By Ronron
December 7, 2007
Four government troopers were wounded in an ambush allegedly staged by the New People’s Army (NPA) on Friday afternoon in Laguna province, a police official said.
According to Sr. Supt. Charles Calima, chief of the Region IV-A Operations and Plan Division, the incident happened at around 2:15 pm in Sitio Kamagong. Barangay Cueva in Sta. Maria town of said province.
Calima said initial reports indicate that one squad of the Philippine Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion were aboard a M35 truck, plying the Marcos Highway, when attacked by more or less 30 communist rebels.
The incident left four soldiers injured and an undetermined others from the side of the NPA.
A pursuit operation was immediately conducted against the perpetrators by elements of the 16th IB, adjacent municipal police stations and the provincial police mobile group.
Calima said checkpoints were conducted in the neighboring towns of Sta. Maria, while all Army units in the province were alerted.
The 6,300-NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside in the last 38 years.
The Arroyo government vowed to crush the movement by the end of its term in 2010./DMS
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Faeldon, two missing others can’t hide forever, says AFP
By Ronron
December 7, 2007
The military expressed confidence Friday that it will soon catch fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon and the two other unaccounted for former soldiers who escaped after participating in the November 29 uprising in Makati City led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.
Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told Defense reporters that the three can run temporarily “but they can’t hide forever,” referring to Faeldon, and former soldiers Elmer Colon and Sonny Madarang.
“Time will come that the long arms of the law will catch them,” he said. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies are exerting efforts for the arrest of Faeldon and of course, the arrest of the two others.”
But he said the three can always avail of the “best option,” which is “to come in voluntarily.”
For the moment, Bacarro said the military has “leads” about the whereabouts of Faeldon but being operational data, he could not disclose it to media. The government last Saturday has put up a P1 million bounty for Bacarro’s re-arrest.
“Literally, we can say that his (Faeldon’s) world is getting smaller because as I said, we have efforts together with the Philippine National Police,” he said.
He warned people who may be coddling Faeldon that “to aid a fugitive,” they could be slapped with sanctions or criminal liabilities.
But Bacarro is confident that Faeldon is not enjoying any support at least from the military for now, as shown by the turnout of those who participated in the November 29 incident.
“Even those or majority of those were involved in the Oakwood incident who have jointed the mainstream, they have become very discerning. Most of them did not allow themselves to be used, and this can be manifested by the number of individuals who were part of the Oakwood incident who joined this recent adventurism, the one that happened in Manila Pen,” he said.
Bacarro said they are not discounting the possibility that Faeldon may be going through some disguises again to evade arrest.
It can be recalled that when he was recaptured in January 2006 after escaping in December 2005 in Makati City, Faeldon was said to be wearing a wig of a woman.
For now, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen.. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Feldon is still believed to be in the country.
He said he already urged the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to finish as soon as possible the Wanted Poster against Faeldon, Madarang and Colon so the citizenry can help the police locate them./DMS
December 7, 2007
The military expressed confidence Friday that it will soon catch fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon and the two other unaccounted for former soldiers who escaped after participating in the November 29 uprising in Makati City led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.
Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told Defense reporters that the three can run temporarily “but they can’t hide forever,” referring to Faeldon, and former soldiers Elmer Colon and Sonny Madarang.
“Time will come that the long arms of the law will catch them,” he said. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies are exerting efforts for the arrest of Faeldon and of course, the arrest of the two others.”
But he said the three can always avail of the “best option,” which is “to come in voluntarily.”
For the moment, Bacarro said the military has “leads” about the whereabouts of Faeldon but being operational data, he could not disclose it to media. The government last Saturday has put up a P1 million bounty for Bacarro’s re-arrest.
“Literally, we can say that his (Faeldon’s) world is getting smaller because as I said, we have efforts together with the Philippine National Police,” he said.
He warned people who may be coddling Faeldon that “to aid a fugitive,” they could be slapped with sanctions or criminal liabilities.
But Bacarro is confident that Faeldon is not enjoying any support at least from the military for now, as shown by the turnout of those who participated in the November 29 incident.
“Even those or majority of those were involved in the Oakwood incident who have jointed the mainstream, they have become very discerning. Most of them did not allow themselves to be used, and this can be manifested by the number of individuals who were part of the Oakwood incident who joined this recent adventurism, the one that happened in Manila Pen,” he said.
Bacarro said they are not discounting the possibility that Faeldon may be going through some disguises again to evade arrest.
It can be recalled that when he was recaptured in January 2006 after escaping in December 2005 in Makati City, Faeldon was said to be wearing a wig of a woman.
For now, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen.. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Feldon is still believed to be in the country.
He said he already urged the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to finish as soon as possible the Wanted Poster against Faeldon, Madarang and Colon so the citizenry can help the police locate them./DMS
AFP begins case build-up against soldiers who took part in Nov. 29 uprising
By Ronron
December 7, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is starting a case build-up against their personnel who took part in the November 29 uprising in Makati City.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told Defense reporters Friday that military lawyers are beginning to review video footage of the day-long incident that began with a walkout of the accused Magdalo officers at a Makati City court until their takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in the same city some two to three kilometers away.
“The official investigation will start once the PTI (pre-trial investigation) officer is designated. We can say that we are just in the preparatory stage – gathering materials, reviewing them,” Bacarro said.
He said they are deferring the start of formal investigations against the active servicemen who took part in the incident until the Philippine National Police (PNP) completes its investigation.
Bacarro said that among those he is sure to be investigated are the 11 active Magdalo officers who walked out of the courtroom of Judge Oscar Pimentel, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and Marine Private First Class Arvin Celestino.
Bacarro said these personnel may face charges in addition to their previous ones for possible violation of the Articles of War.
The 11 Magdalo officers, all of whom are now detained except Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, are facing coup d’ etat charges before Pimentel’s sala and various violations of the Articles of War before the General Court Martial (GCM) for their participation in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. They were recently charged before another Makati City court with rebellion in relation to the November 29 incident.
Lim, for his part, is undergoing court martial proceedings for his alleged participation in the alleged power grab plot in February 2006. He is also among those charged recently with rebellion for the November 29 incident.
Celestino, on the other hand, was among those punished for his participation in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. Now, he has been charged before the Department of Justice with rebellion for the November 29 incident also.
“For example, I committed breach of discipline. While I am being tried, and then I committed the same violation, my first case of course cannot prevent the military court to file another case against me,” Bacarro said.
“If warranted that there are violations on the provisions of the Articles of War,” then additional charges may be slapped against the mentioned personnel, he added.
Meanwihle, Bacarro refused to disclose which particular unit in the military is Celestino being kept now, except to say that the latter is under the custody of the AFP already.
The DOJ has ordered the transfer of Celestino to the AFP from the PNP after he was charged before the Department of Justice on Wednesday night.
He was alleged to be a part of the security team of the November 29 family who managed to escape together with Faeldon, and two former soldiers./DMS
December 7, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is starting a case build-up against their personnel who took part in the November 29 uprising in Makati City.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told Defense reporters Friday that military lawyers are beginning to review video footage of the day-long incident that began with a walkout of the accused Magdalo officers at a Makati City court until their takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in the same city some two to three kilometers away.
“The official investigation will start once the PTI (pre-trial investigation) officer is designated. We can say that we are just in the preparatory stage – gathering materials, reviewing them,” Bacarro said.
He said they are deferring the start of formal investigations against the active servicemen who took part in the incident until the Philippine National Police (PNP) completes its investigation.
Bacarro said that among those he is sure to be investigated are the 11 active Magdalo officers who walked out of the courtroom of Judge Oscar Pimentel, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and Marine Private First Class Arvin Celestino.
Bacarro said these personnel may face charges in addition to their previous ones for possible violation of the Articles of War.
The 11 Magdalo officers, all of whom are now detained except Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, are facing coup d’ etat charges before Pimentel’s sala and various violations of the Articles of War before the General Court Martial (GCM) for their participation in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. They were recently charged before another Makati City court with rebellion in relation to the November 29 incident.
Lim, for his part, is undergoing court martial proceedings for his alleged participation in the alleged power grab plot in February 2006. He is also among those charged recently with rebellion for the November 29 incident.
Celestino, on the other hand, was among those punished for his participation in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. Now, he has been charged before the Department of Justice with rebellion for the November 29 incident also.
“For example, I committed breach of discipline. While I am being tried, and then I committed the same violation, my first case of course cannot prevent the military court to file another case against me,” Bacarro said.
“If warranted that there are violations on the provisions of the Articles of War,” then additional charges may be slapped against the mentioned personnel, he added.
Meanwihle, Bacarro refused to disclose which particular unit in the military is Celestino being kept now, except to say that the latter is under the custody of the AFP already.
The DOJ has ordered the transfer of Celestino to the AFP from the PNP after he was charged before the Department of Justice on Wednesday night.
He was alleged to be a part of the security team of the November 29 family who managed to escape together with Faeldon, and two former soldiers./DMS
Friday, December 7, 2007
Army on alert for possible ASG retaliation because of conviction of 14 members for Dos Palmas kidnapping
By Ronron
December 6, 2007
The Philippine Army said Thursday it will be on alert for possible retaliation of Abu Sayyaf bandits at large because of the guilty verdict handed to their comrades involved in the Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001.
“We are always vigilant on such possibilities (retaliation),” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said hours after 14 Abu Sayyaf members were meted yesterday with 20 counts of life imprisonment and ordered to pay damages ranging from P50,000 to P300,000 by a local court for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.
Torres noted that four other accused were acquitted by the court and may get in touch with the remaining Abu Sayyaf rebels numbering to over 300.
Because of this, Torres appealed for “a collective effort amongst all of us” in thwarting “any terror attempt.”/DMS
December 6, 2007
The Philippine Army said Thursday it will be on alert for possible retaliation of Abu Sayyaf bandits at large because of the guilty verdict handed to their comrades involved in the Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001.
