From the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 9): 2 sundalo sugatan sa NPA ambush sa Agusan Norte (2 soldiers wounded in NPA ambush in Agusan Norte)
Dalawang sundalo ang sugatan sa sagupaan ng militar nitong Huwebes sa New People’s Army sa bayan ng Buenavista sa Agusan del Norte province.
Nabatid na nagpapatrulya ang mga tropa ng 23rd Infantry Battalion ng sila’y tambangan ng mga rebeldeng komunista sa Barangay Rizal. Nadala na umano sa pagamutan ang mga sugatang sundalo, ngunit hindi naman inilabas ng militar ang pangalan ng mga ito.
Ngunit ayon sa ibang mga ulat ay parehong private first class ang mga sugatan na may apelyidong Ybañez at Mancognahan. Niratrat ng mga rebelde ang grupo ng mga sundalo habang nasa isang misyon ang mga ito.
Walang naiulat na casualties sa panig ng NPA, subalit inaasahan na sasabihin na naman ng militar na may nakita ang mga sibilyan na mga nasawing rebelde at itinakas ang kanilang bangkay.
Ito ang karaniwang sinasabi ng militar sa tuwing may labanan, ngunit kadalasan ay walang mga sibilyan sa lugar ng mga sagupaan o kung meron man ay hindi ito lalabas sa takot na mabaril o maiipit sa labanan.
Nakikibaka ang NPA upang maitatag ang sariling estado nito.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/2-sundalo-sugatan-sa-npa-ambush-sa-agusan-norte/
Thursday, June 9, 2016
NPA commander nalambat
From the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 8): NPA commander nalambat (NPA commander arrested)
Hawak ngayon ng mga awtoridad ang isang lider ng New People’s Army matapos itong madakip sa bayan ng Claver sa lalawigan ng Surigao del Norte sa Mindanao.
Nabatid na nitong Martes pa pala nahuli ng pulisya si Jonathan Peñaflor sa kanyang taguaan sa Barangay Ladgaran at sinasabing may bounty itong P2 milyon sa kanyang ikadarakip.
Ayon sa ulat ng pulisya, si Peñaflor ay diumano lider ng NPA unit sa nasabing lalawigan. May warrant of arrest umano ito na inilabas ni Judge Emmanuel Escatron ng Regional Trial Court Branch 30 sa Surigao City.
Natiktikan ng mga parak ang rebelled at ilang lingo rin ang surveillance operation na ikinasa ng pulisya upang madakip ito. Nabawi umano sa kanya ang dalawang pistol at mga bala. Sa kabila nito ay inaasahang mapapalaya rin commander sakaling pakawalan ni President-elect Rodrigo Duterte ang lahat ng political prisoners sa bansa.
Matagal ng nakikibaka ang NPA upang maitatag ang sariling estado sa bansa.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/npa-commander-nalambat/
Hawak ngayon ng mga awtoridad ang isang lider ng New People’s Army matapos itong madakip sa bayan ng Claver sa lalawigan ng Surigao del Norte sa Mindanao.
Nabatid na nitong Martes pa pala nahuli ng pulisya si Jonathan Peñaflor sa kanyang taguaan sa Barangay Ladgaran at sinasabing may bounty itong P2 milyon sa kanyang ikadarakip.
Ayon sa ulat ng pulisya, si Peñaflor ay diumano lider ng NPA unit sa nasabing lalawigan. May warrant of arrest umano ito na inilabas ni Judge Emmanuel Escatron ng Regional Trial Court Branch 30 sa Surigao City.
Natiktikan ng mga parak ang rebelled at ilang lingo rin ang surveillance operation na ikinasa ng pulisya upang madakip ito. Nabawi umano sa kanya ang dalawang pistol at mga bala. Sa kabila nito ay inaasahang mapapalaya rin commander sakaling pakawalan ni President-elect Rodrigo Duterte ang lahat ng political prisoners sa bansa.
Matagal ng nakikibaka ang NPA upang maitatag ang sariling estado sa bansa.
http://mindanaoexaminer.com/npa-commander-nalambat/
CPP alliance with Duterte gov’t not remote
From the Daily Tribune (Jun 10): CPP alliance with Duterte gov’t not remote
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is working on a possible alliance with the incoming Duterte administration and stressed its national democratic program will be pursued.
Based on the analysis issued by the CPP official organ Ang Bayan on June 7, 2016, the party central committee said the “people have a deep desire to advance their struggle to oppressive and exploitative neoliberal policies, US military intervention and end the fascist war waged by the reactionary Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP.)”
CPP said it is for change, particularly national democratic change “in the face of the worsening crisis in society and the economy.”
The party noted that it was the initiative of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to offer Cabinet seats to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which responded by naming several recommendees, none of whom was organic to the NDF.
CPP said Duterte also offered to release political prisoners as well as abide by the agreements signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) with the NDF, including the The Hague Agreement, the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (Cahrihl), Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) and others.
