Aquino: No imminent terror threat in PH but remain vigilant

From Rappler (Jan 15): Aquino: No imminent terror threat in PH but remain vigilant

In the wake of the Jakarta attacks claimed by ISIS, President Aquino says in Filipino there's a credible threat but it's not specific

 

REMAIN VIGILANT. President Benigno S. Aquino III urges Filipinos not to let their guard down following the terrorist attacks in Jakarta. File photo by Joseph Vidal/Malacañang Photo Bureau

President Benigno Aquino III urged Filipinos to be vigilant a day after the terror attacks in neighboring Indonesia, even as he maintained that there is no imminent threat in the country.
Aquino made the call in a news briefing in Malolos, Bulacan, on Friday, January 15, when asked about government measures in the wake of the Jakarta attacks claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS).

He said he met with the Armed Forces chief General Hernando Irriberi, Philippine National Police chief Ricardo Marquez, and National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia on Thursday, following the attacks.
"Basically wala silang feedback sa akin na merong imminent threat pero walang mawawala sa atin na ipapaalala sa lahat na kailangang tuloy-tuloy ang pagbabantay natin," Aquino said.
(Basically, they did not give me any feedback that there's an imminent threat but we have nothing to lose it we remind everyone that we have to continue to be vigilant.)
The President said public vigilance is an essential complement to government efforts to harden possible terrorist targets, so citizens should not lower their guard. He cited the attacks in Paris and Jakarta on soft targets.
"Tayo open society, 100 million ang population natin dito. Pagtutulungan ng gobyerno at ng sambayanan ang magdadala sa atin sa kaligtasan, di ba? Parati tayong nakikiusap, kasama ng hardening of sites, gawin nating aware ang ating mga kababayan. Meron bang mga suspetsosong aali-aligid diyan? Pati packages and bags left unattended," he said.
(We are an open society, with a population of 100 million. Cooperation between the government and the citizenry will bring us to safety. We are always appealing that with the hardening of sites, public awareness should be heightened against suspicious people, also packages and bags left unattended.)

AFP spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla said on Friday that authorities went on heightened alert since Thursday afternoon as a "pro-active step to ensure ready forces to assist police during contingencies."
"We haven't monitored anything of that nature but it's better to be prepared," Padilla said.

'No specific threat'

Aquino admitted there is a "credible threat" but it's not specific.
"May banta rin sa atin. May credible threat pero talagang tukoy na threat, wala. May general threat? Oo. Hindi naman tayo immune sa nangyayari ngayong problema ng extremism. Pero lahat ng ating mga agencies sa law enforcement, sa intel, talagang nakakatutok sa problemang ito at talagang pinipilit natin na ma-thwart lahat ng potential na problema," he said.
(There are also threats to us. There's a credible threat but it's not specific. Is there a general threat? Yes. We are not immune to the problem of extremism. But all law enforcement agencies, intel, are really focused on this problem and are really working to thwart all potential problems.)

He said dealing with this problem begins with nipping the roots of radicalization, by helping vulnerable Filipinos through livelihood assistance and other social aid.
The President echoed the position of the military that there is no ISIS presence in the country. He said that the Philippines' intelligence network is keeping a close watch over communities to check if the group's influence has crept into the country.
He also said that while members of the Abu Sayyaf have been seen on video, circulated in the Internet, pledging allegiance to ISIS, the group has been known to affiliate itself with "popular" terror groups.
"Bago nito…sumali rin doon sa Jema'ah Islamiyah. Ngayon ISIS ang sikat, ISIS naman sila. Bukas pag may bagong grupo, iba na naman ang pangalan nila," he said.
(Before this, they were linked to Jema'ah Islamiyah. Now that ISIS is more popular, they're now with ISIS. If there's a new group tomorrow, they'll change their name again.) 

 http://www.rappler.com/nation/119153-aquino-no-imminent-threat-terrorism-vigilance

Free the villages

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 14): Free the villages

273 barangays still terrorized by NPA: army

THE EASTERN Mindanao Command this year will attempt to free the 273 remaining barangays under its jurisdiction still under the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

 

“From the 400 affected barangays (initially), there are only 273 remain affected while the rest are already under validation and for declaration as cleared barangays,” Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerero, EastMinCom head, said during the press conference yesterday.

