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| (Photo produced by Kawal Pinoy from Internet Sources)
Published in http://dwdd.com.ph/
LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU —– A Cebuano now sits as the new Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) chief after the change of command ceremony at Naval Base Rafael Ramos in barangay Looc in this city at 9a.m. today.
Commodore Ronald Joseph Mercado replaces new Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief Commodore Reynaldo Yoma.
In his speech today during the change of command ceremony, Mercado reaffirms its commitment to work closely with Central Command (Centcom) in ensuring that the Visayas region will “remain a haven for business and tourism”where our countrymen can go about their lives in an environment peaceful, secured and orderly,” he said.
Mercado also assured of continued maritime security for the Visayan seas.
Mercado, who traces his roots in Banawa in Cebu City, said his assignment here is, in a way, a homecoming for him.
Mercado is the outgoing commander of the Offshore Combat Force. He is set to turnover his duties and responsibilities to incoming commander Capt. Ingemar Pernes on Friday.
http://dwdd.com.ph/2014/07/commodoreronald-joseph-mercado-appointed-as-new-navforcen-chief/
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Commodore Ronald Joseph Mercado appointed as new Navforcen chief
US to give C-130 planes to Philippines
By Camille Diola
Published in Phistar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The United States will give two Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" planes to the Philippines, newly appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang revealed.
In a state report, Catapang disclosed the impending donation in a visit to the 1st Air Division headquarters in Clark Field, Pampanga, citing American military officials.
"I just talked to our US counterparts [and] they told us they are making available another two C-130s to address our humanitarian assistance disaster relief concerns," Catapang said.
The United States military deployed a humanitarian mission to the Visayas after the onslaught of deadly typhoon Yolanda, which took thousands of lives and destroyed countless homes.
Catapang said that the Americans offered after learning of President Aquino's plans to acquire new cargo aircrafts for the military.
The existing C-130 planes of the Air Force figured heavily in the transport of relief goods for victims of typhoon Yolanda and equipment needed by government troops involved in the efforts last year.
In November last year, former AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista announced that the country seeks to procure two more C-130 planes to improve disaster relief operations.
"We are in the process of acquiring two more C-130s. As you very well know, we only have three C-130s. In terms of strategic lift, C-130s are very important," Bautista said.
Ideally, he said the Philippine Air Force should have at least nine C-130s.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/07/23/1349457/us-give-c-130-planes-philippines
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
BIFF warns of more attacks in Mindanao
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| (Photo produced by Kawal Pinoy from Internet Sources)
by Alexander D. Lopez
Published in mb.com.ph
Davao City – The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) warned of launching more attacks against government troopers and installations in Mindanao following the series of clashes in the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
BIFF Abu Misry Mama, in an interview with the Manila Bulletin here on Wednesday morning, said target areas will include North Cotabato – particularly Midsayap town, and other provinces in Mindanao.
Abu Misry also claimed responsibility over the attacks to Army detachments in Datu Piang and Sharif Saydona towns, and also in Aleosan, North Cotabato.
He, however, denied the military’s statement that 17 of their men were killed during the series of clashes.
“Apat lang po sa aming tauhan ang namatay sa labanan na tinamaan ng landmine, at dalawa ang sugatan (Only four of our men were killed during the fighting who were hit by landmine, and two were wounded),” Abu Misry said.
He also denied that a high-ranking BIFF officer was among the fatalities during the series of attacks as announced by the military.
“Walang City Hunter doon sa apat na namatay na tauhan namin sa sagupaan (No City Hunter was among those four that were killed during the encounter),” he clarified.
Abu Misry also told the Manila Bulletin that the attack in Maguindanao was retaliatory move to the alleged abduction by the military of a father-and-son at the detachment in Datu Onsay town.
He only identified the victims as a certain Mohamad and Mahid that remain missing.
