By Ronron
September 14, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has alerted its men for possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) now that communist leader Jose Maria Sison is again capable of allegedly ordering for it.
PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia told reporters in Camp Crame Friday that it is possible Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), could issue again an order to its armed fighters in the country to carry out more offensives.
“The probable impact (of his release) is Joma Sison could order for a widespread offensive against the police and armed forces, and that is what we are preparing for,” Garcia said.
“We are making necessary preparations for our police stations, as well as cellsites, towers, plants, which they also attack,” he added.
Sison was released last Thursday by the Dutch police after the judge hearing his case found insufficient evidence that he ordered the killings of former communist rebel leader Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara in 2003 and 2004, respectively, in Quezon City.
The case filed by the widows of Kintanar and Tabara prompted the arrest of Sison last August 28.
Garcia said the office of the National Security Adviser is now addressing the security requirements for these widows, as well as other witnesses.
Asked if the PNP will raise again its alert level to full status because of Sison’s release, Garcia said: “We will not raise it anymore because we have not received a confirmed information that there will actually be a massive offensive of the NPA.”
After going on full alert status a few days ago due to several upcoming events, particularly the handing down of the verdict against former President Joseph Estrada, the PNP downgraded on Thursday afternoon its alert to heightened level, except for Metro Manila and the Special Action Force, sensing the normalcy of the prevailing situation.
As to the case of Sison, Garcia said the PNP respects the decision of the Dutch government to release him even as he maintained that the evidence the PNP shared with the Dutch police and prosecutors are strong enough to pin Sison down.
“We are confident in so far as our evidence against Joma is concerned. Only, it could be that the standard of the Dutch government’s appreciation of our evidence is different from the standard we are using in the Philippines,” Garcia said.
“But on the part of the Philippine government, if they need additional evidence to further strengthen the case, then we will try to help,” he added.
The Dutch authorities began investigating the case against Sison in November of 2005, and it was immediately followed by frequent visits to and communication with the PNP starting January 2006 until July of this year for evidence gathering./DMS
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Four MILF members yield in Manila
By Ronron
September 14, 2007
Four members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) surrendered last Thursday to Army troopers in Tondo, Manila City in time for the start of the holy Islam month of Ramadan, officials said yesterday.
Philippine Army Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion commander Col. Ricardo Visaya said the four, who used to belong to the 2nd Battalion, 201st Infantry Brigade of the MILF, gave up “in time with Ramadan, to observe peace.”
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. identified them as Camisa Baguilan, alias jaron, 38, the battalion commander; Bombay Dagandal, 27; Abolia Tagay, 25; and, Rodin Pagabangan, 25.
They surrendered to the joint personnel of the 1st Community Development Company under Maj. Nelson dela Cruz at Baseco Compound, Visaya said.
Torres said the four also surrendered one M16 rifle with one long magazine; a shotgun with two live ammunition; one Thompson with one magazine; and, two caliber 45 pistols with two magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition.
Visaya said the four had been in Manila since 2002, hoping to rest from violence after being involved in several fighting in Maguindanao.
He said the four claimed to have other companions in Metro Manila and there are efforts now to convince them to surrender as well.
Visaya said the four initially claimed to have no links with the Jemaah Islamiyah or the Rajah Solaiman Movement, but authorities are validating it. The same thing is being done if they have existing cases in court.
The four also claimed to have no plans of launching violence in the metropolis.
“After their fighting in Maguindanao, they wanted to rest so they hid anywhere, like Baseco, Cavite and Quezon City… They said their source of living here is from being pedicab drivers,” Visaya said.
Visaya said the four will be paid for the firearms they surrendered, under the “Balik-Baril Program.”
He said the surrender of the four is one of the tangible positive results of the deployment of soldiers in Metro Manila, which started in November last year. “You could see here their trust for our men,” said Visaya.
The four are currently under the custody of the CMO battalion for custodial debriefing.
A few months ago, nine Moslem rebels also surrendered to the CMO troops in Tondo./DMS
September 14, 2007
Four members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) surrendered last Thursday to Army troopers in Tondo, Manila City in time for the start of the holy Islam month of Ramadan, officials said yesterday.
Philippine Army Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion commander Col. Ricardo Visaya said the four, who used to belong to the 2nd Battalion, 201st Infantry Brigade of the MILF, gave up “in time with Ramadan, to observe peace.”
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr. identified them as Camisa Baguilan, alias jaron, 38, the battalion commander; Bombay Dagandal, 27; Abolia Tagay, 25; and, Rodin Pagabangan, 25.
They surrendered to the joint personnel of the 1st Community Development Company under Maj. Nelson dela Cruz at Baseco Compound, Visaya said.
Torres said the four also surrendered one M16 rifle with one long magazine; a shotgun with two live ammunition; one Thompson with one magazine; and, two caliber 45 pistols with two magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition.
Visaya said the four had been in Manila since 2002, hoping to rest from violence after being involved in several fighting in Maguindanao.
He said the four claimed to have other companions in Metro Manila and there are efforts now to convince them to surrender as well.
Visaya said the four initially claimed to have no links with the Jemaah Islamiyah or the Rajah Solaiman Movement, but authorities are validating it. The same thing is being done if they have existing cases in court.
The four also claimed to have no plans of launching violence in the metropolis.
“After their fighting in Maguindanao, they wanted to rest so they hid anywhere, like Baseco, Cavite and Quezon City… They said their source of living here is from being pedicab drivers,” Visaya said.
Visaya said the four will be paid for the firearms they surrendered, under the “Balik-Baril Program.”
He said the surrender of the four is one of the tangible positive results of the deployment of soldiers in Metro Manila, which started in November last year. “You could see here their trust for our men,” said Visaya.
The four are currently under the custody of the CMO battalion for custodial debriefing.
A few months ago, nine Moslem rebels also surrendered to the CMO troops in Tondo./DMS
Friday, September 14, 2007
PNP lowers alert level after Erap verdict day
Ronron
September 13, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) lowered effective Thursday afternoon its alert to the second of three-levels after observing a return to normalcy of the situation following the conviction the other day of former President Joseph Estrada for plunder.
The downgrading of the full alert to heightened alert status, however, does not include the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Special Action Force (SAF), said PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia.
“With the situation going normal after the promulgation of judgment on the plunder case against former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the alert status of the (PNP) is hereby downgraded from alert to heightened alert status effective 2pm today, September 13, 2007, except for NCRPO and SAF, (which) will remain at full alert status,” said Garcia in a memorandum he issued yesterday afternoon.
But despite the lowering of the alert level, Garcia said all regional directors “are directed to continue providing security to all vital installations, economic key points, places of convergence, and other probably and vulnerable targets.”
He said they should also continue to “intensify information and intelligence gathering to address security threats in their respective AOR’s (Areas of Responsibility).”
Should the situation calls for a raising of the alert level, Garcia said the regional commanders have the “discretion” to do so.
As for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the alert level remains on full alert as of Thursday. The AFP had earlier said that its alert will depend on the action of the PNP.
The police and military went on full alert a few days ago in preparation for the handing down of the Sandiganbayan’s verdict against Estrada, the 9/11 terrorist attack anniversary, possible attacks by terrorists due to the offensives in Basilan and Sulu, and possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) due to the apprehension of Jose Maria Sison in the Netherlands./DMS
September 13, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) lowered effective Thursday afternoon its alert to the second of three-levels after observing a return to normalcy of the situation following the conviction the other day of former President Joseph Estrada for plunder.
The downgrading of the full alert to heightened alert status, however, does not include the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Special Action Force (SAF), said PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Wilfredo Garcia.
“With the situation going normal after the promulgation of judgment on the plunder case against former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the alert status of the (PNP) is hereby downgraded from alert to heightened alert status effective 2pm today, September 13, 2007, except for NCRPO and SAF, (which) will remain at full alert status,” said Garcia in a memorandum he issued yesterday afternoon.
But despite the lowering of the alert level, Garcia said all regional directors “are directed to continue providing security to all vital installations, economic key points, places of convergence, and other probably and vulnerable targets.”
He said they should also continue to “intensify information and intelligence gathering to address security threats in their respective AOR’s (Areas of Responsibility).”
Should the situation calls for a raising of the alert level, Garcia said the regional commanders have the “discretion” to do so.
