Stop the torture, maltreatment of Ka Bart--CPP

From the Website of PRWC
links:  http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/stop-torture-maltreatment-of-ka-bart.html#more

Stop the torture, maltreatment of Ka Bart--CPP

Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines
June 20, 2012 

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemned the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the continuing torture and maltreatment of political prisoner Tirso "Ka Bart" Alcantara inside the Fort Bonifacio military detention center. The CPP reiterated its demand for the immediate release of Ka Bart in accordance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) between the Philippine government (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).


Ka Bart is among 14 NDFP peace talks consultants currently detained by the GPH in various prisons nationwide. He was arrested in January 2011 on the eve of consultations between the NDFP and the GPH in preparation for the resumption of formal talks.

In a recent report issued by the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA), Ka Bart complained that aside from being served high-fat and extremely salty meals, the food is neither clean nor well-cooked. "The chicken I was served was still bloody and the fish still had its innards," said Ka Bart in a signed affidavit. "On December 20, 2011, after eating papaya, my mouth grew swollen and felt numb as if it was anaesthesized."

"Once, during lunch in March 2012, three match sticks were mixed in with the fish soup," said Ka Bart who also said he was once served food with shards of broken glass and crawling ants.

Ka Bart suspects he is slowly being poisoned through the food he is being served in prison. From January to June this year, he suffered from numbness and headaches on several occasions after eating the meals provided by the military.

"On occasion, I was being made to take medication for headaches and colds even though I was suffering from neither condition," said Ka Bart. He further narrated that he suffered from hypertension on March 10. The doctor who checked him up refused to identify himself. He was hooked up to an electro-cardiogram (ECG) machine. Subsequently, he was given medication that resulted in nausea, headaches and body tremors. When he told the doctor of his symptoms the morning after, these were dismissed as a result of the ECG, a complete falsehood.

For no apparent reason, Ka Bart's eyeglasses were taken from him on November 21, 2011 and returned only on May 26, 2012, making him suffer from poor vision for six months.

"The inhumane treatment and continuing torture of Ka Bart must be put to a stop," said the CPP. "The Filipino people must train their attention on the conditions of Ka Bart as well as the more than 350 political prisoners who continue to suffer from unjust incarceration."

"Ka Bart's continued imprisonment inside a military camp is a violation of his civil and political rights even under the laws of the reactionary government," added the CPP. According to SELDA, Ka Bart should at least be moved to a civilian detention center and be provided with easier access to doctors and lawyers. It pointed out that military authorities have been giving Ka Bart's visitors a hard time everytime they want to pay him a visit, at times, telling them to first seek a permit from the Office of the President and the AFP chief of staff.

The CPP demanded Ka Bart's immediate release as part of the Philippine government's obligations under JASIG which protects peace negotiators and personnel of either side from surveillance, arrest and prosecution in order to provide a favorable atmosphere for negotiations.

"Ka Bart's release will give a big boost to peace negotiations which the NDF is trying hard to resuscitate after being stalled for more than a year," added the CPP.

PRWC Website

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/



links:

 http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/stop-torture-maltreatment-of-ka-bart.html#more

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PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

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From the Website of OPPAP
links:  http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/leonen-lauds-gov%E2%80%99t-forces-upholding-ceasefire-urges-them-observe-due-diligence-addressing-

Leonen lauds gov’t forces for upholding ceasefire, urges them to observe due diligence in addressing conflicts

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Posted on Friday, 8 June, 2012 - 11:39

Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, June 8 – Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Marvic Leonen on Wednesday lauded the efforts of the military and the police in the south for observing the ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Leonen addressed the government security forces during a conference inside the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division (ID) in this municipality.

He also reiterated the primacy of the peace process, reminding government troops to observe due diligence in dealing with conflicts on the ground and enforcing the law.

“Every tactical action has its strategic repercussions,” Leonen said while urging them to be always ready to enforce the law as well as protect and assist communities in their areas of responsibility. He also called on them to be always prepared to address conflicts on the ground such as clan wars or “ridos,” kidnappings and other criminal activities.

The panel chair added that necessary coordination with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in running after criminals within MILF-controlled areas will be facilitated by the GPH-MILF Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the recently reactivated Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) which are bilateral efforts of the two parties to curb and deter criminal activities and potential flashpoints in areas covered by the ceasefire agreement.

