By Ronron
October 18, 2007
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. on Thursday tasked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to take over the investigation of the Akiyoshi killing case in Angeles City, Pampanga last July after the local police failed to make any progress in its probe.
Razon issued the order after meeting some Japanese guests at his office yesterday afternoon at Camp Crame, Quezon City who have expressed concern over the stalling of the case investigation.
“The CIDG will be taking the lead role (in the investigation),” Razon said.
Reisuke Akiyoshi, an engineer working for a Japanese funded project in Central Luzon, was found dead inside his rented apartment in Angeles City last July.
SPO2 Dickson Tolentino, officer-on-case from the Angeles City Police Station 4, told Manila Shimbun yesterday that there is no development in their investigation due to lack of witnesses.
“Up to now, we have no lead as to the motive and the suspect because there are no witnesses… The wife and co-workers of Akiyoshi could not also say who could have the motive to carry out the crime,” Tolentino said in Filipino in a phone interview.
He said that they thought they would already pin down a relative of Akiyoshi’s wife, but no one would officially make a statement against that person.
During Razon’s meeting with the Japanese guests, CIDG chief Director Edgardo Doromal, who was present in the meeting, called up CIDG Region III Director Sr. Supt. Guillermo Eleazar and directed him to take over the investigation of the case from the Angeles City Police.
Doromal said he directed Eleazar to create a “dedicated team” for the investigation of the case.
Asked on how important it is for the police to solve the Akiyoshi killing, Razon said: “It is very important because we want our locators, Japanese investors to feel safe so their business will prosper and continue. If it is not solved, it will affect the feeling of security of the Japanese investors in the Philippines.”
But Doromal said it is hard to set a deadline for the local CIDG to solve the particular case.
“If we don’t have witnesses, we can’t identify the suspects. That’s why we are trying to maintain good relationship with our community so that other witnesses will come out,” he said.
Tolentino said even if they have all the technical evidence like fingerprints lifted from the crime scene, it will really be difficult to solve the case unless there is a witness./DMS
Friday, October 19, 2007
Crimes in MM down by 7.14 percent from Jan – Sept 2007
By Ronron
October 18, 2007
Crimes in Metro Manila went down by 7.14 percent for the period January to September this year, compared to the same period last year, a police official said Thursday.
According to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias, the decrease from 6,371 incidents last year to 5,972 this year is attributed to their “crime prevention operations,” particularly their night-watch operations and increased police visibility during daytime.
“The NCR is the most peaceful (region) in the entire country,” Barias claimed after citing the figure.
Among the specific crimes that Barias cited are theft, which went down from 2,302 incidents to 2,064; robbery, from 2,110 to 1,939; murder, from 366 to 330; homicide, from 308, to 218; rape, from 217 to 203; and, carnapping, from 850 to 516.
On the other hand, Barias admitted that cases of slight physical injuries increased during the same period, although he was not immediately prepared to cite the statistics.
“Because we have downloaded (some policemen to the districts), we hope we can sustain this trend,” Barias said, referring to last week’s assignment of over 500 cops to the five police districts in Metro Manila for street patrolling.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. had earlier promised to assign 90 percent of the entire police force to the field and retain the remaining 10 percent to offices in line with the PNP’s duty of “serving and protecting the community.”
In a related development, Barias disclosed their plan to merge next month the security cameras of the NCRPO with those of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to further strengthen their anti-criminality campaign.
Barias said MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando had already agreed in principle the integration of the NCRPO’s 56 cameras with the 200 cameras of the MMDA.
“Chairman Fernando is okay with the integration of their system with ours. We can use their system for our crime prevention campaign too,” Barias said.
The NCRPO installed its 56 cameras last August in various areas in Metro Manila as part of the security measure for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting in the country./DMS
October 18, 2007
Crimes in Metro Manila went down by 7.14 percent for the period January to September this year, compared to the same period last year, a police official said Thursday.
According to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Geary Barias, the decrease from 6,371 incidents last year to 5,972 this year is attributed to their “crime prevention operations,” particularly their night-watch operations and increased police visibility during daytime.
“The NCR is the most peaceful (region) in the entire country,” Barias claimed after citing the figure.
Among the specific crimes that Barias cited are theft, which went down from 2,302 incidents to 2,064; robbery, from 2,110 to 1,939; murder, from 366 to 330; homicide, from 308, to 218; rape, from 217 to 203; and, carnapping, from 850 to 516.
On the other hand, Barias admitted that cases of slight physical injuries increased during the same period, although he was not immediately prepared to cite the statistics.
“Because we have downloaded (some policemen to the districts), we hope we can sustain this trend,” Barias said, referring to last week’s assignment of over 500 cops to the five police districts in Metro Manila for street patrolling.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. had earlier promised to assign 90 percent of the entire police force to the field and retain the remaining 10 percent to offices in line with the PNP’s duty of “serving and protecting the community.”
In a related development, Barias disclosed their plan to merge next month the security cameras of the NCRPO with those of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to further strengthen their anti-criminality campaign.
Barias said MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando had already agreed in principle the integration of the NCRPO’s 56 cameras with the 200 cameras of the MMDA.
“Chairman Fernando is okay with the integration of their system with ours. We can use their system for our crime prevention campaign too,” Barias said.
The NCRPO installed its 56 cameras last August in various areas in Metro Manila as part of the security measure for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting in the country./DMS
Defense chief assures AFP loyalty to Arroyo
By Ronron
October 18, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. assured on Thursday the loyalty of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amid allegations that Malacañang are offering bribes to local officials purportedly to dissuade them from supporting impeachment moves against the chief executive.
Interviewed in Cebu, Teodoro said: “I can say categorically that the Armed Forces is solid and united behind the chain of command.”
“She (Arroyo) is the duly constituted President of the Republic and the Armed Forces will stand behind the duly constituted authority, stand behind the President,” he added.
Teodoro said he does not even have to give any piece of advice to government troops about staying loyal to their commander-in-chief. “They know their duties, I don’t need to remind them about it,” he said.
Philippine Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino had earlier admitted that the bribery allegations against Malacañang is affecting the soldiers “in one way or another” but not seriously that it could translate to adventurist actions.
“Political issues like this will not affect their duties and responsibilities,” the Defense Secretary echoed Dolorfino’s view.
“The Armed Forces is focused on its task, which is to counter the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) and the CPP/NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front), plus the reforms in the Armed Forces. Political issues are not the focus of the AFP,” he continued.
The military has admitted being a target of destabilization efforts against the government because an armed component is required to effect a successful regime change, as it did in the 1986 and 2001 bloodless revolts.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already tasked the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to look into the giving of cash gifts at Malacañang last week to some governors, congressmen and other local executives after receiving criticisms from the opposition, religious groups and other sectors./DMS
October 18, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. assured on Thursday the loyalty of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amid allegations that Malacañang are offering bribes to local officials purportedly to dissuade them from supporting impeachment moves against the chief executive.
Interviewed in Cebu, Teodoro said: “I can say categorically that the Armed Forces is solid and united behind the chain of command.”
“She (Arroyo) is the duly constituted President of the Republic and the Armed Forces will stand behind the duly constituted authority, stand behind the President,” he added.
Teodoro said he does not even have to give any piece of advice to government troops about staying loyal to their commander-in-chief. “They know their duties, I don’t need to remind them about it,” he said.
Philippine Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino had earlier admitted that the bribery allegations against Malacañang is affecting the soldiers “in one way or another” but not seriously that it could translate to adventurist actions.
“Political issues like this will not affect their duties and responsibilities,” the Defense Secretary echoed Dolorfino’s view.
“The Armed Forces is focused on its task, which is to counter the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) and the CPP/NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front), plus the reforms in the Armed Forces. Political issues are not the focus of the AFP,” he continued.
