By Ronron
January 11, 2008
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Friday advised residents of Southern Leyte, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte to be on alert for possible flashfloods and landslides due to the prevailing Low Pressure Area (LPA).
NDCC Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza said in an advisory that the local disaster and coordinating councils should also take appropriate measures accordingly to avoid any casualties should calamity happen.
“The LPA estimated at 200 kilometers east of Northern Mindanao embedded within the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is expected to cross Northern Mindanao and Visayas tonight (Friday). This disturbance will bring moderate to heavy rains over Northeastern Mindanao-Eastern Visayas area, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” Rabonza said.
The forecast rainfall until today (Saturday), he said, could therefore affect the following river systems, streams and its tributaries: Bisay, Himbangan and Pandan Rivers in Southern Leyte; Surigao River in Surigao del Sur; and Tago River in Surigao del Norte.
“People near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas of the above mentioned river systems area advised to be alert for possible flashfloods and landslides,” Rabonza said.
In February 2006, a major landslide happened in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte due to continuous heavy rains. The incident buried the entire village of Guinsaugon, killing over a thousand people, most of whom were no longer recovered./DMS
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Suspected Reds attack Smart celliste in Aurora – police
By Ronron
January 11, 2008
Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked a cellsite facility of Smart Communications in Aurora province dawn of Friday, police said.
PO2 Michael Ruivera, radio operator of the Aurora Police Office, told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the incident happened at around 1 am when the facility was being guarded alone by the lot owner and its caretaker, Raul Daylo.
Ruivera said the facility was located at Barangay Esteves in Casiguran town, and the perpetrators numbered to more or less 17, almost of whom were carrying long firearms like M16.
He said the suspects first poured kerosene all over the facility and ignited it by firing their guns.
Ruivera said among the equipment burned was the facility’s power generator set.
He said the damage was so huge that it rendered the facility non-operational and the communication line to Aurora disconnected.
Cost and extent of damages, however, were not immediately known.
Ruivera said that during the course of the attack, Daylo was hurt. He said the 43-year-old caretaker, who is also a councilor in said village, suffered two gunshot wounds on his left leg, and one on his right foot toe.
“It was not indicated in the report if he was shot by the suspects or was just accidentally hit in the course of the shooting spree,” Ruivera said in Filipino.
Ruivera said Daylo was held by the perpetrators during the duration of the attack, and left him when they escaped.
The local police did not catch any of the suspects anymore when they arrived at the site, Ruivera said.
The government has vowed to neutralize the communist movement by 2010, citing its adverse effect to investment and economic development not just in the countryside but the entire nation as well.
The 5,700-strong NPA has been attacking cellsites in the countryside over the last few years, although it has spared Smart Communications.
The police and military have been saying that the attacks are due to the telecommunication companies’ refusal to pay the so-called “revolutionary tax” in favor of the communist movement./DMS
January 11, 2008
Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked a cellsite facility of Smart Communications in Aurora province dawn of Friday, police said.
PO2 Michael Ruivera, radio operator of the Aurora Police Office, told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the incident happened at around 1 am when the facility was being guarded alone by the lot owner and its caretaker, Raul Daylo.
Ruivera said the facility was located at Barangay Esteves in Casiguran town, and the perpetrators numbered to more or less 17, almost of whom were carrying long firearms like M16.
He said the suspects first poured kerosene all over the facility and ignited it by firing their guns.
Ruivera said among the equipment burned was the facility’s power generator set.
He said the damage was so huge that it rendered the facility non-operational and the communication line to Aurora disconnected.
Cost and extent of damages, however, were not immediately known.
Ruivera said that during the course of the attack, Daylo was hurt. He said the 43-year-old caretaker, who is also a councilor in said village, suffered two gunshot wounds on his left leg, and one on his right foot toe.
“It was not indicated in the report if he was shot by the suspects or was just accidentally hit in the course of the shooting spree,” Ruivera said in Filipino.
Ruivera said Daylo was held by the perpetrators during the duration of the attack, and left him when they escaped.
The local police did not catch any of the suspects anymore when they arrived at the site, Ruivera said.
The government has vowed to neutralize the communist movement by 2010, citing its adverse effect to investment and economic development not just in the countryside but the entire nation as well.
The 5,700-strong NPA has been attacking cellsites in the countryside over the last few years, although it has spared Smart Communications.
The police and military have been saying that the attacks are due to the telecommunication companies’ refusal to pay the so-called “revolutionary tax” in favor of the communist movement./DMS
AFP hopes to reduce ASG strength by half by end of 2008
By Ronron
January 11, 2008
The Philippine military hopes to reduce the current strength of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) by half by the end of this year through a more intensive operation in the south, its chief said in a recent interview.
Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told Camp Aguinaldo reporters that the ASG strength is just 383 as of end 2007 after neutralizing 69 members during the entire year.
“For the Abu Sayyaf Group, we are now targeting their reduction by about 50 percent for 2008,” he said.
“We shall now accelerate the momentum that we have acquired,” he added.
Esperon said the terrorists, who are believed to be in hiding with their Jemaah Islamiyah cohorts in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, will be jointly addressed by the Army, Navy, Marines and the Air Force.
Esperon said the operations will still be guided by the military’s Operation Plan (OPLAN) Bantay Laya II, which was launched in early 2007. The said OPLAN is geared at neutralizing the security threats in the country not just militarily but also through humanitarian assistance and economic development.
When asked about the movement of the ASG and JI bandits in the south, particularly on their escape to Malaysia by sea, Esperon said they have no verified information “that they indeed are just criss-crossing between Malaysia and Tawi-tawi.”
“Remember that we also have tie ups with our counterparts in the Malaysian Defense Forces. And so, the close working coordination and exchange of information about the terrorists is one factor that they have to contend with,” Esperon said.
He recalled the instance when the family of Dulmatin was apprehended last year as they were attempting to exit through the Philippine backdoor.
The ASG, according to the AFP, had reached to about 1,200 in strength during its peak of notoriety in 2000./DMS
January 11, 2008
The Philippine military hopes to reduce the current strength of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) by half by the end of this year through a more intensive operation in the south, its chief said in a recent interview.
Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told Camp Aguinaldo reporters that the ASG strength is just 383 as of end 2007 after neutralizing 69 members during the entire year.
“For the Abu Sayyaf Group, we are now targeting their reduction by about 50 percent for 2008,” he said.
“We shall now accelerate the momentum that we have acquired,” he added.
Esperon said the terrorists, who are believed to be in hiding with their Jemaah Islamiyah cohorts in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, will be jointly addressed by the Army, Navy, Marines and the Air Force.
Esperon said the operations will still be guided by the military’s Operation Plan (OPLAN) Bantay Laya II, which was launched in early 2007. The said OPLAN is geared at neutralizing the security threats in the country not just militarily but also through humanitarian assistance and economic development.
When asked about the movement of the ASG and JI bandits in the south, particularly on their escape to Malaysia by sea, Esperon said they have no verified information “that they indeed are just criss-crossing between Malaysia and Tawi-tawi.”
“Remember that we also have tie ups with our counterparts in the Malaysian Defense Forces. And so, the close working coordination and exchange of information about the terrorists is one factor that they have to contend with,” Esperon said.
He recalled the instance when the family of Dulmatin was apprehended last year as they were attempting to exit through the Philippine backdoor.
The ASG, according to the AFP, had reached to about 1,200 in strength during its peak of notoriety in 2000./DMS
Friday, January 11, 2008
Three suspected robbers killed in shootout with police in Tondo, Manila
By Ronron
January 10, 2008
Three suspected payroll robbers were killed in a shootout with policemen in Tondo, Manila City on Thursday morning, a police official said.
The incident happened at around 11:30 am near the Delpan Bridge, particularly at the corner of Road 10 and Moriones Street said Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Manila Police Station 2 commander.
Espino said the killed suspects are alleged members of a Navotas-based notorious payroll robbery group that have been operating in said area.
“We knew that this payroll robbery group will strike again so our men were alerted to check all possible escape route of the group. Fortunately, we caught them but they fought back that’s why there was an encounter with policemen,” Espino said in Filipino.
Espino said they found out that the group, which consists of four men who were aboard two motorcycles, apparently was not actually able to attack prior to the shootout.
But he said they are waiting for some complainants to show up to verify this.
“What we know is they are supposed to have an operation in Binondo area. We just don’t know why it did not push through or what happened to their job. But maybe, they were alarmed because we have deployed some personnel near their target establishment,” he said.
