From ABS-CBN (Jun 9): Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and 9 others surrender in Basilan
A sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf group and nine of his men surrendered to the Philippine Army's 64th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan on Friday morning, the military said.
In a statement, the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) said sub-leader Bobong Mastul and his men surrendered due to the intensified campaign against lawlessness by Joint Task Force Basilan.
"We, the team Wesmincom, welcomes all those who wish to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law," said Wesmincom chief Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega.
The group also surrendered high-powered firearms including three M16 rifles, an M79 grenade launcher, a sub-machine pistol, a 5.56 mm carbine, an M1 Garand rifle, various magazines and ammunition, and assorted communication equipment.
They are still in the custody of the 64IB for profiling, custodial debriefing, and proper documentation of the firearms they turned over.
They will then be integrated with the "Balik-loob" program of the government.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/09/18/abu-sayyaf-sub-leader-and-9-others-surrender-in-basilan
Saturday, June 9, 2018
10 Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan surrender, yield high-powered guns
From GMA News (Jun 9): 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan surrender, yield high-powered guns
Ten Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in Basilan on Friday surrendered and turned over their high-powered firearms to the military.
A press release from the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) on Saturday said that Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Bobong Mastul alias "Bobong" and nine of his followers turned over their firearms to the 64th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Sumisip, Basilan.
Pressure from the intensified military campaign against lawless elements in the province supposedly forced the ASG members to surrender.
Also, the press release quoted Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan, as saying that "Combined efforts of government troops and local government officials resulted in the surrender of the bandits."
Surrendered firearms by Mastul's group include three M16 rifles, one M79 grenade launcher, an Ingram sub-machine pistol, a 5.56mm carbine, an M1 Garand rifle and various magazines, ammunition, and assorted communication equipment.
"We welcome all those who wish to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law," WesMinCom commanded Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega was quoted in the press release as saying.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/656265/10-abu-sayyaf-bandits-in-basilan-surrender-yield-high-powered-guns/story/
Ten Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in Basilan on Friday surrendered and turned over their high-powered firearms to the military.
A press release from the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) on Saturday said that Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Bobong Mastul alias "Bobong" and nine of his followers turned over their firearms to the 64th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Sumisip, Basilan.
Pressure from the intensified military campaign against lawless elements in the province supposedly forced the ASG members to surrender.
Also, the press release quoted Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan, as saying that "Combined efforts of government troops and local government officials resulted in the surrender of the bandits."
Surrendered firearms by Mastul's group include three M16 rifles, one M79 grenade launcher, an Ingram sub-machine pistol, a 5.56mm carbine, an M1 Garand rifle and various magazines, ammunition, and assorted communication equipment.
"We welcome all those who wish to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law," WesMinCom commanded Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega was quoted in the press release as saying.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/656265/10-abu-sayyaf-bandits-in-basilan-surrender-yield-high-powered-guns/story/
AFP seeks P51.3M to buy land for new camp in Marawi
From Politiko Mindanao (Jun 9): AFP seeks P51.3M to buy land for new camp in Marawi
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is asking President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of P51.3 million for the purchase of land for a new military camp in Marawi City, an official said Friday.
Colonel Antonio Francisco, deputy commander of AFP Civil Relations Service, in the Bangon Marawi briefing in Malacanang said that the Task Force Bangon Marawi has already given its nod for the land acquisition for the establishment of a second camp.
“It (proposal) is now at the Office of the President,” he said.
Aside from the budget for the purchase of land, he said up for approval also of the President is the P38.8 million for surveying the Camp Ranao,the base of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade under the military’s 1st Infantry Division.
Contrary to reports, Task Force Bangon Marawi chairman Eduardo del Rosario said the new camp would not be built in the center of the Islamic City.
“Actually that is outside MAA (most affected area), asa periphery lang to secure MAA, most especially during the rehabilitation phase,” he said.
Following the five-month Marawi siege last year, Duterte has said there would be a new military camp to be built in the city.
http://mindanao.politics.com.ph/afp-seeks-p51-3m-to-buy-land-for-new-camp-in-marawi/
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is asking President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of P51.3 million for the purchase of land for a new military camp in Marawi City, an official said Friday.
Colonel Antonio Francisco, deputy commander of AFP Civil Relations Service, in the Bangon Marawi briefing in Malacanang said that the Task Force Bangon Marawi has already given its nod for the land acquisition for the establishment of a second camp.
“It (proposal) is now at the Office of the President,” he said.
Aside from the budget for the purchase of land, he said up for approval also of the President is the P38.8 million for surveying the Camp Ranao,the base of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade under the military’s 1st Infantry Division.
Contrary to reports, Task Force Bangon Marawi chairman Eduardo del Rosario said the new camp would not be built in the center of the Islamic City.
“Actually that is outside MAA (most affected area), asa periphery lang to secure MAA, most especially during the rehabilitation phase,” he said.
Following the five-month Marawi siege last year, Duterte has said there would be a new military camp to be built in the city.
http://mindanao.politics.com.ph/afp-seeks-p51-3m-to-buy-land-for-new-camp-in-marawi/
10 Sayyaf terrorists yield in Basilan province
From the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 9): 10 Sayyaf terrorists yield in Basilan province
Ten Abu Sayyaf terrorists have surrendered in the restive Muslim province of Basilan and the military said they would be reintegrated into society as part of the government’s so-called Balik-Loob program.
The terrorists led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Bobong Mastul surrendered with their weapons in Sumisip town on Friday, according to the Western Mindanao Command.
Quoting the terrorists, Colonel Gerry Besana, an army spokesman, said the Abu Sayyaf fighters “finally decided to re-embrace Islam and ask forgiveness for all their wrong-doings upon hearing the encouragements (to surrender peacefully) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and by President Rodrigo Duterte himself.”
He said the terrorists were also forced to yield due to hardship as a result of the intensified campaign against lawlessness by the military’s Joint Task Force Basilan.
The military released the names of the other terrorists as Atotong Sarahadil, Mudzrie Salahudin Jabbon, Sapwan Kapitan Aliman, Nassir Jaid Tahil, Hair Tiglama Kawakibon, Adeh Kawakibon, Rubin Ikih, Aminin Baliyong and Suedin Muril.
The group yielded three M16 automatic rifles, an M79 grenade launcher, an Ingram machine pistol, a Carbine and Garand rifles and assorted ammunition and radio communication equipment.
It was unclear whether the terrorists could avail the Balik-Loob program because it was created to reintegrate surrendered communist New People’s Army rebels into society.
