From Malaya Business Insight (Sep 28): Two NPA leaders get life imprisonment
TWO leaders of the New People’s Army have been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Pasig court for the 2002 killing of a woman they suspected to be a military informant.
Sentenced to life imprisonment were Leopoldo Caluza, alias “Ino” and “Ambot,” and Emiterio Antalan, alias “Iro,” for the killing of Kathlyn Ramos in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija on Oct. 27, 2002.
Caluza is former head of the NPA’s provincial military department and provincial operational command in Nueva Ecija, said Col. Noel Detoyato, chief of the Armed Forces public affairs office. Antalan headed a task force under the NPA’s Central Luzon regional party committee, Detoyato added.
The verdict was handed down by Judge Toribio Elao of the Pasig City regional trial court last September 17.
Ramos was the daughter of M/Sgt. Pablo Ramos, a former operative of the Intelligence Service of the AFP, who was killed also by NPA rebels after he moved for the transfer of the trial of the case from a San Jose City court to the Pasig City court in 2010.
Detoyato said the younger Ramos was not a military informant. He also said she was killed by NPA rebels in an NPA camp in Mount Kaliwanagan, San Jose City on Oct. 27, 2002.
Her body was exhumed on Oct. 5, 2006, through information provided by two NPA rebels who earlier surrendered to the military. Detoyato said information provided by the two led to the filing of the case against Caluza and Antalan.
In Agusan del Sur last Saturday, an NPA leader wanted for multiple murder, frustrated murder, and robbery was arrested by military and police forces in Sibagat town.
Rona Mae Callao alias Ka Diane, secretary of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 30A and concurrent regional financial and medical staff of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Party Committee, was arrested at a checkpoint in barangay Poblacion in Sibagat.
Seized from Callao were a cal. 357 revolver with ammunition, a Lenovo tablet, four cellphones, P5,000 in cash and rebel documents.
http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/two-npa-leaders-get-life-imprisonment
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Link between paramilitary, crime groups probed: DOJ
From Malaya Business Insight (Sep 28): Link between paramilitary, crime groups probed: DOJ
A TEAM tasked to investigate probe recent killings of indigenous people in Mindanao will also look into the possible link between paramilitary groups and organized crime groups in the region, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
The team, which is composed of prosecutors from the National Prosecution Service and investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation, is under the supervision of NBI deputy director Edmund Arugay.
A paramilitary group, the Magahat/Bagani, is being blamed for the recent killing of three tribal members in Surigao del Sur. The military has denied allegations of leftist groups that it is behind the creation of the Bagani group.
De Lima said paramilitary groups have a “long tradition of involvement in criminal activities in Mindanao,” like “vigilante operations of the most heinous kind, whether in the name of counter-insurgency or tribal retribution.”
She said the probe would also determine the “supporters who fuel their criminal operations and acts of violence,” the financiers, and the source of their firearms.
De Lima appealed for a stop to finger-pointing, saying both the communist New People’s Army and its allied organizations and some elements of the state’s security forces have contributed to the situation the indigenous people are now in. She said there are even instances wherein Lumad tribes are pitted against one another and made to choose between government forces engaged in anti-insurgency operations and the NPA which is stepping up recruitment of tribe members into the communist group.
Among those to be covered by the probe are incidents involving the “Lumad,” a term referring to indigenous people of the southern Philippines, at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao City, Talaingod in Davao del Norte, Pangantucan in Bukidnon, and in Lianga in Surigao del Sur.
http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/link-between-paramilitary-crime-groups-probed-doj
A TEAM tasked to investigate probe recent killings of indigenous people in Mindanao will also look into the possible link between paramilitary groups and organized crime groups in the region, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
The team, which is composed of prosecutors from the National Prosecution Service and investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation, is under the supervision of NBI deputy director Edmund Arugay.
A paramilitary group, the Magahat/Bagani, is being blamed for the recent killing of three tribal members in Surigao del Sur. The military has denied allegations of leftist groups that it is behind the creation of the Bagani group.
De Lima said paramilitary groups have a “long tradition of involvement in criminal activities in Mindanao,” like “vigilante operations of the most heinous kind, whether in the name of counter-insurgency or tribal retribution.”
She said the probe would also determine the “supporters who fuel their criminal operations and acts of violence,” the financiers, and the source of their firearms.
De Lima appealed for a stop to finger-pointing, saying both the communist New People’s Army and its allied organizations and some elements of the state’s security forces have contributed to the situation the indigenous people are now in. She said there are even instances wherein Lumad tribes are pitted against one another and made to choose between government forces engaged in anti-insurgency operations and the NPA which is stepping up recruitment of tribe members into the communist group.
Among those to be covered by the probe are incidents involving the “Lumad,” a term referring to indigenous people of the southern Philippines, at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in Davao City, Talaingod in Davao del Norte, Pangantucan in Bukidnon, and in Lianga in Surigao del Sur.
http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/link-between-paramilitary-crime-groups-probed-doj
Rescue efforts focused in Davao
From Malaya Business Insight (Sep 28): Rescue efforts focused in Davao
SEARCH and rescue operations for the three foreigners and a Filipina kidnapped last week from a resort in Davao del Norte remain focused in the Davao provinces despite reports that the hostages have been taken to Sulu.
The reports that said Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, and Hall’s Filipina girlfriend Marites Flor are already in Sulu are still being confirmed, said AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla.
Sulu is known to be an area of operation of the bandit group Abu Sayyaf which is in the US list of terrorist groups and is the primary suspect in the September 22 kidnapping.
Padilla declined to give details on the search and rescue efforts so as not to compromise the operations. Davao del Norte is part of the Davao Region, like Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, and Compostela Valley.
A source said the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion, an elite Army group, has been deployed to Sulu where the Abu Sayyaf is holding at least 10 foreign and Filipino hostages. He said half of the battalion was already in Jolo town as of yesterday.
The source said the elite unit will help pursue Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leaders holding the 10 hostages. The unit, which is coming from Central Mindanao, was requested by the Joint Task Force Sulu even before the Samal kidnapping. “It’s just incidental there is Samal kidnapping and its being blamed to the Abu Sayyaf,” the source said.
The latest victims were snatched by a group of armed men from the Holiday Oceanview resort owned by Sekkingstad on Samal Island.
Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao which has jurisdiction over Eastern Mindanao areas including Davao, said search operations continue.
Like Padilla, Baladad declined to give details on “operational” matters.
A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers and their hostages may have left the area of responsibility of Eastmincom. Pressed for the basis of his statement, the official said, “I couldn’t say because it may compromise the identity of our sources.”
Another official said the military has been getting consistent reports that the Abu Sayyaf and their hostages are already in Sulu.
“We have yet to confirm if the kidnap victims are already here… Our action agents in the intelligence community have yet to see them,” he said.
Last Friday, police found boats, suspected to have been used by the kidnappers, in Barangay Silangkan in Parang, Sulu.
One of the sources said that as of yesterday, police were still verifying if the boats were indeed used in the Samal kidnapping.
Also, the source said, a sunken speedboat was found Saturday in Omar town, Sulu. Police went there for verification and investigation, the official also said.
http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/rescue-efforts-focused-davao
SEARCH and rescue operations for the three foreigners and a Filipina kidnapped last week from a resort in Davao del Norte remain focused in the Davao provinces despite reports that the hostages have been taken to Sulu.
The reports that said Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, and Hall’s Filipina girlfriend Marites Flor are already in Sulu are still being confirmed, said AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla.
Sulu is known to be an area of operation of the bandit group Abu Sayyaf which is in the US list of terrorist groups and is the primary suspect in the September 22 kidnapping.
Padilla declined to give details on the search and rescue efforts so as not to compromise the operations. Davao del Norte is part of the Davao Region, like Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, and Compostela Valley.
A source said the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion, an elite Army group, has been deployed to Sulu where the Abu Sayyaf is holding at least 10 foreign and Filipino hostages. He said half of the battalion was already in Jolo town as of yesterday.
