Monday, October 29, 2012

2 European, Jordanian hostages being held by MNLF, Philippine military says

From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 29): 2 European, Jordanian hostages being held by MNLF, Philippine military says

 The Philippine military on Monday implicated former Muslim rebels, whose group had signed a peace deal with Manila, to the kidnappings of two European wildlife photographers and a Jordanian television reporter and his two Filipino cameramen now being held captive in Sulu province. This after the Moro National Liberation Front accused the military of attacking its forces under Tahir Usman in Sulu’s Patikul town over the weekend, sparking a five-hour gun battle that left 17 soldiers dead and wounded. Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said Abu Sayyaf and MNLF forces attacked troops sent to investigate the reported presence of Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from Switzerland, who were kidnapped this year in Tawi-Tawi province; and Baker Atyani, 43, of Al Arabiya News Channel, and his crew Rolando Letrero, 22, and Ramelito Vela, 39. “As far as we are concerned, government troops clashed with the group of Abu Sayyaf and MNLF forces in Patikul and they are holding the three foreign kidnapped victims, who are the center of our operations in Sulu,” Cabangbang told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner, adding troops are still searching for the trio....

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121029080745

Karapatan to seek SC intervention in security guard' arrest

From the Philippine Star (Oct 30): Karapatan to seek SC intervention in security guard' arrest

Rights group Karapatan will ask the Supreme Court Tuesday to order authorities to produce a security guard who was mistaken for a high ranking official of Communist Party of the Philippines.
Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said security guard Rolly Panesa has been falsely accused by the military and police to be Benjamin Mendoza, whom the Armed Forces of the Philippines alleged as being a ranking communist rebel. According to the military, Mendoza has a P5.6 million bounty for his capture. Palabay said Panesa, employed by the Megaforce Security, was arrested last October 5 by joint elements of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, led by Maj. Gen. Alan Luga, and the Philippine National Police. The group, along with the National Union of People's Lawyers, will join Panesa's sister, Jiose, and his common law wife Marites Chioco in filing the petition for a writ of habeas corpus before the High Court. Palabay claimed that authorities tortured Panesa while in their custody.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865039

Murad: MILF, MNLF can work together for peace in Mindanao

From the Philippine Star (Oct 30): Murad: MILF, MNLF can work together for peace in Mindanao

.... Al-Haj Murad, who assumed chairmanship of the MILF after Salamat’s demise, said reuniting the two fronts is no longer viable due to each other’s tactical and organizational statures..... Murad, however, said they are not opposed to the “quadripartite” meeting with the OIC, the MNLF, and the Aquino administration to discuss cooperation in pushing forward the Mindanao peace process and resolving concerns and speculations regarding the newly-crafted Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Murad announced over the weekend in Camp Darapanan, the MILF’s bastion in Maguindanao’s Sultan Kudarat town, that while it is no longer possible for the two fronts to reunite, both sides can help each other workout the attainment of peace and development in Mindanao’s Moro communities....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=865042

Suspected NPAs carjack 2 passenger vans in Agusan del Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 30): Suspected NPAs carjack 2 passenger vans in Agusan del Sur

Two passenger vans here hired for a family reunion were carjacked by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels while on their way to Bayugan City on Saturday.... According to the testimonies of the two drivers, the carjackers brought the two passenger vans in Barangay Hamogaway likely towards a rough road leading to Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte.... Valmoria also asked the NPA leadership to stop harassing civilians, including drivers who were only having a meager income to feed their families. Last week, a passenger van was also carjacked by suspected NPA rebels in Agusan del Sur which was used in disarming security guard of a gold buying station in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=466859

Soldier killed; landmine, guns

From the Police Beat section of the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 29): Soldier killed; landmine, guns
recovered in encounter site