As for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the alert level remains on full alert as of Thursday. The AFP had earlier said that its alert will depend on the action of the PNP.
The police and military went on full alert a few days ago in preparation for the handing down of the Sandiganbayan’s verdict against Estrada, the 9/11 terrorist attack anniversary, possible attacks by terrorists due to the offensives in Basilan and Sulu, and possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) due to the apprehension of Jose Maria Sison in the Netherlands./DMS
Comelec gunban starts September 29
By Ronron
September 13, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will start implementing on September 29 the nationwide gunban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the October 29 polls for village and youth officials.
PNP Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) head Chief Supt. Florencio Caccam, Jr. said Thursday that this is in compliance with Comelec Resolution No. 8301, which states that the gunban takes effect from September 29 until November 13 of this year.
Within the said period, Caccam said all types of firearms like air guns, side arms, long firearms, and grenades, are not allowed to be brought outside of the holder’s homes or offices.
“All permit-to-carry (PTC) firearms are suspended for the duration of the gunban, unless they have a written permission from the Comelec,” Caccam said a phone interview.
Members of the PNP, for their part, will only be authorized to bring their service firearms while they are in the performance of their duty, including while they are on their way to office or back home. They must also be in uniform.
Caccam said anybody caught violating the gunban will be slapped with charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code, which carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to 17 years./DMS
September 13, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will start implementing on September 29 the nationwide gunban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the October 29 polls for village and youth officials.
PNP Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) head Chief Supt. Florencio Caccam, Jr. said Thursday that this is in compliance with Comelec Resolution No. 8301, which states that the gunban takes effect from September 29 until November 13 of this year.
Within the said period, Caccam said all types of firearms like air guns, side arms, long firearms, and grenades, are not allowed to be brought outside of the holder’s homes or offices.
“All permit-to-carry (PTC) firearms are suspended for the duration of the gunban, unless they have a written permission from the Comelec,” Caccam said a phone interview.
Members of the PNP, for their part, will only be authorized to bring their service firearms while they are in the performance of their duty, including while they are on their way to office or back home. They must also be in uniform.
Caccam said anybody caught violating the gunban will be slapped with charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code, which carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to 17 years./DMS
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Three US Navy ships in RP for “goodwill visit”
By Ronron
September 12, 2007
Three US Navy ships are in Philippine waters to pay “goodwill visit,” official said Wednesday.
The three ships were identified as USS Milius (DDG-69), which is based in San Diego, California; USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and USS Chosin (CG-65), also based in Pearl Harbor.
A US Embassy statement said USS Milius and USS Chung-Hoon arrived in Manila yesterday, while USS Chosin is set to arrive in Cebu today (Thursday). The three will be in the country until the 16th.
“These visits reflect the longstanding military, historical and personal ties between our two countries as well as our continued commitment to work together to assist people in need of humanitarian outreach,” the US embassy statement reads.
It said that during the visit, the commanding officers of the ships will turn over “a variety of items donated by the American people, including toys, library books, and medical supplies to the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development for distribution to those less fortunate.”
Sailors from the vessels will also be participating in Gawad Kalinga projects of building homes for local citizens.
Lt. Col. Doug Smith, Public Affairs Officer of the US Joint Special Operations Task Force, said there are no military exercises during this visit, as it is purely a “routine port visit.”
But Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer (PIO), said there could be “goodwill games” with their Filipino counterparts, like the Passage Exercise wherein the foreign vessel will pass through with local Navy vessels as its escort.
He said the Philippine Naval Reserve Officers Training Course students will also be given the opportunity to have a guided tour inside the vessels, as well as some local schools in Metro Manila.
Bacarro said he cannot disclose the number of personnel aboard each ship for security reasons.
He assured there are no nuclear weapons aboard the ships when asked about it.
“The American people are committed to working with our friends and partners in the Philippines,” US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney said in the same statement.
“These ships that are visiting the Philippines demonstrate the strength of our partnership, and I know that the dedicated men and women on board are looking forward to seeing this beautiful country,” she continued.
The US Embassy statement said the ships belong to the US 7th Fleet, but did not specify if they came from their respective bases prior to their arrival in the Philippines./DMS
September 12, 2007
Three US Navy ships are in Philippine waters to pay “goodwill visit,” official said Wednesday.
The three ships were identified as USS Milius (DDG-69), which is based in San Diego, California; USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and USS Chosin (CG-65), also based in Pearl Harbor.
A US Embassy statement said USS Milius and USS Chung-Hoon arrived in Manila yesterday, while USS Chosin is set to arrive in Cebu today (Thursday). The three will be in the country until the 16th.
“These visits reflect the longstanding military, historical and personal ties between our two countries as well as our continued commitment to work together to assist people in need of humanitarian outreach,” the US embassy statement reads.
It said that during the visit, the commanding officers of the ships will turn over “a variety of items donated by the American people, including toys, library books, and medical supplies to the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development for distribution to those less fortunate.”
Sailors from the vessels will also be participating in Gawad Kalinga projects of building homes for local citizens.
Lt. Col. Doug Smith, Public Affairs Officer of the US Joint Special Operations Task Force, said there are no military exercises during this visit, as it is purely a “routine port visit.”
But Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer (PIO), said there could be “goodwill games” with their Filipino counterparts, like the Passage Exercise wherein the foreign vessel will pass through with local Navy vessels as its escort.
He said the Philippine Naval Reserve Officers Training Course students will also be given the opportunity to have a guided tour inside the vessels, as well as some local schools in Metro Manila.
Bacarro said he cannot disclose the number of personnel aboard each ship for security reasons.
He assured there are no nuclear weapons aboard the ships when asked about it.
“The American people are committed to working with our friends and partners in the Philippines,” US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney said in the same statement.
“These ships that are visiting the Philippines demonstrate the strength of our partnership, and I know that the dedicated men and women on board are looking forward to seeing this beautiful country,” she continued.
The US Embassy statement said the ships belong to the US 7th Fleet, but did not specify if they came from their respective bases prior to their arrival in the Philippines./DMS
Erap supporters behaved during verdict promulgation – PNP
By Ronron
September 12, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared the mass demonstration of former President Joseph Estrada’s supporters yesterday as “generally peaceful,” noting the absence of any untoward incident.
But even as it thanked them “for abiding with the agreement” of staying where they are and not provoking the anti-riot cops, the police will continue to monitor them especially that one of its leaders, Ver Eustaquio of the Union for the Masses of Democracy and Justice (UMDJ), announced that the group will plan about its future actions to protest the guilty verdict against Estrada for plunder.
“Generally, I would say that what happened was peaceful… and I would like to thank the followers of the former President for abiding with the agreement that we have prior to this verdict,” PNP chief Gen. Oscar Calderon told a news conference at Camp Crame more than an hour after the Sandiganbayan convicted Estrada for plunder.
About 700 supporters of Estrada gathered along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City yesterday morning to monitor the Sandiganbayan ruling. Calderon said they dispersed voluntarily before lunchtime.
The PNP had said that it will deploy 4,000 cops, while the Armed Forces will place on standby 2,000 of its personnel, during the promulgation of the decision of the anti-graft court on Estrada’s case.
Immediately after the decision was known, Eustaquio said the supporters of Estrada from the masses will plan what they will do in the coming days to show their indignation against the ruling.
“We will continue our coordination with their group for them to remain calm and peaceful so there will be no chaos in their activities. We allow them anyway. But so far, my general guideline is if anybody will violate the law, we will arrest them,” Calderon said.
The police chief said the organization is “ready” to respond to any violent incidents.
He said the rally yesterday was peaceful probably also because the public has recognized that due process was given to the former leader, and that the decision was crafted and issued by “respected members of the court.”
Asked if the lean crowd indicates that anti-government effort is already subsiding, Calderon said: “I don’t want to comment on that. What I can say is the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces and the government are prepared for any violence that may happen, and we will really observe the rule of law.”
He said the PNP will still maintain its red alert status until the local commanders think there is no more threat to security that may warrant for a lowering of the level. The same thing with the military, said AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro.