The source said the elite unit will help pursue Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leaders holding the 10 hostages. The unit, which is coming from Central Mindanao, was requested by the Joint Task Force Sulu even before the Samal kidnapping. “It’s just incidental there is Samal kidnapping and its being blamed to the Abu Sayyaf,” the source said.
The latest victims were snatched by a group of armed men from the Holiday Oceanview resort owned by Sekkingstad on Samal Island.
Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao which has jurisdiction over Eastern Mindanao areas including Davao, said search operations continue.
Like Padilla, Baladad declined to give details on “operational” matters.
A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the kidnappers and their hostages may have left the area of responsibility of Eastmincom. Pressed for the basis of his statement, the official said, “I couldn’t say because it may compromise the identity of our sources.”
Another official said the military has been getting consistent reports that the Abu Sayyaf and their hostages are already in Sulu.
“We have yet to confirm if the kidnap victims are already here… Our action agents in the intelligence community have yet to see them,” he said.
Last Friday, police found boats, suspected to have been used by the kidnappers, in Barangay Silangkan in Parang, Sulu.
One of the sources said that as of yesterday, police were still verifying if the boats were indeed used in the Samal kidnapping.
Also, the source said, a sunken speedboat was found Saturday in Omar town, Sulu. Police went there for verification and investigation, the official also said.
http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/rescue-efforts-focused-davao
Spending ban may delay PHL air support in South China Sea dispute – SBMA's Garcia
From GMA News (Sep 26): Spending ban may delay PHL air support in South China Sea dispute – SBMA's Garcia
Plans to renovate an air base at Subic Bay, enabling Philippine fighter jets to respond quickly to any Chinese moves in the disputed South China Sea, may face delays due to a spending ban before general elections, a senior official said on Friday.
New fighter jets and two frigates are to be stationed at the former US naval facility in Subic Bay northwest of the Manila from early next year, the first time the massive installation will have functioned as a military base in 23 years.
Subic Bay's deep-water harbor lies on the western side of the main Philippine island of Luzon, opposite the South China Sea, and is about 130 nautical miles (240 km) from Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop China seized control of in 2012.
China has built seven artificial islands on submerged shoals and outcrops in the area, which it says is part of its territory, and is believed to be constructing three airfields there.
Roberto Garcia, chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, - which is overseeing the conversion of the industrial and commercial complex - said the military had to move quickly to repair the base's airfield because a pre-election ban on military spending kicks in March.
The Philippines holds national elections in May.
"That is my concern, if the military does not get funding for the repairs, the air and naval bases may be delayed," Garcia said, adding that South Korea was due to deliver the first two fighters in early December.
An air force general, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said the government had yet to respond to a request for 100 million pesos ($2.14 million) to refurbish Subic's airfield.
The Philippine Air Force has been allocated about 10 percent of the 200-hectare airport facilities to house a squadron of 12 FA50 light fighters for maritime security missions.
Once one of the biggest U.S. naval facilities in the world, Subic was shut in 1992 after the end of the Cold War.
"With the situation in the South China Sea right now, it looks like the presence of foreign troops will increase in coming months," Garcia said, adding that approval by the Supreme Court of a new military pact with the United States would change the situation. A ruling is expected next month.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/538413/news/nation/spending-ban-may-delay-phl-air-support-in-south-china-sea-dispute-sbma-s-garcia
Plans to renovate an air base at Subic Bay, enabling Philippine fighter jets to respond quickly to any Chinese moves in the disputed South China Sea, may face delays due to a spending ban before general elections, a senior official said on Friday.
New fighter jets and two frigates are to be stationed at the former US naval facility in Subic Bay northwest of the Manila from early next year, the first time the massive installation will have functioned as a military base in 23 years.
Subic Bay's deep-water harbor lies on the western side of the main Philippine island of Luzon, opposite the South China Sea, and is about 130 nautical miles (240 km) from Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop China seized control of in 2012.
China has built seven artificial islands on submerged shoals and outcrops in the area, which it says is part of its territory, and is believed to be constructing three airfields there.
Roberto Garcia, chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, - which is overseeing the conversion of the industrial and commercial complex - said the military had to move quickly to repair the base's airfield because a pre-election ban on military spending kicks in March.
The Philippines holds national elections in May.
"That is my concern, if the military does not get funding for the repairs, the air and naval bases may be delayed," Garcia said, adding that South Korea was due to deliver the first two fighters in early December.
An air force general, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said the government had yet to respond to a request for 100 million pesos ($2.14 million) to refurbish Subic's airfield.
The Philippine Air Force has been allocated about 10 percent of the 200-hectare airport facilities to house a squadron of 12 FA50 light fighters for maritime security missions.
Once one of the biggest U.S. naval facilities in the world, Subic was shut in 1992 after the end of the Cold War.
"With the situation in the South China Sea right now, it looks like the presence of foreign troops will increase in coming months," Garcia said, adding that approval by the Supreme Court of a new military pact with the United States would change the situation. A ruling is expected next month.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/538413/news/nation/spending-ban-may-delay-phl-air-support-in-south-china-sea-dispute-sbma-s-garcia
Palace: DND talking to DBM on Subic airfield renovation plan
From GMA News (Sep 27): Palace: DND talking to DBM on Subic airfield renovation plan
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/538568/news/nation/palace-dnd-talking-to-dbm-on-subic-airfield-renovation-plan
Malacañang on Sunday assured that the government is working to finish the improvement of the Subic Bay airfield.
"May regular na ugnayan ang Department of National Defense sa Department of Budget and Management upang masiguro na matapos sa takdang panahon ang pagpapahusay ng paliparan sa Subic," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over state-run radio dzRB.
He added that the government knows that the airfield is a valuable asset.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto Garcia said the government should rush the renovation of the airfield.
Garcia said that by December, two of the 12 FA50 fighters purchased from South Korea will arrive.
He said the remaining jets will arrive next year.
The Philippine Air Force was has been allocated about 10 percent of the 200-hectare airport facilities to house 12 jets.
Garcia also expressed concern about the upcoming elections in May, citing the pre-election ban on military spending that may start March next year.
"That is my concern, if the military does not get funding for the repairs, the air and naval bases may be delayed," Garcia said.
A Reuters report said that according to an air force general, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the press, the government had yet to respond to a request for 100 million pesos ($2.14 million) to refurbish Subic's airfield.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/538568/news/nation/palace-dnd-talking-to-dbm-on-subic-airfield-renovation-plan
AFP’s witnesses against NPA on Lumad case ‘fake tribal chieftains’ — HR group
From the Daily Tribune (Sep 28): AFP’s witnesses against NPA on Lumad case ‘fake tribal chieftains’ — HR group
The three datus previously claimed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines AFP) to be witnesses against the “control” of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) on currently displaced Lumad evacuees are not genuine tribal chieftains, a human rights group said yesterday.
Apas is a known leader of the paramilitary Alamara in Davao del Norte responsible for harassing students and teachers of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, a Lumad school in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, Karapatan said.
He was seen last Feb. 6 in the company of soldiers of the 60th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army (IBPA) that encamped at the school. He was also present when the Alamara and Cotabato representative Nancy Catamco raided the compound last July 23.
Apas allegedly instigated and facilitated the filing of serious illegal detention and kidnapping charges against leaders and supporters of the 700 Manobo evacuees sheltered at theHaran compound
of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines
in Davao City
Sibogan is also an active leader of the Alamara who forcibly recruits Lumad into the paramilitary group, Karapatan added. The group said Sibogan was among those seen with the 38th IBPA that encamped in tribal schools in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Belandres for his part was identified by witnesses as one the killers of Lumad leader Henry Alameda in Sitio Cabalawan, San Isidro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur last Oct. 24.
Karapatan disclosed that Apas, Sibogan and Belandres are not only active paramilitary criminals but are also fake datus, either self-declared or have since turned their backs on their people.
In a previous press conference in aMakati Camp Aguinaldo
Belandres said he is the leader of 6,000 Manobo in the towns of Barobo and Lianga, Surigao del Sur while Sibogan said he leads 14,000 Manobo in Talaingod. Apas did not divulge a territory and a number but said he is a tribal council member and a traditional law expert.