No valuables like money were recovered from the slain suspects.
Espino said that after the incident, one suspect died on the spot, two died while being brought to the Gat Andres Bonifacio hospital, and the last one was able to escape aboard a motorcycle.
Espino said the group’s leader, identified as a certain JP, was among the fatalities.
Recovered from the slain suspects at the shooting incident were one caliber 45, two caliber 38, a fan knife, and the other motorcycle.
There was no casualty on the police side, which consists of elements from the Manila Police Station 2 and Manila Police Special Task Group, Espino said.
Espino said the group has been identified as the one responsible for the payroll robbery incident in November last year involving Sulpicio Lines. The suspects were able to cart some P700,000 from said incident.
They were also tagged in the payroll robbery involving United Packers a few months earlier, and the hold-up incident involving an FX taxi on Wednesday night, Espino said./DMS
January 10, 2008
Three suspected payroll robbers were killed in a shootout with policemen in Tondo, Manila City on Thursday morning, a police official said.
The incident happened at around 11:30 am near the Delpan Bridge, particularly at the corner of Road 10 and Moriones Street said Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Manila Police Station 2 commander.
Espino said the killed suspects are alleged members of a Navotas-based notorious payroll robbery group that have been operating in said area.
“We knew that this payroll robbery group will strike again so our men were alerted to check all possible escape route of the group. Fortunately, we caught them but they fought back that’s why there was an encounter with policemen,” Espino said in Filipino.
Espino said they found out that the group, which consists of four men who were aboard two motorcycles, apparently was not actually able to attack prior to the shootout.
But he said they are waiting for some complainants to show up to verify this.
“What we know is they are supposed to have an operation in Binondo area. We just don’t know why it did not push through or what happened to their job. But maybe, they were alarmed because we have deployed some personnel near their target establishment,” he said.
No valuables like money were recovered from the slain suspects.
Espino said that after the incident, one suspect died on the spot, two died while being brought to the Gat Andres Bonifacio hospital, and the last one was able to escape aboard a motorcycle.
Espino said the group’s leader, identified as a certain JP, was among the fatalities.
Recovered from the slain suspects at the shooting incident were one caliber 45, two caliber 38, a fan knife, and the other motorcycle.
There was no casualty on the police side, which consists of elements from the Manila Police Station 2 and Manila Police Special Task Group, Espino said.
Espino said the group has been identified as the one responsible for the payroll robbery incident in November last year involving Sulpicio Lines. The suspects were able to cart some P700,000 from said incident.
They were also tagged in the payroll robbery involving United Packers a few months earlier, and the hold-up incident involving an FX taxi on Wednesday night, Espino said./DMS
At least 15 to be charged for Glorietta 2 blast
By Ronron
January 10, 2008
The government will file criminal and administrative charges against at least 15 persons for the explosion that ripped through Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City last October 19, 2007, killing 11 persons and hurting 108 others.
Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman, chief of the Southern Police District (SPD) who headed the Multi-Agency Investigation Task Force (MAITF) for the Glorietta 2 blast, issued the statement Thursday in a news conference at Camp Crame where he also officially ruled out bombing as the cause of the incident.
“The Task Force ruled out terrorism as the cause of the explosion. The explosion and the resultant death and damagers were caused by methane and diesel vapor explosion,” he said.
Ticman said that those identified to be charged include four engineers of the Makati Supermarket, Corp. (MSC), five personnel of the Marchem Industrial Sales and Services, Inc., two personnel of the Metalline Enterprises, and four personnel of the Makati City Fire Station (MCFS). Several John Does will also be included in the criminal charge sheet.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said in the same news conference that executives of Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and Ayala Properties Management, Corp. (APMC) are spared for now because there is no evidence of their “direct involvement” in the alleged negligence.
Ticman disclosed that MSC owns Glorietta 2 (G2) building where the blast happened, although the building is being managed by ALI and APMC.
Marchem, meanwhile, is responsible for the electrical, mechanical and other facilities of the MSC and G2, while Metalline was commissioned by APMC and MSC to install the exhaust and ventilation system at the Glorietta 2 basement last May 2007.
Ticman identified those to be charged as: 1) Engr. Candelario Valdueza, Project Engineer of MSC; 2) Engr. Marcelo Botenes, Building Engineer of MSC/G2; 3) Engr. Jowell Velvez, Building Administrator of MSC/G2; 4) Engr. Arnel Gonzales, Building Manager of MSC/G2; 5) Engr. Clifford Arriola, Operation Manager of Marchem; 6) Joselito Buenaventura, Supervisor of Marchem; 7) Charlie Nepomuceno, Marchem Maintenance Personnel; 8) Jonathan Ibuna, Marchem Maintenance Personnel; 9) Juan Ricafort, Marchem Maintenance Personnel; 10) Senior Fire Officer (SFO) 4 Anthony Grey, Fire Safety Inspector (FSI) of the MCFS; 11) SFO2 Leonio Balais, FSI of the MCFS; 12) Fire Senior Inspector Reynaldo Enoc, Fire Prevention Officer of the MCFS; 13) Fire Chief Insp. Jose Embang, Jr., chief of the MCFS; 14) Engr. Ricardo Cruz, Operations Manager of Metalline; and, 15) Miguel Velasco, Jr., foreman of Metalline.
Valdueza, Botenes, Velvez, and Gonzales will be charged for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries, and damage to property (Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code), Ticman said.
The reasons are as follows: 1) failure to make inspections reasonably necessary to ascertain the condition of its building, the basement in particular; 2) failure to maintain and inspect the said basement of MSC building in a manner that its agents and employees failed to take adequate safety practices and standards that resulted in the accumulation of biogas (methane/hydrogen sulfide) in the basement of said building; 3) failure to take action upon receiving report/notice of foul odor coming from the basement; 4) failure to use reasonable and ordinary care under the circumstances; and, 5) failure to comply with the safety standards set for by law.
Arriola, Buenaventura, Nepomuceno, Ibuna, and Ricafort, meanwhile, will also be charged for reckless imprudence/negligence (gross negligence) resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries and damage to property due to the following reasons: 1) for negligently and carelessly failing to maintain and inspect the said basement of MSC building that resulted in the defective condition of the sump pumps leading to the accumulation of biogas; 2) for negligently and carelessly failing to use explosion proof electric control cabinets, switch gears and lighting fixture in the basement; and, 3) for altering the standard electrical safety devices at the basement, like using an improvised wire jumper in lieu of a protective fuse.
Further, Cruz and Velasco will be sued for alleged violation of the Fire Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 1185), as well as the MSC and APMC.
For gross neglect of duty causing undue injury (violation of Section 3, paragraph e of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Grey, Balais, and Enoc will be charged, Ticman said.
A separate administrative charge for Gross Neglect of Duty will also be slapped against them, as well Embang for Simple Neglect of Duty.
Ticman said Embang will be included in the charge sheet for his “failure to review and validate before issuing the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate” (FSIC) to MSC/G2 last July 31, 2007.
Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Marius Corpus said the said certificate should have never been issued because there was a jumper inside the basement, and the diesel tank did not have a permit from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Ticman said the criminal charges will be filed most probably today (Friday) before the Department of Justice, while the administrative charges, Corpus said, will be before the BFP.
Corpus said once the administrative charges are filed, Grey, Balais and Enoc will have to be placed on preventive suspension as they undergo investigation. He said Embang may be spared from the suspension order because his case is minor only.
At the same time, Corpus said he might issue today (Friday) the cancellation order of the FSIC for MSC/G2, which will automatically force G2 to stop operating until it secures another certificate.
Corpus said that based on the findings of the MAITF, the victims of the blast and their families can also sue ALI executives and the above-mentioned personalities for civil liabilities.
Ticman said they have officially dismissed the angle of terrorism because they did not find any evidence of a bombing incident, like presence of crater, tearing effect on the damaged properties and victims, soot or blackening of non-affected areas, and components of bomb or improvised explosive device at the blast site and on the victims, namely power source, initiators, explosive ingredients and switch.
As to the gas build-up findings, Ticman said this is supported by the condition (presence of waste and poor ventilation) at the basement that allowed the build-up of methane gas, which, upon explosion, triggered the explosion also of the diesel tank.
“Based on the foregoing findings, clearly methane was produced and it reached its lower explosive limit of 31.4 cubic meter, which is five percent of the 628 cubic meter volume at the basement. Ignition was caused by the automatic switch for pump #4,” Ticman said.
