By Ronron
February 22, 2008
Another battalion was temporarily formed under the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to thwart possible attempts to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said Friday that the battalion consists of units from the 2nd, 5th and 7th Infantry Divisions who arrived in Manila last Wednesday. The 2nd ID is based in Tanay, Rizal; the 5th ID in Isabela province; and, the 7th ID in Nueva Ecija.
"Said forces will form part of our operational readiness and contingencies to prevent any attempts of power grab, if ever," Mesa told reporters.
He said the more-than-300-strong battalion is separate from the 1st Armored Company of the Philippine Army's Light Armored Division that arrived in Manila last week to augment also the NCRCOM. The 95-strong company arrived with three V150 tanks, three Simba tanks, two Scorpion tanks, one humvee and one six-by-six truck.
The NCRCOM has an inherent strength of about 3,000.
"These additional forces are just intact here. They are available for anti-criminality when requested by NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office), and they are also available for us to deploy to prevent if ever there will be plans for power grab," Mesa said.
Mesa clarified, however, that for now, they have not yet monitored any concrete power grab plot.
"This (creation of additional forces) is a proactive (measure). Operational readiness is a proactive effort of the Armed Forces of the Philippines… Our operational readiness at the NCRCOM will only aim to preserve democracy, ensure that the Constitution is followed, and that the laws of the land is enforces," he said.
"We would like to warn all those who would cross the line or challenge the duly Constituted-authority that they will be met with the full force of the law," he added.
Calls for the ouster of Arroyo have begun to snowball early this month upon the return to the country of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., a key witness to the alleged irregularity behind the now-cancelled $329-million National Broadband Network project.
Lozada had implicated former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the alleged anomaly. But the two denied the allegation.
Mesa said that from his own command, he is assuring that no one is breaking the chain of command.
In the light of the upcoming mass demonstrations, he reminded rally organizers "to police their own ranks so that they will not be infiltrated and have an orderly and peaceful activity."
Mesa assured that should there be soldiers who will take part in power grab plots, "it will not last for five hours" like what happened last November 29 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.
"If there will be a power grab like what Senator (Antonio) Trillanes did then, we are ready to make immediate action. We will not even wait for an hour to lapse," he said.
Mass actions will start on Monday as the country commemorates the 22nd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution. Another major gathering will be held on February 29 in Makati City to reiterate calls for Arroyo's resignation./DMS
Friday, February 22, 2008
Two Reds killed in Camarines Norte clash
By Ronron
February 22, 2008
Two suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) died in an encounter before dawn Friday in Camarines Norte province against government troops, a military spokesman said.
Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command, said the incident happened at around 1:15 am after elements of the Army's 31st Infantry Battalion responded to reports of local residents about the presence of armed rebels in Barangay Lanot, Mercedez town.
"The information on the enemy location was fed by residents of the place who were victims of NPA extortion and harassments," Cabangbang quoted 31st IB commander Col. Ramon Baldemor to have said.
Cabangbang said the 31st IB elements caught up with 15 NPA members at said place, resulting in a 15-minute running gunbattle.
Aside from killing two guerillas, the government troops also recovered three M16 rifles and four backpacks with alleged subversive documents, said Cabangbang.
He said there are no casualties on the government side.
The 5,760-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now, although the government intends to neutralize them by 2010./DMS
February 22, 2008
Two suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) died in an encounter before dawn Friday in Camarines Norte province against government troops, a military spokesman said.
Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command, said the incident happened at around 1:15 am after elements of the Army's 31st Infantry Battalion responded to reports of local residents about the presence of armed rebels in Barangay Lanot, Mercedez town.
"The information on the enemy location was fed by residents of the place who were victims of NPA extortion and harassments," Cabangbang quoted 31st IB commander Col. Ramon Baldemor to have said.
Cabangbang said the 31st IB elements caught up with 15 NPA members at said place, resulting in a 15-minute running gunbattle.
Aside from killing two guerillas, the government troops also recovered three M16 rifles and four backpacks with alleged subversive documents, said Cabangbang.
He said there are no casualties on the government side.
The 5,760-strong NPA has been waging guerilla warfare in the countryside for almost four decades now, although the government intends to neutralize them by 2010./DMS
Army general takes leave as he faces probe for alleged extortion
By Ronron
February 22, 2008
The commanding general of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division, which covers northern Mindanao in its area of responsibility, took a leave of absence starting last Wednesday as he undergoes investigation for alleged extortion and fund mismanagement.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said "Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto … is taking a leave in order to give way to an impartial investigation on certain allegations against him."
Replacing him is his deputy, Brig. Gen. Roland Rodriguez, who was designated as General Officer-in-Charge of the 4th ID, which is based in Cagayan de Oro City.
Torres said Barbieto is being probed for alleged "extortion of candidate soldier applicants and those applying for reinstatement, CAFGU fund mismanagement, and conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman."
His taking a leave, said Torres, will give Barbieto "a chance to clear his name on purported mismanagement of personnel and resources."
Torres said "investigation of officers at this level may not be ordinary but it is definitely within the military justice system."
"This is unprecedented. The reforms we are saying are not just lip service. Regardless of rank or position, we will not condone malpractice and abuses," Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, for his part, said.
Yano said Barbieto, who is a classmate of Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., is the second highest-ranking military official, next to Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who is accused of corruption.
The investigation is being conducted by the Philippine Army Inspector General, Maj. Gen. Samuel Narcise, who personally went to Cagayan de Oro City for said purpose, Yano said.
"I look at this as a very serious allegation," Yano said.
Asked if other officers and personnel from the 4th ID will also be investigated, Yano said it will depend on the results of the initial investigation of Narcise.
"It is expected that this course of action would result to either penalizing those who have transgressed existing military laws, or clear the names of military personnel incriminated in the alleged offenses," Torres said.
Yano said he has not given a timeline for Narcise to complete his investigation "but it should be fast and quick."
Torres said Yano personally went also to the 4th ID headquarters last Wednesday, and to the 52nd Engineer Brigade headquarters in Camp Natividad, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon "to consolidate his forces affected by the reports."
Torres said Yano "urged his officers and men to stay focused on their mission as proper actions are being done by the authorities."
"He also took the opportunity to rally the Army troops to stay united and focused on their jobs amid the political noise in the NCR (National Capital Region). He encouraged the troops to be politically aware of the issues, have opinions, but keep these to themselves," Torres said.
The Army chief told the troops to "leave the organization" if "they find the organization lines and policies untenable, said Torres./DMS
February 22, 2008
The commanding general of the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division, which covers northern Mindanao in its area of responsibility, took a leave of absence starting last Wednesday as he undergoes investigation for alleged extortion and fund mismanagement.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said "Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto … is taking a leave in order to give way to an impartial investigation on certain allegations against him."
Replacing him is his deputy, Brig. Gen. Roland Rodriguez, who was designated as General Officer-in-Charge of the 4th ID, which is based in Cagayan de Oro City.
Torres said Barbieto is being probed for alleged "extortion of candidate soldier applicants and those applying for reinstatement, CAFGU fund mismanagement, and conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman."
His taking a leave, said Torres, will give Barbieto "a chance to clear his name on purported mismanagement of personnel and resources."
Torres said "investigation of officers at this level may not be ordinary but it is definitely within the military justice system."
"This is unprecedented. The reforms we are saying are not just lip service. Regardless of rank or position, we will not condone malpractice and abuses," Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, for his part, said.
Yano said Barbieto, who is a classmate of Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., is the second highest-ranking military official, next to Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who is accused of corruption.
The investigation is being conducted by the Philippine Army Inspector General, Maj. Gen. Samuel Narcise, who personally went to Cagayan de Oro City for said purpose, Yano said.
"I look at this as a very serious allegation," Yano said.
Asked if other officers and personnel from the 4th ID will also be investigated, Yano said it will depend on the results of the initial investigation of Narcise.
"It is expected that this course of action would result to either penalizing those who have transgressed existing military laws, or clear the names of military personnel incriminated in the alleged offenses," Torres said.
Yano said he has not given a timeline for Narcise to complete his investigation "but it should be fast and quick."
Torres said Yano personally went also to the 4th ID headquarters last Wednesday, and to the 52nd Engineer Brigade headquarters in Camp Natividad, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon "to consolidate his forces affected by the reports."
Torres said Yano "urged his officers and men to stay focused on their mission as proper actions are being done by the authorities."
"He also took the opportunity to rally the Army troops to stay united and focused on their jobs amid the political noise in the NCR (National Capital Region). He encouraged the troops to be politically aware of the issues, have opinions, but keep these to themselves," Torres said.
The Army chief told the troops to "leave the organization" if "they find the organization lines and policies untenable, said Torres./DMS
Esperon, Yano tell civil society to spare AFP from People Power calls
By Ronron
February 22, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. and Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano on Friday discouraged the civil society from inviting the military in revived People Power attempts to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Interviewed at the start of the commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution in Fort Bonifacio, both Esperon and Yano said the essence of the AFP now is to preserve the democracy after it was restored 22 years ago by toppling the dictatorial rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos.
"For us, the spirit of EDSA must live on. It means that when we gained our democracy in 1986, we were supposed to make the democratic institutions stronger for us, for a democratic way of life," Esperon said.
The mass actions on EDSA that ousted Marcos started on February 22, 1986 and culminated three days later, with Marcos and his family leaving Malacanang and the country, after the military, led by then Gen. Fidel Ramos and then Defense chief Juan Ponce-Enrile, abandoned him.
Esperon said the role of the military now or 22 years later is to make sure that the regained "democratic space" is protected and the "democratic institutions" safeguarded.
"Do not ask us to intervene. The more that the military intervenes, the more that these democratic institutions become weak," he said.
"This is our challenge to the civil society - make People Power work, make People Power strengthen the democratic institutions… We believe that it should be civil society and the democratic processes themselves that should solve problems," he added.
Arroyo is facing renewed calls for her ouster after a key witness to the alleged irregularity in the now cancelled $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project linked her husband and former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos to it.
Abalos and Malacanang have denied the allegation.
Various groups said the NBN controversy is just among the unresolved anomalies under the Arroyo government that include the alleged 2004 electoral fraud sparked by the release of the infamous "Hello Garci" tapes, the fertilizer fund scam, and alleged extrajudicial killings of political activists.
Esperon said instead of asking for the military's intervention, the public should "let all these hearings proceed," and "trust the courts, the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice."
"There should be no shortcut, no extra-Constitutional means," added Yano.
"It is improper for some groups to call for the military to intervene. Every time, there will be a vicious cycle. We can't interfere every time there is a political problem," he said.
Esperon and Yano joined Arroyo in a wreath-laying ceremony yesterday morning at the Libingan ng mga Bayani to mark the start of the government's commemoration of the 1986 EDSA Revolution./DMS
February 22, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. and Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano on Friday discouraged the civil society from inviting the military in revived People Power attempts to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Interviewed at the start of the commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution in Fort Bonifacio, both Esperon and Yano said the essence of the AFP now is to preserve the democracy after it was restored 22 years ago by toppling the dictatorial rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos.
"For us, the spirit of EDSA must live on. It means that when we gained our democracy in 1986, we were supposed to make the democratic institutions stronger for us, for a democratic way of life," Esperon said.
The mass actions on EDSA that ousted Marcos started on February 22, 1986 and culminated three days later, with Marcos and his family leaving Malacanang and the country, after the military, led by then Gen. Fidel Ramos and then Defense chief Juan Ponce-Enrile, abandoned him.