The military has admitted being a target of destabilization efforts against the government because an armed component is required to effect a successful regime change, as it did in the 1986 and 2001 bloodless revolts.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already tasked the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to look into the giving of cash gifts at Malacañang last week to some governors, congressmen and other local executives after receiving criticisms from the opposition, religious groups and other sectors./DMS
Two NPA captives in Compostela Valley break away
By Ronron
October 18, 2007
Two of the three captives of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela Valley province were able to break away and are now in the hands of the military unit in the area, an official there said Thursday.
According to Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commander of the Philippine Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade that is based in Mawab town of said province, Glorieto Mahumas and Rudy Villaflor were received by his command Thursday morning.
The two, Holganza said, claimed to have escaped from their captors last Sunday in Barangay Banglasan in Montevista, same province. He said the two claimed they were not brought outside of Montevista since they were abducted last October 7 in Barangay Kanidkid, together with Sgt. Raul Reyes.
Reyes is the commander of the 72nd Infantry Battalion detachment in Barangay Kanidkid, while Mahumas and Villaflor are CAFGU members of said detachment.
At the same time, Mahumas is the chairman of Barangay Kanidkid while Villaflor also serves as a barangay kagawad.
Holganza said the two claimed that since their escape, they walked, ran and hitchhiked until they arrived Wednesday night, at around 7 o’clock, at the residence of Compostela Valley 1st District Congressman Manuel Zamora in Monkayo town.
It was Zamora who turned them over to Holganza yesterday morning at the latter’s headquarters.
“The pressure from military operations set the stage for the two’s escape because their captors have formed into splinter groups already,” Holganza said in a phone interview.
“The rebels thought they have the support of the people of Banglasan. They did not realize that the local residents there were cooperating with us,” he added. The military had earlier claimed that they conducted non-stop operations against the perpetrators.
Holganza said the two claimed there were around 50 who held them since October 7 although only at most 30 took them from Mahumas’ residence.
Asked to describe the condition of the two, Holganza said they looked “okay” and claimed they were not hurt or maltreated.
The NPA had owned up the abduction of the three, who, they said, will be made to face preliminary investigations “for the complaints filed against them that may constitute war crimes and violations of International Humanitarian Law and against civilians in Montevista.”
Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said the admission of the NPA is “clearly an open admission of an extra judicial means of settling things.”
Holganza said that with Mahumas and Villaflor now in their custody, they are “hoping” they could rescue Reyes soon.
The two are undergoing debriefing at the 1001st Brigade headquarters as of press time, Holganza said./DMS
October 18, 2007
Two of the three captives of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Compostela Valley province were able to break away and are now in the hands of the military unit in the area, an official there said Thursday.
According to Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commander of the Philippine Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade that is based in Mawab town of said province, Glorieto Mahumas and Rudy Villaflor were received by his command Thursday morning.
The two, Holganza said, claimed to have escaped from their captors last Sunday in Barangay Banglasan in Montevista, same province. He said the two claimed they were not brought outside of Montevista since they were abducted last October 7 in Barangay Kanidkid, together with Sgt. Raul Reyes.
Reyes is the commander of the 72nd Infantry Battalion detachment in Barangay Kanidkid, while Mahumas and Villaflor are CAFGU members of said detachment.
At the same time, Mahumas is the chairman of Barangay Kanidkid while Villaflor also serves as a barangay kagawad.
Holganza said the two claimed that since their escape, they walked, ran and hitchhiked until they arrived Wednesday night, at around 7 o’clock, at the residence of Compostela Valley 1st District Congressman Manuel Zamora in Monkayo town.
It was Zamora who turned them over to Holganza yesterday morning at the latter’s headquarters.
“The pressure from military operations set the stage for the two’s escape because their captors have formed into splinter groups already,” Holganza said in a phone interview.
“The rebels thought they have the support of the people of Banglasan. They did not realize that the local residents there were cooperating with us,” he added. The military had earlier claimed that they conducted non-stop operations against the perpetrators.
Holganza said the two claimed there were around 50 who held them since October 7 although only at most 30 took them from Mahumas’ residence.
Asked to describe the condition of the two, Holganza said they looked “okay” and claimed they were not hurt or maltreated.
The NPA had owned up the abduction of the three, who, they said, will be made to face preliminary investigations “for the complaints filed against them that may constitute war crimes and violations of International Humanitarian Law and against civilians in Montevista.”
Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said the admission of the NPA is “clearly an open admission of an extra judicial means of settling things.”
Holganza said that with Mahumas and Villaflor now in their custody, they are “hoping” they could rescue Reyes soon.
The two are undergoing debriefing at the 1001st Brigade headquarters as of press time, Holganza said./DMS
Thursday, October 18, 2007
PNP to guard against big politicians’ infiltration on Oct. 29 polls
By Ronron
October 17, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be guarding against the infiltration of big politicians during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 29.
PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said Wednesday that under the law, elected officials from the municipal level upwards are not allowed to express support to the barangay and sangguniang bayan election candidates because this is supposed to be an apolitical and non-partisan activity.
Pagdilao cited as example the presence of elected officials during campaign activities and their appearance in the campaign poster materials of the candidates.
“We look at this as a prelude to the 2010 elections. So, even if this is supposed to be apolitical and non-partisan, there could be partisan influence working here,” Pagdilao said.
Thus, as the deputized agency of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the PNP, Pagdilao said, will have to make sure that this provision is not violated.
He said he expects the Comelec to come up with “clear cut marching orders” about the campaign policies when the campaign starts on October 19 so every PNP personnel would know what should they do and should not.
Pagdilao said it is really likely that elected officials will work their way during the upcoming elections “to control the mass base or ground level” for the 2010 elections.
Meanwhile, Pagdilao expressed confidence that the upcoming elections will be peaceful based on the current trend of election-related incidents.
Without giving details, Pagdilao said there have so far been eight election-related violent incidents reported to the PNP since the start of the election period last September 29.
“This is smaller compared to the 159 incidents recorded during the 2002 barangay elections… So, the figures won’t support any fears of a violent barangay elections this year,” he said.
He also noted that for this year, only more than 4,000 barangays are being considered as “hotspots” compared to the almost 7,000 in the 2002 elections.
Asked why these foreseen peaceful scenario, Pagdilao said: “I think it’s the maturity of the electorate, which was also reflected in the May 14 elections where there were less violence. The electorate has become matured and more responsible. Also, the help of all stakeholders, the PNP, the Comelec, and other security forces. I think these are all factors to a better situation.”/DMS
October 17, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be guarding against the infiltration of big politicians during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 29.
PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said Wednesday that under the law, elected officials from the municipal level upwards are not allowed to express support to the barangay and sangguniang bayan election candidates because this is supposed to be an apolitical and non-partisan activity.
Pagdilao cited as example the presence of elected officials during campaign activities and their appearance in the campaign poster materials of the candidates.
“We look at this as a prelude to the 2010 elections. So, even if this is supposed to be apolitical and non-partisan, there could be partisan influence working here,” Pagdilao said.
Thus, as the deputized agency of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the PNP, Pagdilao said, will have to make sure that this provision is not violated.
He said he expects the Comelec to come up with “clear cut marching orders” about the campaign policies when the campaign starts on October 19 so every PNP personnel would know what should they do and should not.
Pagdilao said it is really likely that elected officials will work their way during the upcoming elections “to control the mass base or ground level” for the 2010 elections.
Meanwhile, Pagdilao expressed confidence that the upcoming elections will be peaceful based on the current trend of election-related incidents.
Without giving details, Pagdilao said there have so far been eight election-related violent incidents reported to the PNP since the start of the election period last September 29.
“This is smaller compared to the 159 incidents recorded during the 2002 barangay elections… So, the figures won’t support any fears of a violent barangay elections this year,” he said.
He also noted that for this year, only more than 4,000 barangays are being considered as “hotspots” compared to the almost 7,000 in the 2002 elections.
Asked why these foreseen peaceful scenario, Pagdilao said: “I think it’s the maturity of the electorate, which was also reflected in the May 14 elections where there were less violence. The electorate has become matured and more responsible. Also, the help of all stakeholders, the PNP, the Comelec, and other security forces. I think these are all factors to a better situation.”/DMS
NPA admits holding Army personnel and barangay official in Compostela Valley as prisoners of war
By Ronron
October 17, 2007
The communist New People’s Army (NPA) has admitted taking a barangay official and two Army personnel last October 7 in Compostela Valley province, saying the three are being investigated for violating International Humanitarian Law.