The methane explosion then triggered the diesel vapor explosion because the rise in temperature it brought caused the diesel to reach its flash point of 55-70 degrees Celsius, Ticman said.
Puno said the ALI should just bring to court its claim that a gas explosion is unlikely, based on the theoretical findings of its hired experts. This after Ticman said that even if the MAITF took cognizance of the ALI’s report, it did not alter their findings.
“I think our report is defensible in court and anywhere under any kind of scrutiny,” Puno said.
The case of reckless imprudence is punishable with imprisonment from four months to four years and two months, Ticman said./DMS
January 10, 2008
The government will file criminal and administrative charges against at least 15 persons for the explosion that ripped through Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City last October 19, 2007, killing 11 persons and hurting 108 others.
Chief Supt. Luizo Ticman, chief of the Southern Police District (SPD) who headed the Multi-Agency Investigation Task Force (MAITF) for the Glorietta 2 blast, issued the statement Thursday in a news conference at Camp Crame where he also officially ruled out bombing as the cause of the incident.
“The Task Force ruled out terrorism as the cause of the explosion. The explosion and the resultant death and damagers were caused by methane and diesel vapor explosion,” he said.
Ticman said that those identified to be charged include four engineers of the Makati Supermarket, Corp. (MSC), five personnel of the Marchem Industrial Sales and Services, Inc., two personnel of the Metalline Enterprises, and four personnel of the Makati City Fire Station (MCFS). Several John Does will also be included in the criminal charge sheet.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said in the same news conference that executives of Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and Ayala Properties Management, Corp. (APMC) are spared for now because there is no evidence of their “direct involvement” in the alleged negligence.
Ticman disclosed that MSC owns Glorietta 2 (G2) building where the blast happened, although the building is being managed by ALI and APMC.
Marchem, meanwhile, is responsible for the electrical, mechanical and other facilities of the MSC and G2, while Metalline was commissioned by APMC and MSC to install the exhaust and ventilation system at the Glorietta 2 basement last May 2007.
Ticman identified those to be charged as: 1) Engr. Candelario Valdueza, Project Engineer of MSC; 2) Engr. Marcelo Botenes, Building Engineer of MSC/G2; 3) Engr. Jowell Velvez, Building Administrator of MSC/G2; 4) Engr. Arnel Gonzales, Building Manager of MSC/G2; 5) Engr. Clifford Arriola, Operation Manager of Marchem; 6) Joselito Buenaventura, Supervisor of Marchem; 7) Charlie Nepomuceno, Marchem Maintenance Personnel; 8) Jonathan Ibuna, Marchem Maintenance Personnel; 9) Juan Ricafort, Marchem Maintenance Personnel; 10) Senior Fire Officer (SFO) 4 Anthony Grey, Fire Safety Inspector (FSI) of the MCFS; 11) SFO2 Leonio Balais, FSI of the MCFS; 12) Fire Senior Inspector Reynaldo Enoc, Fire Prevention Officer of the MCFS; 13) Fire Chief Insp. Jose Embang, Jr., chief of the MCFS; 14) Engr. Ricardo Cruz, Operations Manager of Metalline; and, 15) Miguel Velasco, Jr., foreman of Metalline.
Valdueza, Botenes, Velvez, and Gonzales will be charged for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries, and damage to property (Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code), Ticman said.
The reasons are as follows: 1) failure to make inspections reasonably necessary to ascertain the condition of its building, the basement in particular; 2) failure to maintain and inspect the said basement of MSC building in a manner that its agents and employees failed to take adequate safety practices and standards that resulted in the accumulation of biogas (methane/hydrogen sulfide) in the basement of said building; 3) failure to take action upon receiving report/notice of foul odor coming from the basement; 4) failure to use reasonable and ordinary care under the circumstances; and, 5) failure to comply with the safety standards set for by law.
Arriola, Buenaventura, Nepomuceno, Ibuna, and Ricafort, meanwhile, will also be charged for reckless imprudence/negligence (gross negligence) resulting in multiple homicide, physical injuries and damage to property due to the following reasons: 1) for negligently and carelessly failing to maintain and inspect the said basement of MSC building that resulted in the defective condition of the sump pumps leading to the accumulation of biogas; 2) for negligently and carelessly failing to use explosion proof electric control cabinets, switch gears and lighting fixture in the basement; and, 3) for altering the standard electrical safety devices at the basement, like using an improvised wire jumper in lieu of a protective fuse.
Further, Cruz and Velasco will be sued for alleged violation of the Fire Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree 1185), as well as the MSC and APMC.
For gross neglect of duty causing undue injury (violation of Section 3, paragraph e of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Grey, Balais, and Enoc will be charged, Ticman said.
A separate administrative charge for Gross Neglect of Duty will also be slapped against them, as well Embang for Simple Neglect of Duty.
Ticman said Embang will be included in the charge sheet for his “failure to review and validate before issuing the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate” (FSIC) to MSC/G2 last July 31, 2007.
Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Marius Corpus said the said certificate should have never been issued because there was a jumper inside the basement, and the diesel tank did not have a permit from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Ticman said the criminal charges will be filed most probably today (Friday) before the Department of Justice, while the administrative charges, Corpus said, will be before the BFP.
Corpus said once the administrative charges are filed, Grey, Balais and Enoc will have to be placed on preventive suspension as they undergo investigation. He said Embang may be spared from the suspension order because his case is minor only.
At the same time, Corpus said he might issue today (Friday) the cancellation order of the FSIC for MSC/G2, which will automatically force G2 to stop operating until it secures another certificate.
Corpus said that based on the findings of the MAITF, the victims of the blast and their families can also sue ALI executives and the above-mentioned personalities for civil liabilities.
Ticman said they have officially dismissed the angle of terrorism because they did not find any evidence of a bombing incident, like presence of crater, tearing effect on the damaged properties and victims, soot or blackening of non-affected areas, and components of bomb or improvised explosive device at the blast site and on the victims, namely power source, initiators, explosive ingredients and switch.
As to the gas build-up findings, Ticman said this is supported by the condition (presence of waste and poor ventilation) at the basement that allowed the build-up of methane gas, which, upon explosion, triggered the explosion also of the diesel tank.
“Based on the foregoing findings, clearly methane was produced and it reached its lower explosive limit of 31.4 cubic meter, which is five percent of the 628 cubic meter volume at the basement. Ignition was caused by the automatic switch for pump #4,” Ticman said.
The methane explosion then triggered the diesel vapor explosion because the rise in temperature it brought caused the diesel to reach its flash point of 55-70 degrees Celsius, Ticman said.
Puno said the ALI should just bring to court its claim that a gas explosion is unlikely, based on the theoretical findings of its hired experts. This after Ticman said that even if the MAITF took cognizance of the ALI’s report, it did not alter their findings.
“I think our report is defensible in court and anywhere under any kind of scrutiny,” Puno said.
The case of reckless imprudence is punishable with imprisonment from four months to four years and two months, Ticman said./DMS
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Army chief to respect Malacanang decision whether or not to extend Esperon’s term
By Ronron
January 9, 2008
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano will respect the decision of Malacañang whether or not to extend the term of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. beyond February 9, the latter’s 56th birthday.
Even if he is among the strong contender for the chief of staff position, Yano said he is a trained and professional soldier who will be “prepared to take any duty.”
“That is part of my upbringing as a soldier, whether in whatever assignment, whatever area or station that I am assigned to, I have never shirked from any responsibility, from any duty,” Yano told reporters in a news conference Wednesday at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Speculations are spreading that Esperon might be extended allegedly due to the volatile political stability following the November 29 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City that was initiated by military rebels.
Yano said they are assuming that whatever decision President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will make on the term of Esperon, “this decision will definitely be guided by a wise advise or inputs from different sectors, not just from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
Thus, “we will support that more or that action by the President who has the prerogative to do so,” he said.
Yano said he is sure that the decision of Arroyo will be for the “greater interest of the nation at hand, and not just the Armed Forces.”
Asked if he and Esperon have a gentlemen’s agreement on the matter, Yano just said: “We are both gentlemen but there is no agreement.”
Yano is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1976, while Esperon belongs to the class of 1974./DMS
January 9, 2008
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano will respect the decision of Malacañang whether or not to extend the term of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. beyond February 9, the latter’s 56th birthday.
Even if he is among the strong contender for the chief of staff position, Yano said he is a trained and professional soldier who will be “prepared to take any duty.”
