By Ronron
June 1, 2007
Citing lack of complaint from the concerned and cooperation of the telephone company, police has stopped investigating the bugging device that was found connected to the phone line of former President Corazon Aquino in Quezon City.
Asked for an update on the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) probe on the incident, QCPD Director Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula said Friday: “It’s over. There’s nothing to it anymore.”
Gatdula said the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company has stopped sending for police investigation their personnel who have access to the cabinet box where the bugging device was found last May 2.
“We no longer have contact with the Supervisor (of the phone mechanics),” Gatdula said in Filipino.
Police had said that more than 30 repairmen hold a key to the cabinet box that is located along Times Street in Quezon City, several meters away from the former President’s house.
Gatdula said they could not force the PLDT management to send their personnel for police investigation because “we have no subpoena power, unlike the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation).”
Gatdula could not immediately say how many PLDT mechanic personnel were subjected to investigation.
Asked if the case then is deemed dismissed or shelved, Gatdula said: “In the first place, the alleged victim has not even filed a (formal) complaint.”
He explained that if police caught the suspect/s in the act of placing the improvised, “crude” bugging device, then it could pursue the investigation even without a private complainant.
“The problem is what we have are second-hand information,” said Gatdula.
The bugging device, which was made of a small cassette tape recorder and a black box that served as its power supply, was discovered by a PLDT repairman in the afternoon of May 2. It was then relayed to the former President.
The incident was only reported to police on the following day, or on May 3.
Police said the device was indeed working since it was able to record some phone conversations of Aquino and some members of her family./DMS
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Two killed, eight wounded in vehicular collision in Bataan
By Ronron
June 1, 2007
Two persons died while eight others were wounded when a passenger bus collided Friday morning against a delivery truck in Bataan province, police said.
SPO4 Virgilio Hernandez, chief of the investigation branch of the Pilar Municipal Police Station in Bataan, said in a phone interview that the fatalities are the driver and mechanic helper of the delivery truck that was transporting ammunition metal boxes bound for the Government Arsenal in Limay town.
Hernandez said the Nissan truck was on the right lane and it was the Bataan Transit bus, heading for Manila, that crossed as it was overtaking a vehicle ahead of it.
The collision happened past 8am along the Roman Super Highway in Barangay Ala-uli.
The fatalities were identified as Gaspar Guerrero, the driver, and Filber Eser, the mechanic helper. They died on the spot.
Wounded were the bus driver, Melvin Placio, five of his passengers, and two others from an L300 van that was escorting the delivery truck. They were brought to the hospital for treatment.
Hernandez said the delivery truck was badly damaged, while the bus was destroyed only in the front.
The Department of National Defense (DND) said the delivery truck is owned by FIESCO, a supplier of the Government Arsenal.
Charges of reckless imprudence resulting to two counts of homicide and multiple physical injuries, with damage to properties will be filed against Placio, said Hernandez./DMS
June 1, 2007
Two persons died while eight others were wounded when a passenger bus collided Friday morning against a delivery truck in Bataan province, police said.
SPO4 Virgilio Hernandez, chief of the investigation branch of the Pilar Municipal Police Station in Bataan, said in a phone interview that the fatalities are the driver and mechanic helper of the delivery truck that was transporting ammunition metal boxes bound for the Government Arsenal in Limay town.
Hernandez said the Nissan truck was on the right lane and it was the Bataan Transit bus, heading for Manila, that crossed as it was overtaking a vehicle ahead of it.
The collision happened past 8am along the Roman Super Highway in Barangay Ala-uli.
The fatalities were identified as Gaspar Guerrero, the driver, and Filber Eser, the mechanic helper. They died on the spot.
Wounded were the bus driver, Melvin Placio, five of his passengers, and two others from an L300 van that was escorting the delivery truck. They were brought to the hospital for treatment.
Hernandez said the delivery truck was badly damaged, while the bus was destroyed only in the front.
The Department of National Defense (DND) said the delivery truck is owned by FIESCO, a supplier of the Government Arsenal.
Charges of reckless imprudence resulting to two counts of homicide and multiple physical injuries, with damage to properties will be filed against Placio, said Hernandez./DMS
Police to file charges against abductors of German, three Filipinos
By Ronron
June 1, 2007
Charges of abduction will be filed against the captors of a German national and three Filipinos in Pikit, North Cotabato, police and military officials said Friday.
Sr. Insp. Elias Dandan, chief of Pikit Municipal Police, said all eight suspects have been identified and are now being pursued by elements of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion.
Dandan said only five of the suspects forcibly took the four victims, who were on a business mission, at around 9am Thursday in Barangay Batulawan. The remaining three joined the five only upon reaching Barangay Balongis.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, chairman for the Philippine side of the GRP-MILF Adhoc Joint Action Group (AJAG), said the abductors are led by a certain Datu Can. “They are ordinary criminals there. They are cattle rustlers,” Dolorfino said.
Dolorfino said the eight are now being pursued by elements of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion.
The four victims were released later in the day upon the intervention of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In simple rites yesterday (Friday) afternoon, the MILF formally turned over the victims to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Cotabato City, which in turn passed them on to Dolorfino, representing the government.
“They look okay. There are no indications that they were hurt by their captors,” Dolorfino described the victims.
“They will undergo debriefing with the Philippine National Police (PNP),” he added.
Dolorfino reiterated that no ransom was paid for the release of the four, saying it was the firing of one round of a rocket-propelled grenade by the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces that prompted the suspects to abandon their victims.
May Sharon Jackson, one of the victims, had said that they went to the area since her Germand husband has a business transaction involving metals./DMS
June 1, 2007
Charges of abduction will be filed against the captors of a German national and three Filipinos in Pikit, North Cotabato, police and military officials said Friday.
Sr. Insp. Elias Dandan, chief of Pikit Municipal Police, said all eight suspects have been identified and are now being pursued by elements of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion.
Dandan said only five of the suspects forcibly took the four victims, who were on a business mission, at around 9am Thursday in Barangay Batulawan. The remaining three joined the five only upon reaching Barangay Balongis.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, chairman for the Philippine side of the GRP-MILF Adhoc Joint Action Group (AJAG), said the abductors are led by a certain Datu Can. “They are ordinary criminals there. They are cattle rustlers,” Dolorfino said.
Dolorfino said the eight are now being pursued by elements of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion.
The four victims were released later in the day upon the intervention of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In simple rites yesterday (Friday) afternoon, the MILF formally turned over the victims to the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Cotabato City, which in turn passed them on to Dolorfino, representing the government.
“They look okay. There are no indications that they were hurt by their captors,” Dolorfino described the victims.
“They will undergo debriefing with the Philippine National Police (PNP),” he added.
Dolorfino reiterated that no ransom was paid for the release of the four, saying it was the firing of one round of a rocket-propelled grenade by the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces that prompted the suspects to abandon their victims.
May Sharon Jackson, one of the victims, had said that they went to the area since her Germand husband has a business transaction involving metals./DMS
Friday, June 1, 2007
Fire continues to raze Manila building housing Marina office
By Ronron
May 31, 2007
Despite declaring a fire out before midnight of Wednesday, fire continued to raze on Thursday the PPL building in Manila City, which houses the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) office.
The Manila Fire Station said flames occasionally sparked yesterday but said that it is just a natural aftermath because the overhauling process is yet to be completed.
“It’s a natural ignition because of the heat contained inside and the wind that passes through. But our overhauling process is still ongoing,” said Manila City Fire Marshall Sr. Supt. Pablito Cordeta.
Among the burned portions of the seven-storey building are the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh floors. The fire originated on the fifth floor where Marine holds office up to the seventh floor.
Cordeta and Marina Administrator Vicente Suazo, Jr. said they have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
Suazo assured the Filipino seamen that they should not worry about their papers because they are safe in the hands of travel agencies.