“Sila ay kinuha ng military doon sa detachment sa Mita sa Datu Onsay (They were taken by the military at the detachment in Mita in Datu Onsay)” Abu Misry claimed, adding that the victims were civilians and not members of the BIFF.
He also claimed that the recent attacks were part of the long-term plan of the BIFF of intensifying their offensives against the military and other government targets.
“Magpapatuloy itong aming pag-atake hanggang sa makamit namin ang aming ipinaglalaban (The attacks will continue until we realize what we have been fighting for), Abu Misry pointed out.
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Road project to connect peasant communities to Cotabato trading centers
(philstar.com)
MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Officials on Wednesday launched a multi-million highway rehabilitation project in Datu Odin Sinsuat town to hasten the connectivity of ethnic Teduray and Moro peasant communities to trading centers in Cotabato City.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Maguindanao Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat, and Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Ombra Sinsuat jointly led the launching of the project in Tenorio District near the Philippine Army’s Camp Siongco in the same municipality.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division was represented in the event by its commander, Brig. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan.
Vice Gov. Sinsuat told reporters he is thankful to the ARMM government for allocating funds for the repair of the damaged portions of the highway, which connects Tenorio area to North Upi town, also in Maguindanao.
The ARMM’s public works department will bankroll the project with a grant from the region’s 2014 infrastructure budget, according to Regional Public Works Secretary Emil Sadain.
Vice Gov. Sinsuat said the project will complement the efforts of the local government of Datu Odin Sinsuat to harness the eco-tourism potentials of the municipality.
He also expressed gratitude to the ARMM leadership for having convinced recently Singaporean investors to put up palm oil plantations in the south of Datu Odin Sinsuat.
The Singaporean investors have also signified their intention of putting up a modern oil palm processing plant in Barangay Sifaran in Datu Odin Sinsuat, the vice governor said.
Hataman, Sadain and Sinsuat also distributed a thousand schoolbags, in form of "Ramadhan gift," as a sidelight of the project launching, to children in Tenorio Elementary School, located along a stretch of the highway the ARMM government will rehabilitate.
Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and focus on good deeds and reparation for wrongdoings during the Ramadhan atonement season, which began June 29 and is expected to end next week depending on the sighting of the new moon to mark the start of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic Hijrah calendar.
Link: http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/07/23/1349458/road-project-connect-peasant-communities-cotabato-trading-centers
-Mickey-
V-League: Army Lady Troopers clinch 5th win
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| (Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference Philippine Army vs Philippine National Police photo produced by Kawal Pinoy from Internet Sources)
By Cedelf Tupas
Published in sports.inquirer.net
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MANILA, Philippines — Flaunting the depth of its roster, Army repulsed Philippine National Police, 25-16, 25-22, 25-22, Tuesday night for a fifth straight triumph in the Shakey’s V-League Season 11 Open Conference at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Lady Troopers rested some of their starters after a fiery opening set performance, but pulled through just the same in 73 minutes to keep their bid for a seven-game elimination round sweep alive.
Nene Bautista came through with 16 points for the Lady Troopers who got an unlikely lift from Geinie Sabas with 12 hits.
Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis combined for 14 points before cheering the Army reserves from the bench in the final set.
The Lady Patrollers briefly showed signs of life taking advantage early in the second set, before the Lady Troopers rediscovered their lethal form to finally put them away.
Earlier, PLDT Home Telpad rebounded from a lethargic effort with an impressive 25-16, 25-23, 24-26, 25-19 victory over National U.
The victory kept the Turbo Boosters at second spot with a 5-1 mark, gathering momentum as the tournament heads to the quarterfinals.
Suzanne Roces spearheaded the charge with 17 hits as she came up big against Lady Bulldogs star Jaja Santiago who had 14 points. Gretchel Soltones and Lou Ann Latigay joined forces for 25 points for the Turbo Boosters whose lone loss came last week at the hands of the Lady Troopers.