“That is part of my upbringing as a soldier, whether in whatever assignment, whatever area or station that I am assigned to, I have never shirked from any responsibility, from any duty,” Yano told reporters in a news conference Wednesday at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Speculations are spreading that Esperon might be extended allegedly due to the volatile political stability following the November 29 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City that was initiated by military rebels.
Yano said they are assuming that whatever decision President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will make on the term of Esperon, “this decision will definitely be guided by a wise advise or inputs from different sectors, not just from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
Thus, “we will support that more or that action by the President who has the prerogative to do so,” he said.
Yano said he is sure that the decision of Arroyo will be for the “greater interest of the nation at hand, and not just the Armed Forces.”
Asked if he and Esperon have a gentlemen’s agreement on the matter, Yano just said: “We are both gentlemen but there is no agreement.”
Yano is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1976, while Esperon belongs to the class of 1974./DMS
Army leadership to remain vigilant against possible military adventurists even if no specific report is monitored
By Ronron
January 9, 2008
The Philippine Army leadership will remain on alert for possible military adventurism even if there is no specific report to such effect that is monitored.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano told reporters Wednesday in a news conference at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City that he has directed Army commanders not to tolerate military adventurism and deal with violators decisively.
“There is nothing specific as of yet but we are trying to be proactive. We do not need any specific report to be able to prepare,” Yano said.
Among the efforts being done is the strengthening of intelligence gathering for possible defection by disgruntled soldiers.
He said this effort was particularly strengthened by the November 29, 2007 incident in Makati City where some Magdalo officers and military rebels took over the Manila Peninsula Hotel and called for the downfall of the Arroyo government.
In the same news conference, Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the Army’s First Scout Rangers Regiment, said they will continue to monitor activities involving recruitment of their personnel.
It can be recalled that Scout Rangers personnel have been involved in previous adventurisms, the recent of which was the alleged attempted February 2006 coup plot, which involved no less than the Scout Rangers commander then, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.
“For now, there is no recruitment activity. And even during the Manila Pen standoff, no one from our unit was involved. So that indicates the level of awareness of our soldiers now. Military adventurism is no longer in our minds,” Mapagu said in Filipino.
Army 7th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez echoed Mapagu’s statement as he assured that all his personnel are behind President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the military’s commander-in-chief, and are following the chain of command.
“We have inculcated in the minds of our people that we should put a stop to this (military adventurism) and we are happy to note that the whole of 7th ID were very supportive to the cause of this Republic,” Gomez said./DMS
January 9, 2008
The Philippine Army leadership will remain on alert for possible military adventurism even if there is no specific report to such effect that is monitored.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano told reporters Wednesday in a news conference at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City that he has directed Army commanders not to tolerate military adventurism and deal with violators decisively.
“There is nothing specific as of yet but we are trying to be proactive. We do not need any specific report to be able to prepare,” Yano said.
Among the efforts being done is the strengthening of intelligence gathering for possible defection by disgruntled soldiers.
He said this effort was particularly strengthened by the November 29, 2007 incident in Makati City where some Magdalo officers and military rebels took over the Manila Peninsula Hotel and called for the downfall of the Arroyo government.
In the same news conference, Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the Army’s First Scout Rangers Regiment, said they will continue to monitor activities involving recruitment of their personnel.
It can be recalled that Scout Rangers personnel have been involved in previous adventurisms, the recent of which was the alleged attempted February 2006 coup plot, which involved no less than the Scout Rangers commander then, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.
“For now, there is no recruitment activity. And even during the Manila Pen standoff, no one from our unit was involved. So that indicates the level of awareness of our soldiers now. Military adventurism is no longer in our minds,” Mapagu said in Filipino.
Army 7th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez echoed Mapagu’s statement as he assured that all his personnel are behind President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the military’s commander-in-chief, and are following the chain of command.
“We have inculcated in the minds of our people that we should put a stop to this (military adventurism) and we are happy to note that the whole of 7th ID were very supportive to the cause of this Republic,” Gomez said./DMS
Malacañang crafts proposal to amend RP Charter to achieve GRP-MILF peace pact
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Wednesday, January 9, 2008
NPA guerilla fronts should be down to 25 in 2010 – AFP
By Ronron
January 8, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has set specific targets in bringing down the strength of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) until 2010.
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon after their two-day command conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said that the current 87 guerilla fronts of the communist movement nationwide should be reduced to 25 by 2010 through their intensified operations.
The existing 87 guerilla fronts consist of 5,760 fighters. A guerilla front is the localized unit of the CPP-NPA, which is made up of both a political organization and armed fighters.
Based on their timeline, Esperon said 17 of the 87 guerilla fronts should be dismantled by the first quarter of this year, bringing down to 70 the remaining guerilla fronts.
Another 20 guerilla fronts should be dismantled by the end of the year, leaving 50 guerilla fronts, he said.
“By 2009, we expect to dismantle about 25. So that leaves you with 25 for 2010… That would be much, much less than the 107 maximum guerilla fronts that they have reached in 2005,” Esperon said.
If this is achieved, Esperon said the CPP-NPA will become an “inconsequential organization”.
Esperon could not immediately translate, however, the strength of said guerilla fronts into actual number of fighter because each guerilla front varies in the number of their members.
He said the strength of the front will only be learned upon its dismantling.
AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Antonio Romero told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the reduction of the guerilla fronts is expected to be achieved through three approaches: 1) intensified combat operation; 2) development programs in insurgency-affected areas; and, 3) offer for amnesty for those who want to surrender.
He said if the government revives the funding for the Balik-Baril Program, then more rebels are expected to return to the folds of the law. “This will surely reduce the number of the NPA fighters if they get paid for their firearms,” Romero said.
Romero said that with all those activities, they expect also that no more new guerilla fronts will emerge.
Romero said most of the 87 guerilla fronts are spread in Regions II, V and XIII (Caraga), while the remaining few are scattered elsewhere in the country.
As to Region IV-A (Calabarzon), which hosts a lot of industrial parks, Romero said there are just a few guerilla fronts now because many were already dismantled over the last few years.
“It’s just minimal there because we hit their guerilla fronts there precisely so we could protect the business community there,” Romero said.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed both the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to crush the insurgency movement by 2010 when she ends her term, saying that it has hindered economic development for the country.
The NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now./DMS
January 8, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has set specific targets in bringing down the strength of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) until 2010.
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon after their two-day command conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said that the current 87 guerilla fronts of the communist movement nationwide should be reduced to 25 by 2010 through their intensified operations.
The existing 87 guerilla fronts consist of 5,760 fighters. A guerilla front is the localized unit of the CPP-NPA, which is made up of both a political organization and armed fighters.
Based on their timeline, Esperon said 17 of the 87 guerilla fronts should be dismantled by the first quarter of this year, bringing down to 70 the remaining guerilla fronts.
Another 20 guerilla fronts should be dismantled by the end of the year, leaving 50 guerilla fronts, he said.
“By 2009, we expect to dismantle about 25. So that leaves you with 25 for 2010… That would be much, much less than the 107 maximum guerilla fronts that they have reached in 2005,” Esperon said.
If this is achieved, Esperon said the CPP-NPA will become an “inconsequential organization”.
Esperon could not immediately translate, however, the strength of said guerilla fronts into actual number of fighter because each guerilla front varies in the number of their members.
He said the strength of the front will only be learned upon its dismantling.
AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Antonio Romero told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the reduction of the guerilla fronts is expected to be achieved through three approaches: 1) intensified combat operation; 2) development programs in insurgency-affected areas; and, 3) offer for amnesty for those who want to surrender.
He said if the government revives the funding for the Balik-Baril Program, then more rebels are expected to return to the folds of the law. “This will surely reduce the number of the NPA fighters if they get paid for their firearms,” Romero said.
Romero said that with all those activities, they expect also that no more new guerilla fronts will emerge.
Romero said most of the 87 guerilla fronts are spread in Regions II, V and XIII (Caraga), while the remaining few are scattered elsewhere in the country.
As to Region IV-A (Calabarzon), which hosts a lot of industrial parks, Romero said there are just a few guerilla fronts now because many were already dismantled over the last few years.
“It’s just minimal there because we hit their guerilla fronts there precisely so we could protect the business community there,” Romero said.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed both the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to crush the insurgency movement by 2010 when she ends her term, saying that it has hindered economic development for the country.
The NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now./DMS
AFP allays fears of public for national ID system
By Ronron
January 8, 2008
The public should not be afraid of the proposed National Identification system because this will not only be beneficial to national security, it is also for their personal convenience in availing government services.
