Another abducted Indonesian sailor escapes Abu Sayyaf captors

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 18): Another abducted Indonesian sailor escapes Abu Sayyaf captors

Another crewmember of M/T Charles, the tugboat attacked by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits last June, was found safe and sound by Western Mindanao Command (WMC) units in Luuk, Sulu Thursday afternoon.

The victim was initially identified only as Ismail and chief officer of the M/T Charles, said WMC spokesperson Major Filemon Tan.

Ismail was seen and rescued by troops patrolling in Barangay Bual, Luuk town at 4:30 p.m.

"The kidnap victim is now in custody of troops and awaiting transport for Jolo for medical examination prior turnover to proper authorities," Tan added.

M/T Charles has a crew of seven, all of whom were kidnapped by the ASG bandits last June. It was traversing Indonesian waters near the country’s border with the Philippines when armed men fired at the boat and seized seven crew members.

Last Aug. 17, Mohammad Safyan, a crewmember of the ill-fated boat, managed to escape from the clutches of his captors.

Safyan was rescued by local residents at about 7:30 a.m. at the shoreline of Barangay Bual, Luuk town in Sulu. He was immediately brought by the residents to the municipal police station.

Reports from ground units disclosed that 28-year-old Safyan escaped from his kidnappers at the mangrove areas of Barangays Bual and Bato-Itum, both in Luuk, after the bandits threatened to behead him.

Safyan was seen by residents trapped in the fishnets in the area.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=914911

President Duterte gives Php250,000 to families of gov’t troops killed in anti-drug operation

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17): President Duterte gives Php250,000 to families of gov’t troops killed in anti-drug operation

President Rodrigo Duterte promised on Wednesday to give Php250,000 each to the families of the three Philippine Navy personnel killed in the anti-illegal drug operations in North Cotabato three days ago.

President Duterte made the announcement during his visit at the wake of one of the victims, Navy Petty Officer 3 Darwin Espallardo, at the Bay 116 Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

”We are helping the family’s expenses and everything and they will get from my social fund Php250,000. I will deliver the money in about a week,” the President said in a press briefing.

President Duterte also assured that the government will shoulder the schooling of the children of the victims.

Espallardo, Corporal Jose Miravalles, and Private 1st Class Jaypee Duran were killed while five others were wounded in a firefight that erupted while the joint government forces were serving warrants of arrest Commander Madrox in Midsayap town, North Cotabato.

Madrox, known as Moks Masgal, is wanted for heinous crimes offenses and shabu distribution.

Four of Madrox followers were also killed in the operations.

President Duterte vowed to continue his fight against illegal drugs until the last day of his term as President.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=914836

US Army chief visits China amid missile system tensions

From the Philippine Star (Aug 17): US Army chief visits China amid missile system tensions



U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, left, introduces members of his staff to China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Gen. Li Zuocheng, right, during a welcome ceremony at the Bayi Building in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. AP/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool

The U.S. Army chief of staff told Chinese officials during a visit Tuesday that China should not feel threatened by American ally South Korea's decision to deploy a powerful U.S. missile defense system.

Gen. Mark A. Milley met with his Chinese counterpart, General Li Zuocheng, and other senior People's Liberation Army leaders amid strong Chinese protests over the decision to base the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system south of the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Milley reiterated the American position that the defense system is intended to destroy possible North Korean missiles and not to track missiles inside China. Milley said THAAD is not a threat to China, the U.S. Army said in a statement.

Chinese state media have published daily attacks against the U.S. and South Korea over the missile defense system, and China has canceled events involving South Korean entertainers. China also appears to be withholding support at the United Nations for condemnations of North Korea's missile programs.

Milley's visit also comes amid friction following an international arbitration panel's ruling last month that invalidated China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. China angrily rejected the verdict and has vowed to continue developing man-made islands that the U.S. says have exacerbated tensions in the strategically crucial region.

According to the U.S. Army statement, Milley told Chinese officials the U.S. was committed to following international rules "and encouraged the Chinese to do the same as a way to reduce regional tensions."

Highlighting the issue, the interior minister of Taiwan, one of the six governments to claim territory in the South China Sea, planned to travel to Taiping Island where it maintains a garrison.

