Philippine envoy cites importance of US-ASEAN Summit to the country

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): Philippine envoy cites importance of US-ASEAN Summit to the country

RANCHO MIRAGE, California -- President Benigno Aquino III’s presence in the special summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States will show the Philippines’ solidarity with the other ASEAN leaders in promoting regional stability, a Philippine ambassador said.

In an interview with Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. underscored the importance of the President’s attendance to the summit, which will be the first meeting of the ASEAN leaders with US President Barack Obama since both sides elevated relationship to strategic partnership.

"The summit is an opportunity for leaders of the ASEAN and the US to have candid conversations about issues of mutual concern. It is an important step for the leaders to substantiate their strategic partnership between the US and ASEAN,” said Cuisia.

"More to the point, the summit underscores the central role of ASEAN in ensuring stability and prosperity in the region. As a member of ASEAN, the Philippines appreciates the significance of a summit in the development of a regional framework,” he added.

He noted that the summit reaffirms the commitment of the US to continue playing a key role in ensuring the regional security architecture for the 21st century.

President Aquino, along with his lean delegation led by outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, arrived here Monday (Feb. 15) for the two-day special summit.

The summit is described as “unprecedented” since it will be the first time Obama will be meeting all ASEAN leaders on US soil.

Among the agenda of the summit include the South China Sea, trade, climate change and counterterrorism.

Ambassador Cuisia, meanwhile, underscored that the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the US “have never been better.”

“As we mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine-US relations, we highlight the durability, comprehensiveness, and dynamism of our ties. We have always been supportive of the rebalance to Asia-Pacific policy of the United States as it is an opportunity to deepen further our alliance in various areas of cooperation,” he said.

He said the Philippines intends to be a reliable and responsible ally with the US as both countries have reaffirmed commitment to jointly address maritime security, climate change, and violent extremism, among others.

"Our defense and security arrangement has never been stronger and more focused,” he said.

He further noted that the Philippines cooperation with the US in the area of maritime security and maritime domain awareness has actively contributed to the security and stability of the region.

He said the recent approval of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement “will further strengthen our alliance and this will help us in expanding further our capability and it will also help us in our defense modernization efforts.”

Cuisia likewise said the Philippines has expanded its relations with the US in terms of the bilateral economic engagement.

"US is the second largest source of inward tourism, and the US is also the third largest in terms of foreign direct investments in the Philippines,” he said.

He noted that the positive transformation of the Philippine economy as a result of the reform agenda undertaken by the government of President Aquino has made the Philippines a stronger and more attractive economic partner of the US.

He said the Philippines is also working to further enhance economic relations with the US by joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is also likely to be discussed in the summit.

“We are not yet a member of it but we hope that with the support of the US and other countries that are presently members of TPP, we will eventually become a member of TPP,” he said.

In the field of development cooperation, Cuisia said the Millennium Challenge Corporation Board has selected the Philippines for a second compact.

“As you know, we will be completing the first compact in May and that has helped our efforts in terms of poverty reduction, inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and battling corruption. We hope that the second compact will allow us to leverage on the gains that we have achieved in the first compact,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=857724

US President Obama seeks stronger partnership with ASEAN countries

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): US President Obama seeks stronger partnership with ASEAN countries

RANCHO MIRAGE, California -- United States President Barack Obama has reiterated his country’s commitment to build a “strong and enduring” partnership with the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Donning a suit without a tie, President Obama welcomed the ASEAN leaders one by one at the Annenberg Retreat in Sunnylands here for the two-day special summit.

In his remarks during the opening of the ASEAN-US Summit on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), Obama said he was looking forward to having a fruitful meeting with the ASEAN leaders as they discuss various issues such as trade, commerce, innovation, entrepreneurship, maritime security, terrorism, climate change, human rights, and resolving disputes in the region through peaceful and legal means.

“Economic growth that is inclusive, creating opportunity for all; mutual security and the peaceful resolution of disputes; human dignity, including respect for human rights, and development that is sustainable -- that is our vision. That’s what brings us here together today,” he told the ASEAN heads of state, among them Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III.

