By Ronron
September 14, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has alerted its men for possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) now that communist leader Jose Maria Sison is again capable of allegedly ordering for it.
PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia told reporters in Camp Crame Friday that it is possible Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), could issue again an order to its armed fighters in the country to carry out more offensives.
“The probable impact (of his release) is Joma Sison could order for a widespread offensive against the police and armed forces, and that is what we are preparing for,” Garcia said.
“We are making necessary preparations for our police stations, as well as cellsites, towers, plants, which they also attack,” he added.
Sison was released last Thursday by the Dutch police after the judge hearing his case found insufficient evidence that he ordered the killings of former communist rebel leader Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara in 2003 and 2004, respectively, in Quezon City.
The case filed by the widows of Kintanar and Tabara prompted the arrest of Sison last August 28.
Garcia said the office of the National Security Adviser is now addressing the security requirements for these widows, as well as other witnesses.
Asked if the PNP will raise again its alert level to full status because of Sison’s release, Garcia said: “We will not raise it anymore because we have not received a confirmed information that there will actually be a massive offensive of the NPA.”
After going on full alert status a few days ago due to several upcoming events, particularly the handing down of the verdict against former President Joseph Estrada, the PNP downgraded on Thursday afternoon its alert to heightened level, except for Metro Manila and the Special Action Force, sensing the normalcy of the prevailing situation.
As to the case of Sison, Garcia said the PNP respects the decision of the Dutch government to release him even as he maintained that the evidence the PNP shared with the Dutch police and prosecutors are strong enough to pin Sison down.
“We are confident in so far as our evidence against Joma is concerned. Only, it could be that the standard of the Dutch government’s appreciation of our evidence is different from the standard we are using in the Philippines,” Garcia said.
“But on the part of the Philippine government, if they need additional evidence to further strengthen the case, then we will try to help,” he added.
The Dutch authorities began investigating the case against Sison in November of 2005, and it was immediately followed by frequent visits to and communication with the PNP starting January 2006 until July of this year for evidence gathering./DMS
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Four MILF members yield in Manila
By Ronron
September 14, 2007
Four members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) surrendered last Thursday to Army troopers in Tondo, Manila City in time for the start of the holy Islam month of Ramadan, officials said yesterday.
Philippine Army Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion commander Col. Ricardo Visaya said the four, who used to belong to the 2nd Battalion, 201st Infantry Brigade of the MILF, gave up “in time with Ramadan, to observe peace.”
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. identified them as Camisa Baguilan, alias jaron, 38, the battalion commander; Bombay Dagandal, 27; Abolia Tagay, 25; and, Rodin Pagabangan, 25.
They surrendered to the joint personnel of the 1st Community Development Company under Maj. Nelson dela Cruz at Baseco Compound, Visaya said.
Torres said the four also surrendered one M16 rifle with one long magazine; a shotgun with two live ammunition; one Thompson with one magazine; and, two caliber 45 pistols with two magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition.
Visaya said the four had been in Manila since 2002, hoping to rest from violence after being involved in several fighting in Maguindanao.
He said the four claimed to have other companions in Metro Manila and there are efforts now to convince them to surrender as well.
Visaya said the four initially claimed to have no links with the Jemaah Islamiyah or the Rajah Solaiman Movement, but authorities are validating it. The same thing is being done if they have existing cases in court.
The four also claimed to have no plans of launching violence in the metropolis.
“After their fighting in Maguindanao, they wanted to rest so they hid anywhere, like Baseco, Cavite and Quezon City… They said their source of living here is from being pedicab drivers,” Visaya said.
Visaya said the four will be paid for the firearms they surrendered, under the “Balik-Baril Program.”
He said the surrender of the four is one of the tangible positive results of the deployment of soldiers in Metro Manila, which started in November last year. “You could see here their trust for our men,” said Visaya.
The four are currently under the custody of the CMO battalion for custodial debriefing.
A few months ago, nine Moslem rebels also surrendered to the CMO troops in Tondo./DMS
September 14, 2007
Four members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) surrendered last Thursday to Army troopers in Tondo, Manila City in time for the start of the holy Islam month of Ramadan, officials said yesterday.