While suspected drug users and pushers were being killed in the government’s war on drugs, the government has freed and provided financial aid to the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
Dozens of terrorists had surrendered to the Western Mindanao Command since last year and were eventually returned to their provinces despite their involvements in brutal killings of soldiers and civilians, and deadly bombings and ransom kidnappings in the region.
https://mindanaoexaminer.com/10-sayyaf-terrorists-yield-in-basilan-province/
Ten Abu Sayyaf terrorists have surrendered in the restive Muslim province of Basilan and the military said they would be reintegrated into society as part of the government’s so-called Balik-Loob program.
The terrorists led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Bobong Mastul surrendered with their weapons in Sumisip town on Friday, according to the Western Mindanao Command.
Quoting the terrorists, Colonel Gerry Besana, an army spokesman, said the Abu Sayyaf fighters “finally decided to re-embrace Islam and ask forgiveness for all their wrong-doings upon hearing the encouragements (to surrender peacefully) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and by President Rodrigo Duterte himself.”
He said the terrorists were also forced to yield due to hardship as a result of the intensified campaign against lawlessness by the military’s Joint Task Force Basilan.
The military released the names of the other terrorists as Atotong Sarahadil, Mudzrie Salahudin Jabbon, Sapwan Kapitan Aliman, Nassir Jaid Tahil, Hair Tiglama Kawakibon, Adeh Kawakibon, Rubin Ikih, Aminin Baliyong and Suedin Muril.
The group yielded three M16 automatic rifles, an M79 grenade launcher, an Ingram machine pistol, a Carbine and Garand rifles and assorted ammunition and radio communication equipment.
It was unclear whether the terrorists could avail the Balik-Loob program because it was created to reintegrate surrendered communist New People’s Army rebels into society.
While suspected drug users and pushers were being killed in the government’s war on drugs, the government has freed and provided financial aid to the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
Dozens of terrorists had surrendered to the Western Mindanao Command since last year and were eventually returned to their provinces despite their involvements in brutal killings of soldiers and civilians, and deadly bombings and ransom kidnappings in the region.
https://mindanaoexaminer.com/10-sayyaf-terrorists-yield-in-basilan-province/
Bulatlat: 2 political prisoners whisked away from Crame
From the Communist Party of the Philippines/National Democratic Front-associated online propaganda publication Bulatlat (Jun 9): 2 political prisoners whisked away from Crame
As of press time, however, the local chapter of human rights alliance Karapatan in the province said Ben Quilloy and Rita Espinoza have not reached their supposed destination.
`
Political prisoners Ben Quilloy and Rita Espinoza were taken by Bayugan policemen from Camp Crame at around 2 p.m. yesterday, June 8 without the knowledge of their relatives and lawyers.
Ma. Sol Taule, one of the lawyers of the two development workers, told Bulatlat that she learned that Quilloy and Espinoza were to be transferred to Bayugan Munical Police Station in Agusan del Sur. Quilloy is charged with murder while Espinoza is facing charges of robbery and arson.
As of press time, however, the local chapter of human rights alliance Karapatan in the province said the two have not reached their supposed destination.
Taule added the policemen did not allow Quilloy and Espinoza to bring their maintenance medicines and personal belongings.
Brenda Gonzalez, convenor of Assert Socio-Economic Initiatives Network (ASCENT) condemned the “dubious move by state forces.” She reiterated that the two are innocent of the fake charges against them.
“They are among the countless development workers who have dedicated their lives to serve the poor and marginalized, but are being vilified, threatened, and harassed by the government,” Gonzalez said.
One violation after another
Quilloy and Espinoza were arrested without warrant on Oct. 19, 2017 by combined elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. The two just came from a week-long consultation with Negros sugar farmers when they were arrested.
They were denied access to their lawyers when they were subjected to inquest in Kabankalan. On Oct. 20, 2017 the two were transferred to Camp Crame in Cubao, Quezon City without the knowledge of their lawyers and relatives.
On October 24, 2017, former PNP Director General Ronald de la Rosa presented Quilloy and Espinoza to the media, claiming that they are high-ranking members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
http://bulatlat.com/main/2018/06/09/2-political-prisoners-whisked-away-crame/
As of press time, however, the local chapter of human rights alliance Karapatan in the province said Ben Quilloy and Rita Espinoza have not reached their supposed destination.
`
Political prisoners Ben Quilloy and Rita Espinoza were taken by Bayugan policemen from Camp Crame at around 2 p.m. yesterday, June 8 without the knowledge of their relatives and lawyers.
Ma. Sol Taule, one of the lawyers of the two development workers, told Bulatlat that she learned that Quilloy and Espinoza were to be transferred to Bayugan Munical Police Station in Agusan del Sur. Quilloy is charged with murder while Espinoza is facing charges of robbery and arson.
As of press time, however, the local chapter of human rights alliance Karapatan in the province said the two have not reached their supposed destination.
Taule added the policemen did not allow Quilloy and Espinoza to bring their maintenance medicines and personal belongings.
Brenda Gonzalez, convenor of Assert Socio-Economic Initiatives Network (ASCENT) condemned the “dubious move by state forces.” She reiterated that the two are innocent of the fake charges against them.
“They are among the countless development workers who have dedicated their lives to serve the poor and marginalized, but are being vilified, threatened, and harassed by the government,” Gonzalez said.
One violation after another
Quilloy and Espinoza were arrested without warrant on Oct. 19, 2017 by combined elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. The two just came from a week-long consultation with Negros sugar farmers when they were arrested.
They were denied access to their lawyers when they were subjected to inquest in Kabankalan. On Oct. 20, 2017 the two were transferred to Camp Crame in Cubao, Quezon City without the knowledge of their lawyers and relatives.
On October 24, 2017, former PNP Director General Ronald de la Rosa presented Quilloy and Espinoza to the media, claiming that they are high-ranking members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
http://bulatlat.com/main/2018/06/09/2-political-prisoners-whisked-away-crame/
Duterte: Peace talks with Reds may resume in July
From the Philippine Star (Jun 9): Duterte: Peace talks with Reds may resume in July
Government peace panel chairman Silvestre Bello III said the peace panel will seek an interim peace agreement with the National Democratic Front (NDF) before the formal restart of the peace talks.
The NDF is the umbrella organization representing the CPP and its guerrilla front, New People’s Army (NPA), in the peace talks with the government.
Bello said the interim peace agreement will be coupled with a coordinated unilateral ceasefire.
From there, Bello said they will be talking about possible proclamation of amnesty for the rebels but subject to concurrence of Congress.
The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), however, decried the continued harassment by the military on communities suspected of harboring the NPA.
Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should refrain from militarizing communities once peace talks resume.
“The bigger concern right now – a major hindrance to peace – is the intensifying AFP operations against civilians,” Reyes said.
“Communities continue to be militarized. Civilians are being rounded up and forced to ‘surrender’ as NPA combatants. Activists are being arrested and slapped with trumped-up charges,” he said.
The group said the AFP and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana should explain if the arrests of civilians that included farmers and activists would cease one peace talks resume.
