By Ronron
April 1, 2008
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) delisted 87 newly hired soldiers and 97 soldier-trainees in its unit in northern Mindanao in the light of the investigation conducted against the former military commander there.
Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. told reporters Tuesday in Camp Aguinaldo that the cancellation of the appointment orders of the 184 personnel at the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City took effect last March 25.
“The appointment orders of the candidate soldiers and Privates who were found to be not qualified were cancelled,” Torres said.
“Admission into the military without going through the prescribed process is considered fraudulent and may result to separation from the service,” he added.
The 184 personnel were investigated after former 4th ID commander Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto and his staff, Staff Sergeant Roseller Echipare, were accused of having collected some fees from them in exchange of assured entry into the service despite non-compliance with some requirements.
The 87 newly hired soldiers belong to a batch of 133 new Privates, while the 97 candidate soldiers belong to a batch of 150 trainees.
Torres said their appointment was cancelled because some of them were found to be under-height, while some submitted fake birth certificates, among other reasons.
But he said the Army leadership has yet to ascertain if indeed, these personnel were willing victims of Barbieto’s alleged extortion activities.
“These (under-height, fake birth certificates) are the main grounds for their cancellation, and not necessarily because they paid. These things will probably be asked of them in due time,” said Torres.
“Definitely, it (cancellation of appointment orders) affected the ongoing training, which commenced last January 10, if I’m not mistaken, wherein 150 trainees reported for training,” he added.
But Torres said the Army leadership assured these affected personnel that they can still re-apply in the service, provided they meet the requirements.
At the moment, Torres said the 4th ID will “double time” in their recruitment of new soldiers to make up for those cancelled.
Barbieto and Echipare have already been restricted inside the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City starting March 18 as they face pre-trial investigation by the Army Judge Advocate General’s Office.
Barbieto and Echipare are being investigated for possible violations of Article of War 55 (Officer Making Unlawful Enlistment), Article of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman), and Article of War 97 (Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Military Discipline).
The pre-trial investigation will determine whether or not Barbieto and Echipare will face court martial proceedings.
Asked if Barbieto has already denied the allegation, Torres said: “I’m not privy regarding those details, but definitely those things would be asked of Maj. Gen. Barbieto.”
Torres assured the even if Barbieto is a classmate of AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. in the Philippine Military Academy, there will be no whitewash in the investigation.
“We are doing the investigation based on the existing military laws… We are applying this equally,” he said.
But at the same time, Torres assured Barbieto, Echipare and their families that they will be given due process and a fair trial by the military tribunal, if ever./DMS
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
PNP entices young lawyers to join the service
By Ronron
April 1, 2008
Three days after a list of new lawyers in the country was bared by the Supreme Court, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday is enticing them and those who passed within the last few years to join the service “for love of country.”
PNP Legal Service Executive Officer Sr. Supt. Benjamin delos Santos told reporters in Camp Crame yesterday that the PNP currently needs about 80 lawyers so that every province in the country has a legal counsel each.
“If all the provinces have lawyers, even policemen in the municipal level will have proper legal advice. If we have sufficient lawyers in the service, our police stations can be guided like on the latest laws, issues on human rights, and criminal issues,” delos Santos said.
The PNP Legal Service is tasked to provide legal service to members of the organization facing suits that are service-related.
It has 101 lawyers only at present, said delos Santos. For this year, they are entertaining 32 applicants to fill up the 80 vacant positions.
Delos Santos admitted it is difficult to entice lawyers to join the service because the salary offer is smaller compared to those in private practice.
A newly-accepted lawyer in the PNP will only get a monthly salary of P23,000 equivalent to a cop with a rank of Senior Inspector. Lawyers in private sectors, however, get as much as P30,000 to P50,000 a month.
“We just call on your sense of patriotism, love of country, and sense of duty and adventure because police work is very exciting,” delos Santos said when asked how they can convince new lawyers to join the PNP in spite of the relatively meager salary.