This was the message Tuesday of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. even as he also admitted that the system is not really enough for the government to win over the problem of insurgency and terrorism.
When the AFP recommended to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last Monday the implementation of the national ID system, some sectors quickly rejected the proposal out of fear that it will be used to infringe on privacy and violate human rights.
“The National ID scheme revival comes from the same anti-rights menu as the Human Security Act and Anti-Subversion Law. Given the Philippine experience in the context of the dark idea, this is a surveillance net that will invade the right to privacy and allow involuntary intrusions to our lives,” said Atty. Edre Olalia, President of the International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL).
But Esperon said the proposed ID system is no different from the ones being used now by every Filipino.
“Let me know what ID you have right now. Do you consider that an infringement on your rights?” Esperon asked a reporter during yesterday afternoon’s press conference after their two-day command conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City ended.
“We want to look at the national ID system as a tool, not only for security but more importantly, for other functions of government like provision of basic services, even for planning inputs,” the military chief said.
He went on to say: “Indeed, the national ID could serve our ends as security elements. But more than serving our needs, we also believe that it can be more to the advantage of the individual to be carrying an ID for himself. One (example is when) you go to an establishment, they need your identification.”
Esperon cited in particular the people in remote provinces who just rely on their residential certificates for official identification purposes. He said the problem with said certificate is it is not tamper-proof.
“That will only delay what they want to get. Whereas, if they already have an ID, then it becomes a convenient tool for them to carry out their business,” Esperon said.
Asked why should the proposal come then from the AFP if the primary purpose of the national ID system is for social services, Esperon said: “That’s just an expression of our support to a National ID system because that’s also advocated by other agencies and by other sectors.”
“The national ID will not win the insurgency. That’s why our internal security operations is not hinged on a national ID. That’s probably one that is considered but you cannot win an insurgency with a national ID. Definitely not,” he added.
But Esperon said he hopes that over time, the people will be open-minded to the said proposal./DMS
January 8, 2008
The public should not be afraid of the proposed National Identification system because this will not only be beneficial to national security, it is also for their personal convenience in availing government services.
This was the message Tuesday of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. even as he also admitted that the system is not really enough for the government to win over the problem of insurgency and terrorism.
When the AFP recommended to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last Monday the implementation of the national ID system, some sectors quickly rejected the proposal out of fear that it will be used to infringe on privacy and violate human rights.
“The National ID scheme revival comes from the same anti-rights menu as the Human Security Act and Anti-Subversion Law. Given the Philippine experience in the context of the dark idea, this is a surveillance net that will invade the right to privacy and allow involuntary intrusions to our lives,” said Atty. Edre Olalia, President of the International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL).
But Esperon said the proposed ID system is no different from the ones being used now by every Filipino.
“Let me know what ID you have right now. Do you consider that an infringement on your rights?” Esperon asked a reporter during yesterday afternoon’s press conference after their two-day command conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City ended.
“We want to look at the national ID system as a tool, not only for security but more importantly, for other functions of government like provision of basic services, even for planning inputs,” the military chief said.
He went on to say: “Indeed, the national ID could serve our ends as security elements. But more than serving our needs, we also believe that it can be more to the advantage of the individual to be carrying an ID for himself. One (example is when) you go to an establishment, they need your identification.”
Esperon cited in particular the people in remote provinces who just rely on their residential certificates for official identification purposes. He said the problem with said certificate is it is not tamper-proof.
“That will only delay what they want to get. Whereas, if they already have an ID, then it becomes a convenient tool for them to carry out their business,” Esperon said.
Asked why should the proposal come then from the AFP if the primary purpose of the national ID system is for social services, Esperon said: “That’s just an expression of our support to a National ID system because that’s also advocated by other agencies and by other sectors.”
“The national ID will not win the insurgency. That’s why our internal security operations is not hinged on a national ID. That’s probably one that is considered but you cannot win an insurgency with a national ID. Definitely not,” he added.
But Esperon said he hopes that over time, the people will be open-minded to the said proposal./DMS
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Puno said if MILF continues to reject Constitutional process, then let the war proceed
By Ronron
January 7, 2008
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said on Monday that if the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continues to defy the Constitutional means of the government in forging a peace pact with them, then the negotiation should just be stopped.
Puno issued the statement as the MILF, in its official website www.luwaran.com, stressed on the same day that it should not be made party by the government in the Constitutional processes the latter is taking in coming up with an agreement.
“If the MILF doesn’t want our agreement, if they do not want to respect our Constitution, then let us stop negotiating and just continue with the war,” Puno told reporters in Malacanang.
“The technical group (of the government) might have made a mistake in agreeing to (the MILF’s) previous demands,” he added.
The last exploratory talks between the government and MILF did not push through in mid-December last year after the latter found out that the former introduced new points in the draft Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, different from the consensus points since April 2005.
MILF Central Committee Secretariat Chairman Muhammad Ameen said yesterday that the MILF cannot take part in the Constitutional processes that the government is taking because it is a revolutionary organization that does not recognize the Philippine government.
Besides, he said, all negotiations to resolve sovereignty-based conflicts all over the world such as those in Kosovo, Ireland, Bougainville, Aceh, Sudan, Western Sahara and many others are extra-Constitutional in character.
So, the MILF should not be an exception, he added.
But Puno said the government has always been “upfront with the MILF” as far as the Constitutional process is concerned.
“We are telling them that if they want this, it might require amending the Constitution, which we may not achieve after signing the Agreement. Where will that lead us? We will be back to square one,” he said.
But Ameen cited what happened to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which, he said, became a failure because the group succumbed to the Philippine Constitution when it signed a peace pact in 1996.
“After more than 10 years since the signing of the GRP-MNLF Final Agreement in 1996, the MNLF and Nur Misuari are back to square one as far as the genuine resolution of the Moro problem is concerned. Instead of giving genuine self-governance to the Bangsamoro people, they are being integrated into the national body politic, reminiscent of the government approach in the 50’s and 60’s,” Ameen said.
Government chief negotiator Rodolfo Garcia said in a phone interview yesterday they understand the position of the MILF about the Constitutional process issue that is why “we are working on it.”
“The negotiation is not in the stage of hopelessness. I don’t think so. It is very far from it. The situation is very much workable and that is what the panel is doing right now,” Garcia said.
He said they are consulting with their legal team to address the Constitutional issue in addressing the demands of the MILF.
Among the possible action to take is amending the Constitution to allow the creation of a Federal State for the Bangsamoro people.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, in a separate phone interview, said the only saving grace for the stalled talks is for the “government to reconsider their position on the consensus points, which they reneged last December.”
“We can salvage the peace talks if they (government) abide by the consensus points on ancestral domains that was signed since April 2005, with a third party facilitator,” Iqbal said.
Iqbal criticized Puno for being a war freak, instead of helping achieve a peace agreement.
“From the time of Marcos, to Estrada’s, and now, Arroyo’s, Puno has always been for an all-out war with us… All along, he has been the hardliner in the Arroyo cabinet,” Iqbal said.
Iqbal challenged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to call the shots instead if she really wants a resolution of the problem in Mindanao.
“If there is going to be war here in Mindanao, I am sure the international community and the public opinion will go for us who upheld the consensus points. We are definitely on a higher moral ground, higher moral authority to defend ourselves,” Iqbal said./DMS
January 7, 2008
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said on Monday that if the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continues to defy the Constitutional means of the government in forging a peace pact with them, then the negotiation should just be stopped.
Puno issued the statement as the MILF, in its official website www.luwaran.com, stressed on the same day that it should not be made party by the government in the Constitutional processes the latter is taking in coming up with an agreement.
“If the MILF doesn’t want our agreement, if they do not want to respect our Constitution, then let us stop negotiating and just continue with the war,” Puno told reporters in Malacanang.
“The technical group (of the government) might have made a mistake in agreeing to (the MILF’s) previous demands,” he added.
The last exploratory talks between the government and MILF did not push through in mid-December last year after the latter found out that the former introduced new points in the draft Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, different from the consensus points since April 2005.
MILF Central Committee Secretariat Chairman Muhammad Ameen said yesterday that the MILF cannot take part in the Constitutional processes that the government is taking because it is a revolutionary organization that does not recognize the Philippine government.
Besides, he said, all negotiations to resolve sovereignty-based conflicts all over the world such as those in Kosovo, Ireland, Bougainville, Aceh, Sudan, Western Sahara and many others are extra-Constitutional in character.
So, the MILF should not be an exception, he added.