He said his engagement with ASEAN leaders is part of the US’ goal to play “a larger and long-term role” in the Asia- Pacific amid “urgent threats” confronting the world.

Obama noted that as part of his administration’s aim of deepening partnership with the ASEAN countries, he has met with the leaders of the ASEAN seven times, more than any former US presidents had ever made.

These meetings have led to the elevation of the partnership between the ASEAN and the US to a strategic level, which was sealed during the ASEAN Summit in November last year.

“Our sustained engagement is delivering concrete results that benefit all of us -- momentum that we can build on here at this summit,” the US President said.

Obama urged ASEAN leaders to continue “to increase the trade and economic partnerships that create jobs and opportunity for our people.”

He cited the 55 percent increase in trade between the US and ASEAN nations during his administration.

The ASEAN, he said, is currently the fourth largest goods trading partner of the US, which has generated more than 500,000 jobs for Americans.

“US companies have been the largest source of foreign investment in ASEAN -- one of the many reasons that the region’s GDP has surged in recent years, lifting people from poverty into the middle class,” he said.

He said he expects leaders at the summit to build on the progress of ASEAN integration and do more to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.

Obama likewise rallied ASEAN leaders to work together in increasing security cooperation.

He said that in recent years, the US has increased maritime security assistance to its allies and partners in the region, “improving our mutual capabilities to protect lawful commerce and to respond to humanitarian crisis.”

“Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means,” he stressed.

On the Trans-Pacific Partnership, in which the Philippines has expressed intention of joining, Obama noted that Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei “have committed to high labor and environmental standards.”

Obama likewise underscored the need to address transnational challenges, citing the attack in Jakarta last month that left two civilians dead.

“The scourge of terrorism demands that we stay vigilant, share more information and work cooperatively to protect our people,” he said.

Following the recent signing of climate change agreement in Paris, Obama called on ASEAN nations to implement the accord and “step up investment in clean, affordable energy, including for developing countries.”

On a lighter note, Obama revealed why he decided to hold the special summit in Sunnylands and not in Washington, where his usual meetings with world leaders are held.

“You and the people of ASEAN have always shown me extraordinary hospitality, and I hope we can reciprocate with the warmth today and tomorrow -- which is why I did not hold this summit in Washington. It is cold there. It’s snowing. So, welcome to beautiful, warm Sunnylands,” he said.

In response to Obama's statement, Laos President Choummaly Sayasone, who is the chairman of this year's ASEAN, committed to ensure that the ASEAN's strategic partnership with the US "will bring about fruitful results."

"This ASEAN-US Special Summit is providing us an excellent opportunity to exchange our views and also provide direction for our officials in order to implement the outcome of previous ASEAN-US Summit in view of further strengthening our strategic partnership for the promotion of durable peace, stability, and prosperity for the future benefits of our nations and peoples," he said.

"I firmly believe that our deliberation in the summit will also be crowned with the great success," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=857727

PAF allots PHP58.4-M for acquisition of vital FA-50PH spares

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): PAF allots PHP58.4-M for acquisition of vital FA-50PH spares

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is setting aside the sum of PHP58,435,335 for the acquisition of spare parts for the avionics, hydraulics and electrical systems of its brand-new FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle" lift interim fighter aircraft.

PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said acquisition of these items are done to fill up the spare part inventory of the FA-50PHs.

He also clarified that the aircraft is not grounded nor damaged and is flying regularly.

Budget for avionics system is placed at PHP14,271,268 while the money allocated for the acquisition of spares for the FA-50PH's hydraulics system is worth PHP16,216,457 and another PHP27,947,610 for its electrical systems, which totals to PHP58,435,335.

Pre-bid conference is scheduled on Feb. 22, at 9:00 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

While submission and opening of bids on March 8, 9:00 a.m. at the same venue.

The first two FA-50PHs arrived in the Philippines last November 28, 2015.

It is part of the 12 plane order deal, worth PHP18.9 billion, signed by the Department of National Defense and Korea Aerospace Industries in March 2014.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=857521

(Update) 6 cops killed, 8 wounded in NPA ambush in Cagayan

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): (Update) 6 cops killed, 8 wounded in NPA ambush in Cagayan

Six police officers, including two senior inspectors, were killed while another eight were wounded in an ambush by New People's Army (NPA) fighters in Baggao town, Cagayan Tuesday morning.

