Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that there is still a possibility that Filipino peacekeepers may return to their assignments abroad. Gazmin on Monday said that they would assess the situation on when the troops can return to their assignments. UN Filipino peacekeepers. FILE PHOTO “It’s still probable that they may return,” Gazmin said. “We have threat assessments, periodic threat assessments.” “If the situation improves, why not?” On Saturday, the Department of National Defense said that they would pull out its peacekeeping troops, under the UN, amid the worsening conflict in Golan Heights and the heightening threat of the Ebola virus in Liberia. DND spokesman Peter Galvez said the 331 peacekeepers in Golan Heights would be sent home once their tour of duty ends in October while the 115 troops in Liberia “would be repatriated as soon as possible.” Gazmin said the reason for the pull out was the heightening threats in both countries adding that President Benigno Aquino III has a responsibility to protect every Filipino. “Threats are getting worse and the President needs to protect every Filipino citizen,” Gazmin said. “In terms of security, we have a physical threat in Golan Heights and a health risk in Liberia.” Golan Heights is smack in the middle of the war zone between Israel and Palestine where air strikes occur frequently while Liberia is the epicenter of the Ebola virus. Gazmin, however, said that other peacekeepers deployed in other countries are to stay put, like the 156-strong contingent in Read More …

By Frances Mangosing |INQUIRER.net 5:58 pm | Monday, August 25th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines — One of the country’s most capable warships, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16), has made it to Australia for the Exercise Kakadu 2014. The ship arrived on Aug. 23 after it sailed from Subic last Aug.17 for the biggest Australian war games that will be participated by 12 countries. BRP Ramon Alcaraz’s (left) docks alongside with HMAS Stuart (center) and HMAS Sydney (right), ships of the Royal Australian Navy at Fort Hill Wharf, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia upon its arrival Saturday to participate in Exercise Kakadu 2014. Photo from the Navy Most of the Philippine Navy personnel onboard the warship had to undergo the “ridiculous initiation” called “Crossing the Equator Ceremony.” There were 105 pollywogs out of 165 Navy personnel in the BRP Alcaraz. “Pollywog is a term which refers to a sailor who has not yet crossed the equator, an imaginary line which divides the earth into northern and southern hemisphere,” explained Exercise Kakadu 2014 public affairs officer Ensign John Windy Abing. Those who have already crossed the equator are called shellbacks, and a ceremony has to be done in order to be called as such. “Tradition has it that all sailors crossing the equator for the first time should be prepared to appear before “King Neptune,” a Roman sea god who, according to legend, boards the ship as it crosses the equator line to test the seaworthiness of the sailors,” Abing wrote in his account. But it doesn’t mean to be properly dressed for the Read More …

By Aries Joseph Hegina |INQUIRER.net 5:11 pm | Monday, August 25th, 2014 Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that some Davao residents were recruited by the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In a television report, Duterte