The New People’s Army in Western Visayas continues to use landmines that are banned under the International Humanitarian Law, as shown by their recovery of one yesterday by government troopers in Leon, Iloilo, after an encounter, Army regional spokesman Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto said yesterday. Ileto said the landmine, that was connected to 22 meters of electrical wire without a switch, was recovered by the 82nd Infantry Battalion soldiers, while scouring the encounter site in Brgy. Bucari, Leon, Iloilo. The encounter claimed the life of PFC John Philip Durana, and the recovery of an M-14 assault rifle with five rounds of ammunition, among others, at the encounter site. Despite the killing of Durana, Major General Jose Mabanta, 3rd Infantry Division commander, in a statement, said their persistent call for peace with the people will continue, adding that the armed struggle has become not only anti-government, but anti-people as well. “We will not falter in our resolve to send to let the NPA hear the call of the people for peace", Mabanta added. He reiterated his call to the NPA to refrain from using banned weapons, as agreed upon between the Government of the Philippines and the Communist Party of the Philippines' National Democratic Front under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/29/police.htm

Military: We don't assume Moro group is helping Abu Sayyaf

From the Sun Star-Manila (Oct 29): Military: We don't assume Moro group is helping Abu Sayyaf

A MILITARY official said there is no assumption that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is helping the Abu Sayyaf group, whose members recently clashed with government troops. Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said the military, as an organization, does not believe that the MNLF is extending support to the rebel group. He clarified that it is just coincidental that there are Abu Sayyaf bandits who have family ties with the members of the Moro group. "Even there are some [ASG members] that have relatives in the MNLF, we do not assume that the MNLF is helping (the bandits)," Cabangbang said in an interview on state-run People's Television Network. He added that while the two groups have "very clannish" cultures, it doesn't mean that one is helping the other.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/10/29/military-we-dont-assume-moro-group-helping-abu-sayyaf-250381

‘Even vigilantes consulted on MILF framework deal’

From the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) Blog (Oct 29): ‘Even vigilantes consulted on MILF framework deal’

THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT consulted a wide range of sectors, including local politicians, former Supreme Court Justices, and even armed Christian vigilante groups like the Ilagas, before agreeing to sign the Framework Agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In separate interviews, government negotiators detailed their efforts to reach out and consult as many groups as possible to make sure that any agreement with the MILF would be acceptable, or at least not be rejected outright by the public. The precursor to the Framework Agreement, the 2008 Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) encountered strong opposition from politicians and their constituents in 2008. Critics insisted that there was little consultation with communities that were to be included in the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. The MOA-AD would later be struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. This time, government peace panel head Marvic Leonen said the negotiators made sure that they reached out to all the stakeholders, especially to the local officials and citizens in the areas that would be affected by the agreement. As well, the negotiators also held a series of meetings with some of the most strident critics of the MOA-AD on the national level, including Senator Franklin Drilon and now Interior Secretary Mar Roxas....

http://pcij.org/blog/

Life in frontline Marine camp is now coed

From GMANews (Oct 29): Life in frontline Marine camp is now coed

Camp Bud Datu in Jolo – A Philippine Marine camp in dangerous territory like this one used to be a man’s world. Now a teddy bear hangs on a makeshift closet and pink civilian slip-ons are found amidst the combat boots. Nine women are among the several dozen Marines stationed here, making their presence felt in the macho corps but blending in with battle-hardened male comrades in Marine Battalion Landing Team 9. The women in uniform perform the same duties in the camp, including sentry duty, but are not included in planned combat operations. Yet they are trained to defend themselves and kill, such as one recent incident when their camp was harassed by suspected Aby Sayyaf members in Bayog, Sulu. The women picked up their weapons, initiated the counter attack and warded off the enemy. "They performed very well,” said their commander, Colonel Aaron Fetalbero. Women have been admitted into the Marines since 2006, segregated in their own barracks but otherwise sharing the same rigorous field conditions....



Pfc. Genalyn Nicor armed with Nikon camera and Armalite at the Jolo Airport. She's the official photographer for the troops.