On Sunday, the Supreme Court has announced that 1,289 out of the 5,626 bar takers passed last year./DMS
April 1, 2008
Three days after a list of new lawyers in the country was bared by the Supreme Court, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday is enticing them and those who passed within the last few years to join the service “for love of country.”
PNP Legal Service Executive Officer Sr. Supt. Benjamin delos Santos told reporters in Camp Crame yesterday that the PNP currently needs about 80 lawyers so that every province in the country has a legal counsel each.
“If all the provinces have lawyers, even policemen in the municipal level will have proper legal advice. If we have sufficient lawyers in the service, our police stations can be guided like on the latest laws, issues on human rights, and criminal issues,” delos Santos said.
The PNP Legal Service is tasked to provide legal service to members of the organization facing suits that are service-related.
It has 101 lawyers only at present, said delos Santos. For this year, they are entertaining 32 applicants to fill up the 80 vacant positions.
Delos Santos admitted it is difficult to entice lawyers to join the service because the salary offer is smaller compared to those in private practice.
A newly-accepted lawyer in the PNP will only get a monthly salary of P23,000 equivalent to a cop with a rank of Senior Inspector. Lawyers in private sectors, however, get as much as P30,000 to P50,000 a month.
“We just call on your sense of patriotism, love of country, and sense of duty and adventure because police work is very exciting,” delos Santos said when asked how they can convince new lawyers to join the PNP in spite of the relatively meager salary.
On Sunday, the Supreme Court has announced that 1,289 out of the 5,626 bar takers passed last year./DMS
Monday, March 31, 2008
Reds burn trucks in Iloilo province allegedly over extortion demand
By Ronron
March 31, 2008
Suspected communist rebels burned on Sunday night two cargo trucks in Iloilo province used in rice and palay delivery allegedly due to the owner's refusal to pay the so-called revolutionary tax, police said Monday.
The incident happened at around 10:30 pm at the warehouse owned by a certain Maximo Tamisen in Barangay Balicua, Tubungan town. Tamisen is said to be a known rice dealer/trader in said town.
Tubungan Police chief Insp. Edencio Gregorio told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that the perpetrators, numbering about 15 including an amazon, first held hostage the village captain and two village watchmen who were posted near Tamisen's warehouse.
Gregorio said the suspects, who were armed with long firearms, introduced themselves to the village captain and watchmen as members of the New People's Army (NPA).
"They told the barangay captain and tanods to stay put because they are not their targets. They pointed guns at them and asked them to lie on the ground. The other rebels proceeded inside the warehouse and poured gasoline on the two trucks parked there," Gregorio narrated in Filipino.
He said the suspects used gasoline that they brought along to set fire the Elf and Fighter trucks at the warehouse.
In less than 15 minutes, the trucks were totally burned and the rebels escaped on foot towards the mountain area nearby, said Gregorio.
"There were no casualties because no one was inside the warehouse at that time," he said. There were also no other parts of the warehouse that caught fire because firemen immediately responded after the incident.
Quoting Tamisen, Gregorio said the estimated cost of damages to both trucks is P400,000.00.
Gregorio said the only time that the perpetrators pulled the trigger of their guns was when they were already on their way to escape to the mountains.
He said elements of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station, the 608 Police Mobile Group, and the 31st Recon Company of the Philippine Army conducted pursuit operations against the suspects.
Gregorio disclosed that in 2005, Tamisen received a letter from a local NPA leader, asking for an appointment for a meeting. Tamisen told him it could be that it was to seek for an arrangment on the so-called "revolutionary tax."
Tamisen, however, did pay much attention to it so the meeting never took place, said Gregorio. Thus, the businessman surmises that Sunday night's attack could already be the NPA's retaliation.
The ,5760-strong NPA has just celebrated its 39th anniversary last Saturday, although police it was an uneventful day.