In an interview with the radio program Tala-Akayan over Radyo Veritas last Sept. 17, however, two Catholic nuns who have worked with the Lumad for decades said a genuine datu is always with his people.
Sr. Rowena Pineda, MMS (Medical Mission Sisters) and Sr. Mary Jane Caspillo, MMS both said that a datu must be acclaimed as such by his tribe primarily for his ability to settle disputes and unite his people.
The MMS first initiated medical interventions in Tawi-Tawi province but has since transferred their health programs to Lumad communities inMindanao island itself since the 1990s.
“Our many years of working with the Lumad make us understand that anyone who takes up arms, harms and divides his own people is not a genuine datu nor is recognized as one,” Pineda said.
The medical missionaries also said that the Lumad observe a strict process in choosing succeeding datus.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/afp-s-witnesses-against-npa-on-lumad-case-fake-tribal-chieftains-hr-group
The three datus previously claimed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines AFP) to be witnesses against the “control” of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) on currently displaced Lumad evacuees are not genuine tribal chieftains, a human rights group said yesterday.
Left-leaning
human rights group Karapatan, in fact, claimed that the three datus - Nestor
Apas, Lumansad Sibogan and Marcial Belandres – are actually members of
paramilitary groups responsible for atrocities across Mindanao .
Apas is a known leader of the paramilitary Alamara in Davao del Norte responsible for harassing students and teachers of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, a Lumad school in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, Karapatan said.
He was seen last Feb. 6 in the company of soldiers of the 60th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army (IBPA) that encamped at the school. He was also present when the Alamara and Cotabato representative Nancy Catamco raided the compound last July 23.
Apas allegedly instigated and facilitated the filing of serious illegal detention and kidnapping charges against leaders and supporters of the 700 Manobo evacuees sheltered at the
Sibogan is also an active leader of the Alamara who forcibly recruits Lumad into the paramilitary group, Karapatan added. The group said Sibogan was among those seen with the 38th IBPA that encamped in tribal schools in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
Belandres for his part was identified by witnesses as one the killers of Lumad leader Henry Alameda in Sitio Cabalawan, San Isidro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur last Oct. 24.
Karapatan disclosed that Apas, Sibogan and Belandres are not only active paramilitary criminals but are also fake datus, either self-declared or have since turned their backs on their people.
In a previous press conference in a
Belandres said he is the leader of 6,000 Manobo in the towns of Barobo and Lianga, Surigao del Sur while Sibogan said he leads 14,000 Manobo in Talaingod. Apas did not divulge a territory and a number but said he is a tribal council member and a traditional law expert.
In an interview with the radio program Tala-Akayan over Radyo Veritas last Sept. 17, however, two Catholic nuns who have worked with the Lumad for decades said a genuine datu is always with his people.
Sr. Rowena Pineda, MMS (Medical Mission Sisters) and Sr. Mary Jane Caspillo, MMS both said that a datu must be acclaimed as such by his tribe primarily for his ability to settle disputes and unite his people.
The MMS first initiated medical interventions in Tawi-Tawi province but has since transferred their health programs to Lumad communities in
“Our many years of working with the Lumad make us understand that anyone who takes up arms, harms and divides his own people is not a genuine datu nor is recognized as one,” Pineda said.
The medical missionaries also said that the Lumad observe a strict process in choosing succeeding datus.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/afp-s-witnesses-against-npa-on-lumad-case-fake-tribal-chieftains-hr-group
Sulu sultanate intalls Kiram’s replacement
From the Daily Tribune (Sep 26): Sulu sultanate intalls Kiram’s replacement
Sultan Phugdalun ascended to the throne after the death of Sultan Esmail Kiram II last week in Zamboanga City due to illness.
“The official coronation of Sultan Phugdalun will be held after the 40th day of prayer for the late Sultan Esmail Kiram,” Idjirani said.
According to Idjirani, the change of sultan will not affect the sultanates claim overSabah .
In fact, he said that among the last wishes of the late Sultan Esmail Kiram II was for the clan to unite and pursue the claim onSabah
through peaceful means.
The Sultanate of Sulu gained the headlines in 2013 after more than 200 fighters of the Royal Security Forces (RSF) laid siege over Lahad Datu inSabah .
Led by the late Rajah Muda Agbimmudin Kiram, the RSF fighters engaged Malaysian forces in weeks of fighting that resulted in the killing of dozens of Filipino-Tausugs and Malaysian troopers.
Agbimmudin Kiram managed to elude Malaysian forces but died of heart attack months later in Tawi-Tawi.
The siege by RSF was approved by the late Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who died of illness in October 2014.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/sulu-sultanate-intalls-kiram-s-replacement
The Royal
Sultanate of Sulu will formally install today Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II as the
35th Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo .
Abraham
Idjirani, spokesman and secretary general of the Sultanate of Sulu, said that
simple ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. in Kasulutan Village
Sultan Phugdalun ascended to the throne after the death of Sultan Esmail Kiram II last week in Zamboanga City due to illness.
“The official coronation of Sultan Phugdalun will be held after the 40th day of prayer for the late Sultan Esmail Kiram,” Idjirani said.
According to Idjirani, the change of sultan will not affect the sultanates claim over
In fact, he said that among the last wishes of the late Sultan Esmail Kiram II was for the clan to unite and pursue the claim on
The Sultanate of Sulu gained the headlines in 2013 after more than 200 fighters of the Royal Security Forces (RSF) laid siege over Lahad Datu in
Led by the late Rajah Muda Agbimmudin Kiram, the RSF fighters engaged Malaysian forces in weeks of fighting that resulted in the killing of dozens of Filipino-Tausugs and Malaysian troopers.
Agbimmudin Kiram managed to elude Malaysian forces but died of heart attack months later in Tawi-Tawi.
The siege by RSF was approved by the late Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who died of illness in October 2014.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/sulu-sultanate-intalls-kiram-s-replacement
AFP hails conviction of 2 NPA leaders in 2002 ‘military agent’ murder case
From the Daily Tribune (Sep 28): AFP hails conviction of 2 NPA leaders in 2002 ‘military agent’ murder case
“This is a landmark decision, maybe the first time in recent memory that NPA leaders are convicted before the court,” Detoyato said.
“This clearly proves that our judicial system is working well and the AFP’s full trust and adherence to the rule of law,” he added.
Judge Elao sentenced the two NPA leaders to maximum reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Caluza, former head of the NPA’s Provincial Military Department, Nueva Ecija Provincial Party Committee, and Antalan, of the NPA’s Central Luzon Regional Committee, were charged with the murder of Kathlyn Ramos on Oct. 27, 2002 at an NPA camp inMount Kaliwanagan , San Jose City
The two were arrested in 2009 by virtue of arrest warrants issued by aSan Jose City Taguig City
The case was transferred to the Pasig City RTC Branch 266 upon the order of the Supreme Court in 2010.
Ramos, according to former NPA rebels who surrendered to the government and stood as witnesses, was executed on suspicion of being a military deep penetrating agent (DPA). Her body was exhumed on Oct. 5, 2006 with the help of the witnesses.
Ramos is a daughter of former Intelligence Service of the AFP operative, MSgt Pablo Ramos, who was also killed by suspected comrades of Antalan and Caluza in 2010.
Aside from the life imprisonment sentence, Judge Elao also ordered the convicts to pay the Ramos family of P120,000 for death indemnity, reimbursement of actual expenses and moral damages.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/afp-hails-conviction-of-2-npa-leaders-in-2002-military-agent-murder-case
The Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday hailed as a “landmark decision” a
recent court ruling convicting two New People’s Army (NPA) leaders for the
murder of a suspected military agent in Nueva Ecija in 2002.
Col. Noel
Detoyato, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, welcomed the conviction of Leopoldo
Caluza and Emiterio Antalan, both ranking commanders of the NPA in Nueva Ecija,
handed down by Judge Toribio Elao Jr. of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch
266 of Pasig City on Sept. 17.
