By Jaime Laude
The Philippine Star, Sunday, June 27, 2010
Personnel from the Philippine Navy and the
Navotas City government will plant mangroves
and clean the coastline of Navotas City tomorrow.
“This will promote harmonious relationship,
importance of solid waste management, mangrove
reforestation and to develop climate change
awareness among the local residents as well as
our personnel,” Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard
Arevalo said.
Outgoing Defense Secretary Noberto Gonzales
will join the cleanup, Arevalo said.
As defense chief, Gonzales has directed the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to take
an active role in the government’s coastal
resource management and environment
rehabilitation programs.
“It is also an opportune time to inculcate the
importance of caring for our environment and to
develop climate change consciousness among the
local residents as well as our personnel,”
Arevalo said.
Friday, July 2, 2010
ASG camp sa Sulu nakubkob ng militar, 2 bandido bulagta
Ni Bobby Ticzon
TALIBA, Sabado, Hunyo 26,2010
TUMIMBUWANG sa labanan ang dalawang miyembro ng
al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group habang apat na
sundalo ang malubhang nasugatan sa magkahiwalay
na engkuwentro sa Sulu, ayon sa ulat kahapon ng
Navy spokesman.
Bukod dito, nakubkob din ng tropa ng pamahalaan
ang command at control facility at satellite
camp ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng ASG bandits at
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels sa
Talipao town, ayon kay Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo.
Sinabi ni Arevalo na ang bakbakan ay nag umpisa
dahil sa huling panghaharas sa development
projects ng probisya ng mga enemy forces, kaya
ini-report agad ng mga sibilyan sa lugar sa
military ang pagkilos ng mga bandido.
Nagsiklab ang unang bakbakan dakong alas 10 ng
Martes ng umaga sa Barangay Mahala nang
maka-engkuwentro ng mga sundalo ang mga tumakas
na ASG at MNLF forces habang ang pangalawa namang
bakbakan ay naganap ng bandang hapon na.
Nang mahawi ang usok, dalawang hindi nakilalalng
ASG ang natagpuang nakatimbuwang habang apat na
sundalo naman ang nasugatan. Nakarekober sa kampo
ng 2 rifles at iba't ibang uri ng bala.
Kinilala naman ni Col. Romeo Tanalgo, commander
ng 2nd Marine Brigade, ang lider ng MNLF forces
na si Habier Malik na sinasabing kaalyado ni Abu
Sayyaf leader Yasser Igasan.
TALIBA, Sabado, Hunyo 26,2010
TUMIMBUWANG sa labanan ang dalawang miyembro ng
al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group habang apat na
sundalo ang malubhang nasugatan sa magkahiwalay
na engkuwentro sa Sulu, ayon sa ulat kahapon ng
Navy spokesman.
Bukod dito, nakubkob din ng tropa ng pamahalaan
ang command at control facility at satellite
camp ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng ASG bandits at
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels sa
Talipao town, ayon kay Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo.
Sinabi ni Arevalo na ang bakbakan ay nag umpisa
dahil sa huling panghaharas sa development
projects ng probisya ng mga enemy forces, kaya
ini-report agad ng mga sibilyan sa lugar sa
military ang pagkilos ng mga bandido.
Nagsiklab ang unang bakbakan dakong alas 10 ng
Martes ng umaga sa Barangay Mahala nang
maka-engkuwentro ng mga sundalo ang mga tumakas
na ASG at MNLF forces habang ang pangalawa namang
bakbakan ay naganap ng bandang hapon na.
Nang mahawi ang usok, dalawang hindi nakilalalng
ASG ang natagpuang nakatimbuwang habang apat na
sundalo naman ang nasugatan. Nakarekober sa kampo
ng 2 rifles at iba't ibang uri ng bala.
Kinilala naman ni Col. Romeo Tanalgo, commander
ng 2nd Marine Brigade, ang lider ng MNLF forces
na si Habier Malik na sinasabing kaalyado ni Abu
Sayyaf leader Yasser Igasan.
COASTAL CLEANUP
By Elena Aben
Manila Bulletin, Monday, June 28, 2010
Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales will lead today the Philippine Navy's massive coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activity aimed at reviving the Manila Bay. At the same time, the event is aimed at mitigating the effects of typhoons which have increased in intensity due to climate change.
The activity, which will start at 7 a.m., will be held at Sitio City, Barangay Tanza, Navotas City.
It will be recalled that Gonzales immediately instructed the Navy to spearhead revival of the mangrove forest around Manila Bay when he became Defense chief. In giving the directive, Gonzales even willingness to donate his personal money for the program.
"I've been travelling so many times and each time you land the first thing that you see is the dirt in Manila Bay and all those structures that need to be removed there. And then you see already that there's the muddy part, that I thought maybe we should revive the mangrove forest," Gonzales said in November, following his visit to Sangley Point in Cavite.
Manila Bulletin, Monday, June 28, 2010
Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales will lead today the Philippine Navy's massive coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activity aimed at reviving the Manila Bay. At the same time, the event is aimed at mitigating the effects of typhoons which have increased in intensity due to climate change.
The activity, which will start at 7 a.m., will be held at Sitio City, Barangay Tanza, Navotas City.
It will be recalled that Gonzales immediately instructed the Navy to spearhead revival of the mangrove forest around Manila Bay when he became Defense chief. In giving the directive, Gonzales even willingness to donate his personal money for the program.
"I've been travelling so many times and each time you land the first thing that you see is the dirt in Manila Bay and all those structures that need to be removed there. And then you see already that there's the muddy part, that I thought maybe we should revive the mangrove forest," Gonzales said in November, following his visit to Sangley Point in Cavite.
