AFP completes farm-to-market roads, other projects in Rizal,Cagayan

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 8, 2020): AFP completes farm-to-market roads, other projects in Rizal,Cagayan (By Mark Djeron C. Tumabao and AFP)

The AFP formally turns over to the Provincial Government of Cagayan the completed projects implemented by the 55th Aviation Engineer Wing (355th AEW) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the 17th Infantry Battalion (17th IB) of the Philippine Army (PA). (AFP photo)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines through the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing (355th AEW) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the 17th Infantry Battalion (17th IB) of the Philippine Army (PA) has completed farm-to-markets road and other projects in Rizal town in this province.

In a ceremony held on Aug. 26, the AFP formally turned-over the completed three farm-to-market roads located at barangays Duyun, Poblacion and Sinicking to the Provincial Government of Cagayan.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by representatives from 355th AEW, 17th IB as well as local government officials led by Cagayan Governor Manuel N Mamba who served as guest of honor.

First Lieutenant Jubito D Gannaban, resident officer-in-charge of Construction (ROICC) of the 355th AEW Engineering Team, said the project started on July 8 and completed on August 25.

Within the period, several other projects such ground improvement at Rizal Central School and Malaueg Church were conducted.

The 355th AEW Engineering Team also bared that they provided assistance to Rizal Central School for the repair and cleaning of its facilities as well as in fabricating handwashing facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

During the ceremony, Second Lieutenant Japheth E Canta, assistant ROICC, expressed gratitude to the provincial government for its support during the conduct of the projects.

 

One of the farm-to-market roads completed by the AFP.

Canta added that it had been a challenge for the team to complete the projects considering the ongoing pandemic, occasional unfavorable weather conditions as well as the persistent threat of harassment by the New People’s Army communist-terrorist group (CTG).

Canta thanked the 17th IB led by its Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Angelo C Saguiguit for providing security forces throughout the entire duration of the projects which prevented the CTG from carrying out terrorist activities.

In an episode of the Usapang Pangkapayapaan, Usapang Pangkaunlaran Pilipinas (UP-UP Pilipinas) public affairs program, Colonel Gerardo M Zamudio Jr, deputy wing commander of 355th AEW, stressed the importance of the engineering projects as those were implemented in support to the objectives and whole-of-nation approach of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in dealing with the CTG.

In addition, Brigadier General George A Blanco, wing commander of 355th AEW, commended 355th AEW and 17th IB personnel for their sacrifice, dedication and even risk of life in order to complete the projects which will greatly benefit the residents of Rizal and surrounding areas.

Mamba, on the other hand, thanked the AFP for its support to the efforts of the Provincial Government in improving public works in Cagayan which will help not only in alleviating the economic effects of COVID-19 but also in stressing to its constituents that the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization is meant to harm the Filipino people and sabotage government efforts in attaining peace and national development. (MDCT with reports from Airwoman First Class Levelyn Z Garcia of the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, Philippine Air Force/ PIA-2)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1052514

NPA's ruthless acts prompt members to surrender

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 8, 2020): NPA's ruthless acts prompt members to surrender (By 58th Infantry Battalion)

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 6 - An active member of the New People’s Army who is also a commander of certain terrorist group surrendered with one high powered firearm to 58th Infantry ‘Dimalulupig’ Battalion just this month due to ruthlessness of his former comrades.

Robert Bangcong alias "Prats," a vice commander of SRSDG MTJ, Sub-Regional Committee 1 (SRC1), Northern Central Mindanao Region Command (NCMRC) and a resident of Carp Village, Barangay Umagos, Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental said that he returned to the folds of the law because of an inhumane act of his former comrade towards the cadaver of alias "Cyril" who happened to be his fiancee. He brought along with him one AK47 with defaced serial number.

Meanwhile, the Dimalulupig troopers headed by Lt. Col. Ricky L. Canatoy, Commanding Officer of 58IB, welcomed the new surrenderree and encourage the remaining NPA members to abandon the armed struggle.

“To alias Prats, we extend our deepest condolences to what had happened to his wife. If only the NPAs permitted her to rest and go back to the mainstream society, we could avoid this kind of unnecessary sacrifices of lives. However, if they insist to go against the government and continue to spoil the peace, we will do the best we can to hit them hard," Canatoy said.