Esperon said the role of the military now or 22 years later is to make sure that the regained "democratic space" is protected and the "democratic institutions" safeguarded.
"Do not ask us to intervene. The more that the military intervenes, the more that these democratic institutions become weak," he said.
"This is our challenge to the civil society - make People Power work, make People Power strengthen the democratic institutions… We believe that it should be civil society and the democratic processes themselves that should solve problems," he added.
Arroyo is facing renewed calls for her ouster after a key witness to the alleged irregularity in the now cancelled $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project linked her husband and former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos to it.
Abalos and Malacanang have denied the allegation.
Various groups said the NBN controversy is just among the unresolved anomalies under the Arroyo government that include the alleged 2004 electoral fraud sparked by the release of the infamous "Hello Garci" tapes, the fertilizer fund scam, and alleged extrajudicial killings of political activists.
Esperon said instead of asking for the military's intervention, the public should "let all these hearings proceed," and "trust the courts, the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice."
"There should be no shortcut, no extra-Constitutional means," added Yano.
"It is improper for some groups to call for the military to intervene. Every time, there will be a vicious cycle. We can't interfere every time there is a political problem," he said.
Esperon and Yano joined Arroyo in a wreath-laying ceremony yesterday morning at the Libingan ng mga Bayani to mark the start of the government's commemoration of the 1986 EDSA Revolution./DMS
Flooding, landslides leave 20 dead in RP – NDCC
By Ronron
February 22, 2008
Twenty people were reported killed while close to 300,000 were displaced due to the flooding and landslide incidents in the central part of the Philippines since last week brought about by a low pressure area (LPA) and the tail end of cold front, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said Friday.
The NDCC said two persons were also injured and five remain missing as bad weather wreaked havoc in the provinces of Albay, Capiz, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Lanao del Norte, among others starting February 12.
The fatalities come from Albay (one due to landslide, another from drowning), Capiz (one due to electrocution), Eastern Samar (nine from drowning and one from electrocution), Leyte (two due to drowning), and Lanao del Norte (five due to landslide).
The two injured, meanwhile, are from Eastern Samar, and the five missing are from Albay (one), Eastern Samar (three), and Lanao del Norte (one), the NDCC said in its 8am report yesterday.
So far, 543 houses were totally damaged and 3,515 others were partially destroyed due to the calamity. Most of these are from Eastern Samar, while the rest are from Samar, Northern Samar and Oriental province.
While the NDCC tallied a total of 514,862 persons or 106,455 families from 896 villages in Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Capiz, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Sultan Kudarat provinces as having been affected, it said only 295,397 persons or 60,654 families of them were displaced.
Estimated cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture has been placed at P796,980,767.35 by the NDCC, a bigger bulk of it is in the former. The damaged properties are in Albay, Capiz, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, and Biliran.
Eastern Samar province, Albay province and Sigma town in Capiz have already been placed under a State of Calamity by virtue of the respective local government units, the NDCC said.
So far, the cost of assistance coming from the NDCC, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government units, non-governmental organizations, and other groups already reached P4,123,887.90, the NDCC report said.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., who chairs the NDCC, and DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral have already made separate visits to some of the affected provinces the past few days.
The NDCC said an aerial survey that will be facilitated by the Office of Civil Defense was also scheduled yesterday in Albay, Sorsgon and Camarines Sur to check on the reported landslide incidents and the effects of flooding there./DMS
February 22, 2008
Twenty people were reported killed while close to 300,000 were displaced due to the flooding and landslide incidents in the central part of the Philippines since last week brought about by a low pressure area (LPA) and the tail end of cold front, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said Friday.
The NDCC said two persons were also injured and five remain missing as bad weather wreaked havoc in the provinces of Albay, Capiz, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Lanao del Norte, among others starting February 12.
The fatalities come from Albay (one due to landslide, another from drowning), Capiz (one due to electrocution), Eastern Samar (nine from drowning and one from electrocution), Leyte (two due to drowning), and Lanao del Norte (five due to landslide).
The two injured, meanwhile, are from Eastern Samar, and the five missing are from Albay (one), Eastern Samar (three), and Lanao del Norte (one), the NDCC said in its 8am report yesterday.
So far, 543 houses were totally damaged and 3,515 others were partially destroyed due to the calamity. Most of these are from Eastern Samar, while the rest are from Samar, Northern Samar and Oriental province.
While the NDCC tallied a total of 514,862 persons or 106,455 families from 896 villages in Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Capiz, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Sultan Kudarat provinces as having been affected, it said only 295,397 persons or 60,654 families of them were displaced.
Estimated cost of damages to infrastructure and agriculture has been placed at P796,980,767.35 by the NDCC, a bigger bulk of it is in the former. The damaged properties are in Albay, Capiz, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, and Biliran.
Eastern Samar province, Albay province and Sigma town in Capiz have already been placed under a State of Calamity by virtue of the respective local government units, the NDCC said.
So far, the cost of assistance coming from the NDCC, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government units, non-governmental organizations, and other groups already reached P4,123,887.90, the NDCC report said.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., who chairs the NDCC, and DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral have already made separate visits to some of the affected provinces the past few days.
The NDCC said an aerial survey that will be facilitated by the Office of Civil Defense was also scheduled yesterday in Albay, Sorsgon and Camarines Sur to check on the reported landslide incidents and the effects of flooding there./DMS
Thursday, February 21, 2008
PNP could raise alert on Sunday for mass gatherings starting Monday
By Ronron
February 21, 2008
In preparation for the mass gatherings starting Monday, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) may raise its alert level from normal to heightened level on Sunday.
NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias said they may field some 1,000 to 1,500 policemen to guard the gathering sites, especially in areas where demonstrators fail to get a permit from the local government.
"Maybe, this weekend, we could raise our alert level. It could be on Sunday afternoon… Maybe, we will go on heightened alert because the situation will dictate the reaction of the Philippine National Police," Barias said in Filipino.
Under heightened alert level, 50 percent of the police force is required to be on duty to make them readily available for any contingencies.
As of Thursday, Barias said they have not yet received any concrete plans or threats in the security in Metro Manila, particularly in relation to the scheduled mass gatherings.
So far, the activities that Barias knew for Monday are the following: 1) 7:30 am Program for the 22nd anniversary of People Power 1 Revolution at the People Power Monument in Quezon City to be attended by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; 2) 9am Mass at the EDSA Shrine; 3) a separate mass at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City to be attended by former President Corazon Aquino and other anti-Arroyo forces; and, 4) Inter-faith rally on February 29 in Makati City.
"We intend to talk to the rally organizers so that the police will respond only based on what they intend to happen," he said.
"We saw what happened in Makati (last February 15) and if that is the kind of interaction between rally organizers and the Philippine National Police, then I think, everything will come out fine," he added.
Asked if they expect the series of mass actions to turn into a People Power-like scenario in 1986 and 2001 that effected a change in leadership in the country, Barias said: "We're hoping that this will just be … peaceful and quiet."
Barias assured that other policemen will continue to perform their regular jobs like manning stations, conducting anti-criminality campaigns, securing and facilitating traffic, among others.
He admitted that somehow, the conduct of rallies in the capital is "sapping" the resources of the PNP as far as their main concern, which is criminality, is concerned.
"While we would like to put more people on the streets so that we can influence the incidents of criminality in Metro Manila, somehow, our people have to be put on standby because of the rallies that are going on in some parts of Metro Manila," Barias said.
"What is happening is there are a number of policemen that are now dedicated for this purpose (rallies), which jeopardizes, somehow although not in a very great degree, our mission of anti-criminality campaign," he added.
While he consider the rallies as "part of democracy," putting more resources for the PNP's peace and order missions is better to him as a peace officer, Barias said.
In a separate interview, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said he has already directed Barias not to take for granted the anti-criminality and anti-terrorism aspect of their job, like what happened when the PNP celebrated its founding anniversary at Camp Crame on February 6 was marred by a robbery incident in Quezon City./DMS
February 21, 2008
In preparation for the mass gatherings starting Monday, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) may raise its alert level from normal to heightened level on Sunday.
NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias said they may field some 1,000 to 1,500 policemen to guard the gathering sites, especially in areas where demonstrators fail to get a permit from the local government.
"Maybe, this weekend, we could raise our alert level. It could be on Sunday afternoon… Maybe, we will go on heightened alert because the situation will dictate the reaction of the Philippine National Police," Barias said in Filipino.
Under heightened alert level, 50 percent of the police force is required to be on duty to make them readily available for any contingencies.
As of Thursday, Barias said they have not yet received any concrete plans or threats in the security in Metro Manila, particularly in relation to the scheduled mass gatherings.
So far, the activities that Barias knew for Monday are the following: 1) 7:30 am Program for the 22nd anniversary of People Power 1 Revolution at the People Power Monument in Quezon City to be attended by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; 2) 9am Mass at the EDSA Shrine; 3) a separate mass at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City to be attended by former President Corazon Aquino and other anti-Arroyo forces; and, 4) Inter-faith rally on February 29 in Makati City.
"We intend to talk to the rally organizers so that the police will respond only based on what they intend to happen," he said.
"We saw what happened in Makati (last February 15) and if that is the kind of interaction between rally organizers and the Philippine National Police, then I think, everything will come out fine," he added.
Asked if they expect the series of mass actions to turn into a People Power-like scenario in 1986 and 2001 that effected a change in leadership in the country, Barias said: "We're hoping that this will just be … peaceful and quiet."
Barias assured that other policemen will continue to perform their regular jobs like manning stations, conducting anti-criminality campaigns, securing and facilitating traffic, among others.
He admitted that somehow, the conduct of rallies in the capital is "sapping" the resources of the PNP as far as their main concern, which is criminality, is concerned.
"While we would like to put more people on the streets so that we can influence the incidents of criminality in Metro Manila, somehow, our people have to be put on standby because of the rallies that are going on in some parts of Metro Manila," Barias said.
"What is happening is there are a number of policemen that are now dedicated for this purpose (rallies), which jeopardizes, somehow although not in a very great degree, our mission of anti-criminality campaign," he added.
While he consider the rallies as "part of democracy," putting more resources for the PNP's peace and order missions is better to him as a peace officer, Barias said.
In a separate interview, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said he has already directed Barias not to take for granted the anti-criminality and anti-terrorism aspect of their job, like what happened when the PNP celebrated its founding anniversary at Camp Crame on February 6 was marred by a robbery incident in Quezon City./DMS
Military verifying report that JI bomber Umar Patek was also hurt in Tawi-tawi clash
By Ronron
February 21, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is verifying reports that Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomber Umar Patek, who has a $1-million reward from the United States government for his neutralization, was wounded in the January 31 clash in Tawi-tawi province.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told reporters Thursday that it is highly possible Patek was in the encounter where fellow JI bomber Dulmatin was hurt and killed because they are perceived to be working together almost all the time.
"If Dulmatin was involved in the encounter of January 31st, then it is possible that Patek was also there," Esperon said.
A cadaver believed to be of Dulmatin's was exhumed by Marine elements last Monday in Panglima Sugala town following a tip off by an alleged local JI contact who was part of the January 31 encounter.
Esperon said the report that Patek was also hurt in said incident is "a very new data."
"We are verifying that. We do not have anything conclusive about that yet as of now," he said.
Nonetheless, he said the troops on the frontline are "happy" with the recent reports pertaining to Dulmatin and Patek, and even that of Mohamad Baehaqi who was arrested last Sunday in Davao Oriental, because "that is an accomplishment for them."