Pfc. Genalyn Nicor inspects perimeter during visit to a school in Tulay, Jolo

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/280114/news/specialreports/life-in-frontline-marine-camp-is-now-coed

US senator vows to work for stronger bilateral ties

From the Business Mirror (Oct 29): US senator vows to work for stronger bilateral ties

U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar pledged on Monday to continue working for a strong alliance between the Philippines and the United States in line with the commitment of the US government to unimpeded freedom of navigation in Asia-Pacific waters. Lugar, who will be in the country until Wednesday, made the pledge to President Aquino during a courtesy call at MalacaƱang. “I plan to speak with various audiences back home on why the US should continue to support steadfast allies like the Philippines, and how we could be more helpful to you as a partner, ” a Palace press statement quoted the senator as having told Mr. Aquino. MalacaƱang said Lugar made the statement as he pledged to continue working for a strong Philippines-US alliance, citing the strong commitment of the US in ensuring safe passage of ships and unimpeded trade through the seas of Asia Pacific....

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/news/top-news/1392-us-senator-vows-to-work-for-stronger-bilateral-ties

AFP says nine Abu Sayyaf bandits were slain in Sulu fighting; 20 injured

From Malaya (Oct 30): AFP says nine Abu Sayyaf bandits were slain in Sulu fighting; 20 injured

A MILITARY commander in Sulu province yesterday said that at least nine Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed and 20 others were injured in last Sunday’s clash with government soldiers in the outskirts of Patikul town in Sulu, where the bandits were reportedly keeping hostages. Col. Orlando de Leon, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, said the information was relayed to the military by local officials and residents after the fierce fighting that broke out in the village of Bakong at around 6:30 a.m. and lasted up to the afternoon. “That’s based on the reports of local officials and residents who gave us names (of the dead Abu Sayyaf men,” said De Leon. De Leon said two of the Abu Sayyaf terrorists who reportedly died in the fighting were identified as one Sahiron Ajil and one Ismim Sahiron, who were said to be relatives of senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron. De Leon said the troops were not able to recover any enemy body because they were also busy extricating their dead and wounded.  “We have no body count (of the enemy casualties). It was a close-quarter battle and we (Marines and Abu Sayyaf) were separated only by a river. Since we also had casualties, we evacuated our casualties instead of recovering enemy bodies,” he added....

http://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/16537-afp-says-nine-abu-sayyaf-bandits-were-slain-in-sulu-fighting-20-injured

P-Noy awaits communist rebels' take on peace

From the Philippine Star (Oct 29): P-Noy awaits communist rebels' take on peace

The Aquino government is waiting for the response of the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to its offer of peace following the signing of a framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).  “We have been very earnest in our desire for peace even with the CPP. Our efforts in coming up with the framework agreement with the MILF shows our sincerity,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said yesterday. “An atmosphere where guns are kept silent, where the swords are sheathed would be a welcome atmosphere in peace negotiations,” he told a press briefing at MalacaƱang yesterday. “We have again offered the olive branch to the CPP-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (NPA-NDF). We are waiting for their response. The President said that it looks promising so let’s wait for that,” Lacierda said....
 
http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=864780

Young Muslims want to participate in peace accord's implementation

From the Philippine Star (Oct 29): Young Muslims want to participate in peace accord's implementation

A group of young Muslim professionals wants to actively participate in the implementation of the framework peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In a statement, the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), said they agree with President Aquino that “structural reform is needed for genuine autonomy and good governance in the south and this should be a collective effort.” “The Moro youth look forward to their participation and support to the process,” the group said. The YMPN has organized the MY (Moro Youth) Stand For Peace in Mindanao, a network of Muslim youth organizations, to mobilize, empower and unite the Filipino Muslim youth to become active participants in achieving peace and development in Mindanao through the peace process. A youth forum on the framework agreement will be held on Nov. 9 at the College of St. Benilde in Manila, the YMPN said....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=864776

AFP says no security threat for 'Undas' holidays

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29): AFP says no security threat for 'Undas' holidays

With All Saints' Day just two days away, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday it has not detected any threat that may disrupt the annual feast honoring all the saints. But despite this, Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos Jr., AFP spokesperson, said that they will intensify its intelligence-gathering efforts to ensure peaceful observance of the "Undas" holidays. “The AFP will not raise the military’s alert level status. However, it is up to the discretion of the different unified commanders depending on their assessment of the security situation in their respective areas,” he added....