Also present were 6th ID commander Major General Rey Ardo, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) for Western Mindanao Police Chief Superintendent Manuel Barcenas, and field commanders of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Marines inside the areas covered by the GPH-MILF ceasefire agreement.

Along with Leonen were government senior military adviser Brigadier General Leo Cresente Ferrer, newly appointed GPH senior police adviser Senior Supt. Noel Delos Reyes, AHJAG chair Brigadier Gen. Roland Amarille, and head of the GPH CCCH Secretariat Major Carlos Sol.

Engaging security forces

Leonen met with the security forces as part of the panel’s regular consultations with various stakeholders following the 28th formal exploratory talks between the GPH and the MILF panels in Kuala Lumpur last month.

During the discussions, field military commanders raised their concerns and suggested that more multi-sectoral consultations be conducted in their areas, to which Leonen willingly obliged.

“We will be very willing to come subject of course to our schedules,” he explained saying that other members of the GPH peace panel are also engaged in consultations with different stakeholders in Mindanao.

“We want to make sure that a critical mass of our people will be behind us supporting the peace agreement,” he said.

Leonen reiterated that government wants to ensure that any peace pact that it will sign with the MILF will be inclusive, collective and democratic, adding that the final peace agreement cannot even be initialed unless it is publicized to the people.

He also called on the government troops to educate themselves and help inform the stakeholders on the developments in the peace process.

OPPAP Website

http://www.opapp.gov.ph/

links:

http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/leonen-lauds-gov%E2%80%99t-forces-upholding-ceasefire-urges-them-observe-due-diligence-addressing-

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From the Website of MILF
links:  http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2699:the-core-issue-in-peace-talks&catid=77:editorial&Itemid=542

The core issue in peace talks

(June 8-15)
The Government of the Philippines (GPH) can talk of everything, say pouring billions of pesos to Moro areas, appointing Moros to the COMELEC, Court of Appeal, or even to the Supreme Court, creating offices after offices, etc., but it is just kidding so seriously. All these efforts are not bad per se, but they won’t solve anything. The real issue in the current peace negotiation is how to solve the Moro Question, which is a sovereignty-based conflict. The core is empowering Moros to run their own affairs in a state-substate asymmetrical relationship. It is about the power to decide what they want for themselves, their choice of identity, and to have a clear share of the pie.  The days that Manila decides everything for them must be severed now if we are really to end this whole mess in Mindanao.

In this empowerment or entrenchment process, the role of the MILF is very brief and tentative.  We just want to be in the “driver’s seat” during the transition period. If people (not the spoilers) do not want this term because it carries the stigma of bossism, authoritarianism, if not outright dictatorship, then we can use other terms provided the MILF is the chief “shepherd”. In the end, those who will run the new Moro political entity will be determined in a fair and free election, not the current system in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) where the governor, vice governor, and members of the legislative assembly are anointed and made to win by Manila. This is the reason why the power over election should be put as concurrent jurisdiction of the central government and the substate. The election playing field must be leveled, not the exclusive domain of the bully, moneyed, and actors.

If the government wants to fast track this negotiation, the MILF reiterates its stand that both sides take the position of fashioning out a substate for the Moros. Once the government agrees to this idea, which obviously can be assumed, then perhaps the creation of technical committees can help fast track the process.  Under the stewardship of the peace panels, experts on various fields of knowledge should be invited to these committees.

Moreover, the parties must not be dragged into discussion of other issues, like putting marker or monument to spots where major bloody battles or massacres took place. Of course, these are part of the whole political settlement, but they can take the back seat for the moment. Surely, the MILF will never agree to sign an agreement with the government that will forget those who suffered or fall from the excesses of the state, in the guise of exercising the monopoly of coercive powers.

MILF WEBSITES

http://www.luwaran.com/home/

links:  

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2699:the-core-issue-in-peace-talks&catid=77:editorial&Itemid=542

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Katarungan para kay Ka Erning Logo.km

From the Website of PRWC (CPP/NPA/NDF)
links:  http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/katarungan-para-kay-ka-erning-logokm.html#more

Katarungan para kay Ka Erning Logo.km

Ma. Laya Guerrero
Kabataang Makabayan

June 07, 2012

 

Kondenahin ang anti-maralitang rehimeng US-Aquino.
Itayo ang barikada ng mamamayan laban sa demolisyon!