The visit is "aimed at understanding climate change issues as well as underscoring Taiwan's sovereignty," the official Central News Agency quoted Taiwanese officials as saying.

Tensions have also spiked in recent days between China and Japan over a chain of uninhabited islands controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing. Japan last week called in the Chinese ambassador to protest over a large increase in the number of Chinese coast guard and fishing ships operating in waters surrounding the islands, called Senkaku by Japan and Diaoyu by China.

Following his Beijing meetings, Milley is to travel to South Korea to meet with U.S. troops and hold discussions with South Korean military leaders on the THAAD deployment and other issues. He then is to travel to another key U.S. ally and Chinese rival, Japan.

http://www.philstar.com/world/2016/08/17/1614405/us-army-chief-visits-china-amid-missile-system-tensions

War with China: Thinking Through the Unthinkable

From Rand (Aug 2016): War with China: Thinking Through the Unthinkable

Go to the following URL for a PDF copy of the report:
http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1100/RR1140/RAND_RR1140.pdf

Research Questions

1. What are the alternative paths that China and the United States might take before and during a war?
2. What are the effects on both countries of each path?
3. What preparations should the United States make, both to reduce the likelihood of war and, should war break out, to ensure victory while minimizing losses and costs?

Premeditated war between the United States and China is very unlikely, but the danger that a mishandled crisis could trigger hostilities cannot be ignored. Thus, while neither state wants war, both states' militaries have plans to fight one. As Chinese anti-access and area-denial (A2AD) capabilities improve, the United States can no longer be so certain that war would follow its plan and lead to decisive victory. This analysis illuminates various paths a war with China could take and their possible consequences.

 

Technological advances in the ability to target opposing forces are creating conditions of conventional counterforce, whereby each side has the means to strike and degrade the other's forces and, therefore, an incentive to do so promptly, if not first. This implies fierce early exchanges, with steep military losses on both sides, until one gains control. At present, Chinese losses would greatly exceed U.S. losses, and the gap would only grow as fighting persisted. But, by 2025, that gap could be much smaller.

Even then, however, China could not be confident of gaining military advantage, which suggests the possibility of a prolonged and destructive, yet inconclusive, war. In that event, nonmilitary factors — economic costs, internal political effects, and international reactions — could become more important.

Political leaders on both sides could limit the severity of war by ordering their respective militaries to refrain from swift and massive conventional counterforce attacks. The resulting restricted, sporadic fighting could substantially reduce military losses and economic harm. This possibility underscores the importance of firm civilian control over wartime decisionmaking and of communication between capitals. At the same time, the United States can prepare for a long and severe war by reducing its vulnerability to Chinese A2AD forces and developing plans to ensure that economic and international consequences would work to its advantage.

 

Key Findings

 

Unless Both U.S. and Chinese Political Leaders Decline to Carry Out Counterforce Strategies, the Ability of Either State to Control the Ensuing Conflict Would Be Greatly Impaired

• Both sides would suffer large military losses in a severe conflict. In 2015, U.S. losses could be a relatively small fraction of forces committed, but still significant; Chinese losses could be much heavier than U.S. losses and a substantial fraction of forces committed.
• This gap in losses will shrink as Chinese A2AD improves. By 2025, U.S. losses could range from significant to heavy; Chinese losses, while still very heavy, could be somewhat less than in 2015, owing to increased degradation of U.S. strike capabilities.
• China's A2AD will make it increasingly difficult for the United States to gain military-operational dominance and victory, even in a long war.

Conflict Could Be Decided by Domestic Political, International, and Economic Factors, All of Which Would Favor the United States in a Long, Severe War

• Although a war would harm both economies, damage to China's would be far worse.
• Because much of the Western Pacific would become a war zone, China's trade with the region and the rest of the world would decline substantially.
• China's loss of seaborne energy supplies would be especially damaging.
• A long conflict could expose China to internal political divisions.
• Japan's increased military activity in the region could have a considerable influence on military operations.