The Arroyo government has vowed to defeat the insurgency problem by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks between the government and the communists bogged down in August 2004 after the latter was tagged as terrorists by the European Union and the United States./DMS
March 31, 2008
Suspected communist rebels burned on Sunday night two cargo trucks in Iloilo province used in rice and palay delivery allegedly due to the owner's refusal to pay the so-called revolutionary tax, police said Monday.
The incident happened at around 10:30 pm at the warehouse owned by a certain Maximo Tamisen in Barangay Balicua, Tubungan town. Tamisen is said to be a known rice dealer/trader in said town.
Tubungan Police chief Insp. Edencio Gregorio told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that the perpetrators, numbering about 15 including an amazon, first held hostage the village captain and two village watchmen who were posted near Tamisen's warehouse.
Gregorio said the suspects, who were armed with long firearms, introduced themselves to the village captain and watchmen as members of the New People's Army (NPA).
"They told the barangay captain and tanods to stay put because they are not their targets. They pointed guns at them and asked them to lie on the ground. The other rebels proceeded inside the warehouse and poured gasoline on the two trucks parked there," Gregorio narrated in Filipino.
He said the suspects used gasoline that they brought along to set fire the Elf and Fighter trucks at the warehouse.
In less than 15 minutes, the trucks were totally burned and the rebels escaped on foot towards the mountain area nearby, said Gregorio.
"There were no casualties because no one was inside the warehouse at that time," he said. There were also no other parts of the warehouse that caught fire because firemen immediately responded after the incident.
Quoting Tamisen, Gregorio said the estimated cost of damages to both trucks is P400,000.00.
Gregorio said the only time that the perpetrators pulled the trigger of their guns was when they were already on their way to escape to the mountains.
He said elements of the Tubungan Municipal Police Station, the 608 Police Mobile Group, and the 31st Recon Company of the Philippine Army conducted pursuit operations against the suspects.
Gregorio disclosed that in 2005, Tamisen received a letter from a local NPA leader, asking for an appointment for a meeting. Tamisen told him it could be that it was to seek for an arrangment on the so-called "revolutionary tax."
Tamisen, however, did pay much attention to it so the meeting never took place, said Gregorio. Thus, the businessman surmises that Sunday night's attack could already be the NPA's retaliation.
The ,5760-strong NPA has just celebrated its 39th anniversary last Saturday, although police it was an uneventful day.
The Arroyo government has vowed to defeat the insurgency problem by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
Peace talks between the government and the communists bogged down in August 2004 after the latter was tagged as terrorists by the European Union and the United States./DMS
Defense chief urges business establishments to be vigilant against NPA
By Ronron
March 31, 2008
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. on Monday conceded that the New People’s Army (NPA) may indeed intensify its attacks against private firms in the country as they have recently threatened, thus he is urging them to be vigilant.
In an interview with reporters, Teodoro said the communist rebels have become “more desperate” now because they have been “weakened” by the persistent efforts of government forces against them in line with their self-imposed deadline of 2010 to make the NPA an “inconsequential force.”
“We have to guard against that. Desperation, you know, conjures up more violent or more vile forms of reactions sometimes,” Teodoro said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has claimed reducing the NPA strength to 5,760 by the end of 2007, the lowest in more than 20 years. They intend further to make the NPA just a concern of the Philippine National Police (PNP) by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
In their 39th anniversary statement last Saturday, the NPA said their fighters are targeting certain enterprises “because these are detrimental to the interest of the people.”
“It is of strategic importance to disseminate mining, plantation, logging and other operations of foreign and big comprador firms because the people do not want to be robbed of their natural resources and because they wish to use these in the future for the development of their own country,” it said.
Just last Sunday evening, two rice delivery trucks in Iloilo province were burned by suspected NPA rebels due to the owner’s alleged refusal to pay the so-called “revolutionary tax” of the movement.
“Given that kind of a statement by the NPA, we enjoin vigilance on the part of business establishments to be more security conscious and aware of their surroundings,” Teodoro said.
He said that “unfortunately,” it is “quite easy to do damage to any establishment,” and this, to him, “already borders on terrorism.”