Esperon said these are fruits of the soldiers' willingness "to go on extended operations," even sacrificing time with their families last Christmas "if only to accomplish the mission."
Asked how soon will Patek and another JI member identified as Marwan could fall into government hands, Esperon just said: "We cannot say when we could apprehend them. But we will tell you, we are very determined to neutralize the high-value targets."
"Khadaffy (Janjalani), down. (Abu) Solaiman, down. Dulmatin, hanging. We assure you that we will not stop anymore. We are not letting our guard down," he said.
A DNA test on tissues taken from the body believed to be that of Dulmatin will be the basis for confirming Dulmatin's death, as authorities did on Janjalani last year.
Janjalani, the main leader of the ASG, died in an encounter with soldiers in September 2006, while his number two man, Solaiman, followed in January 2007./DMS
February 21, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is verifying reports that Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomber Umar Patek, who has a $1-million reward from the United States government for his neutralization, was wounded in the January 31 clash in Tawi-tawi province.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told reporters Thursday that it is highly possible Patek was in the encounter where fellow JI bomber Dulmatin was hurt and killed because they are perceived to be working together almost all the time.
"If Dulmatin was involved in the encounter of January 31st, then it is possible that Patek was also there," Esperon said.
A cadaver believed to be of Dulmatin's was exhumed by Marine elements last Monday in Panglima Sugala town following a tip off by an alleged local JI contact who was part of the January 31 encounter.
Esperon said the report that Patek was also hurt in said incident is "a very new data."
"We are verifying that. We do not have anything conclusive about that yet as of now," he said.
Nonetheless, he said the troops on the frontline are "happy" with the recent reports pertaining to Dulmatin and Patek, and even that of Mohamad Baehaqi who was arrested last Sunday in Davao Oriental, because "that is an accomplishment for them."
Esperon said these are fruits of the soldiers' willingness "to go on extended operations," even sacrificing time with their families last Christmas "if only to accomplish the mission."
Asked how soon will Patek and another JI member identified as Marwan could fall into government hands, Esperon just said: "We cannot say when we could apprehend them. But we will tell you, we are very determined to neutralize the high-value targets."
"Khadaffy (Janjalani), down. (Abu) Solaiman, down. Dulmatin, hanging. We assure you that we will not stop anymore. We are not letting our guard down," he said.
A DNA test on tissues taken from the body believed to be that of Dulmatin will be the basis for confirming Dulmatin's death, as authorities did on Janjalani last year.
Janjalani, the main leader of the ASG, died in an encounter with soldiers in September 2006, while his number two man, Solaiman, followed in January 2007./DMS
Esperon assures no military units are heeding to calls for People Power
By Ronron
February 21, 2008
No unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will heed to calls of Catholic bishops for a People Power in the light of revived allegations of corruption by the Arroyo government.
This was the assurance given by AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. following a meeting Thursday with top officials of the organization, especially from the Philippine Air Force, at the latter's headquarters in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
"We are not seeing any units joining the protests. After all, as I said, that's not part of our job – going to the streets," Esperon said in a news conference.
"Just remember, soldiers are allowed to bear arms for the reason that it is given because it is for the protection of the people, of the sovereignty, and your territory," he said.
Catholic bishops have called on Filipinos to embark on a new People Power following the expose of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. about the alleged bribery in the $329-million now aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Lozada had implicated former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the alleged anomaly, but the two denied the allegation.
Esperon had admitted Wednesday in a visit and command conference with Navy officials at the Navy headquarters in Manila City that he is leading the "enlightenment" of officers and soldiers on the NBN controversy so they can take the proper necessary action.
This even as he maintained that the military will remain apolitical in the midst of calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which comes at a time when the spirit of People Power lingers due to the forthcoming 22nd anniversary of the first bloodless EDSA Revolution on Monday.
Esperon reiterated yesterday that an "enlightenment" of the military on the NBN issue is necessary because of the prevailing "noise, charges, counter-charges, theatrics and allegations" on it.
"I don't think we should be acting irrationally," he said.
But he said it will only end up on the discussion table, saying "we don't want to bring that into our mission because … we want to focus on our job… - defeat the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army, and destroy the Abu Sayyaf."
Esperon said that should there be some kind of People Power that will emerge as a result of the calls of the bishops, any actions that will follow must "take a legal form."
This means, according to him, that "they could assemble peacefully, air issues, and in the end, not go out of hand to the point that the Philippine National Police cannot handle it."
The military chief candidly admitted that so far, no one has approached him yet to convince him to abandon Arroyo because "they know very well my position."
"We would like to be apolitical, and we are apolitical for as long as it takes. After all, that is what an Armed Forces should be and we believe that it is to the interest of the Republic that we remain apolitical for all times," he stressed.
Should there be military troops who decide to join the mass gatherings in the coming days to call for Arroyo's ouster, Esperon said they will certainly be stopped.
"That is not our mission. That is a political problem, a problem of other groups. If you could solve that among yourselves, that's better for us. You wouldn't want an Armed Forces that would intervene every now and then in matters that are not really military concerns," he said.
Told that what could have made it right then in 1986 and in 2001 for the military to defect from the sitting governments at those times, Esperon just said: "They have explained that. I don't want to judge their actions. They can explain that better."
But he conceded that the 1986 People Power Revolution certainly came about because the people then "wanted something better."
And the 2001 People Power Revolution became a success with the help of the military because then AFP chief of staff and now Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes assumed that then President Joseph Estrada was "practically out of power already."
"And I don't see that happening (this time)," Esperon said.
He said that for now, the people should just let the other institutions perform their respective functions well, like the courts and the Congress, to address the current problem, instead of the military resolving it.
"Don't we trust our courts anymore? Don't we believe in our democratic systems, processes anymore?... We have learned our lessons. One of the lessons we have is that the military must remain apolitical and must not be the one solving the political problems of the country," Esperon said.
He said that even if the upcoming protest actions will meet the so-called critical mass strength, they "do not see" any reason to intervene that effectively leaves the administration powerless.
"I don't think. I would rather not. If you ask me, I would rather not," Esperon said when asked if they will intervene when the critical mass strength is reached./DMS
February 21, 2008
No unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will heed to calls of Catholic bishops for a People Power in the light of revived allegations of corruption by the Arroyo government.
This was the assurance given by AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. following a meeting Thursday with top officials of the organization, especially from the Philippine Air Force, at the latter's headquarters in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
"We are not seeing any units joining the protests. After all, as I said, that's not part of our job – going to the streets," Esperon said in a news conference.
"Just remember, soldiers are allowed to bear arms for the reason that it is given because it is for the protection of the people, of the sovereignty, and your territory," he said.
Catholic bishops have called on Filipinos to embark on a new People Power following the expose of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. about the alleged bribery in the $329-million now aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Lozada had implicated former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in the alleged anomaly, but the two denied the allegation.
Esperon had admitted Wednesday in a visit and command conference with Navy officials at the Navy headquarters in Manila City that he is leading the "enlightenment" of officers and soldiers on the NBN controversy so they can take the proper necessary action.
This even as he maintained that the military will remain apolitical in the midst of calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which comes at a time when the spirit of People Power lingers due to the forthcoming 22nd anniversary of the first bloodless EDSA Revolution on Monday.
Esperon reiterated yesterday that an "enlightenment" of the military on the NBN issue is necessary because of the prevailing "noise, charges, counter-charges, theatrics and allegations" on it.
"I don't think we should be acting irrationally," he said.
But he said it will only end up on the discussion table, saying "we don't want to bring that into our mission because … we want to focus on our job… - defeat the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army, and destroy the Abu Sayyaf."
Esperon said that should there be some kind of People Power that will emerge as a result of the calls of the bishops, any actions that will follow must "take a legal form."
This means, according to him, that "they could assemble peacefully, air issues, and in the end, not go out of hand to the point that the Philippine National Police cannot handle it."
The military chief candidly admitted that so far, no one has approached him yet to convince him to abandon Arroyo because "they know very well my position."
"We would like to be apolitical, and we are apolitical for as long as it takes. After all, that is what an Armed Forces should be and we believe that it is to the interest of the Republic that we remain apolitical for all times," he stressed.
Should there be military troops who decide to join the mass gatherings in the coming days to call for Arroyo's ouster, Esperon said they will certainly be stopped.
"That is not our mission. That is a political problem, a problem of other groups. If you could solve that among yourselves, that's better for us. You wouldn't want an Armed Forces that would intervene every now and then in matters that are not really military concerns," he said.
Told that what could have made it right then in 1986 and in 2001 for the military to defect from the sitting governments at those times, Esperon just said: "They have explained that. I don't want to judge their actions. They can explain that better."
But he conceded that the 1986 People Power Revolution certainly came about because the people then "wanted something better."
And the 2001 People Power Revolution became a success with the help of the military because then AFP chief of staff and now Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes assumed that then President Joseph Estrada was "practically out of power already."
"And I don't see that happening (this time)," Esperon said.
He said that for now, the people should just let the other institutions perform their respective functions well, like the courts and the Congress, to address the current problem, instead of the military resolving it.
"Don't we trust our courts anymore? Don't we believe in our democratic systems, processes anymore?... We have learned our lessons. One of the lessons we have is that the military must remain apolitical and must not be the one solving the political problems of the country," Esperon said.
He said that even if the upcoming protest actions will meet the so-called critical mass strength, they "do not see" any reason to intervene that effectively leaves the administration powerless.
"I don't think. I would rather not. If you ask me, I would rather not," Esperon said when asked if they will intervene when the critical mass strength is reached./DMS
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Esperon "enlightens" officers on current political noise
By Ronron
February 20, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. met with other top officers of the military, including from the Philippine Navy, on Wednesday afternoon to discuss operational matters and "enlighten" them on the current political crisis.
"This is not just an administrative visit. We are also looking at the operational aspect of how we do things," Esperon told reporters after leading the meeting at the Philippine Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Manila City.
"We also discussed here the current controversies, although this visit was already scheduled before the (occurrence of the controversies). We would be remiss if we don't discuss these things," he said.
In attendance at the meeting are AFP deputy chief of staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon, deputy chief of staff for Operations Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, and Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, among others.
Esperon said they have to discuss the political noise brought about by the expose of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. on the alleged irregularities behind the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project as a means of getting "enlightened about all these things."
He said the military should not be "carried away by the charges, counter-charges, theatrics and propaganda" triggered by Lozada's allegations, which some sectors have directed against the Arroyo government.
"It's good to be informed. It's good to be enlightened because it is not right to move when later you realize you got the wrong information," Esperon explained.
But he admitted that they have not discussed the calls of Catholic bishops for a people power, even as he assured that the AFP will not intervene in any extra-Constitutional moves.
"If you look at it, the people is really the ultimate giver of power to us, elected and appointed officials of the government. They are the ultimate giver of authority under a democratic set up. But people power should come in other things," said Esperon.
"People power is not just change in Presidency," he added.
He said what makes the current situation different from the 1986 People Power Revolution, which will mark its 22nd anniversary starting February 22 until the 25th, is that the military and others sectors believe then that they will be led to a better Philippines if they join the people.
"For me, my view, at least, is we have a mission now that we want to accomplish. And we are convinced that our priority is our mission," he continued.
Besides, he said he believes that most of the Filipinos now want the AFP to remain apolitical rather than be swayed again to engage in partisan politics.
"We want to present to you an Armed Forces that is professional, an Armed Forces that wants us all to move to a better Philippines," Esperon said.
He reiterated that the organization remains "solid" behind their commander-in-chief, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, proof of which is their "delivery" in accomplishing their mission from "north to south."