Recommendations

• U.S. and Chinese political leaders alike should have military options other than immediate strikes to destroy opposing forces.
• U.S. leaders should have the means to confer with Chinese leaders and contain a conflict before it gets out of hand.
• The United States should guard against automaticity in implementing immediate attacks on Chinese A2AD and have plans and means to prevent hostilities from becoming severe. Establishing "fail safe" arrangements will guarantee definitive, informed political approval for military operations.
• The United States should reduce the effect of Chinese A2AD by investing in more-survivable force platforms (e.g., submarines) and in counter-A2AD (e.g., theater missiles).
• The United States should conduct contingency planning with key allies, especially Japan.
• The United States should ensure that the Chinese are specifically aware of the potential for catastrophic results even if a war is not lost militarily.
• The United States should improve its ability to sustain intense military operations.
• U.S. leaders should develop options to deny China access to war-critical commodities and technologies in the event of war.
• The United States should undertake measures to mitigate the interruption of critical products from China.
• Additionally, the U.S. Army should invest in land-based A2AD capabilities, encourage and enable East Asian partners to mount strong defense, improve interoperability with partners (especially Japan), and contribute to the expansion and deepening of Sino-U.S. military-to-military understanding and cooperation to reduce dangers of misperception and miscalculation.

http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1140.html

Study: Possible China-US war will linger in East Asia

From the Philippine Star (Aug 17): Study: Possible China-US war will linger in East Asia



US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, left, and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Gen. Li Zuocheng, right, salute during a welcome ceremony at the Bayi Building in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. AP/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool

A possible war between China and the United States (US) would start and remain in East Asia where nearly all Chinese forces are located, according to a new study published by an international research organization.

In its study entitled "War with China: Thinking through the Unthinkable," California-based Rand Corp. said that both China and the US wants war but both of their militaries have plans to fight one.

A war between the two countries would be regional and conventional, according to the study.

"It would be waged mainly by ships on and beneath the sea, by aircraft and missiles of many sorts, and in space (against satellites) and cyberspace (against computer systems)," the report read.

However, it is unlikely that nuclear weapons would be used as the two nations regard its losses as serious.

The report also assumes that China is unlikely to attack the US homeland, except through cyberspace, given its capability to do so with conventional weapons.

Each party's ability to track and attack opposing forces may turn the Western Pacific into a "war zone" and may have grave economic consequences.

As US military advantage declines, China is improving its military capabilities, particularly for anti-access and area denial. This means that the US cannot gain operational control and destroy China's defenses if a war occurred.

"Sensors, weapon guidance, digital networking, and other information technologies used to target opposing forces have advanced to the point where both US and Chinese military forces seriously threaten each other," Rand Corp. said.

Chinese losses would greatly exceed US losses at present but the gap could be much smaller by 2025. China, however, would still be not confident of gaining military advantage.

This suggests the possibility of a prolonged, destructive and inconclusive war where economic costs, internal political effects and international reactions could be more important.

"War between the two countries could begin with devastating strikes; be hard to control; last months, if not years; have no winner; and inflict huge losses on both sides’ military forces," the report read.

Non-military effects would fall hardest on China but could also greatly harm the US economy, according to the study.

US leaders are urged to have means to confer and contain conflict before it gets "out of hand."

"The United States should ensure that the Chinese are specifically aware of the potential for catastrophic results even if a war is not lost militarily," Rand Corp. said.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/08/17/1614413/study-possible-china-us-war-will-linger-east-asia

Rody, communists discuss on how to shape up gov’t

From the Daily Tribune (Aug 16): Rody, communists discuss on how to shape up gov’t

Despite their apparent rift, President Duterte bared yesterday that he still has to tap the communist movement’s help on how to run the government.

In a speech yesterday at the Palace, Duterte said that he has met with leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) consulting them on how to shape his administration.

But contrary to his campaign declarations of entering into a “revolutionary coalition” government with the Reds, the President clarified that he’s only seeking the Left’s help.

“I was talking to the NDF panel and we had discussions on how to shape up government without necessarily going to the complicated task of coalition because I don’t think it would work,” Duterte said in his speech.

As if implying that his really true to his being a self-proclaimed socialist or leftist, Duterte said that he is inspired to build a socialist-like government without, obviously, jeopardizing the authority of state security forces.