“The statement that they will intensify attacks specifically on businesses, to me, is a function of their thinking and their mentality, which is really adverse to the national interest. And I condemn that kind of thinking,” Teodoro said.
Among the measures being taken by some business firms in the provinces is hiring para-military men as their guards. The security personnel belong to Special CAFGU companies being controlled by the Philippine Army.
But aside from urging the private firms to do their share in thwarting the NPA threat, Teodoro directed military commanders in the field to also “factor in to their preparations” the threat of the NPA against businesses “through adequate intelligence work.”
“The general plan to guard the specific communities is there,” he assured.
The most common targets of the NPA are the Globe Telecommunications facilities, heavy equipment of construction companies, and mining firms./DMS
March 31, 2008
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. on Monday conceded that the New People’s Army (NPA) may indeed intensify its attacks against private firms in the country as they have recently threatened, thus he is urging them to be vigilant.
In an interview with reporters, Teodoro said the communist rebels have become “more desperate” now because they have been “weakened” by the persistent efforts of government forces against them in line with their self-imposed deadline of 2010 to make the NPA an “inconsequential force.”
“We have to guard against that. Desperation, you know, conjures up more violent or more vile forms of reactions sometimes,” Teodoro said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has claimed reducing the NPA strength to 5,760 by the end of 2007, the lowest in more than 20 years. They intend further to make the NPA just a concern of the Philippine National Police (PNP) by 2010 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends her term.
In their 39th anniversary statement last Saturday, the NPA said their fighters are targeting certain enterprises “because these are detrimental to the interest of the people.”
“It is of strategic importance to disseminate mining, plantation, logging and other operations of foreign and big comprador firms because the people do not want to be robbed of their natural resources and because they wish to use these in the future for the development of their own country,” it said.
Just last Sunday evening, two rice delivery trucks in Iloilo province were burned by suspected NPA rebels due to the owner’s alleged refusal to pay the so-called “revolutionary tax” of the movement.
“Given that kind of a statement by the NPA, we enjoin vigilance on the part of business establishments to be more security conscious and aware of their surroundings,” Teodoro said.
He said that “unfortunately,” it is “quite easy to do damage to any establishment,” and this, to him, “already borders on terrorism.”
“The statement that they will intensify attacks specifically on businesses, to me, is a function of their thinking and their mentality, which is really adverse to the national interest. And I condemn that kind of thinking,” Teodoro said.
Among the measures being taken by some business firms in the provinces is hiring para-military men as their guards. The security personnel belong to Special CAFGU companies being controlled by the Philippine Army.
But aside from urging the private firms to do their share in thwarting the NPA threat, Teodoro directed military commanders in the field to also “factor in to their preparations” the threat of the NPA against businesses “through adequate intelligence work.”
“The general plan to guard the specific communities is there,” he assured.
The most common targets of the NPA are the Globe Telecommunications facilities, heavy equipment of construction companies, and mining firms./DMS
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Three of 13 missing people in Davao Sur sea mishap recovered dead; six remain missing
By Ronron
March 30, 2008
Six of the 13 people who went missing since Wednesday last week at an island municipality in Davao del Sur province after a sea mishap are still nowhere to be found as of Sunday, local authorities said.
Edgar Salanio, information officer of the Region XI Disaster Coordinating Council, told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had already rescued four survivors and recovered three fatalities last Saturday.
When the incident happened in the afternoon of March 26 in the waters of Sarangani town, only one of the 14 people aboard the ill-fated motorbanca “Judi Ann” immediately survived after it capsized.
Ranilo Ulivo, 26, one of the passengers, was able to swim his way back to shore after MB “Judi Ann” overturned due to big waves some two nautical miles off Barangay Camalig of said island municipality.
The 13 others, including the boat operator, were initially reported as missing. They include two infants, two toddlers, and three other minors, among others. The oldest is a 55-year-old woman.