“This is a landmark decision, maybe the first time in recent memory that NPA leaders are convicted before the court,” Detoyato said.
“This clearly proves that our judicial system is working well and the AFP’s full trust and adherence to the rule of law,” he added.
Judge Elao sentenced the two NPA leaders to maximum reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Caluza, former head of the NPA’s Provincial Military Department, Nueva Ecija Provincial Party Committee, and Antalan, of the NPA’s Central Luzon Regional Committee, were charged with the murder of Kathlyn Ramos on Oct. 27, 2002 at an NPA camp in
The two were arrested in 2009 by virtue of arrest warrants issued by a
The case was transferred to the Pasig City RTC Branch 266 upon the order of the Supreme Court in 2010.
Ramos, according to former NPA rebels who surrendered to the government and stood as witnesses, was executed on suspicion of being a military deep penetrating agent (DPA). Her body was exhumed on Oct. 5, 2006 with the help of the witnesses.
Ramos is a daughter of former Intelligence Service of the AFP operative, MSgt Pablo Ramos, who was also killed by suspected comrades of Antalan and Caluza in 2010.
Aside from the life imprisonment sentence, Judge Elao also ordered the convicts to pay the Ramos family of P120,000 for death indemnity, reimbursement of actual expenses and moral damages.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/afp-hails-conviction-of-2-npa-leaders-in-2002-military-agent-murder-case
PNP counters MILF, says ‘Exodus’ part of police madate
From the Daily Tribune (Sep 28): PNP counters MILF, says ‘Exodus’ part of police madate
Mayor said elements of the PNP’s elite Special Action Force (SAF) were deployed to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was wanted for various crimes.
“The mission of the SAF in Mamasapano is to enforce the warrant of arrest against Marwan who is wanted by law for his crimes as part of the mandate of the PNP to enforce the law and maintain peace and order,” the police official said.
Hundreds of SAF troops were dispatched to barangays Pedsandawan and Tukanalipao last January 25 to arrest Marwan, his fellow Malaysian terrorist Amin Baco, alias Jihad, and Filipino bomb expert Basit Usman. The operation sparked a day-long clash between the SAF commandos and combined MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups in the area.
In an editorial posted on its Website, the MILF blamed the Mamasapano operation for the stalled BBL.
The MILF expressed belief that the operation was deliberately launched and was not accidental.
“If in the end, the BBL does not pass, who is going to be blamed or do we need to blame anyone? Of course, many people blamed the Mamasapano incident on January 25. But this incident was not an accident; it had all the signatures of a deliberate plan,” the MILF stressed.
“The debate as to which is primary, peace-making or ‘war on terror’ showed its ugly face here. While we never doubted that the government has firmly hold on to the “primacy of the peace process” but that fateful moment the “unanticipated” happened. To this day, we are still reeling from its devastating effects,” it added.
For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stressed its full support to the government peace initiatives.
“The AFP has always been in support to all government peace efforts,” said Col. Noel Detoyato.
The
Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday maintained that the launching of
Oplan “Exodus” in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province last January was part of the
mandate of the organization to arrest wanted personalities.
Reacting to
statements issued by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) blaming the
Mamasapano incident on the non-passage of its proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
(BBL), Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, stressed Oplan “Exodus” was a
legitimate law enforcement operation.
Mayor said elements of the PNP’s elite Special Action Force (SAF) were deployed to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was wanted for various crimes.
“The mission of the SAF in Mamasapano is to enforce the warrant of arrest against Marwan who is wanted by law for his crimes as part of the mandate of the PNP to enforce the law and maintain peace and order,” the police official said.
Hundreds of SAF troops were dispatched to barangays Pedsandawan and Tukanalipao last January 25 to arrest Marwan, his fellow Malaysian terrorist Amin Baco, alias Jihad, and Filipino bomb expert Basit Usman. The operation sparked a day-long clash between the SAF commandos and combined MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups in the area.
As a
result, 44 SAF commandos and 16 MILF fighters were killed during the clashes.
Marwan was also killed but Baco and Usman managed to elude the SAF.
Marwan was also killed but Baco and Usman managed to elude the SAF.
In an editorial posted on its Website, the MILF blamed the Mamasapano operation for the stalled BBL.
The MILF expressed belief that the operation was deliberately launched and was not accidental.
“If in the end, the BBL does not pass, who is going to be blamed or do we need to blame anyone? Of course, many people blamed the Mamasapano incident on January 25. But this incident was not an accident; it had all the signatures of a deliberate plan,” the MILF stressed.
“The debate as to which is primary, peace-making or ‘war on terror’ showed its ugly face here. While we never doubted that the government has firmly hold on to the “primacy of the peace process” but that fateful moment the “unanticipated” happened. To this day, we are still reeling from its devastating effects,” it added.
For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stressed its full support to the government peace initiatives.
“The AFP has always been in support to all government peace efforts,” said Col. Noel Detoyato.
Duterte: Samal kidnap victims now in Sulu; PNP, AFP: Report ‘unconfirmed’
From the Daily Tribune (Sep 28): Duterte: Samal kidnap victims now in Sulu; PNP, AFP: Report ‘unconfirmed’
The mayor admitted that authorities have lost track of the armed men and their hostages two days after the incident because pursuing government forces were made to believe that they were at some place in Davao when they were already heading to the south.
“They were lost for two days — we cannot track them anymore. On 24th of September, we have a report from the intel community — saying they were in Glan (Sarangani) — but now we were told by the intel community saying they are already in Sulu – we have latest info. We verified from all sources and all information we gathered they are in Sulu,” Duterte said during his Sunday’s television program Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa.
“The Coast Guard tried everything,” Duterte said, adding he requested the Philippine Coast Guard and other pursuing forces to be cautious in order not to jeopardize the lives of the hostages.
He also dismissed speculations the abduction has something to do with mining, stressing if it is related to mining, the hostages could have been brought near or in a mining area.
“Mining is far out theory. Maybe the personalities were just chanced upon or maybe they were pre-determined targets. With that we have to find out,” Duterte said.
One of the hostages, Canadian John Ridsdel, was former senior vice president for Canadian Mining Firm Toronto Ventures Inc. (TVI) Resource Development Philippines Inc. while the other Canadian, Robert Hall, was formerly connected with a mining firm which has links with TMI, a mining company operating in Davao Oriental. The two other hostages were Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, manager of the resort and the Filipina, a certain Maritess Flor, Hall’s partner.
While he is not being tapped to oversee the operations because it is not part of his jurisdiction since Samal is part of Davao del Norte province, Duterte said he wanted to keep communications open with authorities for reasons that the owners of the resort are his good friends.
With armed men and the hostages already in Sulu, Duterte hopes that the group holding the hostages will not drag the issue.
He, also said there is no demand for ransom so far.
Police and military authorities, for their part, however, were mum on the reports that the victims have been taken by their captors in Sulu province, a known stronghold of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group.
Chief Supt. Federico Dulay of the Police Regional Office-11 (PRO-11) said the safety of the victims is the primary concern of government security forces now conducting operations.
He added the Philippine National Police (PNP) is receiving many reports regarding the kidnapping.
“We ask for your understanding considering the sensitivity of this matter. We have to take into account the safety of the victims,” he added.
Reports that the four victims have been taken to Sulu cropped up after an outrigger was found in the shores of Barangay Silangkan, Parang, Sulu, last Saturday.
Even the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which established naval barrier to prevent the kidnap group from entering Sulu, said it has no confirmation as to the whereabouts of the victims and their captors.
The four victims were abducted at gun point by more or less 12 gunmen inside Ocean View Resort onSamal
Island
Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) who has jurisdiction over Davao Region, said they are still conducting search operations.
“We are continuing the search based on the leads that were given to us,” he stressed.
Col. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, said as far as the military is concerned reports that the victims were taken to Sulu remained “unconfirmed.”
“That is unconfirmed…being continuously validated,” he added.
For his part, Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said “there are operations ongoing, focused military operation…of course, we will not operate if we have no information.”
But Detoyato stressed the PNP is taking the lead in the operation.