His consultations with the NDF — whose CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison is President Duterte’s college professor —will accordingly resume after the presumptive results of the forthcoming peace talks between the NDF and the Philippine Government (GRP) in Oslo, Norway in less than two weeks.

Duterte hinted that he might give a more free hand to the Left after the first round of the GRP-NDF talks.

“I said maybe what will come out of these talks in Oslo, I would retain the control of military and police and they can have the mundane matters of government,” the President said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/rody-communists-discuss-on-how-to-shape-up-gov-t

Reds expect Duterte to issue new truce

From The Daily Tribune (Aug 17): Reds expect Duterte to issue new truce

National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo bared yesterday that President Duterte has hinted at resuming a unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels after both met at the Palace last Monday.

“We discussed matters that could be reiterated in the resumption of the (peace) talks in Oslo, Norway such as the declaration of an interim ceasefire with the (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army),” Ocampo said in a phone interview with reporters.

It is recalled that in one of his speeches last week, Duterte said that he is trying to avoid committing another mistake after his botched unilateral ceasefire with the Reds that was not reciprocated by the rebels.

An NPA ambush on state militiamen that resulted in the death of one Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member prompted Duterte to withdraw the ceasefire. “(Duterte) said that he will forget his word war with (Sison), saying that their exchange of harsh words will not deter them from pursuing peace,” Ocampo said.

Ocampo added that Duterte is open in granting the request of other NDF political prisoners from detention due to humanitarian reasons.

Among those named by left-leaning human rights groups for immediate release on humani-tarian grounds are alleged top CPP leaders Adelberto Silva, Wilma Austria-Tiamzon, Ramon Argente, Concha Araneta-Bocala, and Alex Birondo.

Silva, 68, a consultant for the NDF and is believed to be the CPP chairman, had undergone quadruple angioplasty before he was arrested on June 15, 2015.

Austria-Tiamzon, also who was the CPP secretary general during her arrest, has spondylolisthesis (forward displacement of vertebrae), hypertension and carotid artery occlusion.

Araneta-Bocala, 65,  has weak lungs because of a history of pneumonia. She also has ulcer, recurring lumbar pain due to scoliosis, anemia, vertigo, goiter, and recurring pain in her left eye, which was operated on previously.

Freeing of NDF figures starts

The temporary release of detained NDF leaders started with the release of Jaime Soledad in Ormoc City late Monday night, Kennedy Bangibang from Kalinga and Renante Gamara from the Special Intensive Care Area - 1 of Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Soledad was acquitted from murder charges last week while Bangibang’s motion for bail for murder and robbery charges was granted yesterday.

As for Gamara, who is charged with two separate cases, Branch 65 of the Infanta Regional Trial Court issued a release order for murder and frustrated murder charges while Branch 266 of the Taguig RTC has also issued the release order for murder with kidnapping charges.

Also, the Iloilo RTC granted the bail petition of top communist leader in Panay island, 65 year old Concha Araneta.

On the other hand, as of 4 p.m. yesterday, courts are also expected to urgently accommodate the motions of other detained rebels Alan Jazmines, Ernesto Lorenzo, Alexander Birondo, Winona Birondo and Ruben Saluta.

Last week, RTC Manila Branch 32 granted the motion for release on Bail for alleged Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) chairmen Benito Tiamzon and Adelberto Silva and CPP secretary general Wilma Austria-Tiamzon.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, in a text message to the Daily Tribune, said  the efforts that the government shows in anticipation of the peace talks set on August 20 in Oslo, Norway are meant to demonstrate that the Duterte administration remains  sincere in its commitment to resume the peace talks with the CPP-NDF.

“Releases of NDF leaders going through normal judicial processes are in step with the government’s intentions of making them available in the forthcoming resumption of peace negotiations,” Dureza told the Tribune.

The Tiamzon couple, however, will remain in the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center because the courts handling their cases have yet to issue orders for their release, a police official said.

In a report by Chief Supt. Philip Philips, the director of the PNP Headquarters and Support Service, to PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, the PNP has so far received one court order for the temporary release of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.

Phillips told Dela Rosa prior to a PNP command conference that they are still awaiting the  release orders that will come from three other courts hearing the cases of the Tiamzons.

Once the PNP HSS getd all the court orders, the police would release the couple, Phillips said.

