3 Army soldiers killed in land mine blast in Davao City

Three Army soldiers were killed following a land mine explosion in the southern Philippine city of Davao Tuesday morning, a military officer said.

In a text message to reporters, Major Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, commander of the 10th CMO (civil-military operations) Battalion, said the explosion occurred 8:30 a.m.

At the time, elements of the 69th Infantry Battalion had just left their patrol base in Guinobatan village to conduct a community outreach program. The explosion occurred about 300 to 400 meters away from the patrol base.

The identities of the victims were not disclosed pending notification of their respective families.

Authorities believed the land mine was planted by communist rebels.

Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesman for the Army's 10th Infantry Division, said the incident was a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law [CARHIHL].

Peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines remain stalled since August 2004. — RSJ, GMA News

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November 29, 2011 11:21am

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NPA ‘shadow gov’t’ in Davao uncovered

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 10th Infantry Division rushed more “Peace and Development Teams” (PDT) in the tri-boundary area of Davao del Norte after confirming the existence there of a “shadow government” being run by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Col. Leon Galon, spokesman of the East Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), said the discovery came after a bombing incident last month in the vicinity of San Isidro, Davao del Norte, where the rebels blew a passing military convoy hurting one soldier.

“It later turned out that the entire area is already under direct communist influence thru their so-called ‘Hukpong Organisadong Masa’ (HOM) wherein the CPP-NPA actually runs the local affairs,” Galon said.

“We consider that incident a ‘blessing in disguise’ of sort,” he said.

Specifically, the areas now under immersion activities by the AFP thru its PDTs are the tri-boundary towns of Laak, San Isidro and Asuncion.

Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the 10th ID, for his part, told People’s Tonight that in San Isidro alone, three PDTs have been ordered deployed by 10th ID chief Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia and several more in the nearby communities.

San Isidro is allegedly the “center” of CPP-NPA influence in the area and is where the family of an alleged ranking NPA leader, Ademar “Ka Bombo” Etol, resides.

Etol is said to the commander of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 33.

On Thursday, still unidentified men tried to burn down Etol’s house made from bamboo and nipa in Purok 9, Bgy. Igangon, while his wife, Helen and daughter-in-law Princess were inside together with two children.

Paniza immediately denied the military has a hand in the arson incident. “Ano ang makukuha namin kung gagawin namin ‘yun samantalang mas mahalaga sa amin na makuha ang simpatiya at kalooban ng mga biktima?” he told this reporter.

He averred “some groups” are trying to stir trouble in the area so this can be blamed on the military leading to a call for their withdrawal.

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Published : Saturday, November 19, 2011 00:00

Written by : Paul M. Gutierrez

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Soldiers clash with Reds in Davao del Sur

MANILA, Philippines – A firefight has erupted between government troops and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas in Davao del Sur, a military official said.

Col. Leopoldo Galon, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Eastern Command spokesperson, said soldiers encountered some 30 suspected rebels in Sitio Catmon, Barangay Manuel Peralta in Malita town.

Galon said the soldiers belong to Task Group Mulawin of the 102nd Infantry Brigade of the AFP and 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Army.

He added air assets have been deployed to the area to reinforce the troops. – Report from Edwin Sevidal, dzMM

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abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 11/17/2011 1:12 PM | Updated as of 11/17/2011 5:11 PM

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Military, rebels hoping Kato's followers will return to MILF fold

Amid conflicting reports on whether breakaway rebel leader Ameril Umbra Kato is still alive or has passed away after suffering a stroke, military and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders on Monday expressed hopes that his estimated 300 to 400 followers will return to the MILF fold in order to help the peace process move forward.

A member of the MILF's negotiating panel had confirmed to journalists in a text message on Sunday that Kato had died in Toril district in Davao City. However, MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar denied the report and said Kato was still alive but was paralyzed.

Kato led attacks against government forces in Mindanao in 2008 after the Supreme Court junked a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain between government and the MILF. He left the rebel group in August after questioning the MILF's capability to face the government in peace negotiations, and was expelled last October.