Sr. Supt. Ronaldo Olay, Cagayan Provincial Police Office director, said the encounter took place in KM 20, Barangay Sta. Margarita at 10 a.m.

In the hour-long encounter, where the rebels also detonated an improvised explosive device, six policemen were killed while eight others were wounded.

Two UH-ID combat utility helicopters were dispatched by the Northern Luzon Command to help extricate the slain and wounded police officers.

Chief Supt. Franklin Moises Mabanag, Cagayan Valley Regional Police deputy director for administration, said elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion were deployed to Baggao to investigate an arson incident allegedly carried out by NPA members and pursue the attackers.

The NPAs reportedly attacked Bruscan, a construction company handling the irrigation project in Baggao.

Mabanag said the policemen spotted the NPA band in KM 38 where the arson incident took place.

In resulting pursuit operations, the rebels fired on the policemen upon reaching KM 20.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=857692

Gunmen kidnap fishing boat crew in south Philippines

The Journal of Turkish Weekly (Feb 15): Gunmen kidnap fishing boat crew in south Philippines

Unidentified gunmen have abducted a fishing boat operator and two crewmembers in the Philippines’ troubled south, according to police Monday.

Chief Inspector Rogelio Alabata, Police Regional Office 9 spokesperson, said in a statement that the vessel had been commandeered while fishing in the seas between the Zamboanga peninsula and the island province of Basilan -- a known stronghold of an al-Qaeda-linked militant group.

The regional police office based in Zamboanga, a predominantly Christian city from where the boat departed Sunday, said the wife of the skipper, Ronnie Lantikse Bancale, reported having received a phone call from her husband.


Marilou Mangudlay, 39, told the police station in Pitogo town, in nearby Zamboanga del Sur province, that her husband said the kidnappers had initially demanded P50,000 ($1,055) in exchange for their safe passage before deciding on a P1,000,000 ransom.

Police suspect the gunmen belong to a small group, and are trying to verify whether they have links to the Abu Sayyaf or organized kidnap-for-ransom gangs in the country’s south.


Kidnap-for-ransom gangs frequently operate in the Zamboanga Peninsula and the island provinces of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

They use isolated sea-lanes and coastal areas to grab their victims, who are then held captive in isolated villages in the peninsula.

The kidnappers are known to hand over their captives to the Abu Sayyaf and negotiate for a ransom that, if paid, is shared with the group.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several captives, including two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina kidnapped from a resort in September for whose release it has demanded a ransom of more than $60 million.

Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortions in a self-determined fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines.

It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.

http://www.turkishweekly.net/2016/02/15/news/gunmen-kidnap-fishing-boat-crew-in-south-philippines/

IS releases video of Malaysian militant minutes after he was shot in PH

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 16): IS releases video of Malaysian militant minutes after he was shot in PH



Gunned down: A screen grab of Abu Anas (Mohd Najib Hussein) in his final moments. THE STAR ONLINE/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
PETALING JAYA — Islamic State has released a video capturing the final moments of a Malaysian bookshop owner turned bomb maker in southern Philippines.

The video, lasting seven minutes and 40 seconds, confirmed reports that Mohd Najib Hussein was killed on Dec. 16 last year.

He was reportedly among 13 Abu Sayyaf gunmen killed in a clash with the Philippine military on Basilan island.

READ: Malaysian bomb maker believed killed in Basilan

The 37-year-old electrical engineering graduate, who ran his bookshop at Universiti Malaya, was known as Abu Anas al Muhajir (Anas the immigrant).

In southern Philippines, he was identified as one of the emirs of the Khalifah black flag group linked to the Abu Sayyaf.

The video, released by Islamic State’s (IS) Russian speaking media channel Al Furat Media, tries to portray him as a martyr.

It opens with a group of South-East Asian militants carrying the IS flag in a forested area and reciting a pledge of loyalty to the terror group.