“Army detachment commander Sgt. Raul Reyes, and para-military members Glorieto Mahumas (the barangay captain of Kanidkid in Montevista, Compostela Valley) and Rudy Villaflor are being held as prisoners of war,” the NPA’s Alejandro Lanaja Command in Southern Mindanao said in a press statement dated October 14, 2007.
“As part of the Philippine government’s war machinery, they are facing preliminary investigations for the complaints filed against them that may constitute war crimes and violations against International Humanitarian Law and against civilians in Montevista, Compostela Valley provoince,” it added.
At around 9am last October 7, some 20 to 30 NPA members posed themselves as soldiers and went first to Mahumas’ residence. Immediately when they held him hostage, they asked him to summon Reyes and Villaflor to his house. The two were later held hostage too.
The NPA statement said the perpetrators were able to seize 16 high-powered firearms from the detachment, consisting of six M14, eight Garand rifles, one M16, and one .357 caliber pistol, and several rounds of ammunition and military equipment.
The statement said Mahumas and Villaflor were being investigated for being “thoroughly active in local para-military recruitment” and being “instrumental in putting up military detachments in the Montevista villages.”
It also alleged the military units in the area, particularly the 72nd and 60th Infantry Battalions, to be “notorious in committing grave human rights abuses and violations.”
Col. Benito de Leon, spokesman of the Davao-based 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said they are already preparing the charges against the perpetrators of the abduction incident.
“There is an ongoing operation to track and retrieve the abducted personnel,” de Leon said in a text message to Manila Shimbun.
But the NPA claims it is according Mahumas, Reyes and Villaflor “their rights to humane treatment and due process while in detention.”
“This is in accordance to their status as a Prisoner of War under the war protocols, the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, and the 1996 NDFP Unilateral Declaration of Undertaking to Apply the Provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Protocol 1 of 1977,” it said./DMS
October 17, 2007
The communist New People’s Army (NPA) has admitted taking a barangay official and two Army personnel last October 7 in Compostela Valley province, saying the three are being investigated for violating International Humanitarian Law.
“Army detachment commander Sgt. Raul Reyes, and para-military members Glorieto Mahumas (the barangay captain of Kanidkid in Montevista, Compostela Valley) and Rudy Villaflor are being held as prisoners of war,” the NPA’s Alejandro Lanaja Command in Southern Mindanao said in a press statement dated October 14, 2007.
“As part of the Philippine government’s war machinery, they are facing preliminary investigations for the complaints filed against them that may constitute war crimes and violations against International Humanitarian Law and against civilians in Montevista, Compostela Valley provoince,” it added.
At around 9am last October 7, some 20 to 30 NPA members posed themselves as soldiers and went first to Mahumas’ residence. Immediately when they held him hostage, they asked him to summon Reyes and Villaflor to his house. The two were later held hostage too.
The NPA statement said the perpetrators were able to seize 16 high-powered firearms from the detachment, consisting of six M14, eight Garand rifles, one M16, and one .357 caliber pistol, and several rounds of ammunition and military equipment.
The statement said Mahumas and Villaflor were being investigated for being “thoroughly active in local para-military recruitment” and being “instrumental in putting up military detachments in the Montevista villages.”
It also alleged the military units in the area, particularly the 72nd and 60th Infantry Battalions, to be “notorious in committing grave human rights abuses and violations.”
Col. Benito de Leon, spokesman of the Davao-based 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said they are already preparing the charges against the perpetrators of the abduction incident.
“There is an ongoing operation to track and retrieve the abducted personnel,” de Leon said in a text message to Manila Shimbun.
But the NPA claims it is according Mahumas, Reyes and Villaflor “their rights to humane treatment and due process while in detention.”
“This is in accordance to their status as a Prisoner of War under the war protocols, the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, and the 1996 NDFP Unilateral Declaration of Undertaking to Apply the Provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Protocol 1 of 1977,” it said./DMS
Communist spokesman says he’s alive, but AFP demands for his recent video
By Ronron
October 17, 2007
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said Wednesday he is “alive and fighting,” dismissing speculations that he already passed away due to illness.
In an e-mail statement from the CPP Information Bureau, Rosal said “the statements by the government armed forces and police suggesting that I am dead are meant to lure me to call up our media friends so that the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) intelligence units can revive their electronic surveillance to pinpoint my location.”
Rosal recounted that when he used to make himself available to the media in the past until middle of last year, he found out he was being closely monitored by the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP).
“Up to the middle of last year, before we finally stopped relying on cellphones to get in touch with the media and other friends, our counter-intelligence units and the masses noticed the suspicious presence of four vans constantly prowling the fringes of what the military believed was our office. We later found out that the vans were fully equipped with cellphone tracking and scanning equipment,” Rosal said.
Rosal said he “will not fall for that bait” of the government.
But AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, who has earlier suggested that Rosal has no significance to the communist movement, challenged Rosal yesterday to prove that he is alive by showing himself in a video footage holding a recent newspaper issue.
“To put substance to this e-mail statement, he should show himself to the public,” Bacarro said. “So that if he is really alive, then we will no longer have to exert effort to locate him or find out if he is alive or not.”
Bacarro belied Rosal’s allegation that the AFP is monitoring mobile phone calls, such as his, saying that already requires high-technology equipment that the AFP does not have.
But he admitted that there are continuous efforts to locate Rosal and other leaders of the CPP and New People’s Army in order to apprehend them.
Bacarro said the military is not to blame for the spread of speculations that Rosal is already dead because it is his long silence and absence from public view that served as indications of that, even if they are not really conclusive.
In his statement, Rosal also alleged that military troops have been forcing people from Tagkawayan, Quezon and nearby towns to disclose his whereabouts, violating their basic rights.
“We have received reports that several barrio folk have been arbitrarily taken from their homes and brought to military camps or secluded places and tortured to force them to reveal any information leading to our whereabouts,” Rosal said.
He urged the media, human rights advocates and democratic organizations to look into these.
Bacarro said this may just be part of Rosal’s propaganda to taint the image of the AFP but to allay the fears of the public, he said the AFP is prepared to investigate troops that could be involved in such activities.
“If there is an element of truth in what they are saying here, we are willing to conduct an investigation. However, this is a general and sweeping statement. We can see again that there is an interest that this statement would favor them. But to allay fears of the people, we are willing to subject to investigation soldiers whom we will be able to identify as being involved,” Bacarro said.
In the meantime, Rosal said he will continue to issue statements to the public through the CPP’s Information Bureau and the use of internet.
“The AFP and PNP mistakenly believe that by issuing statements about my supposed demise, they can entice me to let down my guard and draw them out,” he said./DMS
October 17, 2007
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said Wednesday he is “alive and fighting,” dismissing speculations that he already passed away due to illness.
In an e-mail statement from the CPP Information Bureau, Rosal said “the statements by the government armed forces and police suggesting that I am dead are meant to lure me to call up our media friends so that the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) intelligence units can revive their electronic surveillance to pinpoint my location.”
Rosal recounted that when he used to make himself available to the media in the past until middle of last year, he found out he was being closely monitored by the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP).
“Up to the middle of last year, before we finally stopped relying on cellphones to get in touch with the media and other friends, our counter-intelligence units and the masses noticed the suspicious presence of four vans constantly prowling the fringes of what the military believed was our office. We later found out that the vans were fully equipped with cellphone tracking and scanning equipment,” Rosal said.
Rosal said he “will not fall for that bait” of the government.
But AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, who has earlier suggested that Rosal has no significance to the communist movement, challenged Rosal yesterday to prove that he is alive by showing himself in a video footage holding a recent newspaper issue.
“To put substance to this e-mail statement, he should show himself to the public,” Bacarro said. “So that if he is really alive, then we will no longer have to exert effort to locate him or find out if he is alive or not.”