“We received a report from the Philippine Coast Guard Southeastern Mindanao yesterday (Saturday) that they rescued four additional survivors and recovered three dead bodies. So six are still missing, “ Salanio said.
The PCG, however, was not able to immediately provide information on the identities of those recovered and rescued.
Salanio said “the big waves” at the accident site over the weekend is “hampering” the continuous search and rescue operations being conducted by the PCG, the 5053rd Search and Rescue Squadron of the Philippine Air Force, and local authorities.
He said the PCG and the Air Force will continue with their search and rescue operations Monday.
Local fishermen were also told to be on alert for possible sightings of the remaining missing victims, said Salanio./DMS
March 30, 2008
Six of the 13 people who went missing since Wednesday last week at an island municipality in Davao del Sur province after a sea mishap are still nowhere to be found as of Sunday, local authorities said.
Edgar Salanio, information officer of the Region XI Disaster Coordinating Council, told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview yesterday that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had already rescued four survivors and recovered three fatalities last Saturday.
When the incident happened in the afternoon of March 26 in the waters of Sarangani town, only one of the 14 people aboard the ill-fated motorbanca “Judi Ann” immediately survived after it capsized.
Ranilo Ulivo, 26, one of the passengers, was able to swim his way back to shore after MB “Judi Ann” overturned due to big waves some two nautical miles off Barangay Camalig of said island municipality.
The 13 others, including the boat operator, were initially reported as missing. They include two infants, two toddlers, and three other minors, among others. The oldest is a 55-year-old woman.
“We received a report from the Philippine Coast Guard Southeastern Mindanao yesterday (Saturday) that they rescued four additional survivors and recovered three dead bodies. So six are still missing, “ Salanio said.
The PCG, however, was not able to immediately provide information on the identities of those recovered and rescued.
Salanio said “the big waves” at the accident site over the weekend is “hampering” the continuous search and rescue operations being conducted by the PCG, the 5053rd Search and Rescue Squadron of the Philippine Air Force, and local authorities.
He said the PCG and the Air Force will continue with their search and rescue operations Monday.
Local fishermen were also told to be on alert for possible sightings of the remaining missing victims, said Salanio./DMS
RP leader leaves for Hongkong for investment conference
By Ronron
March 30, 2008
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left for Hongkong on Sunday afternoon to speak at an investment conference and meet with Filipino workers there.
Arroyo left via Philippine Airlines flight PR 306 shortly past 3pm together with First Gentleman Jose Miguel-Arroyo, their son Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, and some Cabinet Secretaries.
“Our trip to Hongkong is dedicated to meeting with our strong OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) contingent in Hongkong and to meet with business leaders to encourage them to continue to make strong investments in the Philippines,” Arroyo said in her departure statement.
On her first night in China’s Special Administrative Region, Arroyo will be received by the Hongkong’s Filipino community at the Tiffin Lounge of the Grand Hyatt Hotel where the First Couple will be billeted.
According to a statement from the Presidential Palace on Saturday, the reception “will feature a presentation by the Development Bank of the Philippines about its Peso Hedging Program, and by the Land Bank of the Philippines about its I-Net Negosyo Program and OFW Cash Card.
“We are taking the opportunity to meet with our precious OFW’s and introduce a series of programs we are taking to mitigate the strengthening of the peso against the dollar,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo will then deliver a keynote speech during Monday’s 2008 Credit Suisse Asian Investment Conference, which runs until April 3 at the Island Shangri-la Hotel and the Conrad International Hotel.
“The fact that I have been asked to deliver the keynote address at the Asia Investment Conference in Hongkong to over a thousand investors and fund managers underscores the interest the outside world has in the growing stability and economic fortunes of the Philippines,” Arroyo said.
“I am proud to once again carry the banner of our nation and lead the charge for even more investments in our great nation,” she added.
The chief executive said her trip is consistent with her government’s efforts to strengthen the economy “through aggressive outreach to investors and to enhance our cooperation with governments in the region like Hongkong.”