Col. Arnulfo Burgos, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said in reaction to the reports about Kato: “Whether buhay siya o patay, tinitingnan natin dito (kung) uusad ang usapang pangkapayapaan (at) maliliwanagan ang kanyang tropa na bumalik sa mismong grupo nila. Iwasan natin ang breakaway faction dahil malaking balakid ito sa usapang pangkapayapaan."

He told DWIZ in an interview on Monday, “Ang maganda rito, (ang) kinakausap lang ng namumuno ngayon sa peace panel (ay) iisang grupo lang para madaling maresolba ang differences."

Meanwhile, MILF secretariat head Muhammad Ameen assured members of Kato’s Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) that they are welcome to rejoin the main rebel group.

“Whether Kato is alive or dead, the door of the MILF is still open to members of the BIFM to return to the fold of the MILF, which (is) a fully developed organization whose legitimacy is known worldwide,” Ameen said in an article posted on the MILF website.

Ameen said even if Kato survived the stroke, he will have a hard time leading his group because he will need physical strength and the necessary mental faculties to lead the BIFM.

He added that the MILF remains hopeful Kato will survive his reported illness and recuperate soon.

Conflicting reports

Kato was reported to have died on Saturday while under the care of his first wife in Toril district in Davao City.

“Now it is confirmed [that] Ameril Umbra Kato passed away in Toril..." said Michael Mastura, legal counsel of the MILF and member of the rebel group’s peace negotiating panel, in a text message to reporters. He did not elaborate and it is unclear where he obtained the information.

However, MILF official Jaafar had a different version of Kato's condition. "Confirmed na-stroke siya (Kato), na serious siya. At a time na-comatose siya pero hindi siya makapagsalita. Ganyan, na-paralyze 'yung kalahati sa katawan kaya hindi siya makakain, hindi makapagsalita," Jaafar said on Sunday.

Abu Misry, spokesman of the BIFM, also said Kato was alive and was recuperating in Guindolongan in Maguindanao. - VVP/KG/YA, GMA News

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November 28, 2011 9:30am

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Intl team to start probe of Basilan clash Nov. 29

The Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) will start on Tuesday its investigation into the October 18 clash where at least 19 soldiers were killed in Basilan.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said the IMT will check not just the security aspect or ceasefire-related issues but also civilian protection and human rights.

"The formal probe will start on November 29 and will wind up on December 5," the MILF said in an article posted on its website.

At least 19 members of the Special Forces were killed during an eight-hour encounter with MILF forces led by Commander Laksaw “Dan” Asnawi.

Members of the MILF and government Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) will accompany the IMT but not as an active participants.

"Both the MILF and government CCCHs are not perceived to be impartial, even if they want to, because they represent the MILF and government, respectively," the MILF said. - VVP, GMA News

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November 28, 2011 10:20am

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Hundreds flee as feuding MILF factions clash in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Some 130 families from a remote village in Tulunan, North Cotabato have fled their homes following a clash between two warring factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Senior Inspector Ramel Hojilla, chief of the Tulunan police, said the encounter occurred Saturday morning between a group led by one Kumander Bhedz, and another under one Wahid and one Sukarno, all from the MILF 108^th Base Command.

The displaced families are temporarily housed at the Tulunan Municipal Gym and are being attended to by the local government through the office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development.



According ot Hojilla, the clash lasted for more than an hour, resulting in the death of a certain Benjie Guiamalel, a plantation worker. Two persons — Lumin Abdul Rakmad, 27, and Sanggacala Alon, 29 — were wounded in the skirmish, he added.

Authorities said the conflict was caused by a deep-seated land dispute.

The area, located at the boundary of Barangay Dungos in Tulunan, North Cotabato, and Barangay Pedtad in SK Pendatun, Maguindanao, is claimed by the families of the warring commanders. The area is also part of the Liguasan marsh, a known territory of the MILF.

A vast portion of the area is planted to bananas owned by the RNF Industries.

