Armed Forces Nolcom conducts 90 air, surface patrols in first quarter

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 17, 2023): Armed Forces Nolcom conducts 90 air, surface patrols in first quarter (BY LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO)

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City – The Armed Forces-Northern Luzon Command has conducted a total of 60 air and 30 surface patrols to ensure the nation's territorial security in the first quarter of this year.

Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, Nolcom chief, said the Nolcom’s Littoral Monitoring Detachment in Bani, Zambales; Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, and Batan and Mavulis in Batanes monitored 22,474 foreign and domestic vessels in their areas of jurisdiction.

Buca assured that these patrols will go on without letup.

“Nolcom will continue to launch maritime patrols in collaboration with key government agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to ensure the safety of our fellow Filipinos, specially our fishermen and protect our marine resources for the benefit of current and future generations," said Buca.

Nolcom conducts routine security patrol in three maritime areas – Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine or Benham Rise, and the Batanes Strait.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., and Buca visited the three Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in Camp Melchor F. dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela on Tuesday, August 15.

They inspected a warehouse, command and control fusion center, and the 5th Division Training School of the 5th Infantry (Startroopers) Division.

The visit provided them with an invaluable first-hand experience of the progress achieved through collaborative efforts.

EDCA is key to our national interests, as it modernizes our alliance with the US, enhancing our disaster preparedness and response capabilities, Buca said.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/17/armed-forces-nolcom-conducts-90-air-surface-patrols-in-first-quarter

Pacific Airlift Rally 2023 opens in Clark Air Base

From the Sun Star-Pampanga (Aug 18, 2023): Pacific Airlift Rally 2023 opens in Clark Air Base (By JOVI DE LEON)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The Pacific Airlift Rally 2023, participated in by 779 military personnel from 14 countries, opened on August 14 at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

The airlift rally, which is being conducted in various air bases in the country, will run until August 18, 2023.

The rally is aimed to strengthen operational readiness, cultivate interoperability, and foster international cooperation among the participating countries, including the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Philippine Army.

The PAF and Philippine Army are joined by their counterparts from Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, United States Of America, Bangladesh, Brunei Canada, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, Singapore, and Mongolia.

Pacific Airlift Rally 2023 planners, air and maintenance crew, and mission commanders are engaging in various Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEES).

It also includes C-130 maintenance, advance patient movement and evacuation, building resiliency through the military band, chaplain support for humanitarian assistance and disaster response, plus flying training and table top exercises.

On August 15 and 16, the PAF and United States Air Force (USAF) conducted hands-on "austere/expeditionary medical care with mass casualty simulation exercise" in Clark Air Base.

This is to ensure that medical personnel have the capability to operate in battlefield conditions (austere medicine refers to the practice of pre-hospital medical care, or in settings characterized by limited resources and constrained environment).

The "mass casualty simulation exercise," on the other hand, was conducted to assess the two countries' air forces' ability to triage and stabilize patients in a simulated mass casualty scenario, using the skills and knowledge they learned during the academic sessions.

PAF Air Mobility Command Commander Major General Joannis Leonardi Dimaano said the rally fosters multilateral cooperation, unity, and shared expertise of the different nations which will contribute to a safer and more secure region.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1970058/pampanga/local-news/pacific-airlift-rally-2023-opens-in-clark-air-base

DND chief opposes substitute pension scheme for MUP

From the Philippine Star (Aug 18, 2023): DND chief opposes substitute pension scheme for MUP (By Michael Punongbayan)

Members of the Philippine Army maneuver their vehicles around the Quirino Grandstand on June 10, 2023, in preparation for the 125th Independence Day celebration on June 12, 2023.  Photo by Ernie Penaredondo / The Philippine STAR

MANILA, Philippines — Subjecting military personnel to mandatory pension contributions without a transition phase “will definitely have an impact on our soldiers,” Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said yesterday as he voiced opposition to a newly approved House bill introducing a new pension and retirement program for the Armed Forces.

“I respectfully express concern regarding the Substitute Bill approved by the House of Representatives – Ad Hoc Committee on Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension System,” Teodoro said in a statement.

He said the new measure, if enacted into law, will affect the current take home pay and retirement benefits of all active military personnel.

“First, I do not subscribe to the proposed blanket mandatory contributions for military personnel, especially for those who have already completed at least 20 years of active service,” he stressed.

Teodoro noted that President Marcos envisions a carefully transitioned introduction of any pension reform plan so that those in active service would be affected in the least possible way.