“In this case, we will be guided by the need of the PNP for our assistance because the PNP is in the lead role while we are in the support role,” Bacarro said in a separate news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Asked, meanwhile, if the conviction of Estrada would now make the military organization safe from any adventurism acts, Bacarro said: “We would say that military adventurism – I’m referring to those people in the organization who will be participating in any form of adventurism – will consider that as a thing of the past. And this is manifested by what we can see now as the level of professionalism of our soldiers, that they are no longer easily lured into participating in any type of organization.”
Bacarro refused to comment when asked if the conviction of Estrada justifies the military’s withdrawal of support from him in 2001, saying: “That’s a political question, I would not be in a position to answer that.”
The allegations against Estrada, which was the basis for his conviction, were the same reason he was ousted in January 2001 by a bloodless people power revolt. He was replaced by his vice president then, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The guilty verdict against him carries a penalty of 20 to 40 years of imprisonment./DMS
September 12, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared the mass demonstration of former President Joseph Estrada’s supporters yesterday as “generally peaceful,” noting the absence of any untoward incident.
But even as it thanked them “for abiding with the agreement” of staying where they are and not provoking the anti-riot cops, the police will continue to monitor them especially that one of its leaders, Ver Eustaquio of the Union for the Masses of Democracy and Justice (UMDJ), announced that the group will plan about its future actions to protest the guilty verdict against Estrada for plunder.
“Generally, I would say that what happened was peaceful… and I would like to thank the followers of the former President for abiding with the agreement that we have prior to this verdict,” PNP chief Gen. Oscar Calderon told a news conference at Camp Crame more than an hour after the Sandiganbayan convicted Estrada for plunder.
About 700 supporters of Estrada gathered along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City yesterday morning to monitor the Sandiganbayan ruling. Calderon said they dispersed voluntarily before lunchtime.
The PNP had said that it will deploy 4,000 cops, while the Armed Forces will place on standby 2,000 of its personnel, during the promulgation of the decision of the anti-graft court on Estrada’s case.
Immediately after the decision was known, Eustaquio said the supporters of Estrada from the masses will plan what they will do in the coming days to show their indignation against the ruling.
“We will continue our coordination with their group for them to remain calm and peaceful so there will be no chaos in their activities. We allow them anyway. But so far, my general guideline is if anybody will violate the law, we will arrest them,” Calderon said.
The police chief said the organization is “ready” to respond to any violent incidents.
He said the rally yesterday was peaceful probably also because the public has recognized that due process was given to the former leader, and that the decision was crafted and issued by “respected members of the court.”
Asked if the lean crowd indicates that anti-government effort is already subsiding, Calderon said: “I don’t want to comment on that. What I can say is the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces and the government are prepared for any violence that may happen, and we will really observe the rule of law.”
He said the PNP will still maintain its red alert status until the local commanders think there is no more threat to security that may warrant for a lowering of the level. The same thing with the military, said AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro.
“In this case, we will be guided by the need of the PNP for our assistance because the PNP is in the lead role while we are in the support role,” Bacarro said in a separate news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Asked, meanwhile, if the conviction of Estrada would now make the military organization safe from any adventurism acts, Bacarro said: “We would say that military adventurism – I’m referring to those people in the organization who will be participating in any form of adventurism – will consider that as a thing of the past. And this is manifested by what we can see now as the level of professionalism of our soldiers, that they are no longer easily lured into participating in any type of organization.”
Bacarro refused to comment when asked if the conviction of Estrada justifies the military’s withdrawal of support from him in 2001, saying: “That’s a political question, I would not be in a position to answer that.”
The allegations against Estrada, which was the basis for his conviction, were the same reason he was ousted in January 2001 by a bloodless people power revolt. He was replaced by his vice president then, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The guilty verdict against him carries a penalty of 20 to 40 years of imprisonment./DMS
Saturday, September 8, 2007
PNP to secure Estrada on promulgation of verdict
By Ronron
September 7, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured on Friday that it will ensure the security of former President Joseph Estrada this coming Wednesday when the Sandiganbayan promulgates its ruling on his plunder case.
“We will implement what we have prepared for to ensure that the promulgation will be peaceful and Erap will be secured,” Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr., public information officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said yesterday after learning of the promulgation schedule.
The PNP had earlier announced that it will be fielding 4,000 personnel on the day of the promulgation of the Sandiganbayan’s decision on Estrada’s case. They will be augmented by some 2,000 personnel from the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM).
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director Gen. Reynaldo Varilla had said that the police force in the region could be placed on red alert status one or two days before the promulgation day just to make sure no untoward incident will happen.
As of yesterday, Pagdilao said there is still no advise to raise the alert from the present heightened level.
Officials have said that they are expecting supporters of Estrada to mass up near the Sandiganbayan in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on promulgation day, and they are wary that communist rebels will infiltrate the demonstrators.
But, in a statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines, said the fear of the PNP is “baseless” as it is surely from the police ranks that violence will start.
“Gloria Arroyo morbidly fears the renews build up of massive protests demanding her ouster, especially in the face of the revival of the Hello Garci investigations with even more damning evidence and witnesses, and the mounting opposition to the corrupt-ridden broadband deal and other cases of corruption in her government,” CPP spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said in the statement.
Rosal called the deployment of a total of 6,000 forces as “exhibiting extreme paranoia” on the part of the government./DMS
September 7, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured on Friday that it will ensure the security of former President Joseph Estrada this coming Wednesday when the Sandiganbayan promulgates its ruling on his plunder case.
“We will implement what we have prepared for to ensure that the promulgation will be peaceful and Erap will be secured,” Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr., public information officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said yesterday after learning of the promulgation schedule.
The PNP had earlier announced that it will be fielding 4,000 personnel on the day of the promulgation of the Sandiganbayan’s decision on Estrada’s case. They will be augmented by some 2,000 personnel from the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM).
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director Gen. Reynaldo Varilla had said that the police force in the region could be placed on red alert status one or two days before the promulgation day just to make sure no untoward incident will happen.
As of yesterday, Pagdilao said there is still no advise to raise the alert from the present heightened level.
Officials have said that they are expecting supporters of Estrada to mass up near the Sandiganbayan in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on promulgation day, and they are wary that communist rebels will infiltrate the demonstrators.
But, in a statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines, said the fear of the PNP is “baseless” as it is surely from the police ranks that violence will start.
“Gloria Arroyo morbidly fears the renews build up of massive protests demanding her ouster, especially in the face of the revival of the Hello Garci investigations with even more damning evidence and witnesses, and the mounting opposition to the corrupt-ridden broadband deal and other cases of corruption in her government,” CPP spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said in the statement.
Rosal called the deployment of a total of 6,000 forces as “exhibiting extreme paranoia” on the part of the government./DMS
Doble may be held liable for disclosing intel works details – Esperon
By Ronron
September 7, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is looking into the possibility of taking legal action against former intelligence agent Vidal Doble for spilling out information about the activities of the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP).
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said “some security concerns are unnecessarily prejudiced” with Doble’s appearance yesterday before the Senate wherein he recounted their alleged wiretapping activities during the 2004 elections.
“We are looking at that… Even as a former soldier, he certainly should have some concern for the national security. It’s unimaginable that a former soldier would be indeed crossing lines just to get whatever has motivated him,” Esperon said.
Doble has been removed from the AFP rolls since February of this year because he did not seek for a re-enlistment. He claimed that he started with the organization in 1989.
Doble was the witness in yesterday’s Senate inquiry on the alleged wiretapping incident in 2004.
Asked to comment on Doble’s statements at the Senate, Esperon said: “Let that be proven because as far as I know, the capability is not there.”
But because of his no longer being a member of the AFP, Doble, according to Esperon, cannot be tried in a military tribunal./DMS
September 7, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is looking into the possibility of taking legal action against former intelligence agent Vidal Doble for spilling out information about the activities of the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP).
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said “some security concerns are unnecessarily prejudiced” with Doble’s appearance yesterday before the Senate wherein he recounted their alleged wiretapping activities during the 2004 elections.
“We are looking at that… Even as a former soldier, he certainly should have some concern for the national security. It’s unimaginable that a former soldier would be indeed crossing lines just to get whatever has motivated him,” Esperon said.
Doble has been removed from the AFP rolls since February of this year because he did not seek for a re-enlistment. He claimed that he started with the organization in 1989.
Doble was the witness in yesterday’s Senate inquiry on the alleged wiretapping incident in 2004.
