Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Kidnappers free NCotabato gas station owner, secretary

From the Philippine Star (Oct 11): Kidnappers free NCotabato gas station owner, secretary

Kidnappers have set free in a secluded area in Maguindanao’s Datu Piang town a 70-year-old gasoline station owner and her secretary gunmen snatched in Libungan, North Cotabato more than a week ago, a local official said Thursday. Libungan town Mayor Manuel Dela Cerna said that businesswoman Alma Datuwato Cuan and her secretary, 19-year-old Cristabelle Joloran, were released through the intercession of the joint ceasefire committee of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the police. Dela Cerna said the kidnappers were forced to release the victims because of the preassure exerted by the military and the MILF. “We ought to thank all the sectors that helped secure the release of the victims,” Dela Cerna said. The two victims were snatched from Cuan's Petron gasoline station in Libungan town on Tuesday last week. The gunmen, believed to be members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, brought the victims to the marshy border of North Cotabato and Maguindanao.  Dela Cerna said local officials in Datu Piang also helped in securing the release of the victims.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=858346

Kidnappers free North Cotabato gas station owner, aide

From InterAksyon (Oct 11): Kidnappers free North Cotabato gas station owner, aide

Kidnappers released unharmed the gas station owner and her secretary who were snatched in Libungan, North Cotabato on October 3, police said. Senior Superintendent Roque Alcantara, provincial police chief, said Annie Datuwata Cuan, 70, and her secretary were released in Dulawan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Wednesday. He attributed the release to " the pressure of local government units and other law enforcement agencies." Cuan and her secretary, a certain Cristabel, are back in their homes resting, he added. Alcantara could not say if ransom had been paid for the victims’ release. He said least five suspects have been identified and are now being sought.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/45281/kidnappers-free-north-cotabato-gas-station-owner-aide

2 dead, 2 hurt in Cagayan de Oro bomb blast

From InterAksyon (Oct 11): 2 dead, 2 hurt in Cagayan de Oro bomb blast

Two civilians were killed and two policemen wounded when an improvised explosive device went off near a hotel in Cagayan de Oro City early Thursday morning, the city police chief said. Senior Superintendent Gerardo Rosales said that at 1:50 a.m., the Maxandrea Hotel phoned police to report that three unidentified suspects had left what was suspected to be a bomb outside the establishment. Policemen responding to the call were conducting a “visual inspection” when the bomb exploded, killing Rudy Jote, an employee of the Willshire Inn, and a certain “Toto,” a transport vehicle dispatcher. Police Officers 1 Rogelio Canilanza and Dexter Dano were hit in the legs and back by shrapnel. The Maxandrea Hotel is located at the corner of J.R. Borja and Aguinaldo Streets in what its website describes as one of the city's "busiest districts." Rosales said they have yet to determine the motive for the bombing.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/45275/2-dead-2-hurt-in-cagayan-de-oro-bomb-blast

How the GPH-MILF Framework deal was (finally) sealed

From MindaNews (Oct 11): How the GPH-MILF Framework deal was (finally) sealed

If the Framework Agreement reached by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels in Kuala Lumpur proves to be truly historic years from now, everyone involved in the undertaking would look back to Saturday, October 6, 2012 as a day of shuttling and Skyping, disappearances and texting and calling by mobile phone, until both panels – and their principals back home — could finally say “it is done” at 10:40 p.m....

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2012/10/11/how-the-gph-milf-framework-deal-was-finally-sealed/

Proposed "Bangsamoro" Core Territory

Posted to MindaNews (Oct 11): Proposed "Bangsamoro" Core Territory




Based on page 6 of the Framework Agreement, the core territory of the proposed Bangsamoro would consist of

* the five ARMM provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan;

* the six towns of Lanao del Norte that voted for inclusion in the ARMM in the 2001 plebiscite – Baloi, Munai,Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal;

* barangays in the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan and Pikit in North Cotabato that also vote dfor inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite

* the cities of Cotabato and Isabela in Basilan; and

* all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the local government unit or a petition of at least 10 percent of the qualified voters in the area asking for inclusion at least two months prior to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