“It is also incumbent upon me to look after the welfare of our military pensioners. It has been my position that their pensions and entitlements, including 100 percent automatic indexation, shall remain unchanged,” he added.

“Ensuring the non-diminution of their retirement benefits is the least we can do in recognition of their sacrifices to the country,” he maintained.

Teodoro appealed to the House of Representatives to treat the Armed Forces of the Philippines differently from all other uniformed services.

“Finally, allow me to stress the substantial distinction of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from all other uniformed personnel. The AFP performs a sui generis mandate emanating from the 1987 Constitution: to secure the sovereignty of the Philippines and the integrity of our national territory.

“Despite wearing uniforms and ranks similar to that of other uniformed personnel, there is no uniformity in terms of the nature of their duties and responsibilities,” he explained.

“The risks they face and the multifarious roles they play in nation-building and in times of crisis are well known. Furthermore, they receive no additional financial support from local government units, unlike some of the other services. They are governed by strict rules of military law from the moment they first train until the last day of their service,” he said.

“The AFP continues to obtain the highest approval, satisfaction and trust ratings. Adding to their burdens will only serve to distract them from focusing on their crucial mission,” Teodoro said.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/18/2289523/dnd-chief-opposes-substitute-pension-scheme-mup

In defense of the Philippines

From Business World (Aug 18, 2023): In defense of the Philippines (By Jemy Gatdula)

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

Executive Order No. 37 (S. 2023) gave effectivity to the National Security Policy (NSP) 2023-2028. It’s an interesting document, providing a picture of our strategic posture not only from the text but from the table of contents itself.

For sure, the document is anchored on “the enduring values that have enabled Filipinos through the centuries to cope and thrive,” and correctly contextualized the national security goals “based on an assessment of the emerging strategic landscape and placed within the context of the country’s socio-political values, fundamental laws, and core national interests.”

Nevertheless, unlike the 2017-2022 NSP (which logged “Territorial Integrity” merely fourth amongst National Security Interests), the present NSP puts “National Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity” at the top of the list. As it should be.

Amidst reports that 21 Chinese ships were spotted heading toward Pag-asa Island, while almost the same number gathered around Ayungin Shoal, a recent national survey (OCTA, published August 2023) showed that an overwhelming majority (70%) of Filipinos are demanding that the government defend our territory. This majority cuts across all social classes. Even more tellingly, 65% of Filipinos declared their willingness to fight militarily to defend our territories, with 61% wanting to modernize and strengthen our armed forces. This within the context of another national survey (SWS, 2019) that declared 70% of Filipinos are “worried” about the increasing number of Chinese workers in the country.

Hence, the National Security Policy was right to declare that: “The Philippines shall stand by its cherished values as a sovereign nation that subscribes to multilateralism and rules-based international order. The Philippines shall remain steadfast in its commitment to UNCLOS and in upholding the final and binding South China Sea Arbitration Award of 12 July 2016. The Philippines shall sustain efforts in safeguarding the Philippine maritime zones, especially in the West Philippine Sea and Philippine Rise, and shall strengthen the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) to come up with better measures to cope with the changing security environment in the maritime region.”

Equally correct is: “The Philippines shall strengthen the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America that was signed on 30 August 1951, along with other existing cooperation mechanisms with regional partners, to achieve a credible defense capability.”

It is good that our NSP makes mention of our democratic values and adherence to the rule of law and human rights. While it is oft-repeated that foreign policy is merely contingent on passing national interests, nevertheless, it is very much to the country’s interest that the Philippines unabashedly and honorably stand for our societal and constitutional values, principles, and interests.

This entails that our foreign alliances be based not merely on economic or other short-term materialist considerations but also whether such country partners are aligned with our own democratic values, including that of the rule of law and human rights. It is upon this sharing of values that our alliances should be founded upon to ensure protection of our maritime commerce, for which security arrangements, as well as greater engagement in international trade, is critical.

Additionally, the following policy and legislative considerations could also positively contribute to Philippine defense:

• The revival of the ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) for college-level youth and supplemented by a mandatory military service requirement (one or two years) for the 20-35 age group, plus another program for those older and up to 50 years of age. As of 2023, there are around 29,334,342 Filipinos in the 20-35 age range. Even if only 10% of them can be utilized militarily, that would still constitute a quite serviceable fighting force.

