By Ronron
April 20, 2007
Former Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan was able to gain temporary freedom on Friday night after the Makati City court hearing his coup d’ etat case allowed him to post bail earlier in the day.
Honasan, who is charged of coup d’ etat over his alleged participation in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, left Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. where he has been detained since November last year, at around 7:20 pm, together with his family and lawyers.
Earlier in the day, his lawyer paid the bail amount of P200,000 as set by Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148.
“I just want to thank the Filipino people who campaigned and prayed hard. Tomorrow, we start our campaign,” Honasan told reporters upon his exit from the police camp in Laguna.
Honasan, 59, is joining the senatorial race this May 14. He is running as an independent candidate.
In his 10-page order, Pimentel granted Honasan’s motion for bail, agreeing with the latter’s lawyer’s argument that the reinvestigation of his case by prosecution should not stand in the way in his availment of his constitutional right to bail.
Pimentel also agreed with the point of Honasan’s lawyer that only a person facing charges punishable with lifetime imprisonment (reclusion perpetua) will be denied bail under the law, especially if the evidence of guilt is strong.
“The People has charged accused Honasan as a co-conspirator, as a participant in a coup d’ etat which is punishable by prision mayor. Considering that the offense charged against accused Sen. Honasan is punishable by Reclusion Temporal, at the most, this Court has no discretion to deny him bail,” said Pimentel.
But at the same time, Pimentel issued a separate order that activated the case against Honasan after the prosecution failed to comply with the 60-day deadline for them to submit a report about the reinvestigation of the case.
Thereby, the judge set the arraignment and pre-trial of Honasan on May 17.
Honasan went into hiding upon learning that an arrest warrant against him was issued in February 2006 for his alleged participation in the takeover of the posh Oakwood Hotel in Makati City last July 27, 2003 by aggrieved junior officers and enlisted personnel of the Philippine military.
He was captured only on November 15, 2007 in Quezon City.
Honasan came in to the national picture in the 1980’s when he became a rebel soldier to denounce the dictatorial rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos./DMS
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Police identifies suspect behind slay of Campbell
By Ronron
April 20, 2007
Police on Friday said it has identified the suspected killer of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell but refused to disclose his name until an appropriate case has been filed against him.
Supt. Joseph Adnol, spokesman of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Police, said the male suspect was tagged by a 10-year-old child as the last person seen last April 8 at the vicinity where Campbell was hastily buried.
Campbell was found dead last Wednesday morning at Barangay Battad, Banaue in Ifugao province. She was last seen alive on April 8 before going on hiking at the Banaue Rice Terraces.
Adnol said the suspected killer is a resident of Barangay Battad but is missing now.
“He left the village. Maybe, he heard that he is already a suspect. We know that one sign of guilt is to get away,” Adnol said.
Adnol said a hard wood was also recovered at the crime scene, believed to be the weapon used to hit Campbell in the head.
He said police are not discounting the possibility that the motive of the killing is robbery, and that Campbell was sexually assaulted by her perpetrator.
But he said only the scientific investigation on the case, particularly the autopsy on Campbell’s remains, will eventually confirm what really happened to her.
The cadaver of Campbell remains refrigerated at the Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Makati City, awaiting the arrival of an American forensic pathologist from the United States who is expected to assist Philippine authorities in the post-mortem examinations.
Adnol admitted that the people of Banaue were shocked by the incident, especially since the place is frequently visited by US Peace Corps volunteers.
“Even in the entire Cordillera, there was an impact of what happened, especially after learning that Ms. Campbell had helped a lot of people already,” Adnol said.
Campbell, 40, had served as a peace corps volunteer in the Philippines since March 2005, according to the US Embassy in Manila.
But despite the “terrible tragedy,” US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop assured that there will be no pull out of the US Peace Corps in the country.
“No specific changers are in place at this time… Absolutely, no pull out,” he said.
But he said all American citizens have been advised to highly prioritize their safety and security all the time.
“We wish to say that we really appreciate all the excellent cooperation and support from the Philippine authorities, from the police, from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from the provincial and local authorities in Banaue and Battad, and the local residents and volunteers who helped us to search,” Lussenhop said./DMS
April 20, 2007
Police on Friday said it has identified the suspected killer of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell but refused to disclose his name until an appropriate case has been filed against him.
Supt. Joseph Adnol, spokesman of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Police, said the male suspect was tagged by a 10-year-old child as the last person seen last April 8 at the vicinity where Campbell was hastily buried.
Campbell was found dead last Wednesday morning at Barangay Battad, Banaue in Ifugao province. She was last seen alive on April 8 before going on hiking at the Banaue Rice Terraces.
Adnol said the suspected killer is a resident of Barangay Battad but is missing now.
“He left the village. Maybe, he heard that he is already a suspect. We know that one sign of guilt is to get away,” Adnol said.
Adnol said a hard wood was also recovered at the crime scene, believed to be the weapon used to hit Campbell in the head.
He said police are not discounting the possibility that the motive of the killing is robbery, and that Campbell was sexually assaulted by her perpetrator.
But he said only the scientific investigation on the case, particularly the autopsy on Campbell’s remains, will eventually confirm what really happened to her.
The cadaver of Campbell remains refrigerated at the Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Makati City, awaiting the arrival of an American forensic pathologist from the United States who is expected to assist Philippine authorities in the post-mortem examinations.
Adnol admitted that the people of Banaue were shocked by the incident, especially since the place is frequently visited by US Peace Corps volunteers.
“Even in the entire Cordillera, there was an impact of what happened, especially after learning that Ms. Campbell had helped a lot of people already,” Adnol said.
Campbell, 40, had served as a peace corps volunteer in the Philippines since March 2005, according to the US Embassy in Manila.
But despite the “terrible tragedy,” US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop assured that there will be no pull out of the US Peace Corps in the country.
“No specific changers are in place at this time… Absolutely, no pull out,” he said.
But he said all American citizens have been advised to highly prioritize their safety and security all the time.
“We wish to say that we really appreciate all the excellent cooperation and support from the Philippine authorities, from the police, from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from the provincial and local authorities in Banaue and Battad, and the local residents and volunteers who helped us to search,” Lussenhop said./DMS
Authorities recover bodies of beheaded ASG captives
By Ronron
April 20, 2007
Government authorities recovered on Friday morning the bodies of the seven workers abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) last April 15 in Sulu province and subsequently beheaded after the bandit group’s demand for a P5 million-ransom was not granted.
Col. Mark Antonio Supnet, commander of the Philippine Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade based in Jolo, Sulu, said in a phone interview that the seven bodies were found together at an open area in Barangay Wanni Pyanjihan, Parang town at around 7am yesterday (Friday).
The headless bodies of Crisanto Patrocenio, Roger Francisco, Dinnes delos Reyes, Moises Agustin, Wilmer Santos, Loi Teodoro, and Toto Millas, all residents of Zamboanga City, were abandoned some 50 meters away from the main road, Supnet said.
The hands of each victim were tied to each other, according to Sulu Police Provincial chief Sr. Supt. Ahirum Ajirim.
Supnet said local residents first discovered the bodies and then reported it to Army troopers in the area. They were then all brought to the Parang Municipal Police Station.
The heads of the seven were earlier found late Thursday afternoon. Five heads were first seen at 4pm some 200 meters away from the Philippine Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) detachment in Barangay Panabuan in Indanan town, while the remaining two heads, including that of Millas, were found an hour later near the 33rd IB detachment in Parang town.
Officials have called the latest beheading by the ASG as acts of barbarism, cruelty and inhumanity.
Ajirim and Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong share the same theory that the incident was triggered by the government’s refusal to give in to the P5 million-ransom demand of the Abu Sayyaf captors, headed by Albader Parad who has a $15,000 bounty for his arrest or neutralization.
But for his part, Supnet thinks it is in retaliation to the assault of Army troopers against ASG elements in Parang last April 17, which hurt the bandit group.
Ajirim and Loong said the remains of the victims were set to be sailed to Zamboanga City last night (Friday) and are expected to arrive this morning.