Muling nakatambad ang kulay pasistang karakter ng rehimeng US-Aquino sa nangyaring pamamaslang kay Ka Ernesto “Erning” Gulfo nitong Mayo 30, 2012 sa Sitio 6, Malabon City. Si Ka Erning, 53 taong gulang, ay binuwal ng 2 tama ng bala sa kanyang dibdib ng siya ay barilin sa loob mismo ng kanyang bahay at sa harap mismo ng kanyang asawa. Naulila ang kanyang kabiyak na si Divina Gulfo at tatlong anak.

Kasama ang pamilya, mga ka-komunidad at kasama ni Ka Erning, ang Kabataang Makabayan ay nakikiisa sa panawagan para sa katarungan at pagpapanagot sa lokal na gobyerno ng Malabon, mga kasabwat nitong pribadong indibidwal at rehimeng US-Aquino. Walang ibang motibo ang pamamamaslang kundi ang patahimikin ang magigiting na lider-masa at mamamayang lumalaban para sa disenteng paninirahan at kabuhayan, at naninindigan laban sa demolisyon. 

Pinagpupugayan natin ang diwa ni Ka Erning, na sa mahabang panahon ay naglaan ng kanyang panahon at buhay sa paglilingkod at pag-oorganisa sa hanay ng mga maralita upang ipagtanggol ang kanilang karapatan  sa harap ng sistematikong paglabag dito ng gobyerno. 

Si Ka Erning ay ipinanganak noong Setyembre 27, 1959 sa Ragay, Camarines Sur at pang-apat sa magkakapatid. Ang kanyang mga magulang na sina Rosario Corpuz-Gulfo at Macario Gulfo ay mula sa maralitang pamilya rin at sa kanyang kabataan ay dinanas ang paghihikahos sa probinsya at kawalan ng regular na kabuhayan. Pinagsumikapan ng kanyang pamilya na silang magkakapatid ay makapag-aral, subalit dahil sa kahirapan ay tumigil ng pagaaral si Ka Erning pagdating sa ikatlong taon sa hayskul.

Taong 1970 ng lumipat silang mag-anak sa lungsod ng Malabon ng makahanap dito ng trabaho ang kanyang ama. Pinagsumikapan ni Ka Erning ang ibat ibang trabaho upang mabuhay tulad ng pangangalahig ng basura, drayber, Metro Aide at iba pang mapagkukunan ng kabuhayan upang masuportahan ang kanyang pamilya.

Naging apprentice siya ng Philippine Rabbit noong 1986 at dahil sa malapit ang kanyang puso sa isyu ng maralita at mga manggagawa, sumali siya sa welga at kabilang sa mga tinanggal sa trabaho. Dahil sa karanasang ito ay nagtuloy-tuloy na si Ka Erning sa pag-oorganisa sa hanay ng mga manggagawa at mala-manggawa. Naging Presidente siya ng Samahan ng Kalakhang Maynila (SAKAMAY-Courage) taong 1986, naging lider ng GADIJODA-PISTON sa Malabon noong 2009 at  isa sa mga nanguna upang mabuo ang Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Malabon at United People’s Neighborhood Association sa kanilang lugar.

Para sa mga kabataang aktibista, si Ka Erning ay tatay, kaibigan at kasamang matiyagang sumuporta sa mga gawain sa pagoorganisa at pagmumulat. Sa kabila ng mga karamdaman nagpatuloy siya sa pag-oorganisa sa hanay ng maralita. Pinalalakas niya ang loob ng mga ka-komunidad upang labanan ang mga panggigipit ng gobyerno at panlalansi, gayundin matiyagang nagkumbinsi pa din sa mamamayan ng Catmon na lumaban sa kabila ng pananakot at panununog noong Marso 2012 sa kanilang bahay upang mapilitan silang lisanin ang tirahan, at mapapayag sa planong programang pabahay ng gobyerno.

Ilang araw bago siya pinaslang, pinangunahan pa ni Ka Erning ang pagbubuo ng balangay ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon sa Malabon at ang pagbabarikada ng mamamayan ng Catmon upang biguin ang bantang demolisyon noong Mayo. Mahigit kumulang 1,500 maralitang pamilya ang nakatakdang mapalayas sa demolisyon upang bigyang daan ang Community Mortgage Program (CMP) ng lokal na gobyerno ng Malabon.