“We are always vigilant on such possibilities (retaliation),” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said hours after 14 Abu Sayyaf members were meted yesterday with 20 counts of life imprisonment and ordered to pay damages ranging from P50,000 to P300,000 by a local court for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.
Torres noted that four other accused were acquitted by the court and may get in touch with the remaining Abu Sayyaf rebels numbering to over 300.
Because of this, Torres appealed for “a collective effort amongst all of us” in thwarting “any terror attempt.”/DMS
Army denies torturing ranking communist leader Principe
By Ronron
December 6, 2007
The Philippine Army denied on Thursday the allegation of arrested ranking communist leader Elizabeth Principe that she was tortured by members of the Army’s Intelligence Service Group (ISG) while under their custody late last month.
Principe, 56, consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel, claimed in a December 3 statement that she was blindfolded, handcuffed, and for three days, her ears were inundated with sounds, since she was taken by military personnel on November 28 in Quezon City.
She also claimed that she was denied of her right to counsel.
“She’s not tortured. That’s (torture) the usual allegation of communist rebels arrested or captured so as to divert the attention of the public from the atrocities they had committed and the charges filed against them,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said yesterday.
Torres reiterated that Principe was arrested by virtue of several warrants for the crimes of rebellion, robbery, kidnapping, arson and murder.
He described her to be a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Torres said they are looking at Principe’s possible link with the “group that attempted to overthrow the government last November 29,” considering her presence in Metro Manila the day ahead.
But Principe denied any involvement in the November 29 standoff in Makati City, saying she was just lax “in taking security measures” in getting a medical check-up at the Fern Laboratory in Quezon City “in this time of militant movement for the ouster of the Arroyo regime.”
“I was not even aware of the efforts of the Trillanes-Lim group, but I am ridiculously being implicated in the events that occurred at the Manila Peninsula Hotel,” she said.
“It is a lie that my arrest stopped the big protest rally against the government last November 30. The revolutionary actions against the government by the conscious and organized masses continue everyday in different forms all over the country,” she added./DMS
December 6, 2007
The Philippine Army denied on Thursday the allegation of arrested ranking communist leader Elizabeth Principe that she was tortured by members of the Army’s Intelligence Service Group (ISG) while under their custody late last month.
Principe, 56, consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel, claimed in a December 3 statement that she was blindfolded, handcuffed, and for three days, her ears were inundated with sounds, since she was taken by military personnel on November 28 in Quezon City.
She also claimed that she was denied of her right to counsel.
“She’s not tortured. That’s (torture) the usual allegation of communist rebels arrested or captured so as to divert the attention of the public from the atrocities they had committed and the charges filed against them,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said yesterday.
Torres reiterated that Principe was arrested by virtue of several warrants for the crimes of rebellion, robbery, kidnapping, arson and murder.
He described her to be a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Torres said they are looking at Principe’s possible link with the “group that attempted to overthrow the government last November 29,” considering her presence in Metro Manila the day ahead.
But Principe denied any involvement in the November 29 standoff in Makati City, saying she was just lax “in taking security measures” in getting a medical check-up at the Fern Laboratory in Quezon City “in this time of militant movement for the ouster of the Arroyo regime.”
“I was not even aware of the efforts of the Trillanes-Lim group, but I am ridiculously being implicated in the events that occurred at the Manila Peninsula Hotel,” she said.
“It is a lie that my arrest stopped the big protest rally against the government last November 30. The revolutionary actions against the government by the conscious and organized masses continue everyday in different forms all over the country,” she added./DMS
Pilot dies in plane crash in Compostela Valley
By Ronron
December 6, 2007
A pilot died in a plane crash early Friday morning in a mountain village in Compostela Valley province, police said.
The victim was identified as Captain Mario Reyes, 38, a resident of Lanang, Davao City, who was flying a single-engine, one-seater Turbo Thrush aircraft, with registry number PRC-R2827.
Insp. Leopoldo Mantilla, deputy chief of police of Compostela town in Compostela Valley province, said in a phone interview that the accident happened at around 6:30 am yesterday in the mountainous area of Purok 2, Sitio Marbel, Barangay Mangayon in said town.
Mantilla said the ill-fated plane was supposed to spray chemicals over the banana plantation in said town that is owned by the Compostela Plantation, Inc. until it figured in the deadly mishap.
“The pilot was able to get in touch actually with their hangar prior to the accident. He reported that he was experiencing zero visibility due to thick fog,” Mantilla said.
Local residents then saw a wing of the plane hit the top of a Falcata (correct spelling unknown) tree, causing it to lose control and drop on the ground. Fortunately, it did not blow up or caught flame.
“The pilot died due to a severe head injury. He died on the spot,” Mantilla said.
Due to the remoteness of the place of accident, Reyes’s remains were only brought to the town proper at around 1pm, Mantilla said.
The wrecked plane, however, remains at the crash site.
Mantilla said the town was really foggy yesterday morning, more so at the crash site because of its elevation and the thick vegetation.
Mantilla said formal investigation will be conducted by the Air Transportation Office – Aviation Security Division investigators./DMS
December 6, 2007
A pilot died in a plane crash early Friday morning in a mountain village in Compostela Valley province, police said.
The victim was identified as Captain Mario Reyes, 38, a resident of Lanang, Davao City, who was flying a single-engine, one-seater Turbo Thrush aircraft, with registry number PRC-R2827.
Insp. Leopoldo Mantilla, deputy chief of police of Compostela town in Compostela Valley province, said in a phone interview that the accident happened at around 6:30 am yesterday in the mountainous area of Purok 2, Sitio Marbel, Barangay Mangayon in said town.
Mantilla said the ill-fated plane was supposed to spray chemicals over the banana plantation in said town that is owned by the Compostela Plantation, Inc. until it figured in the deadly mishap.
“The pilot was able to get in touch actually with their hangar prior to the accident. He reported that he was experiencing zero visibility due to thick fog,” Mantilla said.
Local residents then saw a wing of the plane hit the top of a Falcata (correct spelling unknown) tree, causing it to lose control and drop on the ground. Fortunately, it did not blow up or caught flame.
“The pilot died due to a severe head injury. He died on the spot,” Mantilla said.
Due to the remoteness of the place of accident, Reyes’s remains were only brought to the town proper at around 1pm, Mantilla said.
The wrecked plane, however, remains at the crash site.
Mantilla said the town was really foggy yesterday morning, more so at the crash site because of its elevation and the thick vegetation.
Mantilla said formal investigation will be conducted by the Air Transportation Office – Aviation Security Division investigators./DMS
Ex-Lanao Sur governor killed, 5 others hurt in early morning accident in Misamis Oriental
By Ronron
December 6, 2007
The ex-governor of Lanao del Sur died in an early morning vehicular accident yesterday (Thursday) in Misamis Oriental, a police official said.
Inspector Senador Morados, chief of police of Gitagum town in Misamis Oriental, said in a phone interview that five others, consisting of two companions of Ex-Governor Mahid Mutilan and three on a motorized pedicab, were also hurt and brought to two different hospitals in Cagayan de Oro City,
Morados said the accident happened at around 5:18 am along the national highway in Sitio Anibongan, Barangay Matangad in Gitagum as Mutilan was rushing to go to Cagayan de Oro City.
Morados said Mutilan, who came from Iligan City, was riding a Ford Ranger with a driver and another companion when the accident happened.
“The Ford Ranger was on full speed and was attempting to overtake a motorized pedicab. Unfortunately, it sideswiped the rear of the motorized pedicab, causing Mutilan’s driver to lose control of the vehicle until it rammed on a coconut tree on the right side of the road,” Morados said in the Cebuano dialect.
“Due to the strong impact, the governor, who was seated beside the driver, was fatally wounded,” he added.
Morados said the driver and two passengers on the motorized pedicab were also hurt after they were thrown out on the ground.
Morados said Mutilan and his two companions were rushed to Cagayan de Oro City Medical Center by their companions on convoy with them, while those on the pedicab were brought to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, also in Cagayan de Oro City, by the municipal ambulance.
Mutilan, however, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. According to Morados, Cagayan de Oro City is about an hour-long drive away from Gitagum./DMS
December 6, 2007
The ex-governor of Lanao del Sur died in an early morning vehicular accident yesterday (Thursday) in Misamis Oriental, a police official said.
Inspector Senador Morados, chief of police of Gitagum town in Misamis Oriental, said in a phone interview that five others, consisting of two companions of Ex-Governor Mahid Mutilan and three on a motorized pedicab, were also hurt and brought to two different hospitals in Cagayan de Oro City,
Morados said the accident happened at around 5:18 am along the national highway in Sitio Anibongan, Barangay Matangad in Gitagum as Mutilan was rushing to go to Cagayan de Oro City.
Morados said Mutilan, who came from Iligan City, was riding a Ford Ranger with a driver and another companion when the accident happened.
“The Ford Ranger was on full speed and was attempting to overtake a motorized pedicab. Unfortunately, it sideswiped the rear of the motorized pedicab, causing Mutilan’s driver to lose control of the vehicle until it rammed on a coconut tree on the right side of the road,” Morados said in the Cebuano dialect.
“Due to the strong impact, the governor, who was seated beside the driver, was fatally wounded,” he added.
Morados said the driver and two passengers on the motorized pedicab were also hurt after they were thrown out on the ground.
Morados said Mutilan and his two companions were rushed to Cagayan de Oro City Medical Center by their companions on convoy with them, while those on the pedicab were brought to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, also in Cagayan de Oro City, by the municipal ambulance.