"We are committed to upholding the Constitution, protecting the democratic process, and adhering to the chain of command. We are focused on our mission rather than intervene," the military chief said.
"If we are talking about EDSA (People Power Revolution), I think we are not heading to that situation, despite all these things. Our preference is to be a professional security force… for the protection of our sovereignty," he added.
He said that so far, they have not received reports of recruitment from within the military organization to join the current political undertakings to oust Arroyo from power.
Asked how will the military commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution, Fojas said they will just be participant to the national government's celebration program.
Apparently a subtle way of rejecting the bishops' calls, Esperon said: "Nobody could invent people power or dictate its terms as to what it should be. It comes out of a spontaneous contribution of a lot of people."
But, at one point, Esperon uttered the words: "We keep adjusting. Just watch out what will be our action."
Pressed to elaborate on that, he said: "It's just a general statement… We are not playing deaf, we are not deaf. We also listen because we are part of society… So we can discuss that (political noise)."
"Don't interpret it as though we will be taking some action. Rest assured that we'll be very glad to do our professional job through and through," he continued.
In the same meeting, the Navy leadership professed its adherence to the chain of command, following the act of the Army leadership last week.
Today (Thursday), Esperon is expected to make a similar visit and meeting at the Air Force headquarters in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City./DMS
February 20, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. met with other top officers of the military, including from the Philippine Navy, on Wednesday afternoon to discuss operational matters and "enlighten" them on the current political crisis.
"This is not just an administrative visit. We are also looking at the operational aspect of how we do things," Esperon told reporters after leading the meeting at the Philippine Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Manila City.
"We also discussed here the current controversies, although this visit was already scheduled before the (occurrence of the controversies). We would be remiss if we don't discuss these things," he said.
In attendance at the meeting are AFP deputy chief of staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon, deputy chief of staff for Operations Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, and Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, among others.
Esperon said they have to discuss the political noise brought about by the expose of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. on the alleged irregularities behind the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project as a means of getting "enlightened about all these things."
He said the military should not be "carried away by the charges, counter-charges, theatrics and propaganda" triggered by Lozada's allegations, which some sectors have directed against the Arroyo government.
"It's good to be informed. It's good to be enlightened because it is not right to move when later you realize you got the wrong information," Esperon explained.
But he admitted that they have not discussed the calls of Catholic bishops for a people power, even as he assured that the AFP will not intervene in any extra-Constitutional moves.
"If you look at it, the people is really the ultimate giver of power to us, elected and appointed officials of the government. They are the ultimate giver of authority under a democratic set up. But people power should come in other things," said Esperon.
"People power is not just change in Presidency," he added.
He said what makes the current situation different from the 1986 People Power Revolution, which will mark its 22nd anniversary starting February 22 until the 25th, is that the military and others sectors believe then that they will be led to a better Philippines if they join the people.
"For me, my view, at least, is we have a mission now that we want to accomplish. And we are convinced that our priority is our mission," he continued.
Besides, he said he believes that most of the Filipinos now want the AFP to remain apolitical rather than be swayed again to engage in partisan politics.
"We want to present to you an Armed Forces that is professional, an Armed Forces that wants us all to move to a better Philippines," Esperon said.
He reiterated that the organization remains "solid" behind their commander-in-chief, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, proof of which is their "delivery" in accomplishing their mission from "north to south."
"We are committed to upholding the Constitution, protecting the democratic process, and adhering to the chain of command. We are focused on our mission rather than intervene," the military chief said.
"If we are talking about EDSA (People Power Revolution), I think we are not heading to that situation, despite all these things. Our preference is to be a professional security force… for the protection of our sovereignty," he added.
He said that so far, they have not received reports of recruitment from within the military organization to join the current political undertakings to oust Arroyo from power.
Asked how will the military commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution, Fojas said they will just be participant to the national government's celebration program.
Apparently a subtle way of rejecting the bishops' calls, Esperon said: "Nobody could invent people power or dictate its terms as to what it should be. It comes out of a spontaneous contribution of a lot of people."
But, at one point, Esperon uttered the words: "We keep adjusting. Just watch out what will be our action."
Pressed to elaborate on that, he said: "It's just a general statement… We are not playing deaf, we are not deaf. We also listen because we are part of society… So we can discuss that (political noise)."
"Don't interpret it as though we will be taking some action. Rest assured that we'll be very glad to do our professional job through and through," he continued.
In the same meeting, the Navy leadership professed its adherence to the chain of command, following the act of the Army leadership last week.
Today (Thursday), Esperon is expected to make a similar visit and meeting at the Air Force headquarters in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City./DMS
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Police and military hold first sports competition
By Ronron
February 19, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) kicked off Tuesday the first-ever PNP-AFP Inter-Service Sports Competition in support of the sports development program of the national government.
The 12-day event was formally opened Tuesday afternoon at the PNP open ground in Camp Crame, Quezon City, with AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, PNP Directorial Staff chief Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, and Philippine Sports Commissioner Jose Mundo in attendance.
The PNP, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy had their own contingent that will compete in the following events: Arnis, Basketball for Officers and Non-Officers, Badminton, Boxing, Chess, Karatedo, Lawn Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tug-of-War, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Marathon.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., in a statement, said the event is in pursuant to Executive Order Nos. 63 and 64, issued by the Office of the President that sets up the “Sports for All” program.
“But more than promoting sports development, we hope to translate all our sports objectives into more concrete terms by way of better supportive coordination, and enhanced inter-operability among police and military units in the various theaters of operation in the field,” he said.
PO1 Lutche Metante of the PNP, a silver medalist in the 24th Southeast Asian Games held in Thailand, carried the torch and lit the Friendship Urn.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said the Army fielded 240 officers and men for the games. He said they were selected based on their skills for the sports or events.
The same criterion was applied in selecting the estimated 250-strong contingent from the PNP, said Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, its spokesman.
The Air Force and the Navy have also about the same strength as the Army and the PNP, their respective spokesmen said.
Both Torres and Bartolome assured that the participation of their personnel in the games will not affect the job of the PNP and the Army.
“The number is minimal and won’t affect Army operations. Instead, their participation would help in fostering camaraderie among other branches of the AFP and the PNP,” Torres said.
“Moreover, it provides a venue for selection players for the National pool, whose many members belong to the Army,” he added.
In his speech at the opening program, Esperon pointed out that the PNP and AFP are actually major sources of athletes for the national team who compete in various national and international sports competitions, such as the Olympics, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, and Palarong Pambansa.
While the tug-of-war marked the formal opening of the games, the closing on March 2 will be highlighted by the Women’s Marathon./DMS
February 19, 2008
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) kicked off Tuesday the first-ever PNP-AFP Inter-Service Sports Competition in support of the sports development program of the national government.
The 12-day event was formally opened Tuesday afternoon at the PNP open ground in Camp Crame, Quezon City, with AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, PNP Directorial Staff chief Deputy Director General Emmanuel Carta, and Philippine Sports Commissioner Jose Mundo in attendance.
The PNP, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy had their own contingent that will compete in the following events: Arnis, Basketball for Officers and Non-Officers, Badminton, Boxing, Chess, Karatedo, Lawn Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tug-of-War, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Marathon.
PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., in a statement, said the event is in pursuant to Executive Order Nos. 63 and 64, issued by the Office of the President that sets up the “Sports for All” program.
“But more than promoting sports development, we hope to translate all our sports objectives into more concrete terms by way of better supportive coordination, and enhanced inter-operability among police and military units in the various theaters of operation in the field,” he said.
PO1 Lutche Metante of the PNP, a silver medalist in the 24th Southeast Asian Games held in Thailand, carried the torch and lit the Friendship Urn.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. said the Army fielded 240 officers and men for the games. He said they were selected based on their skills for the sports or events.
The same criterion was applied in selecting the estimated 250-strong contingent from the PNP, said Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, its spokesman.
The Air Force and the Navy have also about the same strength as the Army and the PNP, their respective spokesmen said.
Both Torres and Bartolome assured that the participation of their personnel in the games will not affect the job of the PNP and the Army.
“The number is minimal and won’t affect Army operations. Instead, their participation would help in fostering camaraderie among other branches of the AFP and the PNP,” Torres said.
“Moreover, it provides a venue for selection players for the National pool, whose many members belong to the Army,” he added.
In his speech at the opening program, Esperon pointed out that the PNP and AFP are actually major sources of athletes for the national team who compete in various national and international sports competitions, such as the Olympics, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, and Palarong Pambansa.
While the tug-of-war marked the formal opening of the games, the closing on March 2 will be highlighted by the Women’s Marathon./DMS
PNP charges ex-Abra Governor, at least five others in killing of Cong. Bersamin
By Ronron
February 19, 2008
Police filed on Tuesday afternoon double murder and multiple frustrated murder charges against former Abra Governor Vicente Valera and at least five other persons for the killing of former Abra Congressman Luis Bersamin, Jr. in December 2006 in Quezon City.
The charges were filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office at around 2pm, and named as respondents were Valera, Leo Bello (Valera’s chief security officer), Jerry Turqueza, alias Jun, Jeff-jeff, Mel, and other John Does.
Sr. Supt. Benjamin de los Santos, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Legal Service, said the cases were filed after suspects Freddie Dupo and Sonny Taculao, who have been arrested in October 2007 in Rizal, confessed while in detention that Valera is the mastermind.
Bersamin and his security-bodyguard, SPO1 Adelfo Ortega, were killed after being shot at the Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City on December 16, 2006. Injured in the incident were Allan Sawadan (bodyguard/driver) and Rolly Labaja (civilian bystander).
“In a signed confession by the two detainees (Dupo and Taculao), duly assisted by their counsels of choice, Attys. Howard Areza and Demiteer Huerta, ex-Governor Varela was tagged as the mastermind who gave orders and money for the assassination of his political rival, the late Cong. Luis ‘Chito’ Bersamin,” said de los Santos.
De los Santos said Dupo and Taculao were supposedly “stricken by their conscience,” thus the confession implicating Varela in December 2007 and last month.
Dupo allegedly claimed meeting with Valera in the latter part of November or early December 2006 where the former Governor uttered the following in Ilocano: “Kailangan na mawala si Chito sa aking daan. Si Congressman, kailangan na siyang mamatay. (Chito has to be taken out of my way. The Congressman should be dead.)”
Dupo said it was Bello who allegedly gave him money while he and Taculao were in hiding in Rizal. The payments amounted to P15,000, P10,000 and P25,000, given on separate occasions.
Dupo also alleged that the triggerman was Turqueza while alias Jun, who is allegedly a New People’s Army (NPA) personality, co-masterminded the plot.
Taculao corroborated Dupo’s claims, saying that it was Turqueza who really shot at Bersamin and Ortega, said De los Santos.
It was Taculao who then boarded a motorbike and drove off to N. Domingo corner Aurora Avenues in Cubao to escape.
De los Santos said a cartographic sketch of the gunman actually matched Turqueza’s profile, said Dupo and Taculao.
De los Santos said Dupo and Taculao only claimed to serving as guides to Turqueza and other members of the assassination team since they are more familiar with the place.
The PNP had earlier said that Dupo’s participation is limited on the recruitment of other suspects, including Taculao, for the execution of the plot. Dupo is a former Vice Mayor of La Paz in Abra.
Another suspect, former Army Sergeant Rufino Panday who was arrested days after the shooting incident, had earlier claimed that Dupo was indeed a recruiter in the kill plot, while the a certain Dominador Barbosa acted as the gunman. Barbosa, however, was killed when policemen tried to arrest him.
