China’s rival claimants in the West Philippine Sea – are the countries nearest the China construction projects.

“The impact will be reduced biodiversity,” Alcala said during the US embassy seminar for regional media here.

“I’m wondering why Chinese scientists do not point this out,” he added

Alcala explained the reclamation would disrupt the distribution of larvae or developed fish eggs.

“The atolls are very important in the West Philippine Sea because they are actually concentrations and in the center of the atolls are the lagoons and the lagoons have the fishes and the larvae of the fish,” Alcala said.

He explained the larvae are transported to different countries through currents.

“If you completely enclose the lagoon with roads or airplanes, you reduce the probability of larvae from escaping from inside the lagoons,” the former environment chief said.

Alcala said the disruption would put a dent on fish supply since the larvae cannot develop into adult fish.

“The Philippines and Vietnam (will first feel the impact) including Palawan and (other parts of) Luzon,” Alcala said.

China claims virtually the entire West Philippine Sea while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

To assert its expansive claim, China is embarking on a massive reclamation program in disputed areas, including those within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Chinese construction projects are rapidly progressing in Panganiban (Mischief), Zamora (Subi), Kagitingan (Fiery Cross), Kennan (Chigua), Mabini (Johnson South), Burgos (Gaven) and Calderon (Cuarteron) Reefs.

Alcala said China’s activities would eventually disrupt the livelihood of coastal communities. He said the world should “force” China to stop the construction efforts.

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has said China’s projects are causing “irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the West Philippine Sea.”

The DFA said the reclamation has destroyed 300 acres of coral reef systems and has led to annual economic losses worth $100 million.

Members of the international community, including the industrialized countries that constitute the G7, have opposed the reclamation and have called for rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea.

China, however, has been unfazed by the criticisms and insists that the construction projects are being conducted in its territory.
 

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/14/15/west-ph-sea-documentary-gaining-ground

Maritime sovereignty compromised due to gov't neglect - military paper

From the Philippine Star posted to the ABS-CBN Website (Jun 14): Maritime sovereignty compromised due to gov't neglect - military paper

The country’s maritime sovereignty and security have been compromised many times over due to decades of neglect and indifference by past political leadership, according to a military paper.

A 40-page military study, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, noted that because of this neglect, the country’s external and territorial security have been in a woeful and pathetic state, especially in terms of maritime capability.

“There are now multitude of issues and challenges facing this archipelagic country. These include high rates of human trafficking, weapons smuggling, Chinese assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), to name a few,” the paper said.

It stressed that the Philippines is a coastal or archipelagic nation and the world’s second largest archipelago, next only to Indonesia. It has the fifth longest coastline totaling 36,289 kilometers.

On top of this, the country is strategically positioned in East Asia where the world’s most important navigational sea lanes crisscross one another.

The nation also sits astride major shipping routes between the Americas and Southern China and Southeast Asia, as well as between northern Australia and the Lombok Straits and Northeast Asia.

Unfortunately, the country lacks maritime security and infrastructure and has failed to check and secure around 70,000 international vessels traversing year-round the Luzon Straits and Malacca Straits and the waterways in the Sulu Sea, the paper said.

Aside from the 55 percent of Indian trade to East Asia, 95 percent of Japanese oil requirements form the Middle East and 90 percent of the world’s trade (by volume) pass the country’s waters every year.

“Against this backdrop, it is surprising that the Philippines has the most inward-looking and myopic outlook in the region in relation to its maritime environment.

“Internally and externally, the nation is fraught with serious maritime issues but government priorities are clearly misplaced,” the paper said.

In spite of its enormous natural wealth, there exists a misunderstood “culture of poverty.”

This lamentable situation of Philippine maritime security can easily be traced to the attitude of its past leaders and policy-makers in their understanding and appreciation of geography.

“The leaders are focused on their respective areas, which means that although they may embark on improving their respective ports, hardly any would think of the inter-connectivity of their areas, much less think of the entire nation in a maritime context,” the paper said.

“This attitude keeps legislators entrusted with the ‘power of the purse’ from looking at the national perspective and coming to grips with the reality,” it said.