"To the NPAs It is a high time for you to leave the terrorist group and avail the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program. We welcome anyone who desires to lay down his arm and return to the folds of the law. Rest assured that the Philippine Army will assist you as you start your new life in the mainstream society,” he added. (58IB)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1052340

Research shows improved professionalism among soldiers in NorMin

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 8, 2020): Research shows improved professionalism among soldiers in NorMin (By Jasper Marie O. Rucat)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) - Dr. Cathy Almaden of the Northern Bukidnon Community College and team leader of the research project assessing the clients' satisfaction on the 1st Infantry Division (1ID) and 4th Infantry Division (4ID) services in Northern Mindanao reported that professionalism among soldiers has substantially improved.

The study covered the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte with 1,471 respondents or around 300 respondents per province.

In an interview, Almaden said the main purpose of the study was to evaluate the level of satisfaction of those cleared barangays, which have received the various projects and community support program as facilitated by the 1st IB and 4th ID.

“What is quite unique of this research is we were able to implement the research in a timely and speedy manner because we employed a software to conduct a paperless field survey called the KoBoTool. This tool allowed us to use androids and tablets to collect data remotely in all those areas and eliminates the process of tabulation coz we are able to generate data as we gather them. So it only took us 10 days to finish all the completed results after the field survey activities were conducted,” she said.

The results showed that the level of professionalism and performance of the 1st and 4th infantry divisions are very commendable, as narratives have substantially improved over the years, Almaden noted.

Respondents said: “We feel safer in the community as a result of military presence in the area. The military are disciplined and motivated in addressing peace and security concerns in our community. The military are effective in their community outreach and dialogue efforts, including information exchange.”

However, there are still a lot of challenges that need to be addressed, she said.

The study also showed that mass media was not able to reach those far-flung areas, as only 15-18% of them have access to radio and TV and only 1% got access to internet.

In a related development, among the ways forward identified by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-10 include to identify best practices and areas for improvement as bases for interventions in terms of programs, projects, policies, etc. (JMORucat/PIA10)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1052364

NoCot town security beefed up due to spate of killings

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): NoCot town security beefed up due to spate of killings (By Noel Punzalan)



SLAIN. The motorcycle owned by Eddie Catigan, security personnel of the provincial government, is sprawled on the roadside in Barangay Aringay, Kabacan, North Cotabato, shortly after he was rushed to the hospital following an attack by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Monday afternoon (Aug. 7, 2020). The victim (ID inset) was declared dead on arrival by doctors at a local hospital. (Photo courtesy of Brigada News FM Cotabato)

Security measures in the North Cotabato town of Kabacan were heightened following the shooting to death on Monday afternoon of security personnel of the provincial government along the road in Barangay Aringay where nine farmers were also recently killed.

Col. Henry Villar, provincial police director, identified the latest fatality as Eddie Catigan, resident of Barangay Buluan, also in Kabacan.

“Investigation is still ongoing,” Villar said, quoting a report from the Kabacan police office.

Initial investigation revealed that Catigan had just left his home on board a motorcycle around 5:30 p.m. for his shift as security at the provincial capitol in Kidapawan City when tailed and fired upon by gunmen riding in tandem on a separate motorcycle in Barangay Aringay.

The victim was rushed to the hospital by responding villagers and police personnel but was declared dead on arrival by doctors.

Police checkpoints and round-the-clock patrols were immediately doubled following Monday afternoon’s incident.

On Aug. 29, nine Moro residents of the town were also killed on the same area by still unidentified gunmen.

The victims, all farmers, were flagged down by an armed group and fired upon for still unknown reasons. A police-led Task Force Kabacan was immediately formed to investigate the killing of the farmers.

Various entities, however, have started a parallel investigation on the incident that included the Commission on Human Rights and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Kabacan Mayor Herlo Guzman said the National Bureau of Investigation is also looking into the slaying of the farmers.

Villar has urged the public not to link the killing of Catigan to the murder of the nine farmers, saying the incidents were not connected.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114733

Cascolan vows tougher stance vs. Covid-19, drugs, insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): Cascolan vows tougher stance vs. Covid-19, drugs, insurgency (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)



NEW PNP CHIEF. President Rodrigo Duterte (left) swears in newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan (right) during the oath-taking ceremony at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Monday (Sept. 7, 2020). Cascolan vowed a tougher and more pro-active approach against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), illegal drugs, and insurgency threats. (Presidential photo)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, has vowed a tougher and more pro-active approach against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), illegal drugs, and insurgency threats.