“The way we see it, the biggest threats to the resumption of the peace talks come from the ranks of the military, from the likes of Lorenzana,” he said.
Reyes said Bayan supports the resumption of the peace talks to address the roots of the armed conflict.
“This goes beyond just ceasefire agreements. Socio-economic reforms are urgently needed to address poverty, which is the reason why rebellion exists in the country,” Reyes said.
This developed as the military raided a suspected food supply chain of the NPA in Bukidnon on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the military killed a suspected NPA rebel during an encounter in Apayao province yesterday.
The military said this showed the communist leadership has heightened their recruitment of new members in a bid to reestablish their presence in key areas in Northern Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the Visayas.
After giving a two-month ultimatum to return to the negotiating table, President Duterte revealed Thursday that formal peace negotiations between the government and the communist rebels may resume in July.
Duterte told the gathering of new-elected barangay chairmen in Lapu-Lapu City of positive developments in the peace talks with the communists.
He said he called on exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison to come to start the peace talks.
Duterte told the gathering of new-elected barangay chairmen in Lapu-Lapu City of positive developments in the peace talks with the communists.
He said he called on exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison to come to start the peace talks.
“I will be talking to the rebels. I’m talking to Sison. We will start the talks maybe July,” he said.
Duterte in November cancelled the peace talks with communist rebels, accusing them of bad faith in deadly attacks against soldiers and police while peace negotiations are ongoing.
Duterte had already shelved a round of negotiations in May and informal talks in July last year, citing deadly guerrilla attacks on security forces.
Duterte appealed to the communist rebels to lay down their arms as a sign of good faith for the renewed peace negotiations.
“If there will be no decommissioning of firearms, nothing will happen,” he said.
Sison earlier reiterated he will only return to the country if there will be substantial progress in the peace talks.
Sison pressed for a ceasefire deal, amnesty proclamation for political prisoners and an agreement on agrarian reform and rural development and national industrialization and economic development, key components of the proposed Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms, as vital parts of the interim peace agreement.
Sison said the peace negotiations have become even more pressing due to the economic crisis, imperial exploitation and plunder of the country.
Duterte in November cancelled the peace talks with communist rebels, accusing them of bad faith in deadly attacks against soldiers and police while peace negotiations are ongoing.
Duterte had already shelved a round of negotiations in May and informal talks in July last year, citing deadly guerrilla attacks on security forces.
Duterte appealed to the communist rebels to lay down their arms as a sign of good faith for the renewed peace negotiations.
“If there will be no decommissioning of firearms, nothing will happen,” he said.
Sison earlier reiterated he will only return to the country if there will be substantial progress in the peace talks.
Sison pressed for a ceasefire deal, amnesty proclamation for political prisoners and an agreement on agrarian reform and rural development and national industrialization and economic development, key components of the proposed Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms, as vital parts of the interim peace agreement.
Sison said the peace negotiations have become even more pressing due to the economic crisis, imperial exploitation and plunder of the country.
Government peace panel chairman Silvestre Bello III said the peace panel will seek an interim peace agreement with the National Democratic Front (NDF) before the formal restart of the peace talks.
The NDF is the umbrella organization representing the CPP and its guerrilla front, New People’s Army (NPA), in the peace talks with the government.
Bello said the interim peace agreement will be coupled with a coordinated unilateral ceasefire.
From there, Bello said they will be talking about possible proclamation of amnesty for the rebels but subject to concurrence of Congress.
The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), however, decried the continued harassment by the military on communities suspected of harboring the NPA.
Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should refrain from militarizing communities once peace talks resume.
“The bigger concern right now – a major hindrance to peace – is the intensifying AFP operations against civilians,” Reyes said.
“Communities continue to be militarized. Civilians are being rounded up and forced to ‘surrender’ as NPA combatants. Activists are being arrested and slapped with trumped-up charges,” he said.
The group said the AFP and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana should explain if the arrests of civilians that included farmers and activists would cease one peace talks resume.
“The way we see it, the biggest threats to the resumption of the peace talks come from the ranks of the military, from the likes of Lorenzana,” he said.
Reyes said Bayan supports the resumption of the peace talks to address the roots of the armed conflict.
“This goes beyond just ceasefire agreements. Socio-economic reforms are urgently needed to address poverty, which is the reason why rebellion exists in the country,” Reyes said.
This developed as the military raided a suspected food supply chain of the NPA in Bukidnon on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the military killed a suspected NPA rebel during an encounter in Apayao province yesterday.
The military said this showed the communist leadership has heightened their recruitment of new members in a bid to reestablish their presence in key areas in Northern Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the Visayas.
DND, AFP deny alleged order to stop patrols in South China Sea
From CNN-Philippines (Jun 9): DND, AFP deny alleged order to stop patrols in South China Sea
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana denied the allegations posed by an opposition lawmaker that the President ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to cease patrolling contested waters.
Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano, in a press conference earlier Saturday, said that he received classified information that President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered the AFP to cease patrols in the disputed territories in the South China Sea.
"No such order was given," Lorenzana on Saturday told CNN Philippines when asked about the allegation.
AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Edgar Arevalo corroborated Lorenzana's statement.
"For the record, there is no such order coming from the Commander-in-Chief. As a matter of fact, our maritime and aerial patrols continue-contrary to such information allegedly received by the Partlylist Congressman," Arevalo said in a statement.
Alejano refused to name the specific sources of his information, but said that they were military and Palace officials.
These anonymous officials of the armed forces, Alejano said, had raised concerns over the order, which compromises the contested territory with China.
"Isn't that an impeachable offense," Alejano said on the alleged order.
Alejano also said that Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano had only filed one diplomatic protest against China, and not "dozens".
READ: Duterte gov't filed 'dozens' of protests vs. China's activities in South China Sea, officials say
The lawmaker said that there was only one note verbale, which was brought to the residence of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on May 28.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/06/09/lorenzana-alejano-patrols-south-china-sea.html
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana denied the allegations posed by an opposition lawmaker that the President ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to cease patrolling contested waters.
Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano, in a press conference earlier Saturday, said that he received classified information that President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered the AFP to cease patrols in the disputed territories in the South China Sea.
"No such order was given," Lorenzana on Saturday told CNN Philippines when asked about the allegation.
AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Edgar Arevalo corroborated Lorenzana's statement.
"For the record, there is no such order coming from the Commander-in-Chief. As a matter of fact, our maritime and aerial patrols continue-contrary to such information allegedly received by the Partlylist Congressman," Arevalo said in a statement.
Alejano refused to name the specific sources of his information, but said that they were military and Palace officials.
These anonymous officials of the armed forces, Alejano said, had raised concerns over the order, which compromises the contested territory with China.
"Isn't that an impeachable offense," Alejano said on the alleged order.