(Prof. Rudy Rodil, historian and former government peace panel member in the negotiations with the MNLF and MILF, counted 39 of 208 barangays in the six towns of North Cotabato that voted for inclusion in the ARMM in 2001, from Commission on Elections records on the “Plebiscite to Ratify the Amendments to RA 6734, Consolidated ARMM Referendum Results, 14 August 2001.”)

http://www.mindanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1011_BANGSAMORO_MAP_FINAL_AA_small.jpg

Palace: MNLF won't be marginalized

From ABS-CBN (Oct 10): Palace: MNLF won't be marginalized

MalacaƱang reiterated that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was consulted on the crafting of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). "MNLF was consulted directly and through Indonesia, the facilitator. We have said/sent the message that we intend the presence of making the new law inclusive; that they will have representation in the Transition Commission, an intent that we have communicated to MILF as well," Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Ging Deles said in a text message read by Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.  "The OIC [Organization of the Islamic Conference] has already convened MNLF and MILF leaders to push for unity and coordination. Our policy from the start has been to push for convergence between the two peace tables. The OIC Peace Commission for Southern Philippines (PCSP) supports this. Significant elements of MNLF have welcomed this development. With the ARMM government, we are working with MNLF communities which have clearly expressed their support for the peace process and have called for their leaders to unite...."

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/10/12/palace-mnlf-wont-be-marginalized

Misuari, MNLF leaders to be offered seats in transition body for peace

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 10): Misuari, MNLF leaders to be offered seats in transition body for peace

The Nur Misuari-led Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will not be left behind once the Bangsamoro autonomous political entity replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as the permanent Moro homeland, according to Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles. To ensure that the MNLF is not left out in the ongoing peace process with its rival, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Aquino administration would give the MNLF seats in the Transition Commission Deles informed the Philippine Daily Inquirer during a dinner with its reporters and editors on Tuesday night. She said that the MILF itself has expressed openness to working with the MNLF in bringing about peace in war-torn parts of Mindanao. In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda confirmed this, saying the MNLF “will not be marginalized....”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/286716/misuari-mnlf-leaders-to-be-offered-seats-in-transition-body-for-peace

Chief Moro negotiator sheds tears for peace

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 10): Chief Moro negotiator sheds tears for peace

.... Besides the demand for self-rule in the pretext of a substate for the Moros, the MILF gave up a lot of concessions: dropped its objections to all of these major points of contention: plebiscite, congressional imprimatur for the basic law, ARMM elections for 2013, and governmental say in the composition of the Transition Commission.  The MILF also reconsidered its hardline position seeking constitutional amendments to legitimize either a parliamentary or a federal form of government. The government panel, for its part, gave in to the MILF’s demand for the use of “Bangsamoro” to describe the new Moro homeland; recognize Bangsamoro identity to correct historical injustices; and accept the “asymmetric” relationship between the national government and the Bangsamoro. The government also accepted changes in the phraseology of the framework agreement such as “normalization” instead of DDR, which stands for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, a term for postconflict peace consolidation. “They will not accept surrender, disarmament [in the agreement], so we left it out,” Leonen said, adding that the MILF had “dignity and pride” to preserve, as well. But the MILF, for the first time, agreed to a “graduated program for decommissioning of its forces so that they are put beyond use,” short for phased and gradual disarmament. In sum, he said: “They changed their positions; we conceded a lot of language.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/286726/chief-moro-negotiator-sheds-tears-for-peace

Gov’t allays fears of Bangsamoro becoming an Islamic state

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 10): Gov’t allays fears of Bangsamoro becoming an Islamic state

 Marvic Leonen, head of the government panel negotiating peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said at a briefing for Philippine Daily Inquirer editors and reporters that the creation of Bangsamoro would respect the “separation of Church and State....”  The establishment of Bangsamoro would also mean recognition of the Moro identity, said the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles.... Following the announcement of the preliminary agreement on Sunday, she said, a group of Bangsamoro proposed a campaign called “Bangsamoro Ako, Filipino.”   “It is a way to promote the Moro identity as part of the Filipino,” Deles said, adding that she had told the group to proceed with the campaign....