Ang CMP ay hungkag na programang imbes na magbigay serbisyo ay naglalayong pagkakitaan pa ang mga maralitang-lungsod at sa kalauna’y mataboy sila sa malalayong lugar pag hindi na nila makayanan bayaran. Imbes na magbigay ng serbisyo ng pabahay, nais palayasin ng gobyernong Aquino ang milyong maralita upang ibenta ang mga lupain sa pribadong mga negosyante at tayuan ng mga estabilisiemento tulad ng mall, mga condo at mga subdivision.

Nakakangalit ang pangil ng pasismong sagot ng gobyerno upang maisulong lamang ang pinagkakakitaang CMP na isang porma ng Public-Private Partnership (PPP)  na programa ni Aquino. Ang pagpaslang kay Ka Erning, tulad ng marahas na demolisyon ng mga pulis sa komunidad sa Silverio Compound, Paranque ay desperadong hakbang ng anti-mamamayang gobyerno ni Aquino.

Tumatambad sa buong sambayanan ang mga patakaran ni Aquino ay pawang pabor sa dambuhalang mga negosyante, mga panginoong maylupa tulad ng kanyang sarili, at mga dayuhan. Ang mga kabataan at mamamayang maralita ay pangunahing biktima ng mga neo-liberal na patakarang ito ng gobyernong Aquino na diktado ng mga imperyalistang dayuhan. 

Tulad ng mamamayang Silverio at martir ng maralita na si Arnel Tolentino, ni Ka Erning, ang mga maralitang-lungsod ay lalong namumulat na tanging sa sama-samang pagkilos at militanteng pakikibaka lamang maigigiit ang karapatan ng maralita para sa disenteng pabahay at kabuhayan.   

Ang pasismo ng estado ay magwawagi kung ang takot ay mamayani sa ating mga inaapi. Hawiin natin ang takot at dalamhati! Silaban ang diwang palaban bilang pinakamataas na pagpupugay kay Ka Erning at sa mga martir ng bayan!

Tuloy ang laban, biguin ang mga demolisyon at itayo ang barikada ng mamamayan!

MABUHAY ANG DIWA NI KA ERNING! MARTIR NG MARALITA, MARTIR NG SAMBAYANAN!  

MAKIBAKA, HUWAG MATAKOT!

KATARUNGAN KAY KA ERNING GULFO!

PRWC Website

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/katarungan-para-kay-ka-erning-logokm.html#more

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/



links:

 http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/katarungan-para-kay-ka-erning-logokm.html#more

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3 NPA anti-mining raids in ComVal yields 25 firearms, 5 AFP casualties

FROM THE WEBSITE OF PRWC ( CPP/NPA/NDF)
links:  http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/3-npa-anti-mining-raids-in-comval.html

3 NPA anti-mining raids in ComVal yields 25 firearms, 5 AFP casualties

Rigoberto F. Sanchez
Merardo Arce Command, NPA-Southern Mindanao
11 June 2012

Three companies of Red fighters under the Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command-New People’s Army (NPA) staged three coordinated raids against two big mining firms and a milling plant in Compostela Valley, June 8.  The anti-large-scale mining firm NPA offensive in Maragusan, Nabunturan and New Bataan towns damaged four heavy equipments, 10 generator sets and disarmed from the armed goons three high-powered rifles, 22 short firearms and two shotguns.  The NPA also held captive for four hours a police officer; SPO1 Charlito Alcuezar was later released to a barangay official in Nabunturan.
A day after the successful raid, the NPA thwarted a reinforcement from the AFP’s 71st Infantry Battalion, releasing a command-detonated anti-tank explosive in Mawab town, damaging a 6x6 military vehicle and wounding five fascist troops.

The June 8 NPA offensive in Compostela Valley was part of the continuing campaign against destructive large-scale mining companies in the region.  The NPA upholds the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) standing policy against foreign big mining firms, the operations of which have damaged the environment and dislocated peasants and indigenous peoples.

On June 8 at 9 PM, NPA platoons targeted the Philco Mining in Barangay Camanlangan, New Bataan and burned a bulldozer, a boom truck, a backhoe, a generator truck drill and 10 generator sets.  Canadian-owned Philco Mining has an existing exploration permit of the gold and copper mining operations covering 2,139.44 hectares in New Bataan.