The Lady Bulldogs momentarily recovered with a strong third set, before PLDT setter Rubie de Leon got Roces going anew, combining with Soltones and Latigay on attack.
Myla Pablo and Jorelle Singh also contributed a combined 25 hits for the Lady Bulldogs who need to win one of their last two games to secure a berth in the quarters.
Despite Frances Molina’s 17 markers, the Lady Patrollers remained winless in six games with their hopes of reaching the next round already snuffed out.
Read more: http://sports.inquirer.net/159700/v-league-army-lady-troopers-clinch-5th-win#ixzz38L15Tyyf |
Air Force, Army, Navy thanked President Aquino for the modernization
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| (Photo of Pres Aquino during Change Command and Testimonial Review IHO General Emmanuel T Bautista by Kawal Pinoy and internet sources) |
By: Samuel Biag
Published in : angmalaya.net
“We are very thankful of President Aquino’s unprecedented support to our modernization and capability upgrade programs. Even before the signing of the Revised AFP Modernization Act in 2012, more than P16 billion was made available for the acquisition and upgrading of our assets. His continued support to our efforts to modernize the AFP will surely empower us in fulfilling our mandate,” Armed Force of the Philippines Public Affairs Office Chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala told the Philippines News Agency.
The Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy with their spokespersons, individually stated how thankful the three forces are for the President’s effort to modernize the Armed Forces.
“With the support the Army is getting, our Army Transformation Roadmap is well on its way of achieving the Army’s vision by 2028 [of being] a world-class Army that is a source of national pride,” Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said.
“The Philippine Navy is very grateful for the continued support of the President. That support can be felt down to the grassroots level, the sailors and the marines, as we continuously pursue in achieving the objectives set in our strategic sail plan and towards the attainment of our vision which is to become strong and credible,” Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.
“The leadership, men and women of the Philippine Air Force, are grateful for the support of our Commander-in-Chief. The modernization of the PAF offers numerous opportunity such as further upgrading the skills of [our airmen] and expanding our capability to support territorial defense, internal security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and national development,” Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya.
As reported by Philippine News Agency, since the term of President Aquino, the AFP have contracted for 12 FA-50 Philippine version fighter jets, eight combat utility helicopters, eight attack helicopters, 63,000 units of brand-new M-4 automatic rifles, 21 refurbished combat utility helicopters, and 28 upgraded APCs.
Also, the Philippine Navy is waiting for 2 attack helicopters and two strategic sealift vessels.
Deliveries of these military hardware are expected to be finished starting the end of the year to 2017, some deliveries have already started. While acquisition process for Navy frigates and assault amphibious vehicle are on the later stage.
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/07/22/2470-air-force-army-navy-thanked-president-aquino-for-the-modernization
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
AFP rejects NPA’s call to stop military operations
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| (Photo by: Kawal Pinoy)
by WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
Published in manilatimes.net
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday rejected anew the request of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) for the suspension of military operations (SOMO) in the rebel-infested Agusan and Surigao provinces.
Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesman Capt. Alberto Caber said the request was turned down by 4th Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya and Easmincom commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz 3rd.
“There is no let up of operations against those who sow terror acts in the communities,” Caber quoted Cruz as saying.
The 4th ID has jurisdiction over the Agusan and Surigao provinces, which also falls within the area of responsibility of the Eastminom.
Caber said that while the soldiers are propagating the culture of peace in the communities, the CPP-NPA continues their harassment, violent attacks and extortion activities against innocent civilians.
Last week, the CPP-NPA also asked the AFP to stop its operations in Agusan and Surigao in exchange for the freedom of four kidnapped policemen.
Instead, the 4th ID commander ordered his troops to continue their operations, saying that they don’t negotiate with the NPA.
Visaya has assigned three battalions to run after the rebels.
The four policemen were taken hostage by the rebels after they attacked the municipal police station of Alegria in Surigao del Norte.
Caber said two NPA members were killed and two government troops were wounded in the incident.