Mutilan, however, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. According to Morados, Cagayan de Oro City is about an hour-long drive away from Gitagum./DMS
Government defers legal move to transfer Trillanes, et. al. to Bilibid
By Ronron
December 6, 2007
The government is deferring its legal move to seek the transfer of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other members of the so-called “November 29 family” from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City to the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.
State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco told reporters in Camp Crame Thursday afternoon that they are withholding the filing of a motion before the Makati City Regional Trial Court for the change in detention cell of the accused out of judicial courtesy to the court.
Velasco had earlier said that they will file said motion on Wednesday upon the initiative of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the PNP.
But it did materialize as they awaited the raffling of the complaint for rebellion, which happened early Thursday afternoon. The case, which covers Trillanes, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Bishop Julio Labayan, and 32 others, was assigned to Makati City RTC Branch 150 presided by Judge Elmo Alameda.
“We are giving the court an elbow room so it can study better the case… We will defer our action to file the motion for transfer out of judicial courtesy,” Velasco said.
“We will wait for the result of the judicial determination of a probable cause, if the court will issue an arrest warrant for the accused or call for a preliminary investigation,” he added.
Velasco said that under the law, the court has 10 days to resolve a complaint upon receipt.
The government had said that it opts to detain the 36 of the at least 52 accused inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) for security and economic reasons, although it assures that they are still presumed innocent even if the NBP is a facility for convicted criminals mostly serving life sentences.
Trillanes and others were charged with rebellion for calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo while holed up at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City with armed elements last November 29./DMS
December 6, 2007
The government is deferring its legal move to seek the transfer of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other members of the so-called “November 29 family” from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City to the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.
State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco told reporters in Camp Crame Thursday afternoon that they are withholding the filing of a motion before the Makati City Regional Trial Court for the change in detention cell of the accused out of judicial courtesy to the court.
Velasco had earlier said that they will file said motion on Wednesday upon the initiative of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the PNP.
But it did materialize as they awaited the raffling of the complaint for rebellion, which happened early Thursday afternoon. The case, which covers Trillanes, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Bishop Julio Labayan, and 32 others, was assigned to Makati City RTC Branch 150 presided by Judge Elmo Alameda.
“We are giving the court an elbow room so it can study better the case… We will defer our action to file the motion for transfer out of judicial courtesy,” Velasco said.
“We will wait for the result of the judicial determination of a probable cause, if the court will issue an arrest warrant for the accused or call for a preliminary investigation,” he added.
Velasco said that under the law, the court has 10 days to resolve a complaint upon receipt.
The government had said that it opts to detain the 36 of the at least 52 accused inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) for security and economic reasons, although it assures that they are still presumed innocent even if the NBP is a facility for convicted criminals mostly serving life sentences.
Trillanes and others were charged with rebellion for calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo while holed up at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City with armed elements last November 29./DMS
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Air Force remains hopeful to recover missing jet and two pilots alive
By Ronron
December 5, 2007
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) remains hopeful that their two pilots who went missing with an AS-211 jet last November 26 in Palawan are still alive.
This, even as there are still no confirmed reports of sightings of Captains Gabino Mercado, Jr. and Bonifacio Soriano III, as well as their jet since the incident happened.
“There has been no positive sighting, both of the pilots and the aircraft. But we are hoping against hope. We remain positive,” PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Epifanio Panzo, Jr. told Defense reporters Wednesday in a phone interview.
“We are not losing hope that we will be able to see them alive,” he added.
Panzo said Navy and Air Force stations in the Spratly’s continue to locate the missing jet aircraft as of yesterday.
“The search is still ongoing and Air Force officials and local authorities in Palawan keep in touch with PAF headquarters for the latest developments,” Panzo said in a statement.
The AS-211 was one of two aircrafts that left Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in the morning of November 26 to help in the search operations for missing Filipino fishermen off Palawan.
It was last contacted by its buddy aircraft two hours after the takeoff, or shortly before 10:30 am, approximately 15 nautical miles south east of Pag-asa Island.
The buddy aircraft returned base past 11 am without the other. When it still failed to return at around 12:45 pm, it was already declared missing because of the fact that an AS-211 can only fly for a maximum of four hours.
The incident happened at the time when the country was experiencing severe weather disturbances brought about by tropical cyclones “Mina” and “Lando.”/DMS
December 5, 2007
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) remains hopeful that their two pilots who went missing with an AS-211 jet last November 26 in Palawan are still alive.
This, even as there are still no confirmed reports of sightings of Captains Gabino Mercado, Jr. and Bonifacio Soriano III, as well as their jet since the incident happened.
“There has been no positive sighting, both of the pilots and the aircraft. But we are hoping against hope. We remain positive,” PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Epifanio Panzo, Jr. told Defense reporters Wednesday in a phone interview.
“We are not losing hope that we will be able to see them alive,” he added.
Panzo said Navy and Air Force stations in the Spratly’s continue to locate the missing jet aircraft as of yesterday.
“The search is still ongoing and Air Force officials and local authorities in Palawan keep in touch with PAF headquarters for the latest developments,” Panzo said in a statement.
The AS-211 was one of two aircrafts that left Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in the morning of November 26 to help in the search operations for missing Filipino fishermen off Palawan.
It was last contacted by its buddy aircraft two hours after the takeoff, or shortly before 10:30 am, approximately 15 nautical miles south east of Pag-asa Island.
The buddy aircraft returned base past 11 am without the other. When it still failed to return at around 12:45 pm, it was already declared missing because of the fact that an AS-211 can only fly for a maximum of four hours.
The incident happened at the time when the country was experiencing severe weather disturbances brought about by tropical cyclones “Mina” and “Lando.”/DMS
P1.2 million worth of pyrotechnics seized at Manila port
By Ronron
December 5, 2007
Authorities seized on Wednesday at a port in Manila City several pieces of pyrotechnics worth about P1.2 million that was about to be shipped to the Visayas region without proper permits.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Lt. Commander Armand Balilo said the goods were found in a container van at the Sulpicio Lines port at Pier 16 in Manila North Harbor.
The 20-footer container van was supposed to be shipped to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental province on board MV Princess of the Carribean of Sulpicio Lines, which was scheduled to leave Wednesday noon.
Balilo said a tip received by the PCG in the afternoon of Tuesday about the said shipment led to the discovery of the pyrotechnics.
He said the information received was that the said container van contained firecrackers and fireworks, contrary to what was declared as various goods.
With a representative of the shipper, the PCG, Bureau of Customs and the Maritime Police opened the van at around 12 noon yesterday. Inside the van were 400 boxes that contained the pyrotechnics, Balilo said.
“Definitely, this is a case of misdeclared goods. But we leave it to the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police to push the liabilities of the owner,” Balilo said.
The items were traced to Golden Hills Trading-Manila as its shipper, while the consignee was identified as Chela Babor of Orange Internet Café in Dumaguete City.
Balilo said shippers of pyrotechnics must secure a “permit of dangerous cargoes” from the PCG and the Maritime Police if transported to other places.
He issued the reminder as the circulation of pyrotechnics all over the Philippines is expected to rise during this Christmas season./DMS
December 5, 2007
Authorities seized on Wednesday at a port in Manila City several pieces of pyrotechnics worth about P1.2 million that was about to be shipped to the Visayas region without proper permits.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Lt. Commander Armand Balilo said the goods were found in a container van at the Sulpicio Lines port at Pier 16 in Manila North Harbor.
The 20-footer container van was supposed to be shipped to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental province on board MV Princess of the Carribean of Sulpicio Lines, which was scheduled to leave Wednesday noon.
Balilo said a tip received by the PCG in the afternoon of Tuesday about the said shipment led to the discovery of the pyrotechnics.
He said the information received was that the said container van contained firecrackers and fireworks, contrary to what was declared as various goods.
With a representative of the shipper, the PCG, Bureau of Customs and the Maritime Police opened the van at around 12 noon yesterday. Inside the van were 400 boxes that contained the pyrotechnics, Balilo said.
“Definitely, this is a case of misdeclared goods. But we leave it to the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police to push the liabilities of the owner,” Balilo said.
The items were traced to Golden Hills Trading-Manila as its shipper, while the consignee was identified as Chela Babor of Orange Internet Café in Dumaguete City.
Balilo said shippers of pyrotechnics must secure a “permit of dangerous cargoes” from the PCG and the Maritime Police if transported to other places.
He issued the reminder as the circulation of pyrotechnics all over the Philippines is expected to rise during this Christmas season./DMS
Magdalo soldier linked to Nov. 29 siege nabbed at airport
By Ronron
December 5, 2007
One of the four missing suspects in the November 29 alleged attempted coup plot in Makati City was nabbed before dawn Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City as he was about to leave for the United States.
Chief Supt. Atilano Morada,, chief of the police Aviation Security Group (ASG), said Private First Class Arvin Celestino of the Philippine Marine Corps was apprehended at around 4am yesterday while he was about to enter NAIA to board Northwest Airlines flight 072 at around 6:40 am.
Morada said Celestino, 36, was barred from leaving the country because he failed to show a travel authority required of government officials who go abroad.
But he admitted that ASG personnel were already alerted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS), Celestino’s mother unit, as early as Tuesday night about Celestino’s planned travel since he is also suspected to be involved in the November 29 incident in Makati City.
Police had earlier identified Celestino as among the four unaccounted for suspects in the alleged power grab plot last November 29. The three others are Marines Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, and former military men Elmer Colon and Sonny Madarang.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Celestino, who belongs to the 2nd Civil Relations Group of the AFP that is based in the Southern Luzon Command in Lucena City, Quezon, is still an active member of the military because his application for dependency discharge has yet to be acted upon.
Celestino was supposed to work in the United States as a lifeguard. He has US working visa that was issued on November 27, said Morada.