“One central component of our economic plan has been steady and consistent investment by my government in strengthening our regional political and economic engagement,” she said.
This is on top of what she said as having diversified the domestic economy, “built up our foreign reserves, stimulated a surge of foreign investment and made heavy government investments in human and physical infrastructure.”
“Taken together, all of these efforts – our economic plan at home and our foreign engagement abroad – have helped prepare us for the global economic forces that are affecting the Philippines today,” Arroyo said, referring to the “major economic slowdown in North America, a historic spike in the price of oil and a near crippling spike in the price of rice,” among others.
The President will return to the country Tuesday./DMS
March 30, 2008
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left for Hongkong on Sunday afternoon to speak at an investment conference and meet with Filipino workers there.
Arroyo left via Philippine Airlines flight PR 306 shortly past 3pm together with First Gentleman Jose Miguel-Arroyo, their son Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, and some Cabinet Secretaries.
“Our trip to Hongkong is dedicated to meeting with our strong OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) contingent in Hongkong and to meet with business leaders to encourage them to continue to make strong investments in the Philippines,” Arroyo said in her departure statement.
On her first night in China’s Special Administrative Region, Arroyo will be received by the Hongkong’s Filipino community at the Tiffin Lounge of the Grand Hyatt Hotel where the First Couple will be billeted.
According to a statement from the Presidential Palace on Saturday, the reception “will feature a presentation by the Development Bank of the Philippines about its Peso Hedging Program, and by the Land Bank of the Philippines about its I-Net Negosyo Program and OFW Cash Card.
“We are taking the opportunity to meet with our precious OFW’s and introduce a series of programs we are taking to mitigate the strengthening of the peso against the dollar,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo will then deliver a keynote speech during Monday’s 2008 Credit Suisse Asian Investment Conference, which runs until April 3 at the Island Shangri-la Hotel and the Conrad International Hotel.
“The fact that I have been asked to deliver the keynote address at the Asia Investment Conference in Hongkong to over a thousand investors and fund managers underscores the interest the outside world has in the growing stability and economic fortunes of the Philippines,” Arroyo said.
“I am proud to once again carry the banner of our nation and lead the charge for even more investments in our great nation,” she added.
The chief executive said her trip is consistent with her government’s efforts to strengthen the economy “through aggressive outreach to investors and to enhance our cooperation with governments in the region like Hongkong.”
“One central component of our economic plan has been steady and consistent investment by my government in strengthening our regional political and economic engagement,” she said.
This is on top of what she said as having diversified the domestic economy, “built up our foreign reserves, stimulated a surge of foreign investment and made heavy government investments in human and physical infrastructure.”
“Taken together, all of these efforts – our economic plan at home and our foreign engagement abroad – have helped prepare us for the global economic forces that are affecting the Philippines today,” Arroyo said, referring to the “major economic slowdown in North America, a historic spike in the price of oil and a near crippling spike in the price of rice,” among others.
The President will return to the country Tuesday./DMS
No untoward incident on NPA anniversary day, says police and military
By Ronron
March 30, 2008
The 39th anniversary of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) on Saturday lapsed without any reported untoward incident, the police and military declared on Sunday.
According to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, the incidents involving communist rebels actually happened days before their anniversary.
But more are expected in the coming days, or within two weeks starting last Saturday, warned Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief for Operations Brig. Gen. Roland Detabali.
“There was no untoward incident on their anniversary. Normally, they celebrate it two weeks before or after (their anniversary day itself),” Detabali told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview.
“There was nothing untoward during the period of March 29, during their anniversary. The situation was okay nationwide,” echoed Bartolome in a separate phone interview yesterday.
Bartolome attributed the zero NPA atrocity rate last Saturday to the joint preparations of the PNP and the AFP.
It can be recalled that the PNP went on full alert, and the AFP on blue alert at 6pm last Friday in anticipation of offensives by the communist rebels as they celebrate their founding anniversary.