A narrator describes the scene in Arabic: “Abu Anas al Muhajir, one of the truthful youths of Indonesia, was befallen by harm.”

The term “Indonesian youth” used is understood to also refer to Mohd Najib.

The narrator explains that Mohd Najib traveled to the Philippines where he founded a militant group, which was among the first to swear allegiance to IS.

The video then cuts to a young man on his knees being beheaded by gunmen wearing ski masks.

“Just as Abu Anas was merciful to the believers, he was severe with the disbelievers. And when he saw that uniting the brigades and groups in the Philippines had become an obligation, he strived to bring together the oaths of the Mujahideen, and uniting them under the obedience of one Amir (leader),” the narrator says.

The caption, “Brother Abu Anas al Muhajir, Amir of the Ansar al Shariah Brigade” then appears below a mugshot of Mohd Najib.

The camera pans back to the group before changing to a battle scene recorded by what is believed to be a mobile phone.

In the video, three armed men are seen wearing vests or camouflage fatigues, and gunshots can be heard in the background.

The scene is believed to show the shootout between the militants and the Philippine military in the jungles of southern Philippines.

“Before they decided to raise the call to duty, some hypocrites informed the taghut (apostate tyrants) and led them to the Mujaideen strongholds,” the narrator says.
He adds that Mohd Najib was killed, but the militants succeeded in “killing tens of enemies, destroying war machines and helicopters.”

In another scene, a wounded Mohd Najib is seen being carried by his companions.
The camera zooms in on his face and another man is seen touching his face with a bloodied hand while saying a prayer.

According to an intelligence source, Mohd Najib, a father of five, died a few hours later, from a gunshot wound.

He was a key figure in the IS Black Flag cell led by Universiti Malaya professor Dr. Mahmud Ahmad alias Abu Handzalah, who has been hiding out with the Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines.

Known as Dr. Mahmud’s right hand man, Mohd Najib was believed to have been running a “IED SME” (Improvised Explosive Device, Small Medium Enterprise) factory in the Philippines and had been using the Abu Sayyaf hideouts in Basilan and Jolo as bases for IS operatives in South-East Asia.

Mohd Najib fled Malaysia with Dr. Mahmud, 36, and several other IS terror suspects in July 2014.

It was learnt that Mohd Najib had performed the Bai’ah (oath of allegiance) to support IS, with other Abu Sayyaf members.

READ: ISIS officially recognizes oath of allegiance from PH militant groups

The authorities also believe that he was responsible for arranging safe passages for four Malaysian militants to Syria to join IS.

Dr. Mahmud was not with the group at the time of the shootout.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/136601/is-releases-video-of-malaysian-militant-minutes-after-he-was-shot-in-ph

General, 3 other officers ordered arrested

From The Standard (Feb 16): General, 3 other officers ordered arrested

THE Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of a former Marine commandant and three other military officers for  allegedly pocketing P36.77 million in clothing and equipment allowance of soldiers in 1999.

In a resolution, the anti-graft court’s Third Division rejected the respective motions of judicial determination of probable cause of the accused—Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, Lt. Col. Jeson Batbat, Major Adelo Jandayan and Capt. Felicisimo Millado—and issued arrest warrants on them.

The decision was penned by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez and concurred by Presiding Justice and Third Division chairperson Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Samuel Martires.

“In fact, accused Miranda and Jandayan need not file a motion for judicial determination of probable cause, it being a mere superfluity,” it read.

Miranda and company are facing charges of malversation through falsification.
In April 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman indicted the five former officers of the Philippine Marines for their alleged involvement in anomalous transactions of P36,768,028.95 worth of allowances.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said the respondents violated Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for anomalous utilization of the combat clothing allowance and individual equipment allowance for the benefit of Philippine Marine Corps enlisted personnel.

Miranda was sacked in 2006 for his alleged  links to a coup plot.

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division also ordered the arrest of former executive director Cyrus Paul Valenzuela of the Optical Media Board for failure to show up in court during the first day of trial of graft charges against him and former OMB chairman Ronnie Ricketts.

The court said Valenzuela was only allowed to post a P30,000 bail on a condition that he attended trial hearings.