The military study also noted that the development of maritime capability stagnated because of the security umbrella that the United States provided to the country through the years, the land-based campaign against the insurgents and budgetary constraints, the paper added.

“For this reason, the need to set the power of the Philippine Navy and the Air Force against the size of their commitments was gravely overlooked. The development of their capabilities was to come only in the mid-1990s after the pull-out of US bases and the assertiveness of China in the contested West Philippine Sea,” the study said.

The paper also warned while the war of today has been deregulated by international law, the prospect of states going to war for various interests, including sovereignty and national self-defense, is ever present.
 

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/14/15/maritime-sovereignty-compromised-due-govt-neglect-military-paper

Army to purchase combat boots, uniforms for P65.5M

From ABS-CBN (Jun 14): Army to purchase combat boots, uniforms for P65.5M

The Philippine Army has earmarked P65.5 million for the purchase of 48,000 pairs of combat boots and battle dress attires (BDAs).

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said these will be for new recruits, re-enlisted personnel, as well as Army stores and direct exchange programs where soldiers can trade their old ones.

The contract covers 24,000 pairs of BDAs worth P32.4 million, and 24,000 pairs of combat boots worth P33.1 million.

Detoyato said this is an annual undertaking in the Army, which is the largest command service in the Armed Forces. The Army has 80,000 members.

The Army’s Bids and Awards Committee will acquire the boots and uniforms via public bidding.

“The Philippine Army reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract in situations under Section 41 of RA No. 9184, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder(s),” an announcement from the Army website read.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/14/15/army-purchase-combat-boots-uniforms-p655m

NPA, soldiers clash in Davao Occidental

From ABS-CBN (Jun 14): NPA, soldiers clash in Davao Occidental

Soldiers clashed with members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Paglidong, Barangay Little Baguio in Malita, Davao Occidental over the weekend.

According to First Lieutenant Vergel Vacambra, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the 10th Infantry Division, the 73rd Infantry Batallion was doing its rounds around 7:30 a.m. Saturday when the troop had an encounter with 15 members of the NPA.

A 10-minute exchange of fires ensued before the NPA members backed off. The rebels were led by alias Dong of the NPA Front 71, Far South Mindanao Regional Committee.

The rebels left a landmine but it did not explode.

Nobody was reportedly hurt in the encounter.

 http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/14/15/npa-soldiers-clash-davao-occidental

PNoy to witness historic decommissioning of MILF men

From ABS-CBN (Jun 14): PNoy to witness historic decommissioning of MILF men

President Benigno Aquino III will witness the first tranche of the decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces on Tuesday in Shariff Aguak.

“Ang Pangulong (Benigno) Aquino ang sasaksi sa unang yugto ng decommissioning process na itinuturing na isa sa matibay na pagpapakita ng pagsuporta at commitment ng MILF sa isinusulong na prosesong pangkapayapaan na maghahatid ng katahimikan at kaunlaran sa mga bayang sakop ng Bangsamoro,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a radio interview.

Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer had said the MILF will turn over 55 high-powered firearms and 20 screw-served weapons to an independent body. A total of 145 men from the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces will take part.

The decommissioning, which is provided under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed between MILF officials and Aquino in 2013, provides for the surrender of the weapons to an independent body. These can never be used again.

“May tatlong bahagi ang itinakdang normalization process: security, socioeconomic development, at transitional justice and reconciliation. Ang prosesong ito ay naglalayong bigyan ang mga kasapi ng MILF ng pagkakataong makapag-hanapbuhay at makapamuhay nang tahimik at malayo sa anomang karahasan,” Coloma added.

After their documentation, the rebel returnees will be receiving cash assistance and PhilHealth cards. They will also receive medium- and long-term assistance from the Task Force Decommissioned Combatants and Communities.

The peace process, with the end goal of creating a Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, has faced hitches especially after the Mamasapano incident in January. The incident has forced some quarters to question the genuineness of the MILF’s role in pursuing a peace pact with the government.
 