Philippine Army Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion commander Col. Ricardo Visaya said the four, who used to belong to the 2nd Battalion, 201st Infantry Brigade of the MILF, gave up “in time with Ramadan, to observe peace.”
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. identified them as Camisa Baguilan, alias jaron, 38, the battalion commander; Bombay Dagandal, 27; Abolia Tagay, 25; and, Rodin Pagabangan, 25.
They surrendered to the joint personnel of the 1st Community Development Company under Maj. Nelson dela Cruz at Baseco Compound, Visaya said.
Torres said the four also surrendered one M16 rifle with one long magazine; a shotgun with two live ammunition; one Thompson with one magazine; and, two caliber 45 pistols with two magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition.
Visaya said the four had been in Manila since 2002, hoping to rest from violence after being involved in several fighting in Maguindanao.
He said the four claimed to have other companions in Metro Manila and there are efforts now to convince them to surrender as well.
Visaya said the four initially claimed to have no links with the Jemaah Islamiyah or the Rajah Solaiman Movement, but authorities are validating it. The same thing is being done if they have existing cases in court.
The four also claimed to have no plans of launching violence in the metropolis.
“After their fighting in Maguindanao, they wanted to rest so they hid anywhere, like Baseco, Cavite and Quezon City… They said their source of living here is from being pedicab drivers,” Visaya said.
Visaya said the four will be paid for the firearms they surrendered, under the “Balik-Baril Program.”
He said the surrender of the four is one of the tangible positive results of the deployment of soldiers in Metro Manila, which started in November last year. “You could see here their trust for our men,” said Visaya.
The four are currently under the custody of the CMO battalion for custodial debriefing.
A few months ago, nine Moslem rebels also surrendered to the CMO troops in Tondo./DMS
Friday, September 14, 2007
PNP lowers alert level after Erap verdict day
Ronron
September 13, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) lowered effective Thursday afternoon its alert to the second of three-levels after observing a return to normalcy of the situation following the conviction the other day of former President Joseph Estrada for plunder.
The downgrading of the full alert to heightened alert status, however, does not include the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Special Action Force (SAF), said PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia.
“With the situation going normal after the promulgation of judgment on the plunder case against former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the alert status of the (PNP) is hereby downgraded from alert to heightened alert status effective 2pm today, September 13, 2007, except for NCRPO and SAF, (which) will remain at full alert status,” said Garcia in a memorandum he issued yesterday afternoon.
But despite the lowering of the alert level, Garcia said all regional directors “are directed to continue providing security to all vital installations, economic key points, places of convergence, and other probably and vulnerable targets.”
He said they should also continue to “intensify information and intelligence gathering to address security threats in their respective AOR’s (Areas of Responsibility).”
Should the situation calls for a raising of the alert level, Garcia said the regional commanders have the “discretion” to do so.
As for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the alert level remains on full alert as of Thursday. The AFP had earlier said that its alert will depend on the action of the PNP.
The police and military went on full alert a few days ago in preparation for the handing down of the Sandiganbayan’s verdict against Estrada, the 9/11 terrorist attack anniversary, possible attacks by terrorists due to the offensives in Basilan and Sulu, and possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) due to the apprehension of Jose Maria Sison in the Netherlands./DMS
September 13, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) lowered effective Thursday afternoon its alert to the second of three-levels after observing a return to normalcy of the situation following the conviction the other day of former President Joseph Estrada for plunder.
The downgrading of the full alert to heightened alert status, however, does not include the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Special Action Force (SAF), said PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia.
“With the situation going normal after the promulgation of judgment on the plunder case against former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the alert status of the (PNP) is hereby downgraded from alert to heightened alert status effective 2pm today, September 13, 2007, except for NCRPO and SAF, (which) will remain at full alert status,” said Garcia in a memorandum he issued yesterday afternoon.
But despite the lowering of the alert level, Garcia said all regional directors “are directed to continue providing security to all vital installations, economic key points, places of convergence, and other probably and vulnerable targets.”