“The PNP was ready. In fact, even the AFP was also prepared to meet any eventuality. Both agencies were on their guard,” Bartolome said.
Hours before the NPA anniversary, two incidents of NPA atrocities happened separately in Camarines Sur and Compostela Valley provinces, belated reports reaching the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City showed yesterday.
The first incident happened at around 2:15 pm last Friday in Compostela Valley, resulting in the death of a barangay captain.
According to the police report, six armed rebels, led by Commanders Jinggoy and Jazzy, barged inside the residence of Barangay Captain Nelson Sam-o at Purok 9, Barangay San Jose in Monkayo town.
Sam-o and his wife were having lunch then when the guerillas, wearing camouflage military uniforms, arrived, the report said.
After forcibly dragging Sam-o, the rebels shot him at close range and went on to cart away one M16 rifle, one caliber 45 pistol, and one carbine rifle. It was learned that Samo-o is a para-military personnel.
The report said the six rebels who stormed Sam-o’s house were backed up with more than 20 others who were just stationed outside.
Four hours later, or at 6:15pm, another incident involving the NPA happened in Nabua town, Camarines Sur, resulting in the death of a suspected communist rebel, another police report said.
The report said that elements of the Philippine Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion were conducting combat patrol at Barangay Franciso of said town when they encountered around eight fully armed rebels.
Firefight lasted for about 30 minutes, resulting in the death of an unidentified rebel and the recovery from said fatality of an M16 rifle, the report said.
The report said the cadaver of the slain rebel was brought to the Bula Municipal Police Station for proper documentation.
Bartolome, meanwhile, said the PNP will maintain its full alert status nationwide even after the NPA anniversary as a matter of standard operating procedure when the President of the country leaves.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left for Hongkong on Sunday afternoon to speak at an investment conference there. She will be back on Tuesday./DMS
March 30, 2008
The 39th anniversary of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) on Saturday lapsed without any reported untoward incident, the police and military declared on Sunday.
According to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome, the incidents involving communist rebels actually happened days before their anniversary.
But more are expected in the coming days, or within two weeks starting last Saturday, warned Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief for Operations Brig. Gen. Roland Detabali.
“There was no untoward incident on their anniversary. Normally, they celebrate it two weeks before or after (their anniversary day itself),” Detabali told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview.
“There was nothing untoward during the period of March 29, during their anniversary. The situation was okay nationwide,” echoed Bartolome in a separate phone interview yesterday.
Bartolome attributed the zero NPA atrocity rate last Saturday to the joint preparations of the PNP and the AFP.
It can be recalled that the PNP went on full alert, and the AFP on blue alert at 6pm last Friday in anticipation of offensives by the communist rebels as they celebrate their founding anniversary.
“The PNP was ready. In fact, even the AFP was also prepared to meet any eventuality. Both agencies were on their guard,” Bartolome said.
Hours before the NPA anniversary, two incidents of NPA atrocities happened separately in Camarines Sur and Compostela Valley provinces, belated reports reaching the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City showed yesterday.
The first incident happened at around 2:15 pm last Friday in Compostela Valley, resulting in the death of a barangay captain.
According to the police report, six armed rebels, led by Commanders Jinggoy and Jazzy, barged inside the residence of Barangay Captain Nelson Sam-o at Purok 9, Barangay San Jose in Monkayo town.
Sam-o and his wife were having lunch then when the guerillas, wearing camouflage military uniforms, arrived, the report said.
After forcibly dragging Sam-o, the rebels shot him at close range and went on to cart away one M16 rifle, one caliber 45 pistol, and one carbine rifle. It was learned that Samo-o is a para-military personnel.
The report said the six rebels who stormed Sam-o’s house were backed up with more than 20 others who were just stationed outside.
Four hours later, or at 6:15pm, another incident involving the NPA happened in Nabua town, Camarines Sur, resulting in the death of a suspected communist rebel, another police report said.
The report said that elements of the Philippine Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion were conducting combat patrol at Barangay Franciso of said town when they encountered around eight fully armed rebels.