• Refashion a defense posture taking advantage of our separate and disparate islands and utilizing the fact that those islands are divided internally by rivers, lakes, hills, caves, and other land features. The point is to organize our defense forces to work with a national command, if available, but be capable of quickly and readily adapting to independent guerilla efforts on a per region or district basis.

• To facilitate this, our Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program should be calibrated around this policy, with armament and transportation manufacturing and purchases reflecting the type of defense planning advocated here: producible en masse, mobile, easily hidden, and interchangeable.

• For such SRDP, the Departments of National Defense (DND), and Trade and Industry can work on developing local industries for that purpose. One huge consideration is the sourcing and storing of fuel and minerals used as raw materials for whatever equipment is necessary for a credible defense effort.

• The DND could work with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to develop a group that will focus on defensive and offensive computer expertise and technology.

• The Philippine Competition Commission could increase emphasis on monitoring and regulating foreign ownership in industries vital to national security.

• The National Food Authority should emphasize stockpiling of food and other related resources, viewed to include readiness in food supplies in case there is indeed a need to shift to a highly prolonged defense effort (or even natural calamities).

I say quite emphatically: Urgent efforts must be made to address our depreciating age demographics. Last year, 57% or 870,820 of newborn Filipinos were born illegitimate. The Philippine Statistics Authority also reported that the Total Fertility Rate of Filipino women aged 15 to 49 years declined from 2.7 children per woman in 2017 to 1.9 children per woman in 2022, effectively placing the Philippines below the replacement fertility level of 2.1. The security, economic, and social problems that an aging population can bring, if unaddressed, could be catastrophic.

Finally, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s call on Aug. 14 (building on his April 27 speech before the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) against “fake news” is a huge step forward in strengthening our defense capabilities. Speaking out against “active disinformation and misinformation” (and this could be said particularly so regarding propaganda done by or at the behest of a foreign government), Mr. Marcos asked that “truth and credibility, the rule of law [be upheld], especially in the practice of broadcasting, news reporting and information-dissemination.”

For his part, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil, outlined the collaboration our government is making to combat such “fake news,” calling on “partners: META, Google, TikTok, and X [formerly Twitter],” alongside the Departments of Education, Interior and Local Government, and Social Welfare and Development, as well as the Commission on Higher Education.

It is time indeed for our government to emphasize and for the public to be very aware of our national security challenges and strategy. More than at any other time since a half century ago, when a communist takeover had been an utter possibility, or 30 years before that, when the country had been overrun by an invading foreign force, our very existence as a democratic republic, as a nation, is at stake.

[Jemy Gatdula is a senior fellow of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations and a Philippine Judicial Academy law lecturer for constitutional philosophy and jurisprudence]

https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2023/08/18/540240/in-defense-of-the-philippines/

Philippine Air Force proposes putting up Army base in Mati City

From Newsline Philippines (Aug 17, 2023): Philippine Air Force proposes putting up Army base in Mati City (By Eugene Hinutan)

Mati City, Davao Oriental – The Philippine Air Force – Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao, in coordination with Davao Oriental Governor Niño Sotero Uy Jr., unveiled the proposed site development plan for an “Army Base” in Mati City during a meeting held at the Provincial Capitol on Tuesday, August 15.

The primary objective of the proposed “Army Base” is to bolster the defense of the Philippine airspace in the southeastern region of the country and facilitate aerial operations and disaster response activities.

Brigadier General Pedro Francisco III, the Wing Commander of the Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao, highlighted that the Philippine Air Force intends to strengthen its Technical Operations Group 11. Mati City was chosen as the location for the “Army Base” due to its significance during the aftermath of Super Typhoon Pablo, which prompted the Air Force’s rescue and relief operations, particularly from its base in Davao City.

The Philippine Air Force aims to strategically position the “Army Base” near the Mati Airport, which boasts a Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) parking ramp. This selection places Mati City as the fifth area under the Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao, joining the existing bases at Davao Air Station, Lumbia Airport, Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, and Bancasi Airport in Butuan City.

The proposed base development includes the acquisition of more than 12 hectares of land, with an estimated budget of 500 million pesos. This budget encompasses the construction of buildings, offices, and other necessary facilities.

Additionally, the Philippine Air Force envisions the establishment of a potential radar site and a ground-based air defense system for air monitoring, surveillance, and defense mechanisms.