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=466742

MILF: MILF, MNLF leaders met; urge restrain in Sulu clash

From the MILF Website (Oct 29): MILF, MNLF leaders met; urge restrain in Sulu clash

The 3rd round of informal dialogue between the leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was concluded yesterday in Davao City. Leaders of the two Moro Fronts said the dialogue was undertaken in the spirit of Islamic principles of brotherhood, unity and cooperation geared for the realization of common as aspirations for freedom and right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro. Dr. Abdurahman Amin of the MNLF and Mohagher Iqbal of the MILF led the dialogue. More than 20 leaders from both Fronts that came from Maguindanao, Sulu, Lanao, and Davao participated.... Meantime, the MILF and MNLF leaders called for restrain and ceasefire in the fighting between the government and MNLF forces that flared up at Sitio Gundungan, Daruma, Patikul, Sulu early morning yesterday. “The time now is for peace and we strongly appeal that the fighting shall be ceased and avoid escalation in order to give way to peaceful means of addressing issues and concerns,” they said. Dr. Amin said MNLF forces under Vice Chairman Tahir Usman were harvesting their crops when the troops of the Philippine Marines stormed the area and the firefight ensued.... “If the military is saying they encountered the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), then it is clearly a wrong encounter,” Dr Amin said.

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2905:-milf-mnlf-leaders-met-urge-restrain-in-sulu-clash&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

Military attacked us: MNLF

From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 29): Military attacked us: MNLF

Former Moro National Liberation Front rebels on Monday accused the Philippine military of attacking its members in the southern province of Sulu, sparking a fierce gun battle that left at least 17 soldiers dead and wounded. The MNLF said marine soldiers attacked its members on a village in Patikul town who were only harvesting coconuts. But the Western Mindanao Command insisted that troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf militants under Radullan Sahiron and Tahir Sali, an allegation strongly denied by the MNLF, which signed a peace accord with Manila in 1996. Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, a military spokesman, said a team of marines were patrolling the town of Patikul following intelligence reports about the presence of kidnap victims when the fighting occurred....

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20121029025921

Maria Ressa breaks silence on Ces Drilon kidnapping

From ABS-CBN (Oct 29): Maria Ressa breaks silence on Ces Drilon kidnapping

Former ABS-CBN News chief and now Rappler CEO Maria Ressa admitted she became emotional during the launch of her new book “10 days, 10 years: From Bin Laden to Facebook.”  Speaking to ANC’s Headstart, Ressa said the book launch was the first time for her to speak publicly about the kidnapping of ABS-CBN senior correspondent Ces Drilon and cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama on June 8, 2008 and their release 10 days later.... Drilon, Encarnacion and Valderama were kidnapped in Maimbung, Sulu, Jolo while pursuing a possible interview with Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron.... She said her book details everything about the kidnapping including transcripts of phone conversations between the kidnappers and the crisis committee and what they had to do get the 3 journalists and Prof. Octavio Dinampo free. She also revealed the six degrees of separation between Radulan Sahiron's group and the al Qaeda leadership of OSama bin Laden....  She also noted jihadist cell groups continue to spread their ideology through social media even if the topmost al Qaeda leaders have been arrested. “The [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] has kicked out those linked to terrorism, the [Jemaah Islamiyah] and the Abu Sayyaf. Although that's one victory, that only leads to the next problem that all of the other cells below the leadership that continue to grow and spread ideology,” she said. “As long as there's injustice in the Muslim world, they will use that. It's about power. It is no longer al Qaeda as top down. Now it's bottom up and they are connecting through Facebook,” she added.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/-depth/10/29/12/maria-ressa-breaks-silence-ces-drilon-kidnapping
 