Soldiers plant mangroves, conduct cleanup in battle vs climate change
By: ELENA L. ABEN
Manila Bulletin, Saturday, June 26, 2010
Philippine Marines and Army troops have dropped
their weapons to engage in a battle against the
effects of climate change by planting mangroves
and doing coastal and river cleanup operations
in Navotas City and Camarines Sur.
A team from the Philippine Marines has been
deployed to conduct coastal cleanup and mangrove
planting activities in Sitio Pulo, Barangay Tanza,
Navotas City. The activity started last Monday to
pave the way for a major mangrove planting
activity to be led by Defense Secretary Norberto
Gonzales on June 28.
Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said the
effort is in line with the Navy’s “Adopt a Bay”
program aimed at lessening the effects of flooding
in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. He said this
is also in conjunction with Gonzales’ directive for
the Navy to take an active role in coastal resource
management and climate change adaptation and
mitigation.
Arevalo further said the mangrove reforestation
project is one of the efforts of the Philippine
Navy in mitigating the effects of typhoons which
have increased in intensity brought about by
climate change.
“Mangroves help mitigate the effect of typhoon
surge by preventing the rush of rising waves inland.
They also help prevent the siltation of bays,
erosion of coastal areas, and serve as a habitat
for small marine animals,” said the Navy spokesman.
Meanwhile, some 500 Army soldiers have stockpiled
their service firearms and flocked to the Biasagan
river in Camarines Sur to conduct massive cleanup
operations and prevent it from overflowing during
the rainy season.
Maj. Harold Cabunoc, 9th Infantry Division (9ID)
spokesman, said the river overflowed during heavy
rains last year, leaving hundreds of soldiers
stranded inside the camp.
“If we are stranded due to heavy flooding, we might
end up being unable to send our Disaster Response
teams to save the victims of natural disasters.
Likewise, the protection of this river is the
responsibility of the community and the soldiers
who are assigned here,” said Cabunoc.
Col. Arthur Ang, 9ID Chief of Staff, led the
soldiers during the cleanup drive.
Cabunoc also reported the completion of training
activities for the Disaster Response Operations
(DRO) platoon in preparation to the foreseen
natural disasters that hit the Bicol Region every
year.
“Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and
gadgetry, the DRO platoon will be deployed to
conduct search and rescue operations ‘anytime
and anywhere,” said Cabunoc.
Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, 9ID commander, has
directed subordinate units to activate their own
teams to be deployed for disaster response operations
in their respective area of responsibility.
Manila Bulletin, Saturday, June 26, 2010
Philippine Marines and Army troops have dropped
their weapons to engage in a battle against the
effects of climate change by planting mangroves
and doing coastal and river cleanup operations
in Navotas City and Camarines Sur.
A team from the Philippine Marines has been
deployed to conduct coastal cleanup and mangrove
planting activities in Sitio Pulo, Barangay Tanza,
Navotas City. The activity started last Monday to
pave the way for a major mangrove planting
activity to be led by Defense Secretary Norberto
Gonzales on June 28.
Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said the
effort is in line with the Navy’s “Adopt a Bay”
program aimed at lessening the effects of flooding
in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. He said this
is also in conjunction with Gonzales’ directive for
the Navy to take an active role in coastal resource
management and climate change adaptation and
mitigation.
Arevalo further said the mangrove reforestation
project is one of the efforts of the Philippine
Navy in mitigating the effects of typhoons which
have increased in intensity brought about by
climate change.
“Mangroves help mitigate the effect of typhoon
surge by preventing the rush of rising waves inland.
They also help prevent the siltation of bays,
erosion of coastal areas, and serve as a habitat
for small marine animals,” said the Navy spokesman.
Meanwhile, some 500 Army soldiers have stockpiled
their service firearms and flocked to the Biasagan
river in Camarines Sur to conduct massive cleanup
operations and prevent it from overflowing during
the rainy season.
Maj. Harold Cabunoc, 9th Infantry Division (9ID)
spokesman, said the river overflowed during heavy
rains last year, leaving hundreds of soldiers
stranded inside the camp.
“If we are stranded due to heavy flooding, we might
end up being unable to send our Disaster Response
teams to save the victims of natural disasters.
Likewise, the protection of this river is the
responsibility of the community and the soldiers
who are assigned here,” said Cabunoc.
Col. Arthur Ang, 9ID Chief of Staff, led the
soldiers during the cleanup drive.
Cabunoc also reported the completion of training
activities for the Disaster Response Operations
(DRO) platoon in preparation to the foreseen
natural disasters that hit the Bicol Region every
year.
“Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and
gadgetry, the DRO platoon will be deployed to
conduct search and rescue operations ‘anytime
and anywhere,” said Cabunoc.
Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, 9ID commander, has
directed subordinate units to activate their own
teams to be deployed for disaster response operations
in their respective area of responsibility.
Cebu-bound ferry runs aground
By Jaime Laude
The Philippine Star, Sunday, June 20, 2010
A Cebu-bound ferry ran aground before dawn
yesterday, and all its 352 passengers were
safely rescued, the Philippine Navy said.
Quoting reports, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo,
Navy spokesman, said M/V Filipinas Ozamis,
owned by Cokaliong Shipping Lines, was
sailing through the Lipata South Channel on
its way to the Cebu City port from Ozamis
City when it ran aground in the vicinity of
Lauis Ledge.
Informed of the incident, ship owner Chester
Cokaliong immediately sought the assistance
of the Coast Guard and Navy in Cebu.
Rescue teams, together with divers and marine
protection personnel, were dispatched to the
site on board tugboats and rubber boats.
The Philippine Star, Sunday, June 20, 2010
A Cebu-bound ferry ran aground before dawn
yesterday, and all its 352 passengers were
safely rescued, the Philippine Navy said.