He said that what were kept inside the PPL building and eaten up by the fire were blank seaman’s books, number to over 260,000.
Suazo said Marina is temporary holding office at a building across PPL, which is located at the corner of UN Avenue and San Marcelino Street.
Suazo expressed frustration over the failure of the Bureau of Fire to speedily put out the fire, which started at past 4am the other day (Wednesday).
But Cordeta said their problem was the light materials contained inside the building, which caused a heavy volume of fire that their volume of water could hardly put out./DMS
May 31, 2007
Despite declaring a fire out before midnight of Wednesday, fire continued to raze on Thursday the PPL building in Manila City, which houses the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) office.
The Manila Fire Station said flames occasionally sparked yesterday but said that it is just a natural aftermath because the overhauling process is yet to be completed.
“It’s a natural ignition because of the heat contained inside and the wind that passes through. But our overhauling process is still ongoing,” said Manila City Fire Marshall Sr. Supt. Pablito Cordeta.
Among the burned portions of the seven-storey building are the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh floors. The fire originated on the fifth floor where Marine holds office up to the seventh floor.
Cordeta and Marina Administrator Vicente Suazo, Jr. said they have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
Suazo assured the Filipino seamen that they should not worry about their papers because they are safe in the hands of travel agencies.
He said that what were kept inside the PPL building and eaten up by the fire were blank seaman’s books, number to over 260,000.
Suazo said Marina is temporary holding office at a building across PPL, which is located at the corner of UN Avenue and San Marcelino Street.
Suazo expressed frustration over the failure of the Bureau of Fire to speedily put out the fire, which started at past 4am the other day (Wednesday).
But Cordeta said their problem was the light materials contained inside the building, which caused a heavy volume of fire that their volume of water could hardly put out./DMS
PDEA recovers shabu precursors in Bulacan, two Chinese suspects escape
By Ronron
May 31, 2007
Anti-narcotics agents of the Philippines recovered on Thursday morning precursors of methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as shabu, from a house in Bulacan province allegedly rented by two Chinese nationals suspected to be members of the Chinese Triad.
Supt. Francisco Gabriel, spokesman of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), said PDEA agents found 290 boxes of controlled precursors and essential chemicals from a warehouse on No. 926 San Carlos Street, Barrio San Jose in Baliuag town during a raid at 8am yesterday.
The boxes particularly contain acetone and piperedine, which, when mixed with ephedrine, could produce at least 500 kilograms of shabu with a street value of P1 billion.
Gabriel said the two Chinese nationals who rented the house since 2004 were last seen by the owner a few months ago. They were identified as Allan Ong and Tan Iloc Gan.
“We suspect that they are already back in Mainland China,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel said an informant led authorities to the house.
Follow up and pursuit operations are ongoing to determine the errand boys and local contacts of the Chinese nationals.
“The intensified operations against controlled precursors and essential chemicals being used in illicit drug manufacture is in line with the PDEA’s elevation of the operational thrusts from street level drug law enforcement to the most effective and efficient strategic supply reduction campaign,” Gabriel said./DMS
May 31, 2007
Anti-narcotics agents of the Philippines recovered on Thursday morning precursors of methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as shabu, from a house in Bulacan province allegedly rented by two Chinese nationals suspected to be members of the Chinese Triad.
Supt. Francisco Gabriel, spokesman of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), said PDEA agents found 290 boxes of controlled precursors and essential chemicals from a warehouse on No. 926 San Carlos Street, Barrio San Jose in Baliuag town during a raid at 8am yesterday.
The boxes particularly contain acetone and piperedine, which, when mixed with ephedrine, could produce at least 500 kilograms of shabu with a street value of P1 billion.
Gabriel said the two Chinese nationals who rented the house since 2004 were last seen by the owner a few months ago. They were identified as Allan Ong and Tan Iloc Gan.
“We suspect that they are already back in Mainland China,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel said an informant led authorities to the house.
Follow up and pursuit operations are ongoing to determine the errand boys and local contacts of the Chinese nationals.
“The intensified operations against controlled precursors and essential chemicals being used in illicit drug manufacture is in line with the PDEA’s elevation of the operational thrusts from street level drug law enforcement to the most effective and efficient strategic supply reduction campaign,” Gabriel said./DMS
RP-US CARAT 2007 kicks off
By Ronron
May 31, 2007
A Philippine-US Navy exercise dubbed Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise (CARAT) 2007 formally kicked off on Thursday as the event was officially opened at the Philippine Naval Forces Western Mindanao headquarters in Zamboanga City in simple rites.
Ensign Annaleah Palad, Philippine Public Information Officer of CARAT 2007, said the event was presided over by Rear Admiral Petronilo Magno, commander of the Philippine Fleet.
Magno was joined by Rear Admiral William Burke, commander of the US Navy’s Task Force 73.
“As transnational and trans-border crimes, piracy, and maritime terrorism are becoming a grave concern of the global community, this year’s CARAT exercise is more than a welcome opportunity for us to exchange pertinent information and exercises on a broad range of fields – from at-sea tactical operations and amphibious training to community relations projects and activities,” Magno said in his speech.
For his part, Burke said: “CARAT is a model of interconnectivity between Navies that maintains sovereign rights, while taking advantage of the benefits of cooperating Naval forces.”
About 1,400 US troops will participate in the CARAT 2007, which will last until June 9, while the Philippines will send in approximately 600 Navy, Marines and Coast Guard personnel.
The Philippine Navy tasked three patrol ships, three maritime patrol aircraft, one helicopter, and components of the 1st Marine Brigade for the field training exercises, while the US Navy committed three ships – the USS Harpers Ferry, USS Ford, and USS Jarrett.
The exercises will be held at the Naval Base Cavite in Sangley Point, Cavite City, Zamboanga City and Basilan province.
Aside from Dive exercises, Salvage Exercsies, Staff Exercises, Command Post Exercises, and Passage Exercises, CARAT 2007 also include the conduct of medical, dental and veterinary missions to be held in Zamboanga City and Basilan as part of civil-military operations.
CARAT 2007 is part of the activities under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty./DMS
May 31, 2007
A Philippine-US Navy exercise dubbed Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise (CARAT) 2007 formally kicked off on Thursday as the event was officially opened at the Philippine Naval Forces Western Mindanao headquarters in Zamboanga City in simple rites.
Ensign Annaleah Palad, Philippine Public Information Officer of CARAT 2007, said the event was presided over by Rear Admiral Petronilo Magno, commander of the Philippine Fleet.
Magno was joined by Rear Admiral William Burke, commander of the US Navy’s Task Force 73.
“As transnational and trans-border crimes, piracy, and maritime terrorism are becoming a grave concern of the global community, this year’s CARAT exercise is more than a welcome opportunity for us to exchange pertinent information and exercises on a broad range of fields – from at-sea tactical operations and amphibious training to community relations projects and activities,” Magno said in his speech.
For his part, Burke said: “CARAT is a model of interconnectivity between Navies that maintains sovereign rights, while taking advantage of the benefits of cooperating Naval forces.”
About 1,400 US troops will participate in the CARAT 2007, which will last until June 9, while the Philippines will send in approximately 600 Navy, Marines and Coast Guard personnel.
The Philippine Navy tasked three patrol ships, three maritime patrol aircraft, one helicopter, and components of the 1st Marine Brigade for the field training exercises, while the US Navy committed three ships – the USS Harpers Ferry, USS Ford, and USS Jarrett.
The exercises will be held at the Naval Base Cavite in Sangley Point, Cavite City, Zamboanga City and Basilan province.
Aside from Dive exercises, Salvage Exercsies, Staff Exercises, Command Post Exercises, and Passage Exercises, CARAT 2007 also include the conduct of medical, dental and veterinary missions to be held in Zamboanga City and Basilan as part of civil-military operations.