In Barangay Pamintaran, Maragusan town, separate NPA platoons raided the milling plant owned by the Uys covering the mining claim of Milagrosa-Oz Minerals covering Barangay Saranga and Pamintaran gold areas.  Confiscated from Uy’s private army were 10 short firearms, one shotgun and six VHF handheld radios.

In Barangay Mainit, Nabunturan, another NPA platoon hit the milling plant owned by the Uys.  Disarmed from the armed goons were two baby armalite, one M14 rifle, 10 .45 caliber pistol, one Kg machine pistol, one ingram machine pistol and one shotgun.  Prisoner of War SPO1 Alcuezar from the DCPO Sta. Ana was released at 1 AM, June 9 at Sitio Inupuan, Barangay Mainit.

On June 9 at 6 AM, the NPAs ambushed three military convoy of the 71st IB-AFP in Barangay Nueva, Mawab.  The notorious pro-mining military troops later held a road blockade for three hours.

Destructive large-scale mining operations in Compostela Valley hinterlands have resulted in grave landslides and other calamities in the recent years.  Accompanying these operations is a spate of human rights violations as a result of military operations under the Oplan Bantay Laya.  Despite this, the US-Aquino regime encourages the billion dollar gold and copper exploitation in the country with a deceptively revised but basically the same pro-imperialist and anti-people mining policy.

Mining firms in the region and their uniformed coddlers in the 10th Infantry Division-Eastern Mindanao Command of the AFP can expect more escalated and coordinated raids and ambuscades by the NPA to defend the interest of the people and the national patrimony.

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PRWC Websites

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/

links: 

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/3-npa-anti-mining-raids-in-comval.html

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AFP to Discuss IPSP 1st Year Assessment with Watchdog

From the Website of AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines
links:  http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/news/1070-afp-to-discuss-ipsp-1st-year-assessment-with-watchdog

AFP to Discuss IPSP 1st Year Assessment with Watchdog

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• 

Created on Sunday, 27 May 2012 10:19

Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 10:18

Published on Sunday, 27 May 2012 10:19

Written by PAO, AFP

CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in its commitment to further increase its multi-stakeholder engagement will present the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan’s first year assessment in a two-day conference to be held at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in Quezon City, May 30-31, 2012.

The AFP through the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, OJ3 will support this activity which will be managed and hosted by the ADMU Department of Political Science – Working Group on Security Sector Reform (SSR). Dubbed as “Addressing Armed Conflicts through Collaborative Efforts: Focus on the IPSP Bayanihan,” the activity is aimed at assessing how the different security stakeholders appreciate the IPSP Bayanihan. It hopes to bring together local and national government units as well as civil society groups to look into the efforts of the military.

The two-day event also aims to discuss the successful interventions, challenges, spaces of engagements, and remaining things to be done to finally convince the armed groups to abandon their violent means to institute change.

Top military and security officials are expected to attend as resource persons and speakers. The Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND), Voltaire Gazmin will discuss about locating the IPSP in the Defense Tranformation; National Security Adviser, Sec. Cesar Garcia will discuss about Locating the IPSP in the National Security Plan; Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Sec. Teresita Deles will talk about the Relevance of the IPSP in the Peace Process; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jesse Robredo will talk about the Role of the AFP in the Local Government’s Security Plan; and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Dir. Gen. Nicanor Bartolome will discuss about the Law Enforcement and Internal Security Operations.

LtGen. Emmanuel Bautista, Commanding General of the Philippine Army is also invited to present an overview of the IPSP Bayanihan while MGen. Romeo Calizo, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, AFP is tasked to state the IPSP First Year Assessment.

The managing head of the conference, Jennifer Santiago Oreta of the ADMU Department of Political Science – Working Group on SSR also led the so called AFP’s IPSP Watchdog, named “Bantay Bayanihan.” Conceptualized in September 2011, the creation of Bantay Bayanihan or “BB” started with the initiative of the civil society organization which served as an engagement of civil society and the AFP. It could either serve as an alternative or complementary forum with respect to the Peace and Order Councils and Regional Development Councils.

The BB is envisioned to be a dialogue space that brings together civil society organization, the academe, civilian government units whose services have direct bearing on conflict formation and peace building, and the AFP. It highlights issues and concerns regarding peace and conflict dynamics in localities. 