“Duterte’s readiness to pursue cooperation with friendship with the national democratic movement could provide the springboard for the possibility of a fruitful alliance with the GPH,” CPP said.
The party said it expects Duterte to free all political prisoners, including 18 NDF consultants slapped with trumped-up charges.
“By entering into an allilance with the Duterte regime, the revolutionary movement will have the chance to propagate the correctness of the national democratic line, analysis, principles and programs,” the CPP stressed.
“We have to use the favorable situation to reach the broad masses of the people and expand our organized forces, strengthen the mass struggles of workers, peasants, urban poor, student-youth and other serctors,” the party declared.
“While entering into an alliance with the Duterte regime, we should relentlessly pursue mass struggles by arousing, organizing and mobilizing the masses,” CPP said.
These mass struggles, the party argued, would strengthen the GRP-NDF alliance, the party added.
CPP said efforts must be made to organize hundreds of thousands of people to advance their interest through mass assemblies, demonstrations and marches in Metro Manila, other large urban centers and provincial capitals.
The demands of the working class and the oppressed sectors must be highlighted, the party stressed.
“However, the revolutionary movement should be vigilant against the threats of reformism, particularly among people who might believe that meaningful change could be achieved through a handful of representatives in the parliament and in the bureaucracy,” CPP added.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/cpp-alliance-with-duterte-gov-t-not-remote
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is working on a possible alliance with the incoming Duterte administration and stressed its national democratic program will be pursued.
Based on the analysis issued by the CPP official organ Ang Bayan on June 7, 2016, the party central committee said the “people have a deep desire to advance their struggle to oppressive and exploitative neoliberal policies, US military intervention and end the fascist war waged by the reactionary Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP.)”
CPP said it is for change, particularly national democratic change “in the face of the worsening crisis in society and the economy.”
The party noted that it was the initiative of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to offer Cabinet seats to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which responded by naming several recommendees, none of whom was organic to the NDF.
CPP said Duterte also offered to release political prisoners as well as abide by the agreements signed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) with the NDF, including the The Hague Agreement, the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (Cahrihl), Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (Jasig) and others.
“Duterte’s readiness to pursue cooperation with friendship with the national democratic movement could provide the springboard for the possibility of a fruitful alliance with the GPH,” CPP said.
The party said it expects Duterte to free all political prisoners, including 18 NDF consultants slapped with trumped-up charges.
“By entering into an allilance with the Duterte regime, the revolutionary movement will have the chance to propagate the correctness of the national democratic line, analysis, principles and programs,” the CPP stressed.
“We have to use the favorable situation to reach the broad masses of the people and expand our organized forces, strengthen the mass struggles of workers, peasants, urban poor, student-youth and other serctors,” the party declared.
“While entering into an alliance with the Duterte regime, we should relentlessly pursue mass struggles by arousing, organizing and mobilizing the masses,” CPP said.
These mass struggles, the party argued, would strengthen the GRP-NDF alliance, the party added.
CPP said efforts must be made to organize hundreds of thousands of people to advance their interest through mass assemblies, demonstrations and marches in Metro Manila, other large urban centers and provincial capitals.
The demands of the working class and the oppressed sectors must be highlighted, the party stressed.
“However, the revolutionary movement should be vigilant against the threats of reformism, particularly among people who might believe that meaningful change could be achieved through a handful of representatives in the parliament and in the bureaucracy,” CPP added.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/cpp-alliance-with-duterte-gov-t-not-remote
Duterte-CPP talks under way — Joma
From the Daily Tribune (Jun 10): Duterte-CPP talks under way — Joma
With the incoming administration’s avid commitment on negotiating with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its founding leader Jose Maria Sison has confirmed that preliminary talks between their negotiating arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF), and the representatives of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte are set to roll next week.
Sison, in a statement, said that representatives of the NDF will meet in advance with Malacañang’s representatives in Oslo, Switzerland.
“We are now preparing for the preliminary talks in Oslo next week to agree on the agenda for the resumption of peace talks in July,” Sison said.
The 77-year-old communist leader who’s in a 20-year exile in The Netherlands also validated that they are “ready to agree on the drafts of important documents for finalization and signing by the negotiating panels and for approval by the principals in July.”
Although not making a common statement, it is apparent that both Duterte and his former university professor Sison are ready to end the nearly 50 years of armed insurgency in the Philippines, even the longest in Asian history.
“There should never be any problem in the peace process that we cannot discuss and fix promptly, directly or through our emissaries,” Sison said.
“We have the necessary degree of rapport to exchange views and come to an agreement quickly in order to bring the peace process to a successful and happy conclusion,” he added.
The new government that will primarily be represented by veteran negotiators with the reds incoming peace process adviser Jess Dureza and incoming Labor Secretary Silvester ‘Bebot’ Bello III.
Dureza has also confirmed yesterday, at a press conference in Davao, that they are preparing the government’s agenda to be presented in Oslo.
“We already have the magic formula to end this protracted struggle and hopefully these will lead to pacts that would benefit both parties,” Dureza said.