Bacarro said Celestino was among the more than 180 enlisted personnel who participated in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny in Makati City and later entered into a plea-bargaining agreement with the military prosecution in May 2005.
Morada said Celestino confirmed that he was slapped with a demotion in rank from Corporal to PFC due to his participation in the Oakwood Mutiny.
But the soldier did not say anything about his alleged involvement in the November 29 incident.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief for the National Capital Region (NCR) Sr. Supt. Asher Dolina said they cannot question Celestino yet because he had no lawyer yesterday when taken to Camp Crame from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo after his apprehension.
But based on initial investigation by the CIDG, it was learned that Celestino was among the security details of the so-called “November 29 family,” Dolina said.
Celestino was allegedly among those that ensured the escape of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other accused from the Makati City Hall building in the morning of November 29, Dolina said.
He would later join the group that secured Trillanes while marching from J. P. Rizal Avenue and Makati Avenue until they arrived at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.
At the hotel, Celestino allegedly secured both Trillanes and former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. by disguising himself as a member of the media, Dolina continued.
But he later escaped as the police begin to move in the hotel to quell the takeover.
Dolina said they were preparing to charge Celestino yesterday afternoon with rebellion before the Department of Justice (DOJ). The CIDG had earlier slapped 51 people with the same charge over the weekend, but only 36 were elevated before the Makati City court last Monday. The rest will still have to undergo preliminary investigation.
Bacarro said Celestino’s trip to the US indicates his guilt to the November 29 incident. “Based on jurisprudence, flight is an admission of guilt,” he said.
Asked if Celestino has knowledge about the whereabouts of Faeldon, Bacarro just said: “Well, that is the subject of the debriefing (at ISAFP). I will not be in a position to disclose the progress of the debriefing.”
On Celestino’s apparent continued defiance against the government even after the plea-bargaining agreement in May 2005, Bacarro said it could be a case of “blind loyalty” or just for monetary reasons.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. had earlier said that the document seized from the Manila Peninsula Hotel after the takeover showed there were allowances of P10,000 supposed to be allotted to every participant, as well as 10 sim cards. It is not yet established if indeed this was complied with./DMS
December 5, 2007
One of the four missing suspects in the November 29 alleged attempted coup plot in Makati City was nabbed before dawn Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City as he was about to leave for the United States.
Chief Supt. Atilano Morada,, chief of the police Aviation Security Group (ASG), said Private First Class Arvin Celestino of the Philippine Marine Corps was apprehended at around 4am yesterday while he was about to enter NAIA to board Northwest Airlines flight 072 at around 6:40 am.
Morada said Celestino, 36, was barred from leaving the country because he failed to show a travel authority required of government officials who go abroad.
But he admitted that ASG personnel were already alerted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS), Celestino’s mother unit, as early as Tuesday night about Celestino’s planned travel since he is also suspected to be involved in the November 29 incident in Makati City.
Police had earlier identified Celestino as among the four unaccounted for suspects in the alleged power grab plot last November 29. The three others are Marines Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, and former military men Elmer Colon and Sonny Madarang.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Celestino, who belongs to the 2nd Civil Relations Group of the AFP that is based in the Southern Luzon Command in Lucena City, Quezon, is still an active member of the military because his application for dependency discharge has yet to be acted upon.
Celestino was supposed to work in the United States as a lifeguard. He has US working visa that was issued on November 27, said Morada.
Bacarro said Celestino was among the more than 180 enlisted personnel who participated in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny in Makati City and later entered into a plea-bargaining agreement with the military prosecution in May 2005.
Morada said Celestino confirmed that he was slapped with a demotion in rank from Corporal to PFC due to his participation in the Oakwood Mutiny.
But the soldier did not say anything about his alleged involvement in the November 29 incident.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief for the National Capital Region (NCR) Sr. Supt. Asher Dolina said they cannot question Celestino yet because he had no lawyer yesterday when taken to Camp Crame from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo after his apprehension.
But based on initial investigation by the CIDG, it was learned that Celestino was among the security details of the so-called “November 29 family,” Dolina said.
Celestino was allegedly among those that ensured the escape of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other accused from the Makati City Hall building in the morning of November 29, Dolina said.
He would later join the group that secured Trillanes while marching from J. P. Rizal Avenue and Makati Avenue until they arrived at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.
At the hotel, Celestino allegedly secured both Trillanes and former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. by disguising himself as a member of the media, Dolina continued.
But he later escaped as the police begin to move in the hotel to quell the takeover.
Dolina said they were preparing to charge Celestino yesterday afternoon with rebellion before the Department of Justice (DOJ). The CIDG had earlier slapped 51 people with the same charge over the weekend, but only 36 were elevated before the Makati City court last Monday. The rest will still have to undergo preliminary investigation.
Bacarro said Celestino’s trip to the US indicates his guilt to the November 29 incident. “Based on jurisprudence, flight is an admission of guilt,” he said.
Asked if Celestino has knowledge about the whereabouts of Faeldon, Bacarro just said: “Well, that is the subject of the debriefing (at ISAFP). I will not be in a position to disclose the progress of the debriefing.”
On Celestino’s apparent continued defiance against the government even after the plea-bargaining agreement in May 2005, Bacarro said it could be a case of “blind loyalty” or just for monetary reasons.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. had earlier said that the document seized from the Manila Peninsula Hotel after the takeover showed there were allowances of P10,000 supposed to be allotted to every participant, as well as 10 sim cards. It is not yet established if indeed this was complied with./DMS
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Police probes communist link to Nov. 29 takeover of Manila Pen
By Ronron
December 4, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the possible involvement of the communist movement in last Thursday’s incident in Makati City where Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV called for the removal from power of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said they have received reports that one of the personalities arrested after quelling the standoff has “physical” links with the communist movement.
“We are verifying that,” Razon told a news conference yesterday afternoon in Camp Crame.
While Razon refused to name the said person, a police official who requested anonymity said it is Myrna Buendia who has alleged links with the communist movement.
The official said Buendia allegedly is a common-law wife of Jose Maria Sison, the founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Gabriela Party-list Rep. Liza Maza, who visited Buendia before noon yesterday along with the latter’s family at the PNP Custodial Center, said she has no information about Buendia’s relationship with Sison, if any.
But Maza said the 62-year-old detainee admitted to be a political activist and prisoner in the 70’s.
However, Buendia allegedly claimed she is innocent of the rebellion charges filed against her by police because it just so happens she was having coffee at the hotel during the incident.
“She was just a kibitzer, that’s what she said,” Maza said.
Maza said she visited Buendia upon the request of the latter’s family since she is the only woman, and aged at that, who remains in detention at the Custodial Center as of Tuesday.
On Monday evening, 14 of the 46 detained accused were released upon the orders of the Department of Justice. The 14 will undergo preliminary investigation, the DOJ said.
“If the lawyer suggests that we take her under my custody, then I’m willing to do that because she is a woman, and she is even old already and sickly,” Maza said of Buendia.
But Maza said that whether or not Buendia has personal relations with Sison, she believes the police is really out to link the CPP-NPA to the November 29 incident to justify all their “repressive actions,” like the mishandling off the media and the imposition of the curfew immediately after the incident.
Asked what could be the reason for the CPP-New People’s Army’s participation in the incident, Razon, for his part, said: “That is something we are looking into.”
But it can be remembered that in previous attempted coup incidents that happened during the Arroyo administration since 2001, authorities cited the alleged involvement of the Left, which, they said, will benefit from it if the legitimate government is toppled down./DMS
December 4, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the possible involvement of the communist movement in last Thursday’s incident in Makati City where Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV called for the removal from power of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said they have received reports that one of the personalities arrested after quelling the standoff has “physical” links with the communist movement.
“We are verifying that,” Razon told a news conference yesterday afternoon in Camp Crame.
While Razon refused to name the said person, a police official who requested anonymity said it is Myrna Buendia who has alleged links with the communist movement.
The official said Buendia allegedly is a common-law wife of Jose Maria Sison, the founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Gabriela Party-list Rep. Liza Maza, who visited Buendia before noon yesterday along with the latter’s family at the PNP Custodial Center, said she has no information about Buendia’s relationship with Sison, if any.
But Maza said the 62-year-old detainee admitted to be a political activist and prisoner in the 70’s.
However, Buendia allegedly claimed she is innocent of the rebellion charges filed against her by police because it just so happens she was having coffee at the hotel during the incident.
“She was just a kibitzer, that’s what she said,” Maza said.
Maza said she visited Buendia upon the request of the latter’s family since she is the only woman, and aged at that, who remains in detention at the Custodial Center as of Tuesday.
On Monday evening, 14 of the 46 detained accused were released upon the orders of the Department of Justice. The 14 will undergo preliminary investigation, the DOJ said.
“If the lawyer suggests that we take her under my custody, then I’m willing to do that because she is a woman, and she is even old already and sickly,” Maza said of Buendia.
But Maza said that whether or not Buendia has personal relations with Sison, she believes the police is really out to link the CPP-NPA to the November 29 incident to justify all their “repressive actions,” like the mishandling off the media and the imposition of the curfew immediately after the incident.
Asked what could be the reason for the CPP-New People’s Army’s participation in the incident, Razon, for his part, said: “That is something we are looking into.”
But it can be remembered that in previous attempted coup incidents that happened during the Arroyo administration since 2001, authorities cited the alleged involvement of the Left, which, they said, will benefit from it if the legitimate government is toppled down./DMS
Batasan blast suspect released from detention after posting bail
By Ronron
December 4, 2007
A suspect in the bombing last November 13 at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City was released from detention in Camp Crame, Quezon City last Monday night after posting bail.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) lawyer Virgilio Pablico said Hajarun Jamiri, the former mayor of Tuburan, Basilan, was released from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center past 6pm after posting bail in the amount of P80,000.
