Duterte: We are not cutting our alliances but will be independent

From the Philippine Star (Sep 13): Duterte: We are not cutting our alliances but will be independent



U.S. and Philippine military officers stand at attention during the entrance of the colors at the opening ceremony of the annual joint U.S.-Philippines military exercise dubbed Balikatan 2016 (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) Monday, April 4, 2016 at Camp Aguinaldo, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. The annual military drill, involving 5,000 U.S. personnel and 3,500 counterpart from the Philippines, is being conducted amidst tension in the South China Sea. AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, file

Despite his harsh criticisms against the US, President Rodrigo Duterte is not about to cut ties with Washington as he stressed that the Philippines should not be lectured upon by any country or foreign head of state.

 

“We are not going to cut our umbilical cord with the countries we are allied with,” Duterte said during the 48th anniversary of the Air Force's 250th Presidential Airlift Wing in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Tuesday.

 

“We are not cutting our alliances. (We are not cutting) military (alliances) as well. But, certainly, we will follow an independent posture and independent foreign policy,” he added.

 

Duterte issued the statement a day after he called for the withdrawal of US troops in Mindanao to avoid escalating security risks in the area. According to him, members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf hate the US so much that they are ready to abduct and kill any American they see.

 

Duterte, who has scored the US for allegedly meddling with his bloody war against illegal drugs, said he would not allow other countries to dictate on the Philippines under his watch.

 

“With regard to drugs, I’ve been in the receiving end (of criticisms). You know that. It could be funny to look at… You know, we could never be just a small country (that can be) shouted at or lectured upon by any foreign country or by any president,” the president said.

 

“As I said, in my quest for what is right for my country, I’m putting on the table at stake my honor, my life and the presidency,” he added.

 

The US has repeatedly spoken against the spate of killings and the alleged human rights violations in the Philippines, something that Duterte has viewed as an interference into the country’s internal affairs.

 

The acid-tongued Duterte believes that the US cannot preach about human rights because it is also guilty of atrocities like the massacre of about 1,000 Moros in Bud Dajo in Jolo in 1906. He also pointed out in previous speeches that the US has a mess to clean up in its own backyard such as the killing of black Americans by American policemen.

 

“(If we) have to address human rights problems, then we have to discuss the entire gamut and dimension,” Duterte said.

 

Abella said the Bud Dajo massacre is a “lingering skeleton” that “removes moral ascendancy of those criticizing the Philippines for killings.”  

 

He (Duterte) is uncovering something that has not been addressed,” he added.

 

Duterte cited the killing of male Filipinos aged ten and above in Balangiga, Samar in 1901 and the stealing of the town’s church bells that are still under US control until now.

 

“They got the bell. Until now, they hijacked it, stole it never returned it to us,” Duterte said.

 

READ: Communist party hails Duterte's announcement of independent foreign policy

'Not yet a policy'

Malacañang on Tuesday sought to play down President Duterte’s statement that he wants American troops out of Mindanao, saying it is not yet a policy and does not indicate that the Philippines is turning its back on its alliance with the US.

 

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the president merely issued an “injunction” and a “warning” about the risks being faced by Americans in Mindanao.

 

"Those statements are not policies set in stone," Abella said in a press briefing.

 

“These are backgrounders for possible future action. There’s a difference,” he added.

 

Abella admitted though that Duterte’s remarks were “layered” and could be interpreted in several ways.

 

“It serves as notice. That really, the reason why there’s trouble here is because of that presence (of the US troops),” he said.

 

When reminded that every statement of the president is perceived as a policy, Abella replied: “It's not automatically policy but it is a basis of policy.”

 

Despite Duterte’s remarks, Abella said the Philippines would continue to honor agreements like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

 

EDCA grants the US access to some Philippine bases while VFA allows American troops to hold joint exercises with Filipino soldiers on Philippine soil.

 

“We're not turning [our] back on anybody. We are just charting an independent course,” the presidential spokesman said.

 

Some US servicemen have been sent to Zamboanga City to help Philippine troops track down terrorist groups. Their role is limited to training and information sharing because the 1987 Constitution bars foreign troops from joining combat operations.

 

There are less than 200 American soldiers in Mindanao, according to a ranking military official.

 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/09/13/1623421/duterte-we-are-not-cutting-our-alliances-will-be-independent

Military offensive vs Abu Sayyaf continues

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Sep 13): Military offensive vs Abu Sayyaf continues

THE government’s focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu continue to gain headway, military officials said.

Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Arnel dela Vega said it will just be a matter of time before the troops will engage the ASG and punch a decisive blow into the bandits’ ranks and leadership.

Dela Vega on Monday, September 12, visited the soldiers to boost the morale of the troops in the frontline fighting the Abu Sayyaf bandits in hinterlands of Patikul and Talipao municipalities.

He met with Colonel Jesus Manangquil and Colonel Jose Faustino, 101st and 501st Infantry Brigade commanders, respectively, to be appraised on the progress of the focused military operations.

The Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade is based in Patikul town, while the 501st is based in Talipao municipality.

Manangquil said the troops are slowly constricting the movements of the Abu Sayyaf bandits, although they are familiar with the terrain.

“The familiarity of terrain is a noted advantage to them as of now but as our troops conduct more operations and patrols and become more familiar with the terrain, we will negate that advantage and we will deliver a decisive blow against the ASG (bandits),” Manangquil said.

“We have to cleanse Sulu of the scourge of the Abu Sayyaf and make this place peaceful so that economic activity and tourism will prosper,” Faustino said.

So far, 59 Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed since the start of the focused military operations last month.

Of the 59 casualties, 32 Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed in Sulu and 27 in Basilan.
The government troops suffered 18 killed in action, wherein 15 were killed in Sulu and three in Basilan.

Twenty-eight other soldiers, including one in Basilan, were wounded as the focused military operations continue.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/09/13/military-offensive-vs-abu-sayyaf-continues-497432

Security forces search for abducted gas station owner

From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 13): Security forces search for abducted gas station owner

Security forces have launched an operation to rescue a gas station owner who was abducted in Lanao del Norte province in southern Philippines, officials said on Tuesday.

Officials said the 57-year old Clarita Belisario was snatched by gunmen while travelling in Linamon town on Monday. Belisario’s family own a gas station in the town, but authorities said no individual or group claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Rebel and criminal groups are actively operating in Lanao del Norte and neighboring provinces where ransom kidnappings are not uncommon. The woman’s family did not give any statement and or whether a ransom has been demanded by her abductors.

The gunmen escaped with the woman in several vehicles, however, it was unclear if the cars had been stolen and used to commit the crime.

Police and military were searching for the victim in Lanao del Norte and nearby Lanao del Sur province in the Muslim autonomous region.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/security-forces-search-for-abducted-gas-station-owner/

Village chieftain, 4 others killed in ambush in Pagadian City

From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 13): Village chieftain, 4 others killed in ambush in Pagadian City

PAGADIAN CITY – Gunmen killed 5 people in an ambush Tuesday in Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, officials said.

Officials said among the dead were Marianita Pitogo, the village chieftain of Lison Valley, and her companions. One passenger was also wounded in the ambush. The victims were travelling in a jeep when gunmen attacked them near the village.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the treacherous attack and police were investigating the murders. Mayor Romeo Pulmones said Pitogo borrowed the jeep from the local government to pick up a coffin for a dead girl in the village.

The motive of the killings is still unknown. The province is a known lair of the communist New People’s Army rebels.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/village-chieftain-4-others-killed-in-ambush-in-pagadian-city/

CPP: All US military forces in entire country must go home

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 13): All US military forces in entire country must go home

GRP President Duterte can only establish mutual relations with the US as well as with China and other countries by establishing the Philippines as an independent and non-aligned country. To do so, he must end all agreements which bind the Philippines to the US and make the country a vassal of the US military. He must abrogate the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, the Mutual Logistics Service Agreement (MLSA), the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the EDCA.

Communist Party of the Philippines

September 13, 2016

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today welcomes the pronouncement yesterday of GRP President Duterte saying US special forces operating in Mindanao will “have to go.” The CPP says Duterte’s pronoucement comes at a most propitious time as the Filipino people are set to mark on Friday the 25th anniversary of the end of the Military Bases Agreement. The Filipino people must stand united and declare “Yankees, go home!”

The CPP calls on the Duterte regime to follow-through the declaration with actual political and diplomatic measures to effect the removal of US troops.

In line with his government’s declaration of pursuing an independent foreign policy, the CPP urges the Duterte government to pursue the removal of all US troops not only in Mindanao. There are US special forces, army and naval troops operating across the entire country.

Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) of 2014, the US military has set up or is setting-up facilities inside AFP camps such as Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan and Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro.

US military troops and advisers have long been operating clandestinely inside AFP camps in Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Samar, Panay, Negros and elsewhere. US troops remain stationed in Guian, Samar, which they have not left since 2013 after extending “assistance” in the wake of supertyphoon Yolanda. Many US soldiers are not Caucasian so as not to attract attention.

There are also so-called “rotating troops” around the country including inside Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base and Villamor Air Base. Thousands of US troops regularly dock at various ports of the country for “rest and recreation” subjecting Filipino women to rape and abuse.

There are US military personnel inside the AFP’s Camp Aguinaldo as well as FBI and NYPD agents inside the PNP’s Camp Crame. In a display of gross lack of national dignity, the AFP has allowed the US military to maintain an exclusive compound inside its main headquarters which is off-limits even to the top generals of the AFP. The US government has kept convicted US Navy serviceman

 Joseph Scott Pemberton detained inside an American facility in Camp Aguinaldo in a flagrant violation and contempt of Philippine laws.

The Duterte government must stand against the US military flying surveillance drones and dropping so-called “smart bombs”. Duterte must demand clear information to the February 2, 2012 incident where scores of civilians, including a religious leader, were killed by a US a “smart bomb” dropped in Parang, Sulu, where the AFP first announced the “neutralization” of so-called terrorist Marwan.

The GRP President must also investigate and demand a clear and complete accounting of all clandestine operations carried out in Sulu, the rest of Mindanao as well as other parts of the country.

GRP President Duterte can only establish mutual relations with the US as well as with China and other countries by establishing the Philippines as an independent and non-aligned country. To do so, he must end all agreements which bind the Philippines to the US and make the country a vassal of the US military. He must abrogate the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, the Mutual Logistics Service Agreement (MLSA), the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the EDCA.

Only then can the Philippines stand on solid ground to demand equality and respect.

http://www.cpp.ph/us-military-forces-entire-country-must-go-home/

CPP: Positive significance of Duterte’s avowal to uphold an independent foreign policy

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 11): Positive significance of Duterte’s avowal to uphold an independent foreign policy

Duterte's avowal of an independent foreign policy bodes well for peace negotiations with the NDFP. The principle upholding an independent and peaceful foreign policy is among the key items in the 12-point program of the NDFP. Such policy congruence between the Duterte regime and the NDFP program can serve as one of the solid starting points in forging agreements on socio-economic and political reforms.
Communist Party of the Philippines

September 11, 2016

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) appreciates the positive significance of the pronouncement by GRP President Duterte yesterday that he will pursue an independent foreign policy and insist on “sovereign equality, non-interference and commitment to peaceful settlements.”

The Filipino people welcomes Duterte’s avowal to uphold an independent foreign policy which came a few days after denouncing US meddling in the Philippines and recalling the history of US crimes in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, during US colonization of the country.

Duterte has the distinction of being the first GRP president to set himself squarely opposed to US and foreign meddling in the internal affairs of the Philippines. While formally stated in the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the principle of an independent foreign policy has never been promoted nor practiced by the successive puppet presidents from Roxas to Aquino.

The CPP and all revolutionary forces urge GRP President Duterte to put to concrete practice his declared policy of promoting an independent foreign policy. The CPP sees positive implications if such an avowal is actively pursued and translated into specific and concrete policies.

GRP President Duterte can work together with the patriotic forces to rouse the Filipino people from the stupor of colonial mentality and undo close to a century of US brainwashing. It is fine that he has helped set light on the dark history of US brutalities in the Philippines by recalling the Bud Dajo massacre of 1906, a photograph of which he presented before the ASEAN. He did so to castigate the US for its hypocrisy in using human rights to meddle in Philippine affairs, particularly in his anti-drug war, which has fast become a campaign of police and vigilante killings targeting mostly small users and street peddlers.

Indeed the Filipino people must recall the barbarities that the US unleashed in the 1899-1913 war of aggression and colonization across the entire country. Duterte can help by highlighting as well how US colonial forces carried out massacres, torture, razing of entire barrios and forced concentration of peoples in the “kill and burn” campaign to suppress the Filipino people’s armed and mass resistance.