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/06/14/15/pnoy-witness-historic-decommissioning-milf-men

Army’s 9ID hosts first AFPOCS Bicol chapter alumni fellowship

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): Army’s 9ID hosts first AFPOCS Bicol chapter alumni fellowship

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur -- The 9th Infantry (Spear) Division of the Philippine Army hosted the first formal fellowship and gathering of the AFP Officer Candidate School Alumni Association Inc. Bicol Chapter at the 9ID Officer’s Clubhouse on Saturday night.

The fellowship was attended by the graduates and members of the School for Reserve Commission (SRC), AFP Officer Candidate School (AFPOCS), Officer Candidate Course (OCC), Officer Preparatory Course (OPC), and the Technical Services such as the Medical and Nurse Corps and the Chaplain Service, according to Capt. Mardjorie Paimela Panesa, 9ID spokesperson.

The AFPOCS, Panesa said, traces its humble beginnings from the SRC founded in 1937 under the provisions of Section 34, Article IV of the National Defense Act.

Three branch schools under SRC were organized and continued to operate until the outbreak of Second World War in 1941.

After the war, the SRC was reactivated and assigned with the Philippine Army School Center (PASC), Philippine Army Training Command, pursuant to AFP General Orders No. 412, s-54.

From 1951 to 1953, the Philippine Air Force conducted three OCCs.

The OCC was subsequently taken over by the Ground Combat School, PASC with six classes.

In 1959-1960, three classes of Non-Commissioned Officer Course were conducted by the SRC and in 1975, one SRC class was exclusively conducted for the PAF.

After Cl 01-75, SRC was renamed AFPOCS which conducted seven classes before it closed in 1979.

The AFPOCS was placed under the AFP Training Command after 12 years of non-existence.

In 1987, the first OCC started and since then it has graduated 17 OCC classes.

Some of the OCCs were sent to continue their training in Australia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

In 1993, the AFPOCS admitted its first foreign students from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, joining Class 12-94, which also produced the first five female officers of the AFP, which were not anymore included as Women’s Auxiliary Corps (WAC).

Pursuant to LOI No. 24/97, the AFPOCS was deactivated after its last class graduated in 1997, following its decentralization to the three major services -- Army, Air Force, and Navy.

When the OCS was absorbed by the Army Training and Doctrine Command, two classes for 105 former rebels of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were conducted pursuant to the 1996 Peace agreement between the government and the MNLF.

In 1999, due to the deactivation of the Officer Preparatory and Soldier School (OPSS), OCC Cl 20-2000 and OPC Cl 40-99 joined the Candidate Officer and Soldier School (COSS), and later renamed back to OCS.

In 2001, Filipino graduates of officer candidate and officer cadet trainings from Australia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and UK were officially integrated to the SRC/AFPOCS Alumni Association Inc.

At present, the OCC and OPC are being conducted at the OCS, PA at the Training and Doctrine Command, PA; PAFOCS at the Air Education and Training Command, PAF; and PNOCS at the Naval Education and Training Command, PN.

The formal gathering of the products of the OCS in 9ID was to organize its members and create a bond of brothers between the group of retired and active professionals of the OCS and Technical services.

The appointed new set of officers were also presented, namely: President, Major Virgilio Perez (INF) PA; Vice President: Capt. Arthur Eamiguel, (AGS) PA; Secretary, Capt. Naomi Braza, (AGS) PA; Treasurer, Capt Mir-Inisa Carbonell, (QMS) PA; Auditor, Capt. Amy Astillero, (OS) PA; and PIO, Capt Mardjorie Paimela Panesa, (AGS) PA.

The new set of officers will also be representing the Bicol Chapter during the AFPOCS meeting in Fort Bonifacio tentatively scheduled next month.

The officers and members are optimistic that such gatherings will be conducted regularly every year.

Maj. Gen. Yerson E. Depayso, 9ID commander, expressed his support to the AFPOCS Alumni Association Inc.

He said the association would be beneficial to its members as it forms its vision, mission, and programs which may also be one of the partners of 9ID in realizing its objectives and as catalysts of change for the betterment of the military service.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772302

Unidentified aircraft crashes in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): Unidentified aircraft crashes in Sultan Kudarat

A still unidentified aircraft crashed in a mountainous area near Esperanza town in Sultan Kudarat province before noon on Sunday following a mid-air explosion.

