By Ronron
February 2, 2007
At least 28 people were killed while a dozen others were wounded after a tanker exploded before noon of Friday at a national highway in Zamboanga del Sur province, local officials said.
Provincial Social Welfare Officer Conchita San Diego told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview last night that the casualties were a mixture of onlookers of the tanker, the latter’s passengers, and passengers of a commercial bus that was passing by.
San Diego said the tanker first hit the side of the national highway in Barangay Lakupayan, Tigbao town at around 10:30 am after its brakes malfunctioned. After hearing the sound of the impact, local residents rushed to the site and later attempted to free the truck man who was pinned between the truck and the wall of the hill where it smashed.
Twenty minutes later and without successfully retrieving the truck man, the tanker exploded.
Unfortunately, that was the time when an RS Trans passenger bus, carrying about 40 people, passed by and slowed down to check on the ill-fated truck.
Due to the strong impact, the bus was blown away to the edge of the other side of the road and got burned. Its passengers were thrown away as well down to the 50-meter deep ravine, and its engine 50 meters farther away.
During the initial response, 23 dead bodies were retrieved. Three more were found later at 3pm. And then two of the 15 wounded victims brought to various hospitals in Pagadian City expired later in the day.
San Diego said the dead victims were either mangled, or charred, but could still be identified by their clothes. Other body parts would later be retrieved at the site, making officials think that the casualties could actually be more than 30.
San Diego disclosed that the tanker was believed to be loaded with carbon dioxide based on a piece of paper found at the blast site. It was heading to the direction of Sibugay province, and came from the direction of Pagadian City. Only the driver and the truck man were aboard the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Another piece of paper that would later be recovered would show that the truck was owned by RICASA Trading and Allied Services, which holds office in Cavite City, said Sr. Supt. Ramon Ochotorena, provincial police director of Zamboanga del Sur.
The bus, on the other hand, was plying the same direction as it was bound for Olutangga town in Sibugay. It left Pagadian City at 9am.
The explosion left the bus 80 percent wrecked.
San Diego said it was not immediately known what triggered the explosion.
But they surmise it could have been caused by the shaking of the tanker by the local residents who were trying to save the pinned truck man.
Search and retrieval operations was still on going as of 7:30 last night./DMS
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Friday, February 2, 2007
Ebdane formally takes over as Defense Secretary
By Ronron
February 1, 2007
Newly-appointed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. was formally sworn into office Thursday by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in simple rites at Camp Aguinaldo.
Ebdane, who last served as Public Works and Highways Secretary, was given a warm welcome by the defense establishment by providing him with military honors at the Department of National Defense (DND) grounds. Joining him in trooping the line is Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.
"I am honored to be here, to be among the most hardworking and productive men and women who are risking life and limb to win the war against terror. I consider myself lucky to be coming in at this juncture at the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines with their rewards of hard work that are brining in major results in teh war against terror," said Ebdane, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (Class 1970), in a speech.
On his first day, Ebdane immediately discussed three issues that are presently hot in the defense organization.
On the military's role for the forthcoming May 14, 2007 national polls, Ebdane reiterated the military's isolation from politics, citing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) the DND and the Commission on Elections signed in October last year.
"To ensure that every soldier knows exactly what is required of him during the election period, we will conduct seminars on election duties down to the platoon level," he said.
As regards the human rights and extra-judicial killings issue, while he directed for the conduct of seminars on human rights among members of the AFP, he said that a review of the investigations on the cases handled by the PNP's Task Force USIG should be done since most of the reports cited were borne out of deception by the cause oriented groups like Karapatan.
"This must be reviewed so as to get the proper picture and get the facts right. As a preventive measure, we will conduct seminars on human rights to make everybody aware of the obligations that go with the performance of their official duties," said Ebdane.
And finally, he vowed to pursue the modernization program of the AFP that was given a full steam by his predecessor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ebdane reminded the employees of the department and the members of the military establishment of the work ethic that he wants to be embraced by them. That is, to be responsible and accountable for all the actions they take.
"I bring me the experience of the soldier and a police officer, public servant and a peacekeeper. I ask only that everyone give the best, that we keep in mind that our authority comes with responsibility and accountability," he said.
Ebdane is the 31st Defense Secretary./DMS
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Defense leadership welcomes Ebdane’s appointment as its new head; vows to stick to agreement with Comelec
By Ronron
January 31, 2007
The incumbent top Defense department officials welcome the appointment of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. as their new head effective today (Thursday) even if it is contrary to a recommendation of a body that investigated the 2003 military uprising in Makati City now popularly called as the “Oakwood Mutiny.”
“In the Defense and Armed Forces (organizations), it’s like a part of our culture already that we know that our commander-in-chief knows what is best. And we have always respected (that), and we know it is the prerogative of the President. So, the President could have announced anybody and it would have been okay to the Defense and the military. But if it is Sec. Ebdane, then much better,” Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Ernesto Carolina said Tuesday.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo after a close-door and their last meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who held the Defense post in the last 60 days, Carolina said Ebdane’s appointment does not really violate any law because the Feliciano Commission’s recommendations are not mandatory.
“It’s just a recommendation. I mean, it’s not a law,” Carolina said.
After probing into the root causes of the Oakwood mutiny, the Feliciano Commission recommended that a civilian be assigned at the Defense portfolio to balance off the military organization. This resulted in the appointment of then Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr.
Ebdane is a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Cruz resigned in November last year over policy differences with other cabinet members over the Charter Change issue. Cruz was against the Malacanang-backed People’s Initiative (PI) mode to effect a Constituent Assembly. The PI was killed by the Supreme Court.
“Secretary Ebdane went through a lot of civilian agencies. He was a National Security Adviser, then went to the Department of Public Works and Highways. And then, he came from the police, not from the military,” Carolina said.
He said there is no assurance also that even if the appointed official is a civilian, he would run the organization better as against a former military man would do.
“The best is you get somebody that has a blend of both (civilian and military). Because, if it’s always extreme, extremes are always not good. So it’s really nice if you get someone with experience, meaning you have some knowledge about the military because you’ve been with the men and you’ve been on the ground, and yet, you are not lacking in experience when it comes to dealing with the civilians and doing work in civilian government,” Carolina explained.
He said the public should not even be bothered by allegations that Ebdane was involved in the vote-rigging activities in the 2004 polls that allegedly swept Arroyo into power since it remains to be proven.
The allegations stemmed from the mention of Ebdane’s name in the controversial “Hello Garci” tape. Ebdane was the PNP chief during the May 10, 2004 national elections where Arroyo participated as a Presidential aspirant.
“We do not think about it because if there is evidence against him, then bring the issue to court. Just like anybody, I think it’s fair to consider anybody innocent until he is proven guilty… Let’s be forward-looking. Let’s look at what a person can do, not what we perceive he might have done because of implications,” Carolina said.
The Defense official also assured that the department would stick to its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed in October last year to disassociate the military from taking active role in the upcoming May 14, 2007 polls even if Ebdane is already the Defense Secretary.
“That’s a MOA of the DND. That’s not a MOA of a person. And the Comelec issued already a resolution according to that MOA,” Carolina said.
The military was also dragged into the alleged electoral fraud in 2004 after military officials’ names were also mentioned in the “Hello Garci” taped conversation./DMS
January 31, 2007
The incumbent top Defense department officials welcome the appointment of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. as their new head effective today (Thursday) even if it is contrary to a recommendation of a body that investigated the 2003 military uprising in Makati City now popularly called as the “Oakwood Mutiny.”
“In the Defense and Armed Forces (organizations), it’s like a part of our culture already that we know that our commander-in-chief knows what is best. And we have always respected (that), and we know it is the prerogative of the President. So, the President could have announced anybody and it would have been okay to the Defense and the military. But if it is Sec. Ebdane, then much better,” Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs Ernesto Carolina said Tuesday.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo after a close-door and their last meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who held the Defense post in the last 60 days, Carolina said Ebdane’s appointment does not really violate any law because the Feliciano Commission’s recommendations are not mandatory.
“It’s just a recommendation. I mean, it’s not a law,” Carolina said.
After probing into the root causes of the Oakwood mutiny, the Feliciano Commission recommended that a civilian be assigned at the Defense portfolio to balance off the military organization. This resulted in the appointment of then Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr.
Ebdane is a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Cruz resigned in November last year over policy differences with other cabinet members over the Charter Change issue. Cruz was against the Malacanang-backed People’s Initiative (PI) mode to effect a Constituent Assembly. The PI was killed by the Supreme Court.
“Secretary Ebdane went through a lot of civilian agencies. He was a National Security Adviser, then went to the Department of Public Works and Highways. And then, he came from the police, not from the military,” Carolina said.
He said there is no assurance also that even if the appointed official is a civilian, he would run the organization better as against a former military man would do.
“The best is you get somebody that has a blend of both (civilian and military). Because, if it’s always extreme, extremes are always not good. So it’s really nice if you get someone with experience, meaning you have some knowledge about the military because you’ve been with the men and you’ve been on the ground, and yet, you are not lacking in experience when it comes to dealing with the civilians and doing work in civilian government,” Carolina explained.
He said the public should not even be bothered by allegations that Ebdane was involved in the vote-rigging activities in the 2004 polls that allegedly swept Arroyo into power since it remains to be proven.
The allegations stemmed from the mention of Ebdane’s name in the controversial “Hello Garci” tape. Ebdane was the PNP chief during the May 10, 2004 national elections where Arroyo participated as a Presidential aspirant.
“We do not think about it because if there is evidence against him, then bring the issue to court. Just like anybody, I think it’s fair to consider anybody innocent until he is proven guilty… Let’s be forward-looking. Let’s look at what a person can do, not what we perceive he might have done because of implications,” Carolina said.