Loong said he will provide financial assistance of P100,000 to every family of the seven victims, aside from taking care of the funeral and burial expenses.
Supnet said the beheading has somehow left an impact among the locales in Sulu, sowing certain amount of fear since it has been a while since the ASG committed such act.
But he said there will be no changes in the security measures in the island province, rather the pursuit operations against Parad’s men and other ASG members, as well as the rouge members of the Moro National Liberation Front, particularly those under Ustadz Habier Malik, will just be intensified.
Ajirim said all seven are Christians. Patrocenio, he said, was abducted on suspicion that he was an intelligence agent of the military, while the six were taken since they immediately arrived at the abduction site aboard a dump truck, which was used as a getaway vehicle.
Patrocenio is a laborer at a fish drier company, while the six others were working for the road construction project of the provincial government./END
April 20, 2007
Government authorities recovered on Friday morning the bodies of the seven workers abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) last April 15 in Sulu province and subsequently beheaded after the bandit group’s demand for a P5 million-ransom was not granted.
Col. Mark Antonio Supnet, commander of the Philippine Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade based in Jolo, Sulu, said in a phone interview that the seven bodies were found together at an open area in Barangay Wanni Pyanjihan, Parang town at around 7am yesterday (Friday).
The headless bodies of Crisanto Patrocenio, Roger Francisco, Dinnes delos Reyes, Moises Agustin, Wilmer Santos, Loi Teodoro, and Toto Millas, all residents of Zamboanga City, were abandoned some 50 meters away from the main road, Supnet said.
The hands of each victim were tied to each other, according to Sulu Police Provincial chief Sr. Supt. Ahirum Ajirim.
Supnet said local residents first discovered the bodies and then reported it to Army troopers in the area. They were then all brought to the Parang Municipal Police Station.
The heads of the seven were earlier found late Thursday afternoon. Five heads were first seen at 4pm some 200 meters away from the Philippine Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) detachment in Barangay Panabuan in Indanan town, while the remaining two heads, including that of Millas, were found an hour later near the 33rd IB detachment in Parang town.
Officials have called the latest beheading by the ASG as acts of barbarism, cruelty and inhumanity.
Ajirim and Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong share the same theory that the incident was triggered by the government’s refusal to give in to the P5 million-ransom demand of the Abu Sayyaf captors, headed by Albader Parad who has a $15,000 bounty for his arrest or neutralization.
But for his part, Supnet thinks it is in retaliation to the assault of Army troopers against ASG elements in Parang last April 17, which hurt the bandit group.
Ajirim and Loong said the remains of the victims were set to be sailed to Zamboanga City last night (Friday) and are expected to arrive this morning.
Loong said he will provide financial assistance of P100,000 to every family of the seven victims, aside from taking care of the funeral and burial expenses.
Supnet said the beheading has somehow left an impact among the locales in Sulu, sowing certain amount of fear since it has been a while since the ASG committed such act.
But he said there will be no changes in the security measures in the island province, rather the pursuit operations against Parad’s men and other ASG members, as well as the rouge members of the Moro National Liberation Front, particularly those under Ustadz Habier Malik, will just be intensified.
Ajirim said all seven are Christians. Patrocenio, he said, was abducted on suspicion that he was an intelligence agent of the military, while the six were taken since they immediately arrived at the abduction site aboard a dump truck, which was used as a getaway vehicle.
Patrocenio is a laborer at a fish drier company, while the six others were working for the road construction project of the provincial government./END
Friday, April 20, 2007
Campbell’s remains arrive in Manila, autopsy put on hold
By Ronron
April 19, 2007
The remains of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell arrived in Manila on Thursday afternoon but were not immediately subjected to autopsy pending the arrival of an American forensic pathologist from the United States.
A Philippine Air Force (PAF) Huey chopper carried the body, placed inside a cadaver bag. Another Huey escorted the main helicopter. The choppers landed at the Camp Crame open ground in Quezon City at around 2:10 pm.
Philippine Army 502nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Victor Felix said the choppers took off from Banaue in Ifugao at 9:50 am.
Campbell’s remains were discovered by Army troopers at around 10:30 am Wednesday along a creek in Barangay Battad of said town where she was supposed to take a hiking before going missing.
“With great sadness, yes, it was the body of Julia Campbell, the peace corps volunteer who went missing since April 8,” US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop told reporters yesterday at Camp Crame minutes before the 40-year-old victim’s body arrived.
Lussenhop said the embassy based its confirmation on the identity of the body from the pronouncements of the “officers and security forces in the scene at the discovery site.”
From Camp Crame, the cadaver was taken to Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe, Makati City aboard a blue van provided by the US Embassy.
Lussenhop said the body will be refrigerated there until the American forensic pathologist arrives to assist in the post-mortem examination.
“We’re just waiting for the cadaver (to arrive) here,” said Supt. Joselito Rodrigo, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medico-Legal Division, in a news conference after the cadaver’s arrival.
But he said should the autopsy start, the US pathologist “just observe” the procedure and not perform jointly with the PNP Medico-Legal team. Normally, the five-stage process will last within nine days, he said.
“We are supposed to be the lead (in the examination),” said Sr. Supt. Danny Ramon Siongco, PNP Crime Laboratory Deputy Director for Operations, in the same news conference.
The procedure is intended to establish the identity of the cadaver, and the cause of death.
Police and embassy officials refused to cite the cause of Campbell’s death, saying it is best to wait for the autopsy to be completed.
But when told that there were reports about homicide being the cause of her death, PNP chief for the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) Director Geary Barias said: “That’s the initial findings of our investigators on the ground, especially the Provincial Director of Ifugao, from the visual investigation that was done.”
He did not elaborate.
Nonetheless, he said, “we hope that we can get a more conclusive assessment as to the cause of death of the peace corps volunteer.”/DMS
April 19, 2007
The remains of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell arrived in Manila on Thursday afternoon but were not immediately subjected to autopsy pending the arrival of an American forensic pathologist from the United States.
A Philippine Air Force (PAF) Huey chopper carried the body, placed inside a cadaver bag. Another Huey escorted the main helicopter. The choppers landed at the Camp Crame open ground in Quezon City at around 2:10 pm.
Philippine Army 502nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Victor Felix said the choppers took off from Banaue in Ifugao at 9:50 am.
Campbell’s remains were discovered by Army troopers at around 10:30 am Wednesday along a creek in Barangay Battad of said town where she was supposed to take a hiking before going missing.
“With great sadness, yes, it was the body of Julia Campbell, the peace corps volunteer who went missing since April 8,” US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop told reporters yesterday at Camp Crame minutes before the 40-year-old victim’s body arrived.
Lussenhop said the embassy based its confirmation on the identity of the body from the pronouncements of the “officers and security forces in the scene at the discovery site.”
From Camp Crame, the cadaver was taken to Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe, Makati City aboard a blue van provided by the US Embassy.
Lussenhop said the body will be refrigerated there until the American forensic pathologist arrives to assist in the post-mortem examination.
“We’re just waiting for the cadaver (to arrive) here,” said Supt. Joselito Rodrigo, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medico-Legal Division, in a news conference after the cadaver’s arrival.
But he said should the autopsy start, the US pathologist “just observe” the procedure and not perform jointly with the PNP Medico-Legal team. Normally, the five-stage process will last within nine days, he said.
“We are supposed to be the lead (in the examination),” said Sr. Supt. Danny Ramon Siongco, PNP Crime Laboratory Deputy Director for Operations, in the same news conference.
The procedure is intended to establish the identity of the cadaver, and the cause of death.
Police and embassy officials refused to cite the cause of Campbell’s death, saying it is best to wait for the autopsy to be completed.
But when told that there were reports about homicide being the cause of her death, PNP chief for the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) Director Geary Barias said: “That’s the initial findings of our investigators on the ground, especially the Provincial Director of Ifugao, from the visual investigation that was done.”
He did not elaborate.