Panday also alleged then that Taculao served as the driver of the getaway motorcycle in the incident.
With the confession of Dupo and Taculao, police have recommended for their conversion to state witnesses and coverage of the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice.
If the recommendation is approved, the charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder against them will effectively be dropped, said de los Santos.
The Quezon City Police will start running after the suspects, including Varela, if an arrest warrant will be released against them by the courts.
Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa, deputy chief for Administration of the Philippine National Police, said that as far as he knows, Varela spends most of his time in his house in Quezon City, and visits his home sometimes in Bangued town.
Among those charged Tuesday, no one is still under police custody, said de los Santos.
So far, only Dupo, Taculao, and Panday are detained at the PNP Custodial Center inside Camp Crame.
Asked how she feels with the charging of case against Varela, which she had long suspected to be the real mastermind in the killing of her father, Charito Bersamin said: “We’re very happy and sad because I will have to go through what happened again.”
She said the confession of Dupo and Taculao vindicated her in her allegation against Varela.
She thanked the PNP for their efforts and hoped that Varela will face the charges against him.
“My father is well-loved by the Abreños, no one would plan to hurt him or our family,” the young Bersamin said./DMS
February 19, 2008
Police filed on Tuesday afternoon double murder and multiple frustrated murder charges against former Abra Governor Vicente Valera and at least five other persons for the killing of former Abra Congressman Luis Bersamin, Jr. in December 2006 in Quezon City.
The charges were filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office at around 2pm, and named as respondents were Valera, Leo Bello (Valera’s chief security officer), Jerry Turqueza, alias Jun, Jeff-jeff, Mel, and other John Does.
Sr. Supt. Benjamin de los Santos, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Legal Service, said the cases were filed after suspects Freddie Dupo and Sonny Taculao, who have been arrested in October 2007 in Rizal, confessed while in detention that Valera is the mastermind.
Bersamin and his security-bodyguard, SPO1 Adelfo Ortega, were killed after being shot at the Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City on December 16, 2006. Injured in the incident were Allan Sawadan (bodyguard/driver) and Rolly Labaja (civilian bystander).
“In a signed confession by the two detainees (Dupo and Taculao), duly assisted by their counsels of choice, Attys. Howard Areza and Demiteer Huerta, ex-Governor Varela was tagged as the mastermind who gave orders and money for the assassination of his political rival, the late Cong. Luis ‘Chito’ Bersamin,” said de los Santos.
De los Santos said Dupo and Taculao were supposedly “stricken by their conscience,” thus the confession implicating Varela in December 2007 and last month.
Dupo allegedly claimed meeting with Valera in the latter part of November or early December 2006 where the former Governor uttered the following in Ilocano: “Kailangan na mawala si Chito sa aking daan. Si Congressman, kailangan na siyang mamatay. (Chito has to be taken out of my way. The Congressman should be dead.)”
Dupo said it was Bello who allegedly gave him money while he and Taculao were in hiding in Rizal. The payments amounted to P15,000, P10,000 and P25,000, given on separate occasions.
Dupo also alleged that the triggerman was Turqueza while alias Jun, who is allegedly a New People’s Army (NPA) personality, co-masterminded the plot.
Taculao corroborated Dupo’s claims, saying that it was Turqueza who really shot at Bersamin and Ortega, said De los Santos.
It was Taculao who then boarded a motorbike and drove off to N. Domingo corner Aurora Avenues in Cubao to escape.
De los Santos said a cartographic sketch of the gunman actually matched Turqueza’s profile, said Dupo and Taculao.
De los Santos said Dupo and Taculao only claimed to serving as guides to Turqueza and other members of the assassination team since they are more familiar with the place.
The PNP had earlier said that Dupo’s participation is limited on the recruitment of other suspects, including Taculao, for the execution of the plot. Dupo is a former Vice Mayor of La Paz in Abra.
Another suspect, former Army Sergeant Rufino Panday who was arrested days after the shooting incident, had earlier claimed that Dupo was indeed a recruiter in the kill plot, while the a certain Dominador Barbosa acted as the gunman. Barbosa, however, was killed when policemen tried to arrest him.
Panday also alleged then that Taculao served as the driver of the getaway motorcycle in the incident.
With the confession of Dupo and Taculao, police have recommended for their conversion to state witnesses and coverage of the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice.
If the recommendation is approved, the charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder against them will effectively be dropped, said de los Santos.
The Quezon City Police will start running after the suspects, including Varela, if an arrest warrant will be released against them by the courts.
Deputy Director General Jesus Verzosa, deputy chief for Administration of the Philippine National Police, said that as far as he knows, Varela spends most of his time in his house in Quezon City, and visits his home sometimes in Bangued town.
Among those charged Tuesday, no one is still under police custody, said de los Santos.
So far, only Dupo, Taculao, and Panday are detained at the PNP Custodial Center inside Camp Crame.
Asked how she feels with the charging of case against Varela, which she had long suspected to be the real mastermind in the killing of her father, Charito Bersamin said: “We’re very happy and sad because I will have to go through what happened again.”
She said the confession of Dupo and Taculao vindicated her in her allegation against Varela.
She thanked the PNP for their efforts and hoped that Varela will face the charges against him.
“My father is well-loved by the Abreños, no one would plan to hurt him or our family,” the young Bersamin said./DMS
JI leader arrested in Davao Oriental, two local contacts nabbed
By Ronron
February 19, 2008
Army and police operatives arrested last Sunday morning a suspected Jemaah Islamiya (JI) leader and nabbed his two Filipino contacts during a raid in Davao Oriental province, military officials said Tuesday.
In a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., identified the suspected terrorist as Mohamad Baehaqi, 26, an Indonesia national who uses the aliases Latif, Salman, and Tatoh, and the two alleged JI local contacts as Cabiza Generoso and Mohar Abais Generoso.
Esperon said Baehaqi was arrested on the basis of a warrant issued by Judge Francis Palmones, Jr. in Kidapawan City last January 12, 2007 for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder in relation to the bombing in Makilala, North Cotabato last October 2006.
The arrest was done by elements of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, Intelligence group, Joint Special Operations Group, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) at around 7am of February 17 at Baehaqi’s alleged safehouse in Barangay Piso in Banaybanay town.
“The arrest of (Baehaqi) is a big blow to the terrorists that will further frustrate whatever plans they have,” Esperon said.
Esperon said authorities traced Baehaqi through their intelligence efforts, after following him from Jolo, Sulu.
He said Baehaqi has been in the country since September 2003, arriving using the backdoor, and stayed in Sulu, Zamboanga, Cotabato and Davao Oriental.
“He has been to Jolo and operatives took it from there. From Jolo, they (operatives) tried their best to track him and operate against him when he reached Davao Oriental,” Esperon said.
Esperon said Baehaqi “was involved in the March 27, 2006 Jolo-Sulu Cooperative bombing where nine people killed, and the Makilala-General Santos-Cotabato tri-bombing on October 10, 2006 where more than a dozen people were killed and wounded scores of others.”
Baehaqi was presented briefly in the news conference, which was also attended by Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon.
For three times, Baehaqi, who was wearing a yellow shirt, shouted “Alahu Akbar!” while standing at the back of Esperon and Yano.
“That (shouting of Baehaqi) really tells you that he’s for real. They always say that – ‘Alahu Akbar!’ or ‘Praise Allah!’ And he said something else that is an indication of his leanings,” Esperon said.
Esperon said that recovered from the suspected terrorists during the raid were a Caliber 22 Winchester rifle, a 12-gauge Armscor shotgun with bandoleer, a Norinco caliber .45 pistol, a cash money worth P4,500, two cellphone units, one pair of camouflage uniform, two pairs of combat boots, a jungle hammock, a black backpack, 24 pieces blasting caps, explosives, ammunitions, detonating cord, soldering iron, remote detonating devices, earphone, bomb-making diagram with notes in Bahasan Indonesia, pop sheets in Arabic characters, several dry cell batteries, four pieces Sim packs, small Swiss knife, one Toshiba laptop, and two flash drives.
He said they are still determining if Baehaqi has immediate plans of conducting bombing incidents in or near Davao Oriental. While in Davao Oriental, Baehaqi allegedly has been training local recruits to make bombs.
Esperon said Baehaqi was trained in making bombs by no less than Dulmatin, the alleged JI bomber with $10 million reward on his head for masterminding the Bali, Indonesia bombings.
“He admitted to have since joined the group of Dulmatin, Omar Patek and Marwan who are known JI members. He was the JI liaison in Central and Southern Mindanao at the time of his capture,” Esperon said.
While he may have no reward on his head, Baehaqi is among the 30 known JI elements present in the country today, said Esperon.
So far, Baehaqi is the fifth JI to be neutralized by Philippine authorities since the late 1990’s, according to Calderon.
He will be under the custody of the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City for subsequent filing of appropriate charges before the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, while the two Generoso’s are detained at the 10th ID headquarters in Panacan, Davao City.
The Generoso’s will be charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, said Esperon./DMS
February 19, 2008
Army and police operatives arrested last Sunday morning a suspected Jemaah Islamiya (JI) leader and nabbed his two Filipino contacts during a raid in Davao Oriental province, military officials said Tuesday.
In a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., identified the suspected terrorist as Mohamad Baehaqi, 26, an Indonesia national who uses the aliases Latif, Salman, and Tatoh, and the two alleged JI local contacts as Cabiza Generoso and Mohar Abais Generoso.
Esperon said Baehaqi was arrested on the basis of a warrant issued by Judge Francis Palmones, Jr. in Kidapawan City last January 12, 2007 for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder in relation to the bombing in Makilala, North Cotabato last October 2006.
The arrest was done by elements of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, Intelligence group, Joint Special Operations Group, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) at around 7am of February 17 at Baehaqi’s alleged safehouse in Barangay Piso in Banaybanay town.
“The arrest of (Baehaqi) is a big blow to the terrorists that will further frustrate whatever plans they have,” Esperon said.
Esperon said authorities traced Baehaqi through their intelligence efforts, after following him from Jolo, Sulu.
He said Baehaqi has been in the country since September 2003, arriving using the backdoor, and stayed in Sulu, Zamboanga, Cotabato and Davao Oriental.
“He has been to Jolo and operatives took it from there. From Jolo, they (operatives) tried their best to track him and operate against him when he reached Davao Oriental,” Esperon said.
Esperon said Baehaqi “was involved in the March 27, 2006 Jolo-Sulu Cooperative bombing where nine people killed, and the Makilala-General Santos-Cotabato tri-bombing on October 10, 2006 where more than a dozen people were killed and wounded scores of others.”
Baehaqi was presented briefly in the news conference, which was also attended by Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon.
For three times, Baehaqi, who was wearing a yellow shirt, shouted “Alahu Akbar!” while standing at the back of Esperon and Yano.
“That (shouting of Baehaqi) really tells you that he’s for real. They always say that – ‘Alahu Akbar!’ or ‘Praise Allah!’ And he said something else that is an indication of his leanings,” Esperon said.
Esperon said that recovered from the suspected terrorists during the raid were a Caliber 22 Winchester rifle, a 12-gauge Armscor shotgun with bandoleer, a Norinco caliber .45 pistol, a cash money worth P4,500, two cellphone units, one pair of camouflage uniform, two pairs of combat boots, a jungle hammock, a black backpack, 24 pieces blasting caps, explosives, ammunitions, detonating cord, soldering iron, remote detonating devices, earphone, bomb-making diagram with notes in Bahasan Indonesia, pop sheets in Arabic characters, several dry cell batteries, four pieces Sim packs, small Swiss knife, one Toshiba laptop, and two flash drives.