Asked to comment on Doble’s statements at the Senate, Esperon said: “Let that be proven because as far as I know, the capability is not there.”
But because of his no longer being a member of the AFP, Doble, according to Esperon, cannot be tried in a military tribunal./DMS
AFP to comply with CA order on disclosure of Burgos investigation report
By Ronron
September 7, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will comply with the order of the Court of Appeals (CA) for the release of the report of the military’s internal investigation regarding the license plate that was used in the abduction of Jonas Joseph Burgos last April 28 in Quezon City.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told Camp Aguinaldo reporters Friday that they will submit a copy of the report to the CA as a sign of respect and recognition to the court order.
“It’s a legal court order so by all means, we have to follow the court order and the laws of the land,” Esperon said.
But the military chief hinted that the family of Burgos may only get frustrated if they find out the content of the report because it only centered on the license plate (TAB-194) that was used in the abduction, and not the actual abduction and disappearance of Burgos.
“The investigation on Jonas Burgos is with the Philippine National Police. Ours was only on the plate number. So our actions will be seen there (in the report) why somebody was relieved,” Esperon said.
“It (AFP investigation) was our way of ascertaining who could have been responsible for the missing plate number. It’s not for the use of the plate number (or) where it was alleged to have been used. That’s completely different. That’s the domain of the Philippine National Police,” he added.
Mrs. Edith Burgos, mother of Jonas, expressed elation upon learning about Esperon’s statement.
“I’m very, very happy that finally, he has seen the light,” Mrs. Burgos said.
But Mrs. Burgos said she will definitely be not disappointed with whatever is the content of the report because she was already aware of the scope of the AFP probe from the start.
“It’s one step forward. It’s an additional link to whatever we have. Remember that only the license plate is our link to the abductors. If we find out the names of those who were investigated, then we will take note of that lead,” she said in a phone interview.
Asked if they will pursue those identified as handlers of the license plates for possible involvement in the abduction of Jonas, Mrs. Esperon said: “I’m sure the court will find something there… Every little thing is important to us.”
The AFP has earlier reprimanded and relieved from their respective posts the following officials for alleged negligence in their job at the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Norzagaray, Bulacan where the license plate was traced after the abduction of Burgos: Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano, Lt. Col. Noel Clement, Lt. Col. Edison Caga, Cpl. Castro Bugalon and Private First Class Jose Villena.
During a probe by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the five denied any involvement in the abduction of Burgos.
Authorities earlier found out that the license plates belong to an Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) that was intercepted on June 24, 2006 in Norzagaray for allegedly transporting illegally-cut forest products. The AUV was impounded at the 56th IB’s camp since then.
It is suspected that the license plates was stolen when the camp was abandoned for a while when the battalion went on field training maneuvers.
Police had earlier presented witnesses claiming that Burgos was a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and was snatched by fellow rebels for allegedly pilfering organization funds and slowly turning against the movement.
Mrs. Burgos has belied this and maintained that her son was just providing training on agriculture technology to farmers in Central Luzon./DMS
September 7, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will comply with the order of the Court of Appeals (CA) for the release of the report of the military’s internal investigation regarding the license plate that was used in the abduction of Jonas Joseph Burgos last April 28 in Quezon City.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. told Camp Aguinaldo reporters Friday that they will submit a copy of the report to the CA as a sign of respect and recognition to the court order.
“It’s a legal court order so by all means, we have to follow the court order and the laws of the land,” Esperon said.
But the military chief hinted that the family of Burgos may only get frustrated if they find out the content of the report because it only centered on the license plate (TAB-194) that was used in the abduction, and not the actual abduction and disappearance of Burgos.
“The investigation on Jonas Burgos is with the Philippine National Police. Ours was only on the plate number. So our actions will be seen there (in the report) why somebody was relieved,” Esperon said.
“It (AFP investigation) was our way of ascertaining who could have been responsible for the missing plate number. It’s not for the use of the plate number (or) where it was alleged to have been used. That’s completely different. That’s the domain of the Philippine National Police,” he added.
Mrs. Edith Burgos, mother of Jonas, expressed elation upon learning about Esperon’s statement.
“I’m very, very happy that finally, he has seen the light,” Mrs. Burgos said.
But Mrs. Burgos said she will definitely be not disappointed with whatever is the content of the report because she was already aware of the scope of the AFP probe from the start.
“It’s one step forward. It’s an additional link to whatever we have. Remember that only the license plate is our link to the abductors. If we find out the names of those who were investigated, then we will take note of that lead,” she said in a phone interview.
Asked if they will pursue those identified as handlers of the license plates for possible involvement in the abduction of Jonas, Mrs. Esperon said: “I’m sure the court will find something there… Every little thing is important to us.”
The AFP has earlier reprimanded and relieved from their respective posts the following officials for alleged negligence in their job at the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Norzagaray, Bulacan where the license plate was traced after the abduction of Burgos: Lt. Col. Melquiades Feliciano, Lt. Col. Noel Clement, Lt. Col. Edison Caga, Cpl. Castro Bugalon and Private First Class Jose Villena.
During a probe by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the five denied any involvement in the abduction of Burgos.
Authorities earlier found out that the license plates belong to an Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) that was intercepted on June 24, 2006 in Norzagaray for allegedly transporting illegally-cut forest products. The AUV was impounded at the 56th IB’s camp since then.
It is suspected that the license plates was stolen when the camp was abandoned for a while when the battalion went on field training maneuvers.
Police had earlier presented witnesses claiming that Burgos was a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and was snatched by fellow rebels for allegedly pilfering organization funds and slowly turning against the movement.
Mrs. Burgos has belied this and maintained that her son was just providing training on agriculture technology to farmers in Central Luzon./DMS
Friday, September 7, 2007
PNP will not order pull out of its peacekeeping force in East Timor
By Ronron
September 6, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will not order a pull out of its contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in East Timor, defying a demand of a political group there, which stemmed from an alleged making of a political statement by the contingent head.
Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr., PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, told Camp Crame reporters Thursday that there will be no recall order unless the United Nations issues one.
“No. That will be based on the decision of the United Nations, and not because of a (demand of a) particular party in East Timor,” Razon said when asked if Supt. Joel Doria or other contingent members will be ordered to return to Manila.
The Department of Foreign Affairs had said that Jose Teixeira, Parliamentarian of Fretilin, one of East Timor’s major political groups, has asked for the recall of Doria for allegedly accusing Fretilin to be involved in organizing violence in East Timor.
Doria’s statement was supposedly found in a Time Magazine article on August 6, 2007.
The DFA said Teixeira went on to call the PNP as “notoriously corrupt” and “with a reputation for brutality.”
“We have asked the contingent to submit a report to our Directorate for Plans with regard to the complaint of Fretilin,” Razon said, adding that an investigation is already being conducted.
Asked about the policy of the PNP as regards political statements, Razon said: “It is an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) that the policemen should not get involved in political disputes, whether here in our country or in other countries.”
The DFA had earlier explained that the Philippines is only answerable to the UN and not to the East Timor government with regard to the issue.
It also defended the credibility of the 145 Filipino peacekeepers there, citing even the UN Service Medal award given to them.
The DFA said the Filipino peacekeepers in East Timor will end their tour of duty on October 16, 2007./DMS
September 6, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will not order a pull out of its contingent in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in East Timor, defying a demand of a political group there, which stemmed from an alleged making of a political statement by the contingent head.
Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr., PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, told Camp Crame reporters Thursday that there will be no recall order unless the United Nations issues one.
“No. That will be based on the decision of the United Nations, and not because of a (demand of a) particular party in East Timor,” Razon said when asked if Supt. Joel Doria or other contingent members will be ordered to return to Manila.
The Department of Foreign Affairs had said that Jose Teixeira, Parliamentarian of Fretilin, one of East Timor’s major political groups, has asked for the recall of Doria for allegedly accusing Fretilin to be involved in organizing violence in East Timor.
Doria’s statement was supposedly found in a Time Magazine article on August 6, 2007.
The DFA said Teixeira went on to call the PNP as “notoriously corrupt” and “with a reputation for brutality.”
“We have asked the contingent to submit a report to our Directorate for Plans with regard to the complaint of Fretilin,” Razon said, adding that an investigation is already being conducted.