Bacarro belied Rosal’s allegation that the AFP is monitoring mobile phone calls, such as his, saying that already requires high-technology equipment that the AFP does not have.
But he admitted that there are continuous efforts to locate Rosal and other leaders of the CPP and New People’s Army in order to apprehend them.
Bacarro said the military is not to blame for the spread of speculations that Rosal is already dead because it is his long silence and absence from public view that served as indications of that, even if they are not really conclusive.
In his statement, Rosal also alleged that military troops have been forcing people from Tagkawayan, Quezon and nearby towns to disclose his whereabouts, violating their basic rights.
“We have received reports that several barrio folk have been arbitrarily taken from their homes and brought to military camps or secluded places and tortured to force them to reveal any information leading to our whereabouts,” Rosal said.
He urged the media, human rights advocates and democratic organizations to look into these.
Bacarro said this may just be part of Rosal’s propaganda to taint the image of the AFP but to allay the fears of the public, he said the AFP is prepared to investigate troops that could be involved in such activities.
“If there is an element of truth in what they are saying here, we are willing to conduct an investigation. However, this is a general and sweeping statement. We can see again that there is an interest that this statement would favor them. But to allay fears of the people, we are willing to subject to investigation soldiers whom we will be able to identify as being involved,” Bacarro said.
In the meantime, Rosal said he will continue to issue statements to the public through the CPP’s Information Bureau and the use of internet.
“The AFP and PNP mistakenly believe that by issuing statements about my supposed demise, they can entice me to let down my guard and draw them out,” he said./DMS
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Soldiers bothered by bribery allegations against Malacañang
By Ronron
October 16, 2007
Allegations of bribery against Malacañang people is bothering soldiers, although the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership maintains that this will not translate to adventurism.
Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said Tuesday that the AFP remains professional in dealing with recent allegations that Malacañang has been giving out huge amounts of cash to local executives in exchange for their junking of calls and moves to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“In one way or another, we are affected but our professionalism should reign over our respective personal and political interests,” Dolorfino said when asked how are soldiers taking the bribe allegations.
Dolorfino refused to say, however, in what way are they affected.
But he expressed certainty that this issue will not agitate soldiers into doing something tragic or would cause the shaking of the Arroyo government.
“I don’t think there are (rumblings within the AFP) because we have been very vocal to our men. I have been making rounds, telling the officers and men that the Armed Forces of the Philippines should be apolitical at all times, we should be neutral, because we are the only institution that is entrusted by the society to maintain peace and order,” Dolorfino said.
He said he tells them that the AFP should be “a solid wall” on which the people could rest on when violence erupts among different groups in the country.
“If the AFP joins in these political squabbles, no one will benefit from it except the enemies of the State like the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army), the rebel groups, terrorist groups, and organized crime groups. And it will not be far that a civil war could erupt. That is the main reason why we should remain solid and neutral at all times,” Dolorfino said.
“Let us not gamble anymore because next time, there could already be civil war. And it’s really hard to involve people with arms,” he continued.
Told that apparently, Malacañang easily releases money for its anti-impeachment campaign and not for soldiers’ welfare like for combat pay, Dolorfino said: “The additional combat pay already now has a guideline for its release, and the Armed Forces is very appreciative that the government is sensitive to the needs, the morale and welfare of our soldiers.”/DMS
October 16, 2007
Allegations of bribery against Malacañang people is bothering soldiers, although the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership maintains that this will not translate to adventurism.
Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said Tuesday that the AFP remains professional in dealing with recent allegations that Malacañang has been giving out huge amounts of cash to local executives in exchange for their junking of calls and moves to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“In one way or another, we are affected but our professionalism should reign over our respective personal and political interests,” Dolorfino said when asked how are soldiers taking the bribe allegations.
Dolorfino refused to say, however, in what way are they affected.
But he expressed certainty that this issue will not agitate soldiers into doing something tragic or would cause the shaking of the Arroyo government.
“I don’t think there are (rumblings within the AFP) because we have been very vocal to our men. I have been making rounds, telling the officers and men that the Armed Forces of the Philippines should be apolitical at all times, we should be neutral, because we are the only institution that is entrusted by the society to maintain peace and order,” Dolorfino said.
He said he tells them that the AFP should be “a solid wall” on which the people could rest on when violence erupts among different groups in the country.
“If the AFP joins in these political squabbles, no one will benefit from it except the enemies of the State like the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army), the rebel groups, terrorist groups, and organized crime groups. And it will not be far that a civil war could erupt. That is the main reason why we should remain solid and neutral at all times,” Dolorfino said.
“Let us not gamble anymore because next time, there could already be civil war. And it’s really hard to involve people with arms,” he continued.
Told that apparently, Malacañang easily releases money for its anti-impeachment campaign and not for soldiers’ welfare like for combat pay, Dolorfino said: “The additional combat pay already now has a guideline for its release, and the Armed Forces is very appreciative that the government is sensitive to the needs, the morale and welfare of our soldiers.”/DMS
AFP checking if communist spokesman is still alive or already dead
By Ronron
October 16, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is exerting efforts to verify rumors that Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal is already dead.
As of yesterday, the AFP said it has no confirmed reports about the death of Rosal as some raw reports say.
“There are reports coming out and I just got in touch with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and as of now, they have not gotten any report confirming the said report,” Bacarro told reporters on Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo.
“So right now, ISAFP and other intelligence units are trying to validate the report,” he added.
Bacarro said the AFP has heard of the rumor from locals of Bicol.
He acknowledged that Rosal’s silence from the broadcast media “could be an indicator” of his death, although it is not conclusive. Over the last few months, Rosal has only been issuing statements to the public through e-mail statements.
Bacarro, however, belittled Rosal’s significance to the communist movement, saying his death, if indeed true, will only mean “one man less” for the CPP.
“Ka Roger is not a tactical (person). He did not rise in prominence because of his tactical exploits. Basically, he came out as their spokesperson, as their propagandist. But relative to direct combat operations, I think it (his death) will have no impact,” Bacarro said.
Nonetheless, he said it is important for the AFP to confirm his death “for the purpose of knowing and for the purpose of informing the public.”/DMS
October 16, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is exerting efforts to verify rumors that Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal is already dead.
As of yesterday, the AFP said it has no confirmed reports about the death of Rosal as some raw reports say.
“There are reports coming out and I just got in touch with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and as of now, they have not gotten any report confirming the said report,” Bacarro told reporters on Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo.
“So right now, ISAFP and other intelligence units are trying to validate the report,” he added.
Bacarro said the AFP has heard of the rumor from locals of Bicol.
He acknowledged that Rosal’s silence from the broadcast media “could be an indicator” of his death, although it is not conclusive. Over the last few months, Rosal has only been issuing statements to the public through e-mail statements.
Bacarro, however, belittled Rosal’s significance to the communist movement, saying his death, if indeed true, will only mean “one man less” for the CPP.
“Ka Roger is not a tactical (person). He did not rise in prominence because of his tactical exploits. Basically, he came out as their spokesperson, as their propagandist. But relative to direct combat operations, I think it (his death) will have no impact,” Bacarro said.
Nonetheless, he said it is important for the AFP to confirm his death “for the purpose of knowing and for the purpose of informing the public.”/DMS
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Police asks public to report vehicles illegally using siren through text messaging
By Ronron
October 15, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday asked the public to report to them vehicles that they find are illegally using sirens.
PNP Traffic Management Group (TMG) Director Chief Supt. Perfecto Palad said the public can report to the police by texting 09283982873.
“Please text the location of the vehicle, its type and other details so we can immediately respond and apprehend the owner of that vehicle,” Palad told reporters yesterday at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Under Presidential Decree 96, only uniform police and military cars, ambulance, fire vehicles, the Presidential car, and the cars of the Senate President and the House Speaker are allowed to use sirens and blinkers, said TMG National Capital Region (NCR) chief Sr. Supt. Arnold Gunnacao.
Violators of said law may be imprisoned for six years and fined with P600.00, he said.