The fire fight came two days after a still unidentified group fired a rocket-propelled grenade that hit a government-owned backhoe being rented by the RNF Industries. — Malu Cadelina Manar/KBK, GMA News

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November 27, 2011 7:11pm

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NPAs burn heavy equipment in Agusan

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels burned heavy equipment including a backhoe loader at Madyaw Construction Development Corp. in Purok Sarabia, Barangay Tagcatong, Carmen, Agusan del Norte before midnight of Thursday, a police report said yesterday.

The heavy equipment was parked at the provincial road, where a government construction project is underway, when at least four armed NPA rebels torched it.

A report from the Caraga police regional information office said the NPAs burned the equipment after the construction firm allegedly failed to pay revolutionary tax.

Caraga police regional director Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal earlier said NPA rebels in the Caraga region had collected millions of pesos in revolutionary taxes from mining, construction, logging and other business establishments operating in the region

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By Ben Serrano The Philippine Star Updated November 27, 2011 12:00 AM

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Army recovers arms in Masbate encounter

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Army troops have recovered arms and ammunition after an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Manlotod in Placer town, Masbate early Friday.

Major Angelo Guzman, spokesperson for the 9th Infantry Division in Pili, Camarines Sur, said soldiers clashed with some 15 NPA guerrilas in Sitio Tawad at around 12:30 a.m.

Nobody was reported hurt on the government side.

An 18-man team under 1st Lt. Ronnie Garchitorena recovered an M-16 rifle, M-635 baby armalite rifle, caliber .38 revolver, hand grenade, three rounds of ammunition for an M-203 grenade launcher as well as subversive documents.

Col. Felix Castro, commanding officer of the 903rd Infantry Brigade ordered batallion head Lt. Col. Jun Pacatan to pursue the rebels who fled to a nearby barangay.

Pacatan said he dispatched two platoons to pursue the fleeing rebels.

“The poor farmers are already tired of their extortion and human rights abuses,” he said.

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By Celso Amo The Philippine Star Updated November 27, 2011 12:00 AM

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Navy team joins int'l exhibition

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Navy (PN) contingent of 262 officers and enlisted personnel has sailed off to Langkawi, Malaysia where they will participate in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2011 slated on Dec. 6-10.

Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said the Fleet-Marine contingent participating in the LIMA exercise 2011 will be transported to Malaysia by the PN's Jacinto Class Patrol Vessel (BRP Emilio Jacinto – PS35) and one Logistic Support Vessel (BRP DAGUPAN CITY – LC 550).

"The Fleet-Marine Ready Force (FMRF) is designated as the unit of primary responsibility for the activity. As such, all designated PN vessels will all be placed under the operational control of the commander, Fleet-Marine Ready Force (CFMRF) for the duration of the activity," said Tonsay.

A send-off ceremony for the contingent was held Saturday at the Capt Salvo Pier, Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City.

Tonsay said on orders of the FMRF commander, Commodore Jaime S. Bernardino, a Naval Task Group was organized for the event. The task group, dubbed as Naval Task Group 80, is composed of 262 participants from the Naval Education and Training Command, Fleet Training Center, Philippine Navy Auxiliary Reserve Unit, Naval Modernization Office, Naval Doctrines Office, and the Naval Special Operations Group.

The delegation is headed by Capt. Virme P. Torralba.

LIMA 2011 is a five-day activity that will kick off on Dec. 6 in Langkawi. A series of conferences, exhibitions and demonstrations participated by international exhibitors will immediately follow the opening ceremony.

Tonsay said aside from technological advancement, LIMA 2011 will be an avenue of cultural exchange, training opportunity and learning experience for all the international participants.

"Since 1991, LIMA series of exhibition has proven to be an excellent platform for aerospace and maritime manufacturers and related industries to display and promote the latest aerospace technology to senior government officials, both civil and military and leaders of industries all over the Asia Pacific Region. It has a unique showcase for both the aerospace and maritime industries in the fast-expanding Asian commercial aviation, airport and defense markets," said the Navy spokesman.