Nonetheless, he said, “we hope that we can get a more conclusive assessment as to the cause of death of the peace corps volunteer.”/DMS
Two reporters escape death in ambush incident in Quezon province
By Ronron
April 19, 2007
Two reporters escaped death after surviving an ambush attempt against them Thursday morning in Quezon province.
The incident happened a day after a government radio correspondent was found dead in Nueva Ecija province.
The Lucena City Police Station in Quezon province said Delfin Mallari, correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Editor-in-Chief of the local publication Ang Diyaryo Natin (ADN), and a local radio announcer, and Johnny Glorioso, radio correspondent of ABS-CBN DZMM and publisher of ADN, were aboard the former’s red Honda Civic (plate number TSF-235) when attacked by two unidentified suspects.
The two were supposed to go to the local KI radio station for their morning radio program.
Police said Mallari, 52, brought his car to a halt due to traffic upon along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Ibabang Dupay, Lucena City at around 7:40 am.
The motorcycle-riding suspects suddenly appeared beside Mallari and one of them opened fire two times using a caliber 45 aimed at the newsman.
A bullet pierced through the glass window of Mallari’s car and hit him at his left lower rib cage. Glorioso, on the other hand, was unhurt.
The suspects immediately sped off towards the direction of Mayao.
Mallari is now being treated at a hospital in Lucena City.
Police has yet to establish the motive behind the incident, even as they note that Mallari is just a regular newsman who does not hold a reputation of being hard-hitting.
Promptly, police regional director Chief Supt. Nicasio Radovan, Jr. ordered the administrative relief of Supt. Nelson Lequin, chief of the Lucena City Police Station, for his apparent failure in strictly implementing the “No Plate, No Travel” policy, said Director Geary Barias, commander of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG.
Barias noted that the suspects were using a motorcycle that has no license plate.
Placed in Lequin’s stead as Officer-in-Charge is Supt. Marcos Badilla, Jr.
On Wednesday morning, the dead body of Radyo ng Bayan correspondent Carmelo Palacios, 41, was found dumped along the highway in Sitio Uno, Barangay Mapalad, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija.
Supt. Benjamin dela Cruz, chief of Sta. Rosa Police, said it appears that Palacios was tortured to death, targeting his head which bore all the fatal injuries.
“This is work-related… He must have had a dispute with some persons while he was performing his job,” dela Cruz said in a phone interview.
But he admitted that they still have no lead as to the suspects behind the killing since there was no evidence found at the place where his body was left, and no witness has surfaced yet.
Palacios is the 27th media victim of violence in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG’s list since 2001./DMS
April 19, 2007
Two reporters escaped death after surviving an ambush attempt against them Thursday morning in Quezon province.
The incident happened a day after a government radio correspondent was found dead in Nueva Ecija province.
The Lucena City Police Station in Quezon province said Delfin Mallari, correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Editor-in-Chief of the local publication Ang Diyaryo Natin (ADN), and a local radio announcer, and Johnny Glorioso, radio correspondent of ABS-CBN DZMM and publisher of ADN, were aboard the former’s red Honda Civic (plate number TSF-235) when attacked by two unidentified suspects.
The two were supposed to go to the local KI radio station for their morning radio program.
Police said Mallari, 52, brought his car to a halt due to traffic upon along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Ibabang Dupay, Lucena City at around 7:40 am.
The motorcycle-riding suspects suddenly appeared beside Mallari and one of them opened fire two times using a caliber 45 aimed at the newsman.
A bullet pierced through the glass window of Mallari’s car and hit him at his left lower rib cage. Glorioso, on the other hand, was unhurt.
The suspects immediately sped off towards the direction of Mayao.
Mallari is now being treated at a hospital in Lucena City.
Police has yet to establish the motive behind the incident, even as they note that Mallari is just a regular newsman who does not hold a reputation of being hard-hitting.
Promptly, police regional director Chief Supt. Nicasio Radovan, Jr. ordered the administrative relief of Supt. Nelson Lequin, chief of the Lucena City Police Station, for his apparent failure in strictly implementing the “No Plate, No Travel” policy, said Director Geary Barias, commander of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG.
Barias noted that the suspects were using a motorcycle that has no license plate.
Placed in Lequin’s stead as Officer-in-Charge is Supt. Marcos Badilla, Jr.
On Wednesday morning, the dead body of Radyo ng Bayan correspondent Carmelo Palacios, 41, was found dumped along the highway in Sitio Uno, Barangay Mapalad, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija.
Supt. Benjamin dela Cruz, chief of Sta. Rosa Police, said it appears that Palacios was tortured to death, targeting his head which bore all the fatal injuries.
“This is work-related… He must have had a dispute with some persons while he was performing his job,” dela Cruz said in a phone interview.
But he admitted that they still have no lead as to the suspects behind the killing since there was no evidence found at the place where his body was left, and no witness has surfaced yet.
Palacios is the 27th media victim of violence in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG’s list since 2001./DMS
Light plane crashes in Parañaque
By Ronron
April 19, 2007
A private light plane crashed on Thursday morning at a residential village in Parañaque City, resulting in the death of the pilot, the only person aboard it.
Octavio Lina, Assistant General Manager for Operations of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), said the “accident” was reported at around 9:42 am, or three minutes after it happened, hitting an open area inside Merville Subdivision.
Killed in the accident was Captain Paolo de Castro, 30, said Lina.
“This is a Cessna 206, with single engine… It exploded at an open area here in Merville. It’s good that it veered away from the houses,” said Lina, who immediately rushed to the accident site.
The plane is owned and operated by Frontier Aviation Corporation. It was chartered for cargo purposes of by Royal Air.
The Air Transportation Office (ATO) said the plane was loaded only with 20 empty styro boxes.
Lina said the cause of the crash is yet to be determined by an investigation that will be conducted by the Safety Division of the Air Transportation Office.
Lina said the plane departed from the Manila Domestic Airport prior to the accident and was heading for Roxas, Palawan./DMS
April 19, 2007
A private light plane crashed on Thursday morning at a residential village in Parañaque City, resulting in the death of the pilot, the only person aboard it.
Octavio Lina, Assistant General Manager for Operations of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), said the “accident” was reported at around 9:42 am, or three minutes after it happened, hitting an open area inside Merville Subdivision.
Killed in the accident was Captain Paolo de Castro, 30, said Lina.
“This is a Cessna 206, with single engine… It exploded at an open area here in Merville. It’s good that it veered away from the houses,” said Lina, who immediately rushed to the accident site.
The plane is owned and operated by Frontier Aviation Corporation. It was chartered for cargo purposes of by Royal Air.
The Air Transportation Office (ATO) said the plane was loaded only with 20 empty styro boxes.
Lina said the cause of the crash is yet to be determined by an investigation that will be conducted by the Safety Division of the Air Transportation Office.
Lina said the plane departed from the Manila Domestic Airport prior to the accident and was heading for Roxas, Palawan./DMS
2 soldiers killed, 2 wounded in clash with NPA in Sorsogon
By Ronron
April 19, 2007
Two government troopers were killed while two others were wounded in an encounter last Wednesday against suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the province of Sorsogon, an Army spokesman said.
Lt. Col. Roderick Parayno, Public Information Officer of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), said the clash happened at around 12:45 pm at Barangay Villareal, Gubat town, involving elements of the 2nd Infantry Battalion and some 60 NPA rebels.
He said the encounter lasted for more than one hour and extended to the neighboring Barangay Bulacao of the same town.
The identities of the two slain and two wounded soldiers were not immediately known. They were airlifted from the site using military helicopters.
Parayno said the rebels were also able to take away one M16 rifle from the government fighters.
Additional troops from the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade were inserted with the help of two Huey helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group 5 of the Philippine Air Force.
They were dropped at the nearby Barangay Buenavista, also in Gubat, where they also clashed with the same NPA group at around 3:45 pm.
The number of casualties on the NPA side is still undetermined as of this writing.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years. The government hopes to crush it by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks with the communist movement bogged down in August 2004 after it was tagged by foreign governments like the United States and the European Union as a terrorist group./DMS
April 19, 2007
Two government troopers were killed while two others were wounded in an encounter last Wednesday against suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the province of Sorsogon, an Army spokesman said.
