By Ronron
December 21, 2007
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. are optimistic that the government will meet its self-imposed deadline of 2010 in putting an end to the insurgency problem.
In a speech during Friday’s celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 72nd anniversary, Esperon told the troops to seize the momentum that the military is now gaining in its campaign against the insurgency movement.
“Let me now issue to the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines a call to urgency… We must remember 2010. We must remember the marching order of the commander-in-chief,” Esperon said.
Esperon reported that from a high of 12,000 strength in 2002, the New People’s Army (NPA) has reduced to about 7,200 last year, and further to 6,000 this year.
The guerilla fronts of the movement have also went down from 107 in 2005 to 100 by the end of 2006, and further to 87 only as of yesterday, he said.
“At the rate we are seeing now, we foresee that more will be neutralized until we meet the 2010 deadline,” Esperon said.
The military chief called “on the people to join” the military in his call for urgency.
In her speech, Arroyo said she is “very happy to hear” Esperon’s report on the insurgents’ strength.
“At the rate we are going, I feel we are on track to put an end to the insurgency by 2010. Congratulations,” she said.
Arroyo had set the 2010 deadline in June last year, saying that the insurgency problem is discouraging potential investors in the countryside.
“It is time for their disruption and violation of human rights to be put to rest so that the nation can move ahead. They impede the progress and development of a number of rural areas. They are responsible for a wide range of human rights abuses,” she said yesterday.
“If we are to become a first world country, we have to put a stop to their ideological nonsense and their criminal acts once and for all,” she added.
Esperon said yesterday that said problem is causing a reduction by one to two percent of the gross national product every year.
“The success we are now enjoying indicates we now have a golden opportunity that we must not allow to pass. We must seize the opportunity,” he said.
He said he is confident the military will be able to achieve its goal even if he is already out of the service. Esperon will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 9, 2008, but talks are ripe that he may be extended by Arroyo since a chief of staff can also serve for three years./DMS
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Arroyo commends AFP’s efforts to address human rights issue
By Ronron
December 21, 2007
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is delighted with the efforts made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to address the human rights issue.
In her speech at the celebration Friday of the 72nd anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Arroyo noted that there have been “a very, very drastic reduction” of political killings this year compared to previous years.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG has reported that there are only five cases of political killings this year, which is included in its total list of 114 cases since 2001.
And none of these cases have implicated military or police personnel as suspects, the task force said.
“I am glad that you are also focusing on reforms with regard to human rights issue. We have followed the roadmap laid out by our Melo Commission. We have been meeting with success in the fight to put an end to the legacy of political violence in the Philippines,” Arroyo said.
“I congratulate the AFP for creating the AFP Human Rights Office. This office has not only increased the awareness of our soldiers on human rights and instructional humanitarian law. It has provided a responsive venue where the public-at-large can lodge their human rights concerns to the AFP,” she added.
The AFP has admitted that there are a few of its personnel who are involved in killings of political activists and media personalities but maintained that they are just a minority in the list.
These personnel also are already being investigated both by the military establishment and the civilian courts as well./DMS
December 21, 2007
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is delighted with the efforts made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to address the human rights issue.
In her speech at the celebration Friday of the 72nd anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Arroyo noted that there have been “a very, very drastic reduction” of political killings this year compared to previous years.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG has reported that there are only five cases of political killings this year, which is included in its total list of 114 cases since 2001.
And none of these cases have implicated military or police personnel as suspects, the task force said.
“I am glad that you are also focusing on reforms with regard to human rights issue. We have followed the roadmap laid out by our Melo Commission. We have been meeting with success in the fight to put an end to the legacy of political violence in the Philippines,” Arroyo said.
“I congratulate the AFP for creating the AFP Human Rights Office. This office has not only increased the awareness of our soldiers on human rights and instructional humanitarian law. It has provided a responsive venue where the public-at-large can lodge their human rights concerns to the AFP,” she added.
The AFP has admitted that there are a few of its personnel who are involved in killings of political activists and media personalities but maintained that they are just a minority in the list.
These personnel also are already being investigated both by the military establishment and the civilian courts as well./DMS
Arroyo thanks soldiers for loyalty to her
By Ronron
December 21, 2007
On the celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 72nd anniversary Friday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the soldiers for staying loyal to her last November 29 amidst calls by opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo for them to defect.
Arroyo said she believes 99 percent of the AFP’s strength consists of “the good, the exceptional, loyal in loving the country, and those who are willing to fight to protect the country day by day.”
“I would like to congratulate all our soldiers, in behalf of the Filipino people, and thank you for your honest service to the Philippine nation,” Arroyo said in a speech.
The President said what Trillanes, Lim and their companions did last November 29 revealed “just how out of touch they are with the hopes and dreams of the average Filipino.”
Calling the group of Trillanes and Lim as “few desperate men,” Arroyo said “their actions merely are fueled for selfish motives, for personal gain.”
“Filipinos want political stability, a bright economic future and social justice. The actions of those misguided men undermine each and every one of the genuine aspirations of real Filipinos,” she said.
“But in the end, because of you, together with the police and the citizenry, the rule of law prevailed,” she went on.
Arroyo said Trillanes and company will be punished according to law, saying that “the transgressors will not hold this nation hostage with impunity.”
“Justice shall be served and the interest of the people upheld,” she said.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., in a separate speech on the same occasion, called the group of Trillanes as no different from communist rebels who are “ready to sacrifice the common good just to quench their thirst for power.”
The chief executive said the people should not put to waste the “current surge of the economy,” which, she said, “has reached a new level of stability and maturity,” citing for example the seven percent growth rate.”
“If we have seven percent growth today, if we have a 12.7-billion (peso) surplus today, it’s in large part because of you , the men and women in uniform, are 100 percent behind the Constitution and our democracy,” she said.
Arroyo went on to encourage the soldiers to be “all true to our God, faithful to our values and loyal to our nation.”
She reminded them that her administration has not taken them for granted, particularly with their benefits and requirements on the field.
Arroyo mentioned the purchase and upgrade of Huey helicopters; upgrade of the V150 Light Armory Power System for the Marines; the acquisition of light-utility and night-attack helicopters; and, the purchase of squad automatic weapons, night-fighting systems, military trucks, and Harris radios, among others.
She said her administration also addressed the medical needs of soldiers through the Forward Field Medical Support System, and the upgrade of military hospitals like the Camp Aquino Station Hospital, the Cavite Naval Station Hospital, the Camp Capinpin Station Hospital, Trauma Hospital in Jolo, Sulu, Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Cotabato, Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City, and the Camp Bautista Station Hospital in Sulu.
“These are all for the soldiers, for their families and the surrounding community,” Arroyo said.
She also bragged about her order to raise the salary of the soldiers when she became President, and the raise of the combat pay incentive which is now P150 per day, of the subsistence allowance by P30 per day, and of the hazard pay by P120 per month.
“An essential part of building a modern nation in these trying times is to have a military as strong and modern as the nation it serves,” Arroyo said./DMS
December 21, 2007
On the celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 72nd anniversary Friday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the soldiers for staying loyal to her last November 29 amidst calls by opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo for them to defect.
Arroyo said she believes 99 percent of the AFP’s strength consists of “the good, the exceptional, loyal in loving the country, and those who are willing to fight to protect the country day by day.”
“I would like to congratulate all our soldiers, in behalf of the Filipino people, and thank you for your honest service to the Philippine nation,” Arroyo said in a speech.
The President said what Trillanes, Lim and their companions did last November 29 revealed “just how out of touch they are with the hopes and dreams of the average Filipino.”
Calling the group of Trillanes and Lim as “few desperate men,” Arroyo said “their actions merely are fueled for selfish motives, for personal gain.”
“Filipinos want political stability, a bright economic future and social justice. The actions of those misguided men undermine each and every one of the genuine aspirations of real Filipinos,” she said.
“But in the end, because of you, together with the police and the citizenry, the rule of law prevailed,” she went on.
Arroyo said Trillanes and company will be punished according to law, saying that “the transgressors will not hold this nation hostage with impunity.”
“Justice shall be served and the interest of the people upheld,” she said.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., in a separate speech on the same occasion, called the group of Trillanes as no different from communist rebels who are “ready to sacrifice the common good just to quench their thirst for power.”
The chief executive said the people should not put to waste the “current surge of the economy,” which, she said, “has reached a new level of stability and maturity,” citing for example the seven percent growth rate.”
“If we have seven percent growth today, if we have a 12.7-billion (peso) surplus today, it’s in large part because of you , the men and women in uniform, are 100 percent behind the Constitution and our democracy,” she said.
Arroyo went on to encourage the soldiers to be “all true to our God, faithful to our values and loyal to our nation.”
She reminded them that her administration has not taken them for granted, particularly with their benefits and requirements on the field.
Arroyo mentioned the purchase and upgrade of Huey helicopters; upgrade of the V150 Light Armory Power System for the Marines; the acquisition of light-utility and night-attack helicopters; and, the purchase of squad automatic weapons, night-fighting systems, military trucks, and Harris radios, among others.
She said her administration also addressed the medical needs of soldiers through the Forward Field Medical Support System, and the upgrade of military hospitals like the Camp Aquino Station Hospital, the Cavite Naval Station Hospital, the Camp Capinpin Station Hospital, Trauma Hospital in Jolo, Sulu, Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Cotabato, Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City, and the Camp Bautista Station Hospital in Sulu.
“These are all for the soldiers, for their families and the surrounding community,” Arroyo said.
She also bragged about her order to raise the salary of the soldiers when she became President, and the raise of the combat pay incentive which is now P150 per day, of the subsistence allowance by P30 per day, and of the hazard pay by P120 per month.
“An essential part of building a modern nation in these trying times is to have a military as strong and modern as the nation it serves,” Arroyo said./DMS
Esperon links Lacson to alleged Feb. ‘06 coup plot
By Ronron
December 21, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. on Friday linked opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson to the alleged power grab plot in February 2006 where rebel Army officer Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and former Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda figured in.
Esperon made the accusation against Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, in reaction to the latter’s statement that Esperon’s term extension as chief of staff could cause demoralization within the uniformed service.
“I don’t know with him (Lacson). But what I can say is I know the Armed Forces more than he knows,” Esperon said when interviewed at the sidelights of the celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the AFP at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“Gen. Lacson is mad against anti-coup (personalities)… Maybe it’s because I saw his name in one declaration,” he added.
The declaration, he said, was on a piece of document dubbed as “Diamond Statement” that was recovered during the height of the alleged power grab plot in February last year.