"Think of it like we are in a basketball game. As your Chief, I am holding the ball. I want three points in my leadership. I want my police officers to be responsible, respected, and disciplined. I expect no less. Our loved ones and the public we serve demand and deserve that,” Cascolan said in his first flag-raising ceremony as PNP chief in Camp Crame on Monday.

Under this strategy, Cascolan said the program dubbed as Barangay Anti-Covid Defense (BaCod) will involve the forging of stronger ties between the police and the community in responding to the pandemic.

“Palalawakin natin ang ating partisipasyon at kooperasyon sa ating mga komunidad (We will expand our participation and cooperation with the community). We will no longer be regarded as just enforcers in the checkpoints. We will have more presence in barangays. We will be closer to the people in this fight. We will adopt a new hashtag. Today I declare #WeFightAsOne,” he explained.

He added that they will also intensify the campaign against illegal drugs and high-value targets.

“We will further push our fight against illegal drugs, another menace that insidiously destroys our people. We will be more aggressive in capturing high-value targets,” he said.

He underscored that the cooperation with various stakeholders and groups will be needed to level up the PNP’s restorative efforts on drug users who want to change their lives as responsible citizens.

The last part of the strategy is focused on internal security and anti-insurgency,

“I encourage you to have a deeper appreciation of EO 70, the basis of ELCAC. The heart of EO 70 is 'good governance and better government services'. Sa ating hanay (Among our ranks), being role models as public servants are taking into heart the true spirit of the Executive Order,” he said

The EO 70 was signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2018 which institutionalizes the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace thru the creation of a national task force to end local communist armed conflict and to adopt a national peace framework.

According to Cascolan, the more the PNP is able to win the hearts and sentiments of the communities, the better the fight against terrorism will be.

“Be one with me as I steer the ship with a swift maneuver that will make every personnel proud of this uniform. With God’s grace, guidance, and protection, together we will write this chapter with the mission of creating a great story of triumph,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114702

More training for AW-159 chopper crew after pandemic: Navy

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): More training for AW-159 chopper crew after pandemic: Navy (By Priam Nepomuceno)


File photo

The Philippine Navy (PN)'s first two anti-submarine helicopters, the Augusta Westland (now Leonardo) AW-159 "Wildcat" is now operational but is awaiting for the easing of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic for the conduct of more intensive training for its aircrew.

In a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Monday, PN chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the anti-submarine helicopters were declared operational after its commissioning in June 2019 to ensure the mission-essential and operational conversion training of the crew and prepare them for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations in the Philippine setting.

This is also to maintain the currency and type-qualification for the crew, which they have initially acquired in the United Kingdom training facility.

Currency refers to being up-to-date in the handling of the aircraft while type-qualification is a certification allowing pilots or aircrew to fly a specific airplane.

Training has been temporarily stopped with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which necessitated a travel ban on all foreign nationals, including the British instructors of the PN's AW-159s.

"At present, the remaining factory training mentioned above (mission-essential and operational) have temporarily been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the travel ban imposed on foreign nationals due to the pandemic," Bacordo said.

However, he said all AW-159 aircrews have been maintaining their currency through weekly general handling flight sorties utilizing the two helicopters in preparation for the resumption of the in-country training after the lifting of travel restrictions by the UK government.

"The two AW 159s are up and running with regular maintenance activities being conducted as per OEM (original equipment manufacturer) maintenance manual. Discrepancy/deficiency of aircraft systems that come along the way are being addressed by Leonardo Helicopters UK, the helos' OEM under the warranty agreement of both said company and the AFP. There are just occasional challenges/delays in the delivery of warranty items, again because of the Covid-19 pandemic which hampers transport of goods and custom processes," Bacordo said.

The AW-159 helicopters, which were delivered on May 7, 2019 and commissioned on June 17 of the same year, were acquired for PHP5.4 billion including its munition, mission essential equipment, and integrated logistic support.

They can also be armed with rockets, machine guns, missiles, torpedoes, and depth charges and fitted with modern sonar systems for tracking down submarines. The AW-159s were acquired to complement the Jose Rizal-class frigates' ASW capabilities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114704

Duterte ‘not favoring’ Pemberton with grant of pardon

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): Duterte ‘not favoring’ Pemberton with grant of pardon (By Azer Parrocha)



President Rodrigo Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said he is not favoring convicted US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton by giving him an absolute pardon.