CARAT 2007 is part of the activities under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty./DMS
Three robbers, two civilians killed in bus hold-up incident, police chase in Metro Manila
By Ronron
May 31, 2007
Three suspected robbers and two civilians were killed in a bus hold-up incident that resulted to a police chase operations on Thursday morning in the capital.
Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula, chief of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said six men who turned out to be robbers boarded an air-conditioned JMK bus bound for Caloocan City past 9am yesterday near Buendia-Guadalupe area in Makati City.
When the bus reached Boni Avenue area in Mandaluyong City, the suspects declared the heist and proceeded to cart belongings of the passengers.
Upon reaching Cubao in Quezon City, Gatdula said one passenger was allowed to alight. This passenger reported the hold-up incident to a police mobile, which then alerted all police stations in Quezon City.
Gatdula said that upon reaching the middle of Muñoz and Balintawak in EDSA, Quezon City, the suspects found policemen waiting for them. This prompted the suspects to order the bus driver to stop. But before alighting, the suspects, who were armed with short firearms and a grenade, shot dead the driver and one passenger.
They then commandeered a red Mistubishi Adventure, taking along three civilians as their hostage, and drove off north-bound.
The chase ended up at Barangay Lawang Bato in Valenzuela City at around 11:15 am where three suspects were gunned down and three others were arrested.
Gatdula said the suspects failed to drive farther because the vehicle was just running on flat tires.
Gatdula said they have yet to ascertain which group the suspects belong. “One of them is said to be a native of Leyte. But we still have to check on the records because we have a group called Batang Samar Leyte,” he said./DMS
May 31, 2007
Three suspected robbers and two civilians were killed in a bus hold-up incident that resulted to a police chase operations on Thursday morning in the capital.
Sr. Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula, chief of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said six men who turned out to be robbers boarded an air-conditioned JMK bus bound for Caloocan City past 9am yesterday near Buendia-Guadalupe area in Makati City.
When the bus reached Boni Avenue area in Mandaluyong City, the suspects declared the heist and proceeded to cart belongings of the passengers.
Upon reaching Cubao in Quezon City, Gatdula said one passenger was allowed to alight. This passenger reported the hold-up incident to a police mobile, which then alerted all police stations in Quezon City.
Gatdula said that upon reaching the middle of Muñoz and Balintawak in EDSA, Quezon City, the suspects found policemen waiting for them. This prompted the suspects to order the bus driver to stop. But before alighting, the suspects, who were armed with short firearms and a grenade, shot dead the driver and one passenger.
They then commandeered a red Mistubishi Adventure, taking along three civilians as their hostage, and drove off north-bound.
The chase ended up at Barangay Lawang Bato in Valenzuela City at around 11:15 am where three suspects were gunned down and three others were arrested.
Gatdula said the suspects failed to drive farther because the vehicle was just running on flat tires.
Gatdula said they have yet to ascertain which group the suspects belong. “One of them is said to be a native of Leyte. But we still have to check on the records because we have a group called Batang Samar Leyte,” he said./DMS
German, three Filipinos briefly held by armed men in North Cotabato
By Ronron
May 31, 2007
A German national and three Filipinos were briefly held by armed men in North Cotabato province on Thursday.
Col. Pedro Soria, commander of the Philippine Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, identified the victims as Thomas Wallrat, May Sharon Jackson, Consuelo San Juan, and Diego Daniel.
In an interview on television after their release, Jackson said Wallrat, a German national, is her husband; San Juan is her friend; and Daniel is their driver. All are based in Davao City.
The four were heading towards a business transaction regarding metals when the Nissan Urvan they were riding was stopped in Barangay Batulawan in Pikit, North Cotabato by five fully armed men at around 9am, officials and Jackson said.
Jackson said they heeded to the signal to stop since they mistook the suspects to be soldiers manning a legitimate checkpoint based on their clothes.
When they opened the door, Jackson said they were surprised that the men asked for their cellular phones and other valuables. Wallrat and Daniel were then tied in the hands while she and San Juan were held by their arms.
The four were then taken to an improvised public transport motorcycle, called locally as skylab, and headed to unknown directions.
Jackson said they were taken to different houses during the time of their captivity up to 1pm.
Quoting Col. Dixon Hermosa, commander of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, head of the government’s Adhoc Joint Action Group (AJAG) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said the suspects were said to be cattle rustlers who are not really professional criminals. Their leader is said to be a certain Datu Can.
Dolorfino said they employed the help of the MILF in the negotiation for the release of the suspects since the secessionist group has a camp in Barangay Balatikan of said town.
“Elders are talking to the abductors to release the victims,” said Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao.
At around 3pm, Ferrer said the victims were traced to have been brought somewhere in the boundary of Barangay Balongis, Tinutulan and Balatikan, all in Pikit.
Dolorfino, who is also commander of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command, said that past 3pm, the abductors demanded for payment “for their victims’ board and lodging.”
To force the suspects to free the victims, Dolorfino said the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Forces (BIAF) fired one round of a rocket-propelled grenade to the direction of the abductors, who were then in Barangay Balongis.
This prompted the suspects to turn over the victims to the MILF forces, said Soria.
Dolorfino said the victims were brought to the MILF camp in Barangay Balatikan and arrived there shortly past 5pm. They were set to be transferred later to the MILF Peace Panel office in Camp Rafanan in Parang, Maguindanao.
Today (Friday), the victims will formally turned over to the International Monitoring Team in Cotabato City.
“They did not demand anything from us. We did not pay ransom but we still have to get our cellphones, wallet, my black bag, and our passports,” Jackson said.
Jackson described their four-hour captivity as “very tiring” since they were just walking all throughout. But she said they were not hurt by their captors.
Jacskon said the suspects did not introduce themselves to them but if she could see them again, she would definitely recognize them.
Dolorfino acknowledged the MILF’s cooperation in resolving the crisis, saying “it just shows that the AJAG mechanism is working.”
The AJAG is an implementation of the agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government regarding the former’s commitment to help run after lawless elements in Mindanao as part of confidence-building measures towards coming up with a final peace accord./DMS
May 31, 2007
A German national and three Filipinos were briefly held by armed men in North Cotabato province on Thursday.
Col. Pedro Soria, commander of the Philippine Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, identified the victims as Thomas Wallrat, May Sharon Jackson, Consuelo San Juan, and Diego Daniel.
In an interview on television after their release, Jackson said Wallrat, a German national, is her husband; San Juan is her friend; and Daniel is their driver. All are based in Davao City.
The four were heading towards a business transaction regarding metals when the Nissan Urvan they were riding was stopped in Barangay Batulawan in Pikit, North Cotabato by five fully armed men at around 9am, officials and Jackson said.
Jackson said they heeded to the signal to stop since they mistook the suspects to be soldiers manning a legitimate checkpoint based on their clothes.
When they opened the door, Jackson said they were surprised that the men asked for their cellular phones and other valuables. Wallrat and Daniel were then tied in the hands while she and San Juan were held by their arms.
The four were then taken to an improvised public transport motorcycle, called locally as skylab, and headed to unknown directions.
Jackson said they were taken to different houses during the time of their captivity up to 1pm.
Quoting Col. Dixon Hermosa, commander of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, head of the government’s Adhoc Joint Action Group (AJAG) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said the suspects were said to be cattle rustlers who are not really professional criminals. Their leader is said to be a certain Datu Can.
Dolorfino said they employed the help of the MILF in the negotiation for the release of the suspects since the secessionist group has a camp in Barangay Balatikan of said town.
“Elders are talking to the abductors to release the victims,” said Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao.
At around 3pm, Ferrer said the victims were traced to have been brought somewhere in the boundary of Barangay Balongis, Tinutulan and Balatikan, all in Pikit.
Dolorfino, who is also commander of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command, said that past 3pm, the abductors demanded for payment “for their victims’ board and lodging.”