It is estimated that 1.5 million Filipinos were killed and died in the course of the US war to colonize the Philippines. Not one American official has been made to answer for the numerous heinous war crimes of the US colonial forces, not even Gen. Jacob Smith, who ordered the killing of all male over ten years old in the campaign to turn Samar into a “howling wilderness.” Duterte must raise the demand for the US to return the Balangiga bells, which the US military took as war booty from Samar in 1903.

Duterte can work with the people’s patriotic forces to generate an educational and cultural campaign to bring forth a renaissance of Filipino nationalism, similar to the educational campaign launched by the eminent nationalist Claro M. Recto in the late 1950s.

In line with an independent foreign policy, Duterte must also declare and pursue a policy of non-alignment by ending dependence on US military aid as well as doctrinal affiliation with US counter insurgency ideology. As an advocate of national independence, he can push the Philippine armed forces to undergo progressive and anti imperialist re-education to counter US influence and control, as is being done by the anti-imperialist governments of Bolivia and Venezuela.

He can furthermore take lead in the revival of an international non aligned movement (NAM) akin to that initiated by Indonesia’s Sukarno in the 1960s. As a country hosting US military bases, the Philippines was never part of the NAM countries and would not benefit from it.

Duterte, however, can stand on moral highground and lead such a movement by making the country fully compliant with the principles of non-alignment by: (a) dismantling of all US military facilities; (b) causing the withdrawal of all US troops, warships, jet-fighters, drones and other war materiél stationed in the Philippines; and (c) rescinding the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and other unequal military treaties.

Duterte can serve to restore a bit of national dignity by ordering the transfer of US navy officer Scott Pemberton, convicted of raping and murdering Jennifer Laude, from his detention center in a US controlled compound inside Camp Aguinaldo to a prison under the authority of the Philippine government.

The Duterte government can also initiate a multicountry declaration calling for the pull-out of all US warships and Chinese military vessels in the South China Sea to effect the demilitarization of that international trade route.

An independent foreign policy can also have profound effect in the field of economic policy. The Duterte government can forge economic ties with all countries regardless of their alignments. As a country tied to the US and dependent on US-aligned institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, economic opportunities beyond the US-dominated economic world were long closed to the Philippines.

With an independent foreign policy, the Philippines can assert its national prerogative to forge trade agreements with countries such as Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Russia, North Korea and China who can offer the country crude oil and other resources at much lower prices, as well as scientific advancements, in mutually beneficial economic agreements.

The Duterte government can also pursue a policy of ending dependence on, without cutting ties with, the IMF and IMF-affiliated banks and financial institututions; and promoting ties with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Thus, the Philippines can put itself in a position where it can take advantage of choosing better terms for capital infusion in the form of loans. Such international standing can be taken advantaged of countries by consolidating themselves in an international non-aligned movement.

By promoting an independent foreign policy and asserting mutuality and equality, the Philippines can further promote its ties with China without becoming its lackey. Fully aware of the oversupply of uninvestable capital and unsold capital goods (such as steel) in China, the Duterte government can offer to open joint infrastructure projects that will allow China to expand its investments but with clear terms protecting Philippine patrimony from unmitigated plunder and oppressive interest rates on loans.

An independent foreign policy must also translate into a clear economic program that promotes economic independence and the capacity of the country to stand on its own legs, while engaging in trade and allowing foreign investments that are necessary, e.g. developing steel and machine building industries, and advantageous, e.g. transfer of technology, to the domestic economy. The Duterte government must reject blind economic liberalization, such as those being pushed by the US through the GATT, WTO, APEC and TPP, as well as by China through the RCEP.

Duterte’s avowal of an independent foreign policy bodes well for peace negotiations with the NDFP. The principle upholding an independent and peaceful foreign policy is among the key items in the 12-point program of the NDFP. Such policy congruence between the Duterte regime and the NDFP program can serve as one of the solid starting points in forging agreements on socio-economic and political reforms.

http://www.cpp.ph/positive-significance-dutertes-avowal-uphold-independent-foreign-policy/

DWDD: SPIRITUAL GUIDE | 5ID Post Chaplain Celebrates 8th Year of Priesthood

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 12): SPIRITUAL GUIDE | 5ID Post Chaplain Celebrates 8th Year of Priesthood



Brigadier General Paul T Atal, D.P.A. AFP, Commander, 5ID, PA give his present to Rev Fr.  Erwin Marc  D. Chavez Post Catholic Chaplain during the celebration of his 7^th Priesthood Anniversary held at San Lorenzo Ruiz Kiosk, Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela on September 11, 2016.

