By Ronron
February 2, 2007
At least 28 people were killed while a dozen others were wounded after a tanker exploded before noon of Friday at a national highway in Zamboanga del Sur province, local officials said.
Provincial Social Welfare Officer Conchita San Diego told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview last night that the casualties were a mixture of onlookers of the tanker, the latter’s passengers, and passengers of a commercial bus that was passing by.
San Diego said the tanker first hit the side of the national highway in Barangay Lakupayan, Tigbao town at around 10:30 am after its brakes malfunctioned. After hearing the sound of the impact, local residents rushed to the site and later attempted to free the truck man who was pinned between the truck and the wall of the hill where it smashed.
Twenty minutes later and without successfully retrieving the truck man, the tanker exploded.
Unfortunately, that was the time when an RS Trans passenger bus, carrying about 40 people, passed by and slowed down to check on the ill-fated truck.
Due to the strong impact, the bus was blown away to the edge of the other side of the road and got burned. Its passengers were thrown away as well down to the 50-meter deep ravine, and its engine 50 meters farther away.
During the initial response, 23 dead bodies were retrieved. Three more were found later at 3pm. And then two of the 15 wounded victims brought to various hospitals in Pagadian City expired later in the day.
San Diego said the dead victims were either mangled, or charred, but could still be identified by their clothes. Other body parts would later be retrieved at the site, making officials think that the casualties could actually be more than 30.
San Diego disclosed that the tanker was believed to be loaded with carbon dioxide based on a piece of paper found at the blast site. It was heading to the direction of Sibugay province, and came from the direction of Pagadian City. Only the driver and the truck man were aboard the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Another piece of paper that would later be recovered would show that the truck was owned by RICASA Trading and Allied Services, which holds office in Cavite City, said Sr. Supt. Ramon Ochotorena, provincial police director of Zamboanga del Sur.
The bus, on the other hand, was plying the same direction as it was bound for Olutangga town in Sibugay. It left Pagadian City at 9am.
The explosion left the bus 80 percent wrecked.
San Diego said it was not immediately known what triggered the explosion.
But they surmise it could have been caused by the shaking of the tanker by the local residents who were trying to save the pinned truck man.
Search and retrieval operations was still on going as of 7:30 last night./DMS
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Friday, February 2, 2007
Ebdane formally takes over as Defense Secretary
By Ronron
February 1, 2007
Newly-appointed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. was formally sworn into office Thursday by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in simple rites at Camp Aguinaldo.
Ebdane, who last served as Public Works and Highways Secretary, was given a warm welcome by the defense establishment by providing him with military honors at the Department of National Defense (DND) grounds. Joining him in trooping the line is Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
"I am honored to be here, to be among the most hardworking and productive men and women who are risking life and limb to win the war against terror. I consider myself lucky to be coming in at this juncture at the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines with their rewards of hard work that are brining in major results in teh war against terror," said Ebdane, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (Class 1970), in a speech.
On his first day, Ebdane immediately discussed three issues that are presently hot in the defense organization.
On the military's role for the forthcoming May 14, 2007 national polls, Ebdane reiterated the military's isolation from politics, citing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) the DND and the Commission on Elections signed in October last year.
"To ensure that every soldier knows exactly what is required of him during the election period, we will conduct seminars on election duties down to the platoon level," he said.
As regards the human rights and extra-judicial killings issue, while he directed for the conduct of seminars on human rights among members of the AFP, he said that a review of the investigations on the cases handled by the PNP's Task Force USIG should be done since most of the reports cited were borne out of deception by the cause oriented groups like Karapatan.
"This must be reviewed so as to get the proper picture and get the facts right. As a preventive measure, we will conduct seminars on human rights to make everybody aware of the obligations that go with the performance of their official duties," said Ebdane.
And finally, he vowed to pursue the modernization program of the AFP that was given a full steam by his predecessor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ebdane reminded the employees of the department and the members of the military establishment of the work ethic that he wants to be embraced by them. That is, to be responsible and accountable for all the actions they take.