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/286784/govt-allays-fears-of-bangsamoro-becoming-an-islamic-state

Promotion Of General Facing Plunder Defended

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 10): Promotion Of General Facing Plunder Defended

MalacaƱang defended on Tuesday the promotion of a police general in Tarlac despite facing a plunder case, saying he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also said barring the promotion of an official with a pending case was “unfair,” especially since the court has not issued any final ruling on the complaint. “If we stop everyone with a pending case, there will be a problem in the hierarchy. Remember, we have a presumption of innocence. There is no decision yet on the case filed against General (Benito) de Leon,” Lacierda said in a Palace press briefing.... De Leon was among several military officers charged with plunder by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for alleged diversion of P2.3 billion in military funds through the anomalous practice of “conversion....”

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/376668/promotion-of-general-facing-plunder-defended

Kato followers tagged in Cotabato kidnapping

From the Philippine Star (Oct 11): Kato followers tagged in Cotabato kidnapping

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) was tagged in the kidnapping of a 70-year-old gasoline station owner and her secretary in Libungan, North Cotabato last Tuesday. Sources told The STAR yesterday that based on field reports, the group of Datu Khan Usman and Kadfi Hamilon transferred Alma Cuan and her 19-year-old secretary Cristabelle Joloran from their hiding place in Talayan to an area in Datu Odin Sinsuat Tuesday night. “They’re highly mobile, moving their victims, from one place to another to evade ongoing rescue operations,” the report said.
The report added that 70 heavily armed BIFM members are guarding the kidnap victims....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=858057

Peace month successful: Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 10): Peace month successful: Army

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the month-long Peace Consciousness celebration in Negros Occidental was a “big success”, as about 200,000 Negrenses were touched by their peace advocacy campaign and related activities. September was declared as Peace Consciousness Month, and daily activities were jointly spearheaded by the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade...

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/10/topstory9.htm

US, Philippine Marines patrol, construct hide sites

From the USPACOM Website (Oct 9): US, Philippine Marines patrol, construct hide sites

CROW VALLEY, Philippines – Completely surrounded in thick vegetation, snipers encase themselves within a wall of camouflage, utilizing their natural surroundings to keep from being compromised. Marines and sailors from the scout sniper platoon, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, train alongside Philippine Marines from Special Operations Platoon, 3rd Battalion, while conducting patrolling drills and training in the construction of hide sites here, Oct. 9.

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/95886/us-philippine-marines-patrol-construct-hide-sites

31st MEU, Philippine leaders meet over Palawan projects

From the USPACOM Website (Oct 9): 31st MEU, Philippine leaders meet over Palawan projects
Leaders of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit met in Palawan with Edward Hagedorn, the city mayor, during Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012 to discuss the upcoming civil affairs projects here, Oct. 7.... For the duration of the two week exercise, the Marines and Sailors will undertake numerous civil improvement projects and conduct community relations visits. The group will visit multiple elementary schools throughout the area, mainly in Macarascus and Tagburos. The corpsmen of the 31st MEU and their Philippine counterparts will also conduct medical and dental capability exercises in the area to provide free care to locals in need. Finally, the Navy and Marine Corps team will join Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 and their Philippine counterparts for two engineering projects chosen by local forces.

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/95878/31st-meu-philippine-leaders-meet-over-palawan-projects

Peace group calls for military pull out in Paquibato district

From the leftist Davao Today (Oct 11): Peace group calls for military pull out in Paquibato district

The peace advocacy group Exodus for Justice and Peace is calling for the immediate pull-out of military troops staying inside the community in Paquibato District as it has caused fear among residents. The group presented in a press briefing their peace mission in Barangay Pandaitan where they found soldiers belonging to the 69th IB of the Philippine Army using the barangay hall as post and detachment. Bishop Modesto Villasanta of the United Church of Christ in the
Philippines (UCCP) and EJP convener said this is endangering the lives of civilians especially children. “This purposeful and witting act by the military to undermine the local government functions and civilian supremacy and the gross violation of the rights of women and children go beyond what is humane, Christian-like and what is mandated in the International Humanitarian Law (IHL),” Villasanta said.The group’s peace mission was able to document the 69th IB encamping and using of the second floor of the barangay hall in Pandaitan where a day-care school is using the first floor....