Valenzuela and not even his lawyer appeared, prompting the anti-graft court to forfeit his cash bond and issue a bench warrant of arrest.

The trial was cancelled over Valenzuela’s absence.

Ricketts, Valenzuela and several OMB officials and employees were charged with graft raps for the unlawful release of the seized pirated DVDs and VCDs to Sky High Marketing Corp. in May 2010.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/news/-main-stories/199418/general-3-other-officers-ordered-arrested.html

Alert level up

From the Mindanao Times (Feb 16): Alert level up

Police, army secure city after bombing incidents in other areas

AUTHORITIES raised to red the alert status of the city following the series of blasts and the recovery of improvised explosive devices in neighboring areas last week.

 

In an interview yesterday, Chief Insp. Milgrace C. Driz, spokesperson of Davao City Police Office, said all their units, along with other security forces, were already instructed to be extra vigilant in their respective areas of responsibility.

 

“We are conducting checkpoints, and they were told to intensify the monitoring especially on the IEDs as well as their components,” she said.

 

The police also encouraged the public to be on the lookout for suspicious belongings or persons, and immediately contact the authorities.

 

“For now, we haven’t monitored any terrorist group that already entered the city,” she said. “But our monitoring on the boundaries is still being intensified following the bombing incidents in nearby areas.

 

Driz said the red alert status will remain until they receive another assessment of the threat.

 

In a separate interview, Col. Cristobal Zaragosa, commander of Task Force Davao, also said that they already intensified the conduct of checkpoints on the exit and entry points of the city.

 

The report was based on the  explosion along Jose Abad Santos St. in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat at 2 p.m. last Feb. 2.

 

Meanwhile, unexploded explosives were also recovered at vicinity of Park Yellow Bell just few meters away from the public terminal.

 

On Feb. 10, an explosion also happened at Police Station 1 of Cotabato City Police Office along Don Roman Street in Barangay Poblacion 6 at 8:30 p.m.

 

There was also one unexploded improvised explosive device recovered at the same area.

 

Authorities also discovered an improvised bomb in front of PDRRMC Office at Barangay Poblacion, Buluan in Maguindanao.

 

The Intelligence Division of the Eastern Mindanao Command also monitored an alleged  bomb test mission from the terror group under Salahuddin Hassan, a member of Al Khobar, in the area of Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato and Davao City.

 

The Al Khobar group is responsible for multiple bombing and extortion incidents involving buses.

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/alert-level-up/

Police, soldiers clash with communist rebels in Cagayan

From Rappler (Feb 16): Police, soldiers clash with communist rebels in Cagayan

The rebels allegedly burned heavy equipment being used for projects of the National Irrigation Administration   



This is a developing story.

CAGAYAN, Philippines – A clash broke out between government forces and communist rebels in this province on Tuesday, February 16.

Police Chief Inspector Chevalier Iringan said that policemen and soldiers are battling New People's Army members who allegedly burned heavy equipment for National Irrigation Administration (NIA) projects in the towns of Baggao and Gattaran.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Iringan told Rappler that there are no reports of casualties so far.

He said that they are having difficulty communicating with police in the area because it is mountainous and has signal reception problems.

"Our troops from the Regional Public Safety Battalion are there now, following reports that rebels burned heavy equipment on February 14. Let's pray that there will be no casualty," Iringan said in a mix of Filipino and English.

"Sana ang matamaan ay yung mga namemerwisyo ng kabuhayan at ng mga programa na makakatulong sa ating mamamayan," he added.

(We are hoping that those who are destroying livelihoods and programs for the people will be the ones hit.)

Efren Sorita, a resident of Baggao, said the firefight could be heard even from a distance.

Equipment burned include a backhoe, bulldozer, and trucks owned by Bruce Tan Company, a contractor of the NIA.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/122653-cagayan-province-pnp-afp-npa-rebels

BIFF attacks Army bases in Maguindanao, North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): BIFF attacks Army bases in Maguindanao, North Cotabato

Outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on Monday harassed two military stations in Maguindanao and North Cotabato in an attempt to divert Army’s campaign against them following attacks on government dredging project in Maguindanao, the Army here said Tuesday.