Quoting reports, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo,
Navy spokesman, said M/V Filipinas Ozamis,
owned by Cokaliong Shipping Lines, was
sailing through the Lipata South Channel on
its way to the Cebu City port from Ozamis
City when it ran aground in the vicinity of
Lauis Ledge.
Informed of the incident, ship owner Chester
Cokaliong immediately sought the assistance
of the Coast Guard and Navy in Cebu.
Rescue teams, together with divers and marine
protection personnel, were dispatched to the
site on board tugboats and rubber boats.
ASG sub-leader arestado sa Basilan
By: Juncho Eraso
TORO, Huwebes, Hunyo 17, 2010
Dinala na sa headquarters ng Philippine Marines
sa Isabela City ang naarestong Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG) sub-leader sa isinagawang operasyon ng
militar sa Lantawan, basilan, kaninang umaga.
Sa nakuhang impormasyon ng Bombo Radyo, nahuli
ng mga elemento ng Marine battalion Landing Team
(MBLT-1) anh suspek na si Kaiser Said, sa Sitio
Kagiit, Barangay Bulan-Bulan pasado ala-singko ng
umaga.
Si Said ay sinasabing may P1.2 million na reward
sa kaniyang ulo dahil sa kasong kidnapping.
Nauna rito, naglunsad ng operasyon ang MBLT-1 sa
pangunguna ni Lt. Col. Fernando Gomez sa kuta ni
Kaiser at sa kapatid nito na si Algader Said alyas
Talha, na kabilang sa mga tumakas noong December
2009 sa Basilan Provincial Jail. Sinalakay umano
ng mga elemento sa ilalim ni 2Lt. Celis ang
safehouse ng ASG leader.
Narekober ng mga otoridad ang isang M-16 rifle,
isang rifle grenade at nga ASG documents.
TORO, Huwebes, Hunyo 17, 2010
Dinala na sa headquarters ng Philippine Marines
sa Isabela City ang naarestong Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG) sub-leader sa isinagawang operasyon ng
militar sa Lantawan, basilan, kaninang umaga.
Sa nakuhang impormasyon ng Bombo Radyo, nahuli
ng mga elemento ng Marine battalion Landing Team
(MBLT-1) anh suspek na si Kaiser Said, sa Sitio
Kagiit, Barangay Bulan-Bulan pasado ala-singko ng
umaga.
Si Said ay sinasabing may P1.2 million na reward
sa kaniyang ulo dahil sa kasong kidnapping.
Nauna rito, naglunsad ng operasyon ang MBLT-1 sa
pangunguna ni Lt. Col. Fernando Gomez sa kuta ni
Kaiser at sa kapatid nito na si Algader Said alyas
Talha, na kabilang sa mga tumakas noong December
2009 sa Basilan Provincial Jail. Sinalakay umano
ng mga elemento sa ilalim ni 2Lt. Celis ang
safehouse ng ASG leader.
Narekober ng mga otoridad ang isang M-16 rifle,
isang rifle grenade at nga ASG documents.
ASG sub-leader na may patong sa ulo na P1.2-M, arestado sa Basilan
With ASM report
Bomba, Huwebes, Hunyo 17,2010
Dinala na sa headquarters ng Philippine Marines sa Isabela City ang naarestong Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) sub-leader sa isinagawang operasyon ng militar sa Lantawan, Basilan, kaninang umaga.
Sa nakuhang impormasyon ng Bombo Radyo, nahuli ng mga elemento ng Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-1) ang suspek na si Kaiser Said Usman alyas Kaiser Said, sa Sitio Kagiit, Barangay Bulan-Bulan, pasado alas-singko ng umaga.
Si Said ay sinasabing may P1.2 million na reward sa kaniyang ulo dahil sa kasong kidnapping.
Nauna rito, naglunsad ng operasyon ang MBLT-1 sa pangunguna ni Lt. Col. Fernando Gomez sa kuta ni Kaiser at sa kapatid nito na si Algader Said alyas Talha, na kabilang sa mga tumakas noong December 2009 sa Basilan Provincial Jail.
Sinalakay umano ng mga elemento sa ilalim ni 2Lt. Celis ang safehouse ng ASG leader.
Ito ay may outstanding warrant na inisyu ni Judge Bucoy ng RTC Branch 3 na may petsang Mayo 4, 2009 at mga case Nos. 3537-11293608-1164, 3611-1165 at 3674-118.
Narekober ng mga otoridad ang isang M-16 armalite rifle, isang rifle grenade at mga ASG documents.
Nilinaw naman ni Westmincom chief M/Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, walang naging casualty o sugatan sa mga tropa ng gobyerno.
Bomba, Huwebes, Hunyo 17,2010
Dinala na sa headquarters ng Philippine Marines sa Isabela City ang naarestong Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) sub-leader sa isinagawang operasyon ng militar sa Lantawan, Basilan, kaninang umaga.
Sa nakuhang impormasyon ng Bombo Radyo, nahuli ng mga elemento ng Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-1) ang suspek na si Kaiser Said Usman alyas Kaiser Said, sa Sitio Kagiit, Barangay Bulan-Bulan, pasado alas-singko ng umaga.
Si Said ay sinasabing may P1.2 million na reward sa kaniyang ulo dahil sa kasong kidnapping.
Nauna rito, naglunsad ng operasyon ang MBLT-1 sa pangunguna ni Lt. Col. Fernando Gomez sa kuta ni Kaiser at sa kapatid nito na si Algader Said alyas Talha, na kabilang sa mga tumakas noong December 2009 sa Basilan Provincial Jail.
Sinalakay umano ng mga elemento sa ilalim ni 2Lt. Celis ang safehouse ng ASG leader.