"I bring me the experience of the soldier and a police officer, public servant and a peacekeeper. I ask only that everyone give the best, that we keep in mind that our authority comes with responsibility and accountability," he said.
Ebdane is the 31st Defense Secretary./DMS
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Defense leadership welcomes Ebdane’s appointment as its new head; vows to stick to agreement with Comelec
By Ronron
January 31, 2007
The incumbent top Defense department officials welcome the appointment of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. as their new head effective today (Thursday) even if it is contrary to a recommendation of a body that investigated the 2003 military uprising in Makati City now popularly called as the “Oakwood Mutiny.”
“In the Defense and Armed Forces (organizations), it’s like a part of our culture already that we know that our commander-in-chief knows what is best. And we have always respected (that), and we know it is the prerogative of the President. So, the President could have announced anybody and it would have been okay to the Defense and the military. But if it is Sec. Ebdane, then much better,” Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Ernesto Carolina said Tuesday.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo after a close-door and their last meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who held the Defense post in the last 60 days, Carolina said Ebdane’s appointment does not really violate any law because the Feliciano Commission’s recommendations are not mandatory.
“It’s just a recommendation. I mean, it’s not a law,” Carolina said.
After probing into the root causes of the Oakwood mutiny, the Feliciano Commission recommended that a civilian be assigned at the Defense portfolio to balance off the military organization. This resulted in the appointment of then Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr.
Ebdane is a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Cruz resigned in November last year over policy differences with other cabinet members over the Charter Change issue. Cruz was against the Malacanang-backed People’s Initiative (PI) mode to effect a Constituent Assembly. The PI was killed by the Supreme Court.
“Secretary Ebdane went through a lot of civilian agencies. He was a National Security Adviser, then went to the Department of Public Works and Highways. And then, he came from the police, not from the military,” Carolina said.
He said there is no assurance also that even if the appointed official is a civilian, he would run the organization better as against a former military man would do.
“The best is you get somebody that has a blend of both (civilian and military). Because, if it’s always extreme, extremes are always not good. So it’s really nice if you get someone with experience, meaning you have some knowledge about the military because you’ve been with the men and you’ve been on the ground, and yet, you are not lacking in experience when it comes to dealing with the civilians and doing work in civilian government,” Carolina explained.
He said the public should not even be bothered by allegations that Ebdane was involved in the vote-rigging activities in the 2004 polls that allegedly swept Arroyo into power since it remains to be proven.
The allegations stemmed from the mention of Ebdane’s name in the controversial “Hello Garci” tape. Ebdane was the PNP chief during the May 10, 2004 national elections where Arroyo participated as a Presidential aspirant.
“We do not think about it because if there is evidence against him, then bring the issue to court. Just like anybody, I think it’s fair to consider anybody innocent until he is proven guilty… Let’s be forward-looking. Let’s look at what a person can do, not what we perceive he might have done because of implications,” Carolina said.
The Defense official also assured that the department would stick to its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed in October last year to disassociate the military from taking active role in the upcoming May 14, 2007 polls even if Ebdane is already the Defense Secretary.
“That’s a MOA of the DND. That’s not a MOA of a person. And the Comelec issued already a resolution according to that MOA,” Carolina said.
The military was also dragged into the alleged electoral fraud in 2004 after military officials’ names were also mentioned in the “Hello Garci” taped conversation./DMS
January 31, 2007
The incumbent top Defense department officials welcome the appointment of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. as their new head effective today (Thursday) even if it is contrary to a recommendation of a body that investigated the 2003 military uprising in Makati City now popularly called as the “Oakwood Mutiny.”
“In the Defense and Armed Forces (organizations), it’s like a part of our culture already that we know that our commander-in-chief knows what is best. And we have always respected (that), and we know it is the prerogative of the President. So, the President could have announced anybody and it would have been okay to the Defense and the military. But if it is Sec. Ebdane, then much better,” Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Ernesto Carolina said Tuesday.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo after a close-door and their last meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who held the Defense post in the last 60 days, Carolina said Ebdane’s appointment does not really violate any law because the Feliciano Commission’s recommendations are not mandatory.