http://davaotoday.com/main/2012/10/11/peace-group-calls-for-military-pull-out-in-paquibato-district/

Moro rebel chief Misuari criticises MILF peace agreement

From the Gulf News (Oct 10): Moro rebel chief Misuari criticises MILF peace agreement

Nur Misuari, chairman-emeritus of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), has warned of possible complications if the Philippine government proceeds with the signing of a “framework agreement” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In an interview over radio station dzRH, Misuari said the government has an earlier agreement with the MNLF concerning the grant of autonomy to several Muslim areas in Mindanao. According to Misuari, the impending agreement between the MILF and the government violate provisions of a series of pacts made by past administrations....

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/moro-rebel-chief-misuari-criticises-milf-peace-agreement-1.1087497

Mayor accuses MNLF of massing in Zamboanga del Sur town

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 10): Mayor accuses MNLF of massing in Zamboanga del Sur town

A municipal mayor in Zamboanga del Sur has accused the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of sowing fear in a village in his town by allegedly massing up forces there. “Armed men introducing themselves as members of the MNLF have been massing up since October 3 and they were causing fear and displacements in Barangay (the village of) Lower Landing,” Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga Jr. of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, by phone on Wednesday.
He said that as of Wednesday, 15 families from Barangay Lower Landing fled their homes while officials of the Lower Landing Elementary School suspended classes when schoolchildren failed to report since Monday due to fear of the armed men. Pacalioga said the number of MNLF men in the village grew by the day from just five a few days ago. About 25 armed MNLF men in the area, who were being led by commander Aspie Abdurahman, MNLF training director, and his deputy, Ahmad Joemar Jajie. “Dumingag has no large Muslim population and it is not known to be an MNLF area, that’s why their presence was causing fear,” Pacalioga said....

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/286612/mayor-accuses-mnlf-of-massing-in-zamboanga-del-sur-town

Bandits transfer kidnapped gasoline station operator

From the Philippine Star (Oct 10): Bandits transfer kidnapped gasoline station operator

Bandit group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) is moving a 70-year-old gasoline station operator and her secretary, who were kidnapped in Libungan, North Cotabato last week.
Field operatives told The STAR that from Talayan, Maguindanao, BIFM fighters have transferred gasoline station operator Alma Cuan and her secretary, Cristabelle Joloran, to Datu Odin Sinsuat town. Field reports said that the area is in Liguasan Marsh and moving the captives to the area was a tactic to evade the combined elements of the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).... The field reports also said that the two kidnap victims are being secured by 70 heavily-armed BIFM fighters....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=858051

CPP denounces plans to revert Subic to US military use

Posted to the Philippine Revolutionary Web Central (PRWC) Website (Oct 10): CPP denounces plans to revert Subic to US military use

.... The CPP issued its statement after Executive Director Edilberto Adan of the VFA Commission confirmed plans to increase the number of "joint military exercises" and made proposals to "put back in harness" the Subic International Airport as a military airport in order to be used by US military forces.... "The Aquino regime's plans to allow the US military to use facilities at Subic follows a longstanding promise made by the puppet government's officials in the Strategic Defense Dialogue with US officials since January of this year," said the CPP. "These schemes to accomodate the increasing number of US soldiers in the Philippines will virtually overturn the historic abrogation of the MBA and bring us back to the days of US military bases," said the CPP...