Ito ay may outstanding warrant na inisyu ni Judge Bucoy ng RTC Branch 3 na may petsang Mayo 4, 2009 at mga case Nos. 3537-11293608-1164, 3611-1165 at 3674-118.
Narekober ng mga otoridad ang isang M-16 armalite rifle, isang rifle grenade at mga ASG documents.
Nilinaw naman ni Westmincom chief M/Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, walang naging casualty o sugatan sa mga tropa ng gobyerno.
Abu sub-leader falls in Basilan
by: Victor Reyes
Malaya, Thursday, June 17, 2010
A SUB-LEADER of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf
was arrested yesterday by Marine soldiers and
Air Force intelligence operatives at his house
in Lantawan, Basilan.
Said Usman, alias Kaiser, surrendered after a
10-minute negotiation when he was cornered at
his residence at Bulanbulan village around 5
a.m, said Lt. Col. Fernando Gomez, commander
of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1.
Gomez said Usman’s father, mother, second wife,
and five children, including a four-month-old
baby, were in the house with him. He said they
were not arrested as none of them have pending
cases.
Usman was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued
by a Basilan court for kidnapping and serious
illegal detention. A P1.2 million reward had been
earmarked for his arrest, he being in the
government’s list of wanted Abu Sayyaf leaders and
members.
In a phone patch interview, Gomez said the arrest
of Usman came after several weeks of case build-up
by military units.
AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Arnulfo
Marcelo Burgos said Usman’s brother, Algaber, was
seen in the vicinity during the early stage of the
case-build up but was not around when the troops
swooped down at the residence yesterday.
Algaber, also a member of the ASG, was among the
detainees who bolted out of the Basilan provincial
jail last December.
Burgos said Usman yielded an M16 rifle, a rifle
grenade, and documents. He was later brought at the
Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City for further
questioning.
He said Usman was involved in the May 27, 2001
abduction of American missionary couple Martin and
Gracia Burnham, American-Peruvian Guillermo Sobero
and 16 others from the posh Dos Palmas resort in
Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Both Sobero and
Martin died in their hands.
Burgos said Usman also took part in the June 2001
siege of Lamitan, Basilan where Abu Sayyaf bandits
again took a number of hostages.
Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol
said Air Force intelligence operatives had been
tailing Usman since last week.
Okol said Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena
congratulated the Air Force personnel involved in
the feat, adding that "their teamwork had been
consistent in capturing Abu Sayyaf terrorists in
the past months."
Malaya, Thursday, June 17, 2010
A SUB-LEADER of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf
was arrested yesterday by Marine soldiers and
Air Force intelligence operatives at his house
in Lantawan, Basilan.
Said Usman, alias Kaiser, surrendered after a
10-minute negotiation when he was cornered at
his residence at Bulanbulan village around 5
a.m, said Lt. Col. Fernando Gomez, commander
of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 1.
Gomez said Usman’s father, mother, second wife,
and five children, including a four-month-old
baby, were in the house with him. He said they
were not arrested as none of them have pending
cases.
Usman was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued
by a Basilan court for kidnapping and serious
illegal detention. A P1.2 million reward had been
earmarked for his arrest, he being in the
government’s list of wanted Abu Sayyaf leaders and
members.
In a phone patch interview, Gomez said the arrest
of Usman came after several weeks of case build-up
by military units.
AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Arnulfo
Marcelo Burgos said Usman’s brother, Algaber, was
seen in the vicinity during the early stage of the
case-build up but was not around when the troops
swooped down at the residence yesterday.
Algaber, also a member of the ASG, was among the
detainees who bolted out of the Basilan provincial
jail last December.
Burgos said Usman yielded an M16 rifle, a rifle
grenade, and documents. He was later brought at the
Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City for further
questioning.
He said Usman was involved in the May 27, 2001
abduction of American missionary couple Martin and
Gracia Burnham, American-Peruvian Guillermo Sobero
and 16 others from the posh Dos Palmas resort in
Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Both Sobero and
Martin died in their hands.
Burgos said Usman also took part in the June 2001
siege of Lamitan, Basilan where Abu Sayyaf bandits
again took a number of hostages.
Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol
said Air Force intelligence operatives had been
tailing Usman since last week.
Okol said Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena
congratulated the Air Force personnel involved in
the feat, adding that "their teamwork had been
consistent in capturing Abu Sayyaf terrorists in
the past months."
Abu leader with P1.2-million bounty falls in Basilan
By Roel Pareño and Jaime Laude
The Philippine Star, Thursday, June 17, 2010
ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – Marines raided
an Abu Sayyaf hideout in Lantawan, Basilan
yesterday and captured a suspected sub-leader
of the militant group, a military official said.
Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, chief of the Armed Forces’
Western Mindanao Command, said the suspect, Kaiser
Said Usman, alias Kaiser Said, carried a bounty of
P1.2 million.
Dolorfino said the elements of the Marine Battalion
Landing Team 1 under Lt. Col. Fernando Gomez
captured Usman in his and his brother Algaber’s
safehouse in Sitio Kagiit, Barangay Bulan-Bulan
at around 2:30 a.m. yesterday. Algaber managed
to escape.
Usman was tagged in the kidnapping of mostly
foreign tourists in a Palawan resort in 2001.
The Usman brothers were among the more than 30
inmates who escaped from the Basilan provincial
jail last December.
The Philippine Star, Thursday, June 17, 2010
ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – Marines raided
an Abu Sayyaf hideout in Lantawan, Basilan
yesterday and captured a suspected sub-leader
of the militant group, a military official said.
Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, chief of the Armed Forces’
Western Mindanao Command, said the suspect, Kaiser
Said Usman, alias Kaiser Said, carried a bounty of
P1.2 million.