 

In the first quarter of 2015, the contingent recorded 496 barangays with NPA presence although the figure was a slight dip from the 514 in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

The military attributed its success to the continuing outreach activities and delivery of basic services, apart from the combat operations, as part of its peace and development program.

 

He estimated that there are around 1,600 guerillas under the jurisdiction of the EastMinCom, which covers Davao Region, Caraga and Northern Mindanao.

 

According to their report, the NPA has around 2,232 short and high-powered firearms in its inventory.

 

In 2015, the EastMinCom recorded 330 NPA surrenderees.

 

“For every NPA that surrenders or neutralized we deduct one from a total strength and for every firearm we secure, we also deduct one,” he explained. “That’s the reason why there are more guns than manpower.”

 

He said their military offensives on NPA-influenced areas continue parallel to the joint efforts of the military and local government units to introduce development to the poor communities.

 

Don’t give in to NPA extortion

 

Meanwhile, Guerero said that they already reached out to some politicians to persuade them from giving in to the extortion activities of the NPA, particularly on the “permit to campaign” fees.

 

“We are also appealing to them  to closely coordinate with the police and military before embarking on a campaign so we can clear the area,” he added.

 

On the other hand, regional police director, Chief Supt. Wendy G. Rosario, said they are coordinating with the military for security operations during the conduct of the 2016 elections.

 

“Right now, our units are coordinating and working on a schedule especially now that the campaign period is starting,” he said. “We are also looking into reported extortion demands  so that we will be able to institute measures to reinforce their security.”

 

According to their assessment, the security of some barangays of Surigaod el Sur, Agusan del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Bukidnon remained critical this coming elections due to the NPA presence and political rivalries.

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/free-the-villages/

11 NPA rebels sued for abduction of 4 civilians

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 15): 11 NPA rebels sued for abduction of 4 civilians

THE MACO Municipal Police Office filed a complaint before the Compostela Valley Provincial Prosecutor Office against 11 alleged members of the New People’s Army for abducting four residents of Barangay Malamodao.

 

Sr. Insp. Melanie Hermosisima, commander of Maco Police Station, told TIMES that they filed serious illegal detention charges against 11 Milisyang Bayan Cluster Command (MBCC) or the people’s militia command members.

 

“MBCC of RG2 Renante Mantos, Allan Montecalvo, Angelito Chavez, alias Mukloy and seven others are now facing serious illegal detention,” Hermosisima said.

 

Four civilians, including a pregnant teen, identified as Arlyn Camporedondo, 38; Reniel Matog, 30; Jenefe Matayab, 20, all residents of Purok 1–B of the same barangay; and AJ Tucona, 15, resident of Purok 2, were abducted on Jan. 6.

 

They were released a day later, but not before receiving the warning against visiting the detachment of 1001st Infantry Brigade.

 

Only one of them filed a complaint-affidavit for fear of reprisal. The case is now being resolve by prosecutor Marko Pineda.

 

Col. Macairog S. Alberto, commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade, earlier said that pursuit operations were immediately conducted to rescue the civilians.

 

Alberto said the victims might be suspected as pro-military as one of the girls was a girlfriend of a soldier.

 

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of 10th Infantry Division, however said they were abducted by the rebels inside their house in the cover of darkness to avoid the patroling soldiers.

 

“Allegedly, their abductors wanted to talk to them but they were released the next day,” he said.

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/11-npa-rebels-sued-for-abduction-of-4-civilians/

Transmission tower bombed in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 15): Transmission tower bombed in Southern Philippines

Suspected rebels bombed a steel pylon in a fresh attack aimed at crippling power grid in the southern Philippines, officials said Friday.

The attack late Thursday targeted the Tower Number 6 of the Kabacan-Sultan Kudarat 138 kilovolt line in North Cotabato’s Aleosan town. Two improvised explosives had been detonated by rebels, but they failed to topple the steel tower, although it the blast seriously damaged the transmission facility.