30K dead in 3 decades of fighting with Reds

From the Manila Standard Today (Oct 29): 30K dead in 3 decades of fighting with Reds

At least two people died every day during the past three decades as a result of the fighting between the government and the New Peoples’ Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front, an official said Sunday. From 1978 to 2010, the statistics from the Armed Forces and the National Police showed that the casualties as a result of the conflict had reached 29,553, government peace panel member Jurgette Honculada said. Honculada, a gender and labor rights advocate from Zamboanga, said that of that figure, 13,412 were communist rebels, 8,264 were soldiers and policemen, and 7,877 were civilians. “This translates to two to three deaths daily for the period,” Honculada said. The government’s statistics also translated into at least one civilian and one soldier or policeman dying every other day and at least one communist rebel dying every day....

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/10/29/30k-dead-in-3-decades-of-fighting-with-reds/

MILF slams MNLF for ‘lying thru their teeth’

From the Manila Standard Today (Oct 29): MILF slams MNLF for ‘lying thru their teeth’

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Sunday accused the group of former Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari of “lying through their teeth” to derail the peace process in Mindanao. MILF vice-chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, in a phone interview, said it was “illogical” for their commanders to transfer to defect to Misuari’s MNLF faction. “We have just signed a framework agreement with the government, and this is supported by all Muslims, even those who are non-Bangsamoro,” he said. “Even the MNLF, majority of them have supported the framework agreement,” Jaafar said after Misuari’s faction claimed four MILF leaders had defected to their side.... Earlier, Gapur Hadjirul, the political director of the Misuari faction of the MNLF, identified the defecting commanders as Samer Samsudin Lungkatay, Samer Salamat, Abdulwahid Jainalan and a certain Saidale.... “First off, that totals to about 16,000 fighters who are under the four commanders who allegedly defected. We only have 11,000 members. Where did they get the other 5,000?” Jaafar said. “Besides, Samer Salamat should have been Samer Hashim, because chairman Hashim Salamat’s surname is Hashim,” he added. Jaafar said there was no such thing as MILF Council of Ulamas, and Hashim remains the head of the MILF’s national guard. “These people—are they not ashamed that they lie through their teeth just for propaganda? They are misleading people,” Jaafar said....

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/10/29/milf-slams-mnlf-for-lying-thru-their-teeth/

Military: 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Sulu clash

From the Philippine Star (Oct 29): Military: 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in Sulu clash

Senior military officials confirmed Monday that the Abu sayyaf Group which the Marines encountered Sunday morning in Sulu suffered 10 fatalities. Major Gen. Rey Ardo, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the fatality count suffered by the Abu Sayyaf was based on the bodies recovered from the encounter site in Barangay Bakong, Patikul town. The military said that among those killed was the grandson of Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron identified as Ismin. The other nine fatalities were identified by village leaders. The bodies of the bandits have been buried by the military with the assistance of village officials and leaders. “There was a mass burial late Sunday of the slain militant members and the village leaders helped us identify those killed,” Col. Orlando de Leon, 2nd Marine Brigade chief, said. Ardo said that the Abu Sayyaf bandits encountered by the Marines were assisted by suspected members of the Asian terror group Jemaah Islamiyah. He said the fighting erupted just three kilometers away from the headquarters of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 6 (MBLT).... The firefight between the Marines and the bandits lasted for six hours. Ardo said that the encounter was very close that most of the injured soldiers were hit by shrapnel coming from the indirect fire of the M79 grenade launchers from the bandits. “It was a very close firefight,” Ardo said. The firefight also resulting in the killing of four Marines, who were shot by Abu Sayyaf snipers....

http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=864727

AFP denies hand in moves vs. party-list groups

From the Philippine Star (Oct 29): AFP denies hand in moves vs. party-list groups

The military on Monday denied that it is behind moves to disqualify progressive groups from the party-list race. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the military is not allowed to meddle with politics. “We are not involved in efforts to disqualify these groups. We cannot engage in partisan politics,” Burgos said in an interview. Burgos also claimed that the AFP is not backing organizations seeking the disqualification of party-list groups accused of supporting communist rebels. He said the military is not taking sides with regard to the tussle between Anakbayan and Akbayan, the party-list group accused of being a lapdog of the Aquino administration. “We do not endorse or campaign against any candidate or group,” the AFP spokesman said....