But Puno said the government has always been “upfront with the MILF” as far as the Constitutional process is concerned.
“We are telling them that if they want this, it might require amending the Constitution, which we may not achieve after signing the Agreement. Where will that lead us? We will be back to square one,” he said.
But Ameen cited what happened to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which, he said, became a failure because the group succumbed to the Philippine Constitution when it signed a peace pact in 1996.
“After more than 10 years since the signing of the GRP-MNLF Final Agreement in 1996, the MNLF and Nur Misuari are back to square one as far as the genuine resolution of the Moro problem is concerned. Instead of giving genuine self-governance to the Bangsamoro people, they are being integrated into the national body politic, reminiscent of the government approach in the 50’s and 60’s,” Ameen said.
Government chief negotiator Rodolfo Garcia said in a phone interview yesterday they understand the position of the MILF about the Constitutional process issue that is why “we are working on it.”
“The negotiation is not in the stage of hopelessness. I don’t think so. It is very far from it. The situation is very much workable and that is what the panel is doing right now,” Garcia said.
He said they are consulting with their legal team to address the Constitutional issue in addressing the demands of the MILF.
Among the possible action to take is amending the Constitution to allow the creation of a Federal State for the Bangsamoro people.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, in a separate phone interview, said the only saving grace for the stalled talks is for the “government to reconsider their position on the consensus points, which they reneged last December.”
“We can salvage the peace talks if they (government) abide by the consensus points on ancestral domains that was signed since April 2005, with a third party facilitator,” Iqbal said.
Iqbal criticized Puno for being a war freak, instead of helping achieve a peace agreement.
“From the time of Marcos, to Estrada’s, and now, Arroyo’s, Puno has always been for an all-out war with us… All along, he has been the hardliner in the Arroyo cabinet,” Iqbal said.
Iqbal challenged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to call the shots instead if she really wants a resolution of the problem in Mindanao.
“If there is going to be war here in Mindanao, I am sure the international community and the public opinion will go for us who upheld the consensus points. We are definitely on a higher moral ground, higher moral authority to defend ourselves,” Iqbal said./DMS
AFP, PNP tells Arroyo that NPA is still biggest threat, destabilizers are least
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AFP revives National ID proposal before Arroyo
By Ronron
January 7, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday revived the National Identification system proposal before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during its first command conference for the year held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told reporters that “the recommendation for the revival of the national ID system is to accelerate accomplishing the marching orders given to the AFP.”
The marching order being referred to is the one issued by Arroyo middle of last year, which is “defeating the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) by 2010, destroying the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) soonest, and containing the secessionist groups in order to establish a physically and psychologically secure environment conducive to national development.”
In response, the President, according to Bacarro, “has directed the Department of National Defense to conduct a study relative to the implementation of the ID system.”
“The President has given clear guidance that it should be within the purview of the law,” Bacarro said.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., who was present at the command conference, said Arroyo “is in favor of having the national ID system in the vein that it is an ID system that would provide services for our citizens.”
Asked if the said proposal could be approved and implemented this year, Razon said: “Yes, as soon as possible so the insurgents, terrorists, criminal elements could not hide behind the cloak of anonymity.”
Assuring that it will not be used to pry on the privacy of individuals, the PNP chief said the ID should just bear pertinent basic personal facts like name, birthdate, address, photo and fingerprint.
“We should really establish an ID system and the people should not be afraid of this. The ID system is not in a way to infringe on basic human rights but to provide service on our people, like what the Philhealth and SSS ID’s serve,” Razon said.
He said those opposed to the national ID system should just look at it the way they view the Driver’s License, the Philhealth card, and the SSS ID card.
Razon also said implementing the ID system should not require Congressional approval because it is no different from the ID cards issued by the Social Security System, or Philhealth.
Aside from the national ID system, Razon said possible amendments to the Human Security Act of 2007 was also discussed during the command conference, particularly on the aspect of making the crime of illegal possession of firearms non-bailable.
Arroyo, who is the commander-in-chief of both the AFP and the PNP, presided over the closed-door command conference that began past 10 am. She left about two hours later, however, even as the conference is yet to wrap up./DMS
January 7, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday revived the National Identification system proposal before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during its first command conference for the year held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro told reporters that “the recommendation for the revival of the national ID system is to accelerate accomplishing the marching orders given to the AFP.”
The marching order being referred to is the one issued by Arroyo middle of last year, which is “defeating the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) by 2010, destroying the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) soonest, and containing the secessionist groups in order to establish a physically and psychologically secure environment conducive to national development.”
In response, the President, according to Bacarro, “has directed the Department of National Defense to conduct a study relative to the implementation of the ID system.”
“The President has given clear guidance that it should be within the purview of the law,” Bacarro said.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., who was present at the command conference, said Arroyo “is in favor of having the national ID system in the vein that it is an ID system that would provide services for our citizens.”
Asked if the said proposal could be approved and implemented this year, Razon said: “Yes, as soon as possible so the insurgents, terrorists, criminal elements could not hide behind the cloak of anonymity.”
Assuring that it will not be used to pry on the privacy of individuals, the PNP chief said the ID should just bear pertinent basic personal facts like name, birthdate, address, photo and fingerprint.
“We should really establish an ID system and the people should not be afraid of this. The ID system is not in a way to infringe on basic human rights but to provide service on our people, like what the Philhealth and SSS ID’s serve,” Razon said.
He said those opposed to the national ID system should just look at it the way they view the Driver’s License, the Philhealth card, and the SSS ID card.
Razon also said implementing the ID system should not require Congressional approval because it is no different from the ID cards issued by the Social Security System, or Philhealth.
Aside from the national ID system, Razon said possible amendments to the Human Security Act of 2007 was also discussed during the command conference, particularly on the aspect of making the crime of illegal possession of firearms non-bailable.
Arroyo, who is the commander-in-chief of both the AFP and the PNP, presided over the closed-door command conference that began past 10 am. She left about two hours later, however, even as the conference is yet to wrap up./DMS
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Army troops securing visit of Sen. Angara in Aurora attacked allegedly by NPA, one hurt
By Ronron
January 5, 2008
A government soldier that was part of the team that provided security to visiting Senator Edgardo Angara Saturday in Aurora province was hurt after they were ambushed by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, officials said.
Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Romeo Teope told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the seven-man Philippine Army team from the 69th Infantry Battalion was already returning to their base in Barangay Dibacong, Casiguran town when fired upon at around 1:15 pm by some 15 heavily-armed guerillas at Sitio Marabini, Barangay Nipoo in Dinalungan town.
Teope said that earlier, the Army troopers conducted security patrol in Dinalungan in relation to the visit in the morning of Angara in said town.
He said that Angara was in town, accompanied by Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, to distribute “bangus” fingerlings and provide support to the programs of the municipality and barangay officials.
Teope said Angara’s party left Dinalungan before lunchtime for Casiguran town by land where they later took a boat bound for either Baler or Dingalan.
“Senator Angara and his party were already aboard a boat to Baler or Dingalan when the ambush happened,” Teope said, adding that Angara’s party took a route to Casiguran different from the one taken by the ambushed Army troopers.
Teope said what happened must have been just a chance ambush because otherwise, the rebels would have used landmines and peppered their targets with more gunfires to inflict heavier casualties.
“Maybe, they were just passing by the area when they saw the Army truck coming. So they took advantage of the situation,” Teope said of the perpetrators.
“There was a quick firefight because the Army men also fired back. But the rebels immediately withdrew,” he added.
Teope said the ambushed soldiers were aboard a six-by-six Army truck, and were headed by 2Lt. Carlito Torres at that time.
Injured was Corporal Silvester Usita, who was driving the truck and got hit on his left arm. He was rushed to the Casiguran District Hospital for medication, said Teope.
The attack came on the last day of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) unilateral suspension of offensive military operations against the NPA, which started during the Christmas break.
The 6,000-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades already.
The government vowed to crush the movement by 2010./DMS
January 5, 2008
A government soldier that was part of the team that provided security to visiting Senator Edgardo Angara Saturday in Aurora province was hurt after they were ambushed by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, officials said.
Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Romeo Teope told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that the seven-man Philippine Army team from the 69th Infantry Battalion was already returning to their base in Barangay Dibacong, Casiguran town when fired upon at around 1:15 pm by some 15 heavily-armed guerillas at Sitio Marabini, Barangay Nipoo in Dinalungan town.
Teope said that earlier, the Army troopers conducted security patrol in Dinalungan in relation to the visit in the morning of Angara in said town.