He added that the NPA also carted away the station’s firearms that include six M16 rifles, two M14, four shotguns, four 9mm pistols, assorted ammunitions, P51,000 cash, cellphones and laptops.
http://www.manilatimes.net/afp-rejects-npas-call-to-stop-military-operations/113404/
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Top ranking NPA leader falls
BY GILBERT BAYORAN
Published in visayandailystar.com
Another top ranking leader of the New People's Army in southern Negros was arrested Sunday night by the police at a checkpoint in Brgy. Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental.
Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, yesterday identified the arrested suspect as Abraham Villanueva, secretary of the South West Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros.
Lirazan said Villanueva, alias “Tikboy, Gamay, Bods54,” has a pending arrest warrant for violation of Section 3, Paragraph 4 of PD 1613, or arson, issued by San Carlos Regional Trial Court Judge Kathrine Go, who also denied him bail.
Police investigations show that Villanueva, who was riding a motorcycle, tried to avoid the police checkpoint. But he was arrested later by the Ilog police headed by Inspector Renante Salgado after a brief chase, Lirazan said.
The arrest of Villanueva came more than a year after Reniel Cellon, alias Ka Kumpol, an elusive leader of the SWF Sentro de Grabidad Platoon, his wife, Mary Jane Magquilat, alias Chin Chin, and four others, were also arrested at a police checkpoint in Brgy. Dancalan, Ilog, in April last year.
Villanueva commands about 60 NPA rebels, many of them on inactive status, due to demoralization among their rank-and-file since the arrest of Cellon last year, Lt. Col. Ariel Reyes, 47 th Infantry Battalion commander, said.
The arrest of Villanueva, will create another leadership vacuum and further disorganization of SWF forces in southern Negros, Reyes said.
He claimed that Villanueva also participated in the ambush-slay of five 47IB soldiers in Sitio Omas, Brgy. Camindangan, Sipaly City, the raid and destruction of Sola family properties in Brgy. Camansi, Kabankalan City, among others.
Villanueva is now detained at the Ilog police jail. * GPB
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/July/22/topstory2.htm
17 BIFF rebels, 1 soldier killed in Maguindanao clashes
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| (NEW CLASHES. Another encounter between the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the military reportedly claimed many casualties on the rebels’ side. File photo shows BIFF leader Ameril Umbra Kato. AFP file photo) |
By: Karlos Manlupig
Published in rappler.com
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – At least 18 people were killed after the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked two military detachments in the province of Maguindanao on Monday, a military official said.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesperson of the military's 6th Infantry Division, said on Tuesday, July 22, that more or less 17 rebels died – allegedly including the right-hand man of BIFF leader Ameril Umbra Kato – while a government soldier was killed in action during the incident.
At least 2 rebels and 3 soldiers were hurt in the firefight while 9 civilians were injured after suspected government artillery rounds exploded near their houses.
Based on official military reports, the rebels launched two simultaneous attacks targetting the 62nd Division Recon Company in Barangay Damabalas in Datu Piang town and the 61st Division Recon Company in Barangay Ganta in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town.
Hermoso, however, divulged that only 5 of the killed rebels were confirmed visually and positively identified by the ground military forces. They are Dris Salik, Mashud Ali, Nur Hassan, Mantawil Kaliga and a certain "City Hunter" who is allegedly the right-hand man of the BIFF leader.
"Verification as to the identities of another 12 BIFF members who perished in the ensuing firefights are ongoing with the help of the barangay officials and Imams as they were hastily buried by their comrades," Hermoso said.
Abu Misry Mama, spokesman of the BIFF, denied the claims of the military explaining that only 4 BIFF rebels were "martyred" in the incident.
"That is not true. Only 4 have died. We would never lie about our casualties because it is an honor to die as a mujahideen. If only the dead can talk they will talk," Mama said.