He said they are still determining if Baehaqi has immediate plans of conducting bombing incidents in or near Davao Oriental. While in Davao Oriental, Baehaqi allegedly has been training local recruits to make bombs.
Esperon said Baehaqi was trained in making bombs by no less than Dulmatin, the alleged JI bomber with $10 million reward on his head for masterminding the Bali, Indonesia bombings.
“He admitted to have since joined the group of Dulmatin, Omar Patek and Marwan who are known JI members. He was the JI liaison in Central and Southern Mindanao at the time of his capture,” Esperon said.
While he may have no reward on his head, Baehaqi is among the 30 known JI elements present in the country today, said Esperon.
So far, Baehaqi is the fifth JI to be neutralized by Philippine authorities since the late 1990’s, according to Calderon.
He will be under the custody of the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City for subsequent filing of appropriate charges before the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, while the two Generoso’s are detained at the 10th ID headquarters in Panacan, Davao City.
The Generoso’s will be charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, said Esperon./DMS
Authorities confirming if slain rebel is Dulmatin
By Ronron
February 19, 2008
The military exhumed on Monday afternoon in Tawi-tawi province the cadaver of a rebel believed to be Indonesian terrorist Dulmatin, officials said Tuesday.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, commander of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), said the cadaver of the suspected Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomber was recovered past 4pm at Sitio Salisit, Barangay Balimbing in Panglima Sugala town.
Elements involved in the exhumation were from the 62nd Force Reconnaissance Company and the Special Operations Platoon of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 2, Dolorfino said.
The recovered cadaver was allegedly part of the casualties during an encounter between suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members and Marine elements last January 31 in Barangay Buan of said town, said Dolorfino.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said the cadaver was traced after a local recruit of the JI admitted in a debriefing that there were also dead rebels left at the encounter site of the January 31 incident.
“We now have a claim (by this informant) that this is the cadaver of Dulmatin,” Esperon told a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City yesterday afternoon.
In the January 31 incident, Dolorfino had said that only an ASG sub-leader, identified as Whab Opao who carries a P2.5-million reward for his neutralization, died, while many others escaped.
The encounter was a result of a follow up operation to the abduction attempt and killing of Fr. Rey Roda, and the abduction of Notre Dame teacher Omar Taup in South Ubian town last January 15.
Dolorfino said yesterday that they actually received a report after that incident that Dulmatin was wounded in said encounter, but they opted not to disclose it pending confirmation.
“We received a report at that time that Dulmatin was hit in the head, in the chest and right foot. Incidentally, this cadaver recovered yesterday bore gunshots to the chest, head and right foot. So it tallies,” Dolorfino said in a phone interview.
Allaga said the cadaver was actually retrieved from a shallow grave.
However, for confirmatory purposes, the cadaver will be subjected to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) test to be conducted jointly by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga said the cadaver has been airlifted to Zamboanga City for collection of tissue samples.
He said the samples will be compared to those taken from the children of Dulmatin who were earlier captured by authorities in May 2007 in Simunol Island of said province.
Combined elements of the Philippine Marines, Philippine Navy, and PNP were able to get four children of Dulmatin during a raid at a suspected ASG and JI safehouse in Barangay Bacung of said island.
Dulmatin’s wife and two other children were also seized by authorities in October 2006 in Patikul, Sulu.
All have since been deported to Indonesia.
If the death of Dulmatin is confirmed, Dolorfino said “this is a major breakthrough in our campaign against terrorism in our place because Dulmatin is the most priced personality. He has the biggest reward.”
Dulmatin has a $10-million reward on his head for his participation in the bombings in Bali, Indonesia, killing not just locals but also foreign tourists there.
Aside from Dulmatin, authorities are also running after JI bomber Umar Patek who has a $1 million reward.
Esperon said including Dulmatin and Patek, there are 30 known JI elements in the country who are joining with the ASG elements mostly in Mindanao./DMS
February 19, 2008
The military exhumed on Monday afternoon in Tawi-tawi province the cadaver of a rebel believed to be Indonesian terrorist Dulmatin, officials said Tuesday.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, commander of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), said the cadaver of the suspected Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bomber was recovered past 4pm at Sitio Salisit, Barangay Balimbing in Panglima Sugala town.
Elements involved in the exhumation were from the 62nd Force Reconnaissance Company and the Special Operations Platoon of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 2, Dolorfino said.
The recovered cadaver was allegedly part of the casualties during an encounter between suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members and Marine elements last January 31 in Barangay Buan of said town, said Dolorfino.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said the cadaver was traced after a local recruit of the JI admitted in a debriefing that there were also dead rebels left at the encounter site of the January 31 incident.
“We now have a claim (by this informant) that this is the cadaver of Dulmatin,” Esperon told a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City yesterday afternoon.
In the January 31 incident, Dolorfino had said that only an ASG sub-leader, identified as Whab Opao who carries a P2.5-million reward for his neutralization, died, while many others escaped.
The encounter was a result of a follow up operation to the abduction attempt and killing of Fr. Rey Roda, and the abduction of Notre Dame teacher Omar Taup in South Ubian town last January 15.
Dolorfino said yesterday that they actually received a report after that incident that Dulmatin was wounded in said encounter, but they opted not to disclose it pending confirmation.
“We received a report at that time that Dulmatin was hit in the head, in the chest and right foot. Incidentally, this cadaver recovered yesterday bore gunshots to the chest, head and right foot. So it tallies,” Dolorfino said in a phone interview.
Allaga said the cadaver was actually retrieved from a shallow grave.
However, for confirmatory purposes, the cadaver will be subjected to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) test to be conducted jointly by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga said the cadaver has been airlifted to Zamboanga City for collection of tissue samples.
He said the samples will be compared to those taken from the children of Dulmatin who were earlier captured by authorities in May 2007 in Simunol Island of said province.
Combined elements of the Philippine Marines, Philippine Navy, and PNP were able to get four children of Dulmatin during a raid at a suspected ASG and JI safehouse in Barangay Bacung of said island.
Dulmatin’s wife and two other children were also seized by authorities in October 2006 in Patikul, Sulu.
All have since been deported to Indonesia.
If the death of Dulmatin is confirmed, Dolorfino said “this is a major breakthrough in our campaign against terrorism in our place because Dulmatin is the most priced personality. He has the biggest reward.”
Dulmatin has a $10-million reward on his head for his participation in the bombings in Bali, Indonesia, killing not just locals but also foreign tourists there.
Aside from Dulmatin, authorities are also running after JI bomber Umar Patek who has a $1 million reward.
Esperon said including Dulmatin and Patek, there are 30 known JI elements in the country who are joining with the ASG elements mostly in Mindanao./DMS
Monday, February 18, 2008
24th RP-US Balikatan exercises formally opened
By Ronron
February 18, 2008
The 24th Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and United States military formally opened Monday in simple ceremonies at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The opening ceremony was attended by US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
Esperon said the exercise, which is authorized by the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, will end on March 3.
He said most of the activities will be humanitarian assistance projects that will be held in Central and Western Mindanao, in Sulu and in Palawan, while the staff and field exercises will be held in Luzon and Palawan.
Kenney said there will be approximately 23 humanitarian assistance projects like free medical, dental and veterinary care, and construction and repair of schools and other infrastructure projects. About 600 US troops will participate in these activities.
Esperon had earlier said that the venues in Mindanao include Marawi City in Lanao ddel Sur, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, Midsayap in North Cotabato, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi.
Kenney assured that there will be no field and staff exercises in Mindanao.
All staff and field exercises will be held specifically in Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac; in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; at Subic Bay in Zambales; at Basa Airbase in Pampanga; at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City; at Clark Airfield in Pampanga; at the Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite; and in Palawan, said Balikatan spokesman Maj. Ramon Zagala
III.
Zagala said the focus of the field trainings and exercises is on providing "relief and assistance together in the event of natural disasters and other crisis that endangers public health and safety," and in improving "contingency planning and strengthening maritime security."
"These humanitarian assistance and training activities enable our soldiers to get to know each other, train together, and provide assistance in communities where the need is greatest," Kenney said.
"True to the meaning of the word BALIKATAN, Americans and Filipinos are shouldering the load together to help the greatest possible number of people in need," she added.
Zagala said some 6,000 American troops coming from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Unit and some 2,000 Filipino soldiers from various service commands will take part in the activity./DMS
February 18, 2008
The 24th Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and United States military formally opened Monday in simple ceremonies at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The opening ceremony was attended by US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
Esperon said the exercise, which is authorized by the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, will end on March 3.
He said most of the activities will be humanitarian assistance projects that will be held in Central and Western Mindanao, in Sulu and in Palawan, while the staff and field exercises will be held in Luzon and Palawan.
Kenney said there will be approximately 23 humanitarian assistance projects like free medical, dental and veterinary care, and construction and repair of schools and other infrastructure projects. About 600 US troops will participate in these activities.
Esperon had earlier said that the venues in Mindanao include Marawi City in Lanao ddel Sur, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, Midsayap in North Cotabato, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi.
Kenney assured that there will be no field and staff exercises in Mindanao.
All staff and field exercises will be held specifically in Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac; in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; at Subic Bay in Zambales; at Basa Airbase in Pampanga; at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City; at Clark Airfield in Pampanga; at the Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite; and in Palawan, said Balikatan spokesman Maj. Ramon Zagala
III.
Zagala said the focus of the field trainings and exercises is on providing "relief and assistance together in the event of natural disasters and other crisis that endangers public health and safety," and in improving "contingency planning and strengthening maritime security."
"These humanitarian assistance and training activities enable our soldiers to get to know each other, train together, and provide assistance in communities where the need is greatest," Kenney said.
"True to the meaning of the word BALIKATAN, Americans and Filipinos are shouldering the load together to help the greatest possible number of people in need," she added.
Zagala said some 6,000 American troops coming from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Unit and some 2,000 Filipino soldiers from various service commands will take part in the activity./DMS
US envoy on series of actions in RP capital: "This is an
By Ronron
February 18, 2008
United States Ambassador to Philippines Kristie Kenney said Monday that the current noise in Manila over the alleged irregularities behind the National Broadband Network (NBN) project is no cause for concern as this, according to her, are just manifestations of an "exciting democracy."
"This is a very lively, noisy democracy, no shortage of opinions and views, something I'm pretty familiar with in the United States," Kenney told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
But, "as friends of the Philippines," Kenney said the US hopes "that it continues to be a peaceful expression of views," and that "the rule of law and the Constitution are the frameworks surrounding it all."
Thousands have since been massing up in support of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., who had testified on the NBN controversy, to call for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for allegedly engaging or at least tolerating corruption.
Asked if the US embassy will issue a statement now as it did during the November 29, 2007 incident at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City, Kenney said: "I don't think we're at that stage yet right now. We're looking at people expressing views peacefully, enthusiastically."
During the November 29 incident, calls made by Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for the ouster of Arroyo were made in the presence of armed members of the Magdalo group and their supporters inside the Manila Pen hotel.
"I think what we're seeing now is a lot of citizen interest in their government and on things that go on in the country. I think that's very healthy," Kenney said.
Kenney said she has not yet talked to Arroyo over the recent issues hounding her administration./DMS
February 18, 2008
United States Ambassador to Philippines Kristie Kenney said Monday that the current noise in Manila over the alleged irregularities behind the National Broadband Network (NBN) project is no cause for concern as this, according to her, are just manifestations of an "exciting democracy."