The Tiamzons will be part of the formal peace negotiations between the government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Oslo, Norway, this month.

The Tiamzon couple are facing charges of illegal possession of firearms, explosives and ammunitions and harboring of criminals following their arrest in Cebu in March 2014.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said he expected the CPP-NPA to withdraw its support from the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign so the organization could maintain its relevance in the eyes of the public.

In its statement, the CPP said it will no longer join the anti-drug campaign of the Duterte administration, branding it as anti-people.

The government thrust isn’t addressing the core issues in the society that lead to proliferation of illegal narcotics, CPP said. The campaign also put poor people to the disadvantage while the privileged and influential are treated differently, it added.

Oslo talks pursued

“The President assured NDF lawyers present during the meeting in Malacañang yesterday that the NDF consultants will fly to Oslo,” Labor Secretary Silvestre ‘Bebot’ Bello said.

Bello, who heads the government panel negotiating with the NDF, will fly to the Middle East today to attend to concerns of overseas Filipino workers there and will immediately proceed to Europe for the talks.

“The President instructed the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) and the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist the NDF consultants who will be travelling to Oslo, Norway over the weekend for the formal talks slated for Monday next week, August 22,” GPH panel member Angela Librado-Trinidad said.

Several detained high-ranking NDF leaders have been allowed to post bail to be able join the peace negotiations in Oslo under the auspices of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG).

The government, upon orders of the President, did not pose objections to their temporary liberties to fast track the peace negotiations.

The CPP, along with its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA), is waging Asia’s longest running insurgency.

The NDF is the political umbrella of the CPP-NPA.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process  Dureza will head the Philippine delegation during the opening ceremonies.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/reds-expect-duterte-to-issue-new-truce

Soldiers from NegOr securing Zamboanga

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 17): Soldiers from NegOr securing Zamboanga

The Army's 11th Infantry Battalion, which moved out of Negros island recently, is now assigned in Zamboanga City.

Col. Juvy Max Uy, Task Force Zamboanga chief, yesterday said that the 11IB will help secure Zamboanga City in Mindanao.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has launched an all-out military operation against Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan and Sulu.

Uy is responsible for the security in Zamboanga, and he supervises all Army and Air Force units in the area.

Maj. Felimon Tan, AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said the additional troops stationed in Zamboanga City, apparently referring to the 11IB, form part of their security set up in the campaign against Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the AFP to end the kidnapping and other terroristic activities of the bandit group.

In 1995, the 11IB was among the units of the Army's 3 rd Infantry Division deployed to Mindanao. They returned to Negros in 1998.

On Monday, troopers of the 4th Special Forces Battalion seized the Abu Sayyaf stronghold in Barangay Silangkum, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

The 4SFB troopers also recovered several improvised explosives devices and unexploded ordnances from the bandits' 10 bunkers, four tunnels and several foxholes.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/August/17/negor2.htm

US, China navies conduct search and rescue, maneuvering events

From Update.Ph (Aug 16): US, China navies conduct search and rescue, maneuvering events

Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) man the rails before the ship breaks away from the People’s Liberation Army (Navy) Jiangkai II class frigate Daqing (FFG 576) during a Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) exercise. US Navy photo

The United States and China navies have conducted coordinated maneuvering events, Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), and a search-and-rescue (SAR) swimmer training event, the US Navy said. US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) visited Qindao, China from August 8 to 12.

US Navy said Benfold and PLA Navy’s Jiangkai II class frigate Daqing (FFG 576) practiced tactical signals to maneuver into lead and trail positions as well as CUES to facilitate clear and professional communication between the ships.

  

“This engagement helped to strengthen our continued use of CUES in an effort to reinforce international norms when operating in close proximity to each other,”
said USS Benfold operations officer aboard Lieutenant Christopher Ragsdale.

CUES is an agreement reached at the 2014 Western Pacific Naval Symposium to reduce the chance of an incident at sea between the countries in the agreement, and – in the event that one occurred – to prevent it from escalating.

The final event in the engagement between two navies practiced search and rescue where both the Daqing and Benfold searched for, and rescued, simulated victims dropped by a Chinese Navy support ship.