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=864737&publicationSubCategoryId=200

2nd Philippine Navy warship from US to arrive February

From the Philippine Star (Oct 29): 2nd Philippine Navy warship from US to arrive February

The second warship to be acquired by the Navy from the United States (US) is expected to arrive by February, Defense Secretary Voltraire Gazmin said Monday. Gazmin said US Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Locklear III gave him the assurance of the second warship's delivery during their meeting in Hawaii early this month. “Our new ship will be coming sometime next year, about February. I met with Admiral Locklear in Hawaii before I joined the trip of the president to Australia and New Zealand. He assured us that the ship will arrive by February 2013,” he said. The scheduled arrival of BRP Ramon Alcaraz in February is a month later than the initial expectations....
 
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=864750&publicationSubCategoryId=200

‘Army admits slay suspects soldiers using pseudonyms’

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 29): ‘Army admits slay suspects soldiers using pseudonyms’

The Philippine Army has finally admitted in court that two men accused in the murder of Bayan Muna member Benjamin Bayles were members of the 61st Infantry Battalion who had been using pseudonyms, Karapatan-Negros Secretary General Fred CaƱa, claimed in a press release yesterday. Adjutant Col. Alexis Gopico testified before the Himamaylan Regional Trial Court Thursday that the suspects in the Bayles murder are indeed former soldiers who have been discharged by the Philippine Army, CaƱa said.... Gopico said accused Roger Bajon was actually Private First Class Rafael Cordova and accused Ronnie Caurino’s real name is Private First Class Reygine Laus, CaƱa said, in the press release. He added that the two accused were members of the 3rdPlatoon, Bravo Company of 61stInfantry Battalion formerly based in Sitio Barasbarasan, Brgy. Manlucahoc, Sipalay City and were discharged from the service in May 2011 after they were implicated in the Bayles murder case, the press release said.... Edre Olalia, National Secretary General of National Union of People’s Lawyer, who was at the hearing, said the cases of extrajudicial killings of activist and members of the progressive people’s organizations were perpetrated by a special operation team whose members are enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army, the press release added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/29/topstory7.htm

‘Cases vs. RPA men won’t stall peace pact’

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 29): ‘Cases vs. RPA men won’t stall peace pact’

The filing of cases against any member of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade who violates laws, as well as those facing complaints before the Department of Justice for the death of Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles, will not affect the signing of the closure agreement with the government, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo said yesterday.... Six members of the RPA-ABB are among the respondents in the killing of Arles in the complaint filed before the DOJ.... The RPA-ABB leadership has denied involvement of their members in the assassination of Arles on April 24 in Ilog, Negros Occidental.... The closure peace agreement aims to transform the RPA-ABB into a civilian, political, economic organization; and to mainstream its members into their communities, provide them with livelihood and employment, and move them towards disarmament and the dismantling of their military structure....

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/October/29/topstory6.htm

Military 'interfering' in partylist disqualification process - Bayan Muna

From InterAksyon (Oct 29): Military 'interfering' in partylist disqualification process - Bayan Muna

The militant group Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of "interfering" in politics by fielding a representative to lodge a complaint against progressive partylist groups.... The group provided several links, including an article written by a certain Agnes Lopez Reano for the Army's Civil Military Operations Group (CMOG) [http://www.cmogpa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47%3Athe-afp-has-done-its-duty&Itemid=71] and the AFP's weekly publication Bayanihan News [http://www.crsafp.x10.mx/pdf/Bayanihan%20News%204.pdf]. "We should ask why the AFP is interfering in the partylist system when it is supposed to be neutral?" Reyes asked.... But the AFP denied its hand in the complaint against Bayan Muna. AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos stressed that the military does not participate in partisan politics. "Definitely that is not true. It’s very clear that the mandate of the AFP through our Constituton is to protect and defend the people and the state and it is not our policy to participate in partisan political activities," Burgos said....