Governor Uy expressed his appreciation for the partnership with the Philippine Air Force, emphasizing that the proposed “Army Base” signifies progress for both Mati City and Davao Oriental as a whole. He noted that the upcoming development aligns well with the forthcoming rehabilitation of Mati Airport, which will add to the province’s attractions.

An ocular inspection for the proposed “Army Base” in Mati City is also scheduled to take place.
https://newsline.ph/top-stories/2023/08/17/philippine-air-force-proposes-putting-up-army-base-in-mati-city/

Manila eyes VFA with ally near China

From the Business World (Aug 17, 2023): Manila eyes VFA with ally near China (By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter)

PHILIPPINE Air Force officers and their counterparts from the US, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Maldives, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Japan, Indonesia, and Timor Leste participated in emergency airlift operations training at Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga on Thursday as part of the Pacific Airlift Rally. — PHILIPPINESTAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE PHILIPPINES is in talks with another country for a visiting forces agreement (VFA), the Foreign Affairs department said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation boosts security ties amid rising tensions with China.

“We are in discussions now [with] a major partner near China,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo told a House of Representatives budget hearing, without naming the country.

“We have the VFA with the United States and Australia. We are not closed to similar arrangements with friendly partners who wish to do so,” he added.

The country’s top envoy said the partnership would cover not only defense and security but also the economy.

The Philippines under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has pursued closer ties with the US and its allies amid China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

On Aug. 5, the Chinese Coast Guard, backed by its maritime militia and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ships, fired water cannons to drive away Philippine vessels trying to deliver food and other supplies to a grounded ship at Second Thomas Shoal.

The shoal is about 200 kilometers from the Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan Island.

China’s move prompted a diplomatic protest from the Philippines and statements of concern from countries including the US, Japan, Australia, South Korea and members of the European Union.

Mr. Manalo said the Philippines seeks to address its sea dispute with China “by trying to forge more links.”

The Philippines’ visiting forces agreement with the US, a treaty ally and former colonizer, lays down the rules for American soldiers participating in war games in the Philippines.

In February, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said Manila was eyeing a similar pact with Japan. “There was already a proposal for certain areas,” he told Japanese news wire Nikkei during his official visit to Tokyo.

“I think it really is just a progression of what has already been happening, so we are just intensifying our joint exercises.”

In June, the top security advisers of the Philippines, US and Japan held their first-ever talks in Tokyo, discussing regional security issues, including those involving the South China Sea, and ways to boost their three-way cooperation. Their coast guards held joint exercises that month.

Mr. Marcos on Wednesday recognized Japan’s role in maintaining peace and security in the South China Sea, saying the bilateral and multilateral deals between Manila and Tokyo have helped keep the region stable.

“I refer to the tripartite trilateral agreements that we have been talking about and have started to implement in terms of joint patrols, in terms of joint exercises for the two maritime forces of Japan and the Philippines,” he said during a courtesy call from Komeito Party Chief Representative Yamaguchi Natsuo at the presidential palace in Manila.

He cited Japan’s contributions in terms of equipment and training, as well as how it has helped preserve the peace and free conduct of trade and shipping in the South China Sea.

In their meeting, the Philippine leader also expressed concern over tensions in the Korean Peninsula, which flared after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Mr. Marcos expressed support for the plans of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is set to hold various discussions on regional peace.

“We consider it a critical issue that, really, we in the region must work together very, very hard to try to alleviate the tensions, to try to make all the proponents of peace in the region be the dominant voice,” he said.

Japan is the Philippines’ top infrastructural donor and supporter.

The Philippines got P109 billion in official development assistance (ODA) from Japan from April 2021 to March 2022, the biggest among Southeast Asian beneficiaries, the Japan International Cooperation Agency said in January.

Japan is raising its defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product by 2027 or by 60% over five years, hitting the third spot on the list of countries with the largest defense budgets. Tokyo has been citing China’s aggression and North Korea’s unpredictability.

Experts earlier said it would be beneficial for the Philippines to tap Japan’s growing desire to be a more noticeable security provider in the region, noting that Tokyo’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has allotted significant resources to improve the defense capabilities of friendly neighbors.

Lucio B. Pitlo III, a research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation, earlier said growing ties among the Philippines, Japan and the US could have been prompted by the failure of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to tackle regional security issues.

At Wednesday’s House hearing, Mr. Manalo said the Philippine government is open to holding joint patrols with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

“If there are proposals by other ASEAN countries, we will be very open to consider it, but for the moment we are not aware of any ASEAN-wide joint patrols,” he said.

Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman proposed for the Philippines to host an international meeting in support of a 2016 arbitral ruling that voided China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

“We cannot sing Hallelujah if we cannot enforce the award,” he told the hearing. “Is the Department of Foreign Affairs considering hosting an international meeting of all kindred countries to solidify their support? It’s an interesting idea we will be happy to explore.”

Meanwhile, Palawan Rep. Edward Hagedorn has filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to conduct joint multilateral maritime patrols to protect its South China Sea claims.

Holding joint multilateral maritime patrols with like-minded nations “will be seen as a stronger and more resolute initiative” in asserting Philippines sovereignty and deterring any aggression at sea, he said in a statement.

“This would also enhance regional and international cooperation which would lead to a more collective response toward security challenges and transnational crimes, such as illegal fishing and piracy,” he added.

https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/08/17/540298/manila-eyes-vfa-with-ally-near-china/

Stronger PH-US military tie-up backed

From the Manila Times (Aug 18, 2023): Stronger PH-US military tie-up backed (By Red Mendoza)

FIFTY-FOUR percent of Filipinos favor stronger Philippine military cooperation with the United States in the face of the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, a survey commissioned by OCTA Research showed.

Soldiers perform the military salute as they observe the national anthem during the closing ceremony of US-Philippines Balikatan joint military exercise at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on April 28, 2023. JAM STA ROSA / AFP

In the survey conducted from July 22-26, 11 percent said they did not favor such a move, while 32 percent were undecided.

Broken down into major regions, more than half of the respondents in Balanced Luzon and Mindanao favored expanding US military cooperation.

Only 46 percent in the National Capital Region and the Visayas agreed to the proposal.

The number of undecideds or ambivalents about stronger cooperation between the US and the Philippines was highest in the National Capital Region at 44 percent, followed by the Visayas at 33 percent. Balanced Luzon and Visayas respondents registered the same percentage of 29 percent.

Among socioeconomic brackets, class E had the highest percentage of those in favor of expanding the cooperation between the two countries to address the territorial dispute at 67 percent, while Classes ABC and D were statistically tied at 53 and 52 percent, respectively, in terms of those who were favorable.

The highest among those who strongly opposed the team-up between the US and the Philippines was Class ABC, with 15 percent disapproval, followed by Class D at 12 percent and Class E at 7 percent.

Meanwhile, 58 percent of the respondents agreed that the Philippines should explore increased military cooperation with the US to deal with external threats to the country.

Only 12 percent were not in favor, and 28 percent were undecided.

More than 60 percent of respondents in Balanced Luzon and Mindanao said they support the strengthening and expanding of military cooperation between the two countries, while only 48 percent of respondents in the NCR and 48 percent of respondents in the Visayas said they agree.

The number of undecideds, however, was highest in the National Capital Region at 43 percent, followed by the Visayas at 31 percent. Balanced Luzon and Mindanao were statistically tied at 24 and 27 percent, respectively.

Class E was the highest socioeconomic class in favor of strengthening military cooperation at 70 percent, while Classes ABC and D were statistically tied at 52 and 56 percent, respectively.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent nationwide and 6 percent among major geographical regions and socioeconomic classes.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/18/news/national/stronger-ph-us-military-tie-up-backed/1905805

Don’t fall for China lies about West Philippine Sea – NSC

From the Philippine Star (Aug 18, 2023): Don’t fall for China lies about West Philippine Sea – NSC (By Michael Punongbayan)

The Philippine Coast Guard's flagship vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, sails in the West Philippine Sea.
Release / Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines — A public divided in its stand is what China hopes to achieve in disseminating lies about the West Philippine Sea issue, according to National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya, who admitted that many Filipinos have fallen for China’s ruse.

In an interview over dzBB, Malaya also challenged newspaper columnist Rigoberto Tiglao to show proof of his claim that the Philippines had promised to remove the grounded BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal back in 1999.

“If he has proof then he has to show it because it seems we’re falling into the Chinese narrative,” Malaya said, referring to Tiglao.

“It’s the Chinese that’s making such claim therefore they have to prove it because we’re falling into their trap instead of getting united as a nation. We fight among ourselves, thinking there are traitors in our midst,” he said in Filipino.

Malaya said China’s psychological warfare has apparently caused division among Filipinos and strengthened China’s position on the West Philippine Sea issue.

“In this time, we need unity. We have to show the world that we Filipinos understand our position and we fully support the position of the Philippines,” he said.