"In extent, the activity foreseen as way of building a stronger ties between the participating countries in terms of maritime defense and international diplomatic engagements," he added.

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By ELENA L. ABEN

November 26, 2011, 5:59pm

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Authorities rescue remaining two of three abducted Koreans in Mindanao

Kidnappers abandoned two remaining Korean hostages late Saturday in Lanao del Norte, a military report said Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Roland Amarille, head of the Army Task Force Makalintad, told GMA News Online that the two of the remaining abducted Koreans, Seok Wu and Kim Kimnamdoo, were rescued around 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Lanao del Norte's Salvador town.

"The rescue of the two happened two days after their companion Choi In-So was abandoned by the abductors also in a far-flung area in the same town last Thursday," Amarille said.

All the three Koreans were seized on October 21 while scouting for mining opportunities in Lanao del Sur.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, but Amarille linked a certain Anwar Bilao as the leader of the gang that seized the Koreans.

Asked if rasom was paid for the Koreans' freedom, Amarille said, "I don't know of any amount of money being paid to the kidnappers."

"The freedom of three victims was mainly due to military and police pressure against the kinadppers. We were able to constrict the area where the gang of almost 30 armed men were hiding with their captives. I guess they ran out of food and other supplies and eventually decided to abandon their captives so their escape would be easy," Amarille said.

Also, he said the kidnappers belong to a band of purely notorious criminals and not to any armed group in the Lanao area.

Except for few bruises, the two Koreans were in good physical condition during the rescue, he added.— Mariz Revales /LBG, GMA News

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November 27, 2011 8:48am

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MILF official: Rogue commander Umbra Kato is dead

COTABATO CITY — Ameril Umra Kato, leader of a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, died while under the care of his first wife in Toril, Davao City, shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday.

In a text message to reporters, Atty. Michael Mastura, legal counsel of the MILF and member of the Front’s peace negotiating panel, on Saturday said “Now it is confirmed [that] Ameril Umbra Kato passed away in Toril..." Mastura's text message did not elaborate.

Last Saturday morning MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said a stroke "paralyzed" Kato and that the rogue leader could only communicate by writing.

With his breakaway group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), Kato had questioned the MILF's capability to face the government in peace negotiations as the Front does not represent the real sentiment of the Bangsamoro people.

Kato is facing charges for leading attacks in Mindanao after the Supreme Court junked in 2008 a Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain of the Bangsamoro.

Text messages were circulating Saturday morning saying Kato died after suffering a fatal stroke, allegedly causing blood to ooze from his mouth, nose, ears and eyes.

But Von Al-haq, the military spokesperson for the MILF, denied any confirmation on Kato's death.

"Yan yung nag-circulate na information... kaliwa't kanan... na umano'y namatay si Kato. But even his close relatives we asked could not confirm if Kato's death was true," Al-haq said.

He had a stroke, we believe it's true. It happened at his hiding place in Sharif Aguak in Maguindanao," Al-haq added, saying efforts to confirm Kato's death is ongoing. — LBG, GMA News

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November 27, 2011 12:35pm

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Navy comes to vessel's rescue

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Navy yesterday rescued four officers and 17 crewmembers of a cargo vessel, which had drifted for three days in the high seas off Misamis Occidental, authorities said.

Admiral Armand Guzman, chief of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said M/V Richard Rey, a cargo vessel of Cebu-based Fortune Sea Carrier Inc., was spotted by the BRP Jose Loor Sr. (PG 390) yesterday morning off Polo Point in Plaridel, Misamis Occidental.

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By Roel Pareño The Philippine Star Updated November 25, 2011 12:00 AM

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16 civilians killed in NPA's atrocities in Bicol - military

MANILA, Philippines - The New People's Army (NPA) has killed 16 civilians in Bicol since January, the military claimed today.

Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Army's 9th Division, said that the NPA has been involved in 29 cases of extralegal killings in the region. Sixteen of the victims were innocent civilians, he said.