It was the first bombing on power pylons in the region are being operated by the privately-owned National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). It was unknown why NGCP failed to detect or stop the bombing despite repeated attacks since last year.

“The bombing only serve to increase the burden of the public, which must suffer through service interruptions when towers are bombed,” NGCP said as it appealed anew to the military and police to help guard their facility.

The military said NGCP has its own personnel guarding the steel pylons.

NGCP also repeatedly blamed owners of private lands where the towers are located and accusing them of preventing their personnel to repair bombed power pylons. The provinces are known lairs of several rebel groups. The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and jihadists are actively operating in the region.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the latest bombing, but the attack occurred just weeks after NGCP proposed to “criminalize the planting of tress and other activities beneath transmission lines.”

NGCP said it has teamed up with local governments in Mindanao to solve the escalating right-of-way violations in the region by lobbying for the passage of a provincial ordinance to back up its proposals.

It said the intentional planting of trees under transmission lines adversely affects power delivery to the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay,
Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Zamboanga City, and the rest of the grid.

“Row violations, along with bombing attacks, have become the significant problems for NGCP in Mindanao. It will be very difficult for us to deliver the available power supply to distribution utilities if we continue to encounter these problems,” it said.

Land owners have repeatedly rejected NGCP’s demand unless it pays them for the use of their estate. NGCP holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/transmission-tower-bombed-in-southern-philippines/

NGCP transmission tower bombed but not toppled in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): NGCP transmission tower bombed but not toppled in North Cotabato

Unidentified men bombed another transmission tower of the National Grid Corporation (NGCP) in Aleosan, North Cotabato Thursday night but the steel tower was not toppled, police said.

The two improvised explosive devices that went off at 11:58 p.m. damaged two feet of NGCP Tower No. 63, according to Senior Inspector Jun J. Napat, Aleosan town police chief.

“The tower remained standing, the blasts only damaged two of its four feet,” Napat said.

“The incident also did not trigger outage,” he added.

No one has claimed responsibility in the bomb attack in Purok 4, Barangay Pagangan, Aleosan, North Cotabato, the first bomb attack in the province.

At least 16 NGCP towers were bombed in North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur in 2015, according to Melfrance Bambi Capulong, NGCP spokesperson for Southern Philippines.

“Repair will start as soon as area is secured,” Capulong said of the first bombing incident against NGCP facilities in Mindanao.

Napat said the IED was fashioned from 60 or 80 mm mortars with mobile phone as trigger mechanism. Another IED was found near the damaged tower.

"We are conducting pursuit operations, we are following up a lead," Napat said.

In a statement, NGCP said the bombings only serve to increase the burden of the public, which must suffer through service interruptions when towers are bombed.

NGCP is appealing to the public, local and national government, PNP and AFP to help monitor the safety of the towers so that transmission services remain uninterrupted.

The company also appeals to local community leaders to help identify the perpetrators of the bombings, and to negotiate with uncooperative landowners, to prevent longer power interruptions.

Before Thursday night’s bombing, an improvised bomb also exploded in Purok Mirasol, Barangay Polomoguen, Midsayap, North Cotabato, according to Supt. Gilbert Tuzon, Midsayap town police chief.

Tuzon said the blast occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday night but nobody was hurt since the area was isolated from civilian communities.

The blast came while Midsayap is in the thick of preparations for its patronal fiesta on Sunday.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=846949

Int'l support underscores milestones in PHL's Bangsamoro peace process

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): Int'l support underscores milestones in PHL's Bangsamoro peace process

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles expressed her gratitude to the support and attention that the international community is giving to the Bangsamoro peace process, noting that these indicate the level of success the Philippine government has achieved in pushing peace in Mindanao.

"The level we have on our interchange and conversations with other countries regarding the Mindanao peace process is different (from the local mood)," Deles said in a meeting with media on January 12. "Some of the works that we have done caught the interest of the international community."