“The Diamond statement was recovered from participants in the February 2006 incident and there were names mentioned on it as possible leaders, the way the names of Gen. Lim and Trillanes were mentioned in the statement recovered from the Peninsula (hotel last November 29),” Esperon said.
Authorities have said that Lim and opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the core leaders of the Magdalo Group, were supposed to be the leaders of a transition government had they succeeded in grabbing power from the Arroyo government last November 29.
Esperon did not categorically say if Lacson was going to be leader had the February 2006 coup plot succeeded.
He said the matter remains under investigation at the Department of Justice, and should he retire from the service, he would be willing to testify against Lacson.
“When I retire, I would be free to testify in any forum,” Esperon said.
Asked if Lacson, therefore, remains a threat to the present government, Esperon only said: “I do not look at it that way. It’s probably why they are not succeeding.”
Esperon was clear, however, in saying that Lacson has nothing to do with the November 29 incident.
Esperon reiterated that he is not pushing for an extension of his term when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 9 next year, saying that he has already planned a grand vacation with his wife in the northern part of Luzon.
“It’s entirely the prerogative of the President so I’m not one who would strip her of that prerogative… But I’m not the one who would really go for it. A career in the military service is not the end of life,” he said.
Esperon refused to say if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo discussed with him his possible extension during Arroyo’s visit yesterday at Camp Aguinaldo where she was the guest of honor of the AFP 72nd anniversary celebration.
“That’s privilege communication,” Esperon said.
Esperon had said that there would be nothing irregular if he is extended because the chief of staff can also be allowed by law to complete his three-year term even if he or she is already 56 years old./DMS
December 21, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. on Friday linked opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson to the alleged power grab plot in February 2006 where rebel Army officer Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and former Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda figured in.
Esperon made the accusation against Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, in reaction to the latter’s statement that Esperon’s term extension as chief of staff could cause demoralization within the uniformed service.
“I don’t know with him (Lacson). But what I can say is I know the Armed Forces more than he knows,” Esperon said when interviewed at the sidelights of the celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the AFP at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“Gen. Lacson is mad against anti-coup (personalities)… Maybe it’s because I saw his name in one declaration,” he added.
The declaration, he said, was on a piece of document dubbed as “Diamond Statement” that was recovered during the height of the alleged power grab plot in February last year.
“The Diamond statement was recovered from participants in the February 2006 incident and there were names mentioned on it as possible leaders, the way the names of Gen. Lim and Trillanes were mentioned in the statement recovered from the Peninsula (hotel last November 29),” Esperon said.
Authorities have said that Lim and opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the core leaders of the Magdalo Group, were supposed to be the leaders of a transition government had they succeeded in grabbing power from the Arroyo government last November 29.
Esperon did not categorically say if Lacson was going to be leader had the February 2006 coup plot succeeded.
He said the matter remains under investigation at the Department of Justice, and should he retire from the service, he would be willing to testify against Lacson.
“When I retire, I would be free to testify in any forum,” Esperon said.
Asked if Lacson, therefore, remains a threat to the present government, Esperon only said: “I do not look at it that way. It’s probably why they are not succeeding.”
Esperon was clear, however, in saying that Lacson has nothing to do with the November 29 incident.
Esperon reiterated that he is not pushing for an extension of his term when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 9 next year, saying that he has already planned a grand vacation with his wife in the northern part of Luzon.
“It’s entirely the prerogative of the President so I’m not one who would strip her of that prerogative… But I’m not the one who would really go for it. A career in the military service is not the end of life,” he said.
Esperon refused to say if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo discussed with him his possible extension during Arroyo’s visit yesterday at Camp Aguinaldo where she was the guest of honor of the AFP 72nd anniversary celebration.
“That’s privilege communication,” Esperon said.
Esperon had said that there would be nothing irregular if he is extended because the chief of staff can also be allowed by law to complete his three-year term even if he or she is already 56 years old./DMS
Friday, December 21, 2007
Police, military searched for Faeldon at Makati City hotel but yielded negative
By Ronron
December 20, 2007
Police and military operatives looked for fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon at a Makati City hotel and its vicinity on Wednesday night but the subject, who carries a P1-million bounty on his head, was not found, officials said Thursday.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman said they received information past 7pm that Faeldon was in the area of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, prompting him to immediately send in troops from the district office and the Makati City Police office to verify the report.
However, upon inspection at the vicinity outside the hotel and an inquiry with the hotel staff, no Faeldon was found in the area.
Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said he also received the same information at around 11 pm, and learned that intelligence operatives in Metro Manila immediately verified it.
“Yes, we checked but it was negative,” Ferrer said.
Faeldon was able to give authorities a slip during the November 29 takeover by Magdalo officers of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City. He earlier did the same in December 2005 while he was attending a court hearing at Makati City, but was re-arrested in January of the following year.
“To us, whatever information reaches us, we will act on it because we could not just disregard them. We have to check them right away,” Ticman said.
He said it is still highly possible that Faeldon remains in Metro Manila, although he is not discounting the possibility that he could be hiding in neighboring provinces too.
Faeldon is among the core leaders of the Magdalo Group when they took over the Oakwood Hotel in July 2003. He is facing charges both in military and civilian courts./DMS
December 20, 2007
Police and military operatives looked for fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon at a Makati City hotel and its vicinity on Wednesday night but the subject, who carries a P1-million bounty on his head, was not found, officials said Thursday.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman said they received information past 7pm that Faeldon was in the area of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, prompting him to immediately send in troops from the district office and the Makati City Police office to verify the report.
However, upon inspection at the vicinity outside the hotel and an inquiry with the hotel staff, no Faeldon was found in the area.
Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said he also received the same information at around 11 pm, and learned that intelligence operatives in Metro Manila immediately verified it.
“Yes, we checked but it was negative,” Ferrer said.
Faeldon was able to give authorities a slip during the November 29 takeover by Magdalo officers of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City. He earlier did the same in December 2005 while he was attending a court hearing at Makati City, but was re-arrested in January of the following year.
“To us, whatever information reaches us, we will act on it because we could not just disregard them. We have to check them right away,” Ticman said.
He said it is still highly possible that Faeldon remains in Metro Manila, although he is not discounting the possibility that he could be hiding in neighboring provinces too.
Faeldon is among the core leaders of the Magdalo Group when they took over the Oakwood Hotel in July 2003. He is facing charges both in military and civilian courts./DMS
Esperon won’t assert term extension
By Ronron
December 20, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Thursday that he will not push for an extension of his term when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 in February next year.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Esperon said: “I’m not one who would go for an extension and assert myself.”
Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson had warned yesterday that if Esperon’s term is extended by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, it could cause demoralization within the military organization, especially if there is no basis for such action.
Esperon said yesterday that although he has talked with the President very often the past few days, his term extension had not been brought up.
Rather, their conversation is focused on the anniversary of the AFP today (Friday) and their assessment on what happened the entire year.
“We should leave that to the President. On my part, I could only thank the President for giving me the chance to serve as chief of staff. Not everybody could get to serve as chief of staff,” Esperon said.
He said he is aware that there are limitations to his term – one is when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 9 next year, and the second is when the President allows him to complete the term of a chief of staff for three years.
Esperon assumed power on July 21, 2006.
“If my term is extended, then I would be honored,” he said, nonetheless.
But he disclosed that in his entire life, he never lobbied for any position except on two occasions – one was to join an infantry battalion that was used as strike battalion in Jolo, Sulu when he was still a lieutenant; and the other one was to get assigned in Zamboanga after the 1995 burning in Ipil town.
“Those were the only assignments that I lobbied for. So I take it as they come and thank them for their trust and confidence,” Esperon said.
Esperon has been described as the most loyal officer to Arroyo, having served as her first Presidential Security Guard chief. His name also cropped up in the alleged vote rigging operations during the 2004 Presidential polls that supposedly benefited Arroyo./DMS
December 20, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Thursday that he will not push for an extension of his term when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 in February next year.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Esperon said: “I’m not one who would go for an extension and assert myself.”
Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson had warned yesterday that if Esperon’s term is extended by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, it could cause demoralization within the military organization, especially if there is no basis for such action.
Esperon said yesterday that although he has talked with the President very often the past few days, his term extension had not been brought up.
Rather, their conversation is focused on the anniversary of the AFP today (Friday) and their assessment on what happened the entire year.
“We should leave that to the President. On my part, I could only thank the President for giving me the chance to serve as chief of staff. Not everybody could get to serve as chief of staff,” Esperon said.
He said he is aware that there are limitations to his term – one is when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 9 next year, and the second is when the President allows him to complete the term of a chief of staff for three years.
Esperon assumed power on July 21, 2006.
“If my term is extended, then I would be honored,” he said, nonetheless.
But he disclosed that in his entire life, he never lobbied for any position except on two occasions – one was to join an infantry battalion that was used as strike battalion in Jolo, Sulu when he was still a lieutenant; and the other one was to get assigned in Zamboanga after the 1995 burning in Ipil town.
“Those were the only assignments that I lobbied for. So I take it as they come and thank them for their trust and confidence,” Esperon said.
Esperon has been described as the most loyal officer to Arroyo, having served as her first Presidential Security Guard chief. His name also cropped up in the alleged vote rigging operations during the 2004 Presidential polls that supposedly benefited Arroyo./DMS
53 junior Magdalo officers released
By Ronron
December 20, 2007
Fifty-three military junior officers who are described as non-core leaders of the Magdalo Group who took part in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny were released Thursday ahead of their scheduled discharge next month upon the orders of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The 53 were among the 54 junior Magdalo officers who entered into a plea bargaining agreement with the General Court Martial (GCM) and were later sentenced to imprisonment until January 27, 2008 for being guilty of violating Articles of War 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline).
The dishonorable discharge from service of the 54 was approved by Arroyo last June 12, 2007. In her General Order No. 9 dated December 18, 2007, Arroyo commuted their sentence, except that of Army 1Lt. Patricio Bumidang, who is facing other charges before military and civilian courts for his escape in January 2006 and the recovery of firearms and explosive materials during his re-arrest in July of that year.
The three-page Order stated that “the original sentence” of the 53 is “remitted to confinement until the date of the issuance of this Order and discharge from the military service without prejudice to separation benefits.”
It pointed out that “these young officers, whether their actions were legitimate or not, had simply been motivated by their patriotism and had no selfish intent to personally profit from their conduct; and hence, have expressed deep remorse for their misdeeds and errors of judgment in imprudently participating in that regrettable incident, and accepted the court-martial’s verdict, and now plead for executive clemency and to be permitted to remain in active military service.”