Alejano also said that Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano had only filed one diplomatic protest against China, and not "dozens".
READ: Duterte gov't filed 'dozens' of protests vs. China's activities in South China Sea, officials say
The lawmaker said that there was only one note verbale, which was brought to the residence of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on May 28.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/06/09/lorenzana-alejano-patrols-south-china-sea.html
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Duterte makes turnaround, wants more FA-50 fighters
From Malaya Business Insight (Jun 8): Duterte makes turnaround, wants more FA-50 fighters
PRESIDENT Duterte wants the defense and military establishments to acquire 12 more FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea for the use of the Air Force, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.
Before assuming the presidency in 2016, Duterte criticized as “waste of money” the acquisition of 12 FA-50s by the previous administration worth P18.9 billion from the Korean Aerospace Industries, under the Armed Forces modernization program.
Duterte said then that the aircraft are only good for air shows, adding the funds spent to buy them should have been used to acquire helicopters and boats needed in the fight against Abu Sayyaf and other internal security threats.
Lorenzana was among the security officials who accompanied Duterte during a recent visit to South Korea.
Military officials had said there were plans to acquire 12 additional FA-50s as early as last year. The FA-50s saw action in the siege of Marawi City by the Daesh-inspired Maute Group last year.
Lorenzana, however, said a final decision has yet to be made, adding: “We are still discussing it at the level of senior leaders.
“But that is what we want, even the President, when he saw that these are effective (aircraft),” Lorenzana said. “There may be additional 12 but it depends on the buildup of the Air Force that we are thinking.”
Lorenzana said the South Koreans did not pledge any military assistance during the presidential visit aired their “preparedness” to transfer military technology to the AFP.
“We talked about a lot of things, not only the helicopters, but also firearms. They (South Koreans) want to transfer technology so that we can produce our military equipment,” Lorenzana said.
The defense department is considering South Korea as the source of helicopters following the cancellation of the procurement of 16 Bell helicopters, worth P12 billion, from Canada a few months ago.
Duterte ordered the cancellation of the contract after the Canadian government said it is reviewing the deal after the Philippine military declared the aircraft will be used in the fight against rebels.
https://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/duterte-makes-turnaround-wants-more-fa-50-fighters
PRESIDENT Duterte wants the defense and military establishments to acquire 12 more FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea for the use of the Air Force, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.
Before assuming the presidency in 2016, Duterte criticized as “waste of money” the acquisition of 12 FA-50s by the previous administration worth P18.9 billion from the Korean Aerospace Industries, under the Armed Forces modernization program.
Duterte said then that the aircraft are only good for air shows, adding the funds spent to buy them should have been used to acquire helicopters and boats needed in the fight against Abu Sayyaf and other internal security threats.
Lorenzana was among the security officials who accompanied Duterte during a recent visit to South Korea.
Military officials had said there were plans to acquire 12 additional FA-50s as early as last year. The FA-50s saw action in the siege of Marawi City by the Daesh-inspired Maute Group last year.
Lorenzana, however, said a final decision has yet to be made, adding: “We are still discussing it at the level of senior leaders.
“But that is what we want, even the President, when he saw that these are effective (aircraft),” Lorenzana said. “There may be additional 12 but it depends on the buildup of the Air Force that we are thinking.”
Lorenzana said the South Koreans did not pledge any military assistance during the presidential visit aired their “preparedness” to transfer military technology to the AFP.
“We talked about a lot of things, not only the helicopters, but also firearms. They (South Koreans) want to transfer technology so that we can produce our military equipment,” Lorenzana said.
The defense department is considering South Korea as the source of helicopters following the cancellation of the procurement of 16 Bell helicopters, worth P12 billion, from Canada a few months ago.
Duterte ordered the cancellation of the contract after the Canadian government said it is reviewing the deal after the Philippine military declared the aircraft will be used in the fight against rebels.
https://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/duterte-makes-turnaround-wants-more-fa-50-fighters
Philippines Police Capture 2 Suspected Militants in Southern City
From BernaNews (Jun 8): Philippines Police Capture 2 Suspected Militants in Southern City
Residents survey the damage during a visit to the main battle area in Marawi City, May 6, 2018. Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews
Two Filipino militants who fought in the southern Philippine city of Marawi have been captured in Cagayan de Oro after they allegedly scouted the area for bombing targets, police said Thursday.
The suspects, identified as Eyadzhemar Abdulsalam, 26, and Dianne Catherine Palmitos, 25, were believed to be members of the Maute group, a militant faction that provided fighters to Isnilon Hapilon, the regional leader aligned with the Islamic State (IS), during the five-month siege of Marawi last year.
They were caught trying to sneak into Cagayan de Oro Wednesday aboard a passenger bus, regional police spokesman Superintendent Lemuel Gonda said.
“We detained them. They planned to carry out bomb attacks early this year in Cagayan de Oro but our authorities prevented it,” he said, adding the two were facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Police sources said the duo traveled from Manila to the southern city of General Santos, where they took the bus going to Cagayan de Oro, more than 100 km (62 miles) from Marawi city.
Officers recovered a grenade and a hand gun, and the two suspects were taken in for interrogation, police said.
The pair were allegedly part of the Maute faction tasked with providing medical supplies to fighters at the height of the siege last year, the worst outbreak of violence in the south in recent years that left more than 1,200, mostly militants, dead.
Marawi siege
Hapilon launched the siege in May 2017 with a vision of transforming the Muslim city of Marawi into the IS seat of power in Southeast Asia. With him were Abu Sayyaf fighters, militants from the Maute faction and fighters from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The siege took the government of President Rodrigo Duterte by surprise, forcing him to ask for assistance from long-time allies the United States and Australia.
But the militants dug in and engaged the soldiers in urban street-by-street warfare, using dozens of civilians as human shields and hiding in mosques to slow the government’s assault.
Marawi’s more than 200,000 residents fled, and the city was transformed into a wasteland of pockmarked and empty buildings.
A year later, much of the city remains in ruins, with thousands still living in evacuation camps. Some residents who were allowed to return to their homes in April and May reported finding skeletal remains.
Breakthrough
Last week, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced a breakthrough in the government’s goal “to achieve peace without bloodshed” in Mindanao following the surrender in March of Nhurhassan Jamiri, a little-known Abu Sayyaf commander and 13 of his followers on the island of Basilan.
Jamiri has been identified as one of two top leaders of Abu Sayyaf based in Basilan, where the militant group was established in the early 1990s.
The other leader is Furuji Indama, who remains at large. The overall operations officer and chief of the group in Basilan, he apparently is being groomed to succeed Hapilon, military sources said.