Duterte has previously noted that he might ask Dureza and Bello to accompany Sison home.
The CPP founder has already announced that he might return back to the Philippines after a 20 year exile by July or August this year after Duterte’s guarantee that he’d be issued a safe conduct pass.
Duterte has already announced that he’s giving in to the release of 543 political detainees who are suspected to be communist allies and officials including alleged CPP chairmen Benito Tiamzon and Adelberto Silva.
Meanwhile, outgoing Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas said it will be up to the new administration to work out the details of the possible return of Sison.
Speaking to newsmen, Caparas said he “would not know for a fact” if there is a subsisting safe conduct pass for Sison, 77, to return to the Philippines.
“I know that there is going to be a team coming from the Philippines I believe they are leaving next week and they are supposed to meet with Joma in Oslo, Norway I believe, this is one of the items that will be discussed at those meetings and whether or not the decision is made for Mr. Sison to come back will depend on what is discussed at the table. If the question is am I privy to that, I am sorry but I have no information,” Caparas said.
“I would imagine there is enough leeway for President Duterte at that point to set up some mechanism so that Mr. Sison can comeback safely,” he added.
Since August 2002, Sison has been classified as a “person supporting terrorism” by the United States.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/duterte-cpp-talks-under-way-joma
With the incoming administration’s avid commitment on negotiating with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its founding leader Jose Maria Sison has confirmed that preliminary talks between their negotiating arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF), and the representatives of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte are set to roll next week.
Sison, in a statement, said that representatives of the NDF will meet in advance with Malacañang’s representatives in Oslo, Switzerland.
“We are now preparing for the preliminary talks in Oslo next week to agree on the agenda for the resumption of peace talks in July,” Sison said.
The 77-year-old communist leader who’s in a 20-year exile in The Netherlands also validated that they are “ready to agree on the drafts of important documents for finalization and signing by the negotiating panels and for approval by the principals in July.”
Although not making a common statement, it is apparent that both Duterte and his former university professor Sison are ready to end the nearly 50 years of armed insurgency in the Philippines, even the longest in Asian history.
“There should never be any problem in the peace process that we cannot discuss and fix promptly, directly or through our emissaries,” Sison said.
“We have the necessary degree of rapport to exchange views and come to an agreement quickly in order to bring the peace process to a successful and happy conclusion,” he added.
The new government that will primarily be represented by veteran negotiators with the reds incoming peace process adviser Jess Dureza and incoming Labor Secretary Silvester ‘Bebot’ Bello III.
Dureza has also confirmed yesterday, at a press conference in Davao, that they are preparing the government’s agenda to be presented in Oslo.
“We already have the magic formula to end this protracted struggle and hopefully these will lead to pacts that would benefit both parties,” Dureza said.
Duterte has previously noted that he might ask Dureza and Bello to accompany Sison home.
The CPP founder has already announced that he might return back to the Philippines after a 20 year exile by July or August this year after Duterte’s guarantee that he’d be issued a safe conduct pass.
Duterte has already announced that he’s giving in to the release of 543 political detainees who are suspected to be communist allies and officials including alleged CPP chairmen Benito Tiamzon and Adelberto Silva.
Meanwhile, outgoing Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas said it will be up to the new administration to work out the details of the possible return of Sison.
Speaking to newsmen, Caparas said he “would not know for a fact” if there is a subsisting safe conduct pass for Sison, 77, to return to the Philippines.
“I know that there is going to be a team coming from the Philippines I believe they are leaving next week and they are supposed to meet with Joma in Oslo, Norway I believe, this is one of the items that will be discussed at those meetings and whether or not the decision is made for Mr. Sison to come back will depend on what is discussed at the table. If the question is am I privy to that, I am sorry but I have no information,” Caparas said.
“I would imagine there is enough leeway for President Duterte at that point to set up some mechanism so that Mr. Sison can comeback safely,” he added.
Since August 2002, Sison has been classified as a “person supporting terrorism” by the United States.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/duterte-cpp-talks-under-way-joma
Dutertes in word war with KMU, Maglunsod over Nakashin
From the Business World (Jun 6): Dutertes in word war with KMU, Maglunsod over Nakashin
DAVAO CITY -- What started out as a labor dispute between the management and workers of frozen fruit exporter Nakashin International, Inc. has turned into a social media war involving Mayor-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio and her brother, reelected Vice-Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte, versus the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and incoming Labor Undersecretary Joel B. Maglunsod.
The Dutertes are children of President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte, who appointed Mr. Maglunsod, a member of the House of Representatives for partylist Anakpawis.
DAVAO CITY -- What started out as a labor dispute between the management and workers of frozen fruit exporter Nakashin International, Inc. has turned into a social media war involving Mayor-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio and her brother, reelected Vice-Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte, versus the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and incoming Labor Undersecretary Joel B. Maglunsod.
The Dutertes are children of President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte, who appointed Mr. Maglunsod, a member of the House of Representatives for partylist Anakpawis.