“Sabi ko (I said), ‘It’s my decision to pardon. Correct me if I’m wrong, but ito ang tingin ko sa kaso (What I think about the case). You have not treated Pemberton fairly so i-release ko (I’ll release him). Pardon.’ Eh ang pardon walang maka-question niyan (If it’s pardon, nobody can question that),” he said in a taped public address.

Duterte made this remark just hours before Malacañang confirmed that Pemberton, who was convicted for the death of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude, was granted an absolute pardon.

“It’s not because of that that I pardoned Pemberton. But you know if there is a time where you are called upon to be fair, be fair, be fair,” he added.

He clarified that he granted Pemberton absolute pardon because he believed that he was not treated “fairly” while detained because his good conduct time allowance (GCTA) credits were not recorded by Philippine authorities.

According to Duterte, the government did not know what “factors” would contribute to deciding on whether or not Pemberton's GCTA credits should be computed from the time he was detained facing trial, or if it should start after his sentencing for homicide.

He said there was no record of Pemberton's detainment when he was held at the Marines garrison, noting that it was not the job of Marines to watch over him at that time.

“Ang (The) Marines never kept a record of the -- hindi trabaho ng Marines ‘yan na magbantay kasi hindi ‘yan sila (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) o taga-Muntinlupa (it’s not the job of the Marines to keep watch because they’re not the BJMP or from Muntinlupa),” he said.

Duterte said there was no way to tell Pemberton’s behavior while detained on trial.

“Ang problema nito ganito, sinong magsabi ngayon na noong detinado siya nagkakalat siya sa loob, sumisigaw siya o sinisira niya, he destroys things? Wala eh. Kasi walang listahan. Wala namang nakalagay doon because wala talaga (The problem here is, who will say that when he was detained he was misbehaving inside -- that he was shouting or destroying things? Nobody. It’s not on the list. It’s not written there because there’s none),” he said.

He said it was not Pemberton’s fault that his GCTA was not recorded.

“So it is not the fault of Pemberton na hindi na na-compute (that they failed to compute it) because we should allow him the good character presumption kasi wala namang nag-report na Marines na nagsabi nagwawala siya (because no Marines reported him for bad behavior),” he said.

He said the Marines could have reported to the Department of Justice (DOJ) if he was misbehaving, but they did not.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who was the Laude family’s legal counsel, said that granting absolute pardon cleared the issue on whether or not Pemberton was entitled to GCTA.

“Ibig sabihin po niyan makalalaya na po si Pemberton. Wala na pong issue kung siya ay entitled sa GCTA (good conduct time allowance), wala na pong issue kung applicable ba sa kanya yung batas dahil hindi siya nakulong sa national penitentiary (This means Pemberton will be freed. There will no longer be an issue whether he is entitled to GCTA, there will no longer be an issue whether the law applies to him because he was not detained in the national penitentiary),” he said.

He, however, said it does not erase the fact that Pemberton is still a “murderer.”

“Binura na po ng Presidente kung ano pa yung parusa na dapat ipapataw kay Pemberton. Ang hindi po nabura ng Presidente, 'yung conviction ni Pemberton. Mamamatay tao pa rin po siya (The President has erased other penalties imposed on Pemberton. What is not erased is Pemberton’s conviction. He is still a murderer),” he said.

Pemberton was convicted of homicide on Dec. 1, 2015, for killing Laude in 2014.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114707

Pemberton case moot due to PRRD's pardon grant: DOJ

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): Pemberton case moot due to PRRD's pardon grant: DOJ (By Benjamin Pulta)



US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton. (File photo)

President Rodrigo Duterte's grant of absolute pardon to US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton renders pending court proceedings against him as moot, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Tuesday.

Speaking to newsmen, Guevarra said "with the grant of pardon to Pemberton, the DOJ's motion for reconsideration has become moot and academic."

"I was consulted by the President before he made the decision. I just told him that pardon is an act of grace and that is his exclusive prerogative under the Constitution," Guevarra said. "Nothing prevents the President from directly exercising his constitutional power to grant executive clemency at any time, because it is a personal act of grace."

Guevarra also clarified that no request for pardon has been made by Pemberton.

The DOJ chief said he is not privy to Pemberton's departure details but said "since he is a US military personnel, there may be a different mode of transporting him out of the country".