Esperanza Mayor Helen Latog said she has dispatched rescue teams to the upland portions of her town after an aircraft was reported by residents to have crashed near the area at past 11 a.m.

She said the aircraft was specifically witnessed by residents of Sitio Dapulan in Barangay Margues exploding at mid-air and crashed in a mountainous areas.

“They first heard a loud explosion first and then saw a plane going down towards the mountains,” she said in a radio interview.

Latog said they don’t have any confirmation yet as to the identity or the type of the ill-fated aircraft, but sources said it was reportedly private plane with four to six passengers onboard.

The official said she immediately sent their rescue team to locate the aircraft and search for possible survivors.

She said the team is composed of a doctor and five nurses from the municipal health office, rescue personnel from the provincial government of Sultan Kudarat and elements from the Esperanza municipal police station and the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB).

Capt. Mark Soria, commander of the 33IB’s Bravo company, said they initially heard an explosion at around 11:15 a.m. from their base in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

He said they later found out that it involved a plane that crashed in the mountainous areas of Esperanza town.

Soria, who is part of the rescue team dispatched by the local government, said they are still trying to locate the aircraft’s crash site.

He said it appears that the plane crashed in a mountainous area outside of Esperanza town.

The official said the crashed site could be “somewhere within Senator Ninoy Aquino (town).”

“We’re now proceeding to the area and we expect to reach there in two to three hours,” he told reporters at around 4.p.m.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772339

Army POW freed in Saranggani, 2 soldiers hurt in NPA attack in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): Army POW freed in Saranggani, 2 soldiers hurt in NPA attack in North Cotabato

The military's 27th Infantry Battalion today vowed it will continue its operation against communist guerillas who abducted, but later freed, a Army private in T'boli, South Cotabato.

Private First Class Ken Subere was released by the New Peoples Army to Davao City Rodrigo Duterte who fetch the soldier in Kiamba, Saranggani province Saturday.

Colonel Ronald Jess Alcudia, 27th IB commander, said Subere will be subjected to internal investigation by the military after he went on absence without official leave in early April this year.

Ka Efren, a local communist rebel spokesperson, said Subere was captured in T'boli after he was seen roaming near an area where the NPAs operate. He was placed as prisoner of war.

He said in a radio interview that Subere was subjected to the peoples' court but was found not guilty of any offense.

Alcudia said Subere was unarmed when he went to T'boli reportedly to visit a relative. He was not seen since then until the NPAs claimed they were in custody of one of his men.

Ka Efren told reporters Mayor Duterte negotiated for Subere's release and they agreed to hand over him to the mayor in Saranggani province.

Alcudia said the 27th IB will continue its operations in the mountains of T'boli and would even offer a government peace and development program.

The 27th IB based in Tupi, South Cotabato covers the towns of Polomolok, T'boli, Tampakan, Koronadal City, Banga, Surallah and Noralla and Koronadal City in South Cotabato and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.

Meanwhile, two soldiers were wounded, one of them in critical condition, after New Peoples Army ambushed them in the hinterland village in Magpet, North Cotabato Friday.

Wounded were identified as Corporal Nuran Rajabuayan and Private First Class Wilfredo Ligsay, both elements of the Charlie Company under the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion.

Capt. Manuel Gatus, speaking for the 57th Infantry Battalion, said the victims, on board two separate motorcycles, were on their way to the barracks when waylaid by gunmen believed to be members of the NPA, in Barangay Noa, Magpet, around 1030 a.m.

The victims have just finished a peace and development outreach program (PDOP), a special project of the Philippine Army that aims to win the ‘hearts’ and ‘minds’ of the communities, especially those influenced by the rebels.

Both were rushed to the Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center in Kidapawan City for treatment. Rajabuayan was hit on his right thigh and arms, while Ligsay on his back.

Ligsay remains at the hospital’s intensive care unit.

The Philippine Army in North Cotabato condemned the attack saying the victims were wearing civilian clothes.