USS Benfold is a US Navy destroyer forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. She is currently underway in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asian Pacific.

http://www.update.ph/2016/08/us-china-navies-conduct-search-and-rescue-maneuvering-events/8583

801st army camp, to become a rehab center

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 16): 801st army camp, to become a rehab center

The 801st army camp in Samar may become a rehabilitation center for drug dependents, says Brig Gen Cesar Idio in a press conference, recently.

Idio is the Deputy Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, the army camp that President Rodrigo Duterte visited on August 8.

He said that this was one of the things the army officers talked with the President in his visit to Samar.

The camp is big and there is no signal there, he told media that covered Samar Day.

The 801st Brigade Camp lies on a hilly part of Samar province close to the boundary of Eastern Samar and can accommodate many patients, if ever, added the army officer.

It is found in Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar. Idio said that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asked the army to identify army camps that can become possible sites for rehabilitation centers.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1221471337172/801st-army-camp-to-become-a-rehab-center

Army holds squad challenge among troops

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 16): Army holds squad challenge among troops

The 14 battalions of the 10th Infantry Divisions battled it out in their annual Squad and Disaster Response Operations Challenges on August 6-9 at their headquarters in Mawab, Compostela Valley.

10th ID Spokesperson Capt Rhyan Batchar said that the squads were evaluated on their performances in the simulation activities based on the three modules – Endurance, Knowledge and Skills Test, Battle Drills and Disaster Response.

Topping all the challenges was the squad from the 68th Infantry Battalion, who won both the Squad and Disaster Response Operations Challenges.

In the squad challenge, the groups from the 39th and 66th infantry battalions placed second and third respectively; while in the Disaster Response Challenge, squads from 28th and 27th infantry battalions came in next to the champion in order.

Special awards were also given including Best in Marksmanship to the 8th Infantry Battalion,  Best in Battle Drills to the 39th Infantry Battalion and Strongest Squad to the 46th Infantry Battalion.

Capt Batchar emphasized that the challenges also allowed them to assess the capability of the squads to follow the tasking and organization in the battalion level.

He said that the activity is a prelude of the 10th year anniversary of the 10th Infantry Division, which will be celebrated on August 18.

Capt Batchar bared that Major General Eduardo M. Año, the commanding general of the Philippine Army, will be the special guest during the anniversary celebration.

Among the events during the anniversary celebration will be the blessing of the new facilities in the division’s headquarters such as officers’ club, new gate, barracks and operations facility.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2871471330373/army-holds-squad-challenge-among-troops

AFP realigns forces to stop cross-border kidnapping

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 16): AFP realigns forces to stop cross-border kidnapping

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is realigning some of its forces to stop cross-border kidnapping perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz, AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, disclosed that the 2nd Marine Brigade will be pulled out from the province of Sulu and will be deployed to Tawi-Tawi.

“We will strengthen the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, we will deploy a regular (marine) brigade there,” Dela Cruz said.

At present, a battalion of marine troops is based in Tawi-Tawi assisting the police forces in the maintenance of law and order in that province.

Tawi-Tawi is the southernmost province of the Philippines sharing sea borders with Malaysia and Indonesia.

Dela Cruz said three Army battalions will be deployed as a replacement of the 2nd Marine Brigade in Sulu and will be placed under the operational control of the Army’s 501st Infantry Brigade.

The three Army battalions are part of the six battalions of troops the AFP will deploy to the area of Westmincom.

Dela Cruz said the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi will also address other problems such as human trafficking and smuggling aside from the cross-border kidnapping.

The ASG brigands are still holding captive seven Indonesian sailors, two Europeans and six Filipinos.

The ASG brigands seized the seven Indonesian sailors in the high seas of Indonesia on June 22 and herded them to the province of Sulu.

There are other victims of cross border kidnapping perpetrated by the ASG brigands but the hostages that included Indonesians and Malaysians were already released.

The Joint Task Force Sulu is continuously conducting focused military operations to rescue and pressure the ASG brigands to release their hostages.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=914268

DSWD-Caraga extends assistance to internally displaced lumads in Agusan del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 16): DSWD-Caraga extends assistance to internally displaced lumads in Agusan del Sur

Fifty-six displaced lumad families in the municipality of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur received augmentation support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga .

A press statement from DSWD’s social marketing unit on Tuesday stated that 112 family food packs amounting to Php45, 000.00 were provided to the displaced families. Each pack contains six kilos of rice, eight tins of canned goods and six sachets of 3-in-1 coffee.

DSWD-Caraga said that prior to its augmentation support, the local government unit of Talacogon has already provided 112 food packs containing five kilos of rice, six cans of corned beef and six pieces of coffee sachets amounting to P31,360.00.

A report by the DSWD regional office here said that 56 lumad families from Purok 8, Barangay Zillovia evacuated from their homes at 1:00 p.m. on August 4. They left their houses upon learning of the presence of military personnel from the 26th Infantry Battalion of the 4th infantry Division (4ID) who conducted a community-based management information system (CBMIS) survey, interview and consultation with residents for the proposed road infrastructure and water system project in the area.

Allegedly, they were told by the New People’s Army (NPAs) that the project was just a military ploy, but in reality they will eventually be abused or even killed. As of date, they are temporarily sheltered at the gymnasium of Brgy. Zillovia.

DSWD-Caraga regional director Minda Brigoli assured that their agency’s field staff composed of Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) team and the municipal action team (MAT) are closely monitoring and continuously coordinating with the municipal social welfare and development office of Talacogon for any development on the welfare of the said lumad families.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=914336

President Duterte sees difficult talks ahead but open to settlement with Reds

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 16): President Duterte sees difficult talks ahead but open to settlement with Reds

But the series of armed encounters have exasperated the President who threatened to call off the peace negotiations if the NPA rebels continue to launch offensives and ambuscades against government troops.

But during the meeting in Malacañang yesterday, President Duterte said he is open to any proposal that "would address the root of rebellion in the countryside."

Also present during the meeting were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and BID commissioner Jaime Morante.

The GPH panel was also in complete attendance. Joining Bello in the meeting with the President was Librado-Trinidad, former agrarian reform secretary Hernani Braganza, and new GPH panel member Antonio Arellano, a retired regional state prosecutor in Region 11.

Arellano, who was detained by the Marcos government, is a close friend of President Duterte and is a former human rights lawyer like Bello.

Bello and Arellano were former anti-Marcos activists in Davao City, the home city of the President.

The NDF consultants who met with President Duterte were led by former Bayan Muna party list Rep. Satur Ocampo, NDF panel member Fidel Agcaoili and NDF lawyer Edre Olalia.

The Oslo talks are expected to tackle substantial issues on socio economic reforms, political and constitution reforms, security and immunity guarantees, cessation of hostilities and disposition of forces.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=914168

PNP: Tiamzons to remain in custody as they await more court orders for temporary freedom

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 16): PNP: Tiamzons to remain in custody as they await more court orders for temporary freedom

The Tiamzon couple will remain in the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center because the courts handling their cases have yet to issue orders for their release, a police official said on Tuesday.

In a report by Chief Supt. Philip Philips, the director of the PNP Headquarters and Support Service, to PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa, the PNP has so far received one court order for the temporary release of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.

Phillips told Dela Rosa prior to a PNP command conference that they are still waiting for release orders that will come from three other courts hearing the cases of the Tiamzons.

Once the PNP HSS get all the court orders, the police could release the couple, Phillips said.

The Tiamzons will be part of the formal peace negotiations between the government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Oslo, Norway, this month.

The Tiamzon couple are facing charges of illegal possession of firearms, explosives and ammunitions and harboring of criminals following their arrest in Cebu in March 2014.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said he expected the CPP-NPA to withdraw its support from the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign so the organization could maintain its relevance in the eyes of the public.

"Dahil kapag sige lang sila, sabay-sabay sa amin mawala 'yung kanilangrelevance," Dela Rosa said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Tuesday. "Kaya expected ko na 'yan talaga na sasalungat sila sa amin."

In its statement, the CPP said it will no longer join the anti-drug campaign of the Duterte administration, branding it as anti-people.

The government thrust isn't addressing the core issues in the society that lead to proliferation of illegal narcotics, CPP said. The campaign also put poor people to the disadvantage while the privileged and influential are treated differently, it added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=914231