He said they should also continue to “intensify information and intelligence gathering to address security threats in their respective AOR’s (Areas of Responsibility).”
Should the situation calls for a raising of the alert level, Garcia said the regional commanders have the “discretion” to do so.
As for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the alert level remains on full alert as of Thursday. The AFP had earlier said that its alert will depend on the action of the PNP.
The police and military went on full alert a few days ago in preparation for the handing down of the Sandiganbayan’s verdict against Estrada, the 9/11 terrorist attack anniversary, possible attacks by terrorists due to the offensives in Basilan and Sulu, and possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) due to the apprehension of Jose Maria Sison in the Netherlands./DMS
Comelec gunban starts September 29
By Ronron
September 13, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will start implementing on September 29 the nationwide gunban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the October 29 polls for village and youth officials.
PNP Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) head Chief Supt. Florencio Caccam, Jr. said Thursday that this is in compliance with Comelec Resolution No. 8301, which states that the gunban takes effect from September 29 until November 13 of this year.
Within the said period, Caccam said all types of firearms like air guns, side arms, long firearms, and grenades, are not allowed to be brought outside of the holder’s homes or offices.
“All permit-to-carry (PTC) firearms are suspended for the duration of the gunban, unless they have a written permission from the Comelec,” Caccam said a phone interview.
Members of the PNP, for their part, will only be authorized to bring their service firearms while they are in the performance of their duty, including while they are on their way to office or back home. They must also be in uniform.
Caccam said anybody caught violating the gunban will be slapped with charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code, which carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to 17 years./DMS
September 13, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will start implementing on September 29 the nationwide gunban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the October 29 polls for village and youth officials.
PNP Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) head Chief Supt. Florencio Caccam, Jr. said Thursday that this is in compliance with Comelec Resolution No. 8301, which states that the gunban takes effect from September 29 until November 13 of this year.
Within the said period, Caccam said all types of firearms like air guns, side arms, long firearms, and grenades, are not allowed to be brought outside of the holder’s homes or offices.
“All permit-to-carry (PTC) firearms are suspended for the duration of the gunban, unless they have a written permission from the Comelec,” Caccam said a phone interview.
Members of the PNP, for their part, will only be authorized to bring their service firearms while they are in the performance of their duty, including while they are on their way to office or back home. They must also be in uniform.
Caccam said anybody caught violating the gunban will be slapped with charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code, which carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to 17 years./DMS
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Three US Navy ships in RP for “goodwill visit”
By Ronron
September 12, 2007
Three US Navy ships are in Philippine waters to pay “goodwill visit,” official said Wednesday.
The three ships were identified as USS Milius (DDG-69), which is based in San Diego, California; USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and USS Chosin (CG-65), also based in Pearl Harbor.
A US Embassy statement said USS Milius and USS Chung-Hoon arrived in Manila yesterday, while USS Chosin is set to arrive in Cebu today (Thursday). The three will be in the country until the 16th.
“These visits reflect the longstanding military, historical and personal ties between our two countries as well as our continued commitment to work together to assist people in need of humanitarian outreach,” the US embassy statement reads.
It said that during the visit, the commanding officers of the ships will turn over “a variety of items donated by the American people, including toys, library books, and medical supplies to the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development for distribution to those less fortunate.”
Sailors from the vessels will also be participating in Gawad Kalinga projects of building homes for local citizens.
Lt. Col. Doug Smith, Public Affairs Officer of the US Joint Special Operations Task Force, said there are no military exercises during this visit, as it is purely a “routine port visit.”
But Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer (PIO), said there could be “goodwill games” with their Filipino counterparts, like the Passage Exercise wherein the foreign vessel will pass through with local Navy vessels as its escort.
He said the Philippine Naval Reserve Officers Training Course students will also be given the opportunity to have a guided tour inside the vessels, as well as some local schools in Metro Manila.
Bacarro said he cannot disclose the number of personnel aboard each ship for security reasons.
He assured there are no nuclear weapons aboard the ships when asked about it.
“The American people are committed to working with our friends and partners in the Philippines,” US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney said in the same statement.