Specifically, it aims to help create a positive atmosphere for the on-going peace talks; create a “dialogue space” for security stakeholders to begin the discussion on the security sector reform and development, both in the local and national levels; and serve as venue where critical security and development issues are raised into open public debate and to the attention of policy makers. 

With high hopes for the success of this civilian-led forum/dialogue space, BB has already started its ground working and was formally launched last 29 November 2011.

“This activity implies another opportunity for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to put into practice its whole-of-nation and multi-stakeholder approach of winning the peace as embodied in the IPSP Bayanihan. With the concerted efforts of the civil society organizations, the academe, and civilian government units to monitor and assist us in implementing the IPSP, we will be guided and therefore we will be better and more efficient implementers of the people-centered principles of Bayanihan,” Gen. Dellosa said.

AFP Websites

http://www.afp.mil.ph/

links: 

http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/news/1070-afp-to-discuss-ipsp-1st-year-assessment-with-watchdog

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From the Website of MILF
links:  http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2698:ambassador-urabe-gph-milf-peace-panels-and-malaysian-facilitator-lead-inauguration-on-blmi-training-center&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

Ambassador Urabe, GPH – MILF Peace Panels and Malaysian Facilitator lead inauguration on BLMI Training Center

June 8, 2012 News: His Excellency Ambassador Toshinao Urabe of Japan Embassy in Manila, Mohagher Iqbal, Chairman of MILF Peace Negotiating Panel, Dean Marvic Leonen, Chairman of GPH Peace Negotiating Panel, and His Excellency Dato’ Tengku Abd’ Ghafar Tengku Bin Mohamed,

Malaysian Facilitator for the Peace talks between the GPH and MILF led the inauguration of the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) Training Center for Human Resources Development in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao yesterday.

This historic event was likened to the current peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with all the players in the GPH – MILF Peace Negotiations present.

Joining Ambassador Urabe were Political Minister Keizo Takewaka, Mr Hirouki Hagiwala, Japanese International Monitoring Team (IMT) Members Naoyuki Ochiai and Kei Fukunaga, Second Seretary Shigehiro Matsuda, JICA Advisor Juro Chikaraishi, Angel Labayo and Manila Shimbun Bureau.

Chairman Iqbal was joined by panel members Atty. Datu Michael Mastura, Prof Abhoud Syed Lingga, Datu Antonio Kinoc, Atty. Raissa Jajurie, Jun Mantawil, Mike Pasigan and Mohajirin ali.

The Government Peace Panel headed by Dean Leonen also included Prof. Miriam Ferrer Coronel, former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani, Yasmine Busran-Lao, Johaira Wahab, BGen Gilbertor Jose Roa and Maj. Carlos Sol of GPH Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH).

Saying as if the venue of the peace talks has been transferred from Kuala Lumpur to an area just above the administrative base of MILF in Camp Darapanan, Chairman Iqbal, however, was quick to clarify, saying “we are not here for the peace talks but to celebrate one of the good fruits of the negotiations.”

Dean Leonen, in response, said we can always agree to that purposeful change of venue of the talks when called for.

For his part, Dato’ Tengku, who is the Third Party Facilitator for the GPH – MILF Peace Talks, said “we are ready for that for as long both parties will sign the peace accord. Just sign the GPH – MILF Peace Agreement.”

Ambassador Urabe then reiterated the full commitment of Japan to help the peace process between the government and the MILF.

Japan Embassy granted with 4.3 million Philippine Pesos or around 98,230 in US dollars for the BLMI Training Center through its Grant assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects scheme.

Japan has been robust in assisting the GPH – MILF Peace Process through the Japan Embassy, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and its participation with the International Contact Group for the GPH – MILF Peace Negotiation and with the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

BLMI envisions to train 500 Bangsamoro people per year in various fields of leadership and management as well as good governance.

Iqbal conveyed the gratitude of the MILF and the Bangsamoro people to the Government of Japan to the peace process and the realization of the BLMI edifice in furtherance of knowledge, justice and peace.

“We are grateful to the government of the Philippines under President Aquino for extending 5 million pesos for the intial operational and administrative expenses of BLMI. We assure the government that this money will be used wisely in furtherance of peace, understanding and justice amongst people,” Iqbal said.

He also thanked The Asia Foundation (TAF), USAID, Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Nonviolent Peaceforce for their technical and financial support for the pilot training conducted by BLMI.