According to Malaya, the supposed memo that Tiglao said contained Manila’s promise to remove the Sierra Madre from Ayungin did not even say anything about such promise.

“The document did not even say there was a promise. What’s written there was China’s saying there was one, therefore it’s conjecture. Just because China said so doesn’t make it true. I am skeptical about that supposed promise,” he said. In diplomatic circles, verbal agreements don’t carry much weight, he added.

“The Chinese know this and they’re using it to sow discord among us, to keep us from getting united, and leave us finger-pointing,” he said.

Malaya maintained it was China that had broken its promises like when it militarized Mischief Reef and refused to leave Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

He said President Marcos’ declaration that the Philippines had never promised to remove the Sierra Madre from Ayungin should settle the issue once and for all.

He accused Tiglao of “clouding the issue” and playing into China’s hands. He also said it was unfair to insinuate former president Joseph Estrada made the promise to China, as it was he who ordered the Sierra Madre beached on Ayungin.

Malaya also said that while he welcomes a Senate probe on the alleged promise to China, senators – and Filipinos in general – should bear in mind that sowing discord is part of China’s psy-war.

“Well, since our country has high consciousness, I think we should let the Senate do its job. That’s an independent co-equal branch of government,” he said. “But I hope we take it with a grain of salt. I hope our minds are open to the fact that this is just a psy-war, cognitive warfare of China against us. And if we hear anything from them, let’s not take it seriously.”

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/18/2289517/dont-fall-china-lies-about-west-philippine-sea-nsc

Most Pinoys back US-Philippine military cooperation – OCTA poll

From the Philippine Star (Aug 18, 2023): Most Pinoys back US-Philippine military cooperation – OCTA poll (By Janvic Mateo)

Some commuters at the EDSA Carousel Nepa Q-Mart Station are seen wearing their face masks on March 29, 2023.  STAR / Jesse Bustos

MANILA, Philippines — A majority of Filipinos support strengthening and expanding military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, a survey conducted by OCTA Research said.

Results of the July 22 to 26 survey released on Aug. 17 showed that 54 percent of the respondents support stronger military cooperation between the two countries to address the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

This is composed of 14 percent who have a “very favorable” view of the matter and 40 percent who said they were “somewhat favorable.”

Only 11 percent were not favorable of expanding military cooperation between the US and the Philippines to address issues in the West Philippine Sea, with the remaining 32 percent saying they were not sure if they were in favor or not.

The same survey asked the respondents if they support strengthening and expanding military cooperation between the US and the Philippines to deal with external threats to the country in general.

Some 58 percent said they support it, composed of 15 percent who said they were “very favorable” and 43 percent who were “somewhat favorable.” Some 12 percent were either very or somewhat unfavorable, while 28 percent were ambivalent.

OCTA earlier released the results of a survey on the top priority measures that Filipinos think the Marcos administration should do to handle conflicts related to the West Philippine Sea.

Seventy percent said the government should assert the Philippines’ territorial rights through diplomacy and other peaceful methods, while 65 percent said it should be asserted through military action.

Some 61 percent said the government should modernize the Philippine military’s capability to protect the country’s territories.

The total exceeded 100 percent because the respondents were allowed to select up to three measures.

OCTA’s Tugon ng Masa survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of +/- three percent.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/08/18/2289524/most-pinoys-back-us-philippine-military-cooperation-octa-poll

Hinihinalang kuta ng mga rebelde natagpuan sa Mountain Province

 From ABS-CBN (Aug 17, 2023): Hinihinalang kuta ng mga rebelde natagpuan sa Mountain Province (Suspected rebel stronghold found in Mountain Province)

Kuha mula sa PNP Mountain Province PIO FB Page

(UPDATE) Nadiskubre ng mga pulis ang isang hinihinalang kuta ng New People’s Army sa Besao, Mountain Province nitong Miyerkules.

Nagsasagawa ng reconnaissance at combat patrol operation ang mga tauhan ng Mountain Province Police Provincial Office nang matuklasan ang hinihinalang kuta ng mga rebelde sa bahagi ng Suquib sa nasabing bayan.

Read: AFP: Only one active NPA guerrilla front remaining in Philippines

Nakuha umano doon ang medical kits, communication devices, iba’t ibang bandila na may markings, mga damit, mga personal na gamit at ilang dokumento.