Residents survey the damage during a visit to the main battle area in Marawi City, May 6, 2018. Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews
Two Filipino militants who fought in the southern Philippine city of Marawi have been captured in Cagayan de Oro after they allegedly scouted the area for bombing targets, police said Thursday.
The suspects, identified as Eyadzhemar Abdulsalam, 26, and Dianne Catherine Palmitos, 25, were believed to be members of the Maute group, a militant faction that provided fighters to Isnilon Hapilon, the regional leader aligned with the Islamic State (IS), during the five-month siege of Marawi last year.
They were caught trying to sneak into Cagayan de Oro Wednesday aboard a passenger bus, regional police spokesman Superintendent Lemuel Gonda said.
“We detained them. They planned to carry out bomb attacks early this year in Cagayan de Oro but our authorities prevented it,” he said, adding the two were facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Police sources said the duo traveled from Manila to the southern city of General Santos, where they took the bus going to Cagayan de Oro, more than 100 km (62 miles) from Marawi city.
Officers recovered a grenade and a hand gun, and the two suspects were taken in for interrogation, police said.
The pair were allegedly part of the Maute faction tasked with providing medical supplies to fighters at the height of the siege last year, the worst outbreak of violence in the south in recent years that left more than 1,200, mostly militants, dead.
Marawi siege
Hapilon launched the siege in May 2017 with a vision of transforming the Muslim city of Marawi into the IS seat of power in Southeast Asia. With him were Abu Sayyaf fighters, militants from the Maute faction and fighters from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The siege took the government of President Rodrigo Duterte by surprise, forcing him to ask for assistance from long-time allies the United States and Australia.
But the militants dug in and engaged the soldiers in urban street-by-street warfare, using dozens of civilians as human shields and hiding in mosques to slow the government’s assault.
Marawi’s more than 200,000 residents fled, and the city was transformed into a wasteland of pockmarked and empty buildings.
A year later, much of the city remains in ruins, with thousands still living in evacuation camps. Some residents who were allowed to return to their homes in April and May reported finding skeletal remains.
Breakthrough
Last week, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced a breakthrough in the government’s goal “to achieve peace without bloodshed” in Mindanao following the surrender in March of Nhurhassan Jamiri, a little-known Abu Sayyaf commander and 13 of his followers on the island of Basilan.
Jamiri has been identified as one of two top leaders of Abu Sayyaf based in Basilan, where the militant group was established in the early 1990s.
The other leader is Furuji Indama, who remains at large. The overall operations officer and chief of the group in Basilan, he apparently is being groomed to succeed Hapilon, military sources said.
Woman kidnapped in Sibugay freed
From the Philippine Star (Jun 8): Woman kidnapped in Sibugay freed
A woman taken by unidentified gunmen in a coastal town in Zamboanga Sibugay has been freed in Zamboanga del Sur, police confirmed yesterday.
Laarni Buen, 38, a native of Bicol and secretary of Celebes Marine Product, was released by his captors last May 31, Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said.
At least seven men barged in Buen’s dormitory in Malangas town and forced her into a boat that fled toward Muyong island.
Galvez said the sister of the victim, Ana, notified the police on her release at about 7:55 a.m.
Buen reportedly boarded a flight to Manila from Pagadian, and went to the house of her sister in Manila before she and her husband went to Sorsogon City.
Her other sister Eunice sent a photo to the police here to prove that the victim is staying with them.
Police could not say if ransom was paid in exchange for Buen’s release as well as the motive for the kidnapping.
Galvez said the Zamboanga Sibugay police asked the relatives of the victim to allow Buen to undergo debriefing.
No kidnapping
Meanwhile, newly installed Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega commended government troopers for zero kidnapping in the southern backdoor for more than a year now.
Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi reported during a meeting with Dela Vega on Wednesday that troops were deployed on islets at the border of Tawi-Tawi, where hijacking of foreign vessels and kidnapping of their crewmembers ussually occur.
Dela Vega said there has been no reported kidnapping in Tawi-Tawi since February last year.
He said joint patrols by Indonesian, Malaysian and Philippine navies in line with a trilateral agreement also prevented pirates with links to the Abu Sayyaf.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding Dutch man, a Vietnamese, three Indonesians and four Filipinos in Sulu.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/06/08/1822568/woman-kidnapped-sibugay-freed
A woman taken by unidentified gunmen in a coastal town in Zamboanga Sibugay has been freed in Zamboanga del Sur, police confirmed yesterday.
Laarni Buen, 38, a native of Bicol and secretary of Celebes Marine Product, was released by his captors last May 31, Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said.
At least seven men barged in Buen’s dormitory in Malangas town and forced her into a boat that fled toward Muyong island.
Galvez said the sister of the victim, Ana, notified the police on her release at about 7:55 a.m.
Buen reportedly boarded a flight to Manila from Pagadian, and went to the house of her sister in Manila before she and her husband went to Sorsogon City.
Her other sister Eunice sent a photo to the police here to prove that the victim is staying with them.
Police could not say if ransom was paid in exchange for Buen’s release as well as the motive for the kidnapping.
Galvez said the Zamboanga Sibugay police asked the relatives of the victim to allow Buen to undergo debriefing.
No kidnapping
Meanwhile, newly installed Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega commended government troopers for zero kidnapping in the southern backdoor for more than a year now.
Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi reported during a meeting with Dela Vega on Wednesday that troops were deployed on islets at the border of Tawi-Tawi, where hijacking of foreign vessels and kidnapping of their crewmembers ussually occur.
Dela Vega said there has been no reported kidnapping in Tawi-Tawi since February last year.
He said joint patrols by Indonesian, Malaysian and Philippine navies in line with a trilateral agreement also prevented pirates with links to the Abu Sayyaf.
The Abu Sayyaf is still holding Dutch man, a Vietnamese, three Indonesians and four Filipinos in Sulu.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/06/08/1822568/woman-kidnapped-sibugay-freed
Police officer killed in encounter with CPP-NPA in Sagada
From CNN-Philippines (Jun 5): Police officer killed in encounter with CPP-NPA in Sagada
A police officer was killed while nine others were wounded in an encounter with armed communist rebels in Sagada, a popular tourist town in Mountain Province, police said Tuesday.
The regional police has yet to report on the number of casualties on the side of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPA) that has waged nearly five decades of insurgency.
The firefight comes as representatives of the government and the rebels are discussing the possible resumption of peace negotiations, more than six months after President Rodrigo Duterte walked away from the talks.
Duterte issued Proclamation 360 in November 2017 ending the on-off negotiations with communist rebels. Both sides accused each other of launching attacks against the other in violation of earlier interim ceasefire declarations.
http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2018/06/05/Police-encounter-CPP-NPA-Sagada.html
A police officer was killed while nine others were wounded in an encounter with armed communist rebels in Sagada, a popular tourist town in Mountain Province, police said Tuesday.