Dolorfino said the elements of the Marine Battalion
Landing Team 1 under Lt. Col. Fernando Gomez
captured Usman in his and his brother Algaber’s
safehouse in Sitio Kagiit, Barangay Bulan-Bulan
at around 2:30 a.m. yesterday. Algaber managed
to escape.
Usman was tagged in the kidnapping of mostly
foreign tourists in a Palawan resort in 2001.
The Usman brothers were among the more than 30
inmates who escaped from the Basilan provincial
jail last December.
Swiss-Filipino Carl Rieth freed by kidnappers
By Mario J. Mallari
The Daily tribune, Thursday, June 17, 2010
Security forces said they rescued an elderly
Swiss national but a Filipino citizen who was
kidnapped over two months ago by suspected
Islamist militants in a lawless part of the
southern Philippines.
Tribune sources yesterday said that his
kidnappers had already freed him, after a
“negotiated” ransom demand was met. This was,
however, denied by the police-military
contingent.
Carl Rieth, 72, was abandoned in a coastal
village outside the southern port city of
Zamboanga by his captors, who fled after
seeing police and army troops who rushed
to the area following a tip from an inform-ant,
officials said.
“He was rescued before dawn at 3 a.m. yesterday,
” regional military chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin
Dolorfino told AFP. “Follow up operations
(against the kidnappers) are ongoing.”
Rear Adm. Alexander Pama, commander of the
military’s Task Force Trillium, said Rieth was
safely rescued by elements of the Task Force
Charlie along the shoreline of Barangay Labuan
in Zamboanga City.
Pama added that Rieth was being moved by his
captors when the government forces caught up
with the group. “They (Reith captors) were
cornered and they left him,” Pama said.
There was no firefight during the rescue
operation.
“He was being moved, it looked like he would
be transferred,” added Pama.
The military official said Rieth, whom he
described as having lost weight, was
subsequently turned over to his family.
“I have talked to him, I have seen him and
confirmed that he has been rescued. He lost
a bit weight but he is in very good spirits.
He is very happy that he has been rescued,”
he added.
Rieth was snatched by more or less 30 armed men,
wearing camouflage uniforms, from his beach
resort in Barangay Patalon, Zamboanga City last
April 4 while he was having a picnic with his
family and friends.
Government authorities later tagged Abu Sayyaf
leader Khair Mundos and MILF commander Malista
Malaca as the group behind the kidnapping.
For his part, Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard
Arevalo welcomed the safe rescue of the Filipino-
Swiss.
“The successful rescue that caught the abductors
by surprise is the fruit of an extensive
intelligence build-up by the police and the
Philippine Navy operatives,” said Arevalo, adding
“although follow up operations are ongoing, this
is a welcome development as the personnel involved
here can augment other forces pursuing the abductors
of other kidnap victims who were murdered in Basilan.”
Rieth, who friends said suffered from pneumonia
and a weak heart, was immediately rushed to a
private hospital, according to Dolorfino.
His freedom came just weeks after his kidnappers
released a video in which the frail-looking
hostage pleaded to be freed.
In the video Rieth said his unidentified captors
had demanded at least P 20 million in exchange for
his freedom, according to relatives and friends
who saw the footage.
Rieth had a Swiss father and Filipina mother and
is well-respected within the local business
community. He is a Filipino citizen and has no
Swiss citizenship, friends said.
No one claimed responsibility for his abduction,
although Dolorfino said the al Qaeda-linked Abu
Sayyaf group was suspected of being behind the crime.
“That’s our initial information but it is still being
verified,” Dolorfino said.
The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of Islamic militants
on the US government’s list of foreign terrorist
organizations that is well known for staging
kidnappings for ransom in the southern Philippines.
The group is also blamed for the Philippines’ worst
terrorist attacks, including the 2004 bombing of a
passenger ferry that killed over 100 people in
Manila Bay.
However a complex array of other Muslim armed groups
and pirates operate in the southern Philippines and
have for years also snatched locals as well as
foreigners to secure often huge ransom rewards.
Elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a
Muslim rebel group that has been waging a separatist
insurgency in the southern Mindanao region since the
1970s, have also been involved in kidnappings.
Ransoms are often paid to secure the hostages’
freedom, even though authorities typically deny
money is handed over.
In Rieth’s case, both the military and police denied
any ransom changed hands.
“No,” Dolorfino said when asked about a ransom
payment being paid.
Local police chief Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo told
reporters in Zamboanga that at least one of the gunmen
who seized Rieth was believed to be also involved in
the kidnapping of an Irish missionary last year.
The missionary, Michael Sinnott, was freed in November
after more than a month in captivity in the hands of
Muslim bandits who had demanded a $2 million ransom.
The Irish government, Sinnott’s superiors and local
authorities said no ransom was paid in that case.
The Abu Sayyaf last year also kidnapped an Italian,
a Swiss national and a Filipina working for the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
They were subsequently freed allegedly after ransoms
were paid, a claim that the ICRC and governments
involved denied.
In one of their most notorious acts, the Abu Sayyaf
beheaded one of three American hostages they seized
from a resort on Palawan island in 2001. One of the
other hostages was killed during a rescue attempt
over a year later.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director
General Jesus Verzosa also yesterday confirmed that
combined police and military forces were able to rescue Rieth.
Police intelligence gatherings claimed that Rieth and
his kidnappers just came from Sibuco in Zamboanga del
Norte and were about to transfer him to another place
when chanced upon by combined police and military forces.
Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, head of the crisis
management committee, said Rieth was in good condition
but lost weight. He also grew a beard.
Lobregat added that the wound on Rieth’s arm, which was
shown on the video sent by the kidnappers, has healed.
Rieth had been brought to the regional military
headquarters at Camp General Navarro in Zamboanga
City for medical treatment and debriefing.