Lt. Col. Roderick Parayno, Public Information Officer of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), said the clash happened at around 12:45 pm at Barangay Villareal, Gubat town, involving elements of the 2nd Infantry Battalion and some 60 NPA rebels.
He said the encounter lasted for more than one hour and extended to the neighboring Barangay Bulacao of the same town.
The identities of the two slain and two wounded soldiers were not immediately known. They were airlifted from the site using military helicopters.
Parayno said the rebels were also able to take away one M16 rifle from the government fighters.
Additional troops from the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade were inserted with the help of two Huey helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group 5 of the Philippine Air Force.
They were dropped at the nearby Barangay Buenavista, also in Gubat, where they also clashed with the same NPA group at around 3:45 pm.
The number of casualties on the NPA side is still undetermined as of this writing.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years. The government hopes to crush it by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks with the communist movement bogged down in August 2004 after it was tagged by foreign governments like the United States and the European Union as a terrorist group./DMS
Thursday, April 19, 2007
ASG abducts seven workers in Sulu, demands P5 million for ransom
By Ronron
April 18, 2007
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) struck again in Sulu, abducting seven persons last Sunday in Parang town and demanding P5 million in exchange for their release.
Belated reports reaching Camp Crame said the ASG faction of Albader Parad forcibly took last Sunday morning at around 9 o’ clock a dried fish laborer and six road construction workers at Barangay Wanni Pyanjihan.
The victims were identified as Crisanto Patrocenio, a laborer at a fish drier company; Roger Francisco, Dinnes delos Reyes, Moises Agustin, Wilmer Santos, Loi Teodoro, and Toto Millas, all laborer at an ongoing road concreting project in Parang.
Patrocenio was first abducted while he was aboard a passenger jeepney from Parang bound for Jolo, the capital of Sulu, the report said.
Sulu Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Ahirum Ajirim said Patrocenio was suspected by the group of Parad as a intelligence operative of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since he was allegedly known to be affiliated with the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc.
Immediately after he was forcibly taken, a dump truck that was carrying all the other six victims arrived at the scene, the report said. It was heading for Indanan town, coming from Parang town, to fetch water.
Police said Parad’s group, numbering about 50, immediately blocked the truck and commandeered it for their escape, taking along the six construction workers on it.
As of Wednesday, Ajirim said they have yet to locate the whereabouts of the suspects and the victims.
He said he had already directed the 1510th Provincial Mobile Group and the Parang Municipal Police Station to “monitor and intensify intelligence gathering” to Parad and his men.
On Tuesday morning, Ajirim said the abductors communicated with the foreman of the six workers through text messaging where they demanded P5 million in exchange for the release of all abductees.
“That (demanding ransom) is their character. They do that for fund raising purposes, especially if they already run out of money, if they are hungry,” Ajirim said of the ASG.
“In the first place, they should not have abducted those men because they do not have money. Those are just ordinary laborers, they could even hardly buy their food,” he added.
Ajirim said Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong had already take steps to negotiate for the safe release of the victims, being the owner of the dump truck and the employer of the six road project workers.
He said the mayor of Parang and the military in the area had also coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP) about the incident./DMS
April 18, 2007
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) struck again in Sulu, abducting seven persons last Sunday in Parang town and demanding P5 million in exchange for their release.
Belated reports reaching Camp Crame said the ASG faction of Albader Parad forcibly took last Sunday morning at around 9 o’ clock a dried fish laborer and six road construction workers at Barangay Wanni Pyanjihan.
The victims were identified as Crisanto Patrocenio, a laborer at a fish drier company; Roger Francisco, Dinnes delos Reyes, Moises Agustin, Wilmer Santos, Loi Teodoro, and Toto Millas, all laborer at an ongoing road concreting project in Parang.
Patrocenio was first abducted while he was aboard a passenger jeepney from Parang bound for Jolo, the capital of Sulu, the report said.
Sulu Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Ahirum Ajirim said Patrocenio was suspected by the group of Parad as a intelligence operative of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since he was allegedly known to be affiliated with the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc.
Immediately after he was forcibly taken, a dump truck that was carrying all the other six victims arrived at the scene, the report said. It was heading for Indanan town, coming from Parang town, to fetch water.
Police said Parad’s group, numbering about 50, immediately blocked the truck and commandeered it for their escape, taking along the six construction workers on it.
As of Wednesday, Ajirim said they have yet to locate the whereabouts of the suspects and the victims.
He said he had already directed the 1510th Provincial Mobile Group and the Parang Municipal Police Station to “monitor and intensify intelligence gathering” to Parad and his men.
On Tuesday morning, Ajirim said the abductors communicated with the foreman of the six workers through text messaging where they demanded P5 million in exchange for the release of all abductees.
“That (demanding ransom) is their character. They do that for fund raising purposes, especially if they already run out of money, if they are hungry,” Ajirim said of the ASG.
“In the first place, they should not have abducted those men because they do not have money. Those are just ordinary laborers, they could even hardly buy their food,” he added.
Ajirim said Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong had already take steps to negotiate for the safe release of the victims, being the owner of the dump truck and the employer of the six road project workers.
He said the mayor of Parang and the military in the area had also coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP) about the incident./DMS
Suspected body of missing US Peace corps volunteer found in Ifugao
By Ronron
April 18, 2007
The suspected body of United States Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell was found lifeless on Wednesday morning in the northern Philippine province of Ifugao, military officials said.
Col. Victor Felix, commander of the Philippine Army’s 502nd Infantry Brigade, said in a phone interview yesterday that the cadaver was discovered at around 10:30 am by Army troops under him, “hastily buried” under a grassy area, except for a foot, in Barangay Battad, Banaue town.
Felix said the “protruding foot,” which bears a white complexion but already in a decomposing state, led troops to the site located along a creek.
“We can’t give positive identification yet. That will be the job of the Philippine National Police and the US Embassy people,” Felix said.
But he hinted that the cadaver was that of Campbell since it was found at the vicinity where she was last found alive on April 8, prior to going on hiking in the hilly side of Banaue.
According to a US Embassy statement last April 13, 2007, the 40-year-old Caucasian American was at the site, “unaccompanied.”
She had joined the Peace Corps Service in the country since March 2005, and served as a college teacher in Legazpi City in Albay.
Felix said the body will be subjected to autopsy for confirmation of her identify and to determine the cause of death.
“Two things will be done here – identification of the body and the crime behind it,” he said.
Felix said the body was covered with soil and grass, and was buried in a shallow grave.
He described the site to be remote from the residential community.
In a separate statement, Cordillera police spokesman Supt. Joseph Adnol said: “The theory raised is that Ms. Campbell was killed as she was found buried. The motive is still undetermined but crime cannot be discounted such as robbery and rape.”
The military had said that the place had long been cleared of communist insurgents.
Felix said the body remains at the site as of 4pm as the US government awaits the arrival of expert pathologists who will conduct forensic examination on it, along with the PNP forensic team./DMS
April 18, 2007
The suspected body of United States Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell was found lifeless on Wednesday morning in the northern Philippine province of Ifugao, military officials said.
Col. Victor Felix, commander of the Philippine Army’s 502nd Infantry Brigade, said in a phone interview yesterday that the cadaver was discovered at around 10:30 am by Army troops under him, “hastily buried” under a grassy area, except for a foot, in Barangay Battad, Banaue town.
Felix said the “protruding foot,” which bears a white complexion but already in a decomposing state, led troops to the site located along a creek.
“We can’t give positive identification yet. That will be the job of the Philippine National Police and the US Embassy people,” Felix said.
But he hinted that the cadaver was that of Campbell since it was found at the vicinity where she was last found alive on April 8, prior to going on hiking in the hilly side of Banaue.
According to a US Embassy statement last April 13, 2007, the 40-year-old Caucasian American was at the site, “unaccompanied.”
She had joined the Peace Corps Service in the country since March 2005, and served as a college teacher in Legazpi City in Albay.