Deles said that such level of international discourse on the Bangsamoro peace process has not happened before in any of the government’s previous peace tables. The level of attention and engagement of the international community in connection with the Bangsamoro peace process only showed that the negotiations are progressive and productive, she said.

"This is a milestone in the peace process. What we went (through) last year only showed the profound understanding of the (interested) sectors on the peace negotiations," Deles noted.

Because of such support and the commitment of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III to ensuring that lasting peace will be put in place in Mindanao, Deles said she is positive that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed under the Aquino administration.

"We will continue to work towards the successful conclusion [of the Bangsamoro peace process], towards a bright new dawn of peace, of prosperity, of harmony, for the Bangsamoro, for Mindanao, and for the Philippines,” she said.

Bangsamoro peace process, a model in peacemaking

During a visit to the Philippines last July, Colombian Ambassador Tito Saul Pinilla said his government considers the decommissioning and normalization processes being implemented by the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a model in the ongoing peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC).

"The situation in the Philippines between the government and the MILF is the same with the Colombian government and the FARC. After 25 years of armed conflict, we have come to the peace table and it came to our interest on how the Philippines did the ceremonial decommissioning," Pinilla stated.

"In the past six months, we are working hard on (our own) peace process but we have not reached our end goal which is the transitional justice and decommissioning as we see that we may face a (difficult) situation in that topic,” Pinilla explained, thus his government’s interest in studying the Philippine experience.

Last June 16, 145 MILF combatants and 75 crew-serve and high-powered weapons were decommissioned in simple ceremonies in Sultan Kudarat to signal Phase I of the normalization process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed between the Philippine government and the MILF.

The International Decommissioning Body (IDB), a multinational independent body led by Turkey, supervised the decommissioning process of the MILF forces and weapons as stipulated in the CAB.

Pinilla said he planned to propose to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to use as basis for their government’s own negotiations with FARC the current peace framework between the GPH and the MILF.

According to the ambassador, their current peace talk covered agenda points such as land reform, political participation, drug trafficking, ceasefire and transitional justice, most of which were tackled in the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF.

Meanwhile, other countries in conflict situations such as Thailand and Myanmar have also sent delegations to study the Bangsamoro peace process.

In July last year, 16 members of the Afghanistan High Peace Council (HPC) went to the Philippines to study the peace process, especially in upholding the role of women in the peace talks.

“I am very happy that the Afghanistan peace council’s delegates are coming here to learn from the Philippine experience about the peace process,” HPC Secretary and head of delegation Shaila Samimi said. “We need to learn how women’s roles have been defined and recognized within the peace process in the Philippines.”

Samimi said that the meeting provided a good opportunity to exchange experiences between the two countries on their own peace talks, and on promoting gender equality and women empowerment in the peace process in response to the gender sensitive issues and problems within the peace negotiations.

New York-based International Peace Institute (IPI) hailed both Deles and GPH chief peace negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer as ideal women peacemakers for their key roles in the government peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the MILF. Deles is the country’s first woman presidential peace adviser while Ferrer is the first female to chair the MILF peace negotiations and the first female chief negotiator in the world to sign a major peace agreement.

Ferrer also accepted the 2015 Hillary Clinton Award for Advancing Women in Peace and Security held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The said award honors Ferrer for her “indefatigable work to bring about peace in the Philippines and for [her] historic role as the first female chief negotiator to sign a comprehensive peace agreement.”

Pass BBL now

Meanwhile, Ferrer commended members of the international community for their support and contributions to the peace process as these would help in the establishment of a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro.

“Nagsisimula pa lamang po tayo sa pagkamit ng hinahangad nating kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Matuto na tayo sa mga mali ng nakaraan at ating itama ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng Bangsamoro. Hindi lang tayo kung hindi pati ang buong mundo ang kasama natin sa daan patungo sa kapayapaan (We’ve just started the process of reaching our goal of peace in Mindanao. Let us learn from the mistakes of the past and correct them through the Bangsamoro. The whole world is with us in this road to peace),” she said.