The Defense official also assured that the department would stick to its Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed in October last year to disassociate the military from taking active role in the upcoming May 14, 2007 polls even if Ebdane is already the Defense Secretary.
“That’s a MOA of the DND. That’s not a MOA of a person. And the Comelec issued already a resolution according to that MOA,” Carolina said.
The military was also dragged into the alleged electoral fraud in 2004 after military officials’ names were also mentioned in the “Hello Garci” taped conversation./DMS
GMA holds last conference at Defense Department; gives go signal for purchase of military equipment
By Ronron
January 31, 2007
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo held for the last time as Defense Secretary a conference with top Defense and military officials on Wednesday as she is set to turn over today (Thursday) the Defense portfolio to outgoing Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr.
In a statement released after the one-hour close-door meeting, Arroyo commended the Defense department for its “outstanding performance in pursuing the guidelines” she “issued to fast track the implementation of the procurement process for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.”
Arroyo and Defense officials said the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Defense Department is ready to proceed with the bidding process this month (February) for the purchase of over P7 billion worth of essential military equipment that will be used in the AFP’s internal security operations (ISO).
A document provided by the department listed the said equipment as follows: Multi-purpose Attack Craft (P145.44 M); Squad Automatic Weapons (P1,727.438 M); Global Positioning System (P103.550 M); Watercraft (P70.9 M); 1 ¼ ton Truck (P1,531.76 M); Aerial Camera (P62.85 M); Personal Role Radio (P400 M); Armored Personnel Carrier M113 (P144 M); Night Flying System for the Army and Air Force (P617,125,460); Night Flying System for the Navy (P326.509 M); Night Capable Attack Helicopter (P1,213.04 M); 40MM Grenade Launcher (P160.6 M; EOD Bomb Suit (P82.35 M); MD 520 MG Upgrade (P240 M); and, UH-1 Helicopter (P400 M).
“These projects are part of the P10 billion I have approved for procurement, for which invitations to bid have been sent out… At the rate of these developments, I am confident that the notices to proceed will be issued by the middle of March 2007,” Arroyo said.
In a follow-up interview, Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reserve Affairs Ernesto Carolina said the remaining P2.75 billion worth of equipment are still being determined as to how they will be purchased.
“The strategy is to acquire first those that will go to the hands of the soldiers… and would enhance their operational and combat readiness and capability,” Carolina said of the first batch of equipment to be purchased.
He said the department expects to receive the deliveries from March until October of this year if the timeline is followed.
“She’s happy that in the last 60 days, she was able to more or less review the vision and mission of the AFP and the major services, and most importantly, tweak the procurement system,” Carolina said when asked about Arroyo’s last directives to the department.
“She said that an inspiring mission should be supported by materiel capability that’s why she focused on the procurement… And she is very satisfied with the way in the last 60 days the Bids and Awards Committee was able to accomplish what the President would like to be accomplished,” he added.
In her statement, Arroyo said the AFP Modernization Program will hopefully equip the military with the necessary hardware to be able to particularly sustain its anti-terrorism campaign, and even other non-traditional security threats./DMS
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Military deploys two Army companies to N. Cotabato to defuse MILF clashes
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Querubin hit with malaria, transferred to AFP hospital in QC
By Ronron
January 30, 2007
Marines Col. Ariel Querubin, one of the accused coup plotters last February 2005, is hit with malaria, his wife and military officials said Tuesday.
Querubin was brought yesterday morning to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center on V. Luna Avenue, Quezon City for immediate treatment and further examinations and observations.
His wife, Maria Flor, disclosed that the Plasmodium falciparum strain of malaria was found on Querubin, prompting her to reiterate her request to the Navy leadership to allow her husband to go to a bigger medical facility.
Querbin was initially confined at the Naval Hospital in Cavite near his detention house in Fort San Felipe.
The Plasmodium falciparum strain is said to be the most widespread and dangerous at it can lead to fatal cerebral malaria if untreated.
“The Navy leadership just tells me they will check the security every time I request that my husband be brought to another hospital. They should ask the doctors, not the custodians… He (Querubin) is affected with malaria,” an emotional Mrs. Querubin said in a phone interview.
She said her husband has been chilling, feverish and weak in the past few days. And his eyes have turned a bit yellow in color.
Navy spokesman Commander Giovanni Bacordo said Querubin’s stay at the hospital will be determined by his doctors.
“But he will be returned to Fort San Felipe when he gets well,” said Bacordo.
Querubin is facing charges of violation of the Articles of War for his involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the Arroyo government almost a year ago by bringing his troops to the streets during the 20th People Power I Anniversary celebration on EDSA./DMS
AFP says soldiers involved in killing of activists did it on their own
By Ronron
January 30, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership admitted on Tuesday that it has members who engaged in killings of militants but clarified that it was done on their own, and not sanctioned by the organization.
In a news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said yesterday that six of the 114 cases investigated by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Task Force USIG implicated members of the AFP as suspects.
The revelation came after a member of the Melo Commission hinted that the military organization was partly responsible for the spate of extra-judicial killings that have gone high since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in 2001.
But Esperon said that only one of the six cases has so far resulted positively, resulting in the discharge from the service of the accused Army enlisted personnel in 2002. Another case remains pending at the Naga City Prosecutor’s office, while the remaining four were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
“We acknowledge that some members of the AFP have been involved in the deaths of some members of militant organizations but we definitely do not condone these,” Esperon said.
The military chief identified the dismissed soldier as Army Corporal Alberto Rafon of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division. Esperon said Rafon was discharged from the service on October 8, 2002 after he was found guilty for violating Articles of War 62 (Absence Without Official Leave), and AW 64 (Disrespect Towards Superior Officer) over allegations he killed the activist Nicanor de los Santos in December 2001 in Antipolo City, Rizal.
“More than condemning this acts, we have taken action to investigate them in order to prosecute those who are responsible,” Esperon explained.
He reiterated that there is no State or military policy to kill or neutralize political activists, only armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) during actual encounters.
In fact, the AFP, he said, has been advocating for respect of human rights, proof of which is the inclusion of human rights and International Humanitarian Law since 19991 in the curriculum of all career and specialization courses in the AFP.
A clearance from the Human Rights Commission is also mandatory before one gets promoted, said Esperon.
And in the last Command Conference of the AFP last January 6, Esperon said he directed unified commanders to submit to him a “Special Report” of any unexplained killings in their areas of responsibilities.
Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino, chief of the AFP Civil Relations Service, was also designated effected January 3, 2007 as permanent military representative to TF USIG “to help speed up investigations.”
And come February, an AFP Human Rights Office under the direct supervision of Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Christie Datu will be activated “to address all issues regarding human rights.”
“The AFP assures the public that it does not tolerate nor condone human rights violations. The soldiers implicated will be prosecuted according to the Articles of War and, if found guilty, will have to face the full force of the law. They shall also be answerable in civilian courts for any criminal act that they committed,” Esperon said.
Asked why retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. was never investigated by the military despite several allegations from militant groups against him, the military chief replied: “Because there was on formal complaint. All were just mere allegations.”
He said Palparan could not also just be held liable based on command responsibility because this principle does not cover criminal offenses, which are “individual” in and by nature.
Esperon challenged instead the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to respond to the same allegations hurled against the military, especially that the bulk of the cases are allegedly perpetrated by the communist movement./DMS
January 30, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership admitted on Tuesday that it has members who engaged in killings of militants but clarified that it was done on their own, and not sanctioned by the organization.
In a news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said yesterday that six of the 114 cases investigated by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Task Force USIG implicated members of the AFP as suspects.
The revelation came after a member of the Melo Commission hinted that the military organization was partly responsible for the spate of extra-judicial killings that have gone high since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in 2001.
But Esperon said that only one of the six cases has so far resulted positively, resulting in the discharge from the service of the accused Army enlisted personnel in 2002. Another case remains pending at the Naga City Prosecutor’s office, while the remaining four were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
“We acknowledge that some members of the AFP have been involved in the deaths of some members of militant organizations but we definitely do not condone these,” Esperon said.
The military chief identified the dismissed soldier as Army Corporal Alberto Rafon of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division. Esperon said Rafon was discharged from the service on October 8, 2002 after he was found guilty for violating Articles of War 62 (Absence Without Official Leave), and AW 64 (Disrespect Towards Superior Officer) over allegations he killed the activist Nicanor de los Santos in December 2001 in Antipolo City, Rizal.
“More than condemning this acts, we have taken action to investigate them in order to prosecute those who are responsible,” Esperon explained.
He reiterated that there is no State or military policy to kill or neutralize political activists, only armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) during actual encounters.
In fact, the AFP, he said, has been advocating for respect of human rights, proof of which is the inclusion of human rights and International Humanitarian Law since 19991 in the curriculum of all career and specialization courses in the AFP.
A clearance from the Human Rights Commission is also mandatory before one gets promoted, said Esperon.
And in the last Command Conference of the AFP last January 6, Esperon said he directed unified commanders to submit to him a “Special Report” of any unexplained killings in their areas of responsibilities.
Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino, chief of the AFP Civil Relations Service, was also designated effected January 3, 2007 as permanent military representative to TF USIG “to help speed up investigations.”
And come February, an AFP Human Rights Office under the direct supervision of Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Christie Datu will be activated “to address all issues regarding human rights.”
“The AFP assures the public that it does not tolerate nor condone human rights violations. The soldiers implicated will be prosecuted according to the Articles of War and, if found guilty, will have to face the full force of the law. They shall also be answerable in civilian courts for any criminal act that they committed,” Esperon said.
Asked why retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. was never investigated by the military despite several allegations from militant groups against him, the military chief replied: “Because there was on formal complaint. All were just mere allegations.”