Palad bared that during the trial period last week, the TMG received 280 reports from the public that resulted in the apprehension of two vehicles, one of which was being driven by an alleged Filipina wife of a a Japanese national.
An initial report identified the suspect as a certain Johnalyn Ogushi, a resident of Las Pinas Royale Estate in Las Pinas City. Ogushi was caught last October 9 along Nacam Road in Pulang Lupa II, Las Pinas City driving an unspecified vehicle with plate number ZHD-771.
Gunnacao said police just confiscated the siren and booster from Ogushi’s car, being a first-time violator.
Gunnacao explained that illegal users of sirens have to be apprehended because they deceive other motorists into believing that they are officials or are in an emergency situation.
“We are doing this in compliance with the directive of our chief PNP, Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., to step up our campaign against illegal users of sirens and boosters,” Palad said.
He only appealed that the people do not abuse or misuse the said text messaging program so that their operations will not be bungled or affected./DMS
October 15, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday asked the public to report to them vehicles that they find are illegally using sirens.
PNP Traffic Management Group (TMG) Director Chief Supt. Perfecto Palad said the public can report to the police by texting 09283982873.
“Please text the location of the vehicle, its type and other details so we can immediately respond and apprehend the owner of that vehicle,” Palad told reporters yesterday at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Under Presidential Decree 96, only uniform police and military cars, ambulance, fire vehicles, the Presidential car, and the cars of the Senate President and the House Speaker are allowed to use sirens and blinkers, said TMG National Capital Region (NCR) chief Sr. Supt. Arnold Gunnacao.
Violators of said law may be imprisoned for six years and fined with P600.00, he said.
Palad bared that during the trial period last week, the TMG received 280 reports from the public that resulted in the apprehension of two vehicles, one of which was being driven by an alleged Filipina wife of a a Japanese national.
An initial report identified the suspect as a certain Johnalyn Ogushi, a resident of Las Pinas Royale Estate in Las Pinas City. Ogushi was caught last October 9 along Nacam Road in Pulang Lupa II, Las Pinas City driving an unspecified vehicle with plate number ZHD-771.
Gunnacao said police just confiscated the siren and booster from Ogushi’s car, being a first-time violator.
Gunnacao explained that illegal users of sirens have to be apprehended because they deceive other motorists into believing that they are officials or are in an emergency situation.
“We are doing this in compliance with the directive of our chief PNP, Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., to step up our campaign against illegal users of sirens and boosters,” Palad said.
He only appealed that the people do not abuse or misuse the said text messaging program so that their operations will not be bungled or affected./DMS
Cebu-based company confirms issuing warning against gang killings
By Ronron
October 15, 2007
A company based in Cebu confirmed on Monday that it has issued a warning to its employees about the alleged existence of a gang that kills motorists who flash headlights at its new members.
Jeoffrey Escala, Senior Manager of the Human Resources Department of Celestica manufacturing firm, affirmed that indeed, he issued the October 8, 2007 memorandum for all of its employees regarding the alleged existence of “Bloods” gang.
“I affirm that the e-mail that is circulating now is the one I issued last October 8. It is supposed to be an internal memorandum, not to be spread outside the company,” Escala told Manila Shimbun in Cebuano in a phone interview yesterday afternoon.
Manila Shimbun received a copy of said e-mail on Sunday, a day after the Philippine National Police (PNP) downplayed the contents of the memorandum and dismissed it as mere “urban legend.”
The memorandum warns people not to flash their headlights to oncoming vehicles that have switched off headlights, otherwise they could be killed. It says that this is the task given to new members of the so-called “Bloods gang.”
Escala said he issued the memorandum after receiving an email about it last October 5 from a distant relative who is an ex-seminarian.
“After reading that e-mail and recounting some local news reports that are synonymous to what is written there, I thought it would be wise to share it with our employees, particularly our drivers, so they can also be forewarned and can take extra caution when driving,” Escala said.
He said it was never meant to alarm the reader of the memorandum, nor for it to be spread outside their company, which is based at the Mactan Economic Processing Zone in Lapu-lapu City.
Told that the police has already regarded the report as “patently false” and an “urban legend,” Escala said: “It’s possible. But based on my research, there were news reports about said incident in 1990, 1993, and 1998 in the US. And I found some credence in that email because my distant relative who forwarded it to me was an ex-seminarian.”
He acknowledged, though, that the origin of the e-mail is a locale of Pennsylvania in the United States.
But he maintained that the e-mail is relevant in Cebu, and maybe not in other cities in the country, because there were prior local news reports similar to that.
He cited the local newspaper, Freeman, which has reported about the alleged existence and violent activities of “Bloods” gang, “Crips” gang, and Akhro Fraternity. The reports, he said, came out on September 21, 29, and October 4, and called the incident as “drive-by shooting.”
Escala said he is now preparing to submit a reply to the PNP, which has asked for his statement regarding the issuance of the memorandum.
But he said they will no longer conduct an investigation to determine the employee who leaked the memorandum outside of the company. “Besides, he or she may have leaked that outside out of good faith because he also want to warn his or her relatives and loved ones,” Escala said./DMS
October 15, 2007
A company based in Cebu confirmed on Monday that it has issued a warning to its employees about the alleged existence of a gang that kills motorists who flash headlights at its new members.
Jeoffrey Escala, Senior Manager of the Human Resources Department of Celestica manufacturing firm, affirmed that indeed, he issued the October 8, 2007 memorandum for all of its employees regarding the alleged existence of “Bloods” gang.
“I affirm that the e-mail that is circulating now is the one I issued last October 8. It is supposed to be an internal memorandum, not to be spread outside the company,” Escala told Manila Shimbun in Cebuano in a phone interview yesterday afternoon.
Manila Shimbun received a copy of said e-mail on Sunday, a day after the Philippine National Police (PNP) downplayed the contents of the memorandum and dismissed it as mere “urban legend.”
The memorandum warns people not to flash their headlights to oncoming vehicles that have switched off headlights, otherwise they could be killed. It says that this is the task given to new members of the so-called “Bloods gang.”
Escala said he issued the memorandum after receiving an email about it last October 5 from a distant relative who is an ex-seminarian.
“After reading that e-mail and recounting some local news reports that are synonymous to what is written there, I thought it would be wise to share it with our employees, particularly our drivers, so they can also be forewarned and can take extra caution when driving,” Escala said.
He said it was never meant to alarm the reader of the memorandum, nor for it to be spread outside their company, which is based at the Mactan Economic Processing Zone in Lapu-lapu City.
Told that the police has already regarded the report as “patently false” and an “urban legend,” Escala said: “It’s possible. But based on my research, there were news reports about said incident in 1990, 1993, and 1998 in the US. And I found some credence in that email because my distant relative who forwarded it to me was an ex-seminarian.”
He acknowledged, though, that the origin of the e-mail is a locale of Pennsylvania in the United States.
But he maintained that the e-mail is relevant in Cebu, and maybe not in other cities in the country, because there were prior local news reports similar to that.
He cited the local newspaper, Freeman, which has reported about the alleged existence and violent activities of “Bloods” gang, “Crips” gang, and Akhro Fraternity. The reports, he said, came out on September 21, 29, and October 4, and called the incident as “drive-by shooting.”
Escala said he is now preparing to submit a reply to the PNP, which has asked for his statement regarding the issuance of the memorandum.
But he said they will no longer conduct an investigation to determine the employee who leaked the memorandum outside of the company. “Besides, he or she may have leaked that outside out of good faith because he also want to warn his or her relatives and loved ones,” Escala said./DMS
RP and Australian Navies conduct maritime training in Cebu
By Ronron
October 15, 2007
Simultaneous with the RP-US military exercises in Luzon, Navy forces of the Philippines and Australia will also conduct starting Wednesday a four-day maritime training that is table-top in nature in Cebu, spokesmen of the Philippine Navy said Monday.
Philippine Navy Public Information Officer Marine Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan said the activity is called Lumbas 2007, the fifth since it started in 2003, which will be held from October 17 until the 20th.