Also present during the inauguration were IMT Deputy Head Mission BGen Dato’ Zulkaple, Mindanao People’s Caucus, Mindanao Human Rights and Action Center (MinHRAV), and ICG members such the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), Conciliation Resources, The Asia Foundation, and international nongovernment organizations and United Nations Agencies.

MILF Website

http://www.luwaran.com/home/

links:

http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2698:ambassador-urabe-gph-milf-peace-panels-and-malaysian-facilitator-lead-inauguration-on-blmi-training-center&catid=31:general&Itemid=41

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Ulat hinggil sa Mga Paglabag ng mga tropa ng AFP at CAFGU sa CARHRHIL sa hangganan ng Mountain Province at Ifugao noong Abril-Mayo 2012

From the Website of PRWC
links:  http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/ulat-hinggil-sa-mga-paglabag-ng-mga.html#more

Ulat hinggil sa Mga Paglabag ng mga tropa ng AFP at CAFGU sa CARHRHIL sa hangganan ng Mountain Province at Ifugao noong Abril-Mayo 2012

Leonardo Pacsi Command
NPA-Mountain Province
Hunyo 6, 2012

Laganap ang pagnanakaw sa mga baboy, kambing, manok at iba pang alagang hayop ng mga masa sa paligid ng detatsment ng CAFGU sa Brgy. Ubao, Aguinaldo, Ifugao. Walang ibang itinuturo sa likuran nito na nagaganap kundi ang mga nakakampong militar na kung saan lagi't lagi silang naglalasing, nagsusugal, nagpapatugtog nang malakas at madalas din silang nagpapaputok ng baril.

Noong Abril 2012, mayroong 5-kataong nagpanggap na myembro ng NPA na nangikil ng P1,500 mula sa isang sibilyang si Eusebio dela Cruz na residente ng  Brgy. Ubao. Maliban pa rito, pinilit pang kuhanin nila ang kanyang alagang baboy.


Madalas ding  naaabala ang pag-aaral ng mga estudyante ng Ubao, National High School dahil sa pagtuloy doon ng mga tropang militar ng 54th IB ng  AFP mula sa kanilang operasyong militar.

Parang nag-away-away na mga kalabaw ang mga tropa ng 5th ID PA na sumira sa pananim na mais sa mga kaingin sa Sitio Dalanao, Brgy. Bantay, Paracelis, MP habang isinasagawa ang operasyong militar noong 31 Mayo 2012.  Dahil dito, nagreklamo ang may-ari ng kaingin na nagngangalang si Kimpee.  Subalit, sa halip na humingi ng paumanhin at bayaran ang nasirang pananim, insulto pa ang inabot ng kawawang magsasaka mula sa mga tropa ng AFP.

Sa iba pang kaganapan, pinigil at inimbestigahan ng mga tropa ng militar ang isang sibilyan na nagngangalang Sabado at ang kanyang kasamahan na nakasakay sa motorsiklo sa Sitio Dagawe, Brgy. Poblacion, Paracelis, Mountain Province.  Pinagsuspetsahan sila na mga myembro ng BHB dahil daw sa mahaba ang kanilang buhok. Pinagtawanan at ininsulto  rin ang dalawa nang sabihing miyembro sila ng sektang Baptist Church.  Sa pareho ring lugar, kinasahan din ng mga baril ang mga pasahero ng isang van nang walang malinaw na kadahilanan sa Sitio Tanufong, Brgy. Poblacion, Paracelis, MP sa kanilang operasyon noong Mayo 2012.  Sa Sitio Amulong, Brgy. Poblacion din, matindi ang galit ng mamamayan nang malaman nilang pinagnanakaw ng mga tropa ng militar ang kanilang pananim na gulay noon ding Mayo 2012.

PRWC Website

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/


links:

http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/ulat-hinggil-sa-mga-paglabag-ng-mga.html#more

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From the Website of OPPAP

links:  http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/govt-comfortable-conclusion-28th-formal-talks-milf-leonen

Gov't 'comfortable' with conclusion of 28th formal talks with MILF -- Leonen

• 
• 

Posted on Wednesday, 30 May, 2012 - 19:35

Kuala Lumpur, May 30 - Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Marvic Leonen said that he is "comfortable" with how this month's round of talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ended.

The three-day 28th formal exploratory talks between the GPH and the MILF officially concluded today with both sides agreeing to go back to their principals and further refine their respective positions on the substantive agenda.