Capt. Joann Petinglay, spokesperson of the military’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division based here, said two groups of BIFF rebels separately attacked the detachment of 2nd Mechanized Battalion in Barangay Tee, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao and military advance command post in Barangay Tinibtiban, Pikit, North Cotabato.

"They fired rifle grenades from a distance because they cannot fight face to face with our more powerful forces," Petinglay said. She said no casualty was reported on the government side.

The Army spokesperson could not say if the Army retaliatory attacks resulted to casualties on the bandits' side.

She said the bandits have resorted to “hit and run” attacks against government forces, way different from what its propagandist have been proclaiming they will face the military head on.

"We are expanding our perimeter defense on a dredging project in Datu Salibo that will benefit no other but residents of the Moro communities, including the BIFF," Petinglay said of the dredging project in Barangay Butalo which aims to prevent floods when rainy season comes.

About two weeks ago, the BIFF harassed the government project contractor claiming it did not address the right of way claim of lot owners where the project was constructed.

But Petinglay said the contractor has already settled the claim even before the start of the multi-billion project.

"The BIFF is mulcting the firm because they have been losing resources in fighting the government forces implementing law enforcement operations in Maguindanao," she said.

Speaking for the outlawed group, Abu Misri Mama, said the attacks will continue. He denied the BIFF was engaged in extortion.

Petinglay vowed the Army will continue to protect the government project “because in the end the majority of Moro people will benefit from it.”

Meanwhile, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) have distributed relief goods to some 2,500 families displaced by BIFF atrocities.

A soldier was killed while another was injured in the hostilities. The BIFF, Petinglay said, suffered more than 25 fatalities, citing reports from ground troops who based casualty figure of lawless group to civilian and local leaders.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=857337

PAF to acquire various spares for S-211 jet trainer

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): PAF to acquire various spares for S-211 jet trainer

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has set aside the sum of PHP24,601,862.11 for the acquisition of spares for the armament, communications, navigation, environment control, electrical and fuel systems of one of its SIAI-Marchetti S-211 jet trainers.

Maintenance of these systems are vital for the effective operation of the aircraft.

Pre-bid conference is scheduled on Feb. 22, 9:00 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

Meanwhile, submission and opening of bids is on March 8, 9:00 a.m. at the same venue.

The S-211 is the basic jet trainer of the PAF. Around three to five S-211 units are still operational.

The PAF originally acquired 24 units during the early 90s as a backstop for its Northrop F-5"Tiger" fleet.

The aircraft can also be use for ground attack and patrol missions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=857384

PA hosts first Steering Group Meeting with Royal Thai Army

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 16): PA hosts first Steering Group Meeting with Royal Thai Army

The Philippine Army (PA) played host to the first Steering Group Meeting with the Royal Thai Army at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

The meeting started Monday and will end on Wednesday, Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao.

He said the first PA-Royal Thai Army Steering Group Meeting aims to strengthen and develop the friendly relations and cooperation between the military forces of the Philippines and Thailand and promote open discussion of subjects of mutual interest.

The Royal Thai Army delegation is headed by Major Gen. Chanavut Budkinnaree, Director for Office of Military Training and Education. He arrived in the Philippines on February 14.

The party was accorded with arrival honors during their courtesy call to PA chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Monday.

A command briefing was conducted shortly afterwards.

The delegates are also expected to finalize bilateral activities for next year, that may include exchange visits and training exchange opportunities.

International engagements is one of the Philippine Army's thrusts to push for the strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations with other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and other allied nations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=857494

AFP asks politicians: Stay away from camps

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 16): AFP asks politicians: Stay away from camps

Military officials here have asked politicians and their supporters to respect their camps by avoiding campaign activities that may put the Armed Forces of the Philippines in a bind.

“We hope that they respect this by not putting the AFP in a position where we can be perceived as partisan,” said Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesperson of the AFP’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

Candidates know the military’s position during the election season, Guzman said. “And that is for the AFP to remain nonpartisan, protectors of our freedom, as sentinels for a free, honest and peaceful election.”