“This year’s exercise edition will comprise off shore-based training and exchanges of defense expertise as well as a community outreach program organized by Naval Forces Central in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu,” Caculitan said in a statement.
He said the Staff Exercise and Command Post Exercise of the Philippine and Australian Navy forces will be aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational readiness, particularly in Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief Operations, and Maritime Security Operations from the tri-border areas of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
A community relation activity – repainting of school buildings in Lapu-lapu City – will also be conducted, said Naval Forces Central Information Officer Lt. Junior Grade Alex Garso.
Caculitan said the exercises will also give both forces the opportunity to tour each other’s decks, aside from an actual exchange of subject matters of expertise.
According to Garso, the Royal Australian Navy will bring in HMAS Parramatta on Wednesday for the activity, while the Philippines will use two patrol gunboats (BRP Juan Magluyan and BRP Apollo tiano), an auxiliary ship (BRP Mangyan), and another vessel he has yet to ascertain.
He said there will be around 200 Australian forces and about a hundred Filipino counterparts that will participate in the training exercise.
Garso assured that the exercise is allowed under Philippine laws despite the absence of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia because “there is no movement of troops at sea.”
“This is not a major exercise. This is just like even a goodwill visit of the Australian Navy in the Philippines. The joint maritime training activity is table-top in nature, to be held at a conference room by the shore,” he said.
On Monday, the RP-US Talon Vision exercise kicked off, to be followed Tuesday by the RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise. All activities, which will be participated by over 3,000 troops from both sides, will be formally opened today (Tuesday).
The exercise with the American troops is sanctioned by the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty./DMS
October 15, 2007
Simultaneous with the RP-US military exercises in Luzon, Navy forces of the Philippines and Australia will also conduct starting Wednesday a four-day maritime training that is table-top in nature in Cebu, spokesmen of the Philippine Navy said Monday.
Philippine Navy Public Information Officer Marine Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan said the activity is called Lumbas 2007, the fifth since it started in 2003, which will be held from October 17 until the 20th.
“This year’s exercise edition will comprise off shore-based training and exchanges of defense expertise as well as a community outreach program organized by Naval Forces Central in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu,” Caculitan said in a statement.
He said the Staff Exercise and Command Post Exercise of the Philippine and Australian Navy forces will be aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational readiness, particularly in Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief Operations, and Maritime Security Operations from the tri-border areas of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
A community relation activity – repainting of school buildings in Lapu-lapu City – will also be conducted, said Naval Forces Central Information Officer Lt. Junior Grade Alex Garso.
Caculitan said the exercises will also give both forces the opportunity to tour each other’s decks, aside from an actual exchange of subject matters of expertise.
According to Garso, the Royal Australian Navy will bring in HMAS Parramatta on Wednesday for the activity, while the Philippines will use two patrol gunboats (BRP Juan Magluyan and BRP Apollo tiano), an auxiliary ship (BRP Mangyan), and another vessel he has yet to ascertain.
He said there will be around 200 Australian forces and about a hundred Filipino counterparts that will participate in the training exercise.
Garso assured that the exercise is allowed under Philippine laws despite the absence of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia because “there is no movement of troops at sea.”
“This is not a major exercise. This is just like even a goodwill visit of the Australian Navy in the Philippines. The joint maritime training activity is table-top in nature, to be held at a conference room by the shore,” he said.
On Monday, the RP-US Talon Vision exercise kicked off, to be followed Tuesday by the RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise. All activities, which will be participated by over 3,000 troops from both sides, will be formally opened today (Tuesday).
The exercise with the American troops is sanctioned by the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty./DMS
Monday, October 15, 2007
RP leader condoles with Myanmar people for leader’s death
By Ronron
October 14, 2007
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sunday condoled with the family of Myanmar Prime Minister Soe Win and the people of his country over his death due to a long illness.
In a statement, Arroyo said “the Philippines is saddened to learn the death” of Win, and “the Government and people of the Philippines would like to convey deepest sympathies and condolences” to his family in this time of bereavement.
“Prime Minister Soe Win’s death comes during a most challenging time when Myanmar has to remain committed to the full implementation of its Roadmap to Democracy,” Arroyo said.
Myanmar has been under military rule for a few years now, and is facing pressure from the international community for the release of political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi.
“The Philippines hopes that despite Prime Minister Soe Win’s death, the Government of Myanmar seizes this opportunity to pursue its goals of national unity, reconciliation and democratization,” Arroyo said./DMS
October 14, 2007
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sunday condoled with the family of Myanmar Prime Minister Soe Win and the people of his country over his death due to a long illness.
In a statement, Arroyo said “the Philippines is saddened to learn the death” of Win, and “the Government and people of the Philippines would like to convey deepest sympathies and condolences” to his family in this time of bereavement.
“Prime Minister Soe Win’s death comes during a most challenging time when Myanmar has to remain committed to the full implementation of its Roadmap to Democracy,” Arroyo said.
Myanmar has been under military rule for a few years now, and is facing pressure from the international community for the release of political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi.
“The Philippines hopes that despite Prime Minister Soe Win’s death, the Government of Myanmar seizes this opportunity to pursue its goals of national unity, reconciliation and democratization,” Arroyo said./DMS
AFP winning war vs. NPA and ASG – Esperon
By Ronron
October 14, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. is claiming victory in the government’s drive against communist insurgency and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
In a chance interview last Friday, Esperon said the military has already reduced the strength of the New People’s Army from 7,300 in December 2006 to 6,200 in June of this year.
The military has also neutralized 72 ASG personalities in the first semester of 2007, bringing down to 380 the estimated strength of the terrorist group, which is based in Sulu and Basilan, he said.
“We are indeed winning. We are on track… and we will continue to win,” Esperon said.
He expressed confidence that the AFP will be able to comply with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to crush the insurgency movement by 2010 when she ends her term.
Translated into figures, Esperon said this means reducing the NPA strength to just about 3,500 by then.
“Once they hit 3,500, they will no longer be able to launch tactical offensives and they will become a police problem, peace and order problem,” he said.
Esperon boasted that the neutralization of 966 NPA personalities from January to June of this year was actually higher than the 500-per-semester target of the AFP.
He said that if they continue to meet their target on a yearly basis, then they will realize their goal of just having a 3,500-strong NPA by 2010. “We want to reduce them by 3,500 or half (of their strength in December 2006), or approximately 1,000 per year. If you go 1,000 in 2007; 1,000 in 2008; another thousand in 2009, and 500 by the middle of 2010, we will be hitting the target by decreasing them by one half or 3,500.”
Arroyo gave the order to make the NPA and other threat groups insignificant by 2010 in June last year. She followed it with the provision of P1 billion both for the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to boost their respective capabilities, and the consent for the PNP to actively engage the NPA.
The NPA has waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now./DMS
October 14, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. is claiming victory in the government’s drive against communist insurgency and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
In a chance interview last Friday, Esperon said the military has already reduced the strength of the New People’s Army from 7,300 in December 2006 to 6,200 in June of this year.
The military has also neutralized 72 ASG personalities in the first semester of 2007, bringing down to 380 the estimated strength of the terrorist group, which is based in Sulu and Basilan, he said.
“We are indeed winning. We are on track… and we will continue to win,” Esperon said.
He expressed confidence that the AFP will be able to comply with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to crush the insurgency movement by 2010 when she ends her term.
Translated into figures, Esperon said this means reducing the NPA strength to just about 3,500 by then.
“Once they hit 3,500, they will no longer be able to launch tactical offensives and they will become a police problem, peace and order problem,” he said.
Esperon boasted that the neutralization of 966 NPA personalities from January to June of this year was actually higher than the 500-per-semester target of the AFP.
He said that if they continue to meet their target on a yearly basis, then they will realize their goal of just having a 3,500-strong NPA by 2010. “We want to reduce them by 3,500 or half (of their strength in December 2006), or approximately 1,000 per year. If you go 1,000 in 2007; 1,000 in 2008; another thousand in 2009, and 500 by the middle of 2010, we will be hitting the target by decreasing them by one half or 3,500.”