Despite the legislative delays the BBL faced last year, Ferrer remained hopeful that the Congress would pass the bill faithful not only to the Constitution but also to the socio-economic and development needs of the Bangsamoro people.

“Umaasa po tayo na magpapasa ang Kongreso ng isang BBL na sasagot sa mga pangangailangan at makikinig sa mga hinaing ng Bangsamoro upang matapos na ang mga kaguluhan sa Mindanao (We are hoping that Congress would pass a BBL that answers the needs and listens to the call of the Bangsamoro people in order to put an end to the conflict in Mindanao),” Ferrer said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=846848

PN attack AW-109E 'deployable' despite weapons training

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): PN attack AW-109E 'deployable' despite weapons training

Despite undergoing weapons training, the Philippine Navy (PN)'s two AW-109E "Power" attack helicopters are still "deployable" for combat missions.

This was revealed by PN public affairs office chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA Friday.

"They are still 'deployable' despite the fact the crews are still undergoing weapons training," he said in Filipino.

Lincuna said the training is a top priority for all AW-109E pilots and crewmen as this is the first attack helicopter in the PN inventory.

The PN's two attack AW-109E helicopters was commissioned last Aug.10.

It is armed with two .50 caliber machinegun pods and six 2.74 inch rocket launchers each.

The PN's AW-109E contract for five helicopters, including the two armed units, is worth Php1.33 billion.

The AW-109 "Power" is a three-ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.

The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.

The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.

The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.

Its superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class.

For shipboard operations the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.

The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many others helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.

Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=846913

Norway reaffirms long-term commitment to peace building in the PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): Norway reaffirms long-term commitment to peace building in the PHL

Norwegian Special Envoy to the peace process Elisabeth Slattum confirmed Norway’s long term commitment toward peace-building in the Philippines.

“Peace processes are marathons, not sprints. We need to patiently work towards a political settlement of the conflict, and drawing lessons and experiences from other peace processes such as the Colombian can contribute to creative thinking leading to progress in the GPH-NDFP (Government of the Philippines and National Democratic Front of the Philippines),”said Slattum.

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in the Philippines hosted a forum titled “War and Peace in the Philippines and Colombia: Pathways to a Political Settlement” in efforts to provide lessons from the Colombian experience to the Philippines struggling with a communist insurgency for nearly 50 years.

Norway and Cuba are the third party facilitators of the peace talks between the Colombian government and the Marxist Rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército Pueblo (FARC-EP), and a final agreement between the two parties is envisioned this year.

Norwegian Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Colombia Ambassador Dag Nylander shared the “distinctive Norwegian approach” in peace negotiations.

Norwegian approach: “Building trust and confidence”

Nylander underscored the importance of dialogue in order to build trust and confidence of both parties.

“If we have their trust and confidence, we are in a far better position to support the process and foster a peaceful solution,” Nylander said.

“Talking to the parties in the conflict is essential in order to develop an understanding of the conflict and of the various positions of the key stakeholders,” he added.

Furthermore, Nylander added that having a long-term perspective in all

“We have to stay on course even if the course is long and daunting,” Nylander said, complementing Slattum’s statement regarding the peace process.

In the Philippines, international nongovernment organizations such as International Alert are calling for a ceasefire from now up to the May local and national elections and urging the presidential aspirants to make the resumption of negotiations a priority.

Furthermore, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) remains open to the NDFP to recommence for peace negotiations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=847043

Aquino Admin's PAMANA Program extends CHED Study Grants to kin of former MNLF combatants

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): Aquino Admin's PAMANA Program extends CHED Study Grants to kin of former MNLF combatants
 

Over 700 students who are relatives of former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants have availed of study grants under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program as part of the National Government’s commitment to bring socioeconomic programs to conflict affected and vulnerable communities.

Since 2013, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is implementing a Study Grant Program for former combatants and their next of kin who are unable to afford college education.

Among the 720 student-beneficiaries of the program is Nurol-Huda Sarail, 20, of Brgy. Tongsina in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, youngest of nine children of a former MNLF combatant.