Solcom headquarters at Camp Nakar in Barangay Gulang-Gulang here is also home to the Quezon provincial police.

Guzman also urged soldiers and Solcom’s civilian employees to avoid wearing politically partisan shirts or vests, ballers, caps and other campaign trinkets in and out of military camps.

The duty of every AFP member “is to vote, guard the process, and secure the sanctity of the ballot,” he said.

“We have a big role to achieve this and they (candidates), too, have a big role. So we encourage that we all respect and work together to attain this vision,” he added.

Any candidate who enters their camp is treated as a visitor, said Brig. Gen. Erick Parayno, commander of the Army’s 201st Infantry Brigade based in Calauag town.

“The camp is open to all [people]. But they cannot conduct election campaign activities here,” he said by telephone.

Parayno said candidates visiting the camp would often ask for information on the security situation in their respective areas. “But we cannot provide them with security [aides] or bodyguards. We are not allowed to do that,” he said.

In an earlier interview, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Solcom commander, said the military might provide security to candidates during the campaign period to prevent harassment from New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

“Inform us of your election campaign plan and tell us where you are going ahead of time so Solcom can arrange security in the area,” Visaya said in a message to politicians.

NPA units operating in parts of Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions are major threats to the conduct of peaceful elections this year, he said. “But we’re also not discounting the capability of the private armed groups [to create trouble],” he said. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/765046/afp-asks-politicians-stay-away-from-camps

NPA claims Isabela raids,

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 16): NPA claims Isabela raids,
but denies link to politics

The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People's Army in central Negros claimed responsibility for the recent raids at the houses of two barangay captains in Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Ka Ann Jacinto, deputy spokesperson of the Leonardo Panaligan Command, however, said their action has nothing to do with politics.

Jacinto told Aksyon Radyo that they were only after the firearms of Tolero and his abusive barangay tanods.

The raid at the house of Tolero in Brgy. Mansablay, Isabela Thursday last week, yielded a homemade shotgun, while a .45 caliber pistol was taken from barangay tanod Jovit Posadas, and a 9mm pistol from a jail guard, Jacinto said.

She also confirmed the raid at the house of barangay chairman Agapito Euroba in Brgy. San Agustin, Isabela, last month.

Jacinto alleged that Tolero involved in indiscriminate firing at the Isabela public plaza, while Euroba faces accusations of corruption, allowing himself to be utilized by the Philippine Army, among others.

The separate operations of the revolutionary movement aims to ensure protection of the people, for them to be able choose freely their candidates during the election, she added.
 
It has nothing to do with politics, Jacinto said.
 
But she added that the revolutionary movement is ready to disarm private armed goons, who may enter their territories.

Col. Francisco Delfin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that the NPA wants to project to candidates that they are still a force to reckon with, by targeting helpless barangay officials.

Delfin said they have ongoing security operations in the hinterlands of central Negros, to prevent the NPA remnants from conducting terroristic activities.

Jacinto refused to confirm or deny that about 60 to rebels involved in the raid at the house of Tolero. But the military and police brushed aside estimates of number of NPA rebels involved in the raid, given by witnesses.

The statement of Jacinto that politics has nothing to do with the raid at the house of Tolero, also bolstered assessment of the Philippine Army and National Police that it was mere speculations to link it to politics.

Jacinto also told Aksyon Radyo that they are prohibiting Euroba to return to his barangay, as she urged him to face and defend himself before the people's court.
Tolero said that has already settled the “firing incident” and has  apologized to the church authorities as well as to the people in the area.

If there are other  accusations against him, Tolero said, they should be filed in the proper court, where he can defend himself.