“To keep them up to January 27 would have actually made no difference as they shall by then have served seven years and six months, which is their sentence,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday after presiding a dialogue with the 53 prior to their release.
“Rather than have them wait up to January 27, then the President decided to commute that by more than a month so that they could enjoy Christmas with their families,” he added.
Esperon said the 53, whose ranks range from Captain to Second Lieutenant, are “separated from the service without prejudice to benefits that are due them for the services that they have rendered while in the service.”
The 53 were invited to a dialogue yesterday morning with Esperon and other senior officers of the military so they can be guided in their attempt to going back to mainstream society.
In fact, during the dialogue, one of the 53 who is from the Air Force was able to get an employment as a pilot at a commercial helicopter company upon the recommendation of Esperon, he said.
After their dialogue, the 53 returned to their respective detention facilities where they will process their discharge papers and pack up their belongings.
“They can go home, go on vacation, then we can see each other in January… We will meet because we like to help them also get some employment… Effective today, they are released as civilians,” Esperon said.
The 53 include 12 Army officers, eight Air Force officers, 19 Navy officers and 14 Marine officers. The Army officers have been detained at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City; the Air Force officers at the Air Force headquarters in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City; and the Navy and Marine officers at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Army 1Lt. Julius Navales, one of the released officers, said he is “very, very happy” with his release and his intends to meet his family immediately.
“This is a sweet day. We are happy that we can now be together with our families,” he said in Filipino.
He expressed a little sadness, however, when he admitted that like some of his colleagues, he also wants to be reinstated in the military service.
“I will really miss my military career,” Navales said.
Esperon said the military leadership is not totally closing its doors to the discharged officers who want to return to the service as he cited the skills and capabilities of some of them.
“Most of them, if not all of them, have signified their intention to remain in the service. They will have to manifest that probably in a letter. But right now, we already want to look at it. There has to be manifestations from their side,” Esperon said.
But he assured that if any of those discharged will be reinstated, they will undergo “a very strict processing.”
Asked if there is danger in reinstating them, considering that there have been recidivists, Esperon said: “That is for us to evaluate. But as I said, these are officers who have shown remorse, and the capacity to reform… (But) that is possible indeed. That will be part of our considerations especially in the light of the November 29 (incident) where we saw some recidivists.”
The military chief was referring to the takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the core leaders of the Magdalo Group, and other members.
Meanwhile, as to the case of Bumidang, Esperon said the junior officer cannot be released yet because will be a state witness in some cases.
Col. Pedro Davila of the military’s Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO) said Bumidang is a state witness to the criminal case he and some colleagues are facing before the Quezon City court after authorities recovered firearms and explosives from their alleged hideout during their arrest in July last year.
There is also an intention to utilize him as a state witness in the pending GCM cases over the Oakwood incident against the remaining 29 Magdalo leaders, and about seven others, Davila said.
Aside from that, Davila said Bumidang cannot be released when his sentence lapses on January 27, 2008 because he also has a pending case within the military for his escape in January 2006.
Asked about the message being conveyed to rebellious officers by Thursday’s development, Esperon said: “You can say that if you indeed commit infractions of the Articles of War, then you will be punished for it.”/DMS
December 20, 2007
Fifty-three military junior officers who are described as non-core leaders of the Magdalo Group who took part in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny were released Thursday ahead of their scheduled discharge next month upon the orders of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The 53 were among the 54 junior Magdalo officers who entered into a plea bargaining agreement with the General Court Martial (GCM) and were later sentenced to imprisonment until January 27, 2008 for being guilty of violating Articles of War 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline).
The dishonorable discharge from service of the 54 was approved by Arroyo last June 12, 2007. In her General Order No. 9 dated December 18, 2007, Arroyo commuted their sentence, except that of Army 1Lt. Patricio Bumidang, who is facing other charges before military and civilian courts for his escape in January 2006 and the recovery of firearms and explosive materials during his re-arrest in July of that year.
The three-page Order stated that “the original sentence” of the 53 is “remitted to confinement until the date of the issuance of this Order and discharge from the military service without prejudice to separation benefits.”
It pointed out that “these young officers, whether their actions were legitimate or not, had simply been motivated by their patriotism and had no selfish intent to personally profit from their conduct; and hence, have expressed deep remorse for their misdeeds and errors of judgment in imprudently participating in that regrettable incident, and accepted the court-martial’s verdict, and now plead for executive clemency and to be permitted to remain in active military service.”
“To keep them up to January 27 would have actually made no difference as they shall by then have served seven years and six months, which is their sentence,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday after presiding a dialogue with the 53 prior to their release.
“Rather than have them wait up to January 27, then the President decided to commute that by more than a month so that they could enjoy Christmas with their families,” he added.
Esperon said the 53, whose ranks range from Captain to Second Lieutenant, are “separated from the service without prejudice to benefits that are due them for the services that they have rendered while in the service.”
The 53 were invited to a dialogue yesterday morning with Esperon and other senior officers of the military so they can be guided in their attempt to going back to mainstream society.
In fact, during the dialogue, one of the 53 who is from the Air Force was able to get an employment as a pilot at a commercial helicopter company upon the recommendation of Esperon, he said.
After their dialogue, the 53 returned to their respective detention facilities where they will process their discharge papers and pack up their belongings.
“They can go home, go on vacation, then we can see each other in January… We will meet because we like to help them also get some employment… Effective today, they are released as civilians,” Esperon said.
The 53 include 12 Army officers, eight Air Force officers, 19 Navy officers and 14 Marine officers. The Army officers have been detained at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City; the Air Force officers at the Air Force headquarters in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City; and the Navy and Marine officers at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Army 1Lt. Julius Navales, one of the released officers, said he is “very, very happy” with his release and his intends to meet his family immediately.
“This is a sweet day. We are happy that we can now be together with our families,” he said in Filipino.
He expressed a little sadness, however, when he admitted that like some of his colleagues, he also wants to be reinstated in the military service.
“I will really miss my military career,” Navales said.
Esperon said the military leadership is not totally closing its doors to the discharged officers who want to return to the service as he cited the skills and capabilities of some of them.
“Most of them, if not all of them, have signified their intention to remain in the service. They will have to manifest that probably in a letter. But right now, we already want to look at it. There has to be manifestations from their side,” Esperon said.
But he assured that if any of those discharged will be reinstated, they will undergo “a very strict processing.”
Asked if there is danger in reinstating them, considering that there have been recidivists, Esperon said: “That is for us to evaluate. But as I said, these are officers who have shown remorse, and the capacity to reform… (But) that is possible indeed. That will be part of our considerations especially in the light of the November 29 (incident) where we saw some recidivists.”
The military chief was referring to the takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the core leaders of the Magdalo Group, and other members.
Meanwhile, as to the case of Bumidang, Esperon said the junior officer cannot be released yet because will be a state witness in some cases.
Col. Pedro Davila of the military’s Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO) said Bumidang is a state witness to the criminal case he and some colleagues are facing before the Quezon City court after authorities recovered firearms and explosives from their alleged hideout during their arrest in July last year.
There is also an intention to utilize him as a state witness in the pending GCM cases over the Oakwood incident against the remaining 29 Magdalo leaders, and about seven others, Davila said.
Aside from that, Davila said Bumidang cannot be released when his sentence lapses on January 27, 2008 because he also has a pending case within the military for his escape in January 2006.
Asked about the message being conveyed to rebellious officers by Thursday’s development, Esperon said: “You can say that if you indeed commit infractions of the Articles of War, then you will be punished for it.”/DMS
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Suspected Egyptian bomber nabbed in Cotabato City
By Ronron
December 19, 2007
An Egyptian Moslem missionary who is suspected to be a bomb expert was nabbed before dawn Wednesday in Cotabato City by joint police and military operatives.
Police and military officials identified the suspect as Mohamad Said, 42, who uses the aliases Mohamad Sayed, Abu Husein, and Sayed Amed Mousa.
Said was apprehended at the Women Islamic Center Apartment owned by a certain Ustadz Salama Abdulrakman located at Campo Moslem in Barangay Mother Bagua at around 12:20 am yesterday, said Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division.
The apprehension of Said was made by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Explosives and Ordnance Division of the Philippine Army, Task Group TUGIS of the military, and the Cotabato City Police Office by virtue of a search warrant.
The Region 12 police said the warrant was issued by Cotabato City Executive Judge Cadir Indar against Said for alleged violation of Republic Act 8294 or Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives.
Recovered from Said’s apartment were the following items: 60 millimeter ammunition; one nine-volt battery; three-meter detonating cord; one alarm clock; one-and-a-half pounds of powder substance (main explosive charge); two kilos of ball bearing; seven meters of firing wire; two pieces of toggle switch; a Christmas bulb; and, one booklet manual of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) organization.
Cotabato City Police Director Sr. Supt. Willie Danggane said materials were already set up and ready for explosion when discovered.
“The report I received last night was that the raiding team disrupted it because it was already going to explode anytime. So it was really set-up already,” Danggane said in a phone interview.
However, Danggane said that Said initially denied owning the explosive ingredients.
Danggane said Said claimed that he is just working as a teacher in Islam schools in the city as part of his missionary works.
“He said he teaches Islamic and Arabic reading. He is very good in reading the Kor-an,” Danggane said.
Said allegedly claimed having been in the Philippines for quite some time already. Dangggane said Said claimed to have been here for two years before, then went home to Egypt, and returned again. At the time of his apprehension, Said was already in his two months back in the country.
Danggane said he is not aware yet where the bomb was intended to be used since the investigation on Said is being done by the CIDG. As of yesterday afternoon, Danggane said Said was temporarily detained at the city police detention city.
But he admitted that there have been persistent reports of bomb attacks in the city.
Ando said authorities are still investigating if Said “has linkages with the Jemaah Islamiyah.”/DMS
December 19, 2007
An Egyptian Moslem missionary who is suspected to be a bomb expert was nabbed before dawn Wednesday in Cotabato City by joint police and military operatives.
Police and military officials identified the suspect as Mohamad Said, 42, who uses the aliases Mohamad Sayed, Abu Husein, and Sayed Amed Mousa.
Said was apprehended at the Women Islamic Center Apartment owned by a certain Ustadz Salama Abdulrakman located at Campo Moslem in Barangay Mother Bagua at around 12:20 am yesterday, said Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division.
The apprehension of Said was made by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Explosives and Ordnance Division of the Philippine Army, Task Group TUGIS of the military, and the Cotabato City Police Office by virtue of a search warrant.
The Region 12 police said the warrant was issued by Cotabato City Executive Judge Cadir Indar against Said for alleged violation of Republic Act 8294 or Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives.