To force the suspects to free the victims, Dolorfino said the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Forces (BIAF) fired one round of a rocket-propelled grenade to the direction of the abductors, who were then in Barangay Balongis.
This prompted the suspects to turn over the victims to the MILF forces, said Soria.
Dolorfino said the victims were brought to the MILF camp in Barangay Balatikan and arrived there shortly past 5pm. They were set to be transferred later to the MILF Peace Panel office in Camp Rafanan in Parang, Maguindanao.
Today (Friday), the victims will formally turned over to the International Monitoring Team in Cotabato City.
“They did not demand anything from us. We did not pay ransom but we still have to get our cellphones, wallet, my black bag, and our passports,” Jackson said.
Jackson described their four-hour captivity as “very tiring” since they were just walking all throughout. But she said they were not hurt by their captors.
Jacskon said the suspects did not introduce themselves to them but if she could see them again, she would definitely recognize them.
Dolorfino acknowledged the MILF’s cooperation in resolving the crisis, saying “it just shows that the AJAG mechanism is working.”
The AJAG is an implementation of the agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government regarding the former’s commitment to help run after lawless elements in Mindanao as part of confidence-building measures towards coming up with a final peace accord./DMS
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Fire hits Marina office
By Ronron
May 30, 2007
A fire hit on Wednesday a seven-storey building in Manila City that houses the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
The fire at the PPL Building on 1000 U.N. Ave. corner San Marcelino Street in Paco District started at 4:02 am yesterday (Wednesday) and has yet to be put out as of 7pm.
The Bureau of Fire in Manila City said the fire originated at the 5th floor of the building. Marina occupies the 5th to 7th floor of PPL building.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The fire reached Task Force DELTA alarm at around 7:39am, requiring all fire stations in Metro Manila to respond.
Marina officials complained the apparent slow response of firefighters, making it impossible to save pertinent records in its office.
As of 4:37pm, the status of the fire is still at confined level, meaning, it is no longer spreading.
The fire station said there is no casualty reported from the incident.
PPL building is owned by Don Emilio Yap, owner of Manila Bulletin./DMS
May 30, 2007
A fire hit on Wednesday a seven-storey building in Manila City that houses the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
The fire at the PPL Building on 1000 U.N. Ave. corner San Marcelino Street in Paco District started at 4:02 am yesterday (Wednesday) and has yet to be put out as of 7pm.
The Bureau of Fire in Manila City said the fire originated at the 5th floor of the building. Marina occupies the 5th to 7th floor of PPL building.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The fire reached Task Force DELTA alarm at around 7:39am, requiring all fire stations in Metro Manila to respond.
Marina officials complained the apparent slow response of firefighters, making it impossible to save pertinent records in its office.
As of 4:37pm, the status of the fire is still at confined level, meaning, it is no longer spreading.
The fire station said there is no casualty reported from the incident.
PPL building is owned by Don Emilio Yap, owner of Manila Bulletin./DMS
Suspects behind Mis. Or. peasant killing fall to police
By Ronron
May 30, 2007
Two suspects behind the killing of a peasant leader in Misamis Oriental province last year are now in the hands of police, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official reported Wednesday.
Director Geary Barias, chief of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) and commander of Task Force USIG, said Rene Lopez, alias Mar, and Rey Hilogon, alias Gordon, have been arrested for the killing of Nestor Ladica on July 26, 2006 in Salay town.
The Misamis Oriental police said Hilogon fell earlier in the hands of authorities a few months back, while Lopez was just last May 25th in Balingasag town of said province.
The two are identified as local commanders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in northern Mindanao.
A third suspect, who is believed to be an NPA hitman but is yet to be identified, remains at large.
Ladica, whom police said is a member of the Misamis Oriental Farmer’s Assocation, was shot dead by three suspects inside his residence in Barangay Looc in the evening of July 26 last year.
Police suspect that his killing has something to do with his former alliance with the communist movement, being a former active member of the NPA and having held sensitive positions in the Regional and Provincial Party Committees of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The Ladica slay is part of the 116 militant killings and 26 journalist killings currently being investigated by Task Force USIG./DMS
May 30, 2007
Two suspects behind the killing of a peasant leader in Misamis Oriental province last year are now in the hands of police, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official reported Wednesday.
Director Geary Barias, chief of the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) and commander of Task Force USIG, said Rene Lopez, alias Mar, and Rey Hilogon, alias Gordon, have been arrested for the killing of Nestor Ladica on July 26, 2006 in Salay town.
The Misamis Oriental police said Hilogon fell earlier in the hands of authorities a few months back, while Lopez was just last May 25th in Balingasag town of said province.
The two are identified as local commanders of the New People’s Army (NPA) in northern Mindanao.
A third suspect, who is believed to be an NPA hitman but is yet to be identified, remains at large.
Ladica, whom police said is a member of the Misamis Oriental Farmer’s Assocation, was shot dead by three suspects inside his residence in Barangay Looc in the evening of July 26 last year.
Police suspect that his killing has something to do with his former alliance with the communist movement, being a former active member of the NPA and having held sensitive positions in the Regional and Provincial Party Committees of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The Ladica slay is part of the 116 militant killings and 26 journalist killings currently being investigated by Task Force USIG./DMS
NCR military chief for redeployment of troops in capital
By Ronron
May 30, 2007
The chief of the military unit in Metro Manila is for the redeployment of troops in the capital for the conduct of civil-military operations despite criticisms thrown at it by various sectors in society, including no less the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino disclosed this to reporters a day after he submitted his report on Tuesday to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esepron, Jr. regarding the six-month stint starting November 2006 of some 260 soldiers all over Metro Manila.
“I cannot disclose my recommendations but as far as we are concerned in the NCRCOM (National Capital Region Command), our view is that we need to continue pursuing our role, the peacekeeping role, as an active partner of the local government units, national government agencies, as well as NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) and the communities in the task of nation building,” Dolorfino told reporters yesterday in Filipino.
Dolorfino said his report to Esperon contained the accomplishments of the Army troops who were deployed in 19 barangays in the Caloocan, Manila, Taguig and Quezon cities, the lessons learned, their assessment of everything, and recommendations.
He refused, however, to categorically say if he recommended the return of troops to depressed and Muslim areas in Metro Manila, saying he does not want to preempt the decision of Esperon.
But Dolorfino went on to explain that the deployment of troops in the capital is compliant with the AFP’s Constitutional mandate as protectors of the people and the State.
“In that regard, we are tasked with the primary responsibility in the internal security operations. And the National Capital Region is not spared from the threats of insurgency, terrorism. So we have to do something proactive in confronting the threats,” he said.
He said what they are applying in Metro Manila is the “gunless approach,” which he described as “purely civil military operations characterized by productive, informative and persuasive activities in the communities.”
Dolorfino said one of the lessons they learned from the six-month experience is to match the media mileage of their critics. If they get to return, Dolorfino said they will definitely launch counter-propaganda to their critics, and also employ partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Dolorfino said among their accomplishments in the first six months are the successful medical missions they conducted, their infrastructure projects, the successful training of their men on peacekeeping missions, and most importantly, the surrender of the eight members of a terrorist sleeper cell in Tondo last May 1.
The troops were pulled out a few days before the May 14 national elections to prove that they were not out there to engage in partisan politics, Esperon had said./DMS
May 30, 2007
The chief of the military unit in Metro Manila is for the redeployment of troops in the capital for the conduct of civil-military operations despite criticisms thrown at it by various sectors in society, including no less the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino disclosed this to reporters a day after he submitted his report on Tuesday to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esepron, Jr. regarding the six-month stint starting November 2006 of some 260 soldiers all over Metro Manila.