Asked about the policy of the PNP as regards political statements, Razon said: “It is an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) that the policemen should not get involved in political disputes, whether here in our country or in other countries.”
The DFA had earlier explained that the Philippines is only answerable to the UN and not to the East Timor government with regard to the issue.
It also defended the credibility of the 145 Filipino peacekeepers there, citing even the UN Service Medal award given to them.
The DFA said the Filipino peacekeepers in East Timor will end their tour of duty on October 16, 2007./DMS
Police intensifying security preparations also because of upcoming 9/11 attack anniversary
By Ronron
September 6, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is including in its security preparations these days the possible attacks of terrorists in the light of the upcoming anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the United States that claimed around 3,000 lives.
Deputy Director Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., Deputy Chief for Administration of the PNP, said the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is among the “confluence of events” that the PNP is preparing for, considering that the Al Qaeda network that was behind it is believed to have links with the local terror group, the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“We are talking with different intelligence agencies of the government, including our foreign counterparts, our allies in the fight against terrorism,” Razon told Camp Crame reporters yesterday.
He said the PNP is now on heightened alert, meaning each unit has to have 50 percent of its personnel present so it is ready to respond for any eventualities.
Aside from the 9/11 anniversary, Razon said the PNP is also preparing for the upcoming promulgation of the decision of the Sandiganbayan on the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada, the possible retaliatory attacks of the ASG due to the military offensives in Basilan and Sulu, the possible attacks of the New People’s Army in response to the arrest of its leader, Jose Maria Sison, in the Netherlands, and the investigations of the Congress on controversial issues like the politically-charged “Hello Garci” wiretapping incident in 2004.
“All of these the PNP is preparing for to maintain our peace and order situation,” Razon said.
With this, he said the public should therefore not consider the PNP preparations, as announced, as overkill.
“The police force we are preparing is not only for the Sandiganbayan verdict but also on the daily anti-crime situation,” Razon said, referring to the 4,000 policemen that will be deployed during the Estrada verdict day.
He said they are not discounting the possibility that communist rebels may take advantage of the 9/11 anniversary, or the handing down of the Estrada case decision.
“The NPA is our highest threat because they have arms and they have been waging a long campaign,” he said./DMS
September 6, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is including in its security preparations these days the possible attacks of terrorists in the light of the upcoming anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the United States that claimed around 3,000 lives.
Deputy Director Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr., Deputy Chief for Administration of the PNP, said the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is among the “confluence of events” that the PNP is preparing for, considering that the Al Qaeda network that was behind it is believed to have links with the local terror group, the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“We are talking with different intelligence agencies of the government, including our foreign counterparts, our allies in the fight against terrorism,” Razon told Camp Crame reporters yesterday.
He said the PNP is now on heightened alert, meaning each unit has to have 50 percent of its personnel present so it is ready to respond for any eventualities.
Aside from the 9/11 anniversary, Razon said the PNP is also preparing for the upcoming promulgation of the decision of the Sandiganbayan on the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada, the possible retaliatory attacks of the ASG due to the military offensives in Basilan and Sulu, the possible attacks of the New People’s Army in response to the arrest of its leader, Jose Maria Sison, in the Netherlands, and the investigations of the Congress on controversial issues like the politically-charged “Hello Garci” wiretapping incident in 2004.
“All of these the PNP is preparing for to maintain our peace and order situation,” Razon said.
With this, he said the public should therefore not consider the PNP preparations, as announced, as overkill.
“The police force we are preparing is not only for the Sandiganbayan verdict but also on the daily anti-crime situation,” Razon said, referring to the 4,000 policemen that will be deployed during the Estrada verdict day.
He said they are not discounting the possibility that communist rebels may take advantage of the 9/11 anniversary, or the handing down of the Estrada case decision.
“The NPA is our highest threat because they have arms and they have been waging a long campaign,” he said./DMS
Four suspected thieves killed in shootout with police in QC
By Ronron
September 6, 2007
Four suspected car thieves were killed in a shootout with policemen Thursday morning in Quezon City.
Supt. Edwin Butacan, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Traffic Management Group (TMG), said a policeman and a civilian were also wounded in the incident that happened past 8am along Batasan Road.
Butacan said elements of the TMG-National Capital Region and the Quezon City Anti-Carnapping Unit first spotted the black Toyota Altis (with plate number XEJ-943) that the suspects were riding at around 6am.
The said vehicle was subject of suspicion because its plate number was found out to belong supposedly to a Toyota Rev-o.
“Last September 4, operatives of the TMG-NCR intelligence saw the black Toyota Altis without an LTO (Land Transportation Office) sticker for 2007 while it was parked along Batasan Road… So when they saw it again this morning, they conducted the operation,” Butacan said.
Butacan said that when a police mobile car tried to approach the subject vehicle for questioning, the suspects drove off, sparking a brief chase for about two to three minutes.
But the car bumped a parked PLDT multicab beside the road, leaving the four men aboard it with no choice but to exchange gun fire with the tailing policemen.
Two of the suspects died on the spot, while two others were declared dead on arrival at the Gen. Marval Hospital.
The driver of the PLDT multicab was also hurt due to shrapnel, while TMG personnel SPO4 Leonardo Tecson sustained a gunshot wound to his left wrist. The latter was brought to the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame for medical treatment.
Butacan said police is still investigating if the four suspects have existing criminal records.
“They are suspected car thieves because one, the plate number of their car belongs to another vehicle; they are armed; and they resisted arrest, they even fought it out with authorities,” Butacan said.
A subsequent check of the TMG revealed that the Altis was reported to have been forcibly taken last February 22, 2004 along Mios Drive in Mendez East, Tagaytay City by two armed men. It’s original plate number is XMJ-622./DMS
September 6, 2007
Four suspected car thieves were killed in a shootout with policemen Thursday morning in Quezon City.
Supt. Edwin Butacan, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Traffic Management Group (TMG), said a policeman and a civilian were also wounded in the incident that happened past 8am along Batasan Road.
Butacan said elements of the TMG-National Capital Region and the Quezon City Anti-Carnapping Unit first spotted the black Toyota Altis (with plate number XEJ-943) that the suspects were riding at around 6am.
The said vehicle was subject of suspicion because its plate number was found out to belong supposedly to a Toyota Rev-o.
“Last September 4, operatives of the TMG-NCR intelligence saw the black Toyota Altis without an LTO (Land Transportation Office) sticker for 2007 while it was parked along Batasan Road… So when they saw it again this morning, they conducted the operation,” Butacan said.
Butacan said that when a police mobile car tried to approach the subject vehicle for questioning, the suspects drove off, sparking a brief chase for about two to three minutes.
But the car bumped a parked PLDT multicab beside the road, leaving the four men aboard it with no choice but to exchange gun fire with the tailing policemen.
Two of the suspects died on the spot, while two others were declared dead on arrival at the Gen. Marval Hospital.
The driver of the PLDT multicab was also hurt due to shrapnel, while TMG personnel SPO4 Leonardo Tecson sustained a gunshot wound to his left wrist. The latter was brought to the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame for medical treatment.
Butacan said police is still investigating if the four suspects have existing criminal records.
“They are suspected car thieves because one, the plate number of their car belongs to another vehicle; they are armed; and they resisted arrest, they even fought it out with authorities,” Butacan said.
A subsequent check of the TMG revealed that the Altis was reported to have been forcibly taken last February 22, 2004 along Mios Drive in Mendez East, Tagaytay City by two armed men. It’s original plate number is XMJ-622./DMS
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Barangay Captain in Cebu shot dead
By Ronron
September 5, 2007
Two unidentified suspects shot dead another barangay captain on Tuesday, this time in Cebu province, police said yesterday.
The killing of Cayang village captain Bienvenido Cañete, 43, in Bogo City happened as elections for barangay and youth officials nationwide on October 29 is nearing.
SPO1 Rolando Torquido, desk officer of the Bogo City Police Station, said in a phone interview yesterday that Cañete was in front of the Cayang Barangay Hall when the motorcycle-riding suspects fired at him using a caliber 45 pistol.
The suspects escaped after the incident, while Cañete died on the spot due multiple gunshot wounds in his body.
Torquido said recovered from the crime scene were seven empty shells and two slugs of a caliber 45. Another slug was recovered from Cañete’s body at the Bogo District Hospital.