Displaced families, injured civilians
Meanwhile, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (ARMM-HEART) along with the Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) immediately dispatched teams to investigate the cases of civilian injuries and displacement in the affected areas.
RHRC Maguindanao chief Abdulnasser Badrudin confirmed that about 335 families were displaced by the recent clashes.
"For this incident, we have 335 families more or less," Badrudin said.
The ARMM-HEART said the 9 civilians hurt by 105 Howitzer rounds were Kingao Omar, Muhamidin Omar, Saida Omar, Maxi Gumandal, Omi Akmad, Sadiya Akmad, Esmael Pendatun, Sandiali Guiamandal and Bohari Pirot – all residents of Barangay Penditen in Datu Salibo town.
The residents were shocked when the rounds fell near their houses and caused damages, ARMM-HEART said.
Out of the 9 victims, 3 sustained more serious injuries and were brought to a hospital in Cotabato City.
The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center earlier said that the victims were hesitant to go to the hospital for medical treatment because they feared that the soldiers would tag them as rebels.
The ARMM government is investigating why civilian communities were hit by the artillery rounds. Emergency responders are now attending to the needs of the displaced residents.
Attack caused by ‘abductions’
Mama confirmed that they initiated the attack in retaliation for the alleged abduction and enforced disappearance of Mohammad Abdulkarim and his 14-year-old son Mehad Mohammad in Shariff Aguak town on July 3.
MinHRAC quoted the family of the victims as saying that they went to the military to look for the two but were told that both had been immediately allowed to leave.
The military deemed the accusations as desperate moves and part of the BIFF’s strategic shift to propaganda to influence public opinion.
"We know that we have not wounded civilians because the initiative of the attack came from the BIFF," the military spokesman said.
Hermoso also asserted that there is no truth to allegations that the military abducted two civilians in Maguindanao.
The military would not do anything that would jeopardize the recently signed peace agreement because like the rest of the Bangsamoro the soldiers are also dreaming for peace in the troubled region, Hermoso said.
Brigadier General Eduardo Pangilinan, commander of the Philippine Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said the military remains on “high alert” even during the observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
“We are on high alert to protect the people. This has become their habit to launch attacks during Ramadan season,” Pangilinan said. – with reports from Jeoffrey Maitem/Rappler.com
(Photo produced and obtained by Kawal Pinoy from Internet Sources)
Published In philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines - Newly installed Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang on Tuesday called on soldiers to remain focused on their mission despite the political controversies hounding the country.
During his first tour of military headquarters as Chief of Staff, Catapang said soldiers should “not be distracted by the ongoing political dynamics in the country."
“We should be reminded that as member of the AFP we should be professional and non-partisan,” he said. “Trabaho lang tayo (let us just work).”
Catapang made the statement amid the controversies surrounding the Aquino administration’s disbursement acceleration program (DAP), which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
The high court struck down the withdrawal of so-called unobligated allotments from implementing agencies and their use as savings before the end of a fiscal year, the cross-border transfers of savings of the executive to augment funds of agencies outside the department and the funding of projects and programs not covered in the national budget.
DAP releases came from the overall savings of the national government, which included unprogrammed funds generated from windfall revenue collections, unreleased appropriations from slow-moving projects, terminated programs based on program evaluation of zero-based budgeting and the withdrawal of unused allotments already released to agencies.
Last October, the Defense Department admitted that it received DAP funds worth P665.6 million in 2011 and 2012. The fund was used to buy military equipment and spare parts, support on-base housing and repair facilities.
Catapang visited the Northern Luzon Command in Tarlac and the 1st Air Division Headquarters in Clark to relay his instructions to the troops.
Catapang also ordered the soldiers "maintain discipline and core competence in the highest standards.”
"We have to project ourselves as modern armed forces. We will conduct our operations without collateral damage. There should be no human rights violations," he said.
Catapang is expected to visit other military units on Thursday.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/07/22/1349152/new-afp-chief-troops-stay-focused-despite-political-issues
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