The regional police has yet to report on the number of casualties on the side of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPA) that has waged nearly five decades of insurgency.
The firefight comes as representatives of the government and the rebels are discussing the possible resumption of peace negotiations, more than six months after President Rodrigo Duterte walked away from the talks.
Duterte issued Proclamation 360 in November 2017 ending the on-off negotiations with communist rebels. Both sides accused each other of launching attacks against the other in violation of earlier interim ceasefire declarations.
http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2018/06/05/Police-encounter-CPP-NPA-Sagada.html
Military doubts Red stand-down
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 8): Military doubts Red stand-down
The defense chief and an Army general on Thursday expressed doubt communist rebels would respect any ceasefire ahead of the resumption of peace negotiations with the government.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, were reacting separately to an Inquirer report that the military and the New People’s Army (NPA) may cease hostilities as early as next week under a preliminary truce proposed by government and rebel negotiators.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an Air Force forum at Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday, Lorenzana said the military might be the only party that would stand down under an agreement being finalized in back-channel talks between negotiators from the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
Cease operations’
“What does stand down mean [to communist rebels] anyway? We might stand down but they wouldn’t,” he said.
Lorenzana said the defense establishment still had to consult government peace negotiators before standing down.
“Stand down means cease operations. Stand down for them might mean there would be no attacks but we suspect they will continue their recruitment. They also have to stop that if there is a stand-down,” Lorenzana said.
Stepped-up expansion
He said rebel documents indicated that the insurgents were “actually intensifying their expansion of their areas.”
Although the military was doubtful about the rebels’ sincerity, Parayno told the Inquirer in Lucena City that he was hopeful that the NPA would abide by any form of ceasefire agreed by both sides.
“Apprehension is always there. The question of sincerity will always be there because of our past experiences,” he said.
Cautious
“We have to be cautious,” he added. “But we are hopeful, hoping this time they’ll mean what they say.”
The stand-down agreement, which would require both sides to suspend offensive operations against each other, was “meant to stimulate the atmosphere for peace negotiation two weeks before the resumption of the peace talks,” according to Jose Maria Sison, founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Back-channel talks
Sison, who serves as chief political consultant to the NDFP in the talks brokered by the Norwegian government, on Wednesday told the Inquirer that the stand-down order could be issued to government and rebel forces as early as June 14, two weeks before the resumption of the peace talks and a formal bilateral ceasefire.
President Duterte’s peace adviser, Jesus Dureza, was surprised that Sison had disclosed what had been discussed in the back-channel talks and said the date for the start of the stand-down was an “old agreed timeline.”
“Hopefully by the end of the month there will be a formal resumption [of negotiations], if things turn out right. But it depends on the outcome of the back-channel talks,” Dureza told reporters on Thursday on the sidelines of a forum on federalism and the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
‘Latest suggestion’
He said he welcomed Sison’s announcement of the planned resumption of the talks “because it shows there’s an enabling environment that will enable us to continue the negotiations.”
On Thursday, however, Sison told the Inquirer in an online interview that the “latest suggestion” from the government was to postpone the implementation of the stand-down for a week, which would mean also resetting the dates for resuming formal talks and the ceasefire.
He said the government peace panel needed time “to effect the removal of hindrances to the participation” of six NDFP consultants in the talks in the Netherlands.
NDFP consultants
The NDFP wants the government to allow the six consultants—Benito Tiamzon, Rafael Baylosis, Alan Jazmines, Adelberto Silva, Vicente Ladlad and Randall Echanis—to travel to the Netherlands.
Jazmines, who is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, was allowed to leave by the Regional Trial Court of Taguig City.
Baylosis was arrested on charges of illegal possession of firearms two months after Mr. Duterte canceled the talks.
Mr. Duterte had promised to end the nearly 50-year Maoist insurgency through a negotiated settlement but he abandoned the peace efforts last November, complaining of repeated rebel attacks.
His administration later petitioned a court to declare the CPP and the NPA terrorist organizations. It also sought to declare about 600 people, including about two dozen rebel consultants, terrorists.
In April, Mr. Duterte told the government panel to restart the talks.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/998715/military-doubts-red-stand-down
The defense chief and an Army general on Thursday expressed doubt communist rebels would respect any ceasefire ahead of the resumption of peace negotiations with the government.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, were reacting separately to an Inquirer report that the military and the New People’s Army (NPA) may cease hostilities as early as next week under a preliminary truce proposed by government and rebel negotiators.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an Air Force forum at Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday, Lorenzana said the military might be the only party that would stand down under an agreement being finalized in back-channel talks between negotiators from the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
Cease operations’
“What does stand down mean [to communist rebels] anyway? We might stand down but they wouldn’t,” he said.
Lorenzana said the defense establishment still had to consult government peace negotiators before standing down.
“Stand down means cease operations. Stand down for them might mean there would be no attacks but we suspect they will continue their recruitment. They also have to stop that if there is a stand-down,” Lorenzana said.
Stepped-up expansion
He said rebel documents indicated that the insurgents were “actually intensifying their expansion of their areas.”
Although the military was doubtful about the rebels’ sincerity, Parayno told the Inquirer in Lucena City that he was hopeful that the NPA would abide by any form of ceasefire agreed by both sides.
“Apprehension is always there. The question of sincerity will always be there because of our past experiences,” he said.
Cautious
“We have to be cautious,” he added. “But we are hopeful, hoping this time they’ll mean what they say.”
The stand-down agreement, which would require both sides to suspend offensive operations against each other, was “meant to stimulate the atmosphere for peace negotiation two weeks before the resumption of the peace talks,” according to Jose Maria Sison, founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Back-channel talks
Sison, who serves as chief political consultant to the NDFP in the talks brokered by the Norwegian government, on Wednesday told the Inquirer that the stand-down order could be issued to government and rebel forces as early as June 14, two weeks before the resumption of the peace talks and a formal bilateral ceasefire.
President Duterte’s peace adviser, Jesus Dureza, was surprised that Sison had disclosed what had been discussed in the back-channel talks and said the date for the start of the stand-down was an “old agreed timeline.”
“Hopefully by the end of the month there will be a formal resumption [of negotiations], if things turn out right. But it depends on the outcome of the back-channel talks,” Dureza told reporters on Thursday on the sidelines of a forum on federalism and the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
‘Latest suggestion’
He said he welcomed Sison’s announcement of the planned resumption of the talks “because it shows there’s an enabling environment that will enable us to continue the negotiations.”
On Thursday, however, Sison told the Inquirer in an online interview that the “latest suggestion” from the government was to postpone the implementation of the stand-down for a week, which would mean also resetting the dates for resuming formal talks and the ceasefire.
He said the government peace panel needed time “to effect the removal of hindrances to the participation” of six NDFP consultants in the talks in the Netherlands.