Recovered from Said’s apartment were the following items: 60 millimeter ammunition; one nine-volt battery; three-meter detonating cord; one alarm clock; one-and-a-half pounds of powder substance (main explosive charge); two kilos of ball bearing; seven meters of firing wire; two pieces of toggle switch; a Christmas bulb; and, one booklet manual of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) organization.
Cotabato City Police Director Sr. Supt. Willie Danggane said materials were already set up and ready for explosion when discovered.
“The report I received last night was that the raiding team disrupted it because it was already going to explode anytime. So it was really set-up already,” Danggane said in a phone interview.
However, Danggane said that Said initially denied owning the explosive ingredients.
Danggane said Said claimed that he is just working as a teacher in Islam schools in the city as part of his missionary works.
“He said he teaches Islamic and Arabic reading. He is very good in reading the Kor-an,” Danggane said.
Said allegedly claimed having been in the Philippines for quite some time already. Dangggane said Said claimed to have been here for two years before, then went home to Egypt, and returned again. At the time of his apprehension, Said was already in his two months back in the country.
Danggane said he is not aware yet where the bomb was intended to be used since the investigation on Said is being done by the CIDG. As of yesterday afternoon, Danggane said Said was temporarily detained at the city police detention city.
But he admitted that there have been persistent reports of bomb attacks in the city.
Ando said authorities are still investigating if Said “has linkages with the Jemaah Islamiyah.”/DMS
Basilan clash drags on, brings death toll to 8
By Ronron
December 19, 2007
The clash between government forces, and joint Abu Sayyaf and rouge Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters dragged on on Wednesday morning, bringing the death toll at eight, and the wounded at 12, a military field commander said.
Lt. Col. Vincent Teodoro, commander of the 7th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT), said in a phone interview that the last engagement happened at 6:40 am yesterday in the same barangay of Bohe-Suyak in Ungkaya Pukan town.
“The fighting is still concentrated there. We have encircled the enemy,” Teodoro said.
The fighting began early Tuesday morning when the government troops assaulted an alleged camp of the ASG and rouge MILF fighters in the area.
Teodoro said the ASG and MILF number about 70, while the government troops come from the MBLT 8, MBLT 7, MBLT 1 and the 61st Force Reconnaissance Company.
He said the ASG and MILF elements led by sub-commander Furuji Indama have been using rocket-propelled grenades and 81-millimeter mortars against the government troops.
So far, the two killed and five wounded Marine soldiers during the fighting on Tuesday have been flown to Zamboanga City, said Teodoro.
He said the casualty on the ASG-MILF side has also risen, with six dead and seven wounded already reported.
Among the killed armed fighters is a brother of Indama, Teodoro said.
Teodoro disclosed that the Marine elements have already established a detachment in the area to sustain the fighting against the bandits.
“They are waiting for each other to strike at the proper time,” he said.
As of 2:30 pm, Teodoro said the 6:40 am engagement has yet to be followed through.
The government has stepped up its fighting in Basilan, as well as in the neighboring island province of Sulu, following the attack against Marine elements last July 10 in Al-Barka town that left many soldiers killed and wounded./DMS
December 19, 2007
The clash between government forces, and joint Abu Sayyaf and rouge Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters dragged on on Wednesday morning, bringing the death toll at eight, and the wounded at 12, a military field commander said.
Lt. Col. Vincent Teodoro, commander of the 7th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT), said in a phone interview that the last engagement happened at 6:40 am yesterday in the same barangay of Bohe-Suyak in Ungkaya Pukan town.
“The fighting is still concentrated there. We have encircled the enemy,” Teodoro said.
The fighting began early Tuesday morning when the government troops assaulted an alleged camp of the ASG and rouge MILF fighters in the area.
Teodoro said the ASG and MILF number about 70, while the government troops come from the MBLT 8, MBLT 7, MBLT 1 and the 61st Force Reconnaissance Company.
He said the ASG and MILF elements led by sub-commander Furuji Indama have been using rocket-propelled grenades and 81-millimeter mortars against the government troops.
So far, the two killed and five wounded Marine soldiers during the fighting on Tuesday have been flown to Zamboanga City, said Teodoro.
He said the casualty on the ASG-MILF side has also risen, with six dead and seven wounded already reported.
Among the killed armed fighters is a brother of Indama, Teodoro said.
Teodoro disclosed that the Marine elements have already established a detachment in the area to sustain the fighting against the bandits.
“They are waiting for each other to strike at the proper time,” he said.
As of 2:30 pm, Teodoro said the 6:40 am engagement has yet to be followed through.
The government has stepped up its fighting in Basilan, as well as in the neighboring island province of Sulu, following the attack against Marine elements last July 10 in Al-Barka town that left many soldiers killed and wounded./DMS
Esperon’s term extension is possible under the law – Army chief
By Ronron
December 19, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. can continue holding on to his post if desired by the President even if he reaches already the mandatory retirement age of 56 in February next year.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, who is incidentally one of the possible successors of Esperon, said that under the law, the President has the prerogative to extend the term of the chief of staff beyond the mandatory retirement age so long as it does not go beyond three years since his assumption.
Esperon became the AFP Chief of Staff last July 21, 2006 and will reach the mandatory retirement age by February 9 next year.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had already made brief extensions of the terms of the following military chiefs of staff: Roy Cimatu, Benjamin Defensor, and Efren Abu.
“Technically, the Chief of Staff can finish his three year term. Unlike other officers who retire at 56, the chief of staff can technically complete his term of three years,” Yano told reporters in an interview Wednesday at the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City.
“He (Chief of Staff) is the only officer who can go beyond the (age of) 56,” he added.
Asked if he sees a need for an extension of the term of Esperon, who has been described as the most loyal officer to Arroyo, Yano said: “I did not even want to talk about it. We are busy doing our job… I think it’s best that we leave that to the wisdom of the President. She is the appointing authority.”
Yano said it would not be proper for him to think about “personal ambitions” when reporters asked for his feelings about the extension, considering that he is a likely successor to Esperon.
“That (Esperon’s term extension) is a prerogative of the President. And if that is the decision, then I’m sure that is a well-advised decision,” Yano said.
He added that “the soldier will follow the dictates of the appointing authority.”
The Army chief downplayed, however, thoughts that Esperon’s term extension could be because of imminent threats from the ranks of the military as proven by the November 29 incident in Makati City.
“I do not see any major threat to the stability of the government and the country coming from rightist elements at this point,” Yano said.
He pointed out that even during the November 29 incident, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim failed to muster support both from the civilian sector and the armed service.
Yano said none from the Army joined the November 29 incident.
“If that is an indication, then I think and I’m very confident that the Armed Forces will stay in tact and united and follow the chain of command all the way up to the commander-in-chief,” he said./DMS
December 19, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. can continue holding on to his post if desired by the President even if he reaches already the mandatory retirement age of 56 in February next year.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, who is incidentally one of the possible successors of Esperon, said that under the law, the President has the prerogative to extend the term of the chief of staff beyond the mandatory retirement age so long as it does not go beyond three years since his assumption.
Esperon became the AFP Chief of Staff last July 21, 2006 and will reach the mandatory retirement age by February 9 next year.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had already made brief extensions of the terms of the following military chiefs of staff: Roy Cimatu, Benjamin Defensor, and Efren Abu.
“Technically, the Chief of Staff can finish his three year term. Unlike other officers who retire at 56, the chief of staff can technically complete his term of three years,” Yano told reporters in an interview Wednesday at the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City.
“He (Chief of Staff) is the only officer who can go beyond the (age of) 56,” he added.
Asked if he sees a need for an extension of the term of Esperon, who has been described as the most loyal officer to Arroyo, Yano said: “I did not even want to talk about it. We are busy doing our job… I think it’s best that we leave that to the wisdom of the President. She is the appointing authority.”
Yano said it would not be proper for him to think about “personal ambitions” when reporters asked for his feelings about the extension, considering that he is a likely successor to Esperon.
“That (Esperon’s term extension) is a prerogative of the President. And if that is the decision, then I’m sure that is a well-advised decision,” Yano said.
He added that “the soldier will follow the dictates of the appointing authority.”
The Army chief downplayed, however, thoughts that Esperon’s term extension could be because of imminent threats from the ranks of the military as proven by the November 29 incident in Makati City.
“I do not see any major threat to the stability of the government and the country coming from rightist elements at this point,” Yano said.
He pointed out that even during the November 29 incident, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim failed to muster support both from the civilian sector and the armed service.
Yano said none from the Army joined the November 29 incident.
“If that is an indication, then I think and I’m very confident that the Armed Forces will stay in tact and united and follow the chain of command all the way up to the commander-in-chief,” he said./DMS
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Two ASG killed, Marine soldier wounded in fresh clash in Basilan
By Ronron
December 18, 2007
Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed while a Marine soldier was wounded in a fresh clash on Tuesday in Basilan province, military and police officials said.
Lt. Col. Vincent Teodoro, commander of the 7th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT), told Defense reporters in a phone interview that the firefight started at around 6:30 am yesterday after elements of the 8th MBLT attacked a suspected camp of the ASG and rouge Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters.
Teodoro said the camp was located at Sitio Depdep, Barangay Bohe-Suyak in Ungkaya Pukan town.
He said the firefight dragged on until the afternoon as the bandits reportedly grew to about 100 in strength because of reinforcements.
Regional police spokesman Supt. Danilo Bacas said the firefight was still ongoing as of 3:30 pm yesterday.
“The encounter was sporadic. The firefight raged on and off until the afternoon,” Teodor said.
Teodoro said he was already planning to send in personnel from his unit to augment the two companies from the 8th MBLT that was engaged in the firefight.
Bacas said the ASG was reportedly led by Furuji Indama, a sub-leader of the group who was among the suspects in the attack and beheading of Marine troopers in the neighboring town of Al-Barkah last July 10.
Indama was initially reported by the military to have been killed in an encounter in August but they retracted it after seeing Indama in the encounters that followed.
The Philippine military has stepped up its offensives in Basilan, as well as in Sulu, following the July 10 incident, which was allegedly perpetrated also by MILF elements. It even launched humanitarian projects alongside the offensive operations as part of a wholistic approach in dealing with the terrorist group in the area./DMS
December 18, 2007
Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed while a Marine soldier was wounded in a fresh clash on Tuesday in Basilan province, military and police officials said.
Lt. Col. Vincent Teodoro, commander of the 7th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT), told Defense reporters in a phone interview that the firefight started at around 6:30 am yesterday after elements of the 8th MBLT attacked a suspected camp of the ASG and rouge Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters.