“It’s just a recommendation. I mean, it’s not a law,” Carolina said.
After probing into the root causes of the Oakwood mutiny, the Feliciano Commission recommended that a civilian be assigned at the Defense portfolio to balance off the military organization. This resulted in the appointment of then Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr.
Ebdane is a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Cruz resigned in November last year over policy differences with other cabinet members over the Charter Change issue. Cruz was against the Malacanang-backed People’s Initiative (PI) mode to effect a Constituent Assembly. The PI was killed by the Supreme Court.
“Secretary Ebdane went through a lot of civilian agencies. He was a National Security Adviser, then went to the Department of Public Works and Highways. And then, he came from the police, not from the military,” Carolina said.
He said there is no assurance also that even if the appointed official is a civilian, he would run the organization better as against a former military man would do.
“The best is you get somebody that has a blend of both (civilian and military). Because, if it’s always extreme, extremes are always not good. So it’s really nice if you get someone with experience, meaning you have some knowledge about the military because you’ve been with the men and you’ve been on the ground, and yet, you are not lacking in experience when it comes to dealing with the civilians and doing work in civilian government,” Carolina explained.
He said the public should not even be bothered by allegations that Ebdane was involved in the vote-rigging activities in the 2004 polls that allegedly swept Arroyo into power since it remains to be proven.
The allegations stemmed from the mention of Ebdane’s name in the controversial “Hello Garci” tape. Ebdane was the PNP chief during the May 10, 2004 national elections where Arroyo participated as a Presidential aspirant.
“We do not think about it because if there is evidence against him, then bring the issue to court. Just like anybody, I think it’s fair to consider anybody innocent until he is proven guilty… Let’s be forward-looking. Let’s look at what a person can do, not what we perceive he might have done because of implications,” Carolina said.
The Defense official also assured that the department would stick to its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed in October last year to disassociate the military from taking active role in the upcoming May 14, 2007 polls even if Ebdane is already the Defense Secretary.
“That’s a MOA of the DND. That’s not a MOA of a person. And the Comelec issued already a resolution according to that MOA,” Carolina said.
The military was also dragged into the alleged electoral fraud in 2004 after military officials’ names were also mentioned in the “Hello Garci” taped conversation./DMS
GMA holds last conference at Defense Department; gives go signal for purchase of military equipment
By Ronron
January 31, 2007
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo held for the last time as Defense Secretary a conference with top Defense and military officials on Wednesday as she is set to turn over today (Thursday) the Defense portfolio to outgoing Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr.
In a statement released after the one-hour close-door meeting, Arroyo commended the Defense department for its “outstanding performance in pursuing the guidelines” she “issued to fast track the implementation of the procurement process for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.”
Arroyo and Defense officials said the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Defense Department is ready to proceed with the bidding process this month (February) for the purchase of over P7 billion worth of essential military equipment that will be used in the AFP’s internal security operations (ISO).
A document provided by the department listed the said equipment as follows: Multi-purpose Attack Craft (P145.44 M); Squad Automatic Weapons (P1,727.438 M); Global Positioning System (P103.550 M); Watercraft (P70.9 M); 1 ¼ ton Truck (P1,531.76 M); Aerial Camera (P62.85 M); Personal Role Radio (P400 M); Armored Personnel Carrier M113 (P144 M); Night Flying System for the Army and Air Force (P617,125,460); Night Flying System for the Navy (P326.509 M); Night Capable Attack Helicopter (P1,213.04 M); 40MM Grenade Launcher (P160.6 M; EOD Bomb Suit (P82.35 M); MD 520 MG Upgrade (P240 M); and, UH-1 Helicopter (P400 M).
“These projects are part of the P10 billion I have approved for procurement, for which invitations to bid have been sent out… At the rate of these developments, I am confident that the notices to proceed will be issued by the middle of March 2007,” Arroyo said.