"This is a very lively, noisy democracy, no shortage of opinions and views, something I'm pretty familiar with in the United States," Kenney told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
But, "as friends of the Philippines," Kenney said the US hopes "that it continues to be a peaceful expression of views," and that "the rule of law and the Constitution are the frameworks surrounding it all."
Thousands have since been massing up in support of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., who had testified on the NBN controversy, to call for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for allegedly engaging or at least tolerating corruption.
Asked if the US embassy will issue a statement now as it did during the November 29, 2007 incident at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City, Kenney said: "I don't think we're at that stage yet right now. We're looking at people expressing views peacefully, enthusiastically."
During the November 29 incident, calls made by Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for the ouster of Arroyo were made in the presence of armed members of the Magdalo group and their supporters inside the Manila Pen hotel.
"I think what we're seeing now is a lot of citizen interest in their government and on things that go on in the country. I think that's very healthy," Kenney said.
Kenney said she has not yet talked to Arroyo over the recent issues hounding her administration./DMS
Defense chief won't heed to calls for Arroyo Cabinet
By Ronron
February 18, 2008
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said Monday that he will not resign from the Arroyo government as requested by former high-ranking government officials on Sunday.
"Why should I resign? … The President has not ordered me to do anything illegal, immoral. I have not seen her order anybody to do anything illegal or immoral. So why should I resign?" Teodoro told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.
In a news conference on Sunday after a mass at La Salle Greenhills in support of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. who testified on the alleged irregular awarding last of the National Broadband Network (NBN) project to China's ZTE Corporation, more than 50 former government officials, including those from the Arroyo government, called on incumbent members of the Arroyo Cabinet to disclose their knowledge about irregularities in the current administration.
The former government officials was led by former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Albert del Rosario.
Asked what he wanted to tell the group of del Rosario, Teodoro said: "You know, it's useless for me to tell them anything or not. That's just my position on the matter."
But Teodoro said the current protest actions and calls for the resignation or ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are not matters of concern, saying these are "normal political events or activities on the part of the opposition."
He expressed confidence that the military will not be swayed into joining any of the current activities that are political in nature.
"I'm convinced of the integrity of the Armed Forces behind the Constitution and the chain of command… In terms of the potential for dividing the Armed Forces, I think that's remote," Teodoro said.
Thousands have since taken the streets since Friday to support Lozada and reiterate calls for Arroyo's ouster for allegedly tolerating or engaging in corruption and other forms of irregularlity./DMS
February 18, 2008
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said Monday that he will not resign from the Arroyo government as requested by former high-ranking government officials on Sunday.
"Why should I resign? … The President has not ordered me to do anything illegal, immoral. I have not seen her order anybody to do anything illegal or immoral. So why should I resign?" Teodoro told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.
In a news conference on Sunday after a mass at La Salle Greenhills in support of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. who testified on the alleged irregular awarding last of the National Broadband Network (NBN) project to China's ZTE Corporation, more than 50 former government officials, including those from the Arroyo government, called on incumbent members of the Arroyo Cabinet to disclose their knowledge about irregularities in the current administration.
The former government officials was led by former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Albert del Rosario.
Asked what he wanted to tell the group of del Rosario, Teodoro said: "You know, it's useless for me to tell them anything or not. That's just my position on the matter."
But Teodoro said the current protest actions and calls for the resignation or ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are not matters of concern, saying these are "normal political events or activities on the part of the opposition."
He expressed confidence that the military will not be swayed into joining any of the current activities that are political in nature.
"I'm convinced of the integrity of the Armed Forces behind the Constitution and the chain of command… In terms of the potential for dividing the Armed Forces, I think that's remote," Teodoro said.
Thousands have since taken the streets since Friday to support Lozada and reiterate calls for Arroyo's ouster for allegedly tolerating or engaging in corruption and other forms of irregularlity./DMS
Esperon to military rebels: Don't expect case to be lifted
By Ronron
February 18, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Monday it is expected that military officers who are currently detained and facing charges for botched coup attempts in 2003 and 2006 will take advantage of the current political noise brought about by the expose of Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, Jr. on the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Esperon said a downfall of the Arroyo government makes the rebel officers hopeful that their charges will be dropped in favor of an amnesty.
Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and resigned Navy Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV have earlier called on the public to join the recent public protests against the Arroyo government for its alleged commission and toleration of massive corruption.
"That is expected of them. That's probably their hope in evading their liabilities under the Articles of War that they have been charged of… Mabye, they think that is their hope that if there will be a new leadership, then we will just simply forget the Articles of War that they have violated," Esperon said.
But Esperon quickly said: "They are wrong. The Articles of War, the trial for violating the Articles of War, will continue even if there will be changes in leadership because that's just the leadership. The institution itself must never change in its approach to these violations of war."
Esperon said that, "otherwise, if we forgive them for that, then what happens to the Articles of War? You would see an Armed Forces that will have nothing to stand on."
Besides, Esperon said, the group of Lim and Trillanes "are getting no supporters" from the military, so their calls will remain futile, as they did last November 29, 2007 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines, as I said, has been building on this, that we should remain Constitutional, loyal to the duly Constituted chain of command, and to the commander-in-chief. We could do no less than that," he said.
He said the public should no longer drag the military into the current exercises to denounce the Arroyo government, and instead just allow the Senate hearings on the NBN controversy to be completed.
Esperon said the military will not be worried about the rallies for as long as they are legal and peaceful.
He appealed for the public not to be carried away by emotions and theatrics, instead look for the evidence of the allegations.
Meanwhile, on the group of his former classmate and roommate at the Philippine Military Academy, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, Esperon said the case will really proceed eventually to the arraignment stage despite the objection of the defense lawyers.
"They will be arraigned," Esperon said./DMS
February 18, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Monday it is expected that military officers who are currently detained and facing charges for botched coup attempts in 2003 and 2006 will take advantage of the current political noise brought about by the expose of Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, Jr. on the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.
Esperon said a downfall of the Arroyo government makes the rebel officers hopeful that their charges will be dropped in favor of an amnesty.
Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and resigned Navy Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV have earlier called on the public to join the recent public protests against the Arroyo government for its alleged commission and toleration of massive corruption.
"That is expected of them. That's probably their hope in evading their liabilities under the Articles of War that they have been charged of… Mabye, they think that is their hope that if there will be a new leadership, then we will just simply forget the Articles of War that they have violated," Esperon said.
But Esperon quickly said: "They are wrong. The Articles of War, the trial for violating the Articles of War, will continue even if there will be changes in leadership because that's just the leadership. The institution itself must never change in its approach to these violations of war."
Esperon said that, "otherwise, if we forgive them for that, then what happens to the Articles of War? You would see an Armed Forces that will have nothing to stand on."
Besides, Esperon said, the group of Lim and Trillanes "are getting no supporters" from the military, so their calls will remain futile, as they did last November 29, 2007 at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines, as I said, has been building on this, that we should remain Constitutional, loyal to the duly Constituted chain of command, and to the commander-in-chief. We could do no less than that," he said.
He said the public should no longer drag the military into the current exercises to denounce the Arroyo government, and instead just allow the Senate hearings on the NBN controversy to be completed.
Esperon said the military will not be worried about the rallies for as long as they are legal and peaceful.
He appealed for the public not to be carried away by emotions and theatrics, instead look for the evidence of the allegations.
Meanwhile, on the group of his former classmate and roommate at the Philippine Military Academy, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, Esperon said the case will really proceed eventually to the arraignment stage despite the objection of the defense lawyers.
"They will be arraigned," Esperon said./DMS
"No problem if Hello Garci tape is aired in public" – Esperon
By Ronron
February 18, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. finds no problem with the public airing of the so-called "Hello Garci" tapes, which some sectors say is a proof of the alleged 2004 electoral fraud.
In an interview Monday at Camp Aguinaldo, Esperon said he is not afraid if the Supreme Court rules on the public airing of the alleged wiretapped conversations purportedly by some officials, including him, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, because it will not make him liable for anything.
"Yeah, it can be aired. I don't have to be vindicated from such. If you just read against what was, or go through the transcript, you will see that they were accusing me of relieving, having a hand in the relief of a brigade commander. As chief of operations, J3, I had nothing to do with relieves," Esperon said.
The Supreme Court said last week that warnings of the National Telecommunications Commission and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to the media against airing the "Hello Garci" tapes constitute "prior restraint" to freedom of expression and of the press.
The high tribunal said the airing of the tapes should be upon the media's judgment call.
Esperon the SC ruling does not matter much anyway because "everybody in town knows what's in the tapes."
"I don't know if that should have any effect on us," he said, adding that nor should it fuel the current political tension brought about the by the expose of Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, Jr. over the alleged irregular awarding of the National Broadband Network (NBN) project to China's ZTE Corporation last year.
Esperon said the investigations of various bodies on the NBN issue should just be allowed to proceed and their results to come out.
The "Hello Garci" tapes caught the conversation purportedly of Arroyo and Garcillano days after the May 10, 2004 Presidential elections wherein Arroyo allegedly wants to make sure she gets a one million vote margin against close rival Fernando Poe, Jr./DMS
February 18, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. finds no problem with the public airing of the so-called "Hello Garci" tapes, which some sectors say is a proof of the alleged 2004 electoral fraud.
In an interview Monday at Camp Aguinaldo, Esperon said he is not afraid if the Supreme Court rules on the public airing of the alleged wiretapped conversations purportedly by some officials, including him, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, because it will not make him liable for anything.
"Yeah, it can be aired. I don't have to be vindicated from such. If you just read against what was, or go through the transcript, you will see that they were accusing me of relieving, having a hand in the relief of a brigade commander. As chief of operations, J3, I had nothing to do with relieves," Esperon said.
The Supreme Court said last week that warnings of the National Telecommunications Commission and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to the media against airing the "Hello Garci" tapes constitute "prior restraint" to freedom of expression and of the press.
The high tribunal said the airing of the tapes should be upon the media's judgment call.
Esperon the SC ruling does not matter much anyway because "everybody in town knows what's in the tapes."
"I don't know if that should have any effect on us," he said, adding that nor should it fuel the current political tension brought about the by the expose of Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, Jr. over the alleged irregular awarding of the National Broadband Network (NBN) project to China's ZTE Corporation last year.
Esperon said the investigations of various bodies on the NBN issue should just be allowed to proceed and their results to come out.
The "Hello Garci" tapes caught the conversation purportedly of Arroyo and Garcillano days after the May 10, 2004 Presidential elections wherein Arroyo allegedly wants to make sure she gets a one million vote margin against close rival Fernando Poe, Jr./DMS
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Retired general supports Lozada but warns military of joining oust-Arroyo moves
By Ronron
February 17, 2008
Former Defense Secretary and Army commander retired Gen. Fortunato Abat may be supporting NBN scandal witness Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. in the latter’s expose against alleged corruption in government, but he said the military should distance itself from calls for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
After attending the mass yesterday at La Salle Greenhills in support of Lozada, Abat said in an interview that he believes the NBN scandal witness is telling the truth, even without presenting other forms of evidence.
“I hope Lozada will sustain the truth, that he will not lose track… I think everything he said is true,” Abat said.
But when asked if he wants the military to join the oust Arroyo efforts as a result of Lozada’s expose, Abat said: “I am always calling for the military to be apolitical, neutral, and not participate in these political activities.”
“As protector of the people, the military should remain neutral and just ensure that there is peace and order,” he added.