“I am surprised that an incoming Labor undersecretary is meddling with this issue as it sends a wrong signal to the country,” Mr. Duterte said in a statement.
“Ang tama ay tama. Ang mali ay mali (What is right is right, what is wrong is wrong). You cannot legitimize an illegal act by mere participation of a ‘presumptive’ undersecretary of labor,” said the vice-mayor referring to the protest action by former workers at Nakashin.
Meanwhile, Ms. Carpio defended her husband, Manases R. Carpio, who was criticized by the KMU for standing as Nakashin’s lawyer, citing conflict of interest.
“Nakashin is the client of my husband. He has been working to ask you to move to the side of the gate so that employees can go in and work and receive salaries to put food on the table for their families,” Ms. Carpio said in a Facebook post.
Ms. Carpio, also a lawyer and has a law office with her husband, said, “now, KMU, in what capacity are you conducting a picket? And what have you done for the employees so that they can take home money for their families?... There is no union, no legal strike not even employer-employee relationships between the agency and laid-off workers.”
Responding to Ms. Carpio’s post, Kenneth Lara, an employee of Nakashin, said: ”The workers only want to be reinstated and they are hoping that the local government unit can help them.”
Nakashin workers camped outside the company gates for 36 days prior to putting up a barricade in front of the company a few days ago after their demands were ignored.
KMU-Secretary General Carlo R. Olalo said among the demands of the workers are the reinstatement of the 75 workers who were allegedly illegally retrenched, the regularization of all long-term contractual workers, and the full payment of the workers’ Service Incentive Leave and other underpaid benefits.
Executive Judge Emmanuel C. Carpio, an uncle of Mr. Carpio, issued a 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) versus the striking workers on Friday, which expired June 5.
KMU said the TRO is illegal because the dispute has already been recognized and taken action upon by the Department of Labor and Employment and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.
“Ang tama ay tama. Ang mali ay mali (What is right is right, what is wrong is wrong). You cannot legitimize an illegal act by mere participation of a ‘presumptive’ undersecretary of labor,” said the vice-mayor referring to the protest action by former workers at Nakashin.
Meanwhile, Ms. Carpio defended her husband, Manases R. Carpio, who was criticized by the KMU for standing as Nakashin’s lawyer, citing conflict of interest.
“Nakashin is the client of my husband. He has been working to ask you to move to the side of the gate so that employees can go in and work and receive salaries to put food on the table for their families,” Ms. Carpio said in a Facebook post.
Ms. Carpio, also a lawyer and has a law office with her husband, said, “now, KMU, in what capacity are you conducting a picket? And what have you done for the employees so that they can take home money for their families?... There is no union, no legal strike not even employer-employee relationships between the agency and laid-off workers.”
Responding to Ms. Carpio’s post, Kenneth Lara, an employee of Nakashin, said: ”The workers only want to be reinstated and they are hoping that the local government unit can help them.”
Nakashin workers camped outside the company gates for 36 days prior to putting up a barricade in front of the company a few days ago after their demands were ignored.
KMU-Secretary General Carlo R. Olalo said among the demands of the workers are the reinstatement of the 75 workers who were allegedly illegally retrenched, the regularization of all long-term contractual workers, and the full payment of the workers’ Service Incentive Leave and other underpaid benefits.
Executive Judge Emmanuel C. Carpio, an uncle of Mr. Carpio, issued a 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) versus the striking workers on Friday, which expired June 5.
KMU said the TRO is illegal because the dispute has already been recognized and taken action upon by the Department of Labor and Employment and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.
Planned peace talks ‘shaky’ over US terror listing of CPP-NPA-NDF; US intervention seen
From Bicol Today (Jun 6): Planned peace talks ‘shaky’ over US terror listing of CPP-NPA-NDF; US intervention seen
“Big brother” US is trying to wield the stick on “little brother Pilipino” on the eve of a much-expected resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) by tagging the CPP-NPA-NDF as “terrorist organizations”.
“The designation of the CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations by the US State Department, on the eve of the resumption of peace negotiations with the NDFP, is intended to undermine the talks,” Renato Reyes, secretary-general of BAYAN, lamented. “The US once again hopes to use the terrorist listing as a form of intervention in an internal matter.”
Reviewing its historical track record, the CPP-NPA-NDF have long opposed US military intervention in the Philippines.
According to BAYAN, the terror-tag hopes to cast a cloud of doubt even before the talks begin.
BAYAN insists this practice of “terrorist listing” should be rejected. Any form of US intervention in the peace talks should be exposed and opposed by the Filipino people who have long sought a just and lasting peace.
There is no word from due-to-assume President Duterte regarding the US tagging of the CPP-NPA-NDF and his planned agenda to resume peace talks with rebel forces.
The US terror tagging of the CPP-NPA-NDF is veiled threat on Duterte not to pursue with the peace talks, and it indicates that US-Phil relations may not be harmonious.
Peace talks under the Aquino administration was aborted owing to demands by both sides considered as “non-negotiable”, such as release of political prisoners as demanded by the NDFP and from the government side demanding surrender of rebel forces.