Pablico said the bail was for his case of illegal possession of firearm filed before a Manila City court, and not for the multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder cases in relation to the Batasan blast that killed five people, including Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, and injured more than 10 others.
“On his multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder case, the preliminary investigation (at the Department of Justice) is still ongoing. He is not yet cleared of that,” Pablico said.
Pablico said Jamiri is one of the three accused who said that the blast was actually an assassination plot against Akbar masterminded allegedly by former Basilan Rep. Gerry Salappudin, Anak Mindanao Party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman, and the latter’s brother, Jim Hataman.
The motive is allegedly politics, noting that Akbar’s wives have taken power in some localities in Basilan.
However, upon the release of Jamiri the other night, his lawyer, Eduardo Arriba, claimed that the former mayor was actually just pressured by police to name Salappudin and the two Hatamans as the main suspects.
Arriba said Jamiri “signed involuntarily” an affidavit prepared by the CIDG that named the Hatamans and Salappudin as masterminds.
“He was forced to sign the affidavit,” Arriba said.
Asked for more details on this and if Jamiri was tortured to do that, Arriba just said, however, to await the counter-affidavit that Jamiri will file before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in relation to the multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder cases.
Sought for his comment on the claim of Jamiri’s lawyer, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said: “He is changing his statements from time to time. At first, he agreed to sign his statement. And now, he is disowning it. But that is not true (that he was forced to sign a PNP-prepared statement) because anything that we have that is a result of duress will not be accepted eventually in court.”/DMS
December 4, 2007
A suspect in the bombing last November 13 at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City was released from detention in Camp Crame, Quezon City last Monday night after posting bail.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) lawyer Virgilio Pablico said Hajarun Jamiri, the former mayor of Tuburan, Basilan, was released from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center past 6pm after posting bail in the amount of P80,000.
Pablico said the bail was for his case of illegal possession of firearm filed before a Manila City court, and not for the multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder cases in relation to the Batasan blast that killed five people, including Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, and injured more than 10 others.
“On his multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder case, the preliminary investigation (at the Department of Justice) is still ongoing. He is not yet cleared of that,” Pablico said.
Pablico said Jamiri is one of the three accused who said that the blast was actually an assassination plot against Akbar masterminded allegedly by former Basilan Rep. Gerry Salappudin, Anak Mindanao Party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman, and the latter’s brother, Jim Hataman.
The motive is allegedly politics, noting that Akbar’s wives have taken power in some localities in Basilan.
However, upon the release of Jamiri the other night, his lawyer, Eduardo Arriba, claimed that the former mayor was actually just pressured by police to name Salappudin and the two Hatamans as the main suspects.
Arriba said Jamiri “signed involuntarily” an affidavit prepared by the CIDG that named the Hatamans and Salappudin as masterminds.
“He was forced to sign the affidavit,” Arriba said.
Asked for more details on this and if Jamiri was tortured to do that, Arriba just said, however, to await the counter-affidavit that Jamiri will file before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in relation to the multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder cases.
Sought for his comment on the claim of Jamiri’s lawyer, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said: “He is changing his statements from time to time. At first, he agreed to sign his statement. And now, he is disowning it. But that is not true (that he was forced to sign a PNP-prepared statement) because anything that we have that is a result of duress will not be accepted eventually in court.”/DMS
US envoy opposes Trillanes, et. al. Nov. 29 stunt
By Ronron
December 4, 2007
United States Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney openly stated her objection on Tuesday to the takeover of Senator Antonio Trillanes and his supporters last November 29 of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
Interviewed at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila City, Kenney said the US government will always be opposed to “extra-constitutional means to change government in the Philippines or anywhere else in the Philippines.”
“I think it’s always disturbing when you see people behaving in contrary to rule of law and Constitutional authority,” Kenney said.
“You hate to see people’s businesses ruined that the actions of a few small people could in fact endanger innocent civilians. That’s not a very good way to behave,” she added.
Kenney said that during the incident last Thursday, she spoke to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo several times, as well as Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., and national police chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., “all to tell them that we’re a strong ally and partner, we don’t support extra-Constitutional measures.”
“We want this country to move forward. We’ve had a great year economically, a year of leadership in the region in terms of your ASEAN Meetings, other meetings. These are things you want to focus on,” she said.
Kenney said it was fortunate that the standoff was resolved “safely, quickly and with great professionalism exhibited by the Philippine Police and the Philippine Armed Forces.”
“Fortunately, the hotel, a great hotel has opened again. I look forward to going there myself… I’m delighted that it’s over and we can go back to business as usual,” she said.
Asked for her thoughts on the way the media that covered the event was later handled by police, Kenney said: “That’s a difficult one for me to answer because it is hard to know exactly how to do that. It’s a tough balance between law and authority, making sure you arrest the right people, making sure you have people safe, and of course, the media’s desire to convey information.”
She said she is leaving it to the authorities to sort these things out.
Pressed for her views on the handcuffing of the journalists, the lady envoy said: “You know, I’m not a law enforcement authority so I just couldn7t speak to that in the slightest. Sorry, I don’t know what the appropriate techniques are.”
She said it was just fortunate that “there was no loss of life and the property that was destroyed by the selfish actions of a few has been restored.”
Kenney assured that the Philippines and the US will remain “friends for life” despite the what happened./DMS
December 4, 2007
United States Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney openly stated her objection on Tuesday to the takeover of Senator Antonio Trillanes and his supporters last November 29 of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
Interviewed at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila City, Kenney said the US government will always be opposed to “extra-constitutional means to change government in the Philippines or anywhere else in the Philippines.”
“I think it’s always disturbing when you see people behaving in contrary to rule of law and Constitutional authority,” Kenney said.
“You hate to see people’s businesses ruined that the actions of a few small people could in fact endanger innocent civilians. That’s not a very good way to behave,” she added.
Kenney said that during the incident last Thursday, she spoke to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo several times, as well as Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., and national police chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., “all to tell them that we’re a strong ally and partner, we don’t support extra-Constitutional measures.”
“We want this country to move forward. We’ve had a great year economically, a year of leadership in the region in terms of your ASEAN Meetings, other meetings. These are things you want to focus on,” she said.
Kenney said it was fortunate that the standoff was resolved “safely, quickly and with great professionalism exhibited by the Philippine Police and the Philippine Armed Forces.”
“Fortunately, the hotel, a great hotel has opened again. I look forward to going there myself… I’m delighted that it’s over and we can go back to business as usual,” she said.
Asked for her thoughts on the way the media that covered the event was later handled by police, Kenney said: “That’s a difficult one for me to answer because it is hard to know exactly how to do that. It’s a tough balance between law and authority, making sure you arrest the right people, making sure you have people safe, and of course, the media’s desire to convey information.”
She said she is leaving it to the authorities to sort these things out.
Pressed for her views on the handcuffing of the journalists, the lady envoy said: “You know, I’m not a law enforcement authority so I just couldn7t speak to that in the slightest. Sorry, I don’t know what the appropriate techniques are.”
She said it was just fortunate that “there was no loss of life and the property that was destroyed by the selfish actions of a few has been restored.”
Kenney assured that the Philippines and the US will remain “friends for life” despite the what happened./DMS
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
AFP conducts internal probe against security personnel for Lim, Trillanes, and other Magdalo soldiers
By Ronron
December 3, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has conducted an internal probe on its personnel assigned to secure Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and other Magdalo members during the Makati City court hearing last November 29.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Monday that the inquiry is being conducted by a board created at the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM).
“The purpose of this (inquiry) is to identify what are the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the National Capital Region Command in the execution of (the security), from the site, from the court until such time that the incident was over,” he told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
NCRCOM spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said in a phone interview that the initial finding of the board of inquiry is a lapse that resulted in the entry of a firearm inside the Makati City Hall building where the court is located.
Ferrer said a caliber 45 was found to be used by a supporter of Trillanes to point at the military security personnel while they were leaving the building premises. He said under the rules, there should be no firearm inside the building.
Ferrer said those investigated are more than 100 personnel from the Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Army.
“Definitely, those found responsible (for the lapses) will be punished… The minimum is reprimand, the maximum is dismissal from service,” Ferrer said.
“We are looking at possible violations or infractions of the Articles of War, so at this point in time, it’s too early to state what are their violations,” Bacarro said for his part.
Ferrer clarified, however, that the investigation was still ongoing as of Monday afternoon.
Bacarro said they are not discounting the possibility that the probe could later recommend for revised security arrangements for the accused Magdalo officers and the group of Lim at Tanay, Rizal.
But both Bacarro and Ferrer said that the security personnel have definitely not turned their loyalty to Trillanes and Lim, saying that they just claimed to have allowed Trillanes and Lim to march to “avoid collateral damage,” especially civilians.
Meanwhile, Bacarro announced that except for the NCRCOM, the AFP has already downgraded last Sunday noon its alert level from red to blue.
In fact, to prove that the situation has already normalized, Bacarro said AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. was pushing through with his trip to Malaysia late Monday./DMS
December 3, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has conducted an internal probe on its personnel assigned to secure Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and other Magdalo members during the Makati City court hearing last November 29.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said Monday that the inquiry is being conducted by a board created at the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM).
“The purpose of this (inquiry) is to identify what are the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the National Capital Region Command in the execution of (the security), from the site, from the court until such time that the incident was over,” he told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
NCRCOM spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said in a phone interview that the initial finding of the board of inquiry is a lapse that resulted in the entry of a firearm inside the Makati City Hall building where the court is located.
Ferrer said a caliber 45 was found to be used by a supporter of Trillanes to point at the military security personnel while they were leaving the building premises. He said under the rules, there should be no firearm inside the building.
Ferrer said those investigated are more than 100 personnel from the Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Army.