Tolero and Euroba are both supporters of re-electionist Isabela Mayor Enrique Montilla III.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/February/16/topstory4.htm

Philippines-based jihadist groups pledge allegiance to the Islamic State

From the Long War Journal (Feb 14): Philippines-based jihadist groups pledge allegiance to the Islamic State (by Caleb Weiss)



Still from an Islamic State video featuring Abu Sayyaf Group leader Isnilon Hapilon (center) pledging allegiance to Baghdadi

The Islamic State has officially recognized pledges of allegiance from several jihadist groups based in the Philippines. The Islamic State has not yet made an official “wilayat,” or province, for the Philippines or the wider Southeast Asian region. At least one portion of the groups included are led by Isnilon Hapilon, a US-designated terrorist, who heads the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The pledges, or bayat, were accepted in a video that was recently released by the Islamic State’s Al Furat Media – a largely Russian-language media outlet. The video shows that the Islamic State is officially recognizing that several groups have pledged allegiance to it and its leader. Additionally, other groups in the region, such as Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid and the Mujahidin Indonesian Timor, have also pledged. It is possible that the jihadist group will announce such a province in the future, especially after conducting a suicide assault in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. The recognition of the pledges could pave the way for such an announcement.

The video features Hapilon and two other group leaders recording their pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State. The other leaders include a figure named Abu Anas al Muhajir, who was identified as the emir (leader) of Katibat Ansar al Sharia, and Abu Harith al Filipini, a delegate sent by the leader of Katibat Marakah al Ansar. Additionally, brief combat footage was included in the video in which Abu Anas al Muhajir was shown to have been killed fighting.

The Katibat Ansar al Sharia, Katibat Marakah al Ansar, and at least a portion of ASG are not the only groups in the Philippines which have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Another group, identified as Ansar al Khilafah in the Philippines has also pledged allegiance to Baghdadi. Last August, the group first emerged by explicitly pledging allegiance to the Islamic State in a video released on YouTube. In April, the group released another video to threaten the Filipino government and American soldiers in the Philippines. According to the SITE Intelligence Group, a spokesman for Ansar al Khilafah threatened to “deploy suicide bombers” in the country and that the group would make the Philippines a “graveyard for American soldiers.”

In December 2015, fighters alleging to be part of the “Soldiers of the Caliphate in the Philippines” released a short video showing a training camp somewhere in the Philippines. It is unclear which group was shown in the video, but it was likely a combined group of fighters from the aforementioned groups above.

[See LWJ report, Islamic State supporters show training camp in the Philippines.]

According to the Southeast Asian news site Benar News, Ansar Khilafah in the Philippines is led by one Abu Sharifah and is based in South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces. Additionally, the news site reports that the leader of Katibat Marakah al Ansar is led by one Abu Ammar, who was not present in the video. It also reported that Abu Anas al Muhajir and several fighters shown in the video were from Malaysia, historical operating grounds for Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which is considered al Qaeda’s branch in the region.

Jeemah Islamiyah also operates in the Philippines, but has suffered defections to the Islamic State. Shortly after Baghdadi’s announcement of the caliphate in 2014,  Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual leader and co-founder of JI as well as the emir of its offshoot Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid, pledged allegiance to Baghdadi. However, Bashir’s two sons and several other leaders left and formed their own group, Jemaah Ansharusy Syariah. According to the Jakarta Post, more than 50 percent of Bashir’s followers abandoned him and joined Jemaah Ansharusy Syariah. According to its leader, it is directly part of al Qaeda’s global network now.

[See LWJ report, Islamic State launches suicide assault in Indonesia’s capital.]

Traditionally, ASG has had ties to al Qaeda. In June 2014, a master ASG bomb maker, who was thought to have been killed in a drone strike in North Waziristan, Pakistan, turned up in the Philippines before being killed last year. The operative, Abdul Basit Usman, was wanted by the US for his involvement in multiple bombings in the Philippines and also had ties to JI. ASG was funded and financed by Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, one of Osama bin Laden’s brother-in-laws, according to Khaddafy Janjalani, the leader of Abu Sayyaf, before he was killed in 2006. Khalifa, an al Qaeda financier and facilitator, was killed by US special operations forces in Madagascar in 2006.

It is unclear how many fighters from ASG followed Hapilon in pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. In hostage videos released last year by ASG, the group made no indication it was holding the hostages on behalf of the Islamic State nor were the videos distributed by official Islamic State channels or media outlets.

[Caleb Weiss is an intern at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a contributor to The Long War Journal.]

 

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4004111469161356591&pli=1#editor/target=post;postID=3760669897078827419