Kasama rin umano sa nakuha ang isang M16 na baril, mga bala, magazine at isang galon ng gasolina.
- Ulat ni Harris Julio

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/17/23/hinihinalang-npa-camp-natagpuan-sa-mountain-province

2 NPA rebels, supporter surrender in Quezon

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 17, 2023): 2 NPA rebels, supporter surrender in Quezon (By DANNY ESTACIO)

CAMP NAKAR, Lucena City, Quezon – Two New People's Army rebels and a supporter surrendered in Catanauan, this province, on August 16.

Quezon police chief Police Col. Ledon Monte identified the surrenderers as communist rebels “Jayson” and “Lea” and NPA supporter Danilo Marilao.

Their surrender was a joint effort among the police, military, and local government unit under the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) headed by Catanauan Mayor Ramon Orfanel.

The rebel returnees condemned the NPA in a statement and are now in the custody of 2nd Quezon Mobile Force Company for validation and documentation.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/17/2-npa-rebels-supporter-surrender-in-quezon

Rebel camp seized in CAR

From the Business World (Aug 17, 2023): Rebel camp seized in CAR

BAGUIO CITY — Mountain Province policemen and intelligence agents from the Naval Intelligence Security Group-North Luzon seized an abandoned rebel encampment in the hinterland village of Suquib, Besao town on Wednesday.

Seized from the camp site were an M-16 rifle, a portable radio, five magazines for an M-14 rifle, assorted clothes, educational paraphernalia and flags of the New People’s Army (NPA) and their affiliate groups.

On Tuesday, Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo, Cordillera police director, said a rebel had surrendered to police in the village of Bantay, Paracelis, also in Mountain Province. For surrendering his long firearm, the rebel will receive benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, he said. — Artemio A. Dumlao

https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/08/17/540290/rebel-camp-seized-in-car/

NSA Año cites Army’s 10th ID for successes vs Reds

From the Business Mirror (Aug 17, 2023): NSA Año cites Army’s 10th ID for successes vs Reds (By Rex Anthony Naval)

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año has hailed the Mawab, Davao De Oro-based 10th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army for its efforts in containing the communist insurgency in the region.

“Since the activation of the 10ID 17 years ago, transformations and developments have been made and built for the greater good of a region once called the heartland of the longstanding communist insurgency,” he said during the unit’s founding anniversary Wednesday, August 16.

Año, who also served as 10th ID commander before being appointed AFP chief of staff in 2017, recalled that the unit confronted the most advanced and sophisticated territorial unit of the New People’s Army (NPA)—the Southern Mindanao Regional Party Committee, composed of five Sub-Regional Committees, each with three full-size Guerilla Fronts, and eight “Pulang Bagani” Commands.

“But look at where we are now. It is very reassuring to know that the seeds we planted several years ago are bearing fruitful yields and are continually watered and nourished by the sweat and blood of our entire force,” the NSA, who was the event’s guest-of-honor and speaker, said.

From 2016 to 2022, the 10ID has neutralized 105 high-value targets and key leaders; caused the surrender of 13,689 and their supporters; dismantled 16 Guerilla Fronts and six “Pulang Bagani” Commands; recovered 2,687 firearms; and cleared 390 barangays, which resulted in an insurgency-free Davao Region.

Meanwhile, 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Jose Eriel M. Niembre, hailed the unit for its many victories against the NPA and its allies.

“In a short period, despite being one of the youngest major units of the Philippine Army, 10ID has attained a significant number of these. Credit goes to our brigade and battalion commanders, who have played a key role in the success of our vision. It is now our task to build upon these achievements and sustain our gains,” he added.

 
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/08/17/nsa-ano-cites-armys-10th-id-for-successes-vs-reds/

2 Moro Islamic Liberation Front.0 members blamed for deadly ambush surrender in southern Philippines

From BenarNews (Aug 17, 2023): 2 Moro Islamic Liberation Front.0  members blamed for deadly ambush surrender in southern Philippines (By Roel Pareño)

Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels stand guard at an entrance to Camp Darapanan Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, a town in Maguindanao, Philippines, ahead of a weapons decommissioning ceremony, Sept. 7, 2019.  Ferdinandh Cabrera/AFP

Two rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front members suspected of taking part in an attack that killed a soldier and a police officer in the southern Philippines last weekend have surrendered and will be charged with murder, military officials said Thursday.

The suspects were among 10 Moro Islamic Liberation Front gunmen who ambushed a government security team on Aug. 12 as it escorted regional peace monitors in Ulitan, a barangay on Basilan island, said Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan and the 101st Brigade.