In a public address on Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte said he granted Pemberton absolute pardon because he believed that he was not treated “fairly” while detained because his good conduct time allowance (GCTA) credits were not recorded by Philippine authorities.

Duterte said the government did not know what “factors” would contribute to deciding on whether or not Pemberton's GCTA credits should be computed from the time he was detained facing trial, or if it should start after his sentencing for homicide.

He said there was no record of Pemberton's detention when he was held at the Marines garrison, noting that it was not the job of Marines to watch over him at that time.

Duterte said there was no way to tell Pemberton’s behavior while detained on trial.

He said it was not Pemberton’s fault that his GCTA was not recorded, noting that the Marines could have reported to the Department of Justice (DOJ) if he was misbehaving, but they did not.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who was then a legal counsel of the family of victim Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude, said granting absolute pardon cleared the issue on whether or not Pemberton was entitled to GCTA.

Pemberton was convicted of homicide on Dec. 1, 2015, for the killing of Laude at a motel in Olongapo City in October 2014.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114722

PH-US ties marked milestones under envoy Sung Kim’s stint

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): PH-US ties marked milestones under envoy Sung Kim’s stint (By Azer Parrocha)



ORDER OF SIKATUNA. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confers the Order of Sikatuna on US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim who paid a farewell call on the President at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on September 7, 2020. Duterte expressed appreciation for Kim’s vital contributions in strengthening the alliance and partnership between the Philippines and US. (Presidential photo by Ace Morandante)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday congratulated outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on his successful tour of duty, saying the Philippines and US marked “important milestones” during his almost four-year stint.

In a statement from the Office of the President, Duterte extended his best wishes to Kim during the farewell call at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Monday.

Duterte expressed appreciation for Kim’s vital contributions in strengthening the alliance and partnership between the two countries.

During Kim’s stint, the Philippines-US relations marked important milestones, particularly the historic return of the Balangiga Bells to the Diocese of Borongan, Eastern Samar in December 2018.

In 2017, the US was also able to work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in ending the terror siege in Marawi.

The Philippines, in the same year, chaired the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit where US President Donald Trump visited Manila for the first time.

Cooperation in various areas of shared interest, especially in defense and security, trade and investments, and people-to-people exchanges likewise expanded.

Duterte conferred on Kim the Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction.

Kim thanked Duterte for a productive bilateral engagement with the Philippines.

The US remains committed to the alliance and partnership with the Philippines that are based on shared values and meaningful history, he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114728

Cascolan orders another revamp of police officials

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): Cascolan orders another revamp of police officials (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)



PNP chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan. (File photo)

Barely a week since assuming as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Gen. Camilo Cascolan ordered a third reshuffle of police officials to various units.

In an order released on Tuesday, Cascolan reassigned Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, current PNP spokesperson, to lead the PNP Training Service.

Replacing Banac as acting PNP spokesperson and Public Information Office (PIO) chief is Col. Ysmael Yu, his batchmate in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1992. The PIO is under the Directorate for Police Community Relations.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Celso Pestaño was designated as head of the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management (DICTM) after his stint as Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO)-Southern Luzon chief.

Brig. Gen Jonnel Estomo, formerly director of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) was named director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), replacing Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, who will now head the DIPO-Southern Luzon.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Joseph Ulysses Gohel will take over as chief of the AKG while Brig. Gen. Edgar Monsalve will now head the PNP Intelligence Group (IG).

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Alex Sintin Jr. was named acting director of the National Police Training Institute (NPTI) while Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg was designated as director of the Logistic Support Service (LSS). Brig. Gen. Pascual Muñoz will now be the Regional Director of PRO 4-B (Mimaropa).

Brig. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, deputy director for administration of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP. Taking over Armamento's post is Brig. Gen. Sterling Raymund Blanco.

Meanwhile, three police colonels were designated to new positions -- Col. Leo Francisco, who was assigned at PRO 3 (Central Luzon); Col. Roel Acidre, acting Deputy Regional Director for Administration of the PRO Caraga; and Col. Celso Bael as acting executive officer of the Directorate for Intelligence.

The reshuffle will take effect on Wednesday.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114735

Ex-rebels in NorMin get over P2-M livelihood aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): Ex-rebels in NorMin get over P2-M livelihood aid

Over PHP2 million worth of livelihood assistance was given to more than a hundred rebel returnees and parents of child laborers in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported on Tuesday.