The transfer of the victims to Sulu bolstered beliefs that the kidnappers were members of the Abu Sayyaf, especially that one of the watercraft that was allegedly used by the suspects was also found in Parang, one of the areas in Sulu where the terrorists have a strong presence.
Relatedly, Sen. Vicente Sotto III yesterday challenged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to prove its stronghold inMindanao
by joining the government security forces in hunting down the kidnappers.
Sotto issued the call to the MILF, although no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, saying this is a good opportunity for them to show their control and mastery of theMindanao region –
by going after the kidnappers.
The senator added this will also be a chance for the MILF, which is pushing the enactment of a law that will allow them to establish a new Bangsamoro political entity, to prove its sincerity in forging peace and work hand in hand with the government by lending a hand in rescuing the kidnap victims.
“This is an opportunity for the MILF to show that they too can protect the people against lawless groups inMindanao ,”
Sotto stressed.
The senator made the call amid his eight-day programmed interpellations on the proposed Basic Law on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the Senate.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/duterte-samal-kidnap-victims-now-in-sulu-pnp-afp-report-unconfirmed
The still
unidentified armed men who abducted three foreigners and a Filipina from a posh
resort on Samal Island
have exited Davao
Duterte,
who is also the Regional Peace and Order Council chairman, also revealed that
the armed men have links with the terror group Abu Sayyaf.
The mayor admitted that authorities have lost track of the armed men and their hostages two days after the incident because pursuing government forces were made to believe that they were at some place in Davao when they were already heading to the south.
“They were lost for two days — we cannot track them anymore. On 24th of September, we have a report from the intel community — saying they were in Glan (Sarangani) — but now we were told by the intel community saying they are already in Sulu – we have latest info. We verified from all sources and all information we gathered they are in Sulu,” Duterte said during his Sunday’s television program Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa.
The main
base of the Abu Sayyaf is in Jolo, Sulu province.
“The Coast Guard tried everything,” Duterte said, adding he requested the Philippine Coast Guard and other pursuing forces to be cautious in order not to jeopardize the lives of the hostages.
He also dismissed speculations the abduction has something to do with mining, stressing if it is related to mining, the hostages could have been brought near or in a mining area.
“Mining is far out theory. Maybe the personalities were just chanced upon or maybe they were pre-determined targets. With that we have to find out,” Duterte said.
One of the hostages, Canadian John Ridsdel, was former senior vice president for Canadian Mining Firm Toronto Ventures Inc. (TVI) Resource Development Philippines Inc. while the other Canadian, Robert Hall, was formerly connected with a mining firm which has links with TMI, a mining company operating in Davao Oriental. The two other hostages were Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, manager of the resort and the Filipina, a certain Maritess Flor, Hall’s partner.
While he is not being tapped to oversee the operations because it is not part of his jurisdiction since Samal is part of Davao del Norte province, Duterte said he wanted to keep communications open with authorities for reasons that the owners of the resort are his good friends.
With armed men and the hostages already in Sulu, Duterte hopes that the group holding the hostages will not drag the issue.
He, also said there is no demand for ransom so far.
Police and military authorities, for their part, however, were mum on the reports that the victims have been taken by their captors in Sulu province, a known stronghold of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group.
Chief Supt. Federico Dulay of the Police Regional Office-11 (PRO-11) said the safety of the victims is the primary concern of government security forces now conducting operations.
He added the Philippine National Police (PNP) is receiving many reports regarding the kidnapping.
“We are receiving many reports and gathering
additional information for the validation of said reports. Hopefully, we can
gather enough (pieces of) evidence to support the filing of cases,” said Dulay.
“We ask for your understanding considering the sensitivity of this matter. We have to take into account the safety of the victims,” he added.
Reports that the four victims have been taken to Sulu cropped up after an outrigger was found in the shores of Barangay Silangkan, Parang, Sulu, last Saturday.
Even the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which established naval barrier to prevent the kidnap group from entering Sulu, said it has no confirmation as to the whereabouts of the victims and their captors.
The four victims were abducted at gun point by more or less 12 gunmen inside Ocean View Resort on
Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) who has jurisdiction over Davao Region, said they are still conducting search operations.
“We are continuing the search based on the leads that were given to us,” he stressed.
Col. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, said as far as the military is concerned reports that the victims were taken to Sulu remained “unconfirmed.”
“That is unconfirmed…being continuously validated,” he added.
For his part, Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said “there are operations ongoing, focused military operation…of course, we will not operate if we have no information.”
But Detoyato stressed the PNP is taking the lead in the operation.
The transfer of the victims to Sulu bolstered beliefs that the kidnappers were members of the Abu Sayyaf, especially that one of the watercraft that was allegedly used by the suspects was also found in Parang, one of the areas in Sulu where the terrorists have a strong presence.
Relatedly, Sen. Vicente Sotto III yesterday challenged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to prove its stronghold in
Sotto issued the call to the MILF, although no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, saying this is a good opportunity for them to show their control and mastery of the
The senator added this will also be a chance for the MILF, which is pushing the enactment of a law that will allow them to establish a new Bangsamoro political entity, to prove its sincerity in forging peace and work hand in hand with the government by lending a hand in rescuing the kidnap victims.
“This is an opportunity for the MILF to show that they too can protect the people against lawless groups in
The senator made the call amid his eight-day programmed interpellations on the proposed Basic Law on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the Senate.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/duterte-samal-kidnap-victims-now-in-sulu-pnp-afp-report-unconfirmed
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Hero ex-Scout Ranger sergeant pines for retirement benefits
From InterAksyon (Sep 24): Hero ex-Scout Ranger sergeant pines for retirement benefits
Sgt. Jose Tubil (in wheelchair) flanked by Scout Rangers from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion led by its Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Elmer B. Suderio (standing 4th from right) during a visit to bring him cash and donations in kind. Photo from AFP-PAO
Ex-Scout Ranger Sergeant Jose Tubil, an awardee of the Distinguished Conduct Star for leading his men in combat, has appealed to concerned officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to allow him to retire so that he can claim his benefits after 31 years in service.
In 1998, Sergeant Tubil led 17 members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) to reinforce a cornered team of police officers at a firefight that resulted in the demise of the demise of an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) founder in Barangay Tumakid, Lamitan City, Basilan.
During that firefight, Tubil and his men killed Abdujarak Abubakar Janjalani and his assistant. Janjalani was the elder brother of his successor, Khadaffy Janjalani, who also perished in an encounter with government forces in September 2006 in Patikul, Sulu.
Tubil, who is turning 58 years old this coming December, uses a wheelchair because of wounds sustained in an ambush by lawless elements in 2008, also in Lamitan City.
"He fought off his attackers and killed three of them using only a pistol," relates Lt Col. Harold Cabunoc, former Public Affairs Office chief of the AFP.
Cabunoc said he and Tubil had spent time together in many southern Mindanao armed clashes.
Tubil laments that the processing of his retirement papers has been stalled after he applied for compulsory retirement on December 1, 2014 at the office of the chief of staff of the Army's 1st Infantry Division because of three "missing" Garand rifles.
According to Tubil, he forgot to make an accounting of the three rifles issued to his three CAFGU elements but had officially turned over these to his successor.
Division commander Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos said he would check into Tubil's case with his chief of staff.
"I acknowledge it was my lapse and my responsibility. And my successor at the time did not bother to vouch that the guns were still with the three CAFGU man. But, please, I'm asking concerned officers not to deny me my retirement benefits because of this. If I have to pay for the 'lost' guns, then I'll pay for them after receiving my lump-sum retirement pay. I want my retirement to be in order. I deserve it," he said, in Tagalog.
Tubil's Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest military award for heroism from the battlefield, was given to him personally by then President Joseph Estrada.
Tubil recalled he quickly gathered his 17 CAFGU elements after they heard automatic gunfire about a kilometer away from their detachment.
"We quickly reached the position of the pinned down policemen and saw their leader, a chief inspector and another one, already dead. Some of them were seriously wounded and running out of ammunition. I commanded the still able cops to secure their casualties and we will take care of the enemy. I broke my unit into four teams, quickly drew the assault maneuvers and the battle raged again," Tubil said.