Felix said the body will be subjected to autopsy for confirmation of her identify and to determine the cause of death.
“Two things will be done here – identification of the body and the crime behind it,” he said.
Felix said the body was covered with soil and grass, and was buried in a shallow grave.
He described the site to be remote from the residential community.
In a separate statement, Cordillera police spokesman Supt. Joseph Adnol said: “The theory raised is that Ms. Campbell was killed as she was found buried. The motive is still undetermined but crime cannot be discounted such as robbery and rape.”
The military had said that the place had long been cleared of communist insurgents.
Felix said the body remains at the site as of 4pm as the US government awaits the arrival of expert pathologists who will conduct forensic examination on it, along with the PNP forensic team./DMS
Radio reporter found dead in Nueva Ecija
By Ronron
April 18, 2007
A volunteer radio reporter for a government station was found dead on Wednesday morning in Nueva Ecija province, bearing a gunshot wound on his chin, police said.
Supt. Benjamin dela Cruz, chief of the Sta. Rosa Municipal Police Station, said police are still investigating the motive for the killing of Carmelo Palacios, 41, police correspondent of government-run Radyo ng Bayan, and a resident of Guimba town, same province.
A report of dela Cruz at Camp Crame disclosed that Palacios’ body was discovered dead at the Bangad-Fort Magsaysay Highway, in front of LM Mapalad 347 Farm in Barangay Mapalad.
Palacios was found with a broken jaw and teeth, and bruises on his head, neck and body, aside from the gunshot wound on his chin.
Police also found a small amount of money inside Palacio’s coin purse and two pieces of empty cellphone pouch.
“The case is still under investigation. We have not yet determined the angle behind his death,” dela Cruz said in Filipino when reached by phone.
According to dela Cruz’ report, residents in the area noticed an unknown vehicle maneuvering at around 9:30 pm of Tuesday at the place where Palacios’ body was found. Then, it left quickly, heading the direction of Cabanatuan City.
Palacios’ body is now being subjected to autopsy./DMS
April 18, 2007
A volunteer radio reporter for a government station was found dead on Wednesday morning in Nueva Ecija province, bearing a gunshot wound on his chin, police said.
Supt. Benjamin dela Cruz, chief of the Sta. Rosa Municipal Police Station, said police are still investigating the motive for the killing of Carmelo Palacios, 41, police correspondent of government-run Radyo ng Bayan, and a resident of Guimba town, same province.
A report of dela Cruz at Camp Crame disclosed that Palacios’ body was discovered dead at the Bangad-Fort Magsaysay Highway, in front of LM Mapalad 347 Farm in Barangay Mapalad.
Palacios was found with a broken jaw and teeth, and bruises on his head, neck and body, aside from the gunshot wound on his chin.
Police also found a small amount of money inside Palacio’s coin purse and two pieces of empty cellphone pouch.
“The case is still under investigation. We have not yet determined the angle behind his death,” dela Cruz said in Filipino when reached by phone.
According to dela Cruz’ report, residents in the area noticed an unknown vehicle maneuvering at around 9:30 pm of Tuesday at the place where Palacios’ body was found. Then, it left quickly, heading the direction of Cabanatuan City.
Palacios’ body is now being subjected to autopsy./DMS
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Makati court allows media interviews for Trillanes
By Ronron
April 17, 2007
A Makati City court has allowed opposition senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV to be interviewed by the media in relation to his candidacy in the upcoming May 14 elections.
In a four-page order dated March 16, 2007 but released only yesterday, Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel said Trillanes, a resigned Navy Captain, is “allowed to be interviewed by the several media agencies subject” to two conditions.
Pimentel said media outlets who want to interview Trillanes, a member of the Genuine Opposition slate, should submit to the court their proposed questions and issues. They are also mandated to file their manifestation on when they intend to interview Trillanes.
This is to make sure that Trillanes will not make unnecessary statements.
Secondly, the same manifestations to the court should also be submitted to the Philippine Marine Brig, the custodian of Trillanes, three days before the intended schedule of interview as a sign of courtesy.
Trillanes is on trial before Pimentel’s sala for coup d’ etat charges in relation to the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, which he led. He is currently detained at the Philippine Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Pimentel had earlier denied Trillanes’ request to grant media interviews for his senatorial bid. But he eventually granted the motion for reconsideration filed by Trillanes’ lawyers.
“First, it is now clear that the subject matter of the proposed interviews and discussions will not deal on issues involving the present case; instead, it will focus on political and national issues, his propaganda, plans and platforms,” Pimentel said.
He said the Philippine Marine Brig’s continuous refusal to submit a comment on Trillanes’ motion is also seen already as an “act of yielding to the orders of the court,” and not “as an act of approval,” as it was initially interpreted.
Trillanes had asked for media access to give him an almost equal opportunity in the ongoing campaign, considering his present condition as a detainee./DMS
April 17, 2007
A Makati City court has allowed opposition senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV to be interviewed by the media in relation to his candidacy in the upcoming May 14 elections.
In a four-page order dated March 16, 2007 but released only yesterday, Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel said Trillanes, a resigned Navy Captain, is “allowed to be interviewed by the several media agencies subject” to two conditions.
Pimentel said media outlets who want to interview Trillanes, a member of the Genuine Opposition slate, should submit to the court their proposed questions and issues. They are also mandated to file their manifestation on when they intend to interview Trillanes.
This is to make sure that Trillanes will not make unnecessary statements.
Secondly, the same manifestations to the court should also be submitted to the Philippine Marine Brig, the custodian of Trillanes, three days before the intended schedule of interview as a sign of courtesy.
Trillanes is on trial before Pimentel’s sala for coup d’ etat charges in relation to the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, which he led. He is currently detained at the Philippine Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Pimentel had earlier denied Trillanes’ request to grant media interviews for his senatorial bid. But he eventually granted the motion for reconsideration filed by Trillanes’ lawyers.
“First, it is now clear that the subject matter of the proposed interviews and discussions will not deal on issues involving the present case; instead, it will focus on political and national issues, his propaganda, plans and platforms,” Pimentel said.
He said the Philippine Marine Brig’s continuous refusal to submit a comment on Trillanes’ motion is also seen already as an “act of yielding to the orders of the court,” and not “as an act of approval,” as it was initially interpreted.
Trillanes had asked for media access to give him an almost equal opportunity in the ongoing campaign, considering his present condition as a detainee./DMS
AFP defies OIC call for suspension of hostilities in Sulu; offers P1 million reward for Malik’s arrest
By Ronron
April 17, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is defying a call of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) for the immediate suspension of hostilities in Sulu in observance of the 1996 peace accord of the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
At the same time, it has offered a P1 million-bounty for the arrest of rouge MNLF commander Ustadz Habier Malik whose group of more than 300 is now the subject of the ongoing operations in Panamao town.
In a chance interview Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Tuesday that the ongoing military offensives in Panamao town are just targeted against the group of Malik and not the entire MNLF.
He clarified that the AFP is not waging a war against the entire MNLF.
“We are not suspending operations against Habier Malik,” Esperon told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
“This is an operations against Habier Malik so that he will be made to answer for his criminal liabilities, including the death of a child and the death of two Marine soldiers when he fired mortars at the headquarters of the Marine Battalion Landing Team and the Panamao Municipal Hall,” he added.
The AFP launched offensives against Malik’s group starting last Saturday after the latter shelled mortars against a civilian community and a military detachment beginning Friday midnight.
Sulu-based AFP Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) commander Brig. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan said in a television interview yesterday that three soldiers have already been killed and 53 others were wounded since the hostilities began.
A civilian also died while another one was wounded in the MNLF attacks.
On the MNLF side, Pabustan said intelligence reports indicate that 17 MNLF rebels were killed while more than 50 others were already wounded so far.
“Generally, that should be the idea, the suspension of hostilities. There have been no hostilities in the first place between the AFP and the MNLF… We have been establishing the rule of law in Jolo (capital of Sulu) so it should not be that those we are dealing with in the peace agreement will be the ones initiating chaos in Jolo,” Esperon said.