“The fact that our troops were unarmed, it clearly showed they were not on combat mission," Gatus said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=772370

PhP12.6-M allocated for acquisition of 7.62mm finished components

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): PhP12.6-M allocated for acquisition of 7.62mm finished components

The Department of National Defense (DND) is allocating PhP12,600,000 for the procurement of 7.62mm finished components for the use of the Government Arsenal in Limay, Bataan.

Winning bidders are required to deliver the items within 180 calendar days.

Pre-bid conference is scheduled for June 24 at 11 a.m. at the Government Arsenal Liaison Office, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The 7.62mm round is used by the military for its light sub-machine guns.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772203

Update: 3 rebels killed, M-14 automatic rifle, two IEDs seized in Davao City clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): Update: 3 rebels killed, M-14 automatic rifle, two IEDs seized in Davao City clash

Three New People's Army (NPA) bandits were killed during an encounter with troopers from the 69th Infantry Battalion at Purok 7, Barangay Paradise Embac, Paquibato District, Davao City early Sunday morning.

Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs office chief Capt. Alberto Caber said the clash took place at 12:05 a.m. which also resulted in the recovery of an M-14 automatic rifle, two unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and several backpacks.

No losses were reported among government troops.

Caber said pursuit operations are still ongoing as of this posting.

Lt. Col. Rodney Intal, 69th Infantry Battalion commander, said the clash with the rebel force stemmed from the extortion and harassment complaints of the local residents.

He added that three rebels were immediately killed in the firefight.

Local residents identified two of the fatalities as Randy Cornasa and Ruben Inlog, both residents of the same barangay. The third fatality remained unidentified as of this time.

As of June 14, there were 38 NPA bandits killed and 72 high-powered firearms captured in the Eastern Mindanao area since Jan. 1 of this year.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772255

Former ranking NPA leader bagged in Bohol

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): Former ranking NPA leader bagged in Bohol

A former high-ranking New People's Army (NPA) leader was nabbed by a joint military and police team in Bohol Saturday morning.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said that Exusperado Lloren, 65, was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32 for the charge of 15 counts of murder in connection with the infamous “Inopacan Massacre” in Leyte in 1985 which claimed the lives of suspected military informants among rebel ranks.

Lloren was the former secretary of Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.

Cabunoc said the grave sites where the victims were buried were later pinpointed by the survivors and relatives of the victims at the vicinity of Mount Sapang Dako of Barangay Culisihan, Inopacan, Leyte on Aug. 27, 2006.

With the assistance of the Philippine Army units in the area, the government unearthed more than 67 skeletal remains piled in a shallow pit.

Despite his involvement in criminal activities, Lloren joined politics in 1997 wherein he was first elected as barangay chair of Pagina, Jagna, Bohol.

The accused is also facing charges of nine counts for violation of Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the “Anti-Corrupt and Practices Act” and one count for Estafa at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772262

Palace says decommisioning of Moro Rebel Forces, weapons due on Tuesday

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14): Palace says decommisioning of Moro Rebel Forces, weapons due on Tuesday

The Palace said on Sunday that the decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) forces and weapons is due on Tuesday (June 16) in Sharrif Aquak, Maguindanao.

“Sa Martes, Hunyo 16, gaganapin ang isang makasaysayang yugto sa prosesong pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng MILF. Nakatakdang i-turnover ng MILF ang mga armas sa Independent Decommissioning Body, samantalang may mga miyembro ng Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces na sasailalim sa decommissioning,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma notes that this is part of the normalization process base on the Annex of Normalization that was signed by the government and the MILF last January 29, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Ang Pangulong (Benigno) Aquino ang sasaksi sa unang yugto ng decommissioning process na itinuturing na isa sa matibay na pagpapakita ng pagsuporta at commitment ng MILF sa isinusulong na prosesong pangkapayapaan na maghahatid ng katahimikan at kaunlaran sa mga bayang sakop ng Bangsamoro,” said Coloma.

Rebel returnees after being documented and will be receiving cash assistance and PhilHealth cards. They will also receive medium- and long-term assistance the from the Task Force Decommissioned Combantants and Communities.

“May tatlong bahagi ang itinakdang normalization process: security, socioeconomic development, at transitional justice and reconciliation. Ang prosesong ito ay naglalayong bigyan ang mga kasapi ng MILF ng pagkakataong makapag-hanapbuhay at makapamuhay nang tahimik at malayo sa anomang karahasan,” Coloma added.