“I cannot disclose my recommendations but as far as we are concerned in the NCRCOM (National Capital Region Command), our view is that we need to continue pursuing our role, the peacekeeping role, as an active partner of the local government units, national government agencies, as well as NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) and the communities in the task of nation building,” Dolorfino told reporters yesterday in Filipino.
Dolorfino said his report to Esperon contained the accomplishments of the Army troops who were deployed in 19 barangays in the Caloocan, Manila, Taguig and Quezon cities, the lessons learned, their assessment of everything, and recommendations.
He refused, however, to categorically say if he recommended the return of troops to depressed and Muslim areas in Metro Manila, saying he does not want to preempt the decision of Esperon.
But Dolorfino went on to explain that the deployment of troops in the capital is compliant with the AFP’s Constitutional mandate as protectors of the people and the State.
“In that regard, we are tasked with the primary responsibility in the internal security operations. And the National Capital Region is not spared from the threats of insurgency, terrorism. So we have to do something proactive in confronting the threats,” he said.
He said what they are applying in Metro Manila is the “gunless approach,” which he described as “purely civil military operations characterized by productive, informative and persuasive activities in the communities.”
Dolorfino said one of the lessons they learned from the six-month experience is to match the media mileage of their critics. If they get to return, Dolorfino said they will definitely launch counter-propaganda to their critics, and also employ partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Dolorfino said among their accomplishments in the first six months are the successful medical missions they conducted, their infrastructure projects, the successful training of their men on peacekeeping missions, and most importantly, the surrender of the eight members of a terrorist sleeper cell in Tondo last May 1.
The troops were pulled out a few days before the May 14 national elections to prove that they were not out there to engage in partisan politics, Esperon had said./DMS
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Police chief in Laguna town shot dead
By Ronron
May 29, 2007
The chief of police of Cabuyao, Laguna was shot dead by two unidentified armed men inside his house in Sta. Rosa City on Tuesday morning for a still unknown reason, police officials said.
Sr. Supt. Mark Edison Belarma, chief of Region IV-A Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Supt. Bernie Banalo, 54, was declared dead on arrival at St. James Hospital in Sta. Rosa City after sustaining 11 gunshot wounds all over his body.
Belarma said Banalo was shot at around 7:30 am yesterday (Tuesday) by two unidentified armed men who barged at his residence in Barangay Dita, Sta. Rosa City.
Belarma said Banalo was talking at that time with a friend and was feeding his dog when one of the two suspects fired at him. His friend managed to ran away, unhurt.
After shooting Banalo, the two suspects left aboard a waiting tricycle outside the house where two lookouts were stationed. The tricycle went to the direction of Barangay Villa-a where the suspects boarded a boat heading towards Isla Talim of Binangonan, Rizal Belarma said.
Belarma said Banalo was pronounced dead on arrival at around 9:45 am while undergoing operation.
Recovered from the crime scene were 13 empty shells for a caliber 45 pistol.
Belarma said they are still investigating the motive for the killing.
Asked if the New People’s Army have a hand in the crime, Belarma said: “It’s too early to tell but based on the style of the killing, it could be attributed to the sparu unit of the NPA.”
Initial information reaching Belarma indicates that there is no threat against Banalo’s life but he suspects the police official found some enemy after enforcing an order to close a dumpsite in the province.
Sta. Rosa City Police chief Supt. Raymundo Oliquiano said they are also considering the possibility that the shooting was work-related.
“They (gunmen) could be hired by those he arrested for illegal drugs possession and trade, illegal possession of firearms last election season, and the like. Although, we still have no corroborate evidence on this theory,” Oliquiano said in a separate phone interview.
Oliquiano noted that nothing was taken away from Banalo, nor did the suspects hurt any of his companions at his house.
“He (Banao) was really the target and they (suspects) really intend to kill him,” Oliquiano said./DMS
May 29, 2007
The chief of police of Cabuyao, Laguna was shot dead by two unidentified armed men inside his house in Sta. Rosa City on Tuesday morning for a still unknown reason, police officials said.
Sr. Supt. Mark Edison Belarma, chief of Region IV-A Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Supt. Bernie Banalo, 54, was declared dead on arrival at St. James Hospital in Sta. Rosa City after sustaining 11 gunshot wounds all over his body.
Belarma said Banalo was shot at around 7:30 am yesterday (Tuesday) by two unidentified armed men who barged at his residence in Barangay Dita, Sta. Rosa City.
Belarma said Banalo was talking at that time with a friend and was feeding his dog when one of the two suspects fired at him. His friend managed to ran away, unhurt.
After shooting Banalo, the two suspects left aboard a waiting tricycle outside the house where two lookouts were stationed. The tricycle went to the direction of Barangay Villa-a where the suspects boarded a boat heading towards Isla Talim of Binangonan, Rizal Belarma said.
Belarma said Banalo was pronounced dead on arrival at around 9:45 am while undergoing operation.
Recovered from the crime scene were 13 empty shells for a caliber 45 pistol.
Belarma said they are still investigating the motive for the killing.
Asked if the New People’s Army have a hand in the crime, Belarma said: “It’s too early to tell but based on the style of the killing, it could be attributed to the sparu unit of the NPA.”
Initial information reaching Belarma indicates that there is no threat against Banalo’s life but he suspects the police official found some enemy after enforcing an order to close a dumpsite in the province.
Sta. Rosa City Police chief Supt. Raymundo Oliquiano said they are also considering the possibility that the shooting was work-related.
“They (gunmen) could be hired by those he arrested for illegal drugs possession and trade, illegal possession of firearms last election season, and the like. Although, we still have no corroborate evidence on this theory,” Oliquiano said in a separate phone interview.
Oliquiano noted that nothing was taken away from Banalo, nor did the suspects hurt any of his companions at his house.
“He (Banao) was really the target and they (suspects) really intend to kill him,” Oliquiano said./DMS
8 soldiers wounded in encounter with NPA in Aurora
By Ronron
May 29, 2007
Eight soldiers were wounded in an encounter Monday evening against communist rebels in Aurora province, a military commander said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Joselito Kakilala, commander of the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion, told Defense reporters in a phone interview yesterday that about 40 troops of his men were aboard an M35 truck at around 6:30 pm the other day (Monday) when fired upon by pre-positioned members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Dimateset, Dilasag town in Aurora.
“They were responding to an A1 information about the presence of many armed men in the area,” Kakilala said of the government troops.
A 30-minute firefight ensued, leaving eight soldiers wounded, three of whom are in serious condition, said Kakilala.
Kakilala said the advantage of the insurgents is their position, being on an elevated location.
But he believes the NPA suffered casualties but were brought along by their comrades.
On Sunday, three soldiers died and eight others were wounded in a clash also with communist rebels in Masbate province.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years and is being targeted now by the Philippine government to be deactivated by 2010./DMS
May 29, 2007
Eight soldiers were wounded in an encounter Monday evening against communist rebels in Aurora province, a military commander said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Joselito Kakilala, commander of the Philippine Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion, told Defense reporters in a phone interview yesterday that about 40 troops of his men were aboard an M35 truck at around 6:30 pm the other day (Monday) when fired upon by pre-positioned members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Dimateset, Dilasag town in Aurora.
“They were responding to an A1 information about the presence of many armed men in the area,” Kakilala said of the government troops.
A 30-minute firefight ensued, leaving eight soldiers wounded, three of whom are in serious condition, said Kakilala.
Kakilala said the advantage of the insurgents is their position, being on an elevated location.
But he believes the NPA suffered casualties but were brought along by their comrades.
On Sunday, three soldiers died and eight others were wounded in a clash also with communist rebels in Masbate province.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years and is being targeted now by the Philippine government to be deactivated by 2010./DMS
Australia donates 28 watercrafts to RP military as SOVFA signing is set
By Ronron
May 29, 2007
The Australian government is donating 28 air boats to the Philippine military later this year following the scheduled signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) of both countries later this month.