“Kaya nung sinabi ng tatay ko na nag-text ang OPAPP [Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process], laking tuwa ko kasi mayroon na akong rason para mas pagbutihan yung pag-aaral ko at may posibilidad na maipagpapatuloy ko at hindi na ako mahinto sa pag-aaral. (When my father informed me that OPAPP texted, I was very glad because I now have a reason to study harder. I was also happy because I wouldn’t have to delay my studies),” she said in Filipino.

Sarail is presently taking up Bachelor of Science in Teaching Arabic at the Mindanao State University in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

The 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Philippine Government and the MNLF provides for the implementation of a “special socioeconomic, cultural and educational program to cater to the MNLF forces not absorbed into the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Special Regional Security Force.”

OPAPP Undersecretary Jose Lorena said the MNLF communities have expressed their deep appreciation to the National Government for its commitment to peace, especially in providing educational assistance to the family members of former MNLF combatants.

“Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa gobyerno na binigay sa atin ang responsibility na makipag-usap sa ating mga kapatid, kung gusto ng MNLF na ganito ay gusto rin namin, taga-rito rin kami at saka Moro rin kami (We are also extending our thankfulness to our government that we have given a chance to talk with our brothers, if MNLF wants like this we also desire for this, we are from here and we are also Moros).”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=846915

PHL's first SSV to be launched on Jan. 17 --AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): PHL's first SSV to be launched on Jan. 17 --AFP

The Philippines' first strategic sealift vessel (SSV) will be officially launched on Jan. 17 at the PT PAL (Persero) shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia.

"We just got word from the Navy that the strategic sealift vessel, one of two that we have ordered from Indonesia, will be launched this Jan. 17," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said on Friday.

Padilla said ranking Philippine defense and military officials will be present during the launching of the first SSV.

"Why are we relaying this news? The acquisition of the SSV is a very important milestone for our Navy, and will increase our capacities for humanitarian assistance and disaster response during critical moments when we are hit by increasingly growing storms in this part of the world," Padilla pointed out.

He added the SSV will give the Navy the capability to transport en masse sizeable number of relief and human assistance and disaster response personnel in critical areas that may be hit by disasters.

"Another, it's a standalone command-and-control ship that can coordinate rescue, recovery, and retrieval efforts during disasters, as well as along with the bulk of goods and relief items that can be provided to our citizens. The other one is the ability for this ship to be used as a floating hospital, in case many of our health centers and hospitals in provincial areas that may be affected by disasters become unavailable," Padilla said.

The first SSV will arrive in the country by May while the second will be delivered in May 2017.

The Philippines has a two-SSV order with PT PAL (Persero) for PhP3.87 billion which is sourced from the AFP Modernization Fund.

The SSV acquisition project for the PN was initiated upon the approval of Acquisition Decision Memorandum Number 2012-060 by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Oct. 30, 2013.

The Department of National Defense declared Persero as the Single Calculated Responsive Bidder with a bidding price of PhP3,870,000,000 on Nov. 18, 2014.

The SSVs are programmed to be the PN’s floating command center carrying out their main purpose as military sealift and transport vessels and also for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Further, these vessels are critical assets for civil-military operations due to their capability of transporting large number of soldiers, logistics, and supplies.

Moreover, each SSV has the capacity to house three helicopters. The Navy’s Augusta Westland-109s are programmed to be on-board components of these vessels.

These forthcoming landing platform dock strategic sealift vessels will improve the transport capability of the PN and boost the defense capabilities of the country.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=847015

PAF F-28 VIP transport up for maintenance

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): PAF F-28 VIP transport up for maintenance

In line with efforts to ensure all its aircraft are serviceable and mission worthy at all times, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced it is allocating Php10,170,000 for the acquisition of spare parts needed for the maintenance of its sole Fokker F-28 "Fellowship" VIP transport plane.

The aircraft is primarily used for domestic presidential flights.

Pre-bid conference is scheduled for Jan. 21, 9 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

Submission and opening of bids is on Feb. 2, 9 a.m. at the same venue.