Equally armed with M14 and Garand riffles as the enemy, Tubil's men outmaneuvered the enemy and killed their leader and his assistant. He said the bandits were forced to withdraw with their wounded companions and left behind their two dead leaders.
"The autopsy reports proved that the bullets taken out of the bodies were from our M14 and Garand rifles. The policemen that we reinforced were armed with M16 and pistols. After the bandits fled, my battalion commander ordered us to just let the police bring them to the municipal hall," Tubil further recalled.
"That's the real story," he added.
"He is a veteran of various campaigns against lawless elements both in Basilan and Sulu," Cabunoc says of Tubil. "He is now practically in hiding due to grave threats to his life. He could not walk and has endured life's struggles because of his unprocessed retirement papers."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/117975/hero-ex-scout-ranger-sergeant-pines-for-retirement-benefits
Sgt. Jose Tubil (in wheelchair) flanked by Scout Rangers from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion led by its Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Elmer B. Suderio (standing 4th from right) during a visit to bring him cash and donations in kind. Photo from AFP-PAO
Ex-Scout Ranger Sergeant Jose Tubil, an awardee of the Distinguished Conduct Star for leading his men in combat, has appealed to concerned officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to allow him to retire so that he can claim his benefits after 31 years in service.
In 1998, Sergeant Tubil led 17 members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) to reinforce a cornered team of police officers at a firefight that resulted in the demise of the demise of an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) founder in Barangay Tumakid, Lamitan City, Basilan.
During that firefight, Tubil and his men killed Abdujarak Abubakar Janjalani and his assistant. Janjalani was the elder brother of his successor, Khadaffy Janjalani, who also perished in an encounter with government forces in September 2006 in Patikul, Sulu.
Tubil, who is turning 58 years old this coming December, uses a wheelchair because of wounds sustained in an ambush by lawless elements in 2008, also in Lamitan City.
"He fought off his attackers and killed three of them using only a pistol," relates Lt Col. Harold Cabunoc, former Public Affairs Office chief of the AFP.
Cabunoc said he and Tubil had spent time together in many southern Mindanao armed clashes.
Tubil laments that the processing of his retirement papers has been stalled after he applied for compulsory retirement on December 1, 2014 at the office of the chief of staff of the Army's 1st Infantry Division because of three "missing" Garand rifles.
According to Tubil, he forgot to make an accounting of the three rifles issued to his three CAFGU elements but had officially turned over these to his successor.
Division commander Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos said he would check into Tubil's case with his chief of staff.
"I acknowledge it was my lapse and my responsibility. And my successor at the time did not bother to vouch that the guns were still with the three CAFGU man. But, please, I'm asking concerned officers not to deny me my retirement benefits because of this. If I have to pay for the 'lost' guns, then I'll pay for them after receiving my lump-sum retirement pay. I want my retirement to be in order. I deserve it," he said, in Tagalog.
Tubil's Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest military award for heroism from the battlefield, was given to him personally by then President Joseph Estrada.
Tubil recalled he quickly gathered his 17 CAFGU elements after they heard automatic gunfire about a kilometer away from their detachment.
"We quickly reached the position of the pinned down policemen and saw their leader, a chief inspector and another one, already dead. Some of them were seriously wounded and running out of ammunition. I commanded the still able cops to secure their casualties and we will take care of the enemy. I broke my unit into four teams, quickly drew the assault maneuvers and the battle raged again," Tubil said.
Equally armed with M14 and Garand riffles as the enemy, Tubil's men outmaneuvered the enemy and killed their leader and his assistant. He said the bandits were forced to withdraw with their wounded companions and left behind their two dead leaders.
"The autopsy reports proved that the bullets taken out of the bodies were from our M14 and Garand rifles. The policemen that we reinforced were armed with M16 and pistols. After the bandits fled, my battalion commander ordered us to just let the police bring them to the municipal hall," Tubil further recalled.
"That's the real story," he added.
"He is a veteran of various campaigns against lawless elements both in Basilan and Sulu," Cabunoc says of Tubil. "He is now practically in hiding due to grave threats to his life. He could not walk and has endured life's struggles because of his unprocessed retirement papers."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/117975/hero-ex-scout-ranger-sergeant-pines-for-retirement-benefits
AFP chief mum on whether Sulu-based group is behind Samal Island kidnapping
From CNN-Philippines (Sep 25): AFP chief mum on whether Sulu-based group is behind Samal Island kidnapping
Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri attended a more than four-hour briefing at the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Davao City, which was attended by top military officials in the region. (File photo)
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri refused to comment when asked by reporters on Friday (September 25) if a new kidnap for ransom group based in Sulu was behind the kidnapping of the three foreigners and a Filipina at a resort onSamal Island
http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2015/09/25/AFP-chief-Hernando-Iriberri-Sulu-based-group-behind-Samal-Island-kidnapping.html
Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri attended a more than four-hour briefing at the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Davao City, which was attended by top military officials in the region. (File photo)
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri refused to comment when asked by reporters on Friday (September 25) if a new kidnap for ransom group based in Sulu was behind the kidnapping of the three foreigners and a Filipina at a resort on
The question was
raised after reports of an intelligence information claiming that the
kidnappers and their victims arrived onboard a white speedboat in Barangay
Kaunayan in Patikul, Sulu at around 12:30 p.m. last Tuesday (September 22)—
about 13 hours after the abduction at Holiday Oceanview Samal Resort on Samal Island
“Chini-check pa
natin kung ano ba talagang grupo. Kasama
yan sa lahat ng kino-collate at
tinitignan natin. Alam niyo naman first
time nangyari yan dito,” Irriberi
said.
The intelligence
report claimed that a group from the village
of Tanum
Allegedly, the
same intelligence report mentioned that there was an impending kidnapping days
before it was perpetrated.
This spurred
questions on whether the incident was a failure on the part of the authorities
to take prompt action, but Iriberri refused to confirm or deny the information.
Earlier, Eastern
Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) commander Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad was quoted
saying that a lawless group from Sulu could have possibly planned and
masterminded the abduction. But Baladad was quick to clarify that the group is
separate from the ASG.
Irriberi was
careful in divulging any information that they have so far.
The AFP chief
also refused to give any details of their operation saying that it is essential
to the success of the rescue mission led by the Philippine National Police
(PNP).
“Pakiusap nga namin we should not even talk
about anything operational, intelligence, because it could have an impact
adversely... So I hope you understand that we cannot give you anything about
operational matters,” said Irriberi.
Irriberri,
however, assured the public that the military and the police are doing their
best to rescue the kidnapped victims.
“We have very
good commanders here, he have competent commanders,” he said.
“So lahat ina-assess, bina-validate, ini-evaluate,
lahat ng information na pumapasok. We are taking everything based
on the information that we receive.”
Iriberri attended
a more than four-hour briefing at the EastMinCom headquarters in Davao City
http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2015/09/25/AFP-chief-Hernando-Iriberri-Sulu-based-group-behind-Samal-Island-kidnapping.html
China Completes Runway in Spratly Islands: IHS Jane's Defense Weekly
From NBC News (Sep 25): China Completes Runway in Spratly Islands: IHS Jane's Defense Weekly
China has completed the construction of a two-mile runway on one of the artificial islands it built in the hotly-contested South China Sea, according to satellite images released Friday by a monitoring group.
The release came on the same day President Barack Obama was to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for his first official visit to the U.S. The issue of the islands has been a source of tension between the U.S. and China.
The images, published by IHS Jane's Defence Weekly, appeared to show China is near to making operational the 3,125-meter landing strip on Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.
According to IHS Jane's, the landing strip would allow China to "accelerate construction on the new island and to start patrols over the disputed islands."
The satellite images showed the runway was only completed in recent weeks, the military publication said.
Chinese construction workers continued to build other structures on the artificially reclaimed island, as well as seawalls, road networks and dumping topsoil — possibly an attempt to grow food there, according to Jane's.