He said that Angara was in town, accompanied by Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, to distribute “bangus” fingerlings and provide support to the programs of the municipality and barangay officials.
Teope said Angara’s party left Dinalungan before lunchtime for Casiguran town by land where they later took a boat bound for either Baler or Dingalan.
“Senator Angara and his party were already aboard a boat to Baler or Dingalan when the ambush happened,” Teope said, adding that Angara’s party took a route to Casiguran different from the one taken by the ambushed Army troopers.
Teope said what happened must have been just a chance ambush because otherwise, the rebels would have used landmines and peppered their targets with more gunfires to inflict heavier casualties.
“Maybe, they were just passing by the area when they saw the Army truck coming. So they took advantage of the situation,” Teope said of the perpetrators.
“There was a quick firefight because the Army men also fired back. But the rebels immediately withdrew,” he added.
Teope said the ambushed soldiers were aboard a six-by-six Army truck, and were headed by 2Lt. Carlito Torres at that time.
Injured was Corporal Silvester Usita, who was driving the truck and got hit on his left arm. He was rushed to the Casiguran District Hospital for medication, said Teope.
The attack came on the last day of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) unilateral suspension of offensive military operations against the NPA, which started during the Christmas break.
The 6,000-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades already.
The government vowed to crush the movement by 2010./DMS
PLDT says technical glitch, not hacking caused diversion of government websites to theme park website
By Ronron
January 5, 2008
The service provider of the internet sites of three government agencies cleared on Saturday speculations that the diversion of their websites to the website of a popular theme park in the Philippines was due to hacking activities.
The spokesman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company, Ramon Isberto, said in a phone interview that the diversion of the websites of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Information Technology and E-Commerce Council (ITECC) last Thursday “was more of a result of a technical glitch.”
“It wasn’t hacking,” Isberto told Manila Shimbun yesterday.
On Thursday afternoon, the websites of the DOJ, the CIDG, and ITECC were diverted to the website of Enchanted Kingdom, a popular theme park located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
After finding out, officials immediately ordered a restoration of the affected websites as they ordered an investigation on what caused the diversion.
Enchanted Kingdom has denied anything to do with the diversion, saying they were surprised themselves upon learning it from the news.
The DOJ had earlier downplayed the angle of hacking behind the incident, saying there could just have been cross-reference of the domains of the affected websites because they all share the same server, PLDT.
Isberto disclosed yesterday that the affected websites actually belong to one cluster.
“When we learned of the problem, our technical people immediately traced the source and they immediately re-configured the addresses and software. It was more of a configuration error,” Isberto said.
Isberto is not immediately aware, however, as to what caused the configuration error.
Nevertheless, he assured that even if the sites are still in the same cluster, “that incident won’t happen again.”
Isberto admitted that it was the first time he learned of such kind of diversion of the websites that are being maintained by PLDT./DMS
January 5, 2008
The service provider of the internet sites of three government agencies cleared on Saturday speculations that the diversion of their websites to the website of a popular theme park in the Philippines was due to hacking activities.
The spokesman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company, Ramon Isberto, said in a phone interview that the diversion of the websites of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Information Technology and E-Commerce Council (ITECC) last Thursday “was more of a result of a technical glitch.”
“It wasn’t hacking,” Isberto told Manila Shimbun yesterday.
On Thursday afternoon, the websites of the DOJ, the CIDG, and ITECC were diverted to the website of Enchanted Kingdom, a popular theme park located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
After finding out, officials immediately ordered a restoration of the affected websites as they ordered an investigation on what caused the diversion.
Enchanted Kingdom has denied anything to do with the diversion, saying they were surprised themselves upon learning it from the news.
The DOJ had earlier downplayed the angle of hacking behind the incident, saying there could just have been cross-reference of the domains of the affected websites because they all share the same server, PLDT.
Isberto disclosed yesterday that the affected websites actually belong to one cluster.
“When we learned of the problem, our technical people immediately traced the source and they immediately re-configured the addresses and software. It was more of a configuration error,” Isberto said.
Isberto is not immediately aware, however, as to what caused the configuration error.
Nevertheless, he assured that even if the sites are still in the same cluster, “that incident won’t happen again.”
Isberto admitted that it was the first time he learned of such kind of diversion of the websites that are being maintained by PLDT./DMS
Police seizes, then releases three trucks containing explosives and explosive ingredients to be used for mining operations in Mindanao
By Ronron
January 5, 2008
Police seized late Friday evening three trucks in Sorsogon province that contained several pieces of explosive materials.
But after finding out that it had legal papers for its purchase and shipment, the items were released before noon Saturday, a police official said.
The trucks were held at around 9:42 pm Friday at a joint police and Army checkpoint in Barangay Gadgaron in Matnog town after the drivers failed to show authenticated copies of the items’ purchase and transport permits, said town police commander Chief Insp. Jesus Callada.
During a check inside the trucks, Callada said they found the following items: 1,300 cases of dynamites (each case has 130 dynamite sticks); 50,000 blasting caps; 162,600 meters of detonating cord; 162,600 pieces of safety fuse; 34,000 connectors; 4,244 fuse lighters; 2,320 timers; and, 97,000 kilos of ammonium nitrate.
Callada said they held the shipment because they wanted to ensure that the photocopied permits shown by the three drivers and their escort from the Civil Security Group (CSG) in Camp Crame, Quezon City, identified as PO3 Nathaniel Villarta, are authentic.
Thus, on Saturday morning, after a confirmation from Chief Supt. Florencio Caccam, Jr., the chief of the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Division (FED), that the shipment has his authority, the trucks were allowed to leave at around 11 am, said Callada.
“We were just doing our job because as you know, we have a lot of bombing incidents in the country,” Callada said.
The official disclosed that the shipment came from Nitro-Asia in Balanag City, Bataan, and was bound for PHILSAGA Mining Corporation in Agusan del Sur, and Pacific Cement Corporation in Surigao City.
He said the trucks left Bataan City Thursday and were supposed to take a cargo vessel in Matnog to reach their respective destination.
“They said those items were to be used for mining operations,” Callada said./DMS
January 5, 2008
Police seized late Friday evening three trucks in Sorsogon province that contained several pieces of explosive materials.
But after finding out that it had legal papers for its purchase and shipment, the items were released before noon Saturday, a police official said.
The trucks were held at around 9:42 pm Friday at a joint police and Army checkpoint in Barangay Gadgaron in Matnog town after the drivers failed to show authenticated copies of the items’ purchase and transport permits, said town police commander Chief Insp. Jesus Callada.
During a check inside the trucks, Callada said they found the following items: 1,300 cases of dynamites (each case has 130 dynamite sticks); 50,000 blasting caps; 162,600 meters of detonating cord; 162,600 pieces of safety fuse; 34,000 connectors; 4,244 fuse lighters; 2,320 timers; and, 97,000 kilos of ammonium nitrate.
Callada said they held the shipment because they wanted to ensure that the photocopied permits shown by the three drivers and their escort from the Civil Security Group (CSG) in Camp Crame, Quezon City, identified as PO3 Nathaniel Villarta, are authentic.
Thus, on Saturday morning, after a confirmation from Chief Supt. Florencio Caccam, Jr., the chief of the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Division (FED), that the shipment has his authority, the trucks were allowed to leave at around 11 am, said Callada.
“We were just doing our job because as you know, we have a lot of bombing incidents in the country,” Callada said.
The official disclosed that the shipment came from Nitro-Asia in Balanag City, Bataan, and was bound for PHILSAGA Mining Corporation in Agusan del Sur, and Pacific Cement Corporation in Surigao City.
He said the trucks left Bataan City Thursday and were supposed to take a cargo vessel in Matnog to reach their respective destination.
“They said those items were to be used for mining operations,” Callada said./DMS
Police preparing for Black Nazarene feast celebration in Quiapo on Wednesday
By Ronron
January 5, 2008
Police in Manila City are already preparing for the celebration of the Catholic Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo District this coming Wednesday.
Manila Police Station 3 commander Sr. Supt. Romulo Sapitula said Saturday that more than 1,000 security personnel, consisting of more than 500 cops and more than 600 crime watch volunteers like barangay tanods, will be utilized on that day to ensure that the traditional Catholic festivity will not turn chaotic.
He said their security preparations have been preceded with anti-criminality operations in Quiapo area since Wednesday that have so far netted eight wanted criminals, 23 with criminal records, two violators of the illegal drugs law, and five others with police records pertaining to said crime.