Teodoro said the camp was located at Sitio Depdep, Barangay Bohe-Suyak in Ungkaya Pukan town.
He said the firefight dragged on until the afternoon as the bandits reportedly grew to about 100 in strength because of reinforcements.
Regional police spokesman Supt. Danilo Bacas said the firefight was still ongoing as of 3:30 pm yesterday.
“The encounter was sporadic. The firefight raged on and off until the afternoon,” Teodor said.
Teodoro said he was already planning to send in personnel from his unit to augment the two companies from the 8th MBLT that was engaged in the firefight.
Bacas said the ASG was reportedly led by Furuji Indama, a sub-leader of the group who was among the suspects in the attack and beheading of Marine troopers in the neighboring town of Al-Barkah last July 10.
Indama was initially reported by the military to have been killed in an encounter in August but they retracted it after seeing Indama in the encounters that followed.
The Philippine military has stepped up its offensives in Basilan, as well as in Sulu, following the July 10 incident, which was allegedly perpetrated also by MILF elements. It even launched humanitarian projects alongside the offensive operations as part of a wholistic approach in dealing with the terrorist group in the area./DMS
Esperon willing to help discharged Magdalo officers get new jobs
By Ronron
December 18, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Tuesday that he is willing to help Magdalo officers who will be discharged next month from the service to get new jobs.
Interviewed at the AFP Hospital in Quezon City, Esperon said he has seen the group of 54 junior Magdalo officers, who will be discharged on January 27, 2008 after being sentenced by a General Court Martial (GCM) early this year, “show remorse” and “capacity and willingness to pursue other lines of work.”
“I wish them luck. I have expressed my willingness to be their job placement agency, for those that I would like to vouch for,” Esperon said.
“I’m sure the others can look for jobs where they could apply their expertise or work their skills,” he added.
The 54, with ranks ranging from Captain to Second Lieutenant, were among the estimated 300 military personnel who took over the Oakwood Hotel last July 27, 2003 to express their disgruntlement over the military and government leadership.
They include eight Air Force officers, 19 Navy officers, 14 Marine officers, and 13 Army officers.
In April of this year, the GCM sentenced the 54 after pleading guilty to charges of violating Articles of War 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) in exchange for the dropping of charges of violation of AW 63 (Disrespect to the President, et. al), 64 (Disrespect to Superior Officers), 67 (Mutiny), and 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman).
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved the verdict and penalties on the 54 two months later.
“They are expected to be released January 27, 2008 when they shall have served seven years and six months, minus three years for the mitigating circumstances,” Esperon said yesterday.
Esperon said he expects the 54 not to engage anymore in adventurism and join instead the “mainstream Philippine society,” citing their credentials as “college graduates, computer literates, have a lot of skills,” which will make them “very useful citizens of the land.”
Told that there were members of the more than 180 Magdalo enlisted personnel who still rebelled against the government despite being accepted back to the service after their case was decided by the GCM in May 2005, Esperon said: “Yes, there were some of them who jointed at the Manila Peninsula (incident last November 29). But they are the small, very small minority.”
“Most of the enlisted personnel who were discharged or demoted in connection with the Oakwood did not join anymore because they know they will be abandoned again, just like what happened now,” he went on.
But seeing the 54 to have become “very much reformed and prepared well for life outside the military,” Esperon said he does “not want to look at them as threats” to society.
“There are already people who have signified their intention to hire them. So what matters now is since they will be removed from the service, then they really have to earn for their families’ keep also,” Esperon said.
When asked who he is vouching for among the officers, Esperon refused to name names.
As to chances that these officers could return to the service, Esperon just said: “There are studies on that but we do not want to discuss that.”/DMS
December 18, 2007
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Tuesday that he is willing to help Magdalo officers who will be discharged next month from the service to get new jobs.
Interviewed at the AFP Hospital in Quezon City, Esperon said he has seen the group of 54 junior Magdalo officers, who will be discharged on January 27, 2008 after being sentenced by a General Court Martial (GCM) early this year, “show remorse” and “capacity and willingness to pursue other lines of work.”
“I wish them luck. I have expressed my willingness to be their job placement agency, for those that I would like to vouch for,” Esperon said.
“I’m sure the others can look for jobs where they could apply their expertise or work their skills,” he added.
The 54, with ranks ranging from Captain to Second Lieutenant, were among the estimated 300 military personnel who took over the Oakwood Hotel last July 27, 2003 to express their disgruntlement over the military and government leadership.
They include eight Air Force officers, 19 Navy officers, 14 Marine officers, and 13 Army officers.
In April of this year, the GCM sentenced the 54 after pleading guilty to charges of violating Articles of War 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) in exchange for the dropping of charges of violation of AW 63 (Disrespect to the President, et. al), 64 (Disrespect to Superior Officers), 67 (Mutiny), and 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman).
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved the verdict and penalties on the 54 two months later.
“They are expected to be released January 27, 2008 when they shall have served seven years and six months, minus three years for the mitigating circumstances,” Esperon said yesterday.
Esperon said he expects the 54 not to engage anymore in adventurism and join instead the “mainstream Philippine society,” citing their credentials as “college graduates, computer literates, have a lot of skills,” which will make them “very useful citizens of the land.”
Told that there were members of the more than 180 Magdalo enlisted personnel who still rebelled against the government despite being accepted back to the service after their case was decided by the GCM in May 2005, Esperon said: “Yes, there were some of them who jointed at the Manila Peninsula (incident last November 29). But they are the small, very small minority.”
“Most of the enlisted personnel who were discharged or demoted in connection with the Oakwood did not join anymore because they know they will be abandoned again, just like what happened now,” he went on.
But seeing the 54 to have become “very much reformed and prepared well for life outside the military,” Esperon said he does “not want to look at them as threats” to society.
“There are already people who have signified their intention to hire them. So what matters now is since they will be removed from the service, then they really have to earn for their families’ keep also,” Esperon said.
When asked who he is vouching for among the officers, Esperon refused to name names.
As to chances that these officers could return to the service, Esperon just said: “There are studies on that but we do not want to discuss that.”/DMS
Air Force officer shots dead a subordinate officer in Basilan
By Ronron
December 18, 2007
A ranking officer of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) unit that is based in Basilan province shot dead his drunk subordinate officer last Saturday night, military officials said Tuesday.
PAF commander Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino identified the killer as Lt. Col. Arturo Apud, acting chief of the PAF 355th Aviation Wing, and the victim as Maj. Jesus Fernandez, the unit’s Executive Officer.
Tolentino told Defense reporters in a phone interview that prior to the shooting at around 7pm of December 15 inside the unit’s camp in Sumisip town, Apud saw Fernandez violating a policy of no-drinking-inside-camp.
This prompted Apud to confront Fernandez, who was already drunk, said Tolentino.
The incident later led to Apud firing at Fernandez using an M16 rifle.
Fernandez succumbed to two gunshot wounds, Tolentino said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) spokesman Maj. Eugene Batara said in a separate phone interview thta initial reports reveal that it was an accidental firing.
An investigation is now being conducted by the Inspector General of the WESMINCOM to determine the exact circumstances that led to the shooting incident, said Batara.
Tolentino said he would also assign a pre-trial investigation officer (PTIO) from the PAF to determine the possible charges against Apud.
“The investigation will determine his accountability,” Tolentino said.
Apud immediately gave himself up to higher authorities and is now under the custody of PAF headquarters in Pasay City, said AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
Sought for his comment on the incident, Esperon told reporters yesterday at the AFP Hospital in Quezon City: “I’m sure it was a personal altercation or grudge between the two. We do not want that to happen (to) people who bear their firearms in behalf of the government. It’s sad that it (firearm) is used against their own comrades.”
Esperon said a fatal shooting between officers “is rare” in the service.
He said Apud “will be given due course under the rule of law.”
The 355th Aviation Wing was among the units sent in September by the Defense and military leadership to Basilan to carry out humanitarian projects, particularly, help finish the circumferential road in the province, as part of the government’s efforts in combating terrorism./DMS
December 18, 2007
A ranking officer of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) unit that is based in Basilan province shot dead his drunk subordinate officer last Saturday night, military officials said Tuesday.
PAF commander Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino identified the killer as Lt. Col. Arturo Apud, acting chief of the PAF 355th Aviation Wing, and the victim as Maj. Jesus Fernandez, the unit’s Executive Officer.
Tolentino told Defense reporters in a phone interview that prior to the shooting at around 7pm of December 15 inside the unit’s camp in Sumisip town, Apud saw Fernandez violating a policy of no-drinking-inside-camp.
This prompted Apud to confront Fernandez, who was already drunk, said Tolentino.
The incident later led to Apud firing at Fernandez using an M16 rifle.
Fernandez succumbed to two gunshot wounds, Tolentino said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) spokesman Maj. Eugene Batara said in a separate phone interview thta initial reports reveal that it was an accidental firing.
An investigation is now being conducted by the Inspector General of the WESMINCOM to determine the exact circumstances that led to the shooting incident, said Batara.
Tolentino said he would also assign a pre-trial investigation officer (PTIO) from the PAF to determine the possible charges against Apud.
“The investigation will determine his accountability,” Tolentino said.
Apud immediately gave himself up to higher authorities and is now under the custody of PAF headquarters in Pasay City, said AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
Sought for his comment on the incident, Esperon told reporters yesterday at the AFP Hospital in Quezon City: “I’m sure it was a personal altercation or grudge between the two. We do not want that to happen (to) people who bear their firearms in behalf of the government. It’s sad that it (firearm) is used against their own comrades.”
Esperon said a fatal shooting between officers “is rare” in the service.
He said Apud “will be given due course under the rule of law.”
The 355th Aviation Wing was among the units sent in September by the Defense and military leadership to Basilan to carry out humanitarian projects, particularly, help finish the circumferential road in the province, as part of the government’s efforts in combating terrorism./DMS
US-chartered helicopter fired at in Basilan
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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
SOMO stays despite ambush of Marine soldiers in Palawan – Esperon
By Ronron
December 17, 2007
The Philippine government is not lifting its declaration of a Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) against the communist rebels despite the death of three Marine soldiers on Sunday following an ambush in Palawan province.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told reporters Monday at Camp Aguinaldo that the SOMO “will go on,” saying they will not be discouraged by the ambush incident.
“This will not discourage us from continuing with the announced suspension of military operations. We will go after them. In fact, this is provided for in the SOMO guidelines, which still directs our troops to go after lawless elements, to patrol around camps and to secure communities,” Esperon said.
“The SOMO goes on up to January 6,” he added.