Defense Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessment Ma. Joji Aragon said the package is worth 4 million US dollars and is expected to start arriving in August or September.
Aragon said the beneficiary is the Philippine Army, but the Armed Forces leadership is allowed to distribute the rest to the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Navy.
“These brand new boats will contribute to the enhancement of the counter-terrorism capability of the Armed Forces,” said Defense Undersecretary for Defense Affairs Antonio Santos.
Aragon and Santos said each boat is capable of carrying six soldiers and three crew members. It has built-in accessories such as Global Positioning System (GPS), hand-held radios, and body armors, among others. It can also be used on shallow waters.
Aragon said the Philippines will spend only for the transport of the boats to the country.
The donation of the air boats falls within the one-year period within which Philippine and Australian forces will engage in education and training exchanges even without the SOVFA, said Aragon.
The line up of activities was arrived at during a two-day meeting beginning Monday at the Defense department between Philippine Defense officials and their Australian counterparts, led by Australian Assistant Secretary for International Police Division-Southeast Asia Ben Coleman.
Aragon said the salient features are trainings on logistics, doctrines development, leadership workshop that will involve the 44 two-star generals of the Philippines, strategic communications workshops, and force-modeling workshop.
These exchanges are on top of the annual education opportunities that Filipino soldiers and officers get from Australia for post graduate courses. The annual academic assistance is worth 4 million Australian dollars.
But Santos said the planned activities within July 2007 to July 2008 may be amended once the SOVFA is already in effect, which he hopes to happen next year, depending on the speed of the work of Congress.
The SOVFA ratification by the President, which is set upon her visit to Australia today (Wednesday) until tomorrow (Thursday), needs a concurrence by Congress, based on Philippine laws.
Australia, for its part, will bring the SOVFA to its Parliament for scrutiny before its Executive Council finally takes action on it.
Both Coleman and Santos refused to respond to questions regarding the conduct of the first exercises, where it could be held, and how many troops it would involve. Both said there is no concept yet at the moment.
Asked if the SOVFA with Australia differs with the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with regard to custody of Australian forces who figures in criminal activities in the country, Santos said: “We don’t want to compare agreements. Maybe, when that is signed, a copy of that will be released and you can answer that for yourselves.”
The transfer of convicted rapist US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to the US Embassy in December last year by virtue of the VFA sparked complaints from nationalists about the Philippines being placed at a disadvantage in the treaty.
Like the RP-US VFA, the SOVFA between Philippines and Australia will provide a legal framework to the stay of military forces in either countries for the conduct of military exercises and trainings.
Coleman said Australia shares the same interest with the Philippines as far as having a “peaceful and secure region,” particularly, in “dealing with common threats from terrorists in the region.”/DMS
May 29, 2007
The Australian government is donating 28 air boats to the Philippine military later this year following the scheduled signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) of both countries later this month.
Defense Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessment Ma. Joji Aragon said the package is worth 4 million US dollars and is expected to start arriving in August or September.
Aragon said the beneficiary is the Philippine Army, but the Armed Forces leadership is allowed to distribute the rest to the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Navy.
“These brand new boats will contribute to the enhancement of the counter-terrorism capability of the Armed Forces,” said Defense Undersecretary for Defense Affairs Antonio Santos.
Aragon and Santos said each boat is capable of carrying six soldiers and three crew members. It has built-in accessories such as Global Positioning System (GPS), hand-held radios, and body armors, among others. It can also be used on shallow waters.
Aragon said the Philippines will spend only for the transport of the boats to the country.
The donation of the air boats falls within the one-year period within which Philippine and Australian forces will engage in education and training exchanges even without the SOVFA, said Aragon.
The line up of activities was arrived at during a two-day meeting beginning Monday at the Defense department between Philippine Defense officials and their Australian counterparts, led by Australian Assistant Secretary for International Police Division-Southeast Asia Ben Coleman.
Aragon said the salient features are trainings on logistics, doctrines development, leadership workshop that will involve the 44 two-star generals of the Philippines, strategic communications workshops, and force-modeling workshop.
These exchanges are on top of the annual education opportunities that Filipino soldiers and officers get from Australia for post graduate courses. The annual academic assistance is worth 4 million Australian dollars.
But Santos said the planned activities within July 2007 to July 2008 may be amended once the SOVFA is already in effect, which he hopes to happen next year, depending on the speed of the work of Congress.
The SOVFA ratification by the President, which is set upon her visit to Australia today (Wednesday) until tomorrow (Thursday), needs a concurrence by Congress, based on Philippine laws.
Australia, for its part, will bring the SOVFA to its Parliament for scrutiny before its Executive Council finally takes action on it.
Both Coleman and Santos refused to respond to questions regarding the conduct of the first exercises, where it could be held, and how many troops it would involve. Both said there is no concept yet at the moment.
Asked if the SOVFA with Australia differs with the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with regard to custody of Australian forces who figures in criminal activities in the country, Santos said: “We don’t want to compare agreements. Maybe, when that is signed, a copy of that will be released and you can answer that for yourselves.”
The transfer of convicted rapist US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith to the US Embassy in December last year by virtue of the VFA sparked complaints from nationalists about the Philippines being placed at a disadvantage in the treaty.
Like the RP-US VFA, the SOVFA between Philippines and Australia will provide a legal framework to the stay of military forces in either countries for the conduct of military exercises and trainings.
Coleman said Australia shares the same interest with the Philippines as far as having a “peaceful and secure region,” particularly, in “dealing with common threats from terrorists in the region.”/DMS
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Three soldiers killed, eight wounded in clash with NPA in Masbate
By Ronron
May 28, 2007
Three government soldiers were killed while six others were wounded in an encounter Sunday morning against suspected New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in Masbate province.
Lt. Col. Roderick Parayno, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said members of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Battalion were pursuing guerillas who burnt a Globe cell site last Saturday in Baleno town when they caught up with the group at around 8am the other day (Sunday) in Barangay Docol of said town.
Parayno said there were more or less 40 heavily armed rebels, whom government troopers fought out with for four hours, leaving five soldiers wounded.
When reinforcement troops from the government side arrived, three more soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.
“The enemy withdrew towards northwest direction, carrying their casualties as manifested by the bloodstains in the route of their withdrawal,” Parayno said.
Parayno said the rebels left behind one improvised landmine, firing wire, Molotov bombs and some documents and personal belongings.
“Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, Solcom chief, has ordered a more intensified operation in Masbate following series of engagements and terroristic actions in the province,” Parayno said.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for 38 years now with the end view of overthrowing the government.
It was tagged as a terrorist group by foreign governments, prompting it to back out from the peace negotiations with the government in August 2004./DMS
May 28, 2007
Three government soldiers were killed while six others were wounded in an encounter Sunday morning against suspected New People’s Army (NPA) fighters in Masbate province.
Lt. Col. Roderick Parayno, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said members of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Battalion were pursuing guerillas who burnt a Globe cell site last Saturday in Baleno town when they caught up with the group at around 8am the other day (Sunday) in Barangay Docol of said town.
Parayno said there were more or less 40 heavily armed rebels, whom government troopers fought out with for four hours, leaving five soldiers wounded.
When reinforcement troops from the government side arrived, three more soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.
“The enemy withdrew towards northwest direction, carrying their casualties as manifested by the bloodstains in the route of their withdrawal,” Parayno said.
Parayno said the rebels left behind one improvised landmine, firing wire, Molotov bombs and some documents and personal belongings.
“Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, Solcom chief, has ordered a more intensified operation in Masbate following series of engagements and terroristic actions in the province,” Parayno said.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for 38 years now with the end view of overthrowing the government.
It was tagged as a terrorist group by foreign governments, prompting it to back out from the peace negotiations with the government in August 2004./DMS
RP, Australia prepared to sign Visiting Forces Agreement
By Ronron
May 28, 2007
The Philippines and Australia are prepared to sign its own Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) similar to what the former has with the United States that will allow military exercises in either of the two countries, the Philippines’ Defense Department said on Monday.