Based on the report of DOLE Regional Office 10 (Northern Mindanao) to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, 34 former rebels in the region and 83 parents of child laborers have received livelihood starter kits worth PHP20,000.

The regional office through its field offices in Misamis Occidental, Cagayan de Oro City, and Lanao del Norte, have distributed the livelihood starter kits.

The beneficiaries are among the 137 individuals who received working capital in the form of raw materials, equipment, tools and jigs, and other support services to enable them to become entrepreneurs.

The recipients, including 15 individuals from Barangay Balulang who were displaced by a recent typhoon in Mindanao and five other displaced workers, were from various villages in Misamis Occidental, Cagayan de Oro City, and Iligan City.

The assistance was released under the Kabuhayan component of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

Meanwhile, the Misamis Occidental provincial field office reported that the 20 parents of child laborers from different barangays of Oroquieta City were assisted, with 10 of them venturing into rice trading projects, six into swine fattening, and four into the sari-sari store.

The Cagayan de Oro City field office has released a separate package of assistance worth PHP1.6 million to 83 beneficiaries through the Skills Mastery Institute for Learning, Employment/Entrepreneurship and Success (SMILES) Foundation, DOLE’s accredited partner in the area.

All beneficiaries underwent a series of training on basic marketing and financial aspects in a small business conducted by the SMILES Foundation.

On the other hand, the Lanao del Norte provincial field office awarded livelihood assistance of close to PHP700,000 to 34 rebel returnees from the area.

The beneficiaries received their starter livelihood kits after completing their skills training conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

One of the beneficiaries, Isabelo “Ka Belo” Bolocon said the assistance given to him will be a big help to his family.

“This is a big help for us especially I have children who are going to school. When I’m still with the group I cannot sustain or help my children to go to school. Our lives have been affected. My wife and I, we don’t have jobs. We are very thankful for providing us with this livelihood assistance. I hope the government will make it permanent until we have returned to our community and occupation,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114750

Solon seeks more fund sources for AFP modernization

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): Solon seeks more fund sources for AFP modernization (By Filane Mikee Cervantes)



Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon (File photo)

A lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Tuesday stressed the need to provide additional sources of funds outside the General Appropriations Act for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chair of the House committee on appropriations, made the statement as the panel deliberated on the proposed PHP283.2-billion budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) for 2021.

Biazon said that while DND usually ranks among the top five agencies based on the amount appropriated every year, the current and emerging challenges that the country is now facing, especially in securing Philippine sovereign territory, require more than what is provided for under the spending measure.

“The need to provide for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to upgrade its capabilities to perform its role in securing the country’s sovereign territory and rights such as the exclusive economic zone, countering terrorism and local insurgency as well as conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in times of calamities and other emergencies should compel Congress to find other means of sourcing funds beyond the General Appropriations Act (GAA),” he said.

Aside from the passing of the GAA, he said providing funds for the AFP to upgrade its capability can also be done through the passage of other laws as well.

House Bill 699 seeks to amend the Bases Conversion Development Law to increase the share of the AFP for its modernization program from the current 35 percent to 55 percent.

Biazon said that based on the average remittances of the BCDA in the first three years of the Duterte administration amounting to PHP15.2 billion, this proposal would yield an additional PHP3 billion in one year.

“The bill also expands the coverage of the properties where the AFP could benefit from since the current law only provides for the AFP Modernization proceeds from the sale of military camps within Metro Manila. There are more military properties in other parts of the country,” he said.

House Bill 555, meanwhile, proposes the creation of the Military Real Estate Development Authority, which would enable the AFP to manage its properties and maximize the benefit of the use of those properties, making the AFP “partially self-sustaining”.

He highlighted that under this proposal, the AFP could retain ownership of the properties for its strategic purposes while earning from its commercial potential, unlike the present regime where the AFP loses real estate and yet does not receive the full benefit.

House Bill 4304 seeks to authorize the DND to designate or declare certain areas of the public domain as strategic for the security of the country to ensure that national security is not compromised in pursuit of commercial activities.

“This will avoid instances where national security is set aside in the development of certain properties such as the situation in Sangley Point where the Philippine Navy Base is threatened of being booted out of a strategic location which serves as a staging point for the defense of the West Philippine Sea and Manila Bay,” he said.

During the budget hearing, DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippine Navy continues to patrol the West Philippine Sea, the portion of the South China Sea falling within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

Lorenzana stressed that the country would continue to assert its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea despite limited assets.