In a follow-up interview, Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reserve Affairs Ernesto Carolina said the remaining P2.75 billion worth of equipment are still being determined as to how they will be purchased.
“The strategy is to acquire first those that will go to the hands of the soldiers… and would enhance their operational and combat readiness and capability,” Carolina said of the first batch of equipment to be purchased.
He said the department expects to receive the deliveries from March until October of this year if the timeline is followed.
“She’s happy that in the last 60 days, she was able to more or less review the vision and mission of the AFP and the major services, and most importantly, tweak the procurement system,” Carolina said when asked about Arroyo’s last directives to the department.
“She said that an inspiring mission should be supported by materiel capability that’s why she focused on the procurement… And she is very satisfied with the way in the last 60 days the Bids and Awards Committee was able to accomplish what the President would like to be accomplished,” he added.
In her statement, Arroyo said the AFP Modernization Program will hopefully equip the military with the necessary hardware to be able to particularly sustain its anti-terrorism campaign, and even other non-traditional security threats./DMS
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Military deploys two Army companies to N. Cotabato to defuse MILF clashes
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Querubin hit with malaria, transferred to AFP hospital in QC
By Ronron
January 30, 2007
Marines Col. Ariel Querubin, one of the accused coup plotters last February 2005, is hit with malaria, his wife and military officials said Tuesday.
Querubin was brought yesterday morning to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center on V. Luna Avenue, Quezon City for immediate treatment and further examinations and observations.
His wife, Maria Flor, disclosed that the Plasmodium falciparum strain of malaria was found on Querubin, prompting her to reiterate her request to the Navy leadership to allow her husband to go to a bigger medical facility.
Querbin was initially confined at the Naval Hospital in Cavite near his detention house in Fort San Felipe.
The Plasmodium falciparum strain is said to be the most widespread and dangerous at it can lead to fatal cerebral malaria if untreated.
“The Navy leadership just tells me they will check the security every time I request that my husband be brought to another hospital. They should ask the doctors, not the custodians… He (Querubin) is affected with malaria,” an emotional Mrs. Querubin said in a phone interview.
She said her husband has been chilling, feverish and weak in the past few days. And his eyes have turned a bit yellow in color.
Navy spokesman Commander Giovanni Bacordo said Querubin’s stay at the hospital will be determined by his doctors.
“But he will be returned to Fort San Felipe when he gets well,” said Bacordo.
Querubin is facing charges of violation of the Articles of War for his involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the Arroyo government almost a year ago by bringing his troops to the streets during the 20th People Power I Anniversary celebration on EDSA./DMS
AFP says soldiers involved in killing of activists did it on their own
By Ronron
January 30, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership admitted on Tuesday that it has members who engaged in killings of militants but clarified that it was done on their own, and not sanctioned by the organization.
In a news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said yesterday that six of the 114 cases investigated by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Task Force USIG implicated members of the AFP as suspects.
The revelation came after a member of the Melo Commission hinted that the military organization was partly responsible for the spate of extra-judicial killings that have gone high since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in 2001.
But Esperon said that only one of the six cases has so far resulted positively, resulting in the discharge from the service of the accused Army enlisted personnel in 2002. Another case remains pending at the Naga City Prosecutor’s office, while the remaining four were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
“We acknowledge that some members of the AFP have been involved in the deaths of some members of militant organizations but we definitely do not condone these,” Esperon said.
The military chief identified the dismissed soldier as Army Corporal Alberto Rafon of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division. Esperon said Rafon was discharged from the service on October 8, 2002 after he was found guilty for violating Articles of War 62 (Absence Without Official Leave), and AW 64 (Disrespect Towards Superior Officer) over allegations he killed the activist Nicanor de los Santos in December 2001 in Antipolo City, Rizal.
“More than condemning this acts, we have taken action to investigate them in order to prosecute those who are responsible,” Esperon explained.
He reiterated that there is no State or military policy to kill or neutralize political activists, only armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) during actual encounters.
In fact, the AFP, he said, has been advocating for respect of human rights, proof of which is the inclusion of human rights and International Humanitarian Law since 19991 in the curriculum of all career and specialization courses in the AFP.
