Manila Times, Thursday, April 22,2010
By: James Konstantin Galvez and Al Jacinto
The Palace, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), on Wednesday assured that the situation in Basilan is now under control following intensified military campaign against the perpetrators of the recent bombing attack that killed 12 people.
“Security and safety situation in Basilan has improved and is now going back to normal. We have already isolated the cities of Lamitan and Isabela from the reported perpetrators of the bombing last Tuesday,” Philippine Marines Director for Naval Affairs Lt. Col. Edgar Arevalo said in a press conference in Malacañang.
“The members of this terrorist group is now limited in the outskirts of Lamitan City. And we are now continuing with the intensified combat operations as ordered by AFP Chief of Staff Delfin Banguit to ensure that the ASG [Abu Sayyaf Group] will not harm the peaceful, stable, and safe conduct of the May 10 elections,” Arevalo added.
Arevalo also said that additional fresh troops from Manila are now being deployed in Basilan to help in the augmentation and peacekeeping campaign in the province.
He also said that elite members of the Armed Forces and the Marines were deployed to the province to pursue the fleeing members of the Abu Sayyaf.
For his part, Gen. Edgardo Acuña of the national-police deputy chief for operations and concurrent commander of national task force HOPE (Prayer for an Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) said that plans to secure the safe conduct of the elections have already been finalized.
Acuña said that they will employ three-step security plan on the island of Basilan and nearby provinces, which include the orientation of personnel about their responsibilities during election day, additional troops to areas considered as hot spots, and employment of civilian action force that would monitor police personnel specially those assigned to secure election paraphernalia.
“With these contingency measures, we are ready for any unexpected events,” he said.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said that the Anti-Terrorism Council is continuously monitoring the situation in Basilan, saying that the President Gloria Arroyo is “dead serious” that there will be no failure of elections.
Basilan has been tagged as an election hot spot because of the presence of private armed groups and history of election-related violence.
Besides Basilan, additional police officers and soldiers have been deployed to nine provinces that are considered as “priority areas” including La Union, Nueva Ecija and Masbate in Luzon; Samar and Iloilo in Visayas; and Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sulu and Maguindanao.
Meanwhile, one of two captured Abu Sayyaf militants tagged as among those behind twin bombings in Basilan had died from his wounds at a local military hospital, officials said Wednesday.
Officials said Umbar, who was wounded in a firefight with troops last week, died late Tuesday in hospital at the military’s Western Mindanao Command headquarters. “An Abu Sayyaf member captured by government troops after the attack in Isabela City in Basilan died of cardio respiratory arrest secondary to sepsis due to his infected wounds,” said First Lt. Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokesman.
She said the body of the militant was handed over to an imam and buried in a coastal village called Caragasan, west of Zamboanga City.
Cacho said another militant, Ajib Hainal, who was also wounded in the fighting and captured by the military in Basilan province, would soon be handed over to the police.
“Hainal is ready for release to the police,” she said.
Monday, May 17, 2010
10 soldiers honored
Manila Bulletin, Friday, March 5, 2010
By: Ginalyn Kabiling
Ten soldiers who excelled in
the combat operations and civic
duties were given a tribute~y
President Arroyo in Malacanang.
Included in the prestigious
list of outstanding soldiers Was
Army Col. Melquiades Feliciano, -battalion commander
of the 71st Infantry Battalion in Nueva Ecija, who was
reportedly implicated in the
disappearance of activist Jonas
Burgos last year.
The President hailed the
awardees of The Outstanding
Philippine Soldiers (TOPS),
coming from the Philippine
Army, Navy, Air Force, and
Technical Service, for their gallantry
and heroism.
Mrs. Arroyo said the annual
TOPS program, initiated by
Metrobank Foundation and Rotary
Club of Makati City, "serves
as avenue to showcase the Filipino soldier's courage, sacrifice,
integrity, duty and service to
the country."
Apart from Feliciano, the
other outstanding soldiers are
Master Sgt. Ruben Lucero,
MasterSgt. Hercules Regis of the
Philippine Army;
Col. Nathaniel Casem, Technical Sgt. Marcelo
Batingan, Sgt. Vicente Sustivierio Jr. of the Philippine Navy,
Col. Arnold Mancita, Master Sgt. Leonilo Pedrosa,
TechnicalSgt. Rogelio Alarcon Jr. of the
Philippine Air Force and
Major Vicente Magaro of the
DentalService.