NDFP consultants
The NDFP wants the government to allow the six consultants—Benito Tiamzon, Rafael Baylosis, Alan Jazmines, Adelberto Silva, Vicente Ladlad and Randall Echanis—to travel to the Netherlands.
Jazmines, who is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, was allowed to leave by the Regional Trial Court of Taguig City.
Baylosis was arrested on charges of illegal possession of firearms two months after Mr. Duterte canceled the talks.
Mr. Duterte had promised to end the nearly 50-year Maoist insurgency through a negotiated settlement but he abandoned the peace efforts last November, complaining of repeated rebel attacks.
His administration later petitioned a court to declare the CPP and the NPA terrorist organizations. It also sought to declare about 600 people, including about two dozen rebel consultants, terrorists.
In April, Mr. Duterte told the government panel to restart the talks.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/998715/military-doubts-red-stand-down
Stand down agreement likely: Joma
From Malaya Business Insight (Jun 7): Stand down agreement likely: Joma
SELF-EXILED communist party founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison yesterday said “a stand down agreement” may be reached by the communist movement and government negotiators later this month.
“If the back channel talks go well...there will be a stand down agreement starting June 28,” said Sison. The four-day back channel talks between government and communist negotiators started yesterday in the Netherlands.
The two panels of negotiators are eyeing to resume the formal peace negotiations on June 28.
“This stand down will become the coordinated unilateral ceasefire when the interim peace agreement is approved,” said Sison.
Earlier reports said the proposed stand down agreement requires government soldiers and New People’s Army rebels to “stay where they are” and “not commit any offensive action or operation against combatants and civilians.”
Sison said the coordinated unilateral ceasefire will later advance to bilateral ceasefire once the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reform (CASER) is signed by the two sides.
“When there is already an amnesty and release of all political prisoners and CASER is mutually approved already, the coordinated unilateral ceasefire will become a bilateral ceasefire,” he said.
“You are going to know in a joint announcement the result of the back channel talks on June 9 or June 10,” said Sison.
President Duterte has ordered government negotiators in April to word towards the resumption of the talks which he terminated last year amid a series of rebel attacks on civilian and military targets.
Sison said the stand down agreement and the coordinated unilateral ceasefire are among issues being discussed in the back channel talks.
Also due to be discussed in the back channel talks are the draft amnesty proclamation for political prisoners, agrarian reform and rural development, national industrialization and economic development, and CASER.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/stand-down-agreement-likely-joma
SELF-EXILED communist party founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison yesterday said “a stand down agreement” may be reached by the communist movement and government negotiators later this month.
“If the back channel talks go well...there will be a stand down agreement starting June 28,” said Sison. The four-day back channel talks between government and communist negotiators started yesterday in the Netherlands.
The two panels of negotiators are eyeing to resume the formal peace negotiations on June 28.
“This stand down will become the coordinated unilateral ceasefire when the interim peace agreement is approved,” said Sison.
Earlier reports said the proposed stand down agreement requires government soldiers and New People’s Army rebels to “stay where they are” and “not commit any offensive action or operation against combatants and civilians.”
Sison said the coordinated unilateral ceasefire will later advance to bilateral ceasefire once the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reform (CASER) is signed by the two sides.
“When there is already an amnesty and release of all political prisoners and CASER is mutually approved already, the coordinated unilateral ceasefire will become a bilateral ceasefire,” he said.
“You are going to know in a joint announcement the result of the back channel talks on June 9 or June 10,” said Sison.
President Duterte has ordered government negotiators in April to word towards the resumption of the talks which he terminated last year amid a series of rebel attacks on civilian and military targets.
Sison said the stand down agreement and the coordinated unilateral ceasefire are among issues being discussed in the back channel talks.
Also due to be discussed in the back channel talks are the draft amnesty proclamation for political prisoners, agrarian reform and rural development, national industrialization and economic development, and CASER.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/stand-down-agreement-likely-joma
Jaafar: No BBL, no MILF decommissioning of forces
Posted to the Malaya Business Insight (Jun7): Jaafar: No BBL, no MILF decommissioning of forces
AN official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front yesterday said MILF forces would not be decommissioned if the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will establish a new political entity in the South, does not become a law.
“If there is no BBL, the problem remains. How can we decommission our forces when there is no peace in the area?” said MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar in a phone interview.
The Senate and the House have passed their versions of the BBL. A bicameral conference committee will meet next month. The target is to come up with the bicameral report for signing of President Duterte on July 23 when Congress resumes session.
Jaafar is also the chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which was tasked to come up with a draft of the BBL. The passage of the BBL is part of a peace agreement forged by government with the MILF in March 2014.
Jaafar, asked how soon the MILF forces will be decommissioned, said, “It depends on the approval of the BBL. Anyway there is a plan for that already.”
Asked how many MILF forces will be decommissioned, Jaafar said there are “tens of thousands.”
Sought for a comment, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said: “They are right because there is no (ongoing) decommissioning... The decommissioning is anchored on the law that will give them some autonomy.”
“Chairman Jaafar is right in saying there wont be decommissioning if there is no BBL,” he added.
Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who heads the sub-committee on BBL and the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee, said House majority leader Rodolfo Fariñas has agreed to hold a pre-bicameral meeting by the end of next week. The bicameral conference committee proper is set to meet on July 9 to 13.
“In the pre-bicam, we will discuss the procedures how we will proceed on deadlock. We will finish the bicam on the 13th and ratify it (bicam report) on the 23rd in the morning,” he said.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/jaafar-no-bbl-no-milf-decommissioning-forces
AN official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front yesterday said MILF forces would not be decommissioned if the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will establish a new political entity in the South, does not become a law.
“If there is no BBL, the problem remains. How can we decommission our forces when there is no peace in the area?” said MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar in a phone interview.
The Senate and the House have passed their versions of the BBL. A bicameral conference committee will meet next month. The target is to come up with the bicameral report for signing of President Duterte on July 23 when Congress resumes session.
Jaafar is also the chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which was tasked to come up with a draft of the BBL. The passage of the BBL is part of a peace agreement forged by government with the MILF in March 2014.
Jaafar, asked how soon the MILF forces will be decommissioned, said, “It depends on the approval of the BBL. Anyway there is a plan for that already.”
Asked how many MILF forces will be decommissioned, Jaafar said there are “tens of thousands.”
Sought for a comment, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said: “They are right because there is no (ongoing) decommissioning... The decommissioning is anchored on the law that will give them some autonomy.”
“Chairman Jaafar is right in saying there wont be decommissioning if there is no BBL,” he added.
Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who heads the sub-committee on BBL and the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee, said House majority leader Rodolfo Fariñas has agreed to hold a pre-bicameral meeting by the end of next week. The bicameral conference committee proper is set to meet on July 9 to 13.