"Napakalawak ng West Philippine Sea (is very wide) and the Navy has limited assets and also the Air Force. But we are trying our best with our limited assets to assert our sovereignty over the area," Lorenzana said.

Under the DND’s proposed budget for next year, PHP208.7 billion is for regular funds and PHP74.5 billion is for the pension of AFP retirees.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114759

Lorenzana dares Makabayan bloc to sue AFP over red-tagging

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 8, 2020): Lorenzana dares Makabayan bloc to sue AFP over red-tagging (By Filane Mikee Cervantes)



Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (File photo)

Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday told members of the House Makabayan bloc to file cases before the court over the red-tagging remarks in the social media posts of various military units.

Lorenzana made the statement in the House panel deliberations of the agency’s budget for 2021 after Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago confronted him regarding the alleged “state-sponsored disinformation” against the Makabayan lawmakers through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units’ online posts.

“They can sue us in court and we will answer them,” he said.

Lorenzana defended the Facebook posts, claiming that the AFP only publishes materials that “have basis”.

He said the social media posts of the AFP are monitored by the Civil Relations Service and the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

"Itong mga pina-publish ng armed forces tsaka ng PCOO, hindi sila magpa-publish kung wala silang basehan. Itong akusasyon na nagre-red-tagging kami, merong basehan yan dahil marami naman kaming nakuhang mga dokumento (These [online posts] published by the armed forces and the PCOO won’t be published if there are no basis. Our accusations of red-tagging have basis because we have acquired some documents [as evidence]),” he said.

Under the proposed PHP283.2-billion budget of the DND for next year, PHP208.7 billion is for regular funds and PHP74.5 billion is for the pension of AFP retirees.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114797

Badoy insists Makabayan reps are CPP-NPA execs; Gaite says explain pork barrel

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 5, 2020); Badoy insists Makabayan reps are CPP-NPA execs; Gaite says explain pork barrel (By: Gabriel Pabico Lalu)

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy again insisted that Makabayan bloc lawmakers are high-ranking members Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), saying that they should drop the term “legislator.”

In response, Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite, who’s part of the Makabayan bloc, Badoy and the rest of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) should instead explain why an alleged pork barrel was allocated to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

In a post on the NTF-ELCAC Facebook page on Saturday, Badoy said that Gaite and the rest of the Makabayan bloc were actually involved in issuing directives to CPP members, sparking another word war between administration officials and left-leaning lawmakers.

Badoy named every single Makabayan member — Gaite, fellow Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate and Eufemia Cullamat, Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and ACT Rep. France Castro.

“Makabayan Bloc representatives must therefore strip themselves of all their pretenses and take away their masks of ‘LEGISLATOR’ and tell the Filipino people who it is they truly are and what it is they truly aim for,” Badoy, herself a member of the NTF-ELCAC, said.

“That they are high ranking party members of the Communist Party of the Philippines that directly guides and gives explicit and implicit instructions to its armed component, the New People’s Army, and to its legal fronts under the umbrella of the National Democratic Front,” she added.

But Gaite said that this reaction from Badoy might have stemmed from their queries on insertions of supposed pork barrel funds in the 2021 national budget. Previously, Zarate also wrote a letter to the Commission on Audit asking whether it would be legal to transfer appropriations to an office when Congress had not appropriated any.

“Lorraine Badoy and her NTF-ELCAC bosses must be frothing in the mouth because of the early exposure of the pork barrel funds that they inserted in the 2021 National Budget,” Gaite said in a statement on Sunday.

“Instead of answering why the NTF-ELCAC wants to control the disbursement of public money amounting to P20 million per barangay, Badoy goes on again on her tireless but unsubstantiated tirades against the Makabayan bloc,” he added.

Gaite also asked why the funds were being appropriated for NTF-ELCAC and not for frontliners fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, implying that the red-tagging was meant to divert discussions on the 2021 national budget.

“Instead of explaining why these billions should go to their pockets and not to public hospitals which are currently at the frontlines of the battle against the pandemic, Badoy chooses to spew vitriol against us,” Gaite said.

“Obviously, she is trying to divert the issue with lies she was never able to defend in numerous occasions,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Kabataan party-list insisted that Elago was focused on finding ways to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and not things that Badoy suggested, like the weakening of democratic institutions.