He said Palparan could not also just be held liable based on command responsibility because this principle does not cover criminal offenses, which are “individual” in and by nature.
Esperon challenged instead the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) to respond to the same allegations hurled against the military, especially that the bulk of the cases are allegedly perpetrated by the communist movement./DMS
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Bush commends, thanks Arroyo for ASG crackdown
By Ronron
January 27, 2007
US President George Bush personally commended Philippine leader Gloria Mapacagal-Arroyo in a phone call late Friday while the latter is in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the latest successful operations of Philippine troops against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
A statement from Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye’s office on Saturday said Arroyo received Bush’ call at around 4pm in Davos (11pm in Manila) where the latter thanked the Philippine’s chief executive for her continued support on the global war on terror.
In return, Arroyo thanked Bush for the US’ support to the Philippine’s campaign against terrorism, particularly against the Al Qaeda-linked ASG and its Southeast Asian counterpart, the Jeemah Islamiyah, said Bunye.
The support comes in the form of civic action in terror-stricken parts of the Philippines, and intelligence fusion of US forces with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The AFP has claimed victory against the ASG following the confirmation of the death of the latter’s chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, and its second leader Jainal Antel Sali, Jr., alias Abu Solaiman, several days ago. Each has a $5 million reward on their heads from the US government.
Military officials admitted that US forces in Sulu province contributed their technical capabilities in detecting the whereabouts of the bandits that resulted to the successful neutralization of the ASG leaders.
Arroyo is attending the 37th meeting of the WEF in Davos and is expected to return to the Manila on Sunday./DMS
January 27, 2007
US President George Bush personally commended Philippine leader Gloria Mapacagal-Arroyo in a phone call late Friday while the latter is in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the latest successful operations of Philippine troops against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
A statement from Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye’s office on Saturday said Arroyo received Bush’ call at around 4pm in Davos (11pm in Manila) where the latter thanked the Philippine’s chief executive for her continued support on the global war on terror.
In return, Arroyo thanked Bush for the US’ support to the Philippine’s campaign against terrorism, particularly against the Al Qaeda-linked ASG and its Southeast Asian counterpart, the Jeemah Islamiyah, said Bunye.
The support comes in the form of civic action in terror-stricken parts of the Philippines, and intelligence fusion of US forces with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The AFP has claimed victory against the ASG following the confirmation of the death of the latter’s chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, and its second leader Jainal Antel Sali, Jr., alias Abu Solaiman, several days ago. Each has a $5 million reward on their heads from the US government.
Military officials admitted that US forces in Sulu province contributed their technical capabilities in detecting the whereabouts of the bandits that resulted to the successful neutralization of the ASG leaders.
Arroyo is attending the 37th meeting of the WEF in Davos and is expected to return to the Manila on Sunday./DMS
Fight against terror in Mindanao doesn’t end with neutralization of leaders – AFP
By Ronron
January 26, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) may be in high spirits these days after a series of successful operations in Sulu that led to the neutralization of the top two leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and many key followers.
But the commander of the unit doing the ground works admits that despite all the praises the AFP is receiving, including from the international community headed by the United States government, the battle will not end in the complete neutralization of the terrorist group, which also coddles members of Jeemah Islamiyah (JI).
“The effort in Sulu will not end there. It must be continuous… My suggestion is … problem should be approached in a wholistic manner or wholistic approach,” Brig. Gen. Ruben Rafael, commander of the AFP’s Joint Task Force Comet tasked to run after the terrorists in the jungles of Sulu, said in a recent interview.
The AFP has so far neutralized ASG chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, second leader Abu Solaiman (Jainal Antel Sali, Jr. in real life), ASG Urban Terrorist Group leader Binang Sali, subleader Jundam Jamalul (alias Black Killer), and many other key operatives, including one JI member.
On Wednesday night, over 70 of the AFP officers and men who were involved in the Mindanao operations were treated to a special dinner at Malacanang Palace and given due recognitions. Some of them were accorded on-the-spot promotions by no less than their commander-in-chief, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
But Rafael said: “This time around, whether it’s the final battle… it is always difficult.”
That is why, he said, the government troops in Sulu will “always expect the worst thing that will happen” as they continue the operations there.
Rafael emphasized that the death of the key ASG leaders does not make the battle easy for them because in every operation, “what is at stake is the life of the soldier.”
“Whoever is the leader that they will get (to replace Janjalani), we will go after them… I have enough forces there to go after this (group),” Rafael said. The AFP has more than 7,000 troops in Sulu, who were deployed since it launched Operation Plan (OPLAN) Ultimatum last August 1, 2006.
Rafael did not underestimate the remnants of the ASG, saying they will always have the capability to launch terrorist activities.
But he said these will not be as bold as those orchestrated by their fallen leaders, citing for example subleader Radullan Sahiron’s old age and poor health (he is reportedly suffering from diabetes).
In fact, the strategy of “targeting the center of gravity” of the ASG proved to be effective for the military since it left the members on their own, without a single direction to take, said Rafael.
He did not give a deadline or timeframe as to when the battle will be over but he said they will just speed up their operations to finish off the ASG the soonest, in accordance with the guidance set by Arroyo.
The ASG was formed in the late 1980’s as al-Harakatul al-Islamiyyah (Islamic Movement) by Janjalani’s elder brother initially with a similar objective as that of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which is to seek independence from the Catholic-dominated Philippine government and establish an Islamic State for the Bangasamoro (Moro nation).
Over the years, it resorted to kidnappings and bombings, among others, that earned for it the title of a terrorist group by various governments./DMS
January 26, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) may be in high spirits these days after a series of successful operations in Sulu that led to the neutralization of the top two leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and many key followers.
But the commander of the unit doing the ground works admits that despite all the praises the AFP is receiving, including from the international community headed by the United States government, the battle will not end in the complete neutralization of the terrorist group, which also coddles members of Jeemah Islamiyah (JI).
“The effort in Sulu will not end there. It must be continuous… My suggestion is … problem should be approached in a wholistic manner or wholistic approach,” Brig. Gen. Ruben Rafael, commander of the AFP’s Joint Task Force Comet tasked to run after the terrorists in the jungles of Sulu, said in a recent interview.
The AFP has so far neutralized ASG chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, second leader Abu Solaiman (Jainal Antel Sali, Jr. in real life), ASG Urban Terrorist Group leader Binang Sali, subleader Jundam Jamalul (alias Black Killer), and many other key operatives, including one JI member.
On Wednesday night, over 70 of the AFP officers and men who were involved in the Mindanao operations were treated to a special dinner at Malacanang Palace and given due recognitions. Some of them were accorded on-the-spot promotions by no less than their commander-in-chief, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
But Rafael said: “This time around, whether it’s the final battle… it is always difficult.”
That is why, he said, the government troops in Sulu will “always expect the worst thing that will happen” as they continue the operations there.
Rafael emphasized that the death of the key ASG leaders does not make the battle easy for them because in every operation, “what is at stake is the life of the soldier.”
“Whoever is the leader that they will get (to replace Janjalani), we will go after them… I have enough forces there to go after this (group),” Rafael said. The AFP has more than 7,000 troops in Sulu, who were deployed since it launched Operation Plan (OPLAN) Ultimatum last August 1, 2006.
Rafael did not underestimate the remnants of the ASG, saying they will always have the capability to launch terrorist activities.
But he said these will not be as bold as those orchestrated by their fallen leaders, citing for example subleader Radullan Sahiron’s old age and poor health (he is reportedly suffering from diabetes).
In fact, the strategy of “targeting the center of gravity” of the ASG proved to be effective for the military since it left the members on their own, without a single direction to take, said Rafael.
He did not give a deadline or timeframe as to when the battle will be over but he said they will just speed up their operations to finish off the ASG the soonest, in accordance with the guidance set by Arroyo.
The ASG was formed in the late 1980’s as al-Harakatul al-Islamiyyah (Islamic Movement) by Janjalani’s elder brother initially with a similar objective as that of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which is to seek independence from the Catholic-dominated Philippine government and establish an Islamic State for the Bangasamoro (Moro nation).
Over the years, it resorted to kidnappings and bombings, among others, that earned for it the title of a terrorist group by various governments./DMS
Friday, January 26, 2007
ASG’s Solaiman was shot dead immediately after responding to call of nature
By Ronron
January 25, 2007
Despite his notoriety, Abu Solaiman, the second highest leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), was shot dead last January 16 at a time when he was least prepared to fight.
The Philippine soldier who ended the ASG leader’s life disclosed to Camp Aguinaldo reporters on Thursday that Solaiman, whose real name is Jainal Antel Sali, Jr. and who carried a $5 million bounty on his head, had just responded to a call of nature when he was assaulted.
In a news conference, Corporal Raul Suacillo of the Philippine Army’s 8th Special Forces Company (SFC) said he was not aware at first that the man defecating some four to six meters in front of him at Mt. Dajo in Talipao,Sulu around 9am of January 16 was the planner of many ASG kidnapping and bombing activities.
In Filipino, the 33-year-old soldier narrated: “I waited for him to finish (defecating). When he was finished, I called his attention so we wouldn’t be compromised. I just really wanted to apprehend him. We even looked at each other eye to eye. I told him, come here, be quiet. But instead of approaching me, he run away and shouted, Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great)!”
Suacillo said this prompted him to fire his M14 rifle at the man he would know later as Solaiman.
Instantly, Solaiman’s body slumped on the ground and a fierce firefight would ensue for three hours, or until 12:15 pm, between the 60-man 8th SFC and the 60-strong ASG.
Two government enlisted men would then be wounded in the firefight.