“In the pre-bicam, we will discuss the procedures how we will proceed on deadlock. We will finish the bicam on the 13th and ratify it (bicam report) on the 23rd in the morning,” he said.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/jaafar-no-bbl-no-milf-decommissioning-forces
Maute group member, wife nabbed in CDO
From Malaya Business Insight (Jun 8): Maute group member, wife nabbed in CDO
COMBINED security forces on Wednesday arrested a suspected member of the Daesh-inspired Maute group and his wife who reportedly planned to bomb the Feast of the Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo, Manila last January.
Reports reaching PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said Eyadzhemar Abdusalam, 26, alias Medical Jihad, and his wife, Catherine Dianne Palmitos, alias Maryam Aisha, were nabbed in Cagayan de Oro City. They are based in Gen. Santos City.
Seized from them were a fragmentation grenade and a loaded caliber.45 pistol with an extra magazine inside a backpack.
The two were reportedly among the terrorists who supported the Maute group that laid siege in Marawi City in May last year that prompted President Duterte to cut short his trip to Russia and declare martial law in Mindanao.
Intelligence information revealed that Adbusalam and his wife left Zamboanga City for Davao City by plane and went to Cagayan de Oro City last Tuesday. They were believed to be headed to Lanao del Sur to meet with other remaining members of the Maute group to carry out bombing operations in Cagayan de Oro City.
“The bombing is part of the group’s long-standing plan to carry out an attack during Ramadan,” the report said.
Reports said Abdusalam is a graduate of BS Nursing at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in Gen. Santos City. He is registered nurse and a licensed emergency medical technician. He also served as president of the Muslim Students’ Organization in NDDU during his college days.
“He came under the radar of the intelligence community during the Marawi siege when he was monitored sending medical supplies for the beleaguered Maute-ISIS group. At the time, he was also planning to travel to Syria to join ISIS,” the report added.
Reports said Abdusalam plotted to carry out bomb attacks during the Black Nzarene procession in Quiapo last January but tight security measures got in the way. He also reportedly considered similar attacks in other Catholic festivities in Zamboanga City.
He was also monitored as soliciting funds for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices for his planned bombings and sent money to the widows and orphans of the local Daesh/ISIS terrorists.
“He even instigated some foreigners to carry out lone wolf attacks in their respective countries, to include an individual in UK who was arrested in May 2018 by British authorities for planning to carry out an attack in London,” the report said.
‘UNFAIR’
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described as “unfair” a study by the Global Peace Index 2018 that showed the Philippines is the second least peaceful country in Asia, only better than North Korea.
Lorenzana questioned the parameters used by the group, which based its conclusion on the lingering threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and the government’s bloody war on illegal drugs.
“I cannot believe that because a lot of people can go around very peacefully. I think they are using some parameters that are not present in the Philippines,” Lorenzana said.
“Just because there is war on drugs, it’s least peaceful? In fact, a lot of people are saying that their lives are more peaceful now because of the war on drugs,” the defense chief added.
On the ISIS threat, Lorenzana said security agencies continue to receive reports about recruitment. He added that security officials are not dismissing a possible repeat of the Marawi City siege last year but said this will take several years.
“The threat of ISIS, the threat and actual fighting are two different things
The threat of ISIS is only there because some remnants of the Maute are still there and apparently they are, according to rumors, they are recruiting but we cannot confirm that they are recruiting,” said Lorenzana.
The Maute Group siege of Marawi City May last year left 974 terrorists, 168 soldiers and policemen, and 47 civilians dead.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/maute-group-member-wife-nabbed-cdo
COMBINED security forces on Wednesday arrested a suspected member of the Daesh-inspired Maute group and his wife who reportedly planned to bomb the Feast of the Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo, Manila last January.
Reports reaching PNP chief Oscar Albayalde said Eyadzhemar Abdusalam, 26, alias Medical Jihad, and his wife, Catherine Dianne Palmitos, alias Maryam Aisha, were nabbed in Cagayan de Oro City. They are based in Gen. Santos City.
Seized from them were a fragmentation grenade and a loaded caliber.45 pistol with an extra magazine inside a backpack.
The two were reportedly among the terrorists who supported the Maute group that laid siege in Marawi City in May last year that prompted President Duterte to cut short his trip to Russia and declare martial law in Mindanao.
Intelligence information revealed that Adbusalam and his wife left Zamboanga City for Davao City by plane and went to Cagayan de Oro City last Tuesday. They were believed to be headed to Lanao del Sur to meet with other remaining members of the Maute group to carry out bombing operations in Cagayan de Oro City.
“The bombing is part of the group’s long-standing plan to carry out an attack during Ramadan,” the report said.
Reports said Abdusalam is a graduate of BS Nursing at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in Gen. Santos City. He is registered nurse and a licensed emergency medical technician. He also served as president of the Muslim Students’ Organization in NDDU during his college days.
“He came under the radar of the intelligence community during the Marawi siege when he was monitored sending medical supplies for the beleaguered Maute-ISIS group. At the time, he was also planning to travel to Syria to join ISIS,” the report added.
Reports said Abdusalam plotted to carry out bomb attacks during the Black Nzarene procession in Quiapo last January but tight security measures got in the way. He also reportedly considered similar attacks in other Catholic festivities in Zamboanga City.
He was also monitored as soliciting funds for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices for his planned bombings and sent money to the widows and orphans of the local Daesh/ISIS terrorists.
“He even instigated some foreigners to carry out lone wolf attacks in their respective countries, to include an individual in UK who was arrested in May 2018 by British authorities for planning to carry out an attack in London,” the report said.
‘UNFAIR’
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described as “unfair” a study by the Global Peace Index 2018 that showed the Philippines is the second least peaceful country in Asia, only better than North Korea.
Lorenzana questioned the parameters used by the group, which based its conclusion on the lingering threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and the government’s bloody war on illegal drugs.
“I cannot believe that because a lot of people can go around very peacefully. I think they are using some parameters that are not present in the Philippines,” Lorenzana said.
“Just because there is war on drugs, it’s least peaceful? In fact, a lot of people are saying that their lives are more peaceful now because of the war on drugs,” the defense chief added.
On the ISIS threat, Lorenzana said security agencies continue to receive reports about recruitment. He added that security officials are not dismissing a possible repeat of the Marawi City siege last year but said this will take several years.
“The threat of ISIS, the threat and actual fighting are two different things
The threat of ISIS is only there because some remnants of the Maute are still there and apparently they are, according to rumors, they are recruiting but we cannot confirm that they are recruiting,” said Lorenzana.
The Maute Group siege of Marawi City May last year left 974 terrorists, 168 soldiers and policemen, and 47 civilians dead.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/maute-group-member-wife-nabbed-cdo
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