Camp Melchor F.Dela Cruz, UpiGamu, Isabela (DWDD) – 5^th Infantry (STAR) Division Post Catholic Chaplain Rev Fr. Erwin Marc D Chavez celebrates his 7^th Priesthood Anniversary through a celebrated mass last September 11, 2016 at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Post Chapel, Camp Melchor F.Dela Cruz, Pui, Gamu, Isabela.

The celebrated Sunday Mass were attended by the 5ID Troopers and their family headed by the father of the Star Troopers B Gen Paul T Atal, D.P.A. AFP.

Father Chavez was assigned in 5^th Infantry (Star) Division, Philippine Army as Post Catholic Chaplain on May 12, 2016 as reliever of Captain Tyron S. Narisma (Chaplain Service) Philippine Army who is undergoing Schooling at AFP Medical Center, AFP Medical Service School, Camp Col Victoriano K Luna, V. Luna, Quezon City.

Father Chavez hosted a simple lunch for his Star Division family and civilian friends held at San Lorenzo Ruiz Kiosk, Camp Melchor F. dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela.

BGEN ATAL on his greetings to Fr. Chavez, “Happy, Happy 7^th Priesthood Anniversary to you Father! Naway gabayan ka ng ating Panginoon sa iyong bokasyon at patuloy mong matulungan ang mga kasama nating Sundalo na sila ay ipanalangin sa Maykapal at ilayo sa ano mang kapahamakan lalo na sa mga kasamahan nating naka-deploy sa Sulu.” BGEN ATAL said. 5DPAO / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/spiritual-guide-5id-post-chaplain-celebrates-8th-year-of-priesthood/

DWDD: STRENGTHENING MORALE | JTF Sulu Commander visits Troops

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Sep 12): STRENGTHENING MORALE | JTF Sulu Commander visits Troops



CAMP BAUTISTA, Sulu (DWDD) – The Sulu Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines visited troops in the frontline fighting the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in hinterlands of Patikul and Talipao towns the whole day today.

Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Joint Task Force Sulu Commander met troops of the 101st Infantry Brigade in Patikul led by Col Jesus Manangquil and the 501st Infantry Brigade headed by Col Jose Faustino. Brig.

Gen. Dela Vega’s visit intends to boost the morale of troops in the field and was at the same time appraised on the progress of the focused military operations. Several media were also among the contingent and able to see first-hand the situation and the untiring efforts of troops to pursue the ASG.

Asked by media on the complexity of the operation, Brig. Gen. Dela Vega said “it will just be a matter of time before our troops will engage the ASG and punch a decisive blow into their ranks and leadership”.

When asked by media on particular advantage of the ASG on terrain familiarity, Col Jesus Mananguil of 101Bde said, “the familiarity of terrain is a noted advantage to them as of now but as our troops conduct more operations and patrols and become more familiar with the terrain, we will negate that advantage and we will deliver a decisive blow against the ASG.

Media and NGOs accompanying the visit marvelled at the scenic beauty of the place from Patikul to Talipao. Col Jose Faustino of 501Bde said “We have to cleanse Sulu of the scourge of the Abu Sayyaf and make this place peaceful so that economic activity and tourism will prosper”.

The latest tally of ASG killed is 59 (32 in Sulu, 27 in Basilan) while govt troops suffered 18 killed in action (15 in Sulu, three in Basilan); 28 wounded in action (27 in Sulu, one in Basilan). JTFS / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/strengthening-morale-jtf-sulu-commander-visits-troops/

MILF: Mercy Islamic Foundation holds Eidul Adha educational exhibit in Davao Mall

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Sep 11): Mercy Islamic Foundation holds Eidul Adha educational exhibit in Davao Mall



The Mercy Islamic Foundation (MIF)  initiates a 3-day photo exhibit on Hajj and Eidul Adha at SM Ecoland in Davao City in a bid to educate the public about pilgrimage to Mecca and convey the true meaning of Islam.

The exhibit started Friday (Sept 9) will be open for public viewing until this coming Sunday.

A team of Asatidz (Islamic teachers) is present in the exhibit area to answer inquiries about Hajj, Eidul Adha and Islam.