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46763/military-interfering-in-partylist-disqualification-process---bayan-muna

Marines verifying if Jordanian journalist Atyani was in Sulu when they clashed with Abu Sayyaf

From InterAksyon (Oct 29): Marines verifying if Jordanian journalist Atyani was in Sulu when they clashed with Abu Sayyaf

The Philippine Marines was verifying if Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani was in Sulu when military men clashed with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul Sunday morning, according to Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command. Cabangbang said the soldiers were in Barangay Bakong checking reports if Atyani's group and the kidnapped European bird watchers were in the area when the Marines clashed with the bandits under Radullan Sahiron and Tahil Sali. "The purpose of the operations is to verify reports that these kidnap victims were in the area," Cabangbang told reporters on Monday.... The encounter last Sunday left at least 14 dead including four Marines. Cabangbang said the names of the casualties would be released by the Philippine Marines....

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/46764/marines-verifying-if-jordanian-journalist-atyani-was-in-sulu-when-they-clashed-with-abu-sayyaf

Air Force opens bid for 21 Hueys

From Rappler (Oct 29): Air Force opens bid for 21 Hueys

The Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to spend P1.26 billion to purchase 21 combat helicopters to give a much-needed boost to the Philippine Air Force. In a notice posted on the DND website on Monday, October 29, the department said it intends to acquire the refurbished Bell UH-1 ("Huey") helicopters along with the corresponding logistics support package through "open competitive bidding procedures" as specified by Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.... A pre-bidding conference will be held on November 2 in Camp Aguinaldo and bidding documents may be purchased for P75,000.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/15074-air-force-opens-bid-for-21-new-helicopters

MILF, MNLF form committee on 'unity, advocacy'

From Rappler (Oct 29): MILF, MNLF form committee on 'unity, advocacy'

Two days after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim revealed efforts to resolve differences with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), both groups met in Davao on Sunday, October 28, to make this possible. The MILF declared that the 3rd round of informal dialogue between the two Moro groups led to the creation of a unity and advocacy committee. More than 20 senior Moro leaders attended the dialogue, with the MILF represented by Mohagher Iqbal and the MNLF represented by Dr. Abdurahman Amin. The committee is being eyed as a mechanism that would push for a common agenda for the Bangsamoro people, the MILF said. .... However, Murad said it would be difficult to even consider merging both groups at this point. "It would be very impractical to merge. Both groups have their own dynamics. And this would displace the structure of both groups and the personalities in it," Murad added. The MILF broke away from the MNLF under the Marcos government. Murad said another factor that would complicate a merger is the existence of splinter groups and factions within the MNLF. "What is important right now is that we should move in a parallel direction," Murad said....

http://www.rappler.com/nation/15048-milf,-mnlf-form-committee-for-unity

14 former rebels get livelihood funds from govt

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 29): 14 former rebels get livelihood funds from govt

Fourteen more former rebels (FRs) received their checks from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) last week through the members of the Abra Local Integration Committee (ALIC) chaired by Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin. The checks were given in the name of the recipient-FRs from the municipalities of Lacub, Tubo, Sallapadan and Licuan-Baay, in amounts ranging from P48,000 to P53,000 each. The checks, with an aggregate amount of P691,260 are intended for the livelihood activities of the FRs to sustain their life as they re-integrate into mainstream society.... Col. Eliseo C. Posadas of the 503rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army assured their continuing support through the "Kabsatko, Ipategko Program (KIP)" where the returnees will adopted by concerned individuals who are willing to guide them as they adjust in their new life....