“Definitely, those found responsible (for the lapses) will be punished… The minimum is reprimand, the maximum is dismissal from service,” Ferrer said.
“We are looking at possible violations or infractions of the Articles of War, so at this point in time, it’s too early to state what are their violations,” Bacarro said for his part.
Ferrer clarified, however, that the investigation was still ongoing as of Monday afternoon.
Bacarro said they are not discounting the possibility that the probe could later recommend for revised security arrangements for the accused Magdalo officers and the group of Lim at Tanay, Rizal.
But both Bacarro and Ferrer said that the security personnel have definitely not turned their loyalty to Trillanes and Lim, saying that they just claimed to have allowed Trillanes and Lim to march to “avoid collateral damage,” especially civilians.
Meanwhile, Bacarro announced that except for the NCRCOM, the AFP has already downgraded last Sunday noon its alert level from red to blue.
In fact, to prove that the situation has already normalized, Bacarro said AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. was pushing through with his trip to Malaysia late Monday./DMS
Two communist leaders nabbed in Nueva Ecija
By Ronron
December 3, 2007
Two suspected local leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) were arrested last week in Nueva Ecija province, the spokesman of the Philippine Army said Monday.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said Emeterio Antalan and Edgardo Friginal were arrested last November 28 at around 4pm at Barangay Dimasalang Norte, Talavera town by joint elements of the Army’s 7th Infantry Divisoin and the Nueva Ecija police.
Torres said Antalan, who uses the aliases Ka Jigs and Ka Elgy, is the Secretary of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Committee of the CPP, while Friginal, who uses the aliases Ka Reynold and Ka Archie, is commanding officer of the Sentro de Grabidad of the same unit.
He said Antalan was arrested by the virtue of warrants issued against him for the crime of multiple murder, robbery and destructive arson, while Friginal was for the crime of murder, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Torres said the arresting team recovered from Antalan and Friginal “two carbine rifles, one M16 rifle, rebellion documents, laptop computer and four cellphones.”
Torres said the arrest of the two is separate from the arrest of Elizabeth Principe, a regular member of the CPP Central Committee and Secretary of the Cagayan Valley Regional Committee, on the same day in Cubao, Quezon City.
But he said that both incidents “are all in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ efforts to finally defeat the communist terrorists.”
The Arroyo government has vowed to crush the 38-year-old insurgency movement by 2010./DMS
December 3, 2007
Two suspected local leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) were arrested last week in Nueva Ecija province, the spokesman of the Philippine Army said Monday.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said Emeterio Antalan and Edgardo Friginal were arrested last November 28 at around 4pm at Barangay Dimasalang Norte, Talavera town by joint elements of the Army’s 7th Infantry Divisoin and the Nueva Ecija police.
Torres said Antalan, who uses the aliases Ka Jigs and Ka Elgy, is the Secretary of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Committee of the CPP, while Friginal, who uses the aliases Ka Reynold and Ka Archie, is commanding officer of the Sentro de Grabidad of the same unit.
He said Antalan was arrested by the virtue of warrants issued against him for the crime of multiple murder, robbery and destructive arson, while Friginal was for the crime of murder, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Torres said the arresting team recovered from Antalan and Friginal “two carbine rifles, one M16 rifle, rebellion documents, laptop computer and four cellphones.”
Torres said the arrest of the two is separate from the arrest of Elizabeth Principe, a regular member of the CPP Central Committee and Secretary of the Cagayan Valley Regional Committee, on the same day in Cubao, Quezon City.
But he said that both incidents “are all in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ efforts to finally defeat the communist terrorists.”
The Arroyo government has vowed to crush the 38-year-old insurgency movement by 2010./DMS
Trillanes to Senate: Reconsider complaint of Miriam
By Ronron
December 3, 2007
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is appealing to the Senate to reconsider the complaint of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago against him before the Senate Ethics Committee that could risk his seat in the Upper House of Congress.
Trillanes’ lawyer and chief of staff, Reynaldo Robles, said Monday that the Senators should find it enough already that Trillanes is facing additional charges before the civilian court because his action anyway last November 29 in Makati City had nothing to do with his job as a Senator.
Besides, Robles said, it was not the first time that a Senator had challenged the legitimacy of a government, citing, in particular, what Santiago did during the May 1, 2001 attempt to storm Malacañang and unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Senator Trillanes is just asking if the Senate could study deeper if a complaint against him at the Senate is really necessary because what he knows is this is not the first time that a Senator is involved in the same incident. Even Sen. Miriam was in the same situation during what we call now as EDSA III. Remember her Sugod Malakanyang (Attack Malacanang!) speech? ... In that incident, many people died, and there were properties damaged,” Robles said.
During the May 2001 incident, Santiago was still allied with deposed President Joseph Estrada. After Estrada’s arrest early that year following the filing of plunder charges against him, thousands of his supporters massed up at the EDSA-Ortigas intersection who later marched towards the direction of Malacañang.
Authorities then believed that the march of the unruly mass was triggered by the speeches of Santiago and other Estrada-allied politicians, prompting the filing of inciting to sedition charges against them. The case, however, did not prosper. Now, Santiago is already a known ally of Arroyo.
On Monday, Santiago filed a complaint against Trillanes for leading the takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City last November 29 and calling for the resignation of Arroyo.
Robles said Trillanes also appealed to Santiago, whom he places in high regard, to do away with name-calling. Robles said they read in some news article that Santiago called Trillanes as “pretending to be wise.”
“It doesn’t look good on Senators who resort to name-calling,” Robles quoted Trillanes to have said.
Meanwhile, Robles said Trillanes has asked the defense lawyers to work on the immediate release from detention of the civilians who were arrested together with them.
“His only request to us is for us to help the civilians that were arrested to be able to post bail because some of them are sick, and they are not used to staying in jail, unlike the Senator and Gen. Danilo Lim,” Robles said.
On Monday afternoon, the Department of Justice has approved the filing of rebellion charges against Trillanes, Lim, and 34 others, while their 15 other co-accused, who are all civilians, were ordered released for further investigation./DMS
December 3, 2007
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is appealing to the Senate to reconsider the complaint of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago against him before the Senate Ethics Committee that could risk his seat in the Upper House of Congress.
Trillanes’ lawyer and chief of staff, Reynaldo Robles, said Monday that the Senators should find it enough already that Trillanes is facing additional charges before the civilian court because his action anyway last November 29 in Makati City had nothing to do with his job as a Senator.
Besides, Robles said, it was not the first time that a Senator had challenged the legitimacy of a government, citing, in particular, what Santiago did during the May 1, 2001 attempt to storm Malacañang and unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Senator Trillanes is just asking if the Senate could study deeper if a complaint against him at the Senate is really necessary because what he knows is this is not the first time that a Senator is involved in the same incident. Even Sen. Miriam was in the same situation during what we call now as EDSA III. Remember her Sugod Malakanyang (Attack Malacanang!) speech? ... In that incident, many people died, and there were properties damaged,” Robles said.
During the May 2001 incident, Santiago was still allied with deposed President Joseph Estrada. After Estrada’s arrest early that year following the filing of plunder charges against him, thousands of his supporters massed up at the EDSA-Ortigas intersection who later marched towards the direction of Malacañang.
Authorities then believed that the march of the unruly mass was triggered by the speeches of Santiago and other Estrada-allied politicians, prompting the filing of inciting to sedition charges against them. The case, however, did not prosper. Now, Santiago is already a known ally of Arroyo.
On Monday, Santiago filed a complaint against Trillanes for leading the takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City last November 29 and calling for the resignation of Arroyo.
Robles said Trillanes also appealed to Santiago, whom he places in high regard, to do away with name-calling. Robles said they read in some news article that Santiago called Trillanes as “pretending to be wise.”
“It doesn’t look good on Senators who resort to name-calling,” Robles quoted Trillanes to have said.
Meanwhile, Robles said Trillanes has asked the defense lawyers to work on the immediate release from detention of the civilians who were arrested together with them.
“His only request to us is for us to help the civilians that were arrested to be able to post bail because some of them are sick, and they are not used to staying in jail, unlike the Senator and Gen. Danilo Lim,” Robles said.
On Monday afternoon, the Department of Justice has approved the filing of rebellion charges against Trillanes, Lim, and 34 others, while their 15 other co-accused, who are all civilians, were ordered released for further investigation./DMS
Sunday, December 2, 2007
GRP-MILF exploratory talks reset to December 15th
By Ronron
December 1, 2007
The exploratory talks of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Malaysia was reset to the middle of this month upon the request of the former.
Government chief negotiator Rodolfo Garcia told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview Saturday that they sought for more time from the original schedule of December 4th to be able to prepare a better proposal.
“Our legal team is still studying on some items. What we will be coming out is a good formation of text on ancestral domain. So, the better it is crafted before going to Malaysia, the better,” Garcia said.
He said that when the Malaysian moderators consulted both the government and MILF panels for the final resumption of the talks on December 4th, he asked for a resetting on December 15th.
“I think they agreed,” Garcia said when asked of the reaction of the MILF panel.
Sought for his comment, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said in a separate phone interview that they are not attaching any malice to the postponement of the talks.
“We have nothing against it because it is a privilege of the two parties to request for a postponement,” Iqbal said.
“We just hope that this will not further be delayed,” he added.
The two panels have long dwelled on the ancestral domain issue because of the disagreement on its coverage, particularly the number of villages.
Garcia had earlier said they hope to come up with a final peace agreement by August next year./DMS
December 1, 2007
The exploratory talks of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Malaysia was reset to the middle of this month upon the request of the former.
Government chief negotiator Rodolfo Garcia told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview Saturday that they sought for more time from the original schedule of December 4th to be able to prepare a better proposal.
