Tanbark shipment caught

By Bong Garcia, Thursday, June 9, 2011

OPERATIVES of the Philippine Navy intercepted Wednesday a shipment of a truckload of tanbark in a private pier in Zamboanga City.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief Commodore Armando Guzman said the confiscated tanbark was just unloaded from a vessel, M/L Marwiza, which docked at Wee Bin wharf in the village of Baliwasan, west of the city.

Guzman said the truck, which was about to leave the private port, was loaded with 310 sacks of tanbark.

Harvesting of tanbark has been outlawed in the Philippines because its bark when removed kills mangrove trees, said Guzman.

Mangrove trees provide irreplaceable habitat to diverse species of birds, mammals, crustacea, and fish.

Guzman added that tanbarks are commonly smuggled to Malaysia and Indonesia and are highly valued as a source of organic dye used in making batik cloth.

Sun Star Zamboanga

Navy taps Cortez as NFWM acting commander

By Mario J. Mallari

The Daily Tribune, Monday, 8 November 2010

The Navy leadership has tapped a combat-tested senior officer to head the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) where Abu Sayyaf terrorists and rogue elements of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are known to be operating.

Military Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino said that Commodore Orwen Cortez was designated as acting commander of the NFWM, which has jurisdiction over naval operations in the provinces of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Dolorfino said Cortez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1979, formally took over the NFWM last Nov. 4. Cortez was the erstwhile commander of the Naval Forces Western Command.

Cortez was known for leading his forces in assaulting Matanggue Island in Balabac, Palawan in August of 2009 when lawless elements of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), led by Abdullah Abdurajak, alias Pa Guro, staged atrocities against civilians in the area.

The Navy operations led to the killing of at least 10 MNLF rebels, including Abdurajak.

The NFWM was originally assigned to Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue but was recalled after the disgruntled Navy officer publicly criticized alleged “prostitution” of the military promotions system. He was subsequently put under investigation and was held on a floating status pending the result of the Navy probe.

The NFWM was subsequently taken over by 1st Marine Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Eugenio Clemen on a concurrent capacity.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said Cortez was tapped by the Navy leadership in an acting capacity.

Meanwhile, Dolorfino is formally retiring from the military service last Wednesday but his replacement as Wesmincom chief has yet to be announced.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr. earlier had said the military’s Board of Generals has already convened for its recommended shortlist.

David said the post is up for grabs for Navy, Marines and Army officers.

Earlier, military sources feared that an Army officer might be appointed to the post following the pull out of the 1st Marine Brigade from Basilan and replaced by elements of the Army’s Special Operations Command.

New Navy Western Mindanao chief named

By Alexis Romero

The Philippine Star, Monday, 8 November 2010

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class ’79 has been appointed as acting commander of the Naval Forces in Western Mindanao.

Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) chief Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino said Commodore Orwen Cortez has been designated as acting chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, which covers areas believed to be hideouts of local terrorists.

“Commodore Orwen Cor tez assumed on Nov. 4,” Dolorfino said.

Cortez succeeded Brig. Gen. Eugenio Clemen who was previously assigned to the post in an acting capacity. Prior to his appointment as Western Mindanao Naval Forces chief, Cortez was commander of the Naval Forces Western Command based in Palawan.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr. said Cortez will only serve in an acting capacity since Rear. Adm. Feliciano Angue, who has been appointed to the post, is being probed for airing his concerns to the media.

“Admiral Angue’s designation as Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief has been approved by the President. Since he is being investigated, he cannot assume the post,” he said in a phone interview.

“He (Cortez) will serve in an acting capacity. The issuance (of designation) is only at the Navy level. It is not approved by the President.”

Mabanta said Cortez is competent and qualified to handle his new assignment.

Angue has been named Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief but his appointment was deferred pending the probe on his alleged violation of the military code of ethics.

Angue had claimed that the promotion system is politicized and that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin is meddling in the giving of posts. He claimed that PMA class ’79 members, especially those who served as Gazmin’s subordinates, benefited from the favoritism in the promotion system.