The F-28 is a short range jet airliner designed and built by Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.

It is similar in design to the British Aircraft Corporation BAC One-Eleven and Douglas DC-9, as it had a T-tail and engines mounted at the rear of the fuselage.

The aircraft has wings with a slight crescent angle of sweep with ailerons at the tip, simple flaps, and five-section liftdumper only operated after landing to dump the lift.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=847000

PNP sending 2 elite police units in Masbate

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 14): PNP sending 2 elite police units in Masbate

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is deploying two battalions of police officers, one from the regional police office and one from the Special Action Force (SAF), in Masbate province, a PNP regional official said Thursday.

Police Senior Insp. Malu Calubaquib, PNP Bicol spokesperson, said Masbate has been considered by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as among the election hot spot areas in the country.

Calubaquib said the regional command was sending 800 policemen to augment the present police force in the island-province.

The PNP Bicol has been gearing for the May elections by implementing security measures and the deployment of two police battalions in Masbate would ensure that political-related violence will not thrive during the campaign period for the May 2016 national and local elections.

Earlier, the police regional office set up hundreds of Comelec-PNP checkpoints in strategic areas in the entire region, with over 1,000 policemen to man them, the regional police spokesperson said.

At the onset of the election period on Jan. 10, the PNP was able to set up 202 Comelec checkpoints, with 1,515 policemen manning them.

The deployment of policemen is in response to the reactivation of Task Force Masbate, to be headed by Police Senior Supt. Lito Pitallano, the concurrent deputy director for operations, with Police Senior Insp. Art Gomez serving as Task Force spokesperson.

The Task Force Masbate was created following reports that local politicians here had exercised too much influence over the police and sometimes, the police were being dictated upon in the conduct of their operations.

The TF Masbate was formed during the previous election to oversee the security operations in the province tagged by the military and the police as “hot spot” areas due to intense political rivalries and the presence of political armed groups (PAGs) and communist rebels.

These have resulted in election-related violence that has claimed the lives of hundreds of people.

In past election events, the Comelec-PNP joint force has identified the provinces of Masbate, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte as election areas of concern due to intense political rivalries and the presence of PAGs and the New People Army rebels.

Based on the list, Masbate has the most number of villages that were placed under Comelec control with 40 villages in 18 towns.

In the previous national and local elections, there were at least six PAGs listed to be operating in Masbate, of which only two are active -- the Arizobal and the Villaruel groups, with 38 members.

During the 2012 national and local elections, the Task Force was able seize hundreds of loose firearms and encourage political candidates to surrender at least 200 high-powered firearms.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=846731

PHL eyes need of 'collaborative presence' in South China Sea

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): PHL eyes need of 'collaborative presence' in South China Sea
 

The Philippines is eyeing for a "collaborative presence" when it announced that it is interested in having a joint-patrol agreement with the US in contested portions of the South China Sea.

This was stressed by Defense spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez in a message to the PNA.

"Context is that there is a need for more collaborative presence in the South China Sea. Thus, in addition to freedom of navigation operations of the US, we are suggesting that we also patrol the area together," he added.

The country's interest for a joint-patrol agreement was discussed during the Philippine-US 2+2 ministerial meeting held in Washington D.C. last Jan. 12.

"The 2+2 meeting extensively discussed the South China Sea issue, with the US side reiterating the US ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines while the Philippines batting for joint patrols. The US also conveyed that it remains committed to the AFP's modernization program," Galvez added.

The Philippine Navy, which is now undergoing modernization, is sorely lacking in ships capable of long-range patrols.

In the said meeting, the US emphasized that it will not allow China to control the South China Sea and will act to ensure that freedom of navigation is respected.

It also stressed that they will continue to fly and sail whenever and wherever international law allows.

The US also committed to maintain its presence in the South China Sea to include naval, sub-sea, air and special forces.

In addition, the US urged the Philippines to stay closely coordinated with respect to the developments in the South China Sea.

Noting China’s claim that it will not militarize the area, the US suggested the need for parties in the South China Sea to have a common and shared understanding of the term "militarization" to avoid growing tensions.