The OIC Secretary General, Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, had said that the Philippine government and the MNLF should “abide by the provisions of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement in letter and spirit” and “resume negotiation in good faith for the full implementation of that Agreement.”
Asked if there is hope for Malik to be convinced by fellow MNLF commanders to return to the folds of the law, Pabustan said: “Definitely, I believe that. There are still other MNLF commanders, who are still sober and still believe on the provisions of the 1996 peace agreement.”
Pabustan echoed other officials’ earlier statement that only a few MNLF commanders support Malik’s actions.
“I do believe that the numbers of the MNLF force joining Malik will not increase and right now, we have already several MNLF commanders who are with our side,” Pabustan said.
In a phone interview from Sulu, Pabustan said Esperon already offered P1 million for any information that would lead to the arrest of Malik.
“Gen. Esperon has offered P1 million for the quick arrest of Malik. He announced it today through (Lt.) Gen. (Eugenio) Cedo (commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command),” Pabustan said.
Pabustan, however, was not aware where the funds will be sourced.
“I think the capture of Malik will happen sooner with this bounty,” Pabustan said.
In the earlier interview, Esperon was asked if the standing order to all troops in Sulu is to get Malik “dead or alive.” He replied: “Well, if he doesn’t give up.”/DMS
April 17, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is defying a call of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) for the immediate suspension of hostilities in Sulu in observance of the 1996 peace accord of the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
At the same time, it has offered a P1 million-bounty for the arrest of rouge MNLF commander Ustadz Habier Malik whose group of more than 300 is now the subject of the ongoing operations in Panamao town.
In a chance interview Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Tuesday that the ongoing military offensives in Panamao town are just targeted against the group of Malik and not the entire MNLF.
He clarified that the AFP is not waging a war against the entire MNLF.
“We are not suspending operations against Habier Malik,” Esperon told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
“This is an operations against Habier Malik so that he will be made to answer for his criminal liabilities, including the death of a child and the death of two Marine soldiers when he fired mortars at the headquarters of the Marine Battalion Landing Team and the Panamao Municipal Hall,” he added.
The AFP launched offensives against Malik’s group starting last Saturday after the latter shelled mortars against a civilian community and a military detachment beginning Friday midnight.
Sulu-based AFP Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) commander Brig. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan said in a television interview yesterday that three soldiers have already been killed and 53 others were wounded since the hostilities began.
A civilian also died while another one was wounded in the MNLF attacks.
On the MNLF side, Pabustan said intelligence reports indicate that 17 MNLF rebels were killed while more than 50 others were already wounded so far.
“Generally, that should be the idea, the suspension of hostilities. There have been no hostilities in the first place between the AFP and the MNLF… We have been establishing the rule of law in Jolo (capital of Sulu) so it should not be that those we are dealing with in the peace agreement will be the ones initiating chaos in Jolo,” Esperon said.
The OIC Secretary General, Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, had said that the Philippine government and the MNLF should “abide by the provisions of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement in letter and spirit” and “resume negotiation in good faith for the full implementation of that Agreement.”
Asked if there is hope for Malik to be convinced by fellow MNLF commanders to return to the folds of the law, Pabustan said: “Definitely, I believe that. There are still other MNLF commanders, who are still sober and still believe on the provisions of the 1996 peace agreement.”
Pabustan echoed other officials’ earlier statement that only a few MNLF commanders support Malik’s actions.
“I do believe that the numbers of the MNLF force joining Malik will not increase and right now, we have already several MNLF commanders who are with our side,” Pabustan said.
In a phone interview from Sulu, Pabustan said Esperon already offered P1 million for any information that would lead to the arrest of Malik.
“Gen. Esperon has offered P1 million for the quick arrest of Malik. He announced it today through (Lt.) Gen. (Eugenio) Cedo (commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command),” Pabustan said.
Pabustan, however, was not aware where the funds will be sourced.
“I think the capture of Malik will happen sooner with this bounty,” Pabustan said.
In the earlier interview, Esperon was asked if the standing order to all troops in Sulu is to get Malik “dead or alive.” He replied: “Well, if he doesn’t give up.”/DMS
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
AFP won’t stop until it gets Malik
By Ronron
April 16, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not stop its large-scale operations in Sulu until it captures or neutralizes Ustadz Habier Malik, a commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who initiated attacks against civilian and military positions beginning Friday evening.
AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday that around 3,000 of the more than 7,000 troops in Sulu are now tracking down Malik in Panamao town.
The operating troops include four battalions from the Philippine Marines and two from the Philippine Army. They are also being supported by air assets from the Philippine Air Force.
“We will pursue him (Malik),” Bacarro said.
The military estimates Malik’s force to be more than 300. But they are believed to be in collusion with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorists also hiding in the island province.
“I would like to clarify that the government efforts are not against the MNLF. (Rather), it is (only) against the group of MNLF under Ustadz Malik… We are giving emphasis to the peace agreement with the MNLF but these actions of Ustadz Habier Malik, the unprovoked shelling in Panamao, this is lawlessness. So we will run after the group of Malik,” Bacarro said.
So far, two soldiers and a civilian were killed, while 19 soldiers and another civilian were wounded since Malik’s group started shelling mortars before midnight of Friday.
Counter-attacks by government forces resulted in the death of at least nine men of Malik and the wounding of one, said Bacarro. He said the figure could actually be higher if all casualties are recovered by the military.
Bacarro said the Marine forces already took full control of Malik’s camp in Bitan-ag Complex at 5:30 am yesterday (Monday).
“He and his men are now on the run,” Bacarro said of Malik, adding he is on isolation since his acts were not sanctioned and supported by other MNLF commanders in the area.
Bacarro said the military has yet to figure out with certainty the real reason behind Malik’s attack. But he maintains those were “unprovoked.”/DMS
April 16, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not stop its large-scale operations in Sulu until it captures or neutralizes Ustadz Habier Malik, a commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who initiated attacks against civilian and military positions beginning Friday evening.
AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday that around 3,000 of the more than 7,000 troops in Sulu are now tracking down Malik in Panamao town.
The operating troops include four battalions from the Philippine Marines and two from the Philippine Army. They are also being supported by air assets from the Philippine Air Force.
“We will pursue him (Malik),” Bacarro said.
The military estimates Malik’s force to be more than 300. But they are believed to be in collusion with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorists also hiding in the island province.
“I would like to clarify that the government efforts are not against the MNLF. (Rather), it is (only) against the group of MNLF under Ustadz Malik… We are giving emphasis to the peace agreement with the MNLF but these actions of Ustadz Habier Malik, the unprovoked shelling in Panamao, this is lawlessness. So we will run after the group of Malik,” Bacarro said.
So far, two soldiers and a civilian were killed, while 19 soldiers and another civilian were wounded since Malik’s group started shelling mortars before midnight of Friday.
Counter-attacks by government forces resulted in the death of at least nine men of Malik and the wounding of one, said Bacarro. He said the figure could actually be higher if all casualties are recovered by the military.
Bacarro said the Marine forces already took full control of Malik’s camp in Bitan-ag Complex at 5:30 am yesterday (Monday).
“He and his men are now on the run,” Bacarro said of Malik, adding he is on isolation since his acts were not sanctioned and supported by other MNLF commanders in the area.
Bacarro said the military has yet to figure out with certainty the real reason behind Malik’s attack. But he maintains those were “unprovoked.”/DMS
Five suspected carnappers killed in shootout against police in QC
By Ronron
April 16, 2007
Five suspected car thieves were killed in a shootout with traffic policemen before dawn of Monday in Quezon City, police said.
The suspects were first sighted aboard a maroon Toyota Revo at the Elliptical Circle by members of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) Mobile 11 at around 3 am yesterday.
TMG Director Chief Supt. Errol Pan said in a statement that the vehicle, which was sporting plate number VBX-401, was “roaming suspiciously” in the area, prompting the Mobile 11 crew to have the plate number verified with the TMG’s Vehicle Information Management System.
The check revealed that the plate number belongs to an Isuzu Crosswind, which was carjacked from a certain Frederick Duller in Taguig City last June 27, 2005.