He made the same appeal to the Philippine National Police (PNP), which, he said, must look after the “Constitutional rights of the people.”
In a phone interview, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said yesterday that the organization is “very solid” as he also appeals for “the rule of law to prevail” amidst the current controversies.
“The Armed Forces would be Constitutional. There is no destabilization through power grab. A power grab is not to the interest of the country,” Esperon said.
But he said the military leadership will not let down its guard for any eventuality.
Abat said Lozada’s allegations just show how rotten the current political system in the country is.
“For as long as she impedes the process to know and unravel the truth about her legitimacy, her manner of governance, and the other issues, the people will not respect her presidency,” Abat said, referring to Arroyo.
He said the repeated refusal of the Arroyo government to shed light on the issues hurled against it is an indication of guilt.
Asked if he had made contacts with some military officials to get their sentiment or stand on the revelations of Lozada regarding the NBN deal, Abat said: “I don’t and I don’t intend to because they know I am controversial.”
Abat had been calling for Arroyo’s resignation in the past few years following the expose of the alleged 2004 electoral fraud./DMS
February 17, 2008
Former Defense Secretary and Army commander retired Gen. Fortunato Abat may be supporting NBN scandal witness Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. in the latter’s expose against alleged corruption in government, but he said the military should distance itself from calls for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
After attending the mass yesterday at La Salle Greenhills in support of Lozada, Abat said in an interview that he believes the NBN scandal witness is telling the truth, even without presenting other forms of evidence.
“I hope Lozada will sustain the truth, that he will not lose track… I think everything he said is true,” Abat said.
But when asked if he wants the military to join the oust Arroyo efforts as a result of Lozada’s expose, Abat said: “I am always calling for the military to be apolitical, neutral, and not participate in these political activities.”
“As protector of the people, the military should remain neutral and just ensure that there is peace and order,” he added.
He made the same appeal to the Philippine National Police (PNP), which, he said, must look after the “Constitutional rights of the people.”
In a phone interview, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said yesterday that the organization is “very solid” as he also appeals for “the rule of law to prevail” amidst the current controversies.
“The Armed Forces would be Constitutional. There is no destabilization through power grab. A power grab is not to the interest of the country,” Esperon said.
But he said the military leadership will not let down its guard for any eventuality.
Abat said Lozada’s allegations just show how rotten the current political system in the country is.
“For as long as she impedes the process to know and unravel the truth about her legitimacy, her manner of governance, and the other issues, the people will not respect her presidency,” Abat said, referring to Arroyo.
He said the repeated refusal of the Arroyo government to shed light on the issues hurled against it is an indication of guilt.
Asked if he had made contacts with some military officials to get their sentiment or stand on the revelations of Lozada regarding the NBN deal, Abat said: “I don’t and I don’t intend to because they know I am controversial.”
Abat had been calling for Arroyo’s resignation in the past few years following the expose of the alleged 2004 electoral fraud./DMS
Thousands gather anew in RP capital to support witness to alleged NBN-ZTE deal anomaly
By Ronron
February 17, 2008
Two days after thousands gathered in Makati City to call for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for allegedly tolerating the alleged anomaly behind the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project last year, a Catholic mass in La Salle Greenhills campus Sunday was also well attended by people who expressed support to NBN scandal witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Jr.
The mass, which began at 10 am and held at the La Salle Greenhills gymnasium, was attended by former President Corazon Aquino, former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim, and Lozada himself, among others.
The theme of the mass centered on calls for the Arroyo government to speak the truth not just behind the NBN controversy, but also on the alleged extrajudicial killings, the fertilizer fund scam, and the alleged 2004 electoral fraud, among others.
“Every government is therefore obliged to serve the truth if it is to truly serve the people. Its moral credibility and authority over a people is based on the extent of its defense of and submission to the truth,” said officiating priest Fr. Manoling Francisco in his homily before what organizers say was an estimated close to 8,000-strong crowd.
“In so far as a government is remiss in upholding the truth, in so far as a government actively suppresses the truth, it loses its authority vested upon it by the people,” he added.
Francisco said that unlike Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and other government allies who doubt the credibility of Lozada, his personal verdict on the erstwhile NBN project consultant is that he is “a credible witness.”
“Jun, be assured that your solitude is no longer isolation as we profess our solidarity with you. You are not alone. We are committed to stay the course and to do our best to protect you and your family and the truth you have proclaimed,” Francisco said, eliciting cheers and applause from the mass attendees.
Francisco said what makes Lozada a credible witness is not only because “of his being an eyewitness to the unmitigated greed of some of our public officials,” but also he manifested what it is to be “truly human.”
“Proclaiming the truth to others, whatever the cost, is the mark of authentic humanity. Jun, we know you have feared for your life and continue to do so. But in transcending your fears for yourself and your family, you have reclaimed your humanity,” Franscisco said.
“And your courage and humility, despite harassment and calumniation by government forces, embolden us to retrieve and reclaim our humanity tarnished by our cowardice and complicity with sin in the world,” he went on.
Francisco said the administration’s failure in “its fundamental duty to uphold the truth” and when it is “constituted by an ethos of falsehood” make it lacking in moral authority over the people.
“When a pattern of negligence in investigating the truth, suppressing the truth and harassing those who proclaim the truth is reasonably established, then a government, in principle, loses its right to rule over and represent the people,” he said.
He enumerated the supposed negligence of the Arroyo government in seeking the truth behind the “failed automation of the national elections, the fertilizer scam, the extrajudicial killings, and the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal.”
As regards covering-up the truth allegedly by the administration, Francisco mentioned the alleged abduction of Lozada, and the alleged “twisting and manipulation” of (Lozada’s) narrative by Malacañang officials.
“Regarding suppression the truth: Does the issuance and implementation of (Executive Order) 464, which prevents government officials from testifying in Senate hearing without Malacañang’s permission, constitute suppression of the truth? Was the prevention of AFP chief of staff Gen. Senga and six other officers from testifying before the Senate with regard to the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal tantamount to a suppression of the truth? Was disallowing Brig. Gen. Quevedo, Lt. Col. Capuyan and Lt. Col. Sumayo from appearing before the Lower House an instance of hindering the truth from surfacing?” Francisco said.
“And regarding harassment of those who proclaim the truth: Are the abduction of Jun Lozada and the decision to court martial Gen. Gudani and Col. Balutan for disregarding Malacañang’s order not to testify before the Senate examples of punishing those who come forth to tell the truth?” he went on.
After the mass at shortly past 11 am, Aquino thanked the people, who filled up not just the second floor of the gymnasium but also the ground floor and the open ground outside, for heeding to her call to attend the Holy Mass.
Wearing a dress in her signature yellow color, the former President said in a brief speech that Lozada should take comfort in the people’s solidarity for him because this was the same factor that brought her to the helm in 1986 after the people ended the dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
“I want us Filipinos to unite again. Sometimes, some people ask me if I don’t get tired of making the same call. I say, I have no choice, this is my only country, the Philippines, my beloved. So thank you very much for coming here today,” Aquino said.
“If we know how to get united, we will eventually see a brighter future for our country,” she added.
Asked in an ambush interview later if she is reiterating her call for Arroyo’s resignation, Aquino just said: “I’m praying for her.”
In response, Lozada said in his speech: “I thank President Cory because this is her idea to have a mass. Before, I thought I was just alone. Now, many have already adopted me.”
Sharing the call for unity by Aquino, Lozada said: “I hope there are no more just La Sallians, Thomasites, or Ateneans. We are all the same, Filipinos.” Lozada is an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila City.
He then went on to read a prayer entitled, “Today, I Start The Change I Want To See,” which, he said, “sent me off to this course.”
“It’s really humbling that so many people are caring. Because when I did this (coming out with the expose on the NBN project), I was just trying to save my soul. I didn’t know I’d save our country’s soul,” Lozada said.
His closing words dealt on his personal hope that Filipinos will be able to find the right answers to questions of the young generation, particularly by his son, about the consequences in telling the truth.
“If it is true that you did well to the country, why is it that we are on the run?” Lozada repeated his son’s question as he lamented his family’s current disposition because of his expose.
“I hope everyone will help me find the answers to our children’s questions,” he said. “I hope what we can teach the children is that if you did right, you can walk outside with your head up.”
Outside the school campus after the mass, some former high-ranking government officials challenged all incumbent officials – Cabinet Secretaries, Undersecretaries, Heads of Agencies “who know about these anomalous transactions to join the heroic stand of Jun Lozada to come forward and speak out.”
Reading a statement signed by at least 54 former officials including him, former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Albert del Rosario said: “We call on all those who know about the extrajudicial killings and disappearances to go public and tell the truth. We call on all those who can no longer endure this wrongful governance, with its structures of evil and unmoderated greed: IT IS TIME TO CUT CLEAN! IT IS TIME TO GO!”
Del Rosario said Lozada’s expose on the NBN deal just confirmed what they, former officials, know. That is, “our country is sliding into moral decadence.”
“We can no longer console ourselves in the strength of the peso, narrowing deficits, and an expanding economy. Even these ephemeral gains have not translated into a better life for the majority of our people, especially the poor,” he said.
Among the signatories who are also present in yesterday’s mass were former Education Secretary Florencio Abad, former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, former NEDA Secretary-General and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, former Executive Secretary Franklin Drilon, and former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.
Jennifer Oreta, 39, a faculty member of Ateneo de Manila University, said she, her husband, and their son attended the mass even if they were only outside the gymnasium because her family wants to express their support to calls for Arroyo’s resignation.
“It’s about time we uncover and know the truth behind the (NBN) controversy, which the Arroyo administration tried to suppress for so long,” she said in an interview after the mass.
A participant in the People Power 1 Revolution in 1986, and the People Power 2 Revolution in 2001, Oreta said she believes Sunday’s activity brought about by Lozada’s expose “is a beginning of a groundswell.”
She said calls for Arroyo’s ouster may not immediately be realized now, but she recalled that it was not also an immediate removal from office of Marcos and former President Joseph Estrada.
“She (Arroyo) must take a leave of absence and order an independent body to investigate all these controversies because the message this government is sending now is that ‘it’s okay to cheat, it’s okay to lie’,” Oreta said.
The police, meanwhile, said the activity went peacefully and smoothly, that most of their men did not even had to unload from their vehicles.
Eastern Police District (EPD) Director Chief Supt. Nilo dela Cruz said they have deployed about 200 policemen near La Salle Greenhills to ensure security while the mass was being held. Most of them were stationed at the EDSA Shrine about 200 meters away from La Salle Greenhills.
The ground commander who went near La Salle Greenhills, Supt. Joveth Asayo, the Mandaluyong City Police Deputy Chief, said their estimate of the crowd was only 4,000 to 5,000.
He said the only problem was the traffic along Ortigas Avenue fronting La Salle Greenhills gate because vehicles of participants to the mass occupied almost half of the lane.
Dela Cruz said the camera installed in front of the La Salle Greenhills gate was useful only in so far as monitoring the traffic situation is concerned. But he denied it was used to monitor the people who attended the mass, despite being told that the camera was often times seen pointed at the gate, instead of the direction of the road.
Dela Cruz said they might consider removing the camera if they find merit in a formal request or action that will be taken by the La Salle brothers.
The camera was installed last Thursday afternoon primarily to monitor the traffic in that part of Ortigas Avenue, said dela Cruz. But he admitted that it will also be useful to monitor the gate of La Salle Greenhills for anti-criminality purposes especially that the students in that school are children of prominent and well-to-do families./DMS
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