Asked if the shooting is related to the upcoming elections, Torquido answered in the negative, saying that Cañete is a last-termer and will no longer participate in the October 29 polls.
“It could be personal in nature,” Torquido theorized.
He said the case is still being investigated as of press time to determine the exact motive and the identities of the perpetrators./DMS
September 5, 2007
Two unidentified suspects shot dead another barangay captain on Tuesday, this time in Cebu province, police said yesterday.
The killing of Cayang village captain Bienvenido Cañete, 43, in Bogo City happened as elections for barangay and youth officials nationwide on October 29 is nearing.
SPO1 Rolando Torquido, desk officer of the Bogo City Police Station, said in a phone interview yesterday that Cañete was in front of the Cayang Barangay Hall when the motorcycle-riding suspects fired at him using a caliber 45 pistol.
The suspects escaped after the incident, while Cañete died on the spot due multiple gunshot wounds in his body.
Torquido said recovered from the crime scene were seven empty shells and two slugs of a caliber 45. Another slug was recovered from Cañete’s body at the Bogo District Hospital.
Asked if the shooting is related to the upcoming elections, Torquido answered in the negative, saying that Cañete is a last-termer and will no longer participate in the October 29 polls.
“It could be personal in nature,” Torquido theorized.
He said the case is still being investigated as of press time to determine the exact motive and the identities of the perpetrators./DMS
Oil leak detected in Romblon
By Ronron
September 5, 2007
A little over a year since the country experienced the worst oil spill in Philippine history, an oil leak was detected Tuesday in Romblon province, prompting local residents to rally against a salvage operation that caused the incident.
Romblon Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Mario Velando said the leak of diesel oil was detected around 12:15 pm the other day (Tuesday) off the island town of Concepcion.
“There was an ongoing salvage operations for M/V Mactan, a vessel that sunk in the area many years ago, and they were trying to blast it. The fuel compartment was probably hit that’s why there was an oil leak,” Velando said in a phone interview yesterday.
There was no immediate information regarding the depth of the vessel and the volume of oil that went out from it, Velando said.
Velando said the residents of Barangay Masadya in Concepcion detected the leak after an “offensive odor” spread immediately after the blasting operation. He described the smell as “threatening to health and safety.”
Because of this, the local government issued right away a memorandum for the immediate stoppage of the salvaging operations until the leak is contained or cleaned up, and until an Environmental Compliance Certificate is secured from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said Velando.
The salvage operations, being carried out by Eduardo Calixto Enterprises, immediately complied with the order. Velando said the salvage operations began on August 31st, the reason for which he has yet to ask.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said an aerial survey at the affected area at around 6am yesterday by its helicopter revealed that the sheen of diesel oil was some 600 meters away from the shoreline of Concepcion, and was about 115 meters in length.
With this information, the PCG said the incident is therefore “minimal” only that it “can be dispersed naturally through wave action and evaporation.”
The PCG did not say if further action will be undertaken like placement of spill booms, or spraying of chemical dispersants.
Asked about the matter, Velando just said: “As of this time, (there are) no reports (I have) obtained regarding action taken.”
Last year’s oil spill in Guimaras Island occurred after the oil tanker M/V Solar 1, which was sailing from Bataan to Mindanao to transport bunker fuel product of Petron, was battered with big waves, causing it to submerge./DMS
September 5, 2007
A little over a year since the country experienced the worst oil spill in Philippine history, an oil leak was detected Tuesday in Romblon province, prompting local residents to rally against a salvage operation that caused the incident.
Romblon Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Mario Velando said the leak of diesel oil was detected around 12:15 pm the other day (Tuesday) off the island town of Concepcion.
“There was an ongoing salvage operations for M/V Mactan, a vessel that sunk in the area many years ago, and they were trying to blast it. The fuel compartment was probably hit that’s why there was an oil leak,” Velando said in a phone interview yesterday.
There was no immediate information regarding the depth of the vessel and the volume of oil that went out from it, Velando said.
Velando said the residents of Barangay Masadya in Concepcion detected the leak after an “offensive odor” spread immediately after the blasting operation. He described the smell as “threatening to health and safety.”
Because of this, the local government issued right away a memorandum for the immediate stoppage of the salvaging operations until the leak is contained or cleaned up, and until an Environmental Compliance Certificate is secured from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said Velando.
The salvage operations, being carried out by Eduardo Calixto Enterprises, immediately complied with the order. Velando said the salvage operations began on August 31st, the reason for which he has yet to ask.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said an aerial survey at the affected area at around 6am yesterday by its helicopter revealed that the sheen of diesel oil was some 600 meters away from the shoreline of Concepcion, and was about 115 meters in length.
With this information, the PCG said the incident is therefore “minimal” only that it “can be dispersed naturally through wave action and evaporation.”
The PCG did not say if further action will be undertaken like placement of spill booms, or spraying of chemical dispersants.
Asked about the matter, Velando just said: “As of this time, (there are) no reports (I have) obtained regarding action taken.”
Last year’s oil spill in Guimaras Island occurred after the oil tanker M/V Solar 1, which was sailing from Bataan to Mindanao to transport bunker fuel product of Petron, was battered with big waves, causing it to submerge./DMS
Combat engineers leave for Basilan
By Ronron
September 5, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. sent off on Wednesday combat engineers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to Basilan to take part in humanitarian projects as part of the government’s efforts in combating terrorism.
The send off ceremony for the 1st Navy Mobile Construction Battalion and the 355th Aviation Engineering Wing was also attended by AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino, Navy Flag-Offcer-in-Command Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, and Marines Commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino.
“We are going to Basilan … to help and assist the Department of Public Works and Highways build the circumferential road,” Teodoro said in his speech before the combat engineers sailed from the Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City yesterday morning.
Comprising the combat engineers are 170 personnel from the Air Force and 92 from the Navy, the spokesmen of both units said.
Teodoro said the combat engineers will stay in Basilan until the circumferential road project in the island province is completed, as well as other infrastructure projects like raising new school buildings, building potable water systems, and the like.
The length of their stay there will likewise depend on the request of the DPWH.
“Given the situation, security wise, in the island affected, you are there to help build the road and to fight to build the road if necessary,” Teodoro told the combat engineers.
Teodoro said the soldiers can always fight back if attacked while doing their projects “for their own personal security and protection, as a matter of self defense.”
Esperon expressed gladness that the AFP will not just engage in combat operations but also contribute to developmental undertakings.
“It will make a lot of difference because economic activities, with the construction of the circumferential road, will be enhanced. Delivery of basic services as well will be a lot easier for all the people in Basilan. And probably, this would entice some people to go back to daily lives rather than either join lawless elements, or the Abu Sayyaf Group, or the evacuees, if ever,” Teodoro said.
The combat engineers brought along with them some heavy equipment, diggers and earth movers aboard the Navy ship BRP Bacolod City that would take them to Basilan.
Navy spokesman Commander Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the combat engineers are expected to arrive in Basilan on Friday.
Another engineering battalion is already in Sulu to carry out similar projects, although an augmentation may be done, Teodoro said./DMS
September 5, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. sent off on Wednesday combat engineers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to Basilan to take part in humanitarian projects as part of the government’s efforts in combating terrorism.
The send off ceremony for the 1st Navy Mobile Construction Battalion and the 355th Aviation Engineering Wing was also attended by AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino, Navy Flag-Offcer-in-Command Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, and Marines Commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino.
“We are going to Basilan … to help and assist the Department of Public Works and Highways build the circumferential road,” Teodoro said in his speech before the combat engineers sailed from the Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City yesterday morning.
Comprising the combat engineers are 170 personnel from the Air Force and 92 from the Navy, the spokesmen of both units said.
Teodoro said the combat engineers will stay in Basilan until the circumferential road project in the island province is completed, as well as other infrastructure projects like raising new school buildings, building potable water systems, and the like.
The length of their stay there will likewise depend on the request of the DPWH.
“Given the situation, security wise, in the island affected, you are there to help build the road and to fight to build the road if necessary,” Teodoro told the combat engineers.
Teodoro said the soldiers can always fight back if attacked while doing their projects “for their own personal security and protection, as a matter of self defense.”
Esperon expressed gladness that the AFP will not just engage in combat operations but also contribute to developmental undertakings.