“These ships that are visiting the Philippines demonstrate the strength of our partnership, and I know that the dedicated men and women on board are looking forward to seeing this beautiful country,” she continued.
The US Embassy statement said the ships belong to the US 7th Fleet, but did not specify if they came from their respective bases prior to their arrival in the Philippines./DMS
September 12, 2007
Three US Navy ships are in Philippine waters to pay “goodwill visit,” official said Wednesday.
The three ships were identified as USS Milius (DDG-69), which is based in San Diego, California; USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and USS Chosin (CG-65), also based in Pearl Harbor.
A US Embassy statement said USS Milius and USS Chung-Hoon arrived in Manila yesterday, while USS Chosin is set to arrive in Cebu today (Thursday). The three will be in the country until the 16th.
“These visits reflect the longstanding military, historical and personal ties between our two countries as well as our continued commitment to work together to assist people in need of humanitarian outreach,” the US embassy statement reads.
It said that during the visit, the commanding officers of the ships will turn over “a variety of items donated by the American people, including toys, library books, and medical supplies to the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development for distribution to those less fortunate.”
Sailors from the vessels will also be participating in Gawad Kalinga projects of building homes for local citizens.
Lt. Col. Doug Smith, Public Affairs Officer of the US Joint Special Operations Task Force, said there are no military exercises during this visit, as it is purely a “routine port visit.”
But Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer (PIO), said there could be “goodwill games” with their Filipino counterparts, like the Passage Exercise wherein the foreign vessel will pass through with local Navy vessels as its escort.
He said the Philippine Naval Reserve Officers Training Course students will also be given the opportunity to have a guided tour inside the vessels, as well as some local schools in Metro Manila.
Bacarro said he cannot disclose the number of personnel aboard each ship for security reasons.
He assured there are no nuclear weapons aboard the ships when asked about it.
“The American people are committed to working with our friends and partners in the Philippines,” US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney said in the same statement.
“These ships that are visiting the Philippines demonstrate the strength of our partnership, and I know that the dedicated men and women on board are looking forward to seeing this beautiful country,” she continued.
The US Embassy statement said the ships belong to the US 7th Fleet, but did not specify if they came from their respective bases prior to their arrival in the Philippines./DMS
Erap supporters behaved during verdict promulgation – PNP
By Ronron
September 12, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared the mass demonstration of former President Joseph Estrada’s supporters yesterday as “generally peaceful,” noting the absence of any untoward incident.
But even as it thanked them “for abiding with the agreement” of staying where they are and not provoking the anti-riot cops, the police will continue to monitor them especially that one of its leaders, Ver Eustaquio of the Union for the Masses of Democracy and Justice (UMDJ), announced that the group will plan about its future actions to protest the guilty verdict against Estrada for plunder.
“Generally, I would say that what happened was peaceful… and I would like to thank the followers of the former President for abiding with the agreement that we have prior to this verdict,” PNP chief Gen. Oscar Calderon told a news conference at Camp Crame more than an hour after the Sandiganbayan convicted Estrada for plunder.
About 700 supporters of Estrada gathered along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City yesterday morning to monitor the Sandiganbayan ruling. Calderon said they dispersed voluntarily before lunchtime.
The PNP had said that it will deploy 4,000 cops, while the Armed Forces will place on standby 2,000 of its personnel, during the promulgation of the decision of the anti-graft court on Estrada’s case.
Immediately after the decision was known, Eustaquio said the supporters of Estrada from the masses will plan what they will do in the coming days to show their indignation against the ruling.
“We will continue our coordination with their group for them to remain calm and peaceful so there will be no chaos in their activities. We allow them anyway. But so far, my general guideline is if anybody will violate the law, we will arrest them,” Calderon said.
The police chief said the organization is “ready” to respond to any violent incidents.
He said the rally yesterday was peaceful probably also because the public has recognized that due process was given to the former leader, and that the decision was crafted and issued by “respected members of the court.”
Asked if the lean crowd indicates that anti-government effort is already subsiding, Calderon said: “I don’t want to comment on that. What I can say is the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces and the government are prepared for any violence that may happen, and we will really observe the rule of law.”