The company commander, 1Lt. Almirante Mijares, said in the same press conference that the two bodyguards and other men of Solaiman tried hard but failed to retrieve their leader’s body because of the intense assault.
“As commander, it is my call of what is going to be the next command, (which is to call for) Fire! All of us opened fire to the encampment. Then after a volume of a suppressive fire, we did not hear a fire from the enemy. I called for a ceasefire. When there was a lull, they positioned an M203 towards us. I commanded again for a volume of fire,” Mijares recalled the clash in Filipino.
“The two aides did not leave the location because they wanted to retrieve the body of their boss (Solaiman). After one hour, one of them shouted Allahu Akbar but they no longer have any companions,” he went on.
Mijares explained that Allahu Akbar has become a battle cry for the ASG, which they use to prepare for an assault and order a fight back.
The 30-year-old officer said they were already aware of the presence of high-value targets at said encampment of the ASG because this was disclosed to them during a briefing prior to deployment.
Since they were not sure of the identity of the slain bandit, Mijares said they buried him first at the site after taking pictures of him. But when the confirmation came the following day that it was indeed Solaiman, they dug him up and brought to the military camp in Barangay Busbus, Jolo, Sulu.
He said there were reports that Jeemah Islamiyah bomber Dulmatin and ASG sub-commander Albader Parad were with that group and wounded, but no confirmation is immediately available.
Mijares said the encampment indeed had leaders because of its make up, and its placement at a higher level, some 200 meters away from their security blocking force downhill.
“We can say it is the commanders’ group because when we saw the bunkers, there were flowers. It looked like paradise. The pathway to the bunkers were filled with fresh flowers. And we saw them walking around with aides all the time,” he said.
And when they inspected the bunkers later after the encounter, they found some had beddings, comfort rooms, chairs, and sofa. With that set up, they suspect the camp had been inhabited for two to three months already.
A total of 17 bunkers were found at that site, with several improvised explosive devices, a Magellan GPS (Global Positioning System), six rounds of grenade launcher ammunition, 17 blasting caps, one tester, two soldering iron, assorted electronic materials used for bomb/explosives, assorted medical paraphernalia, and other combat stuffs.
Special Forces Commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, in the same press conference, commended his men for taking the harder route to the ASG camp, which was to track the other side of the mountain to reach directly the commanders’ camp at the upper level.
Had the government troops taken the easier route, which is from the foot of the mountain, then they would have given the high-value targets the chance to escape while they are being confronted by the ordinary ASG fighters on blocking position.
Because of courageous act, Ortiz said Suacillo was given a two-rank promotion by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last Wednesday night at Malacanang Palace. He now holds the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Five other enlisted men were also given a one-rank spot promotion.
“We were given assurance that the rest (from the 8SFC) will also get one rank promotions… We are recommending (Mijares) also for promotion,” Ortiz said.
With the series of successful operations of the AFP in Mindanao, Ortiz said they hope that the terrorism problem there would be finished as soon as possible.
“We are really committed. We really intend to finish this group. That is why the objective of (OPLAN) Ultimatum is to neutralize up to the last Abu Sayyaf there is in Sulu, not only in Jolo, also Basilan, because we really recognize the threat of this group,” Ortiz said.
Aside from Solaiman, the AFP has also killed ASG chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, subleader Jundam Jamalul (alias Black Killer), and ASG-Urban Terrorist Group leader Binang Sali, among others.
The AFP’s OPLAN Ultimatum was launched on August 1, 2006./DMS
Honasan, Trillanes allowed by Makati court to file certificates of candidacy
By Ronron
January 25, 2007
A Makati City court allowed on Thursday former Senator Gregorio Honasan II and Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV, both detained over coup charges, to leave detention in February so they could file their certificates of candidacy for the Senatorial race in May.
In separate orders, Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 granted Trillanes’ request for a pass on February 6, and Honasan’s on February 7th so both could personally go to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila.
Trillanes was allowed from 8:30 am until 11 am, while Honasan is an hour longer since he would be coming from Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Trillanes is detained at the Bonifacio Naval Base in Taguig City.
Both will be escorted properly by their Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines custodians.
Pimentel barred the two from talking to the media about the merits of the case against them, which stemmed from their alleged participation in the Oakwood Mutiny in July 2003 at Makati City, as well as making any form of premature campaigning.
They are also warned against issuing inflammatory and seditious statements against the government.
The judge ordered the counsels of Trillanes and Honasan to submit “a written manifestation within 24 hours to the Court and the prosecution regarding the completion of the filing of” their certificates of candidacy.
The two officers had said that they will run as Independent senatorial candidates even if they are in jail in pursuit of their dedication to serve the country.
Philippine laws does not bar any person on trial from seeking an elective post in government./DMS
January 25, 2007
A Makati City court allowed on Thursday former Senator Gregorio Honasan II and Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV, both detained over coup charges, to leave detention in February so they could file their certificates of candidacy for the Senatorial race in May.
In separate orders, Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 granted Trillanes’ request for a pass on February 6, and Honasan’s on February 7th so both could personally go to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila.
Trillanes was allowed from 8:30 am until 11 am, while Honasan is an hour longer since he would be coming from Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Trillanes is detained at the Bonifacio Naval Base in Taguig City.
Both will be escorted properly by their Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines custodians.
Pimentel barred the two from talking to the media about the merits of the case against them, which stemmed from their alleged participation in the Oakwood Mutiny in July 2003 at Makati City, as well as making any form of premature campaigning.
They are also warned against issuing inflammatory and seditious statements against the government.
The judge ordered the counsels of Trillanes and Honasan to submit “a written manifestation within 24 hours to the Court and the prosecution regarding the completion of the filing of” their certificates of candidacy.
The two officers had said that they will run as Independent senatorial candidates even if they are in jail in pursuit of their dedication to serve the country.
Philippine laws does not bar any person on trial from seeking an elective post in government./DMS
Biggest NPA bomb-making factory and ammunition depot in Mindanao overran by military
By Ronron
January 25, 2007
What is believed to be the biggest bomb-making factory and ammunition depot of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao was discovered by government troops on Wednesday in Surigao del Sur after an encounter, a military spokesman said yesterday.
Maj. Ernesto Torres, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine Army, said the NPA camp, called Greenfields, was discovered at a cave in Sitio Greenfields, Barangay Sta. Juana in Tagbina town after a brief firefight ensued between elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) and suspected rebels.
“Greenfields is believed to be the Regional Guerilla base of the communist terrorists (CT) led by CT leader Jorge Madlos, alias Ka Oris, where regional training and CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) anniversaries are being held,” Torres said.
He said troops of the 401st Infantry Brigade and the 36th IB found at the cave “several bomb-making and ammunition reloading equipment including 42 plastic containers of Syperdyne dynamite explosives that could produce about 250 pieces of eight-kilogram landmines; 18 pieces of claymore mines; an M14 rifle; and M16 rifle; a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher; two mortar base plates; a B40 anti-tank weapon base plate; a set of rifle ammunition reloading machine; 13mm electric drill press machine; 76 pieces of M60 machinegun ammunition; detonating wires; and two pieces of expanders.”
Some 100 plastic containers of Syperdyne dynamite explosives are yet to be dug, said Torres, because these are being buried under thick foliage.
Just last January 18th, Torres said government troops also recovered at the southeastern part of the Greenfields an RPG launcher, a B40 anti-tank weapon, a motorcycle, four volumes of the NPA’s “Ang Bayan” publication, four “Lingkawas” magazine, and other items allegedly belonging to Madlos also after a brief encounter.
“The capture of the CT factory will definitely degrade the CT bomb-making capability in Mindanao. The discovery of the huge explosive depot/factory has also evidently proved that the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army should remain to be tagged as an International Terrorist Group,” Torres said.
He said government troops continue yesterday to run after the guerillas in Tagbina, with the support of UH-1H and two MG520 helicopters.
No casualties have so far been reported in the operations.
But at the same time, Torres said the local military leadership has coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units for the rehabilitation of Sitio Greenfields.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla war in the countryside in the last 37 years. The Arroyo government vowed to wipe it out in 2010.
Peace talks with the group bogged down in August 2004 after it received the terrorist tag from foreign governments./DMS
January 25, 2007
What is believed to be the biggest bomb-making factory and ammunition depot of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao was discovered by government troops on Wednesday in Surigao del Sur after an encounter, a military spokesman said yesterday.
Maj. Ernesto Torres, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine Army, said the NPA camp, called Greenfields, was discovered at a cave in Sitio Greenfields, Barangay Sta. Juana in Tagbina town after a brief firefight ensued between elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) and suspected rebels.
“Greenfields is believed to be the Regional Guerilla base of the communist terrorists (CT) led by CT leader Jorge Madlos, alias Ka Oris, where regional training and CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) anniversaries are being held,” Torres said.
He said troops of the 401st Infantry Brigade and the 36th IB found at the cave “several bomb-making and ammunition reloading equipment including 42 plastic containers of Syperdyne dynamite explosives that could produce about 250 pieces of eight-kilogram landmines; 18 pieces of claymore mines; an M14 rifle; and M16 rifle; a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher; two mortar base plates; a B40 anti-tank weapon base plate; a set of rifle ammunition reloading machine; 13mm electric drill press machine; 76 pieces of M60 machinegun ammunition; detonating wires; and two pieces of expanders.”
Some 100 plastic containers of Syperdyne dynamite explosives are yet to be dug, said Torres, because these are being buried under thick foliage.
Just last January 18th, Torres said government troops also recovered at the southeastern part of the Greenfields an RPG launcher, a B40 anti-tank weapon, a motorcycle, four volumes of the NPA’s “Ang Bayan” publication, four “Lingkawas” magazine, and other items allegedly belonging to Madlos also after a brief encounter.