Guzman said that the NPA usually tag the victims as military informants to justify their acts.

The military also accused the rebel group of generating propaganda to blame the killings on the military.

“The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) - NPA prints and broadcast visibility approach to extrajudicial killing issues are used as medium in the recruitment of new members and recovery of sympathy,” Guzman said.

“To many peasants, farmers, workers, indigenous people and the poor, extrajudicial killings are almost synonymous to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) abuses,” he added,

Maj. Gen. Josue Gaverza, commander of the Army’s 9th division, said the propaganda was intended to “discredit all efforts of the government to win peace.” – Corazon Miller, Trainee

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Philstar

Kidnapped S. Korean recovered in Philippines

One of three South Korean men missing for more than a month in the lawless southern Philippines has been found alive, but the fate of his two companions remains unknown, officials said Friday.

The South Korean, identified by police as Choi Inn So, was abandoned by his captors in the southern island of Mindanao late Thursday and was picked up by police and local officials, police and military spokesmen said.

"The kidnap victim was apparently ill and weak and was immediately brought to the hospital," regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said.

"They apparently abandoned him because he was sick. The situation of the other two kidnap victims is unknown."

He could not say what illness the South Korean was suffering from.

The man was found in a remote town on the border of Lanao del Sur and the neighbouring province of Lanao del Norte, said the head of the regional police, Chief Superintendent Jufel Adriatico.

His men are now searching for the other two kidnap victims, he added.

Adriatico said he had informed the South Korean embassy of the development. Embassy spokesmen declined to comment.

The three South Koreans were lured from their hotel in the trading city of Cagayan de Oro on October 21 and reportedly taken to Lanao del Sur, a heavily forested province about 50 kilometres (30 miles) away.

Police earlier said the three had been scouting for mining opportunities in Mindanao when they were taken and the kidnappers had contacted their relatives using their mobile phones.

Foreign governments warn their citizens to avoid many parts of the southern Philippines because of the threat of violent crime, including kidnapping for ransom.

A Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines that has dragged on for more than 40 years has given birth to a wide range of militants, bandits and pirates who carry out abductions.

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AFP News

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AFP to send more troops to Basilan

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is deploying an additional Army battalion to the troubled province of Basilan to beef up operations against the lawless group behind the killing of 19 Special Forces personnel there last month.

Col. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade and head of Joint Task Force Basilan, said the deployment of the additional battalion from the 1st Infantry Division is now being worked out.

Once carried out, there will be three regular Army battalions and a battalion of Scout Rangers and Special Forces which will be running after the group of renegade Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi, Abu Sayyaf leader Furugi Indama, and kidnapping gang head Long Malat.

Asnawi, Indama and Malat were tagged as the leaders of the Muslim militants who ambushed and killed 19 Special Forces men out to arrest them in Barangay Cambog in Al-Barka, Basilan last Oct. 18.

“We would like to defeat once and for all the threat of the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements in the area. That’s the reason why we will have additional forces coming in,” Visaya said.

According to intelligence reports, the “high value targets and their armed followers have already blended in with MILF communities in Barangay Ginanta and nearby villages in Al-Barka town to evade government troops pursuing them.

As agreed upon in the peace talks, government troops can only enter so-called areas of temporary stay of the MILF after coordination has been made with the government and MILF ceasefire panels.

In several instances, government troops have monitored that these lawless groups have been sending heavily armed young combatants outside of these areas apparently to monitor the movements of soldiers.

This, after Army troops recently cornered a young Muslim fighter who was with two adult members of the lawless group outside Al-Barka.

Visaya said they have tapped local officials in Basilan to help them address the security problem in the province.

“Our ground actions here are not only confined to mainly combat operations but also on civil-military operations with the involvement of local government units down to the lowest level,” he said.

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By Jaime Laude The Philippine Star Updated November 23, 2011 12:00 AM

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DND to prepare list of equipment to be acquired from Korea

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) will prepare a list of equipment that the government would acquire from South Korea after President Aquino sought its assistance in improving the military’s capability.