Military spokesmen said the three slain elements of the 9th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) were supposed to go on marketing when attacked by at most 20 rebels at Barangay Binga, San Vicente town past 6am Sunday.
They were reportedly in civilian clothes, unarmed and just on foot.
The ambush happened on the first day of the 22-day SOMO declared unilaterally by the government.
“While we are said that this might be the response of the New People’s Army, then that’s all to their lookout. We will just let them be… That’s the character anyway of the NPA. They are terrorists,” Esperon said.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman, Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, in a statement yesterday, owned up the ambush, saying that the “Marines were ambushed for their armed transgression into known revolutionary territory.”
“The Palawan ambush was a necessary course of action in the face of continuing offensive military operations by the AFP and the Arroyo regime’s hypocritical declaration of a sham 22-day unilateral ceasefire, which supposedly started yesterday,” Rosal said.
Rosal contradicted the claim of the AFP that the slain soldiers were in civilian clothes and unarmed.
“Marine soldiers are definitely always armed – with handguns, at the minimum – when they step outside their detachments and camps especially in known areas of operations of the NPA, even when they go out to prepare supplies for their military operations,” Rosal said.
He went on to urge “all other units of the NPA to launch more tactical offensives against units of the (AFP) and other armed enemy forces that continuing to intrude into revolutionary territory and conduct military operations against the NPA and the revolutionary masses.”
Esperon said it is lamentable that the NPA is reciprocating their SOMO this way since their purpose was to make “everybody feel the yuletide season, and the difference between violence and peace.”/DMS
December 17, 2007
The Philippine government is not lifting its declaration of a Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) against the communist rebels despite the death of three Marine soldiers on Sunday following an ambush in Palawan province.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told reporters Monday at Camp Aguinaldo that the SOMO “will go on,” saying they will not be discouraged by the ambush incident.
“This will not discourage us from continuing with the announced suspension of military operations. We will go after them. In fact, this is provided for in the SOMO guidelines, which still directs our troops to go after lawless elements, to patrol around camps and to secure communities,” Esperon said.
“The SOMO goes on up to January 6,” he added.
Military spokesmen said the three slain elements of the 9th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) were supposed to go on marketing when attacked by at most 20 rebels at Barangay Binga, San Vicente town past 6am Sunday.
They were reportedly in civilian clothes, unarmed and just on foot.
The ambush happened on the first day of the 22-day SOMO declared unilaterally by the government.
“While we are said that this might be the response of the New People’s Army, then that’s all to their lookout. We will just let them be… That’s the character anyway of the NPA. They are terrorists,” Esperon said.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman, Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, in a statement yesterday, owned up the ambush, saying that the “Marines were ambushed for their armed transgression into known revolutionary territory.”
“The Palawan ambush was a necessary course of action in the face of continuing offensive military operations by the AFP and the Arroyo regime’s hypocritical declaration of a sham 22-day unilateral ceasefire, which supposedly started yesterday,” Rosal said.
Rosal contradicted the claim of the AFP that the slain soldiers were in civilian clothes and unarmed.
“Marine soldiers are definitely always armed – with handguns, at the minimum – when they step outside their detachments and camps especially in known areas of operations of the NPA, even when they go out to prepare supplies for their military operations,” Rosal said.
He went on to urge “all other units of the NPA to launch more tactical offensives against units of the (AFP) and other armed enemy forces that continuing to intrude into revolutionary territory and conduct military operations against the NPA and the revolutionary masses.”
Esperon said it is lamentable that the NPA is reciprocating their SOMO this way since their purpose was to make “everybody feel the yuletide season, and the difference between violence and peace.”/DMS
Gun recovered from Aves tested positive on Kusaka killing
By Ronron
December 17, 2007
The police in Cebu announced on Monday the positive finding of a technical examination on the gun recovered from alleged gunman-for-hire Aristotle Aves during his arrest last December 3 at a Mandaue City port as the one used to kill Japanese businessman Hiroshi Kusaka.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region VII Director Sr. Supt. Jose Jorge Corpuz told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that the latest development provided police investigators another piece of evidence that they can use to file criminal charges against the suspects in the November 13 killing of Kusaka in Mandaue City.
“We have a positive matching of evidence from the crime scene (of the Kusaka killing case) and the caliber 45 recovered from Aves when he was arrested at the ferry,” Corpuz said.
He said the ballistics and cross-matching examination of the caliber 45 and the recovered pieces of evidence was conducted by Chief Insp. Romer Daguno of the Region VII Crime Laboratory.
Aves, the number one most wanted criminal in Cebu City who started as a hitman of the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) fraternity, was on a Super Shuttle Ferry at a pier 8 in Mandaue City when police caught him. He was with fellow AKRHO member Jesus Singson, Jr. at that time.
Confiscated from Aves was a caliber 45 pistol and two magazines containing 12 live rounds of ammunition. On the other hand, police seized from Singson some plastic packs containing suspected shabu.
In a sworn statement last December 5, Singson said he heard Aves and other cohorts to have been involved with the killing of Kusaka. Kusaka, who was riding a van, was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding suspects in the morning of November 13 while he was on his way to the Mactan International Airport.
Mandaue City Police chief Sr. Supt. Rodel Calungsud said Aves was allegedly the gunman in that operation, while fellow AKRHO member Jose Mari Temblon, who was arrested last December 14, served as driver. Both have denied the allegations.
While Singson denied any involvement in the killing of Kusaka, he admitted taking part in killing another Japanese national, Taro Suda, last July 18, also in Mandaue City, together with Aves and fellow AKRHO member Brando Ramirez, who is still at large.
The gun used by Ramirez in that incident had already been turned over by Singson and was proven also to have been the used to kill Suda. The gun, as well as the motorcycle used in that operation, was volunteered by Singson.
At the site were Kusaka was killed, police recovered three empty shells and one slug of a caliber 45.
Corpuz said that aside from the testimony of Singson, they now have two pieces of physical evidence against Aves and his cohorts on the Kusaka killing case – the motorcycle that was surrendered by Singson, and the caliber 45 pistol.
“Hopefully, we can already file the case within this week with regard to the Kusaka killing. We are just completing the package,” Corpuz said.
He even pointed out that the same gun was allegedly used in killing a local businessman in Mandaue City last October 2005, which he said could be another gun-for-hire job of Aves, and of an ordinary person involved allegedly in illegal drugs operations last February of this year in Cebu City.
Corpuz, however, remains clueless as to the real mastermind and motive in the Kusaka killing case, saying that Aves is not cooperative in their investigation.
“Our efforts now is geared at recovering other firearms and more amenities and identifying the masterminds,” he said.
Aves has been brought to the Cebu City Jail after his arrest because there are arrest warrants already issued against him for previous killing incidents, mostly related to fraternity wars.
Singson, on the other hand, remains under the custody of the CIDG VII since he was only charged before the prosecutor’s office with possession of illegal drugs./DMS
December 17, 2007
The police in Cebu announced on Monday the positive finding of a technical examination on the gun recovered from alleged gunman-for-hire Aristotle Aves during his arrest last December 3 at a Mandaue City port as the one used to kill Japanese businessman Hiroshi Kusaka.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region VII Director Sr. Supt. Jose Jorge Corpuz told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that the latest development provided police investigators another piece of evidence that they can use to file criminal charges against the suspects in the November 13 killing of Kusaka in Mandaue City.
“We have a positive matching of evidence from the crime scene (of the Kusaka killing case) and the caliber 45 recovered from Aves when he was arrested at the ferry,” Corpuz said.
He said the ballistics and cross-matching examination of the caliber 45 and the recovered pieces of evidence was conducted by Chief Insp. Romer Daguno of the Region VII Crime Laboratory.
Aves, the number one most wanted criminal in Cebu City who started as a hitman of the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) fraternity, was on a Super Shuttle Ferry at a pier 8 in Mandaue City when police caught him. He was with fellow AKRHO member Jesus Singson, Jr. at that time.
Confiscated from Aves was a caliber 45 pistol and two magazines containing 12 live rounds of ammunition. On the other hand, police seized from Singson some plastic packs containing suspected shabu.
In a sworn statement last December 5, Singson said he heard Aves and other cohorts to have been involved with the killing of Kusaka. Kusaka, who was riding a van, was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding suspects in the morning of November 13 while he was on his way to the Mactan International Airport.
Mandaue City Police chief Sr. Supt. Rodel Calungsud said Aves was allegedly the gunman in that operation, while fellow AKRHO member Jose Mari Temblon, who was arrested last December 14, served as driver. Both have denied the allegations.
While Singson denied any involvement in the killing of Kusaka, he admitted taking part in killing another Japanese national, Taro Suda, last July 18, also in Mandaue City, together with Aves and fellow AKRHO member Brando Ramirez, who is still at large.
The gun used by Ramirez in that incident had already been turned over by Singson and was proven also to have been the used to kill Suda. The gun, as well as the motorcycle used in that operation, was volunteered by Singson.
At the site were Kusaka was killed, police recovered three empty shells and one slug of a caliber 45.
Corpuz said that aside from the testimony of Singson, they now have two pieces of physical evidence against Aves and his cohorts on the Kusaka killing case – the motorcycle that was surrendered by Singson, and the caliber 45 pistol.
“Hopefully, we can already file the case within this week with regard to the Kusaka killing. We are just completing the package,” Corpuz said.
He even pointed out that the same gun was allegedly used in killing a local businessman in Mandaue City last October 2005, which he said could be another gun-for-hire job of Aves, and of an ordinary person involved allegedly in illegal drugs operations last February of this year in Cebu City.
Corpuz, however, remains clueless as to the real mastermind and motive in the Kusaka killing case, saying that Aves is not cooperative in their investigation.
“Our efforts now is geared at recovering other firearms and more amenities and identifying the masterminds,” he said.
Aves has been brought to the Cebu City Jail after his arrest because there are arrest warrants already issued against him for previous killing incidents, mostly related to fraternity wars.
Singson, on the other hand, remains under the custody of the CIDG VII since he was only charged before the prosecutor’s office with possession of illegal drugs./DMS
Monday, December 17, 2007
Justice Secretary suspends Jalosjos’ release from jail
By Ronron, with Miami
December 16, 2007
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Sunday suspended the release from the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) of convicted rapist former Zamboanga Congressman Romeo Jalosjos.
In a phone interview with Manila Shimbun last night, Gonzalez said they will still review the recommendation of former Bureau of Corrections Director Vicente Vinarao to release Jalosjos after having allegedly served already his commuted sentence.
“I suspended the release. We will review his case if he is already qualified for release or not,” Gonzalez said.