“The capture of the CT factory will definitely degrade the CT bomb-making capability in Mindanao. The discovery of the huge explosive depot/factory has also evidently proved that the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army should remain to be tagged as an International Terrorist Group,” Torres said.
He said government troops continue yesterday to run after the guerillas in Tagbina, with the support of UH-1H and two MG520 helicopters.
No casualties have so far been reported in the operations.
But at the same time, Torres said the local military leadership has coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units for the rehabilitation of Sitio Greenfields.
The 7,100-strong NPA has been waging guerilla war in the countryside in the last 37 years. The Arroyo government vowed to wipe it out in 2010.
Peace talks with the group bogged down in August 2004 after it received the terrorist tag from foreign governments./DMS
US participants in Balikatan 07 reduced due to initial cancellation plans
By Ronron
January 25, 2007
Troops participating in the upcoming RP-US Balikatan Exercises will be much fewer compared to those in the last few years after preparations were interrupted by the initially planned cancellation of the annually-held activity due to the custody row involving US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith last month.
In an e-mail message to Manila Shimbun yesterday, Lt. Col. Mark Zimmer of the US Army Pacific Command Public Affairs said only an approximate 400 American soldiers and 300 Filipino counterparts will be joining this year’s exercises, which will be held from February 18 until March 4th.
Approximately 150 of the American participants will particularly go to Sulu and nearby areas for the civil-military action projects, while the rest will be doing the Staff Exercises at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, and at Clark Airfield in Pampanga.
“The reason the numbers are down is because the Field Training portion (FTX) of the exercise was cancelled because of a disagreement with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). That disagreement was resolved but it was too late for the FTX to be rescheduled,” wrote Zimmer.
In December, the US Pacific Command announced it was canceling the holding of the Balikatan 2007 because it said the Philippines was not complying with its obligations under the VFA as regards the custody of Smith after the latter was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment for raping a Filipina in November 2005.
Smith was a participant of the Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) in 2005 when he committed the crime at Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales.
The 21-year-old serviceman was initially detained at the Makati City Jail upon the orders of Judge Benjamin Pozon on December 4, 2006, but was later transferred on the 29th at the US Embassy in Manila with the approval of the Philippine government’s executive department.
This resulted in the announcement by the US of the resumption of the Balikatan exercises for this year.
In recent years, participants to the Balikatan exercises number in thousands. Last year’s activity gathered 5,500 US personnel and 2,800 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel. They were supposed to hold activities in Luzon, Cebu and Sulu, but were diverted to Southern Leyte province to do humanitarian activities when a major landslide buried an entire village there.
US Embassy in Manila spokesman Matthew Lussenhop had said earlier that the main focus of the upcoming Balikatan is the socio-civic component, since there are other training exercise opportunities that will be held in the country like the Talon Vision, the PHIBLEX, and the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise.
“We’re estimating that the US will spend $250,000 on Engineering Civic Action Projects and Medical Civic Action Projects for Balikatan 07,” Zimmer said.
“So far, there are no plans to increase this amount, though there will be continuing humanitarian assistance projects after the Balikatan, funded by the AFP and US Joint Special Operations Task Force,” he added.
Last year’s Balikatan was also allocated by the US with some $245,000 for the humanitarian assistance projects./DMS
January 25, 2007
Troops participating in the upcoming RP-US Balikatan Exercises will be much fewer compared to those in the last few years after preparations were interrupted by the initially planned cancellation of the annually-held activity due to the custody row involving US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith last month.
In an e-mail message to Manila Shimbun yesterday, Lt. Col. Mark Zimmer of the US Army Pacific Command Public Affairs said only an approximate 400 American soldiers and 300 Filipino counterparts will be joining this year’s exercises, which will be held from February 18 until March 4th.
Approximately 150 of the American participants will particularly go to Sulu and nearby areas for the civil-military action projects, while the rest will be doing the Staff Exercises at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, and at Clark Airfield in Pampanga.
“The reason the numbers are down is because the Field Training portion (FTX) of the exercise was cancelled because of a disagreement with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). That disagreement was resolved but it was too late for the FTX to be rescheduled,” wrote Zimmer.
In December, the US Pacific Command announced it was canceling the holding of the Balikatan 2007 because it said the Philippines was not complying with its obligations under the VFA as regards the custody of Smith after the latter was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment for raping a Filipina in November 2005.
Smith was a participant of the Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) in 2005 when he committed the crime at Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales.
The 21-year-old serviceman was initially detained at the Makati City Jail upon the orders of Judge Benjamin Pozon on December 4, 2006, but was later transferred on the 29th at the US Embassy in Manila with the approval of the Philippine government’s executive department.
This resulted in the announcement by the US of the resumption of the Balikatan exercises for this year.
In recent years, participants to the Balikatan exercises number in thousands. Last year’s activity gathered 5,500 US personnel and 2,800 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel. They were supposed to hold activities in Luzon, Cebu and Sulu, but were diverted to Southern Leyte province to do humanitarian activities when a major landslide buried an entire village there.
US Embassy in Manila spokesman Matthew Lussenhop had said earlier that the main focus of the upcoming Balikatan is the socio-civic component, since there are other training exercise opportunities that will be held in the country like the Talon Vision, the PHIBLEX, and the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise.
“We’re estimating that the US will spend $250,000 on Engineering Civic Action Projects and Medical Civic Action Projects for Balikatan 07,” Zimmer said.
“So far, there are no plans to increase this amount, though there will be continuing humanitarian assistance projects after the Balikatan, funded by the AFP and US Joint Special Operations Task Force,” he added.
Last year’s Balikatan was also allocated by the US with some $245,000 for the humanitarian assistance projects./DMS
Thursday, January 25, 2007
CIDG clears Region 6 cops of abuse of power allegation in raiding Iloilo capitol
By Ronron
January 24, 2007
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) cleared yesterday the members of the Region 6 police who raided the Iloilo Capitol last January 17 of allegations of “abuse of power” to implement the dismissal order against Governor Niel Tupas, Sr.
In a statement, Director Edgardo Doromal, CIDG chief, said video footage of the incident showed that the police action was “reasonable and appropriate,” citing factors coming from the side of Tupas.
“Far from being an overkill, as claimed by opposition quarters, the (PNP) had fielded just enough policemen – 200 – to maintain peace and order at the Provincial Capitol, which, an estimated one thousand supporters of the governor, had barricaded with the support of heavily armed men holed up inside the building,” Doromal said yesterday.
Doromal flew to Iloilo City last Friday to personally investigate the incident.
He blamed the supporters of Tupas, led by the latter’s son, Provincial Board Member Niel Tupas, Jr., for the tension that arose at the capitol in the afternoon of January 17, saying that the police actually “observed standard procedures in trying to disperse and break the crowd that had blockaded the entry to the capitol.”
Doromal justified the breaking of glass walls by the police by saying that many civilians were already trapped inside the building and could not leave because of Tupas’ supporters’ blockade.
“Fearful of a stampede that could severely hurt or even kill many of these trapped civilians, the RMG (Regional Mobile Group) team (of 65 members) had no recourse but to break glass panels to provide a safe passageway for them,” Doromal said.
He said the responding troops were in fighting form that time because there were reports that Tupas was also flanked inside the capitol building with armed provincial jail guards, armed blue guards, and members of Bayan Muna, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilpinas, and Gabriela.
Even the younger Tupas was in possession of nine firearms, including assault rifles, said Doromal.
“PNP personnel did not point their guns at Tupas’s son and daughter but were merely asking them to halt and sit down. While everyone had complied with the order, one of their companions suddenly stood up, prompting one member of the RMG contingent to respond in accordance with police operational procedures when met with civilians who were either resisting or refusing to cooperate with lawmen,” Doromal said.
He noted that prior to the operation, the raiding team, which also include the Civil Disturbance Management Group, assessed the situation at hand and were adequately briefed of the proper police operations guidelines during crisis situations.
“The responding team had taken into account that the Capitol is a 2,248 square meter, six-storey building with 37 offices that ordinarily needs more than a hundred highly trained special weapons and tactics personnel to secure,” Doromal said.
But he said that at the end of it all, what was important is that no single shot was fired and that no physical injury was reported during the crisis, except for the small scratch on the younger Tupas’ arm.
The tension at the capitol defused before sunset of that day after Tupas got a copy of the Temporary Restraining Order issued by the Court of Appeals in Cebu against the dismissal order issued by the Ombudsman./DMS
January 24, 2007
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) cleared yesterday the members of the Region 6 police who raided the Iloilo Capitol last January 17 of allegations of “abuse of power” to implement the dismissal order against Governor Niel Tupas, Sr.
In a statement, Director Edgardo Doromal, CIDG chief, said video footage of the incident showed that the police action was “reasonable and appropriate,” citing factors coming from the side of Tupas.
“Far from being an overkill, as claimed by opposition quarters, the (PNP) had fielded just enough policemen – 200 – to maintain peace and order at the Provincial Capitol, which, an estimated one thousand supporters of the governor, had barricaded with the support of heavily armed men holed up inside the building,” Doromal said yesterday.
Doromal flew to Iloilo City last Friday to personally investigate the incident.
He blamed the supporters of Tupas, led by the latter’s son, Provincial Board Member Niel Tupas, Jr., for the tension that arose at the capitol in the afternoon of January 17, saying that the police actually “observed standard procedures in trying to disperse and break the crowd that had blockaded the entry to the capitol.”
Doromal justified the breaking of glass walls by the police by saying that many civilians were already trapped inside the building and could not leave because of Tupas’ supporters’ blockade.
“Fearful of a stampede that could severely hurt or even kill many of these trapped civilians, the RMG (Regional Mobile Group) team (of 65 members) had no recourse but to break glass panels to provide a safe passageway for them,” Doromal said.