The Daily tribune, Thursday, June 17, 2010
Security forces said they rescued an elderly
Swiss national but a Filipino citizen who was
kidnapped over two months ago by suspected
Islamist militants in a lawless part of the
southern Philippines.
Tribune sources yesterday said that his
kidnappers had already freed him, after a
“negotiated” ransom demand was met. This was,
however, denied by the police-military
contingent.
Carl Rieth, 72, was abandoned in a coastal
village outside the southern port city of
Zamboanga by his captors, who fled after
seeing police and army troops who rushed
to the area following a tip from an inform-ant,
officials said.
“He was rescued before dawn at 3 a.m. yesterday,
” regional military chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin
Dolorfino told AFP. “Follow up operations
(against the kidnappers) are ongoing.”
Rear Adm. Alexander Pama, commander of the
military’s Task Force Trillium, said Rieth was
safely rescued by elements of the Task Force
Charlie along the shoreline of Barangay Labuan
in Zamboanga City.
Pama added that Rieth was being moved by his
captors when the government forces caught up
with the group. “They (Reith captors) were
cornered and they left him,” Pama said.
There was no firefight during the rescue
operation.
“He was being moved, it looked like he would
be transferred,” added Pama.
The military official said Rieth, whom he
described as having lost weight, was
subsequently turned over to his family.
“I have talked to him, I have seen him and
confirmed that he has been rescued. He lost
a bit weight but he is in very good spirits.
He is very happy that he has been rescued,”
he added.
Rieth was snatched by more or less 30 armed men,
wearing camouflage uniforms, from his beach
resort in Barangay Patalon, Zamboanga City last
April 4 while he was having a picnic with his
family and friends.
Government authorities later tagged Abu Sayyaf
leader Khair Mundos and MILF commander Malista
Malaca as the group behind the kidnapping.
For his part, Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard
Arevalo welcomed the safe rescue of the Filipino-
Swiss.
“The successful rescue that caught the abductors
by surprise is the fruit of an extensive
intelligence build-up by the police and the
Philippine Navy operatives,” said Arevalo, adding
“although follow up operations are ongoing, this
is a welcome development as the personnel involved
here can augment other forces pursuing the abductors
of other kidnap victims who were murdered in Basilan.”
Rieth, who friends said suffered from pneumonia
and a weak heart, was immediately rushed to a
private hospital, according to Dolorfino.
His freedom came just weeks after his kidnappers
released a video in which the frail-looking
hostage pleaded to be freed.
In the video Rieth said his unidentified captors
had demanded at least P 20 million in exchange for
his freedom, according to relatives and friends
who saw the footage.
Rieth had a Swiss father and Filipina mother and
is well-respected within the local business
community. He is a Filipino citizen and has no
Swiss citizenship, friends said.
No one claimed responsibility for his abduction,
although Dolorfino said the al Qaeda-linked Abu
Sayyaf group was suspected of being behind the crime.
“That’s our initial information but it is still being
verified,” Dolorfino said.
The Abu Sayyaf is a small group of Islamic militants
on the US government’s list of foreign terrorist
organizations that is well known for staging
kidnappings for ransom in the southern Philippines.
The group is also blamed for the Philippines’ worst
terrorist attacks, including the 2004 bombing of a
passenger ferry that killed over 100 people in
Manila Bay.
However a complex array of other Muslim armed groups
and pirates operate in the southern Philippines and
have for years also snatched locals as well as
foreigners to secure often huge ransom rewards.
Elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a
Muslim rebel group that has been waging a separatist
insurgency in the southern Mindanao region since the
1970s, have also been involved in kidnappings.
Ransoms are often paid to secure the hostages’
freedom, even though authorities typically deny
money is handed over.
In Rieth’s case, both the military and police denied
any ransom changed hands.
“No,” Dolorfino said when asked about a ransom
payment being paid.
Local police chief Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo told
reporters in Zamboanga that at least one of the gunmen
who seized Rieth was believed to be also involved in
the kidnapping of an Irish missionary last year.
The missionary, Michael Sinnott, was freed in November
after more than a month in captivity in the hands of
Muslim bandits who had demanded a $2 million ransom.
The Irish government, Sinnott’s superiors and local
authorities said no ransom was paid in that case.
The Abu Sayyaf last year also kidnapped an Italian,
a Swiss national and a Filipina working for the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
They were subsequently freed allegedly after ransoms
were paid, a claim that the ICRC and governments
involved denied.
In one of their most notorious acts, the Abu Sayyaf
beheaded one of three American hostages they seized
from a resort on Palawan island in 2001. One of the
other hostages was killed during a rescue attempt
over a year later.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director
General Jesus Verzosa also yesterday confirmed that
combined police and military forces were able to rescue Rieth.
Police intelligence gatherings claimed that Rieth and
his kidnappers just came from Sibuco in Zamboanga del
Norte and were about to transfer him to another place
when chanced upon by combined police and military forces.
Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, head of the crisis
management committee, said Rieth was in good condition
but lost weight. He also grew a beard.
Lobregat added that the wound on Rieth’s arm, which was
shown on the video sent by the kidnappers, has healed.
Rieth had been brought to the regional military
headquarters at Camp General Navarro in Zamboanga
City for medical treatment and debriefing.
Honor guards during Cory burial now undergoing training
By Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe
The Philippine Star, Thursday, June 17, 2010
Four honor guards who accompanied the casket
of former President Corazon Aquino during her
funeral procession last August will not be
given special treatment once they are designated
as security escorts of president-elect Benigno
Aquino III. Incoming Presidential Security Group
(PSG) commander Col. Ramon Mateo Dizon told The
STAR the honor guards will undergo the usual
training.
“The PSG is a professional unit,” he said.