In a statement, the Defense Department said the technical working group of both the Philippines and Australia already finalized the document for the SOVFA “and said document is ready for signing” by the officials of both countries.
The statement did not say when the signing will take place, but pointed out that the Philippine Senate will have to ratify the agreement as prescribed by the Constitution before it could take effect.
“The SOVFA is expected to provide a comprehensive legal framework that will support Australian Defense Forces (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the conduct of activities of temporary nature in both countries,” the statement said.
“This Agreement contains key elements such as the basis of visits, entry and departure conditions, how training and exercises are to be conducted, carriage of arms, security and criminal jurisdiction, provisions, importation and exportation regulations, and environmental protection,” it added.
The statement stressed that all provisions in the SOVFA “are in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and existing laws.”
In a previous interview, former Defense Undersecretary Rodel Cruz, who personally worked on the SOVFA, said problems encountered with US authorities on the custody of convicted rapist US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith were considered in the Philippine’s SOVFA with Australia.
Smith was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in December 2006 after he was found guilty by a Makati City court of a raping a Filipino woman in November 2005 at the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales. His transfer to the US Embassy in late December from the Makati City jail sparked calls of injustice and review of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement.
Without citing specifics, Cruz had said that the same problem involving Smith’s custody will no longer be experienced under the RP-Australia SOVFA.
“The SOVFA is a fair, balanced and reciprocal agreement that promotes our national interests,” the statement said.
Assuring that no permanent Australian forces base will be put up in the country, the statement said that the term “visit” in the Agreement refers to their “temporary presence” only in the Philippines “in an effort to enhance the military capabilities of both the Philippines and Australia.”
“The SOVFA offers opportunities and benefits to the AFP in terms of education and training, capacity-building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” the statement said.
“On the part of the Philippines, the document is viewed as a mechanism that would further strengthen RP-Australia partnership in combating common threats,” it added.
Both the Philippines and Australia have experienced, among others, the problem of terrorism./DMS
May 28, 2007
The Philippines and Australia are prepared to sign its own Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) similar to what the former has with the United States that will allow military exercises in either of the two countries, the Philippines’ Defense Department said on Monday.
In a statement, the Defense Department said the technical working group of both the Philippines and Australia already finalized the document for the SOVFA “and said document is ready for signing” by the officials of both countries.
The statement did not say when the signing will take place, but pointed out that the Philippine Senate will have to ratify the agreement as prescribed by the Constitution before it could take effect.
“The SOVFA is expected to provide a comprehensive legal framework that will support Australian Defense Forces (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the conduct of activities of temporary nature in both countries,” the statement said.
“This Agreement contains key elements such as the basis of visits, entry and departure conditions, how training and exercises are to be conducted, carriage of arms, security and criminal jurisdiction, provisions, importation and exportation regulations, and environmental protection,” it added.
The statement stressed that all provisions in the SOVFA “are in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and existing laws.”
In a previous interview, former Defense Undersecretary Rodel Cruz, who personally worked on the SOVFA, said problems encountered with US authorities on the custody of convicted rapist US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith were considered in the Philippine’s SOVFA with Australia.
Smith was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in December 2006 after he was found guilty by a Makati City court of a raping a Filipino woman in November 2005 at the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales. His transfer to the US Embassy in late December from the Makati City jail sparked calls of injustice and review of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement.
Without citing specifics, Cruz had said that the same problem involving Smith’s custody will no longer be experienced under the RP-Australia SOVFA.
“The SOVFA is a fair, balanced and reciprocal agreement that promotes our national interests,” the statement said.
Assuring that no permanent Australian forces base will be put up in the country, the statement said that the term “visit” in the Agreement refers to their “temporary presence” only in the Philippines “in an effort to enhance the military capabilities of both the Philippines and Australia.”
“The SOVFA offers opportunities and benefits to the AFP in terms of education and training, capacity-building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” the statement said.
“On the part of the Philippines, the document is viewed as a mechanism that would further strengthen RP-Australia partnership in combating common threats,” it added.
Both the Philippines and Australia have experienced, among others, the problem of terrorism./DMS
Sison wants to be delisted from terror list of European Union
By Ronron
May 28, 2007
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison is seeking for a delisting from the terror list of the European Union, saying he is no longer connected with the movement, especially with its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).
In a letter to the Council of the European Union dated May 22, 2007, Sison, who is on exile in the Netherlands, said it is “absurd” that he is tagged as a terrorist and “for construing that social benefits from the Dutch government for my essential human needs (living allowance, housing, health insurance, civil liability insurance and old age pension) are financing for terrorism.”
Thru his lawyer, Jan Fermon, Sison denied that he heads the CPP and is connected with the NPA, which the Philippine government has accused of engaging in terrorist activities.
“Jose Maria Sison cannot be the leader or the head of the CPP because it is materially impossible to direct a political party in his situation of exile for more than 20 years… It is of public knowledge that Jose Maria Sison lost his position as Chairman of the Central Committee of the CPP on 10 November 1977 (when he was arrested),” Fermon wrote separately.
Sison’s letter was in response to an April 23, 2007 letter of the Council, asking him to explain why his tag as terrorist in 2002 should not be renewed.
“Since the beginning, I have contested my inclusion in the list of terrorists… I am surprised why the Council writes to me a letter recycling blatantly false allegations, which have been extensively discussed and answered in the aforesaid court (European Court of First Instance),” Sison said.
The inclusion of Sison in the EU list of terrorists resulting in the freezing of his joint account with his wife and the suspension of his social living allowance and other social benefits.
Fermon said Sison could not be an advocate of violence since he even acted since 1990 as chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in the negotiations with the government.
Sison was exiled to the Netherlands in 1988 when the CPP became a legal organization in the country. Authorities believe he continued to maintain leadership in the movement while away from the Philippines./END
May 28, 2007
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison is seeking for a delisting from the terror list of the European Union, saying he is no longer connected with the movement, especially with its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).
In a letter to the Council of the European Union dated May 22, 2007, Sison, who is on exile in the Netherlands, said it is “absurd” that he is tagged as a terrorist and “for construing that social benefits from the Dutch government for my essential human needs (living allowance, housing, health insurance, civil liability insurance and old age pension) are financing for terrorism.”
Thru his lawyer, Jan Fermon, Sison denied that he heads the CPP and is connected with the NPA, which the Philippine government has accused of engaging in terrorist activities.
“Jose Maria Sison cannot be the leader or the head of the CPP because it is materially impossible to direct a political party in his situation of exile for more than 20 years… It is of public knowledge that Jose Maria Sison lost his position as Chairman of the Central Committee of the CPP on 10 November 1977 (when he was arrested),” Fermon wrote separately.
Sison’s letter was in response to an April 23, 2007 letter of the Council, asking him to explain why his tag as terrorist in 2002 should not be renewed.
“Since the beginning, I have contested my inclusion in the list of terrorists… I am surprised why the Council writes to me a letter recycling blatantly false allegations, which have been extensively discussed and answered in the aforesaid court (European Court of First Instance),” Sison said.
The inclusion of Sison in the EU list of terrorists resulting in the freezing of his joint account with his wife and the suspension of his social living allowance and other social benefits.
Fermon said Sison could not be an advocate of violence since he even acted since 1990 as chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in the negotiations with the government.
Sison was exiled to the Netherlands in 1988 when the CPP became a legal organization in the country. Authorities believe he continued to maintain leadership in the movement while away from the Philippines./END
Sunday, May 27, 2007
75 percent success in Lanao del Sur special elections
By Ronron
May 26, 2007
A Commission on Election (Comelec) official gave a 75 percent rating for the success of the special elections held Saturday in some towns of Lanao del Sur.
Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, Commissioner-in-charge for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said only 10 of the 13 towns that were set for the conduct of special elections yesterday proceeded completely, while the rest had to be postponed for today (Sunday).
“It’s generally peaceful, thanks to the efforts of everyone. Although, it was not perfect, mea culpa. We’re sorry,” Sarmiento said in a phone interview from Lanao del Sur.
Sarmiento said voting in the municipalities of Lumbatan, Marogong, Kapatagan, Sultan Dumalondong, Lumbayanague, Kapai, Madalum, Masiu, Binidayan and Bayang was completed within the day, despite some security problems in a few areas.
Those in Butig, and in some barangayas in Lumba-Bayabao and Pualas, however, had to be postponed because of some unavoidable circumstances.
Sarmiento said there was no election in the entire town of Butig, which has 53 precincts with 8,564 registered voters, because election inspectors were afraid to report to duty due to threats from rival candidates.
Election in Barangay Maribo, which consists of nine precincts, in Lumba-Bayabao town was likewise deferred for today due to two reasons. Sarmiento said the residents did not troop to the voting centers because they were instructed by the Mayor not to cast their votes. And when the issue was settled, the barangay experienced power failure, making it impossible to proceed with the election.
In Pualas, Sarmiento said five barangays, consisting of 11 precincts, did not have elections because a problem on clustering of precints.
“In these areas where we failed to hold elections today (Saturday), elections will be conducted tomorrow (Sunday),” Sarmiento said.
As to security, Sarmiento said it was “generally peaceful” despite the encounter yesterday morning in Pualas town between Army troopers and an unidentified armed group, leaving a soldier slightly wounded.
“Despite this, the election continued,” Sarmiento said.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Police Director Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao said only three violent incidents that happened yesterday can be regarded initially as election-related.
“Overall, there is not much fanfare,” Goltiao said in a separate phone interview from Lanao del Sur.
The first incident happened at 8am in Masiu town wherein an armed group fired five 40 millimeter rounds from an M203 grenade launcher. There were no reported casualties and damages from the incident.
Asked in a phone interview if the attack was election-related, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said: “Yes. The attackers are confirmed members of private armed groups.”
Then, at around 8:30 am, a platoon from the Charlie Company of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was ambushed by around 50 fully armed men while conducting security operations at Barangay Yaran, Pualas town, said Bacarro.
The government soldiers fought back, resulting in a brief exchange of gunfire that left Corporal Samson Catacutan slightly wounded.
Goltiao said the third incident is another brief encounter between another group of Army troopers and unidentified armed men in Kapai town. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Goltiao said all other reported gun fires from other areas were not cause for alarm because they sound like cheers in support to political candidates. “There are even clapping of hands,” said Goltiao.
He said this could be part of Moslem tradition in expressing their support to candidates.
Both Goltiao and Sarmiento agree that the main threat in the province actually comes from the political candidates themselves.
“If you are in the field, you will see that this is the peculiarity of the situation here. The people are armed,” Sarmiento said.
For today’s special elections in Butig, Sarmiento said members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will act as election inspectors.
Goltiao said Sarmiento ordered him to prepare around a hundred policemen to serve as election inspectors in Butig.
“For as long as we are ordered by the Comelec…, that is okay. We have no problem with that,” Goltiao said when asked if fielding cops to polling precincts will put them to trouble.
Goltiao disclosed that after the closing of the polling centers at 3pm yesterday, all ballot boxes were transported to the Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol in Marawi City for the centralized counting of votes.
Asked if they expect more violence as the process continues, Bacarro replied: “Well, we are prepared to thwart that,” noting that the AFP was deputized by the Comelec to take the lead role in securing the special elections in the province.
Voting in the 13 towns, which has a total of 96,460 registered voters, did not proceed during the national election last May 14 after the election inspectors refused to perform their duties because of security threats coming from rival politicians./DMS
May 26, 2007
A Commission on Election (Comelec) official gave a 75 percent rating for the success of the special elections held Saturday in some towns of Lanao del Sur.
Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, Commissioner-in-charge for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said only 10 of the 13 towns that were set for the conduct of special elections yesterday proceeded completely, while the rest had to be postponed for today (Sunday).
“It’s generally peaceful, thanks to the efforts of everyone. Although, it was not perfect, mea culpa. We’re sorry,” Sarmiento said in a phone interview from Lanao del Sur.
Sarmiento said voting in the municipalities of Lumbatan, Marogong, Kapatagan, Sultan Dumalondong, Lumbayanague, Kapai, Madalum, Masiu, Binidayan and Bayang was completed within the day, despite some security problems in a few areas.
Those in Butig, and in some barangayas in Lumba-Bayabao and Pualas, however, had to be postponed because of some unavoidable circumstances.
Sarmiento said there was no election in the entire town of Butig, which has 53 precincts with 8,564 registered voters, because election inspectors were afraid to report to duty due to threats from rival candidates.
Election in Barangay Maribo, which consists of nine precincts, in Lumba-Bayabao town was likewise deferred for today due to two reasons. Sarmiento said the residents did not troop to the voting centers because they were instructed by the Mayor not to cast their votes. And when the issue was settled, the barangay experienced power failure, making it impossible to proceed with the election.
In Pualas, Sarmiento said five barangays, consisting of 11 precincts, did not have elections because a problem on clustering of precints.
“In these areas where we failed to hold elections today (Saturday), elections will be conducted tomorrow (Sunday),” Sarmiento said.
As to security, Sarmiento said it was “generally peaceful” despite the encounter yesterday morning in Pualas town between Army troopers and an unidentified armed group, leaving a soldier slightly wounded.
“Despite this, the election continued,” Sarmiento said.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Police Director Chief Supt. Joel Goltiao said only three violent incidents that happened yesterday can be regarded initially as election-related.
“Overall, there is not much fanfare,” Goltiao said in a separate phone interview from Lanao del Sur.
The first incident happened at 8am in Masiu town wherein an armed group fired five 40 millimeter rounds from an M203 grenade launcher. There were no reported casualties and damages from the incident.
Asked in a phone interview if the attack was election-related, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said: “Yes. The attackers are confirmed members of private armed groups.”
Then, at around 8:30 am, a platoon from the Charlie Company of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was ambushed by around 50 fully armed men while conducting security operations at Barangay Yaran, Pualas town, said Bacarro.
The government soldiers fought back, resulting in a brief exchange of gunfire that left Corporal Samson Catacutan slightly wounded.
Goltiao said the third incident is another brief encounter between another group of Army troopers and unidentified armed men in Kapai town. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Goltiao said all other reported gun fires from other areas were not cause for alarm because they sound like cheers in support to political candidates. “There are even clapping of hands,” said Goltiao.
He said this could be part of Moslem tradition in expressing their support to candidates.
Both Goltiao and Sarmiento agree that the main threat in the province actually comes from the political candidates themselves.
“If you are in the field, you will see that this is the peculiarity of the situation here. The people are armed,” Sarmiento said.
For today’s special elections in Butig, Sarmiento said members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will act as election inspectors.
Goltiao said Sarmiento ordered him to prepare around a hundred policemen to serve as election inspectors in Butig.
“For as long as we are ordered by the Comelec…, that is okay. We have no problem with that,” Goltiao said when asked if fielding cops to polling precincts will put them to trouble.
Goltiao disclosed that after the closing of the polling centers at 3pm yesterday, all ballot boxes were transported to the Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol in Marawi City for the centralized counting of votes.
Asked if they expect more violence as the process continues, Bacarro replied: “Well, we are prepared to thwart that,” noting that the AFP was deputized by the Comelec to take the lead role in securing the special elections in the province.
Voting in the 13 towns, which has a total of 96,460 registered voters, did not proceed during the national election last May 14 after the election inspectors refused to perform their duties because of security threats coming from rival politicians./DMS
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