By: Ginalyn Kabiling
Ten soldiers who excelled in
the combat operations and civic
duties were given a tribute~y
President Arroyo in Malacanang.
Included in the prestigious
list of outstanding soldiers Was
Army Col. Melquiades Feliciano, -battalion commander
of the 71st Infantry Battalion in Nueva Ecija, who was
reportedly implicated in the
disappearance of activist Jonas
Burgos last year.
The President hailed the
awardees of The Outstanding
Philippine Soldiers (TOPS),
coming from the Philippine
Army, Navy, Air Force, and
Technical Service, for their gallantry
and heroism.
Mrs. Arroyo said the annual
TOPS program, initiated by
Metrobank Foundation and Rotary
Club of Makati City, "serves
as avenue to showcase the Filipino soldier's courage, sacrifice,
integrity, duty and service to
the country."
Apart from Feliciano, the
other outstanding soldiers are
Master Sgt. Ruben Lucero,
MasterSgt. Hercules Regis of the
Philippine Army;
Col. Nathaniel Casem, Technical Sgt. Marcelo
Batingan, Sgt. Vicente Sustivierio Jr. of the Philippine Navy,
Col. Arnold Mancita, Master Sgt. Leonilo Pedrosa,
TechnicalSgt. Rogelio Alarcon Jr. of the
Philippine Air Force and
Major Vicente Magaro of the
DentalService.
Navy personnel gets discount from Aboitiz
Tonight, Thursday, March 4,2010
By: Zaida de los Reyes-Palanca
PHILIPPINE Navy
sailors and marines
will now get the chance
to be reunitelJ easily
and more frequently
with their families.
This, after PhiIlppine
Navy Flag officer-in-command
Vice Admiral Ferdinand
S. Golez signed a
memorandum of agreement
with Evelyo Engel,
executive vice president
and CEO of Aboitiz
Transport System and
Corporation '(ATSC), for
the special discount rate
given to non-uniforllled
personnel, civilian employees,
and retired members
of the Navy and all their
qualified dependents.
In a simple ceremony,
Engel said the move will
bolster the cooperation
between the Navy and
Aboitiz who have closely
worked together when
SuperFerry 9 sank in the
waters otr Zamboanga del
Norte on Sept. 9, 2009.
Engel recognized the
Navy's quick response that
saved 442 passengers of
the SF 9. It can be recalled
that the vessel dispatched
by the Naval Forces Western
Mindanao Command
were the first government
assets to arrive in the area
to conduct search and
rescue operations.
For his part. Golez cited
that with the mutual
agreement, bonding
among families of Navy
personnel is now affordable
at a very reasonable
price.
Through its corporate
offices and branches
nationwide, ATSC shall
extend guaranteed Lowest
Tripid Fare on all Super-
Ferry trips, provided that
the Navy and its members
shall meet and comply with
all the requirements and
follow the procedures set
forth ..
Aside from the military
ID,ATSC may also request
for additional IDs.
This initiative. is
among the many projects
of thel command that
seeks to provide for the
basic needs of the sailors
and marines.
By: Zaida de los Reyes-Palanca
PHILIPPINE Navy
sailors and marines
will now get the chance
to be reunitelJ easily
and more frequently
with their families.
This, after PhiIlppine
Navy Flag officer-in-command
Vice Admiral Ferdinand
S. Golez signed a
memorandum of agreement
with Evelyo Engel,
executive vice president
and CEO of Aboitiz
Transport System and
Corporation '(ATSC), for
the special discount rate
given to non-uniforllled
personnel, civilian employees,
and retired members
of the Navy and all their
qualified dependents.
In a simple ceremony,
Engel said the move will
bolster the cooperation
between the Navy and
Aboitiz who have closely
worked together when
SuperFerry 9 sank in the
waters otr Zamboanga del
Norte on Sept. 9, 2009.