“In the context of the pandemic, we have always been one with the broad masses in their fight for mass testing, the support for our medical frontliners, for adequate socio-economic aid, for the security of the people’s livelihood and employment, and the call to ensure the safe resumption of schools, to name a few,” Kabataan said.

This is not the first time that members of the NTF-ELCAC and the Makabayan bloc and other progressive groups clashed against each other. Previously, NTF-ELCAC said that progressive groups acting as legal fronts of the communist armed movement are jumping on the ABS-CBN shutdown issue to gain support.

This prompted the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to step in and remind the NTF-ELCAC that legitimate dissent from journalists and activists are protected by law, and diverse opinions are not a reason to be tagged as NPA members.

READ: CHR reminds gov’t: Dissent protected by law, stop red-tagging activists, journos

The anti-communist body also claimed that ABS-CBN was shut down because of legal issues, but Gaite previously said that NTF-ELCAC’s statement — shared by official accounts of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Philippine Information Agency — made it clear who wanted the network shut down.

READ: Bayan Muna, govt anti-communist task force clash over ABS-CBN shutdown

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1332050/badoy-insists-makabayan-reps-are-cpp-npa-execs-gaite-says-explain-pork-instead

US didn't request pardon for Pemberton, was 'surprised' – Locsin

From Rappler (Sep 7, 2020): US didn't request pardon for Pemberton, was 'surprised' – Locsin (By SOFIA TOMACRUZ)

Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr says paperwork on the US soldier's pardon will be completed following President Rodrigo Duterte's decision

Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said on Monday, September 7, that the United States did not request President Rodrigo Duterte to pardon US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton.

Locsin confirmed this to GMA News on Monday, saying outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim was even "surprised" by Duterte's decision to allow the American soldier to walk free.

Locsin announced earlier on Monday that Duterte had granted absolute pardon to Pemberton, who was convicted of homicide in December 2015 for killing Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude.

The foreign affairs chief said, "Cutting matters short over what constitutes time served, and since where he was detained was not in the prisoner’s control – and to do justice – the President has granted an absolute pardon to Pemberton."

Locsin said paperwork on Pemberton's pardon and forthcoming release would likewise be completed on Monday night, following the President's decision.

Why it matters
Pemberton's release comes 4 years earlier than the 10-year sentence meted out to him after a high-profile trial over the death of Laude. A local court convicted Pemberton for killing Laude, who he was about to have sex with.

Upon discovering she had male genitals, Pemberton arm-locked Laude and dunked her head in the toilet bowl in a lodge in Olongapo City.

He was 19 at the time of the killing, while Laude was 26.

The American soldier was part of a US delegation that joined military exercises with Filipino troops and had been covered by Manila and Washington's decades-old Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Last February, Duterte terminated the military pact with the US, only to walk back on this decision in June due to shifting geopolitics in the region as well as the coronavirus pandemic. The VFA is still in effect until the end of the year and can be extended for 6 months more after that.

Pemberton's release came after he was recently granted full credits of Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) under a Philippine law – an issue questioned by the Laude family's lawyers, who argued this was not covered by the two countries' VFA.

The Laude family's lawyers likewise said the US soldier was not covered by the equal protection clause as "there is a substantial difference in treatment between someone under the VFA and an ordinary convict."

The issue of the GCTA's coverage, however, was not a problem for Duterte, who instead pointed out the confusion over how the GTCA would be computed.

In a televised address on Monday night, Duterte defended his decision to grant Pemberton pardon, saying it was "not fair" to keep the American soldier in prison over the Philippines’ failure to accurately compute his GCTA credits.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but ito ang tingin ko sa kaso: You have not treated Pemberton fairly. So ni-release ko. Pardon,” Duterte said, after claiming he favored neither Pemberton nor Laude's family.

MUST READ
Duterte grants 'absolute pardon' to US soldier Pemberton

What happens next

Before the abrupt announcement, the Philippine government refused to immediately implement a regional court’s release order of Pemberton, saying a motion for reconsideration filed by Laude's family first had to be resolved.

Last September 2, Laude's family filed for a motion for reconsideration. They insisted to see proof of Pemberton's records on good behavior, given that he was detained at a restricted facility in the military headquarters of Camp Aguinaldo.

MUST READ
Show Pemberton: Laudes slam Duterte pardon as part of cover-up

Duterte's absolute pardon, which is part of his powers as President, now clears the hurdles blocking Pemberton's release.

https://rappler.com/nation/us-did-not-request-pardon-pemberton-surprised-locsin