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/10/cpp-denounces-plans-to-revert-subic-to.html

AFP's presence on 'Bangsamoro' designated areas remains --Gazmin

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10): AFP's presence on 'Bangsamoro' designated areas remains --Gazmin

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin on Wednesday said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will maintain its presence on areas to be designated as part of the new "Bangsamoro" territory. AFP units in these localities will not be reduced. They will remain there," he said. Gazmin also stressed that military bases in these places would not close down.
He also said that AFP's presence in these communities would remain until the insurgency problem there is eradicated. "Only after this issue is resolved will the AFP turnover its peacekeeping duties to the Philippine National Police just like what is being done in provinces," Gazmin said.... http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=461412

Al Haj Murad to attend signing of Framework Agreement on Oct. 15

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10): Al Haj Murad to attend signing of Framework Agreement on Oct. 15

Malacanang on Wednesday confirmed that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim will be stepping for the first time in Malacanang, which is considered the symbolic power of the Executive branch of the government, on Oct. 15 to witness the signing of the Framework Agreement with the rebel group. Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, in a press briefing, said that aside from Al Haj Murad, the MILF negotiating peace panel, led by its chief, Mohaguer Iqbal will also attend the historic event and some members of the MILF contingent....

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=461494

Army bares Kapunan's surrender

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10): Army bares Kapunan's surrender

Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on Wednesday announced that former Lt. Col. Eduardo "Red" Kapunan, who is wanted for the killing of labor leader Rolando Olalia and latter's driver Leonor Alay-ay, surrendered himself to them since Oct. 6. Bautista said that Kapunan surrendered himself to the Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division on the weekend. He also said that the unit quickly turned over Kapunan to the custodial management unit of the PA....

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=461528

Govt, MILF to sign Framework Agreement next week

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10): Govt, MILF to sign Framework Agreement next week

The Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will sign on Monday, Oct. 15, the Framework Agreement on peace aimed at ending the conflict in Mindanao that has spanned two generations and has resulted in hundreds of casualties. In a press conference in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that among those who were expected to attend the signing, included Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, MILF Chairman Al Hadj Murad, MILF contingent and other partners who helped in the successful conclusion of the peace talks in Malaysia....

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=461544

ARMM Governors Throw Support Behind Aquino Peace Draft with MILF

From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 10): ARMM Governors Throw Support Behind Aquino Peace Draft with MILF

Saying that they had had enough of the tragedies of war, the five governors of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have declared their all-out support behind President Aquino’s initiatives to forge peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In a media statement released by the Office of the Presidential Peace Adviser, it said the ARMM governors said they were optimistic that the Framework Agreement forged by government with the MILF would provide the “ road map for lasting peace in Mindanao.” They stressed that government should never again adopt the “all-out war” policy because “it will never be a solution” to the decades-old Mindanao armed conflict. “We, the ARMM provincial governors, support this Framework Agreement reached between the Aquino government with the MILF because it will peacefully resolve the armed conflict in Mindanao through democratic process and constitutional ways. It is not like the ‘all-out-war’ policy which solves nothing and merely prolongs conflict and causes deaths,” said Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan. “We should learn lessons from the past....”

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121010043158

Philippine rebels assail former chieftain for criticizing new peace pact

From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 10): Philippine rebels assail former chieftain for criticizing new peace pact
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front assailed a former Muslim rebel leader, whose group had signed a peace accord with Manila, for criticizing the Philippines’ peace draft with the MILF that would pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro autonomous region. The Bangsamoro aims to expand the existing ARMM to include several areas in the province of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and Basilan. But Nur Misuari, who heads a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front, said abolishing the ARMM is illegal since it was the product of the September 1996 peace deal with the MNLF, and it could spark unrest in the mineral-rich, but troubled region of Mindanao. Misuari also criticized Malaysia for brokering the peace talks between the Philippines and the MILF, now the country’s largest Muslim rebel group. “Misuari is just making noise. The MILF is fighting for self-determination and rights of the Bangsamoro people and not one tribe alone. Misuari was a failure. He became the ARMM governor but what did he accomplish? He ran in previous elections in Sulu and not only he lost terribly, he also lost the trust and confidence of the Tausug. And he was even ousted as chairman of the MNLF by his leaders,” an MILF rebel leader in Basilan province, Commander Black Jack, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner....