China has reclaimed land on at least half a dozen reefs in the archipelago in an apparent attempt to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea. This has rattled other nations — such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan — with overlapping claims in the waters.
China said last week that it was "extremely concerned" at the suggestion by a top U.S. commander that American ships and aircraft should challenge China's claim by patrolling close to the islands.
China's runway construction at Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands. CNES 2015, Distribution Airbus DS / ©2015 IHS: 1640203
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-completes-runway-controversial-spratly-islands-project-n433646
China has completed the construction of a two-mile runway on one of the artificial islands it built in the hotly-contested South China Sea, according to satellite images released Friday by a monitoring group.
The release came on the same day President Barack Obama was to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for his first official visit to the U.S. The issue of the islands has been a source of tension between the U.S. and China.
The images, published by IHS Jane's Defence Weekly, appeared to show China is near to making operational the 3,125-meter landing strip on Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.
According to IHS Jane's, the landing strip would allow China to "accelerate construction on the new island and to start patrols over the disputed islands."
The satellite images showed the runway was only completed in recent weeks, the military publication said.
China has reclaimed land on at least half a dozen reefs in the archipelago in an apparent attempt to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea. This has rattled other nations — such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan — with overlapping claims in the waters.
China said last week that it was "extremely concerned" at the suggestion by a top U.S. commander that American ships and aircraft should challenge China's claim by patrolling close to the islands.
China's runway construction at Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands. CNES 2015, Distribution Airbus DS / ©2015 IHS: 1640203
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-completes-runway-controversial-spratly-islands-project-n433646
Opinion: Read the ‘lumad’ lips
Interesting Opinion piece posted to the "Get Real" column of Solita Collas-Monsod in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 26): Read the ‘lumad’ lips
It turns out that on Nov. 12, 2014, at the Tribal Hall in Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, 42 tribal leaders of the Langilan Manobo tribe, including 23 datus, signed a resolution “declaring the New People’s Army (NPA) and its allied Civil Society Organizations (CSO) such that of (sic) Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), National Democratic Front (NDF) and Karadyawan-Kapalong, Karapatan-Davao, Pasaka Regional Lumad Conference, Radyo ni Juan-Tagum and Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation (MISFI) pas persona non grata.”
There followed a long list of 10 “whereas-es,” delineating the reasons for their stance, and a two-page attachment which further described 24 willful violations by the NPA and the allied CSOs of the six pillars of the Langilan Manobo tribe’s principles (Indigenous Beliefs Practices, Indigenous Knowledge and Education Practices, Customary Governance and Leadership, Traditional Economic and Health, Customary Defense and Security and Ancestral Territory).
Here are some of their grievances against the leftist groups: The NPA “forcibly told” the tribal elders that there are 10 sitios the NPA had already occupied, and the tribal leaders could do nothing about it; when Datu Bangu Bolyong put a boundary between his people and the NPA, the NPA told him that no one can prevent them, because all the mountains are theirs; the NPA threatened the residents of Sitios Kapatagan, Tawngatok and Patil with attacks—one in the morning, one at lunch, and one at dinner, respectively—if these residents didn’t “okey us.”
In a description eerily reminiscent of what happened in Haran, Davao City, the tribal leaders cited an incident which happened in March 2014 in Davao City, in which they accused the NPA and CSOs of “exploiting them to stage a demonstration or rallies at Davao City without the consent of the true and authentic indigenous leadership in the indigenous people’s communities where they came from.”
What these Langilan Manobo tribal leaders said obviously fell on deaf ears—unfortunately, both the government’s and the leftists’—because the Haran incident happened, and the exploitation of the lumad continues unabated. Read the lumad lips, Reader. They don’t want the NPA and their civil society allies to speak for them; they don’t want the “help” of the NPA and their civil society allies.
So why are the media full of stories spun by these CSO allies of the NPA, about how the lumad are suffering from military heavy-handedness? If not military, then paramilitary supposedly organized by the military, so they are one and the same. Why is it that the leftist version is so quickly adopted, and the lumad version ignored?
And if we are to ask the lumad, who would they prefer to go to bed with, the NPAs or the military/government forces? If they are to be made to choose, it seems they would choose the latter.
Here is the “United Stand of Talaingod Tribal Leaders” signed in the Tribal Hall, JBL Complex, Barangay Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, on May 4, 2015, by 52 datus, among others. They are another group of lumad, but they have similar stories—that of exploitation by the NPA and its civil society allies.
The Talaingod statement talks about an education system that has been subverted by the NPA, and gives the specific example of one Asinad Bago, who has testified that the students in the Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center (STICLC) are being taught to hate the government, and are being indoctrinated by the NPA, taught revolutionary songs, and taken out of class to join rallies in Davao and Arakan. (I think it was this boy who was interviewed by Tina Monzon Palma, and he sang our national anthem to different, rebel words.) The NPA, he said, had free access to the school. The boy has tried to transfer to a Department of Education school, but his report card was not released by the STICLC.
It is these STICLC supervisors who accused the 68th Infantry Battalion of harassment in Sitio Nasilaban in Barangay Palma Gil. But their charges were found to be baseless by the barangay council. And the tribal leaders staunchly back the military presence and its help to the community.
Also, the tribal leaders want the STICLC to be run by the DepEd, and it should be. Clearly, the tribal leaders have made their choice between the government and the NPA administrators.
My analysis: The ancestral land of the lumad is prime land—for logging and mining activities. The NPA wants control of it, and so, of course, do corporations interested in these activities. They may or may not be in collusion. But the NPA sees the lumad as ripe for exploitation—and among the first things it is tackling is the education of the lumad. He who controls the minds of the young will eventually control the community.
So the NPA is trying to take over the education, and even the cultural practices, of the lumad. The military is the only one standing in its way. So it must be dealt with. Thus come the charges of “militarization” and “enemies of the people.” Hogwash.
The NPA, according to the lumad, has killed 357 lumad between 1998 and 2008. No one is doubting the accuracy of that statement. The military, according to the NPA, has killed 50 lumad during P-Noy’s watch. The only question is: Are these lumad, or are these NPA wolves in lumad clothing?
Clearly, the lumad know what the game is. One can only hope that the rest of the Filipino people are just as intelligent.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/88867/read-the-lumad-lips
It turns out that on Nov. 12, 2014, at the Tribal Hall in Sitio Patil, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, 42 tribal leaders of the Langilan Manobo tribe, including 23 datus, signed a resolution “declaring the New People’s Army (NPA) and its allied Civil Society Organizations (CSO) such that of (sic) Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), National Democratic Front (NDF) and Karadyawan-Kapalong, Karapatan-Davao, Pasaka Regional Lumad Conference, Radyo ni Juan-Tagum and Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation (MISFI) pas persona non grata.”
There followed a long list of 10 “whereas-es,” delineating the reasons for their stance, and a two-page attachment which further described 24 willful violations by the NPA and the allied CSOs of the six pillars of the Langilan Manobo tribe’s principles (Indigenous Beliefs Practices, Indigenous Knowledge and Education Practices, Customary Governance and Leadership, Traditional Economic and Health, Customary Defense and Security and Ancestral Territory).
Here are some of their grievances against the leftist groups: The NPA “forcibly told” the tribal elders that there are 10 sitios the NPA had already occupied, and the tribal leaders could do nothing about it; when Datu Bangu Bolyong put a boundary between his people and the NPA, the NPA told him that no one can prevent them, because all the mountains are theirs; the NPA threatened the residents of Sitios Kapatagan, Tawngatok and Patil with attacks—one in the morning, one at lunch, and one at dinner, respectively—if these residents didn’t “okey us.”
In a description eerily reminiscent of what happened in Haran, Davao City, the tribal leaders cited an incident which happened in March 2014 in Davao City, in which they accused the NPA and CSOs of “exploiting them to stage a demonstration or rallies at Davao City without the consent of the true and authentic indigenous leadership in the indigenous people’s communities where they came from.”