“The fact that cabinet posts were even offered by incoming President Duterte to the CPP belies the “terrorist” claims of the US,” BAYAN said.
BAYAN pointed at the US government as the number one terrorist state that has launched wars of aggression throughout the globe, killing millions of civilians.
According to BAYAN, the US carries out drone strikes in violation of international law just about anywhere it wishes. It drops bombs on civilian populations.
The US government, not the revolutionary groups and liberation movements, is the real terrorist, BAYAN said.
http://bicoltoday.com/2016/06/06/planned-peace-talks-shaky-over-us-terror-listing-of-cpp-npa-ndf-us-intervention-seen/
“Big brother” US is trying to wield the stick on “little brother Pilipino” on the eve of a much-expected resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) by tagging the CPP-NPA-NDF as “terrorist organizations”.
“The designation of the CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations by the US State Department, on the eve of the resumption of peace negotiations with the NDFP, is intended to undermine the talks,” Renato Reyes, secretary-general of BAYAN, lamented. “The US once again hopes to use the terrorist listing as a form of intervention in an internal matter.”
Reviewing its historical track record, the CPP-NPA-NDF have long opposed US military intervention in the Philippines.
According to BAYAN, the terror-tag hopes to cast a cloud of doubt even before the talks begin.
BAYAN insists this practice of “terrorist listing” should be rejected. Any form of US intervention in the peace talks should be exposed and opposed by the Filipino people who have long sought a just and lasting peace.
There is no word from due-to-assume President Duterte regarding the US tagging of the CPP-NPA-NDF and his planned agenda to resume peace talks with rebel forces.
The US terror tagging of the CPP-NPA-NDF is veiled threat on Duterte not to pursue with the peace talks, and it indicates that US-Phil relations may not be harmonious.
Peace talks under the Aquino administration was aborted owing to demands by both sides considered as “non-negotiable”, such as release of political prisoners as demanded by the NDFP and from the government side demanding surrender of rebel forces.
“The fact that cabinet posts were even offered by incoming President Duterte to the CPP belies the “terrorist” claims of the US,” BAYAN said.
BAYAN pointed at the US government as the number one terrorist state that has launched wars of aggression throughout the globe, killing millions of civilians.
According to BAYAN, the US carries out drone strikes in violation of international law just about anywhere it wishes. It drops bombs on civilian populations.
The US government, not the revolutionary groups and liberation movements, is the real terrorist, BAYAN said.
http://bicoltoday.com/2016/06/06/planned-peace-talks-shaky-over-us-terror-listing-of-cpp-npa-ndf-us-intervention-seen/
AFP: 3 foreigners, 5 locals still held captive by ASG
From ABS-CBN/ANC (Jun 9): AFP: 3 foreigners, 5 locals still held captive by ASG
Terror group Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) still holds eight people captive, reports the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday.
"As of now, [they] have 8 captives—[they] have 3 foreigners and 5 locals," Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., chief of the Public Affairs office of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) told ANC's Dateline Philippines.
This, after suspected ASG members freed on Wednesday four Malaysians who were kidnapped last April while they were on board their tugboat off the waters of Sabah.
READ: Abu Sayyaf frees 4 Malaysian captives
The Wesmincom has yet to comment if ransom was paid in exchange for the safe release of the victims, but Tan claims, the military had no hand in their release.
"The military has no part in the release. Maybe some people have negotiated for their release, but the military has no part in the release of the said Malaysians yesterday," he said.
A nondescript "black speed boat" fetched the Malaysians and that left no clue as to who negotiated for their freedom, he said.
Nevertheless, Tan assures that the Wesmincom is not letting up on its efforts to rescue the remaining victims, including two foreigners shown in a video released by ASG.
The video showed ASG's Canadian and Norwegian captives, and the group set June 13 as deadline for ransom payment before they kill the two.
"With deadlines or not, our troops here are doing their best to rescue the kidnap victims. Our momentum has never changed," said Tan.
"The terrain and the Abu Sayyaf Group being locals of this place make it hard for us, but the troops learn from the operations and hopefully, anytime soon, we’ll be able to rescue the victims," he added.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/06/09/16/afp-3-foreigners-5-locals-still-held-captive-by-asg
Terror group Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) still holds eight people captive, reports the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday.
"As of now, [they] have 8 captives—[they] have 3 foreigners and 5 locals," Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., chief of the Public Affairs office of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) told ANC's Dateline Philippines.
This, after suspected ASG members freed on Wednesday four Malaysians who were kidnapped last April while they were on board their tugboat off the waters of Sabah.
READ: Abu Sayyaf frees 4 Malaysian captives
The Wesmincom has yet to comment if ransom was paid in exchange for the safe release of the victims, but Tan claims, the military had no hand in their release.
"The military has no part in the release. Maybe some people have negotiated for their release, but the military has no part in the release of the said Malaysians yesterday," he said.