A clearance from the Human Rights Commission is also mandatory before one gets promoted, said Esperon.
And in the last Command Conference of the AFP last January 6, Esperon said he directed unified commanders to submit to him a “Special Report” of any unexplained killings in their areas of responsibilities.
Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino, chief of the AFP Civil Relations Service, was also designated effected January 3, 2007 as permanent military representative to TF USIG “to help speed up investigations.”
And come February, an AFP Human Rights Office under the direct supervision of Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Christie Datu will be activated “to address all issues regarding human rights.”
“The AFP assures the public that it does not tolerate nor condone human rights violations. The soldiers implicated will be prosecuted according to the Articles of War and, if found guilty, will have to face the full force of the law. They shall also be answerable in civilian courts for any criminal act that they committed,” Esperon said.
Asked why retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. was never investigated by the military despite several allegations from militant groups against him, the military chief replied: “Because there was on formal complaint. All were just mere allegations.”
He said Palparan could not also just be held liable based on command responsibility because this principle does not cover criminal offenses, which are “individual” in and by nature.
Esperon challenged instead the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to respond to the same allegations hurled against the military, especially that the bulk of the cases are allegedly perpetrated by the communist movement./DMS
January 30, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership admitted on Tuesday that it has members who engaged in killings of militants but clarified that it was done on their own, and not sanctioned by the organization.
In a news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said yesterday that six of the 114 cases investigated by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Task Force USIG implicated members of the AFP as suspects.
The revelation came after a member of the Melo Commission hinted that the military organization was partly responsible for the spate of extra-judicial killings that have gone high since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in 2001.
But Esperon said that only one of the six cases has so far resulted positively, resulting in the discharge from the service of the accused Army enlisted personnel in 2002. Another case remains pending at the Naga City Prosecutor’s office, while the remaining four were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
“We acknowledge that some members of the AFP have been involved in the deaths of some members of militant organizations but we definitely do not condone these,” Esperon said.
The military chief identified the dismissed soldier as Army Corporal Alberto Rafon of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division. Esperon said Rafon was discharged from the service on October 8, 2002 after he was found guilty for violating Articles of War 62 (Absence Without Official Leave), and AW 64 (Disrespect Towards Superior Officer) over allegations he killed the activist Nicanor de los Santos in December 2001 in Antipolo City, Rizal.
“More than condemning this acts, we have taken action to investigate them in order to prosecute those who are responsible,” Esperon explained.
He reiterated that there is no State or military policy to kill or neutralize political activists, only armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) during actual encounters.
In fact, the AFP, he said, has been advocating for respect of human rights, proof of which is the inclusion of human rights and International Humanitarian Law since 19991 in the curriculum of all career and specialization courses in the AFP.
A clearance from the Human Rights Commission is also mandatory before one gets promoted, said Esperon.
And in the last Command Conference of the AFP last January 6, Esperon said he directed unified commanders to submit to him a “Special Report” of any unexplained killings in their areas of responsibilities.
Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino, chief of the AFP Civil Relations Service, was also designated effected January 3, 2007 as permanent military representative to TF USIG “to help speed up investigations.”
And come February, an AFP Human Rights Office under the direct supervision of Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Christie Datu will be activated “to address all issues regarding human rights.”
“The AFP assures the public that it does not tolerate nor condone human rights violations. The soldiers implicated will be prosecuted according to the Articles of War and, if found guilty, will have to face the full force of the law. They shall also be answerable in civilian courts for any criminal act that they committed,” Esperon said.
Asked why retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. was never investigated by the military despite several allegations from militant groups against him, the military chief replied: “Because there was on formal complaint. All were just mere allegations.”
He said Palparan could not also just be held liable based on command responsibility because this principle does not cover criminal offenses, which are “individual” in and by nature.
Esperon challenged instead the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to respond to the same allegations hurled against the military, especially that the bulk of the cases are allegedly perpetrated by the communist movement./DMS
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