What these Langilan Manobo tribal leaders said obviously fell on deaf ears—unfortunately, both the government’s and the leftists’—because the Haran incident happened, and the exploitation of the lumad continues unabated. Read the lumad lips, Reader. They don’t want the NPA and their civil society allies to speak for them; they don’t want the “help” of the NPA and their civil society allies.
So why are the media full of stories spun by these CSO allies of the NPA, about how the lumad are suffering from military heavy-handedness? If not military, then paramilitary supposedly organized by the military, so they are one and the same. Why is it that the leftist version is so quickly adopted, and the lumad version ignored?
And if we are to ask the lumad, who would they prefer to go to bed with, the NPAs or the military/government forces? If they are to be made to choose, it seems they would choose the latter.
Here is the “United Stand of Talaingod Tribal Leaders” signed in the Tribal Hall, JBL Complex, Barangay Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, on May 4, 2015, by 52 datus, among others. They are another group of lumad, but they have similar stories—that of exploitation by the NPA and its civil society allies.
The Talaingod statement talks about an education system that has been subverted by the NPA, and gives the specific example of one Asinad Bago, who has testified that the students in the Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center (STICLC) are being taught to hate the government, and are being indoctrinated by the NPA, taught revolutionary songs, and taken out of class to join rallies in Davao and Arakan. (I think it was this boy who was interviewed by Tina Monzon Palma, and he sang our national anthem to different, rebel words.) The NPA, he said, had free access to the school. The boy has tried to transfer to a Department of Education school, but his report card was not released by the STICLC.
It is these STICLC supervisors who accused the 68th Infantry Battalion of harassment in Sitio Nasilaban in Barangay Palma Gil. But their charges were found to be baseless by the barangay council. And the tribal leaders staunchly back the military presence and its help to the community.
Also, the tribal leaders want the STICLC to be run by the DepEd, and it should be. Clearly, the tribal leaders have made their choice between the government and the NPA administrators.
My analysis: The ancestral land of the lumad is prime land—for logging and mining activities. The NPA wants control of it, and so, of course, do corporations interested in these activities. They may or may not be in collusion. But the NPA sees the lumad as ripe for exploitation—and among the first things it is tackling is the education of the lumad. He who controls the minds of the young will eventually control the community.
So the NPA is trying to take over the education, and even the cultural practices, of the lumad. The military is the only one standing in its way. So it must be dealt with. Thus come the charges of “militarization” and “enemies of the people.” Hogwash.
The NPA, according to the lumad, has killed 357 lumad between 1998 and 2008. No one is doubting the accuracy of that statement. The military, according to the NPA, has killed 50 lumad during P-Noy’s watch. The only question is: Are these lumad, or are these NPA wolves in lumad clothing?
Clearly, the lumad know what the game is. One can only hope that the rest of the Filipino people are just as intelligent.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/88867/read-the-lumad-lips
NOT JUST THE LUMAD | Rights groups say Cagayan Valley IPs also suffering from military abuses
From InterAksyon (Sep 26): NOT JUST THE LUMAD | Rights groups say Cagayan Valley IPs also suffering from military abuses
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118028/not-just-the-lumad--rights-groups-say-cagayan-valley-ips-also-suffering-from-military-abuses
The killings, forced evacuations and other atrocities
suffered by Mindanao’s lumad have been hogging the headlines for weeks
but human rights groups say indigenous people in the Cagayan Valley
A report prepared by the Cagayan chapter of the human rights
group Karapatan on a recent fact-finding mission in the Zinundungan Valley
showed the abuses endured by the Malaweg, Aggay and Kalinga communities in the
area have worsened and intensified since January this year.
The report documented the harassment, torture and summary
executions of IP leaders as well as officers of the Timpuyog Dagiti
Mannalon nga Aggay, or TDMA, allegedly by troops of the Army’s 17th
Infantry Battalion, which is under the 5th Infantry Division.
The scale of the abuses, the report said, “approaches the
bloody level of human rights abuses committed against the indigenous lumad of
Mindanao .”
Residents said the military increased its presence in the Zinundungan Valley
“The civilians have become the targets for revenge by the
17th IB after the NPA-Danilo Ben Command imposed the death penalty on the two
military intelligence operatives of the 17th IB and their CAFGU asset,” the
report said.
Citing a statement from the NPA unit’s spokesman, it said
the intelligence agents were found to have “linked farmers and their legitimate
organizations with the NPA. The NPA secured the hit list prepared by the
military agents. All of those listed ended up in the ‘Order of Battle’ of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Aside from Karapatan and TDMA, the mission was joined by
other people’s organizations, religious and officials of Barangays Masi, San Juan
Residents of the valley told the mission, held September 16
to 19, that they have been struggling for land, resources and their lives and
demanding that government provide them basic services since the 1970s.
“Whenever we triumph in making our lives better, the
military comes to suppress us and violate our human rights,” they said.
In 2006, they said, San Juan Sangguniang Kabataan chairman
Nelson Azucena was murdered by the military. In July 2011, Vicente Agbayani, a
member of the Aggay tribe, was tortured and then slapped with trumped-up
charges. And in 2013, troops of the 21st Infantry Battalion killed
farmer-leader Ronald Beran.
“Every year, the list of those murdered, arrested, kidnapped
and tortured lengthens, along with other forms of human rights violations.
Until now, justice has not been rendered to the victims,” the residents said.
The mission documented human rights violations allegedly
committed by the 17th IB against know farmer-leaders and residents in Barangays
Masi, Bural and San Juan
Among the other human rights violations blamed on the 17th
IB that the mission documented were:
Kidnapping, illegal arrest and torture of Aggay leader Mendo
Bisiotan and fellow Aggay Marlon Baganay and the elderly Orlando Duruin in
Sitio Daligan, Barangay San Juan in the early morning of July 20, 2015. The
three were tied with a rope and paraded before barangay residents before
disappearing for three days and presented to the media after they were charged
with illegal possession of firearms and explosives and rebellion.
Harassment, intimidation and threats to the lives of
farmer-leaders, among them Steward Garon of Barangay Masi, Eling Azucena of
Barangay Bural, Rafael Guimay of Barangay Masi and MFA, Felipe Bisiotan of
Barangay San Juan, Ambona Batolan of Barangay Masi and TDMA, as well as
Aris Infante, Raul Ladino, Lina Ladino and Edward Callueng of Barangay Lipatan
and LFO.
Filing of trumped-charges like three counts of kidnapping
with homicide against civilians Boy Garon, Jun-Jun Bayaua, Rexon Batulan,
Rafael Guimay, Mario Gregorio, Elyong Balisi, Isot Simangan, Rowena Battad,
Celso Manglallan, Titing Baloran, Eling Asucena and Rogel Asucena.
Violations of Aggay human rights like the illegal search and
ransacking of five houses while the farmers were sleeping, threatening
civilians with high-powered firearms as they were being interrogated, accusing
everyone with membership in the NPA, theft of air guns used by residents for
hunting game, pots, lighters and household items, and destroying crops,
throwing away palay, monggo and corn after they forced the people to scamper
away by firing their guns.
Abuse of the rights of women and children, with the wife of
Mendo Bisiotan being kicked by soldiers after she came to help her husband who
was being tortured and forced to admit that he was an NPA member and the son of
Marlon Baganay being held by the collar and thrown out of a military vehicle as
he tried to join his father, whom the troopers brought to a camp.
Establishment of camps by the 17th IB in barangay
halls, health centers and private houses in Barangay Masi, San Juan
Deployment of members of the Peace and Development Teams in
the centers of Barangays Masi, Bural and San Juan to act as psywar
(psychological warfare) units in the villages, with troops watching all the
residents whom they also barred from congregating, with menfolk being subjected
to intense surveillance.
Protection of Boog Bisiotan, known to the residents as a
“criminal on the loose” who also poses as a “rebel-returnee” accused of raping
and killing his own aunt, Toyang Bisiotan Cepedan, and acting as a spy and
guide for the military in Zinundungan
Valley
Intensified military operations have spread terror, threats
and peril to the people of the valley.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118028/not-just-the-lumad--rights-groups-say-cagayan-valley-ips-also-suffering-from-military-abuses
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