A nondescript "black speed boat" fetched the Malaysians and that left no clue as to who negotiated for their freedom, he said.
Nevertheless, Tan assures that the Wesmincom is not letting up on its efforts to rescue the remaining victims, including two foreigners shown in a video released by ASG.
The video showed ASG's Canadian and Norwegian captives, and the group set June 13 as deadline for ransom payment before they kill the two.
"With deadlines or not, our troops here are doing their best to rescue the kidnap victims. Our momentum has never changed," said Tan.
"The terrain and the Abu Sayyaf Group being locals of this place make it hard for us, but the troops learn from the operations and hopefully, anytime soon, we’ll be able to rescue the victims," he added.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/06/09/16/afp-3-foreigners-5-locals-still-held-captive-by-asg
Top NPA leader nabbed in Surigao del Norte
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): Top NPA leader nabbed in Surigao del Norte
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=892809
Another suspected New People’s Army leader was arrested in
police operations against wanted persons at a coastal municipality in Surigao
del Norte on Monday afternoon.
Surigao del Norte Police in its report to the police
regional headquarters on Tuesday said that the joint team of the Regional
Intelligence Division (RID) 13 Tracker Team and the Regional Public Safety
Battalion 13 arrested Jonathan Cadaan Penaflor, who is also known as “Jojo
Penaflor”, “Larkan” and “Albert” was arrested at his rented home located at
Purok-7, Brgy. Ladgaran, Claver town in Surigao del Norte, at 2:00 p.m. on
Monday.
Police said that Penaflor was arrested on the strength of an
arrest warrant issued against him on December 27, 2013 for “Murder” issued by
Hon. Emmanuel E. Escatron, Acting Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court,
Branch 30, 10th Judicial Region in Surigao
City
Penaflor, according to the police is the commanding officer
of the Sangay Sa Partido Platoon 21C of the Guerilla Front Committee 21 of the
Northeastern Mindanao Revolutionary Committee (NEMRC) of the Communist Party of
the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). The arresting team recovered from
his residence a Combat Commander Colt and Para-Ordnance Caliber .45 pistols and
ammunition.
The suspect was arrested after a year of surveillance.
According to the police, they were tipped of his presence at the locality a
week ago. He was linked to several atrocities committed by the rebels in the
region. He did not resist arrest however.
It could be recalled that police under the RPSB 13, also
arrested four suspected New People’s Army leaders of their “Militia Ng Bayan”
in Brgy. Tungao, a hinter village in Butuan
City
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=892809
Army steps up ties with media practitioners
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): Army steps up ties with media practitioners
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=892826
The Philippine Army is stepping up its partnership with
media practitioners, citing the latter’s role to reach out audience in rural
communities.
Col. Raylindo S. Aniñon, deputy brigade commander of 801st
Infantry Brigade under the 8th Infantry Division, said that in previous years,
the military has not coordinated with media practitioners due to “operational
security issues” where they perceived some journalists as allies of rebels.
“But that was before. Now we understand the importance and
value of media to the society,” Aniñon said during a gathering of media
practitioners at a military camp in Hinabangan, Samar
over the weekend.
More than 50 members of the army press corps in Northern
Samar, Samar and Leyte attended the boot camp,
which include basic marksmanship and military obstacle course orientation and
demonstration.
“The military realized that the battle does not only take
place in the battlefield because it can also be win or loss in public opinion,”
Aniñon said.
The military official said that media brings the soldier
closer to the people, they act as bridge to inform their stakeholders on the
function of military in peacekeeping efforts, and media are instruments for
successful implementation of programs.
“As a stakeholder of the military, you also provide for
community with information to see that the military is capable and dedicated to
our mandated mission,” Aniñon added.
The army official has called for media practitioners and the
military units in Eastern Visayas to
strengthen their partnership and ensure the creation of environment that is
sustainable for peace.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=892826
Leyte province awaits rebel-free status declaration
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): Leyte province awaits rebel-free status declaration
Leyte province has been
under the manageable conflict-affected and development ready area status since
2006.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=892914
The Philippine Army will soon declare Leyte as
insurgency-free, the third province in Eastern Visayas
free from threats of armed communist rebels.
Under the Army’s 8th Infantry Division’s timeline, the
target is to declare Leyte province as
peaceful, stable internal security condition or insurgency-free on June 30.
The current status of the province is an indicator that the
root causes of conflict were appropriately addressed, said Major Gen. Jet
Velarmino, commander of the 8th Infantry Division.
“Winning the peace on the ground was made possible by the
strengthened collaboration among various stakeholders for peace and
development, and the improved capacities of a strengthened constituency,”
Velarmino said.
Currently, Eastern Visayas has two declared insurgency-free
province - Southern Leyte and Biliran.
The three provinces in Samar Island
The Army has resumed the assessment of provinces, cities and
towns to find out if some areas are insurgency-free after performing election
duties.
They temporarily stopped the assessment and declaration of
areas at the height of election period this year.
“We have timeline for that, but due to the elections, we
opted to set it aside and now we will resume it starting with Leyte ,”
Velarmino said.