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=111351263313

MNLF, MILF leaders hold talks for reunification

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29): MNLF, MILF leaders hold talks for reunification

Leaders of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) met over the weekend in Davao in an effort to unite both fronts following the signing of the Framework Agreement. It was the third time that MILF and MNLF leaders met aimed at unifying both fronts. “The dialogue was undertaken in the spirit of Islamic principles of brotherhood, unity and cooperation geared for the realization of common as aspirations for freedom and right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro,” both sides said in a joint statement. Dr. Abdurahman Amin, represented the MNLF while Mohagher Iqbal came in behalf of the MILF. More than 20 leaders from both fronts that came from Maguindanao, Sulu, Lanao, and Davao participated in the two-day dialogue.... Iqbal said a Unity and Advocacy Committee (UAC) was organized composed of equal representation from the two sides being headed by an Aleem (Islamic scholar) that will work for the empowerment and strengthening of unity of the Bangsamoro through da’wah (peace) and education. An Ad Hoc Joint Secretariat was also created for the continuing dialogue between the two fronts....
 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=466591

Marines hold 'Football for Peace' for Muslim, Christian youth

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29): Marines hold 'Football for Peace' for Muslim, Christian youth

Believing sports is one of the ingredients to establish an atmosphere of peace, the Philippine Marine Corps conducted a two-month sports competitions dubbed as “Football for Peace”.  About 500 Muslim and Christian children from the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City participated in the competition that taught them how to cooperate as a team, complement each other’s weaknesses and appreciate the value of sportsmanship, according to Brig. Gen. Alex Balutan, commanding officer of the 2nd Marine Brigade. Balutan said the "Football for Peace" was a joint project of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 and the 2nd Marine Brigade. Primarily, the activity which culminated over the weekend, was meant to develop religious and cultural solidarity among Muslims and Christians in areas where the Philippine Marines operate.... The football for peace was in support of the country’s observance of peace month spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=466590

South Cotabato pushes integration of 44 ex-NPA rebels, mass organizers into CLIP

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29): South Cotabato pushes integration of 44 ex-NPA rebels, mass organizers into CLIP

The provincial government of South Cotabato is working for the inclusion of 44 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and underground mass organizers from Lake Sebu town into the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP). Nelida Pereira, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) chief, said they are currently conducting a profiling of 11 NPA rebel returnees and 33 members of underground mass organizations supported by the rebel group as part of the implementation of the integration program in the area. She said the 11 former NPA guerrillas separately surrendered recently to officials of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB). The 33 other civilian organizers voluntarily gave up to local authorities and the 27th IB following a series of negotiations, Pereira said. “Their enlistment into the CLIP in ongoing and we’re hoping to complete the process soon so they could avail of its benefits,” she said. 1Lt. Bethuel Barber, 27th IB public affairs officer, said the former rebels earlier decided to surrender due to the uncertainty of their cause and their difficult situation while operating in the mountains....
 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=466635

Military assures no whitewash in probing death of three civilians in Davao Sur clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 29): Military assures no whitewash in probing death of three civilians in Davao Sur clash

Military authorities assured the public that there will be no whitewash in probing the death of three civilians and the wounding of another during the Oct. 22 encounter between members of the 27th Infantry Battalion and a group of armed men in Sitio Aliong, Barangay Kimlawis, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the unit himself pursued the investigation to come up with findings immediately. Paniza said that the military would also abide with the results of the probe of other investigating bodies. “The rules of engagement will be the basis of investigation in determining the probable violation of the troops on this incident,” Paniza said. Major Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, commanding officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations, said the 13 soldiers involved in the encounter were being investigated by the Board of Inquiry set by the 10th Infantry Division. He said the military were coordinating closely with the Kiblawan Municipal Office, Commission on Human Rights 12 and the Diocese of Koronadal to investigate and assist the affected family, respectively....

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=466588