A common sense among the other parties would put pressure on China.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=846834

MNLF unwelcome in Zamboanga City

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 14): MNLF unwelcome in Zamboanga City

Mayor Beng Climaco has banned any rally of the Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines and ordered authorities to stay alert following a recent plenum by the former rebel group in nearby Sulu province.

Climaco met with senior police and military officials and discussed with them on how to secure Zamboanga which had been attacked twice by MNLF rebels despite a peace accord with manila in September 1996.

She security forces have been alerted on possibility that some individuals may try to hold so-called peace rallies or gathering in Zamboanga. She said such rallies will not be allowed in the as this might disturb Zamboanga anew.

“I am giving you a categorical no, you must not disturb Zamboanga anymore. If you want to come up with your rally, make it in your area, Zamboanga will not welcome a rally by MNLF, not at this time because you still have to be accountable with the killings and devastations we are suffering from,” Climaco said.

Nur Misuari, chieftain of the MNLF, is wanted by authorities after his forces attacked Zamboanga City – first in 2001 and the second was in 2013 – that left over 300 people dead and wounded in three weeks of street battles.

“The destruction wrought by the 2013 siege continues to linger, as internally displaced persons – both Muslims, Christians and Lumads, most of whom are those who eluded the conflicts in Sulu and Basilan – have suffered the brunt of the MNLF attack in Zamboanga three years ago,” Climaco said.

She said MNLF members had been intercepted in Zamboanga on their way to attend the January 8 plenum in Sulu. “The monitoring of these individuals continues until today even as we sleep the patrol continues our brave and gallant police and soldiers in uniform including the Coast Guard – the land, air and sea assets are all monitoring for the safety and security of Zamboanga,” Climaco said.

But many MNLF members are residing in Zamboanga and during the siege many of them, including women, had joined the fighting that displaced over 120,000 people.

In Sulu, security forces have failed to arrest Misuari following a massive show of force by the MNLF and Abu Sayyaf rebels who attended the plenum called by the ageing leader in Indanan town to discuss the upcoming Islamic Inter-Parliamentary Union and summit by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation this year.

Misuari is reportedly planning to attend the summit despite a string of criminal charges filed by authorities against him and about 300 others who took part in the siege of Zamboanga. The plenum forced the military to declare a red alert status in Sulu for fear the MNLF and Abu Sayyaf may launch a surprise attack on government targets.

Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

In 2001, Misuari’s loyal forces and former MNLF rebels who joined the Philippine Army following the September 1996 peace deal with Manila, attacked a key military base in Jolo town and civilian targets in Zamboanga City in an effort to stop the government from calling an election in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao where Misuari was then the governor.

Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for MNLF support to her election bid as well as her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004. He also ran thrice for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost miserably.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/mnlf-unwelcome-in-zamboanga-city/

2 Sayyaf men linked to Sabah kidnappings captured in Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 14): 2 Sayyaf men linked to Sabah kidnappings captured in Philippines

Philippine authorities are interrogating an Abu Sayyaf rebel who was captured Thursday in the southern province of Sulu, officials said.

Officials said Jamil Kahil was cornered by police and soldiers in the village called Buan in Panglima Sugala town. The 35-year old Kahil is being investigated by the police for his alleged link to the kidnappings in Sabah.

Kahil’s capture came a day after security forces also arrested another Abu Sayyaf rebel – Munap Saimaran – in Zamboanga City on Wednesday. Saimaran was implicated in many kidnapping cases, including the cross-border raid in Malaysia’s resort island of Sipadan in Sabah in 2000.

Saimaran’s group kidnapped 21 mostly European and Asian holidaymakers at the island resort and ransomed them off to Malaysia and Libya for at least $25 million.

Last year, police also captured Ibni Acosta, who headed the Abu Sayyaf’s urban terrorist group and involved in the Sipadan kidnappings, in his hideout in Tungawan town in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/2-sayyaf-men-linked-to-sabah-kidnappings-captured-in-philippines/