Together with personnel from the Manila City Engineer’s Office, they have also gone through the Quiapo Church, the Plaza Miranda and the streets towards San Sebastian Church near the Mendiola Bridge on Saturday morning to check on the route of the image of the Black Nazarene.
“We will have police assistance centers along the route of the procession that will be ready to help or address all concerns like obstructions, and peace and order,” Sapitula said.
For the first time, policemen and crime watch volunteers will also be the ones that will take the Black Nazarene image outside of the Quiapo church when the religious rites begin around 1pm.
“One thing that is new this time is that our role will not only be for security but we will also be marshals for the Holy Nazarene. There will be 100 crime watch volunteers and 100 policemen that will guide the Holy Nazarene outside the church,” Sapitula said.
Outside the church, the police will then turn over the image of the Black Nazarene to the devotees.
He said they expect the crowd at Plaza Miranda, which is directly outside the Quiapo Church, to swell at around 20,000.
From theire, the image is expected to be taken by the devotees up to the premises of the San Sebastian Church, he added.
The return of the image inside the church is expected between 8 and 9pm.
Sapitula said that a day before the activity, or on January 8, all vendors around the Quiapo Church and in Plaza Miranda will be cleared.
Sapitula said there is no order yet from higher authorities if they will go on full alert on January 9. But even without it, he said they will still “double” their “security procedures.”/DMS
January 5, 2008
Police in Manila City are already preparing for the celebration of the Catholic Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo District this coming Wednesday.
Manila Police Station 3 commander Sr. Supt. Romulo Sapitula said Saturday that more than 1,000 security personnel, consisting of more than 500 cops and more than 600 crime watch volunteers like barangay tanods, will be utilized on that day to ensure that the traditional Catholic festivity will not turn chaotic.
He said their security preparations have been preceded with anti-criminality operations in Quiapo area since Wednesday that have so far netted eight wanted criminals, 23 with criminal records, two violators of the illegal drugs law, and five others with police records pertaining to said crime.
Together with personnel from the Manila City Engineer’s Office, they have also gone through the Quiapo Church, the Plaza Miranda and the streets towards San Sebastian Church near the Mendiola Bridge on Saturday morning to check on the route of the image of the Black Nazarene.
“We will have police assistance centers along the route of the procession that will be ready to help or address all concerns like obstructions, and peace and order,” Sapitula said.
For the first time, policemen and crime watch volunteers will also be the ones that will take the Black Nazarene image outside of the Quiapo church when the religious rites begin around 1pm.
“One thing that is new this time is that our role will not only be for security but we will also be marshals for the Holy Nazarene. There will be 100 crime watch volunteers and 100 policemen that will guide the Holy Nazarene outside the church,” Sapitula said.
Outside the church, the police will then turn over the image of the Black Nazarene to the devotees.
He said they expect the crowd at Plaza Miranda, which is directly outside the Quiapo Church, to swell at around 20,000.
From theire, the image is expected to be taken by the devotees up to the premises of the San Sebastian Church, he added.
The return of the image inside the church is expected between 8 and 9pm.
Sapitula said that a day before the activity, or on January 8, all vendors around the Quiapo Church and in Plaza Miranda will be cleared.
Sapitula said there is no order yet from higher authorities if they will go on full alert on January 9. But even without it, he said they will still “double” their “security procedures.”/DMS
Gov’t mulls reduction of tariff on crude oil due to increased rate in world market; Energy summit to be held soon
By Ronron
January 5, 2008
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves will recommend to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo next week for the reduction of the tariff on crude oil from three to two percent in the light of its increased rate in the world market.
Teves told DZMM radio in an interview Saturday morning that their computation based on the current rate of crude oil in the world market and the strength of the Philippine peso against the US dollar would show that the government will not lose anything if it imposes a tariff reduction on crude oil.
The price of crude oil in the world market reached 100$ per barrel last Wednesday, sending alarm to oil-consuming countries like the Philippines.
“I and (Energy) Secretary (Angelo) Reyes already talked about it last night (Friday) and we said that as far as the formula is concerned, and as far as the new data of the price of oil and petroleum products (is concerned), it can already be recommended to the President and the cabinet that we reduce the tariff duty on crude oil from three to two percent,” Teves said.
Teves said that with a 41-peso-against-a-dollar rate, and the trigger price of crude oil at 78.17$ per barrel and of petroleum products like diesel at at least 115.70$, the tariff rate can already be reduced to two percent.
“This will have a little favorable effect on the pump prices of our gasoline products and crude oil,” he said.
Teves said the recommendation will be forwarded this Tuesday during the Cabinet meeting in Malacanang.
But aside from this, the cabinet is also expected to finalize during the Cabinet meeting the conduct of an Energy Summit that was ordered by Arroyo.
Arroyo instructed Reyes on Friday to call the summit on energy stakeholders “to enhance policies and programs, attract investments in technology, and launch development projects that would impact favorably on energy supplies and prices while helping significantly arrest climate change.”
Reyes, however, was not yet prepared on Saturday to say when the summit will be held.
In an interview on the same radio station, Reyes said they are still planning the summit “because we want it to be well-organized and a very, very productive summit.”
“We are planning it well like having a series of workshops focusing on certain areas, and then capping it off with like a plenary session where the President will be there. And then we will submit our recommendations to the President. And then she approves or disapproves them. And then we will implement,” he continued.
In the meantime, Reyes assured, there should still be no increase in the price of petroleum products in the country over the next three to four days because oil companies here have a 60-day inventory of their products.
He said the price in the world market has also begun “to settle down” again, “so we should not panic immediately.”
In a related development, Reyes disclosed that an examination on the books of oil companies Petron, Shell and Chevron by independent auditors from SGV firm and the University of the Asia and the Pacific should be out by the end of the month already.
He said they hope to determine if indeed the oil companies have been increasing the rates of their products more than what should just be.
The same examination will be done on independent players, and will be continuing especially during price surges of crude oil and petroleum products./DMS
January 5, 2008
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves will recommend to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo next week for the reduction of the tariff on crude oil from three to two percent in the light of its increased rate in the world market.
Teves told DZMM radio in an interview Saturday morning that their computation based on the current rate of crude oil in the world market and the strength of the Philippine peso against the US dollar would show that the government will not lose anything if it imposes a tariff reduction on crude oil.
The price of crude oil in the world market reached 100$ per barrel last Wednesday, sending alarm to oil-consuming countries like the Philippines.
“I and (Energy) Secretary (Angelo) Reyes already talked about it last night (Friday) and we said that as far as the formula is concerned, and as far as the new data of the price of oil and petroleum products (is concerned), it can already be recommended to the President and the cabinet that we reduce the tariff duty on crude oil from three to two percent,” Teves said.
Teves said that with a 41-peso-against-a-dollar rate, and the trigger price of crude oil at 78.17$ per barrel and of petroleum products like diesel at at least 115.70$, the tariff rate can already be reduced to two percent.
“This will have a little favorable effect on the pump prices of our gasoline products and crude oil,” he said.
Teves said the recommendation will be forwarded this Tuesday during the Cabinet meeting in Malacanang.
But aside from this, the cabinet is also expected to finalize during the Cabinet meeting the conduct of an Energy Summit that was ordered by Arroyo.
Arroyo instructed Reyes on Friday to call the summit on energy stakeholders “to enhance policies and programs, attract investments in technology, and launch development projects that would impact favorably on energy supplies and prices while helping significantly arrest climate change.”
Reyes, however, was not yet prepared on Saturday to say when the summit will be held.
In an interview on the same radio station, Reyes said they are still planning the summit “because we want it to be well-organized and a very, very productive summit.”
“We are planning it well like having a series of workshops focusing on certain areas, and then capping it off with like a plenary session where the President will be there. And then we will submit our recommendations to the President. And then she approves or disapproves them. And then we will implement,” he continued.
In the meantime, Reyes assured, there should still be no increase in the price of petroleum products in the country over the next three to four days because oil companies here have a 60-day inventory of their products.
He said the price in the world market has also begun “to settle down” again, “so we should not panic immediately.”
In a related development, Reyes disclosed that an examination on the books of oil companies Petron, Shell and Chevron by independent auditors from SGV firm and the University of the Asia and the Pacific should be out by the end of the month already.
He said they hope to determine if indeed the oil companies have been increasing the rates of their products more than what should just be.
The same examination will be done on independent players, and will be continuing especially during price surges of crude oil and petroleum products./DMS
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