“This is for the DND so it will be the DND who will specify and make specifications of what exactly is needed as far as the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is concerned,” DND spokesman Zosimo Paredes told reporters yesterday.

Paredes said the drawing up of the list would be done in coordination with the military’s major services.

“We are still awaiting specific instructions from President vis-a-vis the agreement that will be signed,” he said.

Paredes said Aquino’s request for South Korea to help the AFP is significant given the need to boost the military’s capability.

“We welcome other friendly nations to help in this regard. We will not react negatively in terms of defense assistance from friendly countries,” he said.

The military said South Korea has been a “valuable partner” in its upgrade efforts.

“The AFP welcomes President Aquino’s plans to purchase military hardware and defense articles from South Korea,” AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. told The STAR.

“For many years now, South Korea has been a valuable partner of the AFP as we continuously upgrade our capability to address the nation’s security concerns and challenges,” he said.

Burgos said among the military equipment acquired from South Korea were the one-ton and two-ton truck troop carriers and squad automatic weapons.

“The K3 squad automatic weapons from South Korea provide superior firepower for our ground troops in the infantry and are now being used in our internal security operations,” he said.

Burgos said the KM 450 one-ton trucks provide “fast and efficient” troop lift capability to their field units.

“Aside from the one-ton and two-ton truck troop carriers and the squad automatic weapons from South Korea, we also purchased ballistic helmets and Kevlar vests for our troops’ force protection,” he said.

The President requested the assistance of Korean President Lee Myung-Bak in upgrading the AFP during their meeting in Malacañang last Monday.

“On defense cooperation, I expressed to President Lee the interest of the Philippines to gain some specific defense articles, such as military-grade helicopters, boats and aircraft,” Aquino told reporters. “This is in consonance with the upgrading and modernization of the AFP.”

‘Ninoy impressed with Koreans’

Meanwhile, Aquino told President Lee over dinner Monday that his father – the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. – was impressed with the strength of character of Koreans.

“I remember during our own Martial Law years, when I was but a mere child, my father, who also first introduced us to Korean cuisine, would relate to the family his stories about the deprivations that your country had to go through,” he said.– With Delon Porcalla

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By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated November 23, 2011 12:00 AM

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Soldier killed in clash with leftist rebels in Surigao

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A soldier was killed in an encounter with suspected leftist New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the southern province of Surigao del Norte today, a military spokesman said.

Col. Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said that a 30-minute clash occurred between the 30th Infantry Battalion soldiers and around 15 leftist rebels in Cantugar village in Mainit town.

One soldier was killed in action, he said, adding that the government troops were scouring the encounter site.

The NPA has been waging a guerrilla war against the government for over four decades already.

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(philstar.com) Updated November 22, 2011 08:02 PM

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2 rebels killed in Sultan Kudarat clash

MANILA (Xinhua) -- Two members of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed on Monday in a clash between two groups of MILF rebels in Lambayong town, Sultan Kudarat province.

Col. Leo Ferrer, commander of the Army's 601st Brigade, said Tuesday that a long-standing land dispute triggered the fighting between members of the MILF's 106th and 108th Base Command.

The gunfight lasted for four hours. Sampulna Baumol, commander of the 108th Base Command and one of his men were killed during the clash.

"Sampulna and one of his men were reportedly killed and were immediately buried," Ferrer said.

Ferrer said the military did not intervene in the fighting between the two feuding MILF groups because the problem was internal to the MILF, which is negotiating with the government for a peace accord for the past 14 years.

He said the military asked the government's Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities to inform their MILF counterpart "to pacify the warring parties."

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Updated November 22, 2011 02:30 PM

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2 MILF groups clash in Kudarat; 2 killed

MANILA, Philippines - Infighting within the ranks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) heightened on Monday when one of its field commanders was killed in an attack staged by a fellow commander in Sultan Kudarat.