Declaring an area as insurgency-free is beneficial to the
locality as this will attract investors that would result to economic growth.
Although handling the peace and order management job will be
turned over to the local government and the Philippine National Police for
“insurgency-free” areas, military presence is still assured, according to
Velarmino.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=892914
US, PHL soldiers join CARAT 2016
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): US, PHL soldiers join CARAT 2016
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=892932
Hundreds of navy and marine personnel from the Armed Forces
of the Philippine (AFP) and United
States
The exercise will take place mainly in areas near Subic Bay
and in Palawan and will involve US
In a statement, Rear Adm. Ronald Joseph Mercado, AFP
commander, said, "CARAT strengthens the strong and enduring relationships
between the US
"CARAT provides a great opportunity for our navies to
operate together at sea and train during realistic scenarios that better
prepare our forces for real-world operations,” said Capt. H. B. Le, commodore,
Destroyer Squadron Seven.
"With more than two decades of experience working
together, we are able to execute complex exercises that address shared maritime
security priorities and improve interoperability between our navies,” Le said.
Participating this year’s CARAT from the US side are the
guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63), the landing dock ship USS
Ashland (LSD 48), and the diving and salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52), with
P-8 Poseidon aircraft, US Navy expeditionary forces, US Marines’ the III Marine
Expeditionary Force- 3rd Marine Division, a platoon from Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, and officers from Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF
73) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7.
From the Philippine contingencies are the Minesweeper
Frigate BRP Rizal (PS74), the Frigate BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15), a landing
craft heavy vessel, an AW109 helicopter, an EOD team, diving team, construction
platoon, and a Marine company.
The joint military training will focus on combined
operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, maritime domain
awareness, and community service events, where US personnel will train with their
Filipino counterparts in a host of military engagements, professional exchanges
and training seminars.
Civil action projects, community service events and combined
military band concerts are also planned to foster relationships and bonds with
the Filipino people.
CARAT Philippines
is part of a broader exercise series the US Navy conducts with nine partner
nations in South and Southeast Asia to address
shared maritime security priorities, strengthen maritime partnerships and
enhance interoperability among participating forces.
The Philippines
As US 7th Fleet's executive agent for theater security
cooperation in South and Southeast Asia, Commander, Task Force 73 conducts
advanced planning, organizes resources and directly supports the execution of
maritime exercises, such as the bilateral CARAT series, the Naval Engagement
Activity (NEA) with Vietnam, and the multi-lateral Southeast Asia Cooperation
and Training (SEACAT) with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, and Thailand.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=892932
Duterte team, Joma to meet in Oslo for preliminary talks on peace agenda
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): Duterte team, Joma to meet in Oslo for preliminary talks on peace agenda
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=893471
The team of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will hold
preliminary talks with Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic
Front of the Philippines
(CPP-NDFP) head Jose Maria Sison in Oslo ,
Norway
NDFP Spokesperson Fidel Agcaoili confirmed the Oslo
Aside from Sison and Agcaoili, the meeting will also be
attended by Luis Jalandoni, Connie Ledesma and two lawyers from the CPP-NDF
side. Duterte's team will be composed of incoming Secretary of the Office of
the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), incoming Labor Secretary
Silvestre Bello III, who will possibly serve as consultant on the peace talks
with the Reds, former Rep. Hernani Braganza and Carla Munsayac of OPAPP.
In an interview with Dureza on Wednesday evening, it was
learned that the meeting is also timed with the holding of the Oslo Forum on
June 14-15, a periodic meeting of global leaders in peace efforts where he was
invited.
Dureza said that when the Norwegian government learned he is
going to play a key role in the peace efforts in the incoming administration
they also decided to invite the key members of the CPP-NDFP.
Dureza said the meeting is an opportunity for them that even
before “we assumed into office we will be reconnected with our counterparts.”
“This is not formal talks because we are not empowered yet,” he clarified.
Dureza said this will also be a venue for both sides to
discuss some issues informally “so when we assume office we have a little road
map to pursue after June 30.”
He said that with the guidance of Duterte they have crafted
a roadmap taking into account the current situation.
Dureza was careful to make further statements on the
government’s peace efforts until Duterte officially sits in Malacañang.
He however made sure that everything passes through
consultations with the guidance of the President and stakeholders, recognizing
that lessons can be learned from previous peace talks. Dureza said success
stories from previous peace talks will be duplicated.
Dureza said they will be more transparent in the
negotiations. “We will be more transparent that immediately after each
engagement we will make the public know,” he said.
Agcaoili, who was in town to speak before members of the
Civil Society Organizations and barangay leaders in the Multisectoral
Conversation on Peace dubbed “When Blue Meets Red” at the Ateneo de Davao
University, also had a long meeting with Duterte on Tuesday night until the
early morning of Wednesday at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan.
Agcaoili disclosed that one of the things he discussed with
Duterte was the possible meeting with Sison in The Netherlands when Duterte
travels to Europe .