Firefight lasted for about 30 minutes, resulting in the death of an unidentified rebel and the recovery from said fatality of an M16 rifle, the report said.
The report said the cadaver of the slain rebel was brought to the Bula Municipal Police Station for proper documentation.
Bartolome, meanwhile, said the PNP will maintain its full alert status nationwide even after the NPA anniversary as a matter of standard operating procedure when the President of the country leaves.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left for Hongkong on Sunday afternoon to speak at an investment conference there. She will be back on Tuesday./DMS
Defense department to train soldiers as para-legal personnel
By Ronron
March 30, 2008
The Defense Department is finalizing its plan to train soldiers as para-legal personnel as part of the newly released Revised Defense Planning Guidance.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. told reporters last Friday afternoon during the Philippine Army’s 111th anniversary celebration at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City that they are eyeing next month as the start of the training activities.
“Crucial to our achievement of our goal in 2010 (to defeat insurgency) is the enhancement of the legal infrastructure and capability to conduct our operations in accordance with legal models,” Teodoro said in his speech at said affair.
“So we will have an introduction of a para-legal training program, particularly in the frontline battalions,” he added.
Teodoro said each battalion in the field should have one para-legal personnel who can “do the ground work” like “answer basic petitions” if any member of said unit is faced with legal predicament.
“At least, we can provide the proper legal advice to the units in the field… This should save us in our legal costs,” he said.
Those who can be tapped as para-legal counsels can be any of “active soldiers and the non-commissioned officers” in the battalions, said Teodoro.
Their training, particularly on “criminal and penal laws,” will last “for a few months,” to be held either at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, or in their respective unit assignments.
“Our personnel from the Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO) can actually go the field units for a pooled seminar,” Teodoro said.
The Defense chief, who is himself a lawyer, hopes that with this new program, each soldier will be conscious of any legal repercussions whenever they operate.
The military has been at the receiving end of accusations regarding extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, especially if the victims are perceived to be sympathetic with Leftist organizations or critical with the present government.
Aside from the para-legal program, the new Defense Planning Guidance, which was released the other week, also provides for “investing on our younger soldiers in terms of training and education,” reiteration on “our adherence to Defense Resource Management,” and the reiteration “on our support to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” Teodoro said./DMS
March 30, 2008
The Defense Department is finalizing its plan to train soldiers as para-legal personnel as part of the newly released Revised Defense Planning Guidance.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. told reporters last Friday afternoon during the Philippine Army’s 111th anniversary celebration at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City that they are eyeing next month as the start of the training activities.
“Crucial to our achievement of our goal in 2010 (to defeat insurgency) is the enhancement of the legal infrastructure and capability to conduct our operations in accordance with legal models,” Teodoro said in his speech at said affair.
“So we will have an introduction of a para-legal training program, particularly in the frontline battalions,” he added.
Teodoro said each battalion in the field should have one para-legal personnel who can “do the ground work” like “answer basic petitions” if any member of said unit is faced with legal predicament.
“At least, we can provide the proper legal advice to the units in the field… This should save us in our legal costs,” he said.
Those who can be tapped as para-legal counsels can be any of “active soldiers and the non-commissioned officers” in the battalions, said Teodoro.
Their training, particularly on “criminal and penal laws,” will last “for a few months,” to be held either at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, or in their respective unit assignments.
“Our personnel from the Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO) can actually go the field units for a pooled seminar,” Teodoro said.
The Defense chief, who is himself a lawyer, hopes that with this new program, each soldier will be conscious of any legal repercussions whenever they operate.
The military has been at the receiving end of accusations regarding extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, especially if the victims are perceived to be sympathetic with Leftist organizations or critical with the present government.
Aside from the para-legal program, the new Defense Planning Guidance, which was released the other week, also provides for “investing on our younger soldiers in terms of training and education,” reiteration on “our adherence to Defense Resource Management,” and the reiteration “on our support to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” Teodoro said./DMS
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