Engel recognized the
Navy's quick response that
saved 442 passengers of
the SF 9. It can be recalled
that the vessel dispatched
by the Naval Forces Western
Mindanao Command
were the first government
assets to arrive in the area
to conduct search and
rescue operations.
For his part. Golez cited
that with the mutual
agreement, bonding
among families of Navy
personnel is now affordable
at a very reasonable
price.
Through its corporate
offices and branches
nationwide, ATSC shall
extend guaranteed Lowest
Tripid Fare on all Super-
Ferry trips, provided that
the Navy and its members
shall meet and comply with
all the requirements and
follow the procedures set
forth ..
Aside from the military
ID,ATSC may also request
for additional IDs.
This initiative. is
among the many projects
of thel command that
seeks to provide for the
basic needs of the sailors
and marines.
Sulu officials laud military for successful operations
Manila Bulletin, Friday, February 26, 2010
By: Nonoy E. Lacson
Jolo, Sulu – Government officials of Sulu lauded the military for their success in their recent combat operations against the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that led to the death of Albader Parad and four others Sunday in Indanan, Sulu.
Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan said the successful military operations against the ASG in Karawan, Indanan, is a victory for the people of the entire province.
Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin also joined Tan, and the religious sectors here saying the people of Indanan and those living in the adjacent towns can now live peacefully and away from harm and harassment from the ASG.
The military assaulted on Sunday morning a well fortified camp of the ASG in Karawan, Indanan which led to the death of Parad, the infamous ASG leaders, Abdulhamn Jumdail, and four others Tan also renewed his commitment to fully support the military’s peace efforts in the province aimed at keeping Sulu free from terrorist groups.
“The death of Parad will send a strong signal to other lawless groups in the province that the government means business and will continue to hunt them anywhere in the province,” Tan said.
Amin said with the death of Parad, illegal activities like kidnappings for ransom, extortion, and destruction of lives and properties will be minimized.
Amin expressed confidence that very soon, the military would be able to completely neutralize the terrorist group and other lawless groups operating in Sulu.
Imam Hadji Abduraja Abdulla, representing the religious sector, said the death of Parad placed an end to the sufferings of the people of Indanan.
Abdulla said the people would no longer witness the destruction of their villages, farm-to-market roads, bridges, school buildings, and other infrastructures built by the government for the comfort of the populace.
Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Comet commander Marine Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero has allowed the families and relatives of the dead bandits to accord them decent burials according to Muslim rites.
Guerrero said the military in Sulu will continue to fight lawless groups operating in the province in order to give way for new development to spur in the area.
By: Nonoy E. Lacson
Jolo, Sulu – Government officials of Sulu lauded the military for their success in their recent combat operations against the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that led to the death of Albader Parad and four others Sunday in Indanan, Sulu.
Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan said the successful military operations against the ASG in Karawan, Indanan, is a victory for the people of the entire province.
Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin also joined Tan, and the religious sectors here saying the people of Indanan and those living in the adjacent towns can now live peacefully and away from harm and harassment from the ASG.
The military assaulted on Sunday morning a well fortified camp of the ASG in Karawan, Indanan which led to the death of Parad, the infamous ASG leaders, Abdulhamn Jumdail, and four others Tan also renewed his commitment to fully support the military’s peace efforts in the province aimed at keeping Sulu free from terrorist groups.
“The death of Parad will send a strong signal to other lawless groups in the province that the government means business and will continue to hunt them anywhere in the province,” Tan said.
Amin said with the death of Parad, illegal activities like kidnappings for ransom, extortion, and destruction of lives and properties will be minimized.
Amin expressed confidence that very soon, the military would be able to completely neutralize the terrorist group and other lawless groups operating in Sulu.
Imam Hadji Abduraja Abdulla, representing the religious sector, said the death of Parad placed an end to the sufferings of the people of Indanan.
Abdulla said the people would no longer witness the destruction of their villages, farm-to-market roads, bridges, school buildings, and other infrastructures built by the government for the comfort of the populace.
Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Comet commander Marine Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero has allowed the families and relatives of the dead bandits to accord them decent burials according to Muslim rites.
Guerrero said the military in Sulu will continue to fight lawless groups operating in the province in order to give way for new development to spur in the area.
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