He said the PNP will still maintain its red alert status until the local commanders think there is no more threat to security that may warrant for a lowering of the level. The same thing with the military, said AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro.
“In this case, we will be guided by the need of the PNP for our assistance because the PNP is in the lead role while we are in the support role,” Bacarro said in a separate news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Asked, meanwhile, if the conviction of Estrada would now make the military organization safe from any adventurism acts, Bacarro said: “We would say that military adventurism – I’m referring to those people in the organization who will be participating in any form of adventurism – will consider that as a thing of the past. And this is manifested by what we can see now as the level of professionalism of our soldiers, that they are no longer easily lured into participating in any type of organization.”
Bacarro refused to comment when asked if the conviction of Estrada justifies the military’s withdrawal of support from him in 2001, saying: “That’s a political question, I would not be in a position to answer that.”
The allegations against Estrada, which was the basis for his conviction, were the same reason he was ousted in January 2001 by a bloodless people power revolt. He was replaced by his vice president then, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The guilty verdict against him carries a penalty of 20 to 40 years of imprisonment./DMS
September 12, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared the mass demonstration of former President Joseph Estrada’s supporters yesterday as “generally peaceful,” noting the absence of any untoward incident.
But even as it thanked them “for abiding with the agreement” of staying where they are and not provoking the anti-riot cops, the police will continue to monitor them especially that one of its leaders, Ver Eustaquio of the Union for the Masses of Democracy and Justice (UMDJ), announced that the group will plan about its future actions to protest the guilty verdict against Estrada for plunder.
“Generally, I would say that what happened was peaceful… and I would like to thank the followers of the former President for abiding with the agreement that we have prior to this verdict,” PNP chief Gen. Oscar Calderon told a news conference at Camp Crame more than an hour after the Sandiganbayan convicted Estrada for plunder.
About 700 supporters of Estrada gathered along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City yesterday morning to monitor the Sandiganbayan ruling. Calderon said they dispersed voluntarily before lunchtime.
The PNP had said that it will deploy 4,000 cops, while the Armed Forces will place on standby 2,000 of its personnel, during the promulgation of the decision of the anti-graft court on Estrada’s case.
Immediately after the decision was known, Eustaquio said the supporters of Estrada from the masses will plan what they will do in the coming days to show their indignation against the ruling.
“We will continue our coordination with their group for them to remain calm and peaceful so there will be no chaos in their activities. We allow them anyway. But so far, my general guideline is if anybody will violate the law, we will arrest them,” Calderon said.
The police chief said the organization is “ready” to respond to any violent incidents.
He said the rally yesterday was peaceful probably also because the public has recognized that due process was given to the former leader, and that the decision was crafted and issued by “respected members of the court.”
Asked if the lean crowd indicates that anti-government effort is already subsiding, Calderon said: “I don’t want to comment on that. What I can say is the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces and the government are prepared for any violence that may happen, and we will really observe the rule of law.”
He said the PNP will still maintain its red alert status until the local commanders think there is no more threat to security that may warrant for a lowering of the level. The same thing with the military, said AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro.
“In this case, we will be guided by the need of the PNP for our assistance because the PNP is in the lead role while we are in the support role,” Bacarro said in a separate news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Asked, meanwhile, if the conviction of Estrada would now make the military organization safe from any adventurism acts, Bacarro said: “We would say that military adventurism – I’m referring to those people in the organization who will be participating in any form of adventurism – will consider that as a thing of the past. And this is manifested by what we can see now as the level of professionalism of our soldiers, that they are no longer easily lured into participating in any type of organization.”
Bacarro refused to comment when asked if the conviction of Estrada justifies the military’s withdrawal of support from him in 2001, saying: “That’s a political question, I would not be in a position to answer that.”
The allegations against Estrada, which was the basis for his conviction, were the same reason he was ousted in January 2001 by a bloodless people power revolt. He was replaced by his vice president then, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The guilty verdict against him carries a penalty of 20 to 40 years of imprisonment./DMS
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