“We work as a team and no one is above the others.
They (honor guards) have to undergo the usual
processes. It is hard to treat people differently.”
Just like any other member of the PSG, Dizon said
he expects the honor guards to do their best in
securing the incoming president.
“It would be an honor to be a protector of the
President. You don’t say no to the President,”
Dizon said.
Army Private First Class Antonio Cadiente, Airman
Second Class Gener Laguindan, Navy Petty Officer 3
Edgardo Rodriguez and Police Officer 2 Danilo Malab
Jr. are being eyed as close-in security of the
incoming president. Dizon said the transfer papers
of the three military personnel are now being
processed. “We have requested their transfer from
J1 (deputy chief of staff for personnel),” he said.
“Hopefully, their transfer orders would be approved
before July 1.” Dizon said the transfer papers of
other military personnel who secured Aquino’s funeral
last year are also being processed.
Seaman First Class Arturo Roadilla, Jr. Airman First
Class Sherwin del Rosario, and Army Private First
Class Rico Seno escorted Mrs. Aquino’s remains from
the funeral home to the Manila cathedral in Intramuros.
Dizon said the honor guards will undergo the usual
45-day training on securing prominent persons.
Information from the Armed Forces Public Affairs
Office showed that such training include food tasting,
marksmanship, bomb disposal, crowd control, and media
relations.
The honor guards were lauded for their dedication to
duty after they stood for more than eight hours during
the long funeral parade of Aquino, who died of colon
cancer on Aug. 1 last year. The late president’s casket
was brought in a procession from the Manila Cathedral
in Intramuros, Manila to the Manila Memorial Park in
Parañaque.
The Philippine Star, Thursday, June 17, 2010
Four honor guards who accompanied the casket
of former President Corazon Aquino during her
funeral procession last August will not be
given special treatment once they are designated
as security escorts of president-elect Benigno
Aquino III. Incoming Presidential Security Group
(PSG) commander Col. Ramon Mateo Dizon told The
STAR the honor guards will undergo the usual
training.
“The PSG is a professional unit,” he said.
“We work as a team and no one is above the others.
They (honor guards) have to undergo the usual
processes. It is hard to treat people differently.”
Just like any other member of the PSG, Dizon said
he expects the honor guards to do their best in
securing the incoming president.
“It would be an honor to be a protector of the
President. You don’t say no to the President,”
Dizon said.
Army Private First Class Antonio Cadiente, Airman
Second Class Gener Laguindan, Navy Petty Officer 3
Edgardo Rodriguez and Police Officer 2 Danilo Malab
Jr. are being eyed as close-in security of the
incoming president. Dizon said the transfer papers
of the three military personnel are now being
processed. “We have requested their transfer from
J1 (deputy chief of staff for personnel),” he said.
“Hopefully, their transfer orders would be approved
before July 1.” Dizon said the transfer papers of
other military personnel who secured Aquino’s funeral
last year are also being processed.
Seaman First Class Arturo Roadilla, Jr. Airman First
Class Sherwin del Rosario, and Army Private First
Class Rico Seno escorted Mrs. Aquino’s remains from
the funeral home to the Manila cathedral in Intramuros.
Dizon said the honor guards will undergo the usual
45-day training on securing prominent persons.
Information from the Armed Forces Public Affairs
Office showed that such training include food tasting,
marksmanship, bomb disposal, crowd control, and media
relations.
The honor guards were lauded for their dedication to
duty after they stood for more than eight hours during
the long funeral parade of Aquino, who died of colon
cancer on Aug. 1 last year. The late president’s casket
was brought in a procession from the Manila Cathedral
in Intramuros, Manila to the Manila Memorial Park in
Parañaque.
4 'honor guards' sa libing ni Cory, mapabilang sa PSG
Taliba wire monitoring
TALIBA, Linggo, Hunyo 13, 2010
NAIS umano ni Presidente-elect Noynoy Aquino
na mapabilang sa Presidential Security group
(PSG) ang apat na honoe guards sa libing ng
yumaong inang si dating pangulong Cory Aquino.
Ito ay dahil sa nasukat umano sa pagkakataogn
iyon ang tibay at dedikasyon ng apat na honor
guard sa libing ng kanilang ina.
Kung maaalala, siyam na oras tumayo sa ilalim
ng ulan at araw ang apat na honor guards na
sina PO1 Danila Malab Jr., Pfc. Antonio Cadiente,
Airman 2nd Class Gener Laguindam, at Navy Petty
Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez.
Sinasabing sapat na sukatan na iyon kay Noynoy
upang ipagkatiwala sa kanila ang seguridad ng
kanilang pamilya habang nasa Malacañang.
Ayon sa isa sa mga honor guard, masaya sila
dahil sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay paglilingkuran
nila ang pamilya Aquino.
Inaasahan din ng apat na honor guards na unti-
unting made-develop ang pakikipagkaibigan sa
kanila at sa pamilya Aquino.
Napag-alaman na dahil sa isang Pangulo na
kanilang babantayan, ay sasailalim sila sa
tinatawag nilang VIP schooling o training.
Kinakailangan kasing matikas at matalino ang
bawat miyembro ng PSG gayundin ang pagiging
handa sa pagsalag ng bala para iligtas ang
Pangulo ng bansa.
TALIBA, Linggo, Hunyo 13, 2010
NAIS umano ni Presidente-elect Noynoy Aquino
na mapabilang sa Presidential Security group
(PSG) ang apat na honoe guards sa libing ng
yumaong inang si dating pangulong Cory Aquino.
Ito ay dahil sa nasukat umano sa pagkakataogn
iyon ang tibay at dedikasyon ng apat na honor
guard sa libing ng kanilang ina.