Jalosjos release prior to Christmas day was earlier reported after Malacañang announced the commutation of his sentence middle of this year.
The former Zamboanga del Norte solon was convicted by a Makati City court in 1997 of raping a minor./DMS
December 16, 2007
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Sunday suspended the release from the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) of convicted rapist former Zamboanga Congressman Romeo Jalosjos.
In a phone interview with Manila Shimbun last night, Gonzalez said they will still review the recommendation of former Bureau of Corrections Director Vicente Vinarao to release Jalosjos after having allegedly served already his commuted sentence.
“I suspended the release. We will review his case if he is already qualified for release or not,” Gonzalez said.
Jalosjos release prior to Christmas day was earlier reported after Malacañang announced the commutation of his sentence middle of this year.
The former Zamboanga del Norte solon was convicted by a Makati City court in 1997 of raping a minor./DMS
GRP-MILF talks on ancestral domain issue fail to push through in KL – Dureza
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3 Marine soldiers killed in ambush allegedly by NPA in Palawan
By Ronron
December 16, 2007
Three Marine soldiers were killed in an ambush early Sunday morning by suspected communist rebels in Palawan province, military and police officials said.
Lt. Col. Jonas Lumawag, spokesman of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), said in a phone interview yesterday that the victims were members of the 9th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) who were on an administrative mission, particularly to buy food supplies at the market.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, in a separate interview, noted that the incident happened on the first day of their three-week Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) against the New People’s Army (NPA).
Lumawag said the Marine elements were just on foot, without arms, and in civilian clothes when attacked by at most 20 suspected NPA rebels under the command of Gilbert Silagan, alias Ka Hadji, at Sitio Cauban, Barangay Binga, San Vicente town.
The Marines came from their detachment camp at said village.
“Apparently, the NPA did not follow/heed the SOMO declaration by the government,” Region IV-B Police Director Chief Supt. Louie Palmera said in a text message.
The communist movement has yet to reciprocate the SOMO declaration of the government.
Bacarro refused to disclose the identities of the slain soldiers because their next of kin have yet to be informed, but he said they are enlisted personnel.
While he assured that the SOMO will stand, Bacarro said pursuit operations will be launched against the perpetrators as a matter of law enforcement.
“Actions that would fall under law enforcement such as running after the perpetrators can be initiated, and actions falling under our inherent right to self-defense will be undertaken,” he said in a text message.
Palmera said he already instructed the Provincial Police Mobile Group to assist the Marines in conducting hot pursuit operations against the group of Silagan.
At the same time, scene of the crime operatives were sent to the ambush site to gather evidence for filing of possible charges against the perpetrators, said Lumawag.
The 6,300-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now.
Peace talks between the movement and the government bogged down in August 2004 after the former backed out due to their inclusion in the terrorist list of foreign governments.
The Arroyo government has vowed to render the insurgents insignificant by 2010./DMS
December 16, 2007
Three Marine soldiers were killed in an ambush early Sunday morning by suspected communist rebels in Palawan province, military and police officials said.
Lt. Col. Jonas Lumawag, spokesman of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), said in a phone interview yesterday that the victims were members of the 9th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) who were on an administrative mission, particularly to buy food supplies at the market.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, in a separate interview, noted that the incident happened on the first day of their three-week Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) against the New People’s Army (NPA).
Lumawag said the Marine elements were just on foot, without arms, and in civilian clothes when attacked by at most 20 suspected NPA rebels under the command of Gilbert Silagan, alias Ka Hadji, at Sitio Cauban, Barangay Binga, San Vicente town.
The Marines came from their detachment camp at said village.
“Apparently, the NPA did not follow/heed the SOMO declaration by the government,” Region IV-B Police Director Chief Supt. Louie Palmera said in a text message.
The communist movement has yet to reciprocate the SOMO declaration of the government.
Bacarro refused to disclose the identities of the slain soldiers because their next of kin have yet to be informed, but he said they are enlisted personnel.
While he assured that the SOMO will stand, Bacarro said pursuit operations will be launched against the perpetrators as a matter of law enforcement.
“Actions that would fall under law enforcement such as running after the perpetrators can be initiated, and actions falling under our inherent right to self-defense will be undertaken,” he said in a text message.
Palmera said he already instructed the Provincial Police Mobile Group to assist the Marines in conducting hot pursuit operations against the group of Silagan.
At the same time, scene of the crime operatives were sent to the ambush site to gather evidence for filing of possible charges against the perpetrators, said Lumawag.
The 6,300-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now.
Peace talks between the movement and the government bogged down in August 2004 after the former backed out due to their inclusion in the terrorist list of foreign governments.
The Arroyo government has vowed to render the insurgents insignificant by 2010./DMS
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Notorious killer in Cebu was groomed by his fraternity, says police
By Ronron
December 15, 2007
Cebu City - The notorious fraternity man here who was arrested last December 3 became the very famous local gunman-for-hire that he is, allegedly killing even two Japanese nationals, most probably because of the culture within his brotherhood organization.
Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Jr., the police chief here, said Aristotle Aves, who is only turning 27 on December 22nd, was described by his parents as good-natured until he joined the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) fraternity when he enrolled for a college degree at the University of Cebu (UC) sometime in either 1998 or 1999.
Aves has been identified by a colleague who is now under police custody as the killer of Taro Suda last July 18 and Hiroshi Kusaka last November 13 in the adjacent city here of Mandaue. At the time of his arrest, he was the number one most wanted criminal in Cebu City, having been involved allegedly in 30 fraternity wars, shooting, and robbery incidents in the city since 2004, said Comendador.
“He started as a hitman of AKRHO when they engage in fraternity wars with Tau Gamma. But eventually, when the opportunity came for him to earn from it, he ventured into gun-for-hire activities,” Comendador said of Aves, who is now detained at the Cebu City Jail, in an interview with Manila Shimbun last Friday.
Comendador said Aves only started getting involved in fraternity wars after he himself was hurt in one of said incident in 2001. At that time, he was no longer in school after he was kicked out “due to his character.” He was allegedly shot in that incident but he survived.
Sr. Insp. George Ylanan, criminal investigation and intelligence chief of the Cebu City Police, disclosed that Aves never finished college and was only up to first year level in his Customs Administration degree at UC.
In 2003, he began to figure in fraternity wars against Tau Gamma Fraternity, although it was only in 2004 when his name cropped up as a hitman, Comendador said.
Ylanan said the series of fraternity wars between AKRHO and Tau Gamma from 2003 to 2004 prompted the creation of Task Force Aves in 2004, which he headed.
“In those fraternity wars that sometimes resulted to killings, his (Aves) name always crops up. He is always identified as the hitman that’s why he had this reputation of being notorious,” Ylanan said in a separate interview.
The Cebu City government initially offered in 2004 a P150,000 reward money for any information leading to Aves’ arrest because of his notoriety in fraternity wars, particularly against Tau Gamma, that sometimes lead to killings. But after he was tagged in a series of drive-by shooting incidents during the third quarter of this year, Mayor Tomas Osmeña raised the bounty to P300,000.
Based on official police records, Aves was tagged as a suspect in seven shooting incidents as a result of a fraternity war in 2004 alone, one of which resulted to death of an innocent victim.
Eduardo Paradero, 48, was riding a jeepney on his way home last January 12, 2004 when caught in a crossfire between AKRHO and Tau Gamma members along R. Padilla St. in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, this city.
Paradero was hit on his left thigh, causing him to bleed to death.
A murder charge has been filed against Aves and other suspects.
Three other incidents in 2005, and at least three this year were also attributed to him by the Cebu City Police Office Homicide Division.
Of the 17 incidents in Cebu City being attributed to him officially, 14 are fraternity wars while the remaining three are what police describe as drive-by shooting or “thrill, senseless shooting” incidents, probably triggered by alcohol or illegal drugs influence.
Out of the 17, four incidents resulted to death of six people. The rest were cases of frustrated murder and attempted murder.
But Comendador said the number of cases to be attributed against Aves can actually go as high as 30 in Cebu City alone if other remaining incidents can be proven as his handiwork.
This does not include the 26 fraternity-related and drive-by shooting incidents in Mandaue City, and similar cases in Lapu-lapu City that may also be attributed to him. In fact, Ylanan said Aves already has pending cases before a Lapu-lapu City court as a result of some shooting incidents.
Comenandor said he suspects that Aves may have begun accepting gun-for-hire jobs in 2005. “He evolved into a gunman-for-hire because of the money involved. The masterminds found in him the right person to carry out kill plots, while he was after the money in carrying it out,” Comendador said of Aves.
One of the three shooting incidents in 2005 in Cebu City that is being attributed to Aves was apparently a gun-for-hire job of the latter, since police could not find an immediate motive for Aves to attack his victim.
The incident was the shooting of Vincent “Ben” Dungog, 23, at 12:15 am of April 19, 2005 along Aranas Street. Police noted that Dungog is not a member of Tau Gamma, and that a follow-up shooting incident against him later that day revealed the probable motive, which does not concern Aves.
Manila Shimbun attempted to get a copy of the list of 26 cases in Mandaue City that are being checked for possible involvement of Aves and his group, but officials denied the request for the meantime.
As of press time, what police can only cite with certainty as a gun-for-hire job of Aves was the killing of Suda last July because of the information provided by Jesus Singson, Jr., his fellow AKRHO member, and the recovery of the gun that was used in the incident.
As to the Kusaka killing case in November, the involvement of Aves remains an allegation, according to police, because Singson is providing only hearsay statements.
While he admitted taking part in the killing of Suda, Singson denied any role in the killing of Kusaka.
Based on Singson’s sworn testimony to the police, their group was paid with P10,000 to kill Suda. But he did not state who ordered the killing, what for, and from whom the money came from.
He also surrendered a caliber 45 pistol that later proved to be the one used to kill Suda. It was the one used by Brando Ramirez, who was in tandem with Aves on a motorcycle in committing the crime, said Singson.
Aves himself is not squealing, though.
Police said the key person to identifying the mastermind in the killing of Suda and probably Kusaka would have been Ramon Baclohan, who was killed when police attempted to apprehend him last December 10 at his house in Barangay Zapatera here.
Instead of giving himself up, Baclohan shot it out with the arresting officers that caused his death, and that of a rookie cop.
According to Singson, Baclohan was the one who gave them the project to kill Suda.
Singson said Baclohan had links with Aves’ group because he is the uncle of two AKRHO members who are part of the same group – the Pineda brothers, Cyron and Ivan.