He said the responding troops were in fighting form that time because there were reports that Tupas was also flanked inside the capitol building with armed provincial jail guards, armed blue guards, and members of Bayan Muna, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilpinas, and Gabriela.
Even the younger Tupas was in possession of nine firearms, including assault rifles, said Doromal.
“PNP personnel did not point their guns at Tupas’s son and daughter but were merely asking them to halt and sit down. While everyone had complied with the order, one of their companions suddenly stood up, prompting one member of the RMG contingent to respond in accordance with police operational procedures when met with civilians who were either resisting or refusing to cooperate with lawmen,” Doromal said.
He noted that prior to the operation, the raiding team, which also include the Civil Disturbance Management Group, assessed the situation at hand and were adequately briefed of the proper police operations guidelines during crisis situations.
“The responding team had taken into account that the Capitol is a 2,248 square meter, six-storey building with 37 offices that ordinarily needs more than a hundred highly trained special weapons and tactics personnel to secure,” Doromal said.
But he said that at the end of it all, what was important is that no single shot was fired and that no physical injury was reported during the crisis, except for the small scratch on the younger Tupas’ arm.
The tension at the capitol defused before sunset of that day after Tupas got a copy of the Temporary Restraining Order issued by the Court of Appeals in Cebu against the dismissal order issued by the Ombudsman./DMS
Two alleged Bayan Muna members killed in Sorsogon; colleagues hold rally at AFP headquarters
By Ronron
January 24, 2007
Two alleged members of the Left-leaning Bayan Muna party-list group were shot dead on Tuesday in Sorsogon province allegedly by military agents, an official of the group said.
Atty. Neri Colmenares, a candidate for the Bayan Muna congressional post in the upcoming May elections, told Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday during the group’s rally outside the military camp that the latest incidents may just be a few of the many killings that will happen as the election nears to dissuade people from supporting their group.
Colmenares identified the first fatality as Ruben Ermino, 52, who was fired upon by unknown suspect/s at around 12 noon the other day (Tuesday) while he was driving his tricycle in Barangay Tabi, Gubat town.
The second member to be killed for the day is Demetrio Imperial, 26, of Barangay Sogoy in Castilla town. Colmenares said the suspects, who were wearing masks, first held Imperial’s wife and child at gunpoint while the family was having dinner at around 7pm that day before shooting their target.
“We fear that the political killings will escalate as the elections draw near,” Colmenares said in Filipino.
The group, numbering no more than 30, held a 45-minute rally outside Gate 2 of Camp Aguinaldo, fronting EDSA, to condemn the twin killings, which, he said, were perpetrated by “government forces”, based on witnesses’ accounts and circumstantial evidence.
“The killings are done in broad daylight, near police and military detachments, and by motorcycle-riding gunmen,” explained Colmenares.
Verification of the reported killings with the police was futile due to disconnected phone lines in the Sorsogon province.
Colmenares accused the government of resorting to killing militants because it “can’t beat Bayan Muna in the elections.
He disclosed that seeking the first and second nominee positions for Bayan Muna in the May 14 elections are Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casino, both incumbent members of the 13th Congress./DMS
January 24, 2007
Two alleged members of the Left-leaning Bayan Muna party-list group were shot dead on Tuesday in Sorsogon province allegedly by military agents, an official of the group said.
Atty. Neri Colmenares, a candidate for the Bayan Muna congressional post in the upcoming May elections, told Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday during the group’s rally outside the military camp that the latest incidents may just be a few of the many killings that will happen as the election nears to dissuade people from supporting their group.
Colmenares identified the first fatality as Ruben Ermino, 52, who was fired upon by unknown suspect/s at around 12 noon the other day (Tuesday) while he was driving his tricycle in Barangay Tabi, Gubat town.
The second member to be killed for the day is Demetrio Imperial, 26, of Barangay Sogoy in Castilla town. Colmenares said the suspects, who were wearing masks, first held Imperial’s wife and child at gunpoint while the family was having dinner at around 7pm that day before shooting their target.
“We fear that the political killings will escalate as the elections draw near,” Colmenares said in Filipino.
The group, numbering no more than 30, held a 45-minute rally outside Gate 2 of Camp Aguinaldo, fronting EDSA, to condemn the twin killings, which, he said, were perpetrated by “government forces”, based on witnesses’ accounts and circumstantial evidence.
“The killings are done in broad daylight, near police and military detachments, and by motorcycle-riding gunmen,” explained Colmenares.
Verification of the reported killings with the police was futile due to disconnected phone lines in the Sorsogon province.
Colmenares accused the government of resorting to killing militants because it “can’t beat Bayan Muna in the elections.
He disclosed that seeking the first and second nominee positions for Bayan Muna in the May 14 elections are Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casino, both incumbent members of the 13th Congress./DMS
MNLF official claims 9 slain bandits on Jan. 18 encounter in Patikul, Sulul are their members, not ASG; military belie it
By Ronron
January 24, 2007
An official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the country’s original secessionist group, claimed on Wednesday that the nine bandits killed by the military in an encounter last January 18 in Patikul, Sulu are their comrades, and not Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members.
In a text message to Defense reporters, the official, who requested anonymity, said what happened was “purely a massacre perpetrated against nine MNLF (members).”
The source said that in fact, the MNLF leadership and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process (OPAPP) are already conducting an investigation on the incident, in coordination with “military generals” in the area.
But the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) maintains that their enemy in that encounter which happened in Barangay Timpook are ASG bandits believed to be under the command of Abu Pula or Dr. Abu, a bandit leader with a $100,000 reward from the US government.
“We are sure that they are Abu Sayyaf,” said Lt. Col. Melquiades Ordiales, commander of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 that was involved in the clash.
Ordiales confirmed that OPAPP investigators indeed went to their area, and they were even exonerated of the MNLF source’s claims.
He said one of the four captured rebels, identified as a certain Warki, told the OPAPP investigators that he and the nine slain bandits are ASG members.
But Warki admitted that he was really applying for membership with the MNLF, said PMC spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan.
“Our theory is that since the Abu Sayyaf is already leadersless, then their members are now trying to seek sanctuary with the MNLF,” said Caculitan.
To further belie the MNLF source’s allegations, Caculitan said that Patikul is actually a known bailiwick of the ASG, while the MNLF is only concentrated in the towns of Indanan, Talipao, and Panamao, all in Sulu also.
According to the MNLF source, “the more than hundred Marines involved in that massacre were brought to Manila for unknown reason.”
But Caculitan said the troops are in Manila to be honored in Malacanang by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Brig. Gen. Ruben Rafael, commander of the AFP’s counter-terror Joint Task Force Comet based in Sulu, said they arrived in the capital indeed on Tuesday night, both Marine and Army troopers who were involved in the series of successful operations against the ASG.
Rafael did not disclose, however, their number so as not to give their enemies in the south an idea of how many troops are left there.
The group was flown aboard a C130 plane.
“They will be personally congratulated by the President… There will be medals, awards, and benefits for the casualties,” Rafael said.
Members of the Marine Force Reconnaissance Class 12 engaged the group of ASG leader Khadaffy Janjalani last September 4, 2006 in Patikul, claiming the latter’s life.
On January 6, elements of the 3rd Marine Battalion killed five ASG operatives, including sub-leader Jundam Jamalul, alias Black Killer, and a JI operative, in Tawi-Tawi.
Two days later, another leader of the ASG-Urban Terrorist Group, Binang Sali, was also killed in a raid at his safehouse in Patikul by members of the Military Intelligence Group 9 and Scout Rangers.
And then on January 16, troops from the 8th Special Forces Company of the Philippine Army encountered a separate group of ASG in Talipao town, resulting in the death of Abu Sulaiman, another ASG top leader./DMS
January 24, 2007
An official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the country’s original secessionist group, claimed on Wednesday that the nine bandits killed by the military in an encounter last January 18 in Patikul, Sulu are their comrades, and not Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members.
In a text message to Defense reporters, the official, who requested anonymity, said what happened was “purely a massacre perpetrated against nine MNLF (members).”
The source said that in fact, the MNLF leadership and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process (OPAPP) are already conducting an investigation on the incident, in coordination with “military generals” in the area.
But the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) maintains that their enemy in that encounter which happened in Barangay Timpook are ASG bandits believed to be under the command of Abu Pula or Dr. Abu, a bandit leader with a $100,000 reward from the US government.
“We are sure that they are Abu Sayyaf,” said Lt. Col. Melquiades Ordiales, commander of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 that was involved in the clash.
Ordiales confirmed that OPAPP investigators indeed went to their area, and they were even exonerated of the MNLF source’s claims.
He said one of the four captured rebels, identified as a certain Warki, told the OPAPP investigators that he and the nine slain bandits are ASG members.
But Warki admitted that he was really applying for membership with the MNLF, said PMC spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan.
“Our theory is that since the Abu Sayyaf is already leadersless, then their members are now trying to seek sanctuary with the MNLF,” said Caculitan.
To further belie the MNLF source’s allegations, Caculitan said that Patikul is actually a known bailiwick of the ASG, while the MNLF is only concentrated in the towns of Indanan, Talipao, and Panamao, all in Sulu also.
According to the MNLF source, “the more than hundred Marines involved in that massacre were brought to Manila for unknown reason.”
But Caculitan said the troops are in Manila to be honored in Malacanang by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Brig. Gen. Ruben Rafael, commander of the AFP’s counter-terror Joint Task Force Comet based in Sulu, said they arrived in the capital indeed on Tuesday night, both Marine and Army troopers who were involved in the series of successful operations against the ASG.
Rafael did not disclose, however, their number so as not to give their enemies in the south an idea of how many troops are left there.