Brig. Gen. Leo Ferrer, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade based in Tacurong City, said Army troops are closely monitoring the developments on the ground following the killing of MILF’s 106th Base Command commander Sampulna Baumol and one of his men by the group of Commander Gane Saligan of the MILF’s 108th Base Command.

Ferrer said fighting broke out between the two MILF groups when Saligan attacked the camp of Baumol in Barangay Pidtiguian, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat at around 1 p.m. Monday.

Ferrer said some 250 civilians were forced to flee their homes to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Fighting only ceased at around 5 p.m. Monday, Ferrer said, adding that the government and MILF peace panels have been informed about the skirmishes.

Ferrer said the fighting was triggered by a long-standing land dispute between the groups of Saligan and Sampulna.

The government peace panel has repeatedly called on the MILF leadership to address infighting among their fighters.

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By Jaime Laude The Philippine Star Updated November 23, 2011 12:00 AM

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AFP denies 80 rebels' surrender in Bukidnon fabricated

MANILA, Philippines - The military today challenged the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to prove its claim that the recent surrender of 80 communist rebels was just a fabrication.

Major. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Civil Relations Service chief, said it was the CPP that was resorting to “blatant lies” to fool the public.

“The CPP is resorting to deception and blatant lies about this latest surrender by the NPA (New People’s Army) lumads (members of indigenous groups) in Bukidnon,” he said in a statement.

“In truth the CPP-NPA leadership cannot accept the fact that more and more people are already fed-up of their atrocities,” he said.

Last November 14, a group of NPA members belonging to indigenous groups surrendered to the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion in Maramag, Bukindon.

The CPP accused the AFP of deceiving the public, saying it was fabricated to downplay the supposed growth of rebellion in the area.

“They are made to sign up an attendance sheet only to find out later that they are being accused of being NPA fighters and presented to the media as surrenderees,” CPP said in a statement.

The CPP also urged human rights organizations and civic groups to investigate the surrender and to determine whether the local residents were forced to join the ceremony.

The CPP has asked human rights organizations to investigate the incident.

Del Rosario said human rights organizations should conduct a probe to validate reports that 19 of the 80 rebel returnees were minors, stressing that the recruitment of child warriors is a violation of human rights. - Corazon Miller, Trainee

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Updated November 22, 2011 04:17 PM

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Police: 2nd bomb found near Maguindanao massacre site

Hours after an explosion was reported on Wednesday near the site of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, a bomb was found near the place where 58 people were killed exactly two years ago.

Maguindanao police chief Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac said the an explosive was found two kilometers (km) away from the memorial site built for the victims of the November 23, 2009 massacre in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

"Malapit ito nang kaunti ... mga 2 km along the way to the commemoration site," he said in an interview over radio dzBB.

Earlier, a blast was reported five kilometers from the site where the brutal murders occurred.

Pintac said they conducted a "deeper paneling" or investigation after the first blast was reported.

Based on their initial findings, the initial explosion was not meant to harm people, Pintac said.

"Yung sumabog kanina hindi intended to harm anybody ... walang shrapnel, hindi ito meant to hurt anyone," he said.

At least 57 people, 32 of them journalists, were murdered in Ampatuan town in 2009. A 58th victim is still missing. - VVP, GMA News

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11/23/2011 | 09:40 AM

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NCR cops on alert for Maguindanao massacre's 2nd anniversary

Police in Metro Manila were placed on high alert for activities marking the second anniversary of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

The Metro Manila police secured Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where many of the suspects in the case are detained, radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported.

Also on alert at Camp Bagong Diwa are personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the report said.

On the other hand, police are also on alert for protest actions expected from various groups marking the second anniversary of the massacre.

Several groups, including cause-oriented and journalist organizations, had scheduled activities on Wednesday to call for an end to impunity.

More than 50 people were killed, 32 of them journalists, in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

The report noted police are also securing Wednesday's court hearing on the case.

For Wednesday, the report said the prosecution plans to present a witness who can testify on a "grand conspiracy" that led to the killing. — LBG, GMA News

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11/23/2011 | 08:23 AM

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