“Our legal team is still studying on some items. What we will be coming out is a good formation of text on ancestral domain. So, the better it is crafted before going to Malaysia, the better,” Garcia said.
He said that when the Malaysian moderators consulted both the government and MILF panels for the final resumption of the talks on December 4th, he asked for a resetting on December 15th.
“I think they agreed,” Garcia said when asked of the reaction of the MILF panel.
Sought for his comment, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said in a separate phone interview that they are not attaching any malice to the postponement of the talks.
“We have nothing against it because it is a privilege of the two parties to request for a postponement,” Iqbal said.
“We just hope that this will not further be delayed,” he added.
The two panels have long dwelled on the ancestral domain issue because of the disagreement on its coverage, particularly the number of villages.
Garcia had earlier said they hope to come up with a final peace agreement by August next year./DMS
Ranking female communist leader arrested in Quezon City
By Ronron
December 1, 2007
A ranking female leader of the communist movement in the Philippines was arrested last Wednesday in Quezon City, authorities said Saturday.
The arrested rebel was identified by Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano as Elizabeth Principe, 56, a regular member of the Central Committee and Secretary of the Cagayan Valley Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Yano said Principe, who uses 15 aliases, was nabbed at around 12:30 pm last November 28 at the vicinity of Alimall along P. Tuazon St., in Cubao District by combined elements of the Philippine Army’s Intelligence and Security Group and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-National Capital Region.
Yano said the arrest was made by virtue of six arrest warrants issued against Principe by different courts in Region 2 for the crimes of rebellion (Isabela court), kidnapping with double murder (Isabela court), robbery with murder (Nueva Vizcaya courts), and robbery with arson (Nueva Vizcaya court).
But the CPP said in a statement yesterday that Principe is a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, thus she should be immune from arrest by Philippine authorities.
Quoting NDF chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni, CPP spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said Principe is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) that provides for the free and unhindered passage and travel of negotiators, consultants and other personnel of both peace panels and protects them from surveillance, harassment, searches, arrest, detention, prosecution, interrogation, and other similar action.
“Principe’s abduction is the latest in a string of abductions of peace consultants and personnel of the NDF being carried out by the fascist AFP. The Arroyo regime has once again exhibited outright contempt for human rights and wanton disregard for peace agreements,” Rosal said.
Maintaining legality, however, for the arrest of Principe, Yano described it as “a big blow to the communist terrorists that will further derail their terrorist plans.”
Principe is reportedly in Metro Manila to seek medical help.
Yano said Principe started her involvement with the CPP when she was still a student at the University of the Philippines in 1979. She went on to become one of the first cadres of the regional medical staff of the CPP’s first Regional Party Committee established in Northern Luzon, until she was elected as a regular member of the Central Committee in the 9th Plenum in 1985.
Principe was also married twice, both to two ranking leaders of the movement after the first died.
The Arroyo government has vowed to crush the insurgency movement, whose armed component is estimated to have a strength now of over 6,000, by 2010.
Peace talks between the government and the CPP bogged down in August 2004 after the latter protested over their tagging as a terrorist group by the US and European Union governments./DMS
December 1, 2007
A ranking female leader of the communist movement in the Philippines was arrested last Wednesday in Quezon City, authorities said Saturday.
The arrested rebel was identified by Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano as Elizabeth Principe, 56, a regular member of the Central Committee and Secretary of the Cagayan Valley Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Yano said Principe, who uses 15 aliases, was nabbed at around 12:30 pm last November 28 at the vicinity of Alimall along P. Tuazon St., in Cubao District by combined elements of the Philippine Army’s Intelligence and Security Group and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-National Capital Region.
Yano said the arrest was made by virtue of six arrest warrants issued against Principe by different courts in Region 2 for the crimes of rebellion (Isabela court), kidnapping with double murder (Isabela court), robbery with murder (Nueva Vizcaya courts), and robbery with arson (Nueva Vizcaya court).
But the CPP said in a statement yesterday that Principe is a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, thus she should be immune from arrest by Philippine authorities.
Quoting NDF chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni, CPP spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said Principe is covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) that provides for the free and unhindered passage and travel of negotiators, consultants and other personnel of both peace panels and protects them from surveillance, harassment, searches, arrest, detention, prosecution, interrogation, and other similar action.
“Principe’s abduction is the latest in a string of abductions of peace consultants and personnel of the NDF being carried out by the fascist AFP. The Arroyo regime has once again exhibited outright contempt for human rights and wanton disregard for peace agreements,” Rosal said.
Maintaining legality, however, for the arrest of Principe, Yano described it as “a big blow to the communist terrorists that will further derail their terrorist plans.”
Principe is reportedly in Metro Manila to seek medical help.
Yano said Principe started her involvement with the CPP when she was still a student at the University of the Philippines in 1979. She went on to become one of the first cadres of the regional medical staff of the CPP’s first Regional Party Committee established in Northern Luzon, until she was elected as a regular member of the Central Committee in the 9th Plenum in 1985.
Principe was also married twice, both to two ranking leaders of the movement after the first died.
The Arroyo government has vowed to crush the insurgency movement, whose armed component is estimated to have a strength now of over 6,000, by 2010.
Peace talks between the government and the CPP bogged down in August 2004 after the latter protested over their tagging as a terrorist group by the US and European Union governments./DMS
Trillanes destab plan was doomed to fail – PNP chief
By Ronron
December 1, 2007
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Saturday that the destabilization plot of the group led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim that materialized last Thursday was doomed to fail.
Razon said their follow up investigation on the November 29 takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City by Trillanes, Lim and other supporters was indeed planned, based on the document they got from one of the hotel rooms during clearing operations and other intelligence information.
Without citing details due to continuing operations, Razon said the D-Day for the destabilization move was supposed to be last Friday when several cause-oriented groups were scheduled to hold demonstrations to celebrate Bonifacio Day.
“What we know is it (march in Ayala Avenue,, Makati City) was supposed to be done on November 30. That is their original plan. Together with the protest actions of the different cause-oriented groups, the destabilizers will also take action,” Razon said in Filipino.
“But for some reasons, it seems it happened earlier. It was not in synch with the original plan,” he added.
But it can be assumed that Trillanes and Lim only have the chance to take part in the plan on November 29 because of the court hearing schedule in Makati City, where they were set to appear, the former as accused and the latter as a witness.
Trillanes is being tried along with 28 other Magdalo officers and two discharged soldiers at the Makati RTC Branch 148 for the crime of coup d’ etat over the Oakwood incident in July 2003.
Razon said they also learned that some urban poor residents from Tondo were being recruited to take part in the supposed plot in exchange for P200.
On the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Razon quoted AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. to have said that the accused coup plotters detained at an Army camp in Tanay, Rizal were also supposed to take part in the activity by carrying out a jailbreak.
Razon said he is referring to the group of Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, who are being charged before the General Court Martial for their alleged power grab plot in February 2006.
“Based on the intelligence that we got, one of the components or groups that was supposed to join is the group from Tanay who will escape,” he said.
As to the politicians and financiers, Razon said they are assuming there are but the investigation is still ongoing for them to get a clearer picture.
“The document we recovered showed where they will go, the support they are getting. So we are following up these leads and we are looking for these groups, other three groups that we feel we have not yet accounted for,” he said.
Based on the document, Razon said they surmise that those who went to Manila Peninsula Hotel last Thursday is just one of the four groups mentioned.
“These groups are composed of different personalities. We cannot say that they are just pure soldiers,” he said, contradicting the claim of Esperon on Friday that the other groups refer to military men who are associated with Trillanes, and possibly with Miranda.
But assuming that there are supporters indeed from the military, Razon said the plot of Trillanes and Lim are still unlikely to succeed because the forces they mustered is not that strong, as well as their commitment.
“What is evident here is they don’t have the support of the masses, of the citizenry because what Lt. Trillanes did is very damaging to our country,” Razon said.
He said that’s why, when they noticed last Thursday that the mass support is not yet present, the police and military “immediately swam into action and took a decisive action so it will not drag on and allow the mustering of support.”
Esperon said that had the plot succeeded, it would be Lim and Trillanes who will be among the leaders of a transitional government that they were allegedly proposing.
“We recovered documents proclaiming a new government… Lim and Trillanes are among the leaders… Certainly, they were working for the formation of a new government,” he said.
But Esperon said that is actually a “junta” scenario if the plot succeeded, that is why he took pride in the decisive action taken by the police that quelled the takeover./END
December 1, 2007
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said Saturday that the destabilization plot of the group led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim that materialized last Thursday was doomed to fail.
Razon said their follow up investigation on the November 29 takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City by Trillanes, Lim and other supporters was indeed planned, based on the document they got from one of the hotel rooms during clearing operations and other intelligence information.
Without citing details due to continuing operations, Razon said the D-Day for the destabilization move was supposed to be last Friday when several cause-oriented groups were scheduled to hold demonstrations to celebrate Bonifacio Day.
“What we know is it (march in Ayala Avenue,, Makati City) was supposed to be done on November 30. That is their original plan. Together with the protest actions of the different cause-oriented groups, the destabilizers will also take action,” Razon said in Filipino.
“But for some reasons, it seems it happened earlier. It was not in synch with the original plan,” he added.
But it can be assumed that Trillanes and Lim only have the chance to take part in the plan on November 29 because of the court hearing schedule in Makati City, where they were set to appear, the former as accused and the latter as a witness.
Trillanes is being tried along with 28 other Magdalo officers and two discharged soldiers at the Makati RTC Branch 148 for the crime of coup d’ etat over the Oakwood incident in July 2003.
Razon said they also learned that some urban poor residents from Tondo were being recruited to take part in the supposed plot in exchange for P200.
On the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Razon quoted AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. to have said that the accused coup plotters detained at an Army camp in Tanay, Rizal were also supposed to take part in the activity by carrying out a jailbreak.