Kung maaalala, siyam na oras tumayo sa ilalim
ng ulan at araw ang apat na honor guards na
sina PO1 Danila Malab Jr., Pfc. Antonio Cadiente,
Airman 2nd Class Gener Laguindam, at Navy Petty
Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez.
Sinasabing sapat na sukatan na iyon kay Noynoy
upang ipagkatiwala sa kanila ang seguridad ng
kanilang pamilya habang nasa Malacañang.
Ayon sa isa sa mga honor guard, masaya sila
dahil sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay paglilingkuran
nila ang pamilya Aquino.
Inaasahan din ng apat na honor guards na unti-
unting made-develop ang pakikipagkaibigan sa
kanila at sa pamilya Aquino.
Napag-alaman na dahil sa isang Pangulo na
kanilang babantayan, ay sasailalim sila sa
tinatawag nilang VIP schooling o training.
Kinakailangan kasing matikas at matalino ang
bawat miyembro ng PSG gayundin ang pagiging
handa sa pagsalag ng bala para iligtas ang
Pangulo ng bansa.
Coast Guard honors three retiring flag officers
The Daily Tribune, Sunday, June 13, 2010
By:
PNA
The Philippine Coast Guard has rendered
testimonial honors for three retiring
Navy Flag Officers as a fitting tribute
for their dedicated and glorious service
at the PCG, Philippine Navy and the Armed
Forces of the Philippines.
The PCG, under the leadership of
Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant,
honored Comm. Robert Noblefranca,
Rear Adm. Josefino Solidum and Vice
Adm. Emilio Marayag at the PCG Headquarters
last June 9.
Noblefranca was assigned to the PCG from
1978 to 1988. He commanded Coast Guard
Stations in Cebu, Dumaguete and Tacloban.
He had also assumed as deputy of Coast
Guard Staff for Plans and Programs in 1988
as his last tour of duty at the PCG headsquarters.
Noblefranca, the incumbent commander of the
Naval Construction Brigade of the Philippine Navy,
is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy
Class ’77.
Solidum, on the other hand, had served the PCG
for 14 years in his 33 years of service in the
military. When he joined the Philippine Navy,
he was first assigned to a Coast Guard vessel
where he served his junior billets and continued
his sea duty as the EX-O in five PCG capital ships.
He also commanded the premier Coast Guard stations
in Batangas and Cebu. He graduated from the United
States Coast Guard Academy in 1977. He is presently
the commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command.
Marayag graduated at the PMA in 1976 with a
Bachelor of Science Degree. He started his
colorful military career in 1976 when he joined
the Philippine Navy as an ensign.
His dedication and commitment to duty afforded
him to serve various key positions at the PCG.
He has served the PCG from Oct. 29, 1979 to
April 17, 1990.
He had served various staff positions at the
PCG Headquarters and had also been the station
commander of Coast Guard Station General Santos
and Coast Guard Station Davao. He was also
assigned as maritime officer of the 8th Coast
Guard District, deputy commander and operations
officer of the Aids to Navigation Command,
officer-in-charge of the Coast Guard School
and the training director of Aids to Navigation
Command.
Marayag has assumed the second highest post in
the AFP when he served as the deputy chief of
staff.
In his remarks, Tamayo highlighted all the three
honorees’ significant contributions to the PCG,
the maritime industry and, most importantly, to
the Filipino people.
Tamayo said their legacy in the Coast Guard
service would always be remembered and treasured
by the officers, men and women of the PCG.
By:
PNA
The Philippine Coast Guard has rendered
testimonial honors for three retiring
Navy Flag Officers as a fitting tribute
for their dedicated and glorious service
at the PCG, Philippine Navy and the Armed
Forces of the Philippines.
The PCG, under the leadership of
Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant,
honored Comm. Robert Noblefranca,
Rear Adm. Josefino Solidum and Vice
Adm. Emilio Marayag at the PCG Headquarters
last June 9.
Noblefranca was assigned to the PCG from
1978 to 1988. He commanded Coast Guard
Stations in Cebu, Dumaguete and Tacloban.
He had also assumed as deputy of Coast
Guard Staff for Plans and Programs in 1988
as his last tour of duty at the PCG headsquarters.
Noblefranca, the incumbent commander of the
Naval Construction Brigade of the Philippine Navy,
is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy
Class ’77.
Solidum, on the other hand, had served the PCG
for 14 years in his 33 years of service in the
military. When he joined the Philippine Navy,
he was first assigned to a Coast Guard vessel
where he served his junior billets and continued
his sea duty as the EX-O in five PCG capital ships.
He also commanded the premier Coast Guard stations
in Batangas and Cebu. He graduated from the United
States Coast Guard Academy in 1977. He is presently
the commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command.
Marayag graduated at the PMA in 1976 with a
Bachelor of Science Degree. He started his
colorful military career in 1976 when he joined
the Philippine Navy as an ensign.
His dedication and commitment to duty afforded
him to serve various key positions at the PCG.
He has served the PCG from Oct. 29, 1979 to
April 17, 1990.
He had served various staff positions at the
PCG Headquarters and had also been the station
commander of Coast Guard Station General Santos
and Coast Guard Station Davao. He was also
assigned as maritime officer of the 8th Coast
Guard District, deputy commander and operations
officer of the Aids to Navigation Command,
officer-in-charge of the Coast Guard School
and the training director of Aids to Navigation
Command.
Marayag has assumed the second highest post in
the AFP when he served as the deputy chief of
staff.
In his remarks, Tamayo highlighted all the three
honorees’ significant contributions to the PCG,
the maritime industry and, most importantly, to
the Filipino people.
Tamayo said their legacy in the Coast Guard
service would always be remembered and treasured
by the officers, men and women of the PCG.
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