“It will make a lot of difference because economic activities, with the construction of the circumferential road, will be enhanced. Delivery of basic services as well will be a lot easier for all the people in Basilan. And probably, this would entice some people to go back to daily lives rather than either join lawless elements, or the Abu Sayyaf Group, or the evacuees, if ever,” Teodoro said.
The combat engineers brought along with them some heavy equipment, diggers and earth movers aboard the Navy ship BRP Bacolod City that would take them to Basilan.
Navy spokesman Commander Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the combat engineers are expected to arrive in Basilan on Friday.
Another engineering battalion is already in Sulu to carry out similar projects, although an augmentation may be done, Teodoro said./DMS
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Blasts rock Zamboanga City anew; no casualty and damage reported
By Ronron
September 4, 2007
Two successive bombings rocked Zamboanga City before dawn of Tuesday perpetrated supposedly by vendors and stall owners of the city’s public market, police said.
Police said the first improvised bomb went off at around 4:40 am near Stall No. 16 of the city market along Venancio Saavedra Street, while the second one followed five minutes later more than 100 meters away, at the meat section of the market, fronting J. S. Alano Street.
The market is located just behind the city police station.
“Investigation conducted by the responding elements of bomb squad disclosed that the explosives were ammonium nitrate used for blast fishing, contained in two bottles of one-liter softdrinks, improvised blasting caps (non-electrict), and mosquito coil used as initiator,” a police report said.
The two bombs were separately placed in boxes.
Police said there was no reported casualty and damage to property following the explosions.
“Investigation is still being conducted to determine the identities of the suspect/s,” the police report said.
In a text message, Region 9 Police Director Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal said it is possible that vendors or stall owners at the market are behind the twin blasts since they are protesting the ongoing clearing operations at the market.
He said the explosion could be directed against the city government.
“(The blasts are) related to the dismantling of the stalls because the market is currently being cleared,” Caringal responded when asked of the motive.
Discounting the involvement of terrorists, Caringal described the bombs as “very crude” that “it could not really hurt anyone.”
In the latter part of August, a bomb went off at the Pershing Plaza of the city, hurting 14 people. Police said the incident was part of retaliatory attacks by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and its allies following the intensified military operations against them in Basilan and Sulu./DMS
September 4, 2007
Two successive bombings rocked Zamboanga City before dawn of Tuesday perpetrated supposedly by vendors and stall owners of the city’s public market, police said.
Police said the first improvised bomb went off at around 4:40 am near Stall No. 16 of the city market along Venancio Saavedra Street, while the second one followed five minutes later more than 100 meters away, at the meat section of the market, fronting J. S. Alano Street.
The market is located just behind the city police station.
“Investigation conducted by the responding elements of bomb squad disclosed that the explosives were ammonium nitrate used for blast fishing, contained in two bottles of one-liter softdrinks, improvised blasting caps (non-electrict), and mosquito coil used as initiator,” a police report said.
The two bombs were separately placed in boxes.
Police said there was no reported casualty and damage to property following the explosions.
“Investigation is still being conducted to determine the identities of the suspect/s,” the police report said.
In a text message, Region 9 Police Director Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal said it is possible that vendors or stall owners at the market are behind the twin blasts since they are protesting the ongoing clearing operations at the market.
He said the explosion could be directed against the city government.
“(The blasts are) related to the dismantling of the stalls because the market is currently being cleared,” Caringal responded when asked of the motive.
Discounting the involvement of terrorists, Caringal described the bombs as “very crude” that “it could not really hurt anyone.”
In the latter part of August, a bomb went off at the Pershing Plaza of the city, hurting 14 people. Police said the incident was part of retaliatory attacks by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and its allies following the intensified military operations against them in Basilan and Sulu./DMS
Human Security Act not fully suspended during election period – DOJ prosecutor
By Ronron
September 4, 2007
A state prosecutor clarified Tuesday that the Human Security Act (HAS) of 2007, popularly known as the anti-terrorism law, is not fully suspended during election period, as stated in the law itself.
According to Atty. Geronimo Sy, only a certain provision of the law will have “limited application” two months before the election day and one month after it.
“There are two classes of surveillance – one on bank transactions and the other is what we call as electronic surveillance like on mobile phones and computers. That is the aspect (under the law) where there is limited application of the law during the said period,” Sy told reporters at Camp Crame during the weekly media forum of the Philippine National Police (PNP) where he is a guest.
He said the controversial law, which took effect on July 15, cannot be suspended during election period because terrorists could take advantage of it.
“Imagine when an entire voting precinct is bombed on election day?” Sy said.
The country will hold on October 29 barangay elections. Prior to that, the country also held a nationwide, mid-term polls last May 14.
“Certain provisions will be suspended but it does not mean that if you committed a crime under the law, you are exempted… If you committed the crime, you should be punished both under either the Revised Penal Code or the Human Security Act,” Sy said./DMS
September 4, 2007
A state prosecutor clarified Tuesday that the Human Security Act (HAS) of 2007, popularly known as the anti-terrorism law, is not fully suspended during election period, as stated in the law itself.
According to Atty. Geronimo Sy, only a certain provision of the law will have “limited application” two months before the election day and one month after it.
“There are two classes of surveillance – one on bank transactions and the other is what we call as electronic surveillance like on mobile phones and computers. That is the aspect (under the law) where there is limited application of the law during the said period,” Sy told reporters at Camp Crame during the weekly media forum of the Philippine National Police (PNP) where he is a guest.
He said the controversial law, which took effect on July 15, cannot be suspended during election period because terrorists could take advantage of it.
“Imagine when an entire voting precinct is bombed on election day?” Sy said.
The country will hold on October 29 barangay elections. Prior to that, the country also held a nationwide, mid-term polls last May 14.
“Certain provisions will be suspended but it does not mean that if you committed a crime under the law, you are exempted… If you committed the crime, you should be punished both under either the Revised Penal Code or the Human Security Act,” Sy said./DMS
Severe government losses in Basilan, Sulu prompts more careful conduct of operations – Marine commandant
By Ronron
September 4, 2007
The death of many soldiers in operations in Basilan and Sulu since July this year has prompted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be careful in its future offensives against Moslem rebels in the south, the newly-installed commandant of the Philippine Marines Corps (PMC) said Tuesday.
This explains the lull these days in armed confrontations between the government forces and their targets in Basilan and Sulu, said Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino.
“We are still on intelligence build up so that if you are armed with intelligence information, of course, the operations would be more focused and we can avoid affecting civilians,” Dolorfino told Defense reporters in a phone interview.
The last reported engagement in the south was on August 26 in Tipo-tipo, Basilan, where two soldiers were slightly hurt.
Since July 10, 57 junior officers and soldiers were already killed, some of whom were mutilated, in separate incidents in Basilan and Sulu. Some of these incidents were ambush by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) while the rest are actual clashes.
Dolorfino said that to avoid suffering more casualties on the government side and to ensure the safety of civilians, the intent now of the AFP is to conduct “surgical operations.”
At the same time, an internal probe on the July 10 incident in Al-Barka and on the August 18 incident in Ungkaya Pukan, both in Basilan, has been ordered by the higher military leadership.
Dolorfino said boards of inquiry for each of the two incidents were created by the PMC to look into possible operational lapses that may have contributed to the suffering of heavy casualties on the government side.
He said the inquiries will “look into the encounters with the objective of knowing the lessons learned.”
Dolorfino said he will go to Basilan tomorrow (Thursday) to visit the Marine troops, find out their condition, and give his guidance as new PMC chief.
“We will look into their morale as part of their administrative requirements because they were exposed to the situation where their fellow soldiers were beheaded, many died… If necessary, we will conduct stress debriefing among the personnel involved in the operation,” he said./DMS
September 4, 2007
The death of many soldiers in operations in Basilan and Sulu since July this year has prompted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be careful in its future offensives against Moslem rebels in the south, the newly-installed commandant of the Philippine Marines Corps (PMC) said Tuesday.
This explains the lull these days in armed confrontations between the government forces and their targets in Basilan and Sulu, said Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino.
“We are still on intelligence build up so that if you are armed with intelligence information, of course, the operations would be more focused and we can avoid affecting civilians,” Dolorfino told Defense reporters in a phone interview.
The last reported engagement in the south was on August 26 in Tipo-tipo, Basilan, where two soldiers were slightly hurt.