According to government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the MILF will turnover 55 high-powered firearms and 20 screw-served weapons, while 145 of its members will take part in the decommissioning process.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772329

Malacanang invites Filipinos to watch documentary regarding West Philippine Sea

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 14):Malacanang invites Filipinos to watch documentary regarding West Philippine Sea

Malacanang on Sunday invites Filipinos to watch and disseminate the documentary regarding the maritime dispute in the West Philippine and its impact to small fishermen and the maritime ecology.

“Malugod naming inaanyayahan ang lahat na panoorin at i-share ang video na pinamagatang “Kalayaan: Karapatan sa Karagatan” upang lubos na maunawaan ang usapin hinggil sa West Philippine Sea. Maaaring matunghayan ito sa Facebook page ni Pangulong Aquino na nakapaloob sa , said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in an interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

The 21-minute long documentary hosted by Lourd de Vera, features an aerial tour of the Bajo de Mansinloc (Panatag Shoal), as well as testimonies of local fishermen who were harassed by the Chinese Coast Guards, and interviews with maritime experts.

In the documentary, Atty. Henry Bensurto, Jr., Philippine Consul General in San Francisco, USA and the Head of the Legal Team on West Philippine Sea Issues of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), who explained the history of the maritime dispute which first was only between Vietnam and China and how it reached the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

He noted that in the 1990’s China began building structures in the Mischief Reef which is 124 nautical miles from Palawan and about 800 nautical miles from the Chinese island of Hainan.

Bensurto also said that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) must be observed. This law said a country has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources including energy production from water and wind, which stretches from the baseline out to 200 nautical miles from its coast.

While Undersecretary Asis Perez, the National Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said China’s reclamation activities has destroyed the aquatic life, much of which are classified as endangered species.

This is the first of a three-part documentary regarding the disputed maritime territory, which was released last Friday (June 12) coinciding with the celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The first episode will continue to be aired on PTV-4 every 5:30 p.m. from June 15 to 19, with a replay every 10:30 p.m. While the second and third episode will be aired in late June and early July, respectively.

The documentary was made possible by the coordination of the Department of Foreign Affairs and PCOO.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=772319

2 NPAs killed, 4 others wounded in Bukidnon

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 13): 2 NPAs killed, 4 others wounded in Bukidnon

Camp Bancasi, Butuan City – Two communist-New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed while four other rebels were reportedly wounded when a fierce gun battle erupted anew between government forces and communist insurgents in the mountainous area of Kitaotao town in Bukidnon province, a sketchy report reaching the advance command post of the Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4thInfantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) here yesterday said.

It said that one of the fatalities was an amazon. Identities of the slain and wounded rebels were not immediately available.

As of press time, troops from the Eighth Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Lennon Babilonia, which is being closely supervise of their tactical movements by the 403rd Infantry Brigade, were still pursuing some 40 NPAs who fled towards the provincial borders of Bukidnon, Agusan and Davao.

These government troops were pursuing the regular fighters of the guerrilla-Front Committee 53 under certain “Commander Yudi” of the CPP-NPA North-Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

The rebels were the same group that allegedly abandoned their temporary encampment after a fierce gun battle on Wednesday at Sitio Nabunturan, Barangay Sampaguita, in Kibawi town also where one Army soldier was killed while seven other soldiers were wounded.

“Our ground commanders are being directed by the 4th ID commander Maj. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao to step up their pursuit operations without let up against the fleeing rebels in the mountainous areas of Bukidnon,” said 4th ID Public Affairs Officer Capt. Joe Patrick Joe Martinez, on Friday.

Combat pilots of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) Tactical Operations Group (TOG) have also been mobilized to extend air cover to the pursuing ground troops in Bukidnon province.

Meanwhile, Martinez claimed that the fleeing NPAs belonged the same group which had members with standing warrants of arrest for allegedly burning heavy construction equipments along the national highway in Quezon town, also in Bukidnon province last March 9, 2015.

http://www.mb.com.ph/2-npas-killed-4-others-wounded-in-bukidnon/