The group was flown aboard a C130 plane.
“They will be personally congratulated by the President… There will be medals, awards, and benefits for the casualties,” Rafael said.
Members of the Marine Force Reconnaissance Class 12 engaged the group of ASG leader Khadaffy Janjalani last September 4, 2006 in Patikul, claiming the latter’s life.
On January 6, elements of the 3rd Marine Battalion killed five ASG operatives, including sub-leader Jundam Jamalul, alias Black Killer, and a JI operative, in Tawi-Tawi.
Two days later, another leader of the ASG-Urban Terrorist Group, Binang Sali, was also killed in a raid at his safehouse in Patikul by members of the Military Intelligence Group 9 and Scout Rangers.
And then on January 16, troops from the 8th Special Forces Company of the Philippine Army encountered a separate group of ASG in Talipao town, resulting in the death of Abu Sulaiman, another ASG top leader./DMS
PNP to assume security role come election period left behind by AFP, but assures of a no-repeat of “Hello Garci” controversy
By Ronron
January 24, 2007
After it was abandoned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has no other recourse this time but to task the Philippine National Police (PNP) in closely securing the upcoming polls.
But, facing the media after a closed-door command conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City, the Comelec and PNP leadership yesterday vowed that the same controversy that the AFP got into in the 2004 polls as having been politicized will no longer happen.
“We already released Police Operational Procedures in connection with the election exercise. And we already released a lot of directives for the regional directives about the implementation how to conduct checkpoints, how to protect the integrity of the Philippine National Police in the conduct of our duty for this coming elections. So we have safeguards for this,” PNP chief Gen. Oscar Calderon said.
While Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. disclosed that the PNP will assume the previous roles of the AFP, Calderon said there will be some modifications, like counting of votes will not be held at police camps, and policemen will not be involved in the tallying of votes.
“Definitely, no chance because we have safeguards,” Calderon said when asked if there will be a PNP-version of the “Hello Garci” controversy.
In June 2005, the so-called “Hello Garci” tapes surfaced containing recorded conversations allegedly of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano a few days after the May 10, 2004 elections. Arroyo was a Presidential candidate then.
The conversations suggest that military officials, including incumbent AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., were being utilized by Arroyo in allegedly rigging the results of the 2004 elections to her favor, as against her close rival Fernando Poe, Jr.
To avoid the military establishment being dragged again into election controversies, then Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr. initiated in October last year the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Comelec, limiting the role of the AFP only to responding to direct armed threats at a certain place.
As such, Abalos said yesterday that tasks of securing voting and canvassing precincts and paraphernalia will now be assumed by the PNP.
“We have seen the fitness of the PNP in the implementation of this mandate,” Abalos said.
Abalos expressed dismay that the “Hello Garci” issue has been blown out of proportion in the media even when “at most, this gentleman, who professes to be Mr. Garci or Mr. Garcillano, was only trying to impress the lady he was talking to.”
“If ever there was anything that was proven in the tape, it was proven that the Comelec cannot be compromised by one and single commissioner. No one commissioner, not even I, can commit the commission for that matter,” Abalos said.
He maintained there was no rigging of votes that happened since the conversation supposedly happened on May 29, 2004, five days after the canvassing of votes for Senatorial candidates was already finished.
“I, for one, will entertain calls, any and all calls coming from anywhere expect from calls that would dictate or that would ask that we cheat,” Abalos said yesterday.
He said this is to give chance to those who felt aggrieved but could not be attended to in the precinct and municipal level.
A month after the “Hello Garci” tapes came out, Arroyo made a public apology for the her lapse in judgement in calling an election official. But she stressed that it was done only to protect her votes and not to rig the results. She also pointed out that the call was made only after the votes for the Senatorial candidates were already canvassed.
Thirty days before May 14, 2007, Abalos said the PNP from the provinces down to the cities and municipalities will eventually be under the supervision and control of the Comelec.
Calderon warned that anyone caught engaging in partisan politics will immediately be relieved and subjected to investigation.
Meanwhile, more than 600 cities and municipalities are initially listed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as election hotspots based on the different security threats posed by the political groups and insurgents in the area.
PNP records showed that 49 cities and municipalities are regarded as “election areas of immediate concern,” eight of which are in Region V.
Places tagged by PNP as “election areas of immediate concern” mean that all parameters of an election hotspot are obvious. These are: categorization as an insurgency-infested area, with 50 percent of the total barangays in the province affected by communists and partisan armed groups; the occurrence of election-related violent incidents; the existence of intense partisan political rivalry in at least 70 percent of all towns and cities; and, the occurrence of incidents that can disrupt the electoral proceedings or create political tension that could upset the process in the immediate area and surrounding areas.
Other areas placed under “immediate concern” by the PNP are five in Region I; three in Region II; three in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); two in Region III; four in Region IV-A; four in Region IV-B; one in Region VI; two in Region VII; four in Region VIII; four in Region IX; one in Region X; two in Region XI; one in Region XII; two in Region XIII; and three in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
On the other hand, 564 other cities and municipalities are categorized by the PNP as just “election areas of concern,” which means only two of all the parameters cited above (for those under immediate concern) are present.
The breakdown of these areas of concern goes: 36 in Region I; 38 in Region II; 31 in CAR; 47 in Region III; 45 in Region IV-A; 14 in Region IV-B; 51 in Region V; 31 in Region VI; 27 in Region VII; 39 in Region VIII; 32 in Region IX; 31 in Region X; 25 in Region XI; 37 in Region XII; 26 in Region XIII; and 54 in ARMM.
The final determination of the election hotspot areas, however, will only be known after once the candidates for the local posts are already known.
“We can only finalize the records if all local candidates will have filed (their candidacy)… That’s a factor – who will be the candidate in a municipality. We will only know the situation in a municipality if we know who the candidates are,” said Director Antonio Billones, Deputy Chief for Operations of the PNP, and concurrent PNP Task Force HOPE commander.
Local officials, ranging from members of the House of Representatives to city and municipal officials, have until March 29 to file their candidacies at their respective Comelec offices. The filing started on January 15.
The national elections will be conducted on May 14./DMS
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
GPS, compass, reliable info led Marine troopers to Janjalani
By Ronron
January 23, 2007
From the start, the Marine troopers who were tasked to go after the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that included its chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani in September last year were aware that they were off to a “special mission.”
Private First Class Juvelito Manalili, 26, one of the 27-member Class 12 Marine Force Reconnaissance under the 3rd Marine Brigade, recounted that they were doing nothing in the afternoon of September 3, 2006 inside their camp in Jolo, Sulu when the entire platoon, led by 2Lt. Romulo Dimayuga, were called to a briefing.
Manalili said no less than Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, gave the briefing for their mission following receipt of an intelligence report of the presence of their “high-value targets, including foreign leaders” in Barangay Tugas, Patikul, also in Sulu.
“Yung operation na yun, alam namin na grupo ni Khadaffy Janjalani ang andun. Sure kami,” said Dimayuga, 24, referring to the encounter that ensued many hours later at their target place after the briefing.
He disclosed that their target place, based on the intelligence information, was particularly marked on the map during the briefing.
Dimayuga acknowledged that the intelligence information was a fusion of the Philippine and US military forces, both human and technical in nature. This was also confirmed by Armed Forces Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro.
But the young officer, who just graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 2005, clarified that from the time they were briefed until they went to operation, no member of the US Forces were in sight.
Armed with radio for their communication; a GPS (Global Positioning System) device, map, compass, and night vision for their navigation; and high-powered firearms like M203 grenade launchers, Dimayuga and his 26 men left their base at 8pm of September 3, and were transported by truck to Patikul.
An hour later, they were dropped off at a place where they would start walking towards their target.
Manalili said he was the “compass man” in the team, assisting Dimayuga, who was holding the GPS while leading the team.
“The Force Recon members are really used to walking at night. So, we are familiar with the jungle,” explained Manalili when asked how they reached their target place despite the darkness. Besides, at least three of them were equipped with night vision goggles that the Philippines acquired from the US.
The two officers recalled that it was only at around 1am of September 4 that they came close to their targets, who were hiding in bunkers that were neck-deep. In fact, Dimayuga said, they were just about four meters away from their targets.
Manalili described the place to have plenty of “coconut trees, “marang” trees, grasses and other plants.” And at the base is a creek.
“May mga narinig kaming hilik, tapos may mga ilaw ng flashflights… May mga punong may mga duyan, at may mga tent rin na kulay blue,” Manalili said.
At 3am, Manalili said they sent radio communication message to their base and to the nearby troops, requesting for reinforcement troops.
But, Dimayuga said, they decided to wait until 5 am to attack their targets so their enemies could first consolidate upon waking up.
True enough, at around that time, a man woke up, and was heard by Dimayuga apparently singing, “with a distinct voice.” A few minutes later, some other men started waking up too. Dimayuga estimated their enemy to be around 40 at that time.
“Yes, I suppose,” said Dimayuga when asked if he suspects that noisy man to be Janjalani. “He could not have the guts to create noise if he was not a person in authority in the group.”
But he admitted that he did not positively see Janjalani, who holds a five million dollar bounty on his head, because their subjects were wearing either caps, bonnet or other coverings in the head.
When the opportune time came, the government troops then started throwing grenades to their targets followed by non-stop gun fires, catching their enemies by surprise.
About an hour later, or at 6am, Manalili said over 100 reinforcement fighters of the ASG started arriving. He said this also supported their belief then that they had really hit hard a high-value target.
Manalili said the reinforcement from the government side, coming from the Marine Force Reconnaissance Battalion, started arriving at around 7am only, but maintained that it was not “late.”