The two were “primarily responsible (among the) perpetrators in the recent ambush,” Luzon told reporters here.

He said the suspects surrendered on Tuesday and had provided the military with vital information used by government troops to hunt down the others involved in the attack that left seven other troops injured.

Basilan is one of several provinces in the southern Mindanao region that make up the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In a 2014 peace agreement with Manila, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front gave up its long-running separatist insurgency in exchange for autonomous rule over predominantly Muslim areas in Mindanao.

Under the deal’s terms, the group promised to have its tens of thousands of members turn over and decommission their weapons, but the  Moro Islamic Liberation Front has struggled to meet that target. In various phases so far, it has decommissioned about 4,500 weapons of 40,000 believed to be in the hands of the members of the former guerrilla force, according to Department of National Defense estimates.

In Sunday’s attack, the gunmen ambushed a security convoy guarding a Joint Peace and Security Team tasked with overseeing the decommissioning and disarming of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatants. The team – whose members are military, police, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and local officials – assists in monitoring and enforcing the peace pact.

On Thursday, Luzon pointed to the 2014 peace agreement as being instrumental, in close coordination with its leaders, for the “peaceful and voluntary surrender of the two rebel suspects.”

He identified the suspects as Adzmin Manjapal, 20, and Mudzni Sapau, 27, saying they were both rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The suspects were turned over to the Basilan police chief Col. Carlos Madronio to be charged with murder, Luzon said, while vowing to provide justice for those killed and seven injured in the ambush.

Luzon credited Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders with facilitating the surrender, naming Malik Cadil, officer-in-charge of Western Mindanao Front Moro Islamic Liberation Front; and Hadji Sammad Ahaddin, member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostility. Abdurahman Rajan, deputy commander of  Moro Islamic Liberation Front114th Base Command, also played a role.

The military commander had previously said that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s leaders do not have control over people not identified as their members.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment.

During a decommissioning ceremony for 1,300 ex-combatants earlier this month, Murad Ebrahim, who heads the BARMM, blamed militant groups with endangering efforts to disarm former Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas.

Under the decommissioning process, each former combatant who hands over weapons is expected to receive about U.S. $2,400 per weapon, including funds for education.

“We are facing a very challenging situation because there are still groups out there that encourage our members to join them,” Murad said at the time.

The surrender came amid an intense military-police manhunt for the suspects who were believed to be linked to a Moro Islamic Liberation Front faction led by Huram Malangka. The faction was alleged to be involved in killings including acting as guns for hire for criminal gangs.

“Under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., such attacks will not go unpunished. Justice will be served,” Philippine presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez said on Thursday.

“The blatant disregard for human life and hostilities against our peace builders is an affront and an act of contempt against the tenets of peacebuilding, human dignity and respect to the rule of law.”

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/ambush-surrender-08172023131006.html

IED blast kills village chief, wounds 2 others in Maguindanao Sur

From the Manila Times (Aug 18, 2023): IED blast kills village chief, wounds 2 others in Maguindanao Sur (By Franz R. Sumangil)

A VILLAGE captain in Maguindanao del Sur was killed while a village councilor was injured when unidentified men set off an improvised explosive device (IED) in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town.

Rex Torino, municipal information officer of nearby Datu Salibo town, said Jun "Datu Manot" Silongan, chairman of Penditen village in Datu Salibo, died instantly after the blast that happened on Wednesday morning in Ganta village, Shariff Saydona town.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade, confirmed that one barangay (village) captain was killed and a village councilor injured in their area in "SPMS box."

The "SPMS-box" is a military term referring to the contiguous towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan town), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona, where several Moro armed groups are found.

These include the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Dawlah Islamiyah (DI-ISIS) and private armed groups.

Torino said Silongan was walking with other village officials from the barangay hall of Barangay Ganta when an explosion was heard.

He added that Silongan died from shrapnel injuries to different parts of the body.

Also injured was Penditen councilor Salik Datua who lost a leg in the blast, according to a report from a hospital in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Another injured victim was an unidentified civilian.

The village captain is the brother of Datu Salibo town councilor Demson Silongan, who was murdered on April 17 while he was heading to the Sangguniang Bayan session hall.

Police and military bomb experts are investigating the latest incident.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/18/regions/ied-blast-kills-village-chief-wounds-2-others-in-maguindanao-sur/1905882