Since July 10, 57 junior officers and soldiers were already killed, some of whom were mutilated, in separate incidents in Basilan and Sulu. Some of these incidents were ambush by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) while the rest are actual clashes.
Dolorfino said that to avoid suffering more casualties on the government side and to ensure the safety of civilians, the intent now of the AFP is to conduct “surgical operations.”
At the same time, an internal probe on the July 10 incident in Al-Barka and on the August 18 incident in Ungkaya Pukan, both in Basilan, has been ordered by the higher military leadership.
Dolorfino said boards of inquiry for each of the two incidents were created by the PMC to look into possible operational lapses that may have contributed to the suffering of heavy casualties on the government side.
He said the inquiries will “look into the encounters with the objective of knowing the lessons learned.”
Dolorfino said he will go to Basilan tomorrow (Thursday) to visit the Marine troops, find out their condition, and give his guidance as new PMC chief.
“We will look into their morale as part of their administrative requirements because they were exposed to the situation where their fellow soldiers were beheaded, many died… If necessary, we will conduct stress debriefing among the personnel involved in the operation,” he said./DMS
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Chinese Defense Minister visits RP, gives 50 million RMB in grant
By Ronron
September 3, 2007
The Defense chief of the People’s Republic of China (RPOC) arrived in Manila late Sunday for a five-day visit and granted 50 million RMB (renminbi) to the Philippine Defense establishment during a meeting yesterday (Monday) with his Filipino counterpart.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan’s visit is “in accordance with the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between China” and the Philippines signed previously by his predecessor, Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr.
“We agreed to continue to dialogue, which is a mutual exchange of view regarding regional concerns,” Teodoro told reporters after around three hours of closed-door meeting with Cao, attended also by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“And the Chinese government has given today a 50 million RMB grant of items, which shall be discussed at a later time,” he added.
Aside from that, both officials also talked about the possibility of exchange of military students in the future.
Asked how these will benefit the Philippine military, Teodoro only said: “You know, closer ties regionally with all our neighbors is good for the military.”
But when sought of his view about possible reactions from the United States with the improving defense relations between Beijing and Manila, the Defense chief said: “We treat all nations equally. Under our Constitution, we have to treat and respect all nations as good neighbors in the spirit of amity and cooperation to all of them.”
A statement of the Defense department said Cao will also pay separate calls on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile representing Senate President Manuel Villar, and House Speaker Jose de Venecia.
He and his delegation will also visit Cebu, in the company of Charges d’ Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Hon. Deng Xi Jun, the statement said.
“The visit comes at a time when Philippines and China relations are at a Golden Age of Partnership,” the statement said./DMS
September 3, 2007
The Defense chief of the People’s Republic of China (RPOC) arrived in Manila late Sunday for a five-day visit and granted 50 million RMB (renminbi) to the Philippine Defense establishment during a meeting yesterday (Monday) with his Filipino counterpart.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan’s visit is “in accordance with the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between China” and the Philippines signed previously by his predecessor, Secretary Avelino Cruz, Jr.
“We agreed to continue to dialogue, which is a mutual exchange of view regarding regional concerns,” Teodoro told reporters after around three hours of closed-door meeting with Cao, attended also by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“And the Chinese government has given today a 50 million RMB grant of items, which shall be discussed at a later time,” he added.
Aside from that, both officials also talked about the possibility of exchange of military students in the future.
Asked how these will benefit the Philippine military, Teodoro only said: “You know, closer ties regionally with all our neighbors is good for the military.”
But when sought of his view about possible reactions from the United States with the improving defense relations between Beijing and Manila, the Defense chief said: “We treat all nations equally. Under our Constitution, we have to treat and respect all nations as good neighbors in the spirit of amity and cooperation to all of them.”
A statement of the Defense department said Cao will also pay separate calls on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile representing Senate President Manuel Villar, and House Speaker Jose de Venecia.
He and his delegation will also visit Cebu, in the company of Charges d’ Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Hon. Deng Xi Jun, the statement said.
“The visit comes at a time when Philippines and China relations are at a Golden Age of Partnership,” the statement said./DMS
Defense chief disfavors revival of “Hello Garci” probe
By Ronron
September 3, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. is not in favor of the revival at this time of the “Hello Garci” investigation at the Senate as it distracts soldiers from its mission of neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group and its allies, and the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Anything which will distract the focus at this point in time of the Armed Forces naturally should not be taken favorably,” Teodoro told reporters Monday when asked about the move of the Senate to investigate the alleged wiretapping incident during the 2004 elections.
“There are lots of things to focus on – Basilan, Sulu, and of course, we continue to keep a close watch on things in Luzon,” he said, referring to the operations against Moslem extremists in the south and the insurgents elsewhere, especially in the northern part of the country.
The Senate has decided again to probe the alleged wiretapping in 2004 to find ways to avoid similar incidents from happening again. The 2004 incident, which revealed the alleged electoral fraud in that year’s Presidential elections, marred the military establishment since it was allegedly done by elements of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).
Caught on tape talking then were a woman, purportedly President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and man, believed to be then Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. The discussion suggested electoral fraud since the woman was heard asking the man about her number of votes.
Asked if he would allow military officials this time to appear before the Senate if summoned, Teodoro said: “I’ll wait for the summons if there is one, and I’ll react at that time.”
“I will react properly if and when such an item comes to my desk for consideration,” he added.
Malacanang has earlier hinted that it will invoke Executive Order 464 when the Senate summons members of the executive branch for the wiretapping probe. The EO requires Presidential consent for those summoned to appear before Congressional hearings.
Teodoro yesterday did not say if he would abide by said policy.
“We are faced with so much problem now and with good gains on our part, probably, we should not destroy that momentum,” he said, referring to the military offensives in the south and against the communist rebels.
The Defense chief even shrugged off calls of religious leaders to halt the operations in Mindanao for the sake of peace and the welfare of civilians.
“We understand the feelings of the good bishops… Now, given the gains of the military in the area, the fusion between developmental projects and military operations and the sacrifices of the soldiers already made, to give unilateral stop to operations would be a dereliction of duty on our part,” Teodoro said.
It would even perhaps be “treasonous in the sense that it would be giving aid and comfort to the enemy,” he went on./DMS
September 3, 2007
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. is not in favor of the revival at this time of the “Hello Garci” investigation at the Senate as it distracts soldiers from its mission of neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group and its allies, and the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Anything which will distract the focus at this point in time of the Armed Forces naturally should not be taken favorably,” Teodoro told reporters Monday when asked about the move of the Senate to investigate the alleged wiretapping incident during the 2004 elections.
“There are lots of things to focus on – Basilan, Sulu, and of course, we continue to keep a close watch on things in Luzon,” he said, referring to the operations against Moslem extremists in the south and the insurgents elsewhere, especially in the northern part of the country.
The Senate has decided again to probe the alleged wiretapping in 2004 to find ways to avoid similar incidents from happening again. The 2004 incident, which revealed the alleged electoral fraud in that year’s Presidential elections, marred the military establishment since it was allegedly done by elements of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).
Caught on tape talking then were a woman, purportedly President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and man, believed to be then Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. The discussion suggested electoral fraud since the woman was heard asking the man about her number of votes.
Asked if he would allow military officials this time to appear before the Senate if summoned, Teodoro said: “I’ll wait for the summons if there is one, and I’ll react at that time.”
“I will react properly if and when such an item comes to my desk for consideration,” he added.
Malacanang has earlier hinted that it will invoke Executive Order 464 when the Senate summons members of the executive branch for the wiretapping probe. The EO requires Presidential consent for those summoned to appear before Congressional hearings.
Teodoro yesterday did not say if he would abide by said policy.
“We are faced with so much problem now and with good gains on our part, probably, we should not destroy that momentum,” he said, referring to the military offensives in the south and against the communist rebels.
The Defense chief even shrugged off calls of religious leaders to halt the operations in Mindanao for the sake of peace and the welfare of civilians.
“We understand the feelings of the good bishops… Now, given the gains of the military in the area, the fusion between developmental projects and military operations and the sacrifices of the soldiers already made, to give unilateral stop to operations would be a dereliction of duty on our part,” Teodoro said.
It would even perhaps be “treasonous in the sense that it would be giving aid and comfort to the enemy,” he went on./DMS
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