Until the arrival of the reinforcement, “we held our line and really fought it out with the Abu Sayyaf even if we already suffered casualties,” said Manalili.
Dimayuga said he got wounded in the encounter while he was helping out a wounded man. A bullet pierced through his chest, and exited on his abdomen. He also sustained a shrapnel wound on the leg.
Manalili, for his part, was hit on the left knee.
“Hindi ako puwede mag-order ng withdrawal kasi madami kaming maiiwan na kasama,” Dimayuga said.
“Nung dumating na yung reinforcement, talagang binitawan ko na yung M203 ko. Nakahinga talaga ako,” Manalili said for his part.
He disclosed four of his fellow soldiers died on the spot. Another one died while being administered first aid at the site, and one more expired at the hospital in Asturias, Jolo.
Aside from Dimayuga and Manalili, 14 others were wounded in the encounter.
Manalili said they were first treated with first aid at the site before they were airlifted at almost 9am by Philippine choppers to Jolo proper, and then later to Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City, this time already with the help of US choppers.
Dimayuga said they no longer have the chance to recover dead bodies of their enemies, or even to check if Janjalani was among the group, since they were already incapable of doing so.
But now that a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis on the alleged remains of Janjalani and his brother, Hector, supposedly proves that the former is already dead, Dimayuga and Manalili could only be elated, and feel rewarded, especially that six of their comrades died in the battle.
“It will give great honor to us, to our platoon, to the Marines, to the AFP, and to the Philippines’s fight against terror. It just proves that the death of my six men and the wounding of 16, including me, happened for a cause, and that we have accomplished our mission,” Dimayuga said.
Manalili said it is even a victory also for “civilians” because the threat of terrorism posed by the 31-year-old Janjalani died down as well.
The alleged remains of Janjalani were recovered from Barangay Kabuntakas, also in Patikul, some two kilometers away only from Barangay Tugas, by elements also of the 3rd Marine Brigade on December 27, 2006.
A Medal for Valor Award now awaits Dimayuga, while the rest of his men were also recommended to receive either of the following awards: Distinguished Conduct Star, Gold Cross Medal, or Military Merit Award with Spearhead Device, said Marines spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan./END
Senior Defense officials of ASEAN hold three-day meeting in Manila starting Wednesday
By Ronron
January 23, 2007
Senior Defense officials of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will start today (Wednesday) a three-day meeting in Manila, dubbed as the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials Meeting (ADSOM), to talk about security and defense issues in the region.
Philippine Defense Public Affairs Director Rosulo Manlangit said in a statement Tuesday that in attendance to the international event that will be held at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City are defense officials with the rank of Vice Minister or Permanent Secretary.
The ASEAN is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
“Aside from the customary exchange of views on regional and international security and defense concerns, up for discussion by the ADSOM delegates are: the concept paper on the Protocol of the ADMM (ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting), Philippine initiatives at laying out a Three-Year Work Programme for the ADMM, and a proposed indicative calendar for ADMM,” said Manlangit.
The Philippines currently chairs the ADMM, “the highest ministerial defense and security consultative and cooperation mechanism in the ASEAN,” said Manlangit.
As host, the Philippine’s Defense Undersecretary Antonio Santos, Jr. will chair the three-day inaugural multilateral meeting.
“The three-day Manila meeting of ADSOM will prepare the administrative and substantive requirements of the series of ADMM-related conferences for calendar year 2007, a number of them to be held in Manila,” reads the statement.
The ADMM was inaugurated in May 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, wherein Defense chiefs of the various ASEAN countries affirmed the ADMM’s role in promoting cooperation on defense and security under the ASEAN framework and in pushing the establishment of an ASEAN Security Community, as stipulated in both the Bali Concord II and the Vientiane Action Program on ASC, the statement said.
Just recently, the 12th ASEAN Summit was held in Cebu, Philippines were heads of States vowed to confront terrorism and other security threats in the region unanimously./DMS
January 23, 2007
Senior Defense officials of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will start today (Wednesday) a three-day meeting in Manila, dubbed as the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials Meeting (ADSOM), to talk about security and defense issues in the region.
Philippine Defense Public Affairs Director Rosulo Manlangit said in a statement Tuesday that in attendance to the international event that will be held at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City are defense officials with the rank of Vice Minister or Permanent Secretary.
The ASEAN is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
“Aside from the customary exchange of views on regional and international security and defense concerns, up for discussion by the ADSOM delegates are: the concept paper on the Protocol of the ADMM (ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting), Philippine initiatives at laying out a Three-Year Work Programme for the ADMM, and a proposed indicative calendar for ADMM,” said Manlangit.
The Philippines currently chairs the ADMM, “the highest ministerial defense and security consultative and cooperation mechanism in the ASEAN,” said Manlangit.
As host, the Philippine’s Defense Undersecretary Antonio Santos, Jr. will chair the three-day inaugural multilateral meeting.
“The three-day Manila meeting of ADSOM will prepare the administrative and substantive requirements of the series of ADMM-related conferences for calendar year 2007, a number of them to be held in Manila,” reads the statement.
The ADMM was inaugurated in May 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, wherein Defense chiefs of the various ASEAN countries affirmed the ADMM’s role in promoting cooperation on defense and security under the ASEAN framework and in pushing the establishment of an ASEAN Security Community, as stipulated in both the Bali Concord II and the Vientiane Action Program on ASC, the statement said.
Just recently, the 12th ASEAN Summit was held in Cebu, Philippines were heads of States vowed to confront terrorism and other security threats in the region unanimously./DMS
RP-US Balikatan Exercises to be held on Feb. 18 – Mar. 4, to focus more on civic-military operations
By Ronron
January 23, 2007
The RP-US Balikatan Exercises for this year will be held from February 18 to March 4 in various parts of the country, including Sulu, the hotbed of Moslem extremist groups.
In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said Tuesday that “Exercise Balikatan 2007 will focus primarily on humanitarian projects in Mindanao, especially Jolo Island, including multiple medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering projects carried out by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US personnel.”
Asked for this shift of focus, embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop said by phone that a lot of military exercises anyway are being conducted in the country during the year, namely Talon Vision, Amphibious Landing Exercises (PHIBLEX), and Coopeation Afloat Reading and Training (CARAT) Exercises.
“We felt that it is best to focus on civil-military actions this time,” said Lussenhop.
The statement said there will be a separate “combined task force staff exercise to help improve Philippine and US civil-military personnel’s ability to work together to provide assistance in crisis and non-crisis circumstances.”
But on the actual training and exercises, the statement said: “US Navy ship visits and a Joint/Combined Exchange Training Exercise will also take place in several locations in the Philippines during Balikatan 2007.”
No information, however, is immediately available from the statement, from Lussenhop and the AFP regarding the specific venues of the exercises, as well as the number of participants from both the US and Philippines.
“We don’t have those details as of now. We’ll provide you with those as soon as we have them,” said Capt. Esteveyn Ducusin, the designated Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Philippine side for the Balikatan 20007.
Lussenhop also gave the same response when sought about the matter.
Asked how will participating US troops go about their rest and recreation to avoid the rape incident in November 2005 involving their personnel, Lussenhop said the approval this time of commanders for liberty activities would be very important.
This year’s Balikatan is the 23rd in the series and is under the authority of the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement of the Philippines and the US.
It almost did not push through after the US protested on the Philippine’s detention of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, a convicted rapist, at the Makati City Jail in December last year instead of turning him over to the US Embassy.
Smith, a participant of the Talon Vision and PHIBLEX in 2005, raped a Filipino woman at the Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales last November 1, 2005.
After his transfer to the US Embassy on the night of December 29, 2006, the US announced the resumption of the Balikatan this year./DMS
January 23, 2007
The RP-US Balikatan Exercises for this year will be held from February 18 to March 4 in various parts of the country, including Sulu, the hotbed of Moslem extremist groups.
In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said Tuesday that “Exercise Balikatan 2007 will focus primarily on humanitarian projects in Mindanao, especially Jolo Island, including multiple medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering projects carried out by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US personnel.”
Asked for this shift of focus, embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop said by phone that a lot of military exercises anyway are being conducted in the country during the year, namely Talon Vision, Amphibious Landing Exercises (PHIBLEX), and Coopeation Afloat Reading and Training (CARAT) Exercises.
“We felt that it is best to focus on civil-military actions this time,” said Lussenhop.
The statement said there will be a separate “combined task force staff exercise to help improve Philippine and US civil-military personnel’s ability to work together to provide assistance in crisis and non-crisis circumstances.”
But on the actual training and exercises, the statement said: “US Navy ship visits and a Joint/Combined Exchange Training Exercise will also take place in several locations in the Philippines during Balikatan 2007.”
No information, however, is immediately available from the statement, from Lussenhop and the AFP regarding the specific venues of the exercises, as well as the number of participants from both the US and Philippines.
“We don’t have those details as of now. We’ll provide you with those as soon as we have them,” said Capt. Esteveyn Ducusin, the designated Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Philippine side for the Balikatan 20007.
Lussenhop also gave the same response when sought about the matter.
Asked how will participating US troops go about their rest and recreation to avoid the rape incident in November 2005 involving their personnel, Lussenhop said the approval this time of commanders for liberty activities would be very important.
This year’s Balikatan is the 23rd in the series and is under the authority of the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement of the Philippines and the US.
It almost did not push through after the US protested on the Philippine’s detention of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, a convicted rapist, at the Makati City Jail in December last year instead of turning him over to the US Embassy.
Smith, a participant of the Talon Vision and PHIBLEX in 2005, raped a Filipino woman at the Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales last November 1, 2005.
After his transfer to the US Embassy on the night of December 29, 2006, the US announced the resumption of the Balikatan this year./DMS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)