This sparked the operation against the Revo, tailing it until Fairview District.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the Holy Rosary Chapel near SM Fairview, Pan said the suspects noticed the tailing TMG personnel and immediately opened fire at them.
“An exchange of gunshots ensued until the five suspects, all wearing police jackets and sweatshirts, were found lifeless,” Pan said.
Pan said recovered from the suspects were three caliber 45 pistols, one 9mm pistol, and one shotgun.
No one was hurt among the TMG personnel.
Pan said a check on the Revo revealed later that it was also seized while parked unattended last year in Midtown Village, Cainta, Rizal. Its owner was identified as a certain Elena Rodriguez.
“The strong campaign of the TMG against carnapping resulted to the arrests of 57 carnap suspects and the eventual filing of criminal charges in court, neutralization of several carnap syndicyates and the recovery of 112 vehicles during the first quarter of the year,” Pan said./DMS
April 16, 2007
Five suspected car thieves were killed in a shootout with traffic policemen before dawn of Monday in Quezon City, police said.
The suspects were first sighted aboard a maroon Toyota Revo at the Elliptical Circle by members of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) Mobile 11 at around 3 am yesterday.
TMG Director Chief Supt. Errol Pan said in a statement that the vehicle, which was sporting plate number VBX-401, was “roaming suspiciously” in the area, prompting the Mobile 11 crew to have the plate number verified with the TMG’s Vehicle Information Management System.
The check revealed that the plate number belongs to an Isuzu Crosswind, which was carjacked from a certain Frederick Duller in Taguig City last June 27, 2005.
This sparked the operation against the Revo, tailing it until Fairview District.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the Holy Rosary Chapel near SM Fairview, Pan said the suspects noticed the tailing TMG personnel and immediately opened fire at them.
“An exchange of gunshots ensued until the five suspects, all wearing police jackets and sweatshirts, were found lifeless,” Pan said.
Pan said recovered from the suspects were three caliber 45 pistols, one 9mm pistol, and one shotgun.
No one was hurt among the TMG personnel.
Pan said a check on the Revo revealed later that it was also seized while parked unattended last year in Midtown Village, Cainta, Rizal. Its owner was identified as a certain Elena Rodriguez.
“The strong campaign of the TMG against carnapping resulted to the arrests of 57 carnap suspects and the eventual filing of criminal charges in court, neutralization of several carnap syndicyates and the recovery of 112 vehicles during the first quarter of the year,” Pan said./DMS
Alleged militant killed in Sorsogon City
By Ronron
April 16, 2007
An alleged militant group member was killed on Monday morning in Sorsogon province by an unidentified gunman for still unclear reasons.
Police identified the victim as Willy Jeruz, 43, a resident of Barangay San Juan Roro, Sorsogon City.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) spokesman Carl Ala said Jeruz is an organizer of the Samahan ng Magsasaka sa Sorsogon (Samasor), an allied organization of KMP and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).
But Supt. Formoso Argarin, Sorsogon City police chief, said Jeruz does not belong to any political organization like Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, and others, quoting an affidavit of his wife, Adelina.
“We still could not identify the motive, although I have received reports that he belongs to a certain organization. I am still checking on this,” Argarin said in Filipino in a phone interview.
“According to the wife, there was no threat against his (Jeruz) life,” he added.
Jeruz was shot at around 7:10 am by a lone gunman while he was watering the plants in front of his house.
He sustained multiple gunshot wounds that caused his death upon arrival at the Sorsogon Doctor’s Hospital at said city. Police recovered nine empty shells of a caliber 45 at the crime scene.
Argarin said prior to the incident, the suspect, who was wearing a ball cap and a pair of sunglasses, had breakfast at a small eatery beside Jeruz’ house. After hitting his target, the suspect fled aboard a motorcycle.
“The owner of the eatery can identify him,” Argarin said of the suspect.
Without citing concrete proof, Ala said the suspect is a member of the Philippine Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion. The military denied the allegation and suggested to wait for the police investigation to wrap up.
“The KMP and Karapatan-Sorsogon condemns in the highest form the brutal killing of Willy Jeruz… Willy is the 49th victim of extrajudicial killing in Sorsogon since GMA (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) assumed office (in January 2001). He is the 63rd KMP leader killed during the same period, and the 843rd overall,” Ala said.
“The death squad is all out again in their attacks against us because they know the KMP’s votes for the victory of Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela is very decisive,” he added.
The Sorsogon City Police is continuously investigating the case for its resolution, said Argarin./DMS
April 16, 2007
An alleged militant group member was killed on Monday morning in Sorsogon province by an unidentified gunman for still unclear reasons.
Police identified the victim as Willy Jeruz, 43, a resident of Barangay San Juan Roro, Sorsogon City.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) spokesman Carl Ala said Jeruz is an organizer of the Samahan ng Magsasaka sa Sorsogon (Samasor), an allied organization of KMP and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).
But Supt. Formoso Argarin, Sorsogon City police chief, said Jeruz does not belong to any political organization like Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, and others, quoting an affidavit of his wife, Adelina.
“We still could not identify the motive, although I have received reports that he belongs to a certain organization. I am still checking on this,” Argarin said in Filipino in a phone interview.
“According to the wife, there was no threat against his (Jeruz) life,” he added.
Jeruz was shot at around 7:10 am by a lone gunman while he was watering the plants in front of his house.
He sustained multiple gunshot wounds that caused his death upon arrival at the Sorsogon Doctor’s Hospital at said city. Police recovered nine empty shells of a caliber 45 at the crime scene.
Argarin said prior to the incident, the suspect, who was wearing a ball cap and a pair of sunglasses, had breakfast at a small eatery beside Jeruz’ house. After hitting his target, the suspect fled aboard a motorcycle.
“The owner of the eatery can identify him,” Argarin said of the suspect.
Without citing concrete proof, Ala said the suspect is a member of the Philippine Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion. The military denied the allegation and suggested to wait for the police investigation to wrap up.
“The KMP and Karapatan-Sorsogon condemns in the highest form the brutal killing of Willy Jeruz… Willy is the 49th victim of extrajudicial killing in Sorsogon since GMA (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) assumed office (in January 2001). He is the 63rd KMP leader killed during the same period, and the 843rd overall,” Ala said.
“The death squad is all out again in their attacks against us because they know the KMP’s votes for the victory of Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela is very decisive,” he added.
The Sorsogon City Police is continuously investigating the case for its resolution, said Argarin./DMS
Sunday, April 15, 2007
MNLF strikes in Sulu; 3 killed, 9 injured
By Ronron
April 14, 2007
A Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader who allegedly held hostage government officials inside his camp in Sulu last February led his followers in attacking a civilian community and a military camp in the same island province since Friday night, officials said yesterday.
Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, spokesman of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), said Ustadz Habier Malik led “hundreds” of his men in firing mortars at Barangay Seit in Panamao town at around 11:30 pm last Friday for still unknown reasons.
Caculitan said the MNLF fighters, who are loyal to jailed MNLF chairman Nur Misuari, hit the Panamao Municipal Hall, and caused the death of a child, and the wounding of another.
Then, at 6am yesterday, the same group continued their mortar attacks against a detachment of the 11th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) in Barangay Tayungan of the same town.
“As of this time, the fighting is ongoing at our Tayungan detachment in Panamao, and our troops are defending it with much patriotism. So this has resulted into a major operation by the Philippine Marines in the area to stop this group of Habier Malik,” Caculitan said in Filipino.
He disclosed, however, that two soldiers died and eight others were wounded during the fighting, while casualties on the MNLF side is still undetermined.
“This is too much already. When he attacks populated community, when he suddenly attacks military detachments, we cannot take these sitting down… We should make him learn his lesson at this time,” Caculitan said.
Caculitan could not think of any definite reason for the attack, but he surmised, it could be in retaliation since Malik’s men could possibly be among those hurt during military offensives in Sulu against the Abu Sayyaf Group, Jemaah Islamiyah and other terrorist groups.