Arroyo gave the order to make the NPA and other threat groups insignificant by 2010 in June last year. She followed it with the provision of P1 billion both for the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to boost their respective capabilities, and the consent for the PNP to actively engage the NPA.
The NPA has waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now./DMS
Police downplay text and e-mail warnings about “Bloods” gang existence
By Ronron
October 14, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is downplaying reports about the existence of a certain “Bloods” gang that is supposedly engaged in killing motorists who flash lights at them.
In a statement last Saturday, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said the reports are contained in text messages and e-mail messages that are being circulated in the country.
Pagdilao disclosed that the source of report is a purported October 8, 2007 memorandum of the management of a manufacturing firm based in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu for its employees. A copy of the supposed Memorandum, entitled: “STATE POLICE WARNING – WHEN DRIVING,” was emailed to Manila Shimbun on Saturday.
The supposed memo, which was written on what appears to be a company stationary, reads: “If you are driving after dark and see and oncoming car with no headlights on, DO NOT FLASH YOUR LIGHTS AT THEM! This is a common “Bloods” member “initiation game.”
The game supposedly tasks a new gang member to drive a car with the headlights off, and then to shoot to death an oncoming motorist who flashes his headlights to signal the new gang member to switch on his own headlights.
“Police departments across the nation are being warned. Their (Bloods gang members) intent is to have all the new bloods nationwide drive around on Friday and Saturday nights with their headlights off. In order to be accepted into the gang, they have to shoot and kill all individuals in the first auto that does a courtesy flash to warn them that their lights are off,” said the supposed memo, which also bore signatures of supposed company personnel from its Human Resources Department.
The memorandum ends with the following note: “Make sure you share this information with all the drivers in your family! Please forward this message to all your friends and family members to inform them about this initiation ritual. They are also known to drive with high beams on and will do the same as indicated above.”
A check yesterday by Manila Shimbun with the supposed issuing company, which is located at the Mactan Economic Zone in Lapu-lapu City, yielded negative feedback due to the absence of HR personnel who could competently answer the query.
While he admitted receiving the same e-mail information last Saturday afternoon, Lapu-lapu City Police director Supt. Louie Oppus said he has yet to verify the authenticity of said memorandum.
“I might call their security officers to ask on this, if they really issued this memorandum, and what was their basis for issuing such,” Oppus told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday afternoon.
But regardless of the authenticity of such warning or not, Oppus said the rumor should be taken positively by the people.
“There’s nothing wrong with that warning. Let us not be alarmed by that. Instead, let us just be extra-careful… I even appreciate the spread of this because we can forewarn the people,” Oppus said.
But without citing a basis, Pagdilao immediately called the supposed memorandum as “patently false,” noting that “a very similar hoax was circulated in the United States several years ago,” later dismissed to be an “urban legend.”/DMS
October 14, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is downplaying reports about the existence of a certain “Bloods” gang that is supposedly engaged in killing motorists who flash lights at them.
In a statement last Saturday, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said the reports are contained in text messages and e-mail messages that are being circulated in the country.
Pagdilao disclosed that the source of report is a purported October 8, 2007 memorandum of the management of a manufacturing firm based in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu for its employees. A copy of the supposed Memorandum, entitled: “STATE POLICE WARNING – WHEN DRIVING,” was emailed to Manila Shimbun on Saturday.
The supposed memo, which was written on what appears to be a company stationary, reads: “If you are driving after dark and see and oncoming car with no headlights on, DO NOT FLASH YOUR LIGHTS AT THEM! This is a common “Bloods” member “initiation game.”
The game supposedly tasks a new gang member to drive a car with the headlights off, and then to shoot to death an oncoming motorist who flashes his headlights to signal the new gang member to switch on his own headlights.
“Police departments across the nation are being warned. Their (Bloods gang members) intent is to have all the new bloods nationwide drive around on Friday and Saturday nights with their headlights off. In order to be accepted into the gang, they have to shoot and kill all individuals in the first auto that does a courtesy flash to warn them that their lights are off,” said the supposed memo, which also bore signatures of supposed company personnel from its Human Resources Department.
The memorandum ends with the following note: “Make sure you share this information with all the drivers in your family! Please forward this message to all your friends and family members to inform them about this initiation ritual. They are also known to drive with high beams on and will do the same as indicated above.”
A check yesterday by Manila Shimbun with the supposed issuing company, which is located at the Mactan Economic Zone in Lapu-lapu City, yielded negative feedback due to the absence of HR personnel who could competently answer the query.
While he admitted receiving the same e-mail information last Saturday afternoon, Lapu-lapu City Police director Supt. Louie Oppus said he has yet to verify the authenticity of said memorandum.
“I might call their security officers to ask on this, if they really issued this memorandum, and what was their basis for issuing such,” Oppus told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday afternoon.
But regardless of the authenticity of such warning or not, Oppus said the rumor should be taken positively by the people.
“There’s nothing wrong with that warning. Let us not be alarmed by that. Instead, let us just be extra-careful… I even appreciate the spread of this because we can forewarn the people,” Oppus said.
But without citing a basis, Pagdilao immediately called the supposed memorandum as “patently false,” noting that “a very similar hoax was circulated in the United States several years ago,” later dismissed to be an “urban legend.”/DMS
No need to revise MOA of Comelec and DND on military role during elections – Defense chief
By Ronron
October 14, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. does not see the need now to revise the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of his department and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) even as he admitted that insurgency is indeed a bigger problem during elections compared to local political rivalry.
“The MOA is basically sound,” Teodoro told Camp Aguinaldo reporters last Thursday in reaction to Comelec acting Chairman Resurreccion Borra’s statement that he is open to revisiting the agreement because of the insurgency threat in the countryside that heightens during election period.
The MOA was entered into in October 2006 upon the initiative of then Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr. to shield the military from allegations of being engaged in political activities, particularly similar to what happened in the 2004 polls wherein military officers were implicated in the alleged electoral fraud to favor President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over close rival oppositionist Fernando Poe, Jr.
Under the MOA, soldiers are no longer allowed to go near the polling centers and will only provide security but not actually bring ballot boxes when it is transported from the polling center to canvassing centers.
Because of the restrictions on the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Comelec deputized the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take the lead role as far as security is concerned during this year’s May 14 mid-term polls.
During last Wednesday’s command conference of the PNP and the Comelec for the October 29 village and youth elections, the PNP said there are more barangays that are under threat from insurgency as against those that are volatile due to intense political rivalry. Out of the more than 41,000 villages nationwide, the PNP said 10 percent are likely to be violent and disorderly due to insurgents, while only four percent will suffer the same fate due to political fued.
“Well, it is a natural target of the insurgency to take advantage of the local elections, with a potential of influencing the outcome of the elections. That’s an admitted fact,” Teodoro said in accord with the PNP’s assessment.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. echoed the same view. “To a large extent, I agree with that. They are armed groups, the New People’s Army are in the barangays and so they could really influence.”
Esperon said NPA members “are not exactly the people who would uphold the democratic way of life… and only want to impose totalitarian system of governance, so (they) are really a big threat to the barangay elections.”
But when asked if he would advocate for are more active role of the military in securing the elections given this condition, he said he is submitting to the policy of the Comelec.
Teodoro, for his part, would rather that the present MOA be explored first as far as its “flexibility” for the military to address perceived threats, than revise it.
“We are subject to the authority of the Comelec and I think, the MOA has enough flexibility or enough safeguards on the other hand to allow us to respond in case there is any threat or potential or actual violent incident, with proper coordination with the Comelec and the PNP,” the Defense Secretary said.
But he said that if the Comelec initiates a modification of the MOA because of “things (that) were not there at the time the MOA was signed or entered into,” “we will certainly comply with whatever the Comelec tells us to do.”
“After all, we’ll just be deputies of the Comelec. The bottom line here is, because the barangay elections are very important, then whatever actions we can take, whatever resources we have, if these are harnessed to the good or towards an honest, orderly and peaceful elections, then why not,” Esperon, for his part, said.