However, Agcaoili said the meeting of Duterte and Sison
would not happen in the earliest time.
Agcaoili said Duterte wanted to consolidate his hold on the
presidency after assuming the Office of the President before he leaves the
country.
Meanwhile, in his video message played before the media on
Wednesday evening, Sison lauded Duterte for his act of goodwill and show of
trust and confidence and encouraged the legal national and democratic forces to
select their nominees for government positions.
“President-elect Duterte has long demonstrated that he has
the strength of character, the political will and determination to engage the
revolutionary forces and what is good for the people,” said Sison.
He was also contented on the outcomes of the meetings
between Duterte and Agcaoili, who plays his emissary.
He said the three remaining items in the substantive agenda
of the peace negotiations are social and economic reforms, political and
constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of the armed
forces for which the negotiating panels must produce the comprehensive
agreements on each of the items.
Sison said the most crucial factor for the success of the
peace process is the mutual determination of the Duterte government and the
NDFP to exercise necessary political will to adopt the long overdue basic
reforms, especially in the face of worsening crisis of the world capitalist
system and the domestic ruling system that is inflicting suffering on the
Filipino people.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=893471
North Cotabato local officials seek peaceful means to end Muslim clan war
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): North Cotabato local officials seek peaceful means to end Muslim clan war
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=893584
Local officials in North Cotabato
have been finding peaceful means to settle a long standing Moro clan war in
Matalam town that erupted anew Wednesday, officials said.
Involved in the sporadic skirmishes were members of the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
headed by Commander Kamid Ingkig and Commander Ambalatan, respectively.
"This is a recurring fire fight due to long standing
land dispute," said provincial Board Member Kelly Antao.
Antao who chairs the provincial council's peace and order
committee, said he has sent emissaries to warring families for the declaration
of a cessation of hostilities while efforts are underway to a just and peaceful
settlement.
"This conflict has been settled more than a year ago
but it appears one party was not satisfied and broke the interim accord,"
Antao said in a radio interview Thursday.
Chief Inspector Sonny Leoncito, Matalam town police chief,
said the armed conflict has already displaced some 1,500 families from the
villages of Kidama and Marbel.
The two villages have become a virtual ghost town after its
residents, both Muslims and Christians, deserted their homes as both sides
continue to trade bullets.
Several houses have been torched allegedly by one of the
warring parties.
Antao said he already sought the help of the government and
MILF ceasefire committee to intervene and prevent the conflict from turning
into a full blown war between and among Moro inhabitants.
Four civilians have died in evacuation centers since last
week when the conflict first erupted.
Soldiers from the 7th Infantry Battalion have been deployed
as peacekeepers to separate warring clans while local government efforts are
underway to pacify the protagonists.
Antao said his office is coordinating with concerned
government agencies to identify which lot area belongs to which of the warring
groups.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=893584
PAF to conduct mall exhibit at SM Clark
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): PAF to conduct mall exhibit at SM Clark
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=893285
In line with its community engagement missions, the
Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be holding a six-day mall exhibit at SM Clark,
Mabalacat, Pampanga from June 10-15.
The exhibit aims to explain to the public the PAF's various
missions which include territorial defense, air and maritime domain awareness,
pilot training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, combat utility
support and force protection.
Booths for those who wish to inquire about how to join the
active service or the reserve ranks of the PAF will also be available.
The PAF exhibit will formally open on Friday with all
commanders of Clark Air Base major units, SM management staff and local
government officials in attendance.
As an extension of the mall exhibit, the PAF will
participate in the country's 118th Independence Day celebration activities of SM
Clark on Sunday by performing a confetti/flower drop during the flag raising
rite.
Static display includes: AS-211 aircraft, SF-260 trainer,
UH-1H helicopter, flight simulator, FA-50 mini-aircraft replica, special
operations equipment (armaments and EOD equipment), and search and rescue
equipment, as well as, action photos of different PAF missions and activities.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=893285
PAF to purchase 'Nomad' propulsion system spare parts
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 9): PAF to purchase 'Nomad' propulsion system spare parts
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=893632
In line with efforts to ensure the overhaul requirements of
all its available aircraft are met on time, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is
allocating the sum of PHP18,412,375 for the acquisition of spare parts needed
for the maintenance of the propulsion system of one of its GAF N-22B
"Nomad" patrol and transport plane.
Pre-bid conference is on June 15, 9:00 a.m. at the PAF
Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
While submission and opening of bids is on July 7, 9:00 a.m.
at the same venue, said PAF bids and awards chair Brig. Gen. Nicolas Parilla.
The "Nomad" is a twin-engined turboprop,
high-wing, short takeoff and landing aircraft.
It was designed and built by the Australian Government
Aircraft Factories (GAF) at Fishermens Bend, Melbourne.
Major users of the design have included the Royal Flying
Doctor Service of Australia
The "Nomad" is to be reengineered and put back
into production as the GippsAero GA18.
The PAF has an estimated 20 units of the aircraft in its
inventory.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=893632
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