Razon said he is referring to the group of Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, who are being charged before the General Court Martial for their alleged power grab plot in February 2006.
“Based on the intelligence that we got, one of the components or groups that was supposed to join is the group from Tanay who will escape,” he said.
As to the politicians and financiers, Razon said they are assuming there are but the investigation is still ongoing for them to get a clearer picture.
“The document we recovered showed where they will go, the support they are getting. So we are following up these leads and we are looking for these groups, other three groups that we feel we have not yet accounted for,” he said.
Based on the document, Razon said they surmise that those who went to Manila Peninsula Hotel last Thursday is just one of the four groups mentioned.
“These groups are composed of different personalities. We cannot say that they are just pure soldiers,” he said, contradicting the claim of Esperon on Friday that the other groups refer to military men who are associated with Trillanes, and possibly with Miranda.
But assuming that there are supporters indeed from the military, Razon said the plot of Trillanes and Lim are still unlikely to succeed because the forces they mustered is not that strong, as well as their commitment.
“What is evident here is they don’t have the support of the masses, of the citizenry because what Lt. Trillanes did is very damaging to our country,” Razon said.
He said that’s why, when they noticed last Thursday that the mass support is not yet present, the police and military “immediately swam into action and took a decisive action so it will not drag on and allow the mustering of support.”
Esperon said that had the plot succeeded, it would be Lim and Trillanes who will be among the leaders of a transitional government that they were allegedly proposing.
“We recovered documents proclaiming a new government… Lim and Trillanes are among the leaders… Certainly, they were working for the formation of a new government,” he said.
But Esperon said that is actually a “junta” scenario if the plot succeeded, that is why he took pride in the decisive action taken by the police that quelled the takeover./END
Trillanes, 50 others charged with rebellion before DOJ; P 1million reward up for Faeldon’s capture
By Ronron
December 1, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) late Friday night formally charged with rebellion and inciting to rebellion before state prosecutors 51 personalities seized from the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City last Thursday.
Those charged include Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., former University of the Philippines President Francisco Nemenzo, and Bishop Julio Labayen.
The inquest proceedings against the accused, most of whom are detained at the PNP Custodial Center inside Camp Crame in Quezon City, started past 10 pm and ended 1:05 am Saturday.
Lead by State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, the four-man inquest panel rushed the proceedings to beat the 36-hour reglamentary period for the accused, which lapsed at 7am yesterday (Saturday). Under Philippine laws, any detained accused has to be released 36 hours after his or her detention if no case is filed before the prosecutor’s office.
Among the 51 identified accused, only 48 were physically present at the inquest proceedings. Those not around were Guingona, who had earlier been released to his family due to old age and medical condition; Labayen, who was also released to the custody of another Bishop for the same reasons; and Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, who escaped from the Manila Peninsula Hotel.
The proceedings dragged on for about three hours because the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which was the complainant, failed to prepare the exact number of copies of the complaint sheet for all the accused.
And while it was later settled, a debate between the CIDG and the lawyers of the accused ensued, particularly on the issue of dismissing the charges against some accused.
Atty. Theodore Te, who represented several of the accused, sought the immediate dismissal of the case against four of his clients because while their names were on the charge sheet, those were not manifested in any of the affidavits of arrest prepared by the CIDG.
Te argued that being such, there is no basis for the complaint, moreso to the detention of the accused.
Atty. Rey Robles, another defense lawyer, sought the same action for all civilian-accused as he noted the lack of specific overt actions that qualify as rebellion in the affidavits of arrest.
This, Robles said, makes the charges baseless.
In an interview yesterday, Nemenzo supported this claim, saying that among the civilian-accused, only Guingona was mentioned to have done something relative to the alleged crime.
“This is a funny case because there are no specific acts of rebellion attributed to us. They only mentioned Vice President Guingona. And his only rebellious act was to propose a toast. So the criminal complaint filed by the (CIDG) is really very defective,” he said.
When asked of his participation, Nemenzo said he was just at the scene because he followed the accused Magdalo soldiers upon walking out from the courtroom in Makati City earlier on Thursday.
He said he is a frequent observer at the trial of the coup d’ etat case against the Magdalo soldiers at the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148, and was not aware of the walk-out that led to the public calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Peninsula Hotel.
Although, Nemenzo admitted he shares the sentiment of Lim and Trillanes. In fact, after what happened to them, he said they “will continue to campaign for the end of this illegitimate government and to struggle for social change.”
But Velasco told Te and Robles that he could no immediately act on the motions of the defense lawyers because the panel has to go through the document.
What Velasco granted though was the motion to release Nemenzo from detention based on the motion of Te, which cites Nemenzo’s old age, health condition, and the assurance of a congresswoman to place him under her custody while not in jail.
The police later granted the same privilege to accused Bibeth Orteza, who is a cancer patient.
This now leaves only 46 of the accused who remain detained at the PNP Custodial Center.
Velasco said the panel will try their best to come out with a resolution on or before Monday so as not to prolong the agony of the accused.
“We will determine if the crime of rebellion or inciting to rebellion really happened, and if ever it did, who are liable for this among those accused,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PNP announced yesterday the offer of P1 million for any person who could provide information that could lead to the arrest of Faeldon.
PNP Chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said he made the said recommendation and Arroyo approved it.
“We expect that the reward offer will encourage people in the community to provide us with information that will lead to the early arrest of persons involved,” Razon said.
Razon had described Faeldon to be harmful and dangerous while out of jail, citing his military background.
A core leader of the Magdalo Group, Faeldon was already able to do the same escape in December 2005, but he was arrested in late January of 2006.
Aside from Faeldon, Razon said they are also looking for three more persons who managed to escape last Thursday.
“The PNP is in constant coordination with the AFP authorities in efforts to account for all military personnel involved in the foiled uprising,” he said./DMS
December 1, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) late Friday night formally charged with rebellion and inciting to rebellion before state prosecutors 51 personalities seized from the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City last Thursday.
Those charged include Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., former University of the Philippines President Francisco Nemenzo, and Bishop Julio Labayen.
The inquest proceedings against the accused, most of whom are detained at the PNP Custodial Center inside Camp Crame in Quezon City, started past 10 pm and ended 1:05 am Saturday.
Lead by State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, the four-man inquest panel rushed the proceedings to beat the 36-hour reglamentary period for the accused, which lapsed at 7am yesterday (Saturday). Under Philippine laws, any detained accused has to be released 36 hours after his or her detention if no case is filed before the prosecutor’s office.
Among the 51 identified accused, only 48 were physically present at the inquest proceedings. Those not around were Guingona, who had earlier been released to his family due to old age and medical condition; Labayen, who was also released to the custody of another Bishop for the same reasons; and Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, who escaped from the Manila Peninsula Hotel.
The proceedings dragged on for about three hours because the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which was the complainant, failed to prepare the exact number of copies of the complaint sheet for all the accused.
And while it was later settled, a debate between the CIDG and the lawyers of the accused ensued, particularly on the issue of dismissing the charges against some accused.
Atty. Theodore Te, who represented several of the accused, sought the immediate dismissal of the case against four of his clients because while their names were on the charge sheet, those were not manifested in any of the affidavits of arrest prepared by the CIDG.
Te argued that being such, there is no basis for the complaint, moreso to the detention of the accused.
Atty. Rey Robles, another defense lawyer, sought the same action for all civilian-accused as he noted the lack of specific overt actions that qualify as rebellion in the affidavits of arrest.
This, Robles said, makes the charges baseless.
In an interview yesterday, Nemenzo supported this claim, saying that among the civilian-accused, only Guingona was mentioned to have done something relative to the alleged crime.
“This is a funny case because there are no specific acts of rebellion attributed to us. They only mentioned Vice President Guingona. And his only rebellious act was to propose a toast. So the criminal complaint filed by the (CIDG) is really very defective,” he said.
When asked of his participation, Nemenzo said he was just at the scene because he followed the accused Magdalo soldiers upon walking out from the courtroom in Makati City earlier on Thursday.
He said he is a frequent observer at the trial of the coup d’ etat case against the Magdalo soldiers at the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148, and was not aware of the walk-out that led to the public calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Peninsula Hotel.
Although, Nemenzo admitted he shares the sentiment of Lim and Trillanes. In fact, after what happened to them, he said they “will continue to campaign for the end of this illegitimate government and to struggle for social change.”
But Velasco told Te and Robles that he could no immediately act on the motions of the defense lawyers because the panel has to go through the document.
What Velasco granted though was the motion to release Nemenzo from detention based on the motion of Te, which cites Nemenzo’s old age, health condition, and the assurance of a congresswoman to place him under her custody while not in jail.
The police later granted the same privilege to accused Bibeth Orteza, who is a cancer patient.
This now leaves only 46 of the accused who remain detained at the PNP Custodial Center.
Velasco said the panel will try their best to come out with a resolution on or before Monday so as not to prolong the agony of the accused.
“We will determine if the crime of rebellion or inciting to rebellion really happened, and if ever it did, who are liable for this among those accused,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PNP announced yesterday the offer of P1 million for any person who could provide information that could lead to the arrest of Faeldon.
PNP Chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said he made the said recommendation and Arroyo approved it.
“We expect that the reward offer will encourage people in the community to provide us with information that will lead to the early arrest of persons involved,” Razon said.
Razon had described Faeldon to be harmful and dangerous while out of jail, citing his military background.
A core leader of the Magdalo Group, Faeldon was already able to do the same escape in December 2005, but he was arrested in late January of 2006.
Aside from Faeldon, Razon said they are also looking for three more persons who managed to escape last Thursday.
“The PNP is in constant coordination with the AFP authorities in efforts to account for all military personnel involved in the foiled uprising,” he said./DMS
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