A month after signing the landmark Decision Points on Principles document which both parties view as a guide to the continuing discussions on the substantive aspects of the negotiations, both parties went back to the Malaysian capital to explore each other's positions on wealth-sharing, power-sharing, governance, transition roadmap and normalization. These discussions shall serve as inputs to the peace pact which both parties hope to sign soon.

"There were highs and lows in our discussions," GPH panel member Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said, "but I'd like to believe that we were able to share each other's bottomlines and explore different possibilities."

For his part, Leonen said that "the talks have been difficult but we were able to build on what has been achieved in last month's round (of talks)."

Leonen further emphasized that what's important for the government is that it was able to bring to the table the results of the consultations conducted with the different stakeholders in the Mindanao peace process.

Meanwhile, the panel will continue to engage national and local officials, civil society groups, communities, experts and other stakeholders to gain their insights on the government's position.

Aside from Leonen and Ferrer, the government peace panel is composed of Presidential Assistant for Muslim Concerns Yasmin Busran-Lao, former agriculture secretary Senen Bacani and Dr. Hamid Barra.

Joining the panel in this round of talks are North Cotabato 1st district Rep. Jesus Sacdalan, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali and Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong who served as consultants and observers to the negotiations. #

Website of OPPAP

http://www.opapp.gov.ph/

links: 

http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/govt-comfortable-conclusion-28th-formal-talks-milf-leonen

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CPP congratulates Front 88 for Agusan raid and rescue of six minors; condemns AFP for arming minors

From the Website of PRWC
links:   http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/05/cpp-congratulates-front-88-for-agusan.html#more

CPP congratulates Front 88 for Agusan raid and rescue of six minors; condemns AFP for arming minors

Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

May 30, 2012

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today congratulated the New People's Army (NPA) Front 88 operations command for successfully carrying out a raid of three armed detachments of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Sitio Tambo, Barangay Binikalan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur that resulted in the rescue of at least six minors ranging from 12 to 16 years old who were conscripted as CAFGU members by the AFP.

In a radio interview, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP-Mindanao) spokesman Jorge Madlos ("Ka Oris") said a company of NPA Red fighters carried out the raid before 4:30 this morning and succesfully overran the detachments being manned by CAFGU personnel under the Philippine Army's 4th ID. The NPA has been receiving complaints from local residents against abuses being carried out by Army soldiers and CAFGU personnel in the San Luis detachment.

The NPA unit seized at least 18 firearms including one M-16 rifle, three M-14 rifles, 12 M-1 Garand rifles, one carbine, one 9mm pistol, several magazines and bullets. Unfortunately, at least one of the minors was hit in the neck after he engaged in a firefight with the NPA fighters. The assistant commanding officer of the CAFGU unit and his civilian girlfriend were also wounded. The commanding officer immediately fled when the firefight started.

After extending basic emergency care, the NPA left the six minors to the responsibility of the local community and urged them to oppose the AFP's policy of recruitment of minors in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and international prohibitions.

The CPP condemned the AFP for recruiting minors as armed CAFGU personnel. "The AFP continues to recruit, arm and assign minors in dangerous situations in outright violation and direct contempt of the CARHRIHL, the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and protocols of international humanitarian law."

"In coordination with international and local children's rights advocates, the NDFP-Mindanao and other interested parties can initiate a complaint before the CARHRIHL Joint Monitoring Committee, appropriate international bodies and other agencies against the AFP and the Aquino regime for violation of the CARHRIHL and international statutes prohibiting the recruitment, training and arming of children as armed soldiers," said the CPP.

The CPP added: "As the leading authority in Mindanao, the NDFP-Mindanao can receive and prepare all the necessary details concerning the case of the six minors recruited as child soldiers by the AFP, even as the identity and rights of the children against undue public scrutiny and attention are respected."

"The recruitment, training and arming of minors as CAFGU and Army personnel expose the empty human rights rhetoric of the Aquino regime and the AFP under its Oplan Bayanihan war of suppression," said the CPP.

"The AFP is having a hard time in recruiting new personnel. CAFGU detachments of the AFP are often undermanned. Units of the fascist Philippine Army have resorted to the forced conscription of local community youth and children to make up for the lack of personnel," added the CPP.

PRWC Website


http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/






links:  


http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/05/cpp-congratulates-front-88-for-agusan.html#more

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