To include Baclohan, police said Aves’ group may include 10 to 12 persons. So far, police only has the identities of Aves, Singson, Baclohan, Cyron and Ivan Pineda, Ramirez and Jose Mari Temblon.
The members of the group who are already under police custody are Aves, Singson, and Temblon. Aves and Singson were arrested last December 3 at the Mandaue City port, while Temblon was nabbed last Thursday at his house in Mandaue City.
Comendador said that in the drive-by shootings and other crimes committed by Aves, he would usually be riding in tandem with a group member on a motorcycle, and often times does not even cover his face with helmet or bonnet, but just wears a ball cap.
“I think that’s a character of criminal – to leave some traces about your identity because it is a source of pride if people, especially law enforcers, will run after you while you try to evade them,” Comendador said.
But with a tip provided by a civilian informant to the office of the city mayor, the long arms of the law finally caught up with Aves while he was about to sail on a public ferry to Ormoc City in Leyte, together with Singson. At that time, police served four arrest warrants against Aves – two for murder, one for homicide, and one for illegal possession of firearms, said Ylanan.
“We see his arrest to make a significant impact on the peace and order situation in the city and nearby cities and municipalities because he is the head of the group. And because we arrested him, the people will now trust their policemen, so other crimes can now be reported. Therefore, we will expect crimes to diminish here,” Comendador said.
According to the fraternity’s Central Visayas President, Richard Buscaino, Aves was already suspended from AKRHO since 2004 because of his alleged criminal activities.
“Our fraternity’s mission and vision is to be of service to the community, and not sow trouble,” Buscaino told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview also last Friday.
AKRHO, which was founded in 1973, has some 23,000 members now in Central Visayas. AKRHO first penetrated the region sometime in the 1980’s, said Buscaino.
Buscaino admitted that AKRHO members had been involved in fraternity wars in Cebu starting 1999, but clarified that these were never sanctioned by their leadership.
Police had suggested that when fraternities recruit members, they should make sure that proper screening is conducted so that trouble-makers cannot get through their organization.
Buscaino said they have been requiring their applicants to submit barangay clearances before they are accepted.
While he is not blaming AKRHO itself, Comendador said the culture in the group of fighting back against a rival fraternity could have somehow molded Aves to turn into the criminal that he is now.
“Maybe, if he (Aves) did not join AKRHO, he would not have engaged in those violent activities. Then, he would not have known how to kill. He would not have become a gunman-for-hire,” Comendador said./DMS
December 15, 2007
Cebu City - The notorious fraternity man here who was arrested last December 3 became the very famous local gunman-for-hire that he is, allegedly killing even two Japanese nationals, most probably because of the culture within his brotherhood organization.
Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Jr., the police chief here, said Aristotle Aves, who is only turning 27 on December 22nd, was described by his parents as good-natured until he joined the Alpha Kappa Rho (AKRHO) fraternity when he enrolled for a college degree at the University of Cebu (UC) sometime in either 1998 or 1999.
Aves has been identified by a colleague who is now under police custody as the killer of Taro Suda last July 18 and Hiroshi Kusaka last November 13 in the adjacent city here of Mandaue. At the time of his arrest, he was the number one most wanted criminal in Cebu City, having been involved allegedly in 30 fraternity wars, shooting, and robbery incidents in the city since 2004, said Comendador.
“He started as a hitman of AKRHO when they engage in fraternity wars with Tau Gamma. But eventually, when the opportunity came for him to earn from it, he ventured into gun-for-hire activities,” Comendador said of Aves, who is now detained at the Cebu City Jail, in an interview with Manila Shimbun last Friday.
Comendador said Aves only started getting involved in fraternity wars after he himself was hurt in one of said incident in 2001. At that time, he was no longer in school after he was kicked out “due to his character.” He was allegedly shot in that incident but he survived.
Sr. Insp. George Ylanan, criminal investigation and intelligence chief of the Cebu City Police, disclosed that Aves never finished college and was only up to first year level in his Customs Administration degree at UC.
In 2003, he began to figure in fraternity wars against Tau Gamma Fraternity, although it was only in 2004 when his name cropped up as a hitman, Comendador said.
Ylanan said the series of fraternity wars between AKRHO and Tau Gamma from 2003 to 2004 prompted the creation of Task Force Aves in 2004, which he headed.
“In those fraternity wars that sometimes resulted to killings, his (Aves) name always crops up. He is always identified as the hitman that’s why he had this reputation of being notorious,” Ylanan said in a separate interview.
The Cebu City government initially offered in 2004 a P150,000 reward money for any information leading to Aves’ arrest because of his notoriety in fraternity wars, particularly against Tau Gamma, that sometimes lead to killings. But after he was tagged in a series of drive-by shooting incidents during the third quarter of this year, Mayor Tomas Osmeña raised the bounty to P300,000.
Based on official police records, Aves was tagged as a suspect in seven shooting incidents as a result of a fraternity war in 2004 alone, one of which resulted to death of an innocent victim.
Eduardo Paradero, 48, was riding a jeepney on his way home last January 12, 2004 when caught in a crossfire between AKRHO and Tau Gamma members along R. Padilla St. in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, this city.
Paradero was hit on his left thigh, causing him to bleed to death.
A murder charge has been filed against Aves and other suspects.
Three other incidents in 2005, and at least three this year were also attributed to him by the Cebu City Police Office Homicide Division.
Of the 17 incidents in Cebu City being attributed to him officially, 14 are fraternity wars while the remaining three are what police describe as drive-by shooting or “thrill, senseless shooting” incidents, probably triggered by alcohol or illegal drugs influence.
Out of the 17, four incidents resulted to death of six people. The rest were cases of frustrated murder and attempted murder.
But Comendador said the number of cases to be attributed against Aves can actually go as high as 30 in Cebu City alone if other remaining incidents can be proven as his handiwork.
This does not include the 26 fraternity-related and drive-by shooting incidents in Mandaue City, and similar cases in Lapu-lapu City that may also be attributed to him. In fact, Ylanan said Aves already has pending cases before a Lapu-lapu City court as a result of some shooting incidents.
Comenandor said he suspects that Aves may have begun accepting gun-for-hire jobs in 2005. “He evolved into a gunman-for-hire because of the money involved. The masterminds found in him the right person to carry out kill plots, while he was after the money in carrying it out,” Comendador said of Aves.
One of the three shooting incidents in 2005 in Cebu City that is being attributed to Aves was apparently a gun-for-hire job of the latter, since police could not find an immediate motive for Aves to attack his victim.
The incident was the shooting of Vincent “Ben” Dungog, 23, at 12:15 am of April 19, 2005 along Aranas Street. Police noted that Dungog is not a member of Tau Gamma, and that a follow-up shooting incident against him later that day revealed the probable motive, which does not concern Aves.
Manila Shimbun attempted to get a copy of the list of 26 cases in Mandaue City that are being checked for possible involvement of Aves and his group, but officials denied the request for the meantime.
As of press time, what police can only cite with certainty as a gun-for-hire job of Aves was the killing of Suda last July because of the information provided by Jesus Singson, Jr., his fellow AKRHO member, and the recovery of the gun that was used in the incident.
As to the Kusaka killing case in November, the involvement of Aves remains an allegation, according to police, because Singson is providing only hearsay statements.
While he admitted taking part in the killing of Suda, Singson denied any role in the killing of Kusaka.
Based on Singson’s sworn testimony to the police, their group was paid with P10,000 to kill Suda. But he did not state who ordered the killing, what for, and from whom the money came from.
He also surrendered a caliber 45 pistol that later proved to be the one used to kill Suda. It was the one used by Brando Ramirez, who was in tandem with Aves on a motorcycle in committing the crime, said Singson.
Aves himself is not squealing, though.
Police said the key person to identifying the mastermind in the killing of Suda and probably Kusaka would have been Ramon Baclohan, who was killed when police attempted to apprehend him last December 10 at his house in Barangay Zapatera here.
Instead of giving himself up, Baclohan shot it out with the arresting officers that caused his death, and that of a rookie cop.
According to Singson, Baclohan was the one who gave them the project to kill Suda.
Singson said Baclohan had links with Aves’ group because he is the uncle of two AKRHO members who are part of the same group – the Pineda brothers, Cyron and Ivan.
To include Baclohan, police said Aves’ group may include 10 to 12 persons. So far, police only has the identities of Aves, Singson, Baclohan, Cyron and Ivan Pineda, Ramirez and Jose Mari Temblon.
The members of the group who are already under police custody are Aves, Singson, and Temblon. Aves and Singson were arrested last December 3 at the Mandaue City port, while Temblon was nabbed last Thursday at his house in Mandaue City.
Comendador said that in the drive-by shootings and other crimes committed by Aves, he would usually be riding in tandem with a group member on a motorcycle, and often times does not even cover his face with helmet or bonnet, but just wears a ball cap.
“I think that’s a character of criminal – to leave some traces about your identity because it is a source of pride if people, especially law enforcers, will run after you while you try to evade them,” Comendador said.
But with a tip provided by a civilian informant to the office of the city mayor, the long arms of the law finally caught up with Aves while he was about to sail on a public ferry to Ormoc City in Leyte, together with Singson. At that time, police served four arrest warrants against Aves – two for murder, one for homicide, and one for illegal possession of firearms, said Ylanan.
“We see his arrest to make a significant impact on the peace and order situation in the city and nearby cities and municipalities because he is the head of the group. And because we arrested him, the people will now trust their policemen, so other crimes can now be reported. Therefore, we will expect crimes to diminish here,” Comendador said.
According to the fraternity’s Central Visayas President, Richard Buscaino, Aves was already suspended from AKRHO since 2004 because of his alleged criminal activities.
“Our fraternity’s mission and vision is to be of service to the community, and not sow trouble,” Buscaino told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview also last Friday.
AKRHO, which was founded in 1973, has some 23,000 members now in Central Visayas. AKRHO first penetrated the region sometime in the 1980’s, said Buscaino.
Buscaino admitted that AKRHO members had been involved in fraternity wars in Cebu starting 1999, but clarified that these were never sanctioned by their leadership.
Police had suggested that when fraternities recruit members, they should make sure that proper screening is conducted so that trouble-makers cannot get through their organization.
Buscaino said they have been requiring their applicants to submit barangay clearances before they are accepted.
While he is not blaming AKRHO itself, Comendador said the culture in the group of fighting back against a rival fraternity could have somehow molded Aves to turn into the criminal that he is now.
“Maybe, if he (Aves) did not join AKRHO, he would not have engaged in those violent activities. Then, he would not have known how to kill. He would not have become a gunman-for-hire,” Comendador said./DMS
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