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121010032226

Palace not worried over MNLF threat vs peace pact

From the Philippine Star (Oct 10): Palace not worried over MNLF threat vs peace pact

The adviser of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on peace process on Wednesday belittled threats by factions of the Moro National Liberation Front regarding the government's peace pact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Tersita Quintos-Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process, said in a television interview that the MNLF's threat to sue the Philippines before international courts would be a mistake because the signatories in the Philippine-MNLF accord, signed in 1996, was between two domestic actors. The 1996 agreement paved the way for the establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. "That was a domestic agreement signed by two domestic actors - the national government and the MNLF. Also, look at the international support that we are getting for this agreement; even the UN (United Nations) secretary general fully supports [this peace pact]," Deles said....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=857989

MNLF faction welcomes peace pact with MILF

From the Philippine Star (Oct 10): MNLF faction welcomes peace pact with MILF

While two groups in the Moro National Liberation Front have criticized the framework agreement adopted by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government, MNLF's largest faction is optimistic that the government will honor its commitments under 1996 final GPH-MNLF accord. The GPH-MNLF final peace pact, brokered by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is now subject of a “tripartite review,” meant to resolve misunderstandings on the implementation of some of its sensitive provisions. Cotabato City Vice-Mayor Muslimin Sema, chairman of the largest and most politically-active group in the MNLF, said they are confident MalacaƱang will recognize the “dividends” of their peace pact with the national government while trying to pursue a peaceful settlement with the MILF. The MNLF and the MILF are not at war with each other. We are all fighting for one cause, the socio-economic, political and religious advancement of the Bangsamoro people. That’s a centuries-old quest,” Sema told The Star. “President Aquino is aware that the MNLF is already a friend of the government, as a result of the government-MNLF final peace agreement.”
Sema said he MNLF should view the GPH-MILF framework agreement with “guarded optimism....”

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=858006

RP-US military exercise kicks off in Subic Bay

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 10): RP-US military exercise kicks off in Subic Bay

The RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) formally started Monday with a simple ceremony at the flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship of the US Navy anchored at Subic’s Alava Pier. The ceremony was witnessed by US exercise director Brig. Gen. Craig Timberlake, RP exercise director Brig. Gen. Remigio Valdez, flag officer-in-charge Vice Adm. Alexander Pama, Deputy Chief of Mission Brian Goldbeck of the US Embassy, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia.... Over 2,000 American and Filipino soldiers will be participating in the exercises, which will be held variously at the Subic Bay International Airport; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Gregorio Lim Marine Barracks in Ternate, Cavite; Crow Valley in Tarlac; Apolinario Jalandoon Naval Station in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and the Naval Education Training Center in San Antonio, Zambales....

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=591349767407

Army meets to strategize roadmap for peace

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 10): Army meets to strategize roadmap for peace

.... The Civil-Military Operation planners came together recently for a one-day seminar to formulate plans and programs that would best address the emerging challenges in the implementation of the peace program especially in the area of responsibility of the 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, Philippine Army. Col. Arnold M. Quiapo, Commander of the 301st Brigade said that in order for peace to flourish, all sector of society should be involved. Nobody should be left out in this herculean task of building confidence and trust in government especially the uniformed men thus CMO officers should be trained to become good communicators, writers and to establish good working relationship with the media who publishes, broadcasts their various releases to the different publics.... Ileto said, that as CMO officers they should provide correct and timely information to the community, write about their programs and activities undertaken so the people may know what their unit is doing while uplifting the morale of their comrades, and at the same assure the people they promised to protect that they are just there making sure that their mandate is carried out without any mental reservation....

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=971349840086

AFP Vice Chief of Staff visits 4ID

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 9): AFP Vice Chief of Staff visits 4ID

The Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines visited the army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division at 8 a.m. here today. Lieutenant General Reynaldo B. Mapagu AFP was received by Brigadier General Romeo L. Gapuz, 4ID Acting Division Commander. Synchronized with the awarding of residential lots to the beneficiaries of soldiers who were Killed-In-Action (KIA) during combat encounters against insurgents, his visit is also considered as his farewell visit since he will be retiring on October 22, 2012 after serving in the armed forces for 38 dedicated years....

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1461349762200