“We would gladly contribute that to the exercise,” he added./DMS
October 14, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. does not see the need now to revise the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of his department and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) even as he admitted that insurgency is indeed a bigger problem during elections compared to local political rivalry.
“The MOA is basically sound,” Teodoro told Camp Aguinaldo reporters last Thursday in reaction to Comelec acting Chairman Resurreccion Borra’s statement that he is open to revisiting the agreement because of the insurgency threat in the countryside that heightens during election period.
The MOA was entered into in October 2006 upon the initiative of then Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr. to shield the military from allegations of being engaged in political activities, particularly similar to what happened in the 2004 polls wherein military officers were implicated in the alleged electoral fraud to favor President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over close rival oppositionist Fernando Poe, Jr.
Under the MOA, soldiers are no longer allowed to go near the polling centers and will only provide security but not actually bring ballot boxes when it is transported from the polling center to canvassing centers.
Because of the restrictions on the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Comelec deputized the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take the lead role as far as security is concerned during this year’s May 14 mid-term polls.
During last Wednesday’s command conference of the PNP and the Comelec for the October 29 village and youth elections, the PNP said there are more barangays that are under threat from insurgency as against those that are volatile due to intense political rivalry. Out of the more than 41,000 villages nationwide, the PNP said 10 percent are likely to be violent and disorderly due to insurgents, while only four percent will suffer the same fate due to political fued.
“Well, it is a natural target of the insurgency to take advantage of the local elections, with a potential of influencing the outcome of the elections. That’s an admitted fact,” Teodoro said in accord with the PNP’s assessment.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. echoed the same view. “To a large extent, I agree with that. They are armed groups, the New People’s Army are in the barangays and so they could really influence.”
Esperon said NPA members “are not exactly the people who would uphold the democratic way of life… and only want to impose totalitarian system of governance, so (they) are really a big threat to the barangay elections.”
But when asked if he would advocate for are more active role of the military in securing the elections given this condition, he said he is submitting to the policy of the Comelec.
Teodoro, for his part, would rather that the present MOA be explored first as far as its “flexibility” for the military to address perceived threats, than revise it.
“We are subject to the authority of the Comelec and I think, the MOA has enough flexibility or enough safeguards on the other hand to allow us to respond in case there is any threat or potential or actual violent incident, with proper coordination with the Comelec and the PNP,” the Defense Secretary said.
But he said that if the Comelec initiates a modification of the MOA because of “things (that) were not there at the time the MOA was signed or entered into,” “we will certainly comply with whatever the Comelec tells us to do.”
“After all, we’ll just be deputies of the Comelec. The bottom line here is, because the barangay elections are very important, then whatever actions we can take, whatever resources we have, if these are harnessed to the good or towards an honest, orderly and peaceful elections, then why not,” Esperon, for his part, said.
“We would gladly contribute that to the exercise,” he added./DMS
RP-US military exercises kick off Monday
By Ronron
October 14, 2007
Over 3,000 forces from the United States and the Philippines will engage starting today (Monday) in different military exercises and humanitarian activities that will be held in various areas in Luzon to enhance the interoperability of both units.
Philippine Navy spokesman Marine Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan said Sunday that the Talon Vision exercise will first start today, while the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) will follow starting Tuesday. The exercises will end on October 31st.
“The objective of these is to enhance the interoperability of both forces in case time will come that they need to respond to a common humanitarian emergency, to help a place in distress which needs an inherent capability that they have already developed together,” Caculitan said in Filipino.
Caculitan said some 2,700 American participants will be coming from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan, while the Philippines will field in some 700 to 800 members of the Marine Corps, the Navy and the Air Force.
The US Embassy in Manila had earlier said in a statement that there will also be participating troops from the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, Task force 76 from Sasebo, Japan.
The American contingent will be coming aboard USS Juneau, USS Tortuga, and USS Essex ships, said Philipine Navy Ensign Rommel Rodriguez, the exercises public affairs officer.
The exercises will be held at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac; Clark Field in Pampanga; Subic in Zambales, and Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite.
Humanitarian activities, on the other hand, will be done in Laguna, aside from the exercise venues. These include medical and dental missions, and repair and cleaning of schools.
While the training and exercises will not be held in the terrorism-afflicted areas in the southern Philippines, Caculitan said the participants are expected to graduate as capable in fighting terrorism.
“The smaller tactics involved that will be trained have the anti-terror aspect, but it is not designed to respond to terrorism threat of our country in the south… The small tactics, techniques and procedures in fighting terrorism, yes. But it’s not in any way intended to respond to the threat in the southern Philippines,” Caculitan said.
One of the exercises he cited is the amphibious landing “where there would be ships that would be launching armored assault vehicles.”
“These are troops carrier from the ship, then assaulting a supposedly hostile beachhead. There will be aircrafts here too,” Caculitan said.
Asked what is the policy as regards the rest and recreation (R&R) of the American soldiers to avoid a repeat of the rape of a Filipino woman by a US Marine in November 2005 in Subic, Caculitan said: “That (R&R) is just in the sidelines. First and foremost, they are here to work, to conduct training exercise with their Filipino counterparts. If ever there will be any (R&R), that would be controlled on their part.”
Caculitan noted that in last year’s Talon Vision and PHIBLEX, everything went smooth.
Convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was a participant in the 2005 Talon Vision and PHIBLEX.
Talon Vision and PHIBLEX are annual military exercises between the Philippine and US military sanctioned by the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty./DMS
October 14, 2007
Over 3,000 forces from the United States and the Philippines will engage starting today (Monday) in different military exercises and humanitarian activities that will be held in various areas in Luzon to enhance the interoperability of both units.
Philippine Navy spokesman Marine Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan said Sunday that the Talon Vision exercise will first start today, while the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) will follow starting Tuesday. The exercises will end on October 31st.
“The objective of these is to enhance the interoperability of both forces in case time will come that they need to respond to a common humanitarian emergency, to help a place in distress which needs an inherent capability that they have already developed together,” Caculitan said in Filipino.
Caculitan said some 2,700 American participants will be coming from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa, Japan, while the Philippines will field in some 700 to 800 members of the Marine Corps, the Navy and the Air Force.
The US Embassy in Manila had earlier said in a statement that there will also be participating troops from the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, Task force 76 from Sasebo, Japan.
The American contingent will be coming aboard USS Juneau, USS Tortuga, and USS Essex ships, said Philipine Navy Ensign Rommel Rodriguez, the exercises public affairs officer.
The exercises will be held at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac; Clark Field in Pampanga; Subic in Zambales, and Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite.
Humanitarian activities, on the other hand, will be done in Laguna, aside from the exercise venues. These include medical and dental missions, and repair and cleaning of schools.
While the training and exercises will not be held in the terrorism-afflicted areas in the southern Philippines, Caculitan said the participants are expected to graduate as capable in fighting terrorism.
“The smaller tactics involved that will be trained have the anti-terror aspect, but it is not designed to respond to terrorism threat of our country in the south… The small tactics, techniques and procedures in fighting terrorism, yes. But it’s not in any way intended to respond to the threat in the southern Philippines,” Caculitan said.
One of the exercises he cited is the amphibious landing “where there would be ships that would be launching armored assault vehicles.”
“These are troops carrier from the ship, then assaulting a supposedly hostile beachhead. There will be aircrafts here too,” Caculitan said.
Asked what is the policy as regards the rest and recreation (R&R) of the American soldiers to avoid a repeat of the rape of a Filipino woman by a US Marine in November 2005 in Subic, Caculitan said: “That (R&R) is just in the sidelines. First and foremost, they are here to work, to conduct training exercise with their Filipino counterparts. If ever there will be any (R&R), that would be controlled on their part.”
Caculitan noted that in last year’s Talon Vision and PHIBLEX, everything went smooth.
Convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was a participant in the 2005 Talon Vision and PHIBLEX.
Talon Vision and PHIBLEX are annual military exercises between the Philippine and US military sanctioned by the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty./DMS
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