He said it is possible that the ASG and JI have colluded with the MNLF Breakaway Group and have sought refuge in their camps from time to time.
Caculitan also described Malik as a “bully” who carries out operation in the field even if his other fellow commanders oppose it.
Malik escaped prosecution even if he was strongly criticized for preventing peace negotiators of the government like Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino from leaving their camp in the same island province last February until the next tripartite meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Philippine government, and the MNLF is set on a definite date.
“There are 10 MNLF commanders who did not join Malik’s action. He might have political or other reasons which he failed to bring up to the peace negotiators’ level,” said Maj. Gen. Ruben Rafael, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) anti-terror Task Force Comet, in a separate statement.
But Rafael said that clearly, the attack is a “violation of the peace agreement between the government and the MNLF.”
“We will continue to adhere to the primacy of the 1996 peace agreement but we will suppress this lawlessness perpetrated by this group,” he said.
Under the agreement, the MNLF is supposed to cooperate with Philippine forces in the apprehension and neutralization of lawless and terrorist groups like the ASG and the JI.
Sulu Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Ahirun Ajirim said “several civilians” are already affected by the fighting and were evacuated to safer places./DMS
April 14, 2007
A Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader who allegedly held hostage government officials inside his camp in Sulu last February led his followers in attacking a civilian community and a military camp in the same island province since Friday night, officials said yesterday.
Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan, spokesman of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), said Ustadz Habier Malik led “hundreds” of his men in firing mortars at Barangay Seit in Panamao town at around 11:30 pm last Friday for still unknown reasons.
Caculitan said the MNLF fighters, who are loyal to jailed MNLF chairman Nur Misuari, hit the Panamao Municipal Hall, and caused the death of a child, and the wounding of another.
Then, at 6am yesterday, the same group continued their mortar attacks against a detachment of the 11th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) in Barangay Tayungan of the same town.
“As of this time, the fighting is ongoing at our Tayungan detachment in Panamao, and our troops are defending it with much patriotism. So this has resulted into a major operation by the Philippine Marines in the area to stop this group of Habier Malik,” Caculitan said in Filipino.
He disclosed, however, that two soldiers died and eight others were wounded during the fighting, while casualties on the MNLF side is still undetermined.
“This is too much already. When he attacks populated community, when he suddenly attacks military detachments, we cannot take these sitting down… We should make him learn his lesson at this time,” Caculitan said.
Caculitan could not think of any definite reason for the attack, but he surmised, it could be in retaliation since Malik’s men could possibly be among those hurt during military offensives in Sulu against the Abu Sayyaf Group, Jemaah Islamiyah and other terrorist groups.
He said it is possible that the ASG and JI have colluded with the MNLF Breakaway Group and have sought refuge in their camps from time to time.
Caculitan also described Malik as a “bully” who carries out operation in the field even if his other fellow commanders oppose it.
Malik escaped prosecution even if he was strongly criticized for preventing peace negotiators of the government like Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino from leaving their camp in the same island province last February until the next tripartite meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Philippine government, and the MNLF is set on a definite date.
“There are 10 MNLF commanders who did not join Malik’s action. He might have political or other reasons which he failed to bring up to the peace negotiators’ level,” said Maj. Gen. Ruben Rafael, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) anti-terror Task Force Comet, in a separate statement.
But Rafael said that clearly, the attack is a “violation of the peace agreement between the government and the MNLF.”
“We will continue to adhere to the primacy of the 1996 peace agreement but we will suppress this lawlessness perpetrated by this group,” he said.
Under the agreement, the MNLF is supposed to cooperate with Philippine forces in the apprehension and neutralization of lawless and terrorist groups like the ASG and the JI.
Sulu Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Ahirun Ajirim said “several civilians” are already affected by the fighting and were evacuated to safer places./DMS
RP First Gentleman on the way to full recovery
By Ronron
April 14, 2007
Philippine First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo is almost fully recovered since undergoing a major surgery near his heart last Tuesday, his main attending physician said Saturday.
Dr. Juliet Cervantes said yesterday afternoon that Arroyo’s recovery rate is already “90 to 95 percent,” in fact, three of the five tubes attached to his body were already removed.
“The First Gentleman has just been “extubated.” Meaning, he is breathing on his own, no more tubes, no ventilator at all. So, I think that is a very remarkable improvement on the First Gentleman,” Cervantes told reporters waiting outside St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City at around 2pm yesterday.
The improvement came a day after Cervantes herself said that Arroyo’s recovery has stalled on Friday.
“He bounced back. That’s what we mean by very dynamic. That is why, at this point in time, we have to be very flexible. Sometimes, the news are not that good. Sometimes, the news are unexpectedly good. So, it’s a day to day basis,” Cervantes explained the changes in Arroyo’s condition.
On the night of April 9, the 60-year-old husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underwent an emergency aneurysmectomy due to leaking anuerysm at the arch of the aorta. The operation lasted for some 10 hours, or until early morning of April 10th.
Cervantes reported also yesterday afternoon that Arroyo’s kidneys are already functioning. “We expect him to produce urine by next week,” she said. Dialysis on him, however, will still continue.
She said what they are just closely looking into now is Arroyo’s lungs to prevent infection. The First Gentleman is currently staying at the cardiovascular recovery room of the hospital.
Cervantes described Arroyo as “awake,” who “follows commands,” and can move his extremeties, although he is “on slight sedation” so he could rest.
“There is no neurologic sign, whatsoever. He is not brain dead… His heart is very very stable,” she said.
The physician said that if the recovery rate of the First Gentleman maintains or gets better in the coming days, he could already go back to Malacanang next week.
“Overall, the First Gentleman’s medical team, the President, and the First Family are happy with this development,” Cervantes said.
“I think and we think, and I’m sure she will agree, that there is a divine intervention here. Without the help of somebody up there, probably, we are not in this kind of situation right now,” she added.
Cervantes said the President has extended her gratitude to “all those who pray and are continuously praying” for her lawyer husband./DMS
April 14, 2007
Philippine First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo is almost fully recovered since undergoing a major surgery near his heart last Tuesday, his main attending physician said Saturday.
Dr. Juliet Cervantes said yesterday afternoon that Arroyo’s recovery rate is already “90 to 95 percent,” in fact, three of the five tubes attached to his body were already removed.
“The First Gentleman has just been “extubated.” Meaning, he is breathing on his own, no more tubes, no ventilator at all. So, I think that is a very remarkable improvement on the First Gentleman,” Cervantes told reporters waiting outside St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City at around 2pm yesterday.
The improvement came a day after Cervantes herself said that Arroyo’s recovery has stalled on Friday.
“He bounced back. That’s what we mean by very dynamic. That is why, at this point in time, we have to be very flexible. Sometimes, the news are not that good. Sometimes, the news are unexpectedly good. So, it’s a day to day basis,” Cervantes explained the changes in Arroyo’s condition.
On the night of April 9, the 60-year-old husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underwent an emergency aneurysmectomy due to leaking anuerysm at the arch of the aorta. The operation lasted for some 10 hours, or until early morning of April 10th.
Cervantes reported also yesterday afternoon that Arroyo’s kidneys are already functioning. “We expect him to produce urine by next week,” she said. Dialysis on him, however, will still continue.
She said what they are just closely looking into now is Arroyo’s lungs to prevent infection. The First Gentleman is currently staying at the cardiovascular recovery room of the hospital.
Cervantes described Arroyo as “awake,” who “follows commands,” and can move his extremeties, although he is “on slight sedation” so he could rest.
“There is no neurologic sign, whatsoever. He is not brain dead… His heart is very very stable,” she said.
The physician said that if the recovery rate of the First Gentleman maintains or gets better in the coming days, he could already go back to Malacanang next week.
“Overall, the First Gentleman’s medical team, the President, and the First Family are happy with this development,” Cervantes said.
“I think and we think, and I’m sure she will agree, that there is a divine intervention here. Without the help of somebody up there, probably, we are not in this kind of situation right now,” she added.
Cervantes said the President has extended her gratitude to “all those who pray and are continuously praying” for her lawyer husband./DMS
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