The initiative is part of the program of MIF to propagate Islam as a complete way of life and a faith that fosters understanding, patience, brotherhood, generosity, fear to the Almighty and tolerance.

Performing Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every year, millions of devout Muslims from around the world gather in the holy land to fulfil the religious duty which is obligatory to Muslims who can afford and in good health.

Eidul Adha, which marks the culmination of Hajj, is one of the two Muslim holidays celebrated by millions of followers of Islamic faith worldwide.

Malacanang Palace has already issued a proclamation declaring September 12, 2016 as holiday in the whole country in observance of the celebration of Eidul Adha.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/22-davao-region/886-mercy-islamic-foundation-holds-eidul-adha-educational-exhibit-in-davao-mall

MILF: Plan Int’l showcases in social media 4 short films on Child Protection in observance of Peace Month

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Sep 11): Plan Int’l showcases in social media 4 short films on Child Protection in observance of Peace Month



Plan International-Philippines, an International NGO championing Child’s Rights and Child Protection, showcases over facebook this September- the month of Peace, four short films that convey the messages of the young Mindanaoans to be protected and their rights to be respected.

The films are shown on the following schedules: "Books, not bullets" September 8, 3PM; "Friend, not foe" September 10, 8PM;. "Child, not parent" September 22, 3PM; and "School, not army" September 24, 8PM.

The documentary audio-video campaign materials were produced last year by Plan International and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as part of their drive in promoting the rights of the young generation in Southern Philippines affected by or vulnerable to conflict.

“Friend, not foe” depicts story of two best friends that were divided by Rido or clan feud, an issue besetting some Bangsamoro communities. “Child, not parent” conveys the message of a young girl whose rights is violated by her mother. The two remaining films pertain to armed conflict and education.

Since it was released in 2015, the films have been used as campaign materials promoting child’s rights and child protection by UNICEF and Plan International particularly in the conflict affected communities in Mindanao.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/19-national/884-plan-int-l-showcases-in-social-media-4-short-films-on-child-protection-in-observance-of-peace-month

MILF: Ebrahim asks Moros to be mindful of challenges

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Sep 12): Ebrahim asks Moros to be mindful of challenges



MILF Chairman Alhaj Murad Ebrahim appealed on the eve of the Eidul Adha celebration to the Bangsamoro people to be “conscious of the challenges” facing them especially after the past Philippine administration failed to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Eidul Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice was commemorated with an early morning congregational prayer on September 12 by the Bangsamoro people, a ritual that was also observed by the world’s more-than-a-billion Muslims.

In his annual message read over Suara Mindanao radio program, Ebrahim also called on the Bangsamoro to be united as formal engagement with the new administration of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has been started already to move forward the GPH-MILF Peace Process.

The MILF chieftain said that the entire Front and its agencies are “altogether engaging efforts with the international community” to sustain and further strengthen the latter’s support to the peace process.

He narrated how the MILF and the new administration agreed to proceed with the peace process, beginning with the visit last July 21 of new OPAPP Sec. Jesus Dureza to Camp Darapanan and the August 13 formal launching of the respective MILF and GPH Peace Implementing Panels in Kuala Lumpur.

The renaming of Peace Negotiating Panel to Peace Implementing Panel reflects the two Parties’ consensus that the focus now will be on the implementation of signed agreements since “negotiation is already concluded after the signing of the FAB and CAB.”

The Panels have met on August 29 and 30 at Davao City to review the draft executive order for a reconstituted Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which is part of the substantive aspects of the peace and development roadmap.

They are scheduled to meet again in the last week of the current month.

Ebrahim urged all officers, commanders and members of the MILF Political Wing and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) to “continue upholding (their) earlier directive to strictly abide by the instructions and guidelines of the MILF Central Committee.”

He exhorted them to uphold the primacy of the peace process but to be vigilant and persevering also “towards any future eventuality.”

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/888-ebrahim-asks-moros-to-be-mindful-of-challenges

IN THE KNOW: Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 13): IN THE KNOW: Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines

IN FEBRUARY last year, the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTFP), a US-led antiterrorism group which provided training to Philippine security forces, was deactivated after 13 years in Mindanao.
US soldiers numbering between 500 and 600 were based indefinitely in the Philippines in 2011, government officials said.

The American soldiers assigned to JSOTFP work alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines in a strictly noncombatant role. They advise and share information and conduct joint civil military operations with the AFP and some of them are in Manila performing support roles such as procurement, government officials have previously said.

The deactivation of JSOTFP came in the wake of the botched Mamasapano operation in Maguindanao province on Jan. 25, 2015, in which 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, 17 Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and three civilians were killed.

An Inquirer report said that the Mamasapano operation to get international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” was directed by an American and that at least eight Americans were monitoring from the SAF command post in Shariff Aguak. The US Embassy denied the report.

JSOTFP’S deactivation, however, did not mean there would be a complete withdrawal of US military personnel from Mindanao as a new group, Forward Liaison Element,  will work with the Philippine military and police “to provide operational assistance and continue the partnership in a noncombat role,” according to Col. Erick Brown, who headed the group.

In February, the six-month SAF commando course, led by US soldiers, on tactical combat care and life-saving support began.

The basing of foreign military troops in the Philippines is explicitly prohibited in the 1987 Constitution and in 1991, the Senate voted to reject a proposed new bases treaty with the United States.

But existing agreements—the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement—have allowed US military visits in the country, including participation in the Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) exercise.

Further, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), allows increased rotational presence of American troops in the country.

Edca, which reinforces the Mutual Defense Treaty, was signed in April 2014 and its constitutionality was upheld by the Supreme Court in January.

In March, five locations where American forces will have access under Edca were identified. They are Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa City in western Palawan province, which faces the hotly contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea; Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City in southern Mindanao; Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga province; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province; and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu province.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/814848/in-the-know-joint-special-operations-task-force-philippines

Duterte says he snubbed Obama at summit

From ABS-CBN (Sep 13): Duterte says he snubbed Obama at summit



Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte insisted Monday that he snubbed US leader Barack Obama and not the other way around on the eve of their scheduled summit in Laos last week.

Duterte sparked a storm ahead of an Asian gathering by labelling Obama a "son of a whore", and prompting the president to cancel planned talks between the two allies. The pair met briefly later in Laos after Duterte expressed regret.

But the fiery Filipino leader said Monday that in fact he decided to scrap the meeting in reaction to US criticism of his bloody anti-crime campaign, which has claimed almost 3,000 lives since he took office.

"I purposely did not attend the bilateral talks (with)... the president of the United States," Duterte said in a speech to police and military personnel.

"I really skipped that one."

"You cannot just (lecture) a president of a sovereign state. Even Obama. It would be wrong for him to do that. That is why I swore against him."

The former prosecutor mocked the "bleeding hearts" who criticised him for his human rights abuses, and reiterated his call for security forces to kill drug suspects and other criminals.

Duterte won presidential elections by a landslide this year after promising that tens of thousands of people would be killed in an unprecedented law-and-order crackdown.

Security forces have relentlessly followed his orders since he took office on June 30.

But his actions have sparked a wave of international condemnation, including from the UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the US State Department.

In a brief encounter in Laos, Obama urged the Filipino leader to conduct his crime war "the right way" and protect human rights, but Duterte dismissed it as being none of America's business.

Earlier Monday, Duterte said he was ordering all US special forces to leave the troubled southern Philippines where they have been advising local troops in battling Muslim extremists, saying the West was at the root of the persistent Muslim insurgency.

The US is the country's main defence ally and former colonial ruler.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/12/16/duterte-says-he-snubbed-obama-at-summit

Cuisia optimistic PH will still get US military aid

From ABS-CBN (Sep 13): Cuisia optimistic PH will still get US military aid

 

Manila's former envoy to Washington says he's optimistic about the U.S. continuing its military support to the Philippines, despite the tension that arose from President Rodrigo Duterte's comments against the United States. - The World Tonight, ANC, September 12, 2016

http://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/09/12/16/cuisia-optimistic-ph-will-still-get-us-military-aid

U.S. says no official demand from Philippines to pull out special forces

From ABS-CBN (Sep 13): U.S. says no official demand from Philippines to pull out special forces

 

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby. File photo via Reuters

A U.S. State Department spokesman, commenting on remarks by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday calling for the withdrawal of U.S. special forces from a southern island, said Washington had not officially received such a demand.

State Department spokesman John Kirby told a news briefing that he had seen reports about Duterte's comments, but "we are not aware of any official communication by the Philippine government ... to seek that result." The United States is committed to its alliance with the Philippines, he added.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/12/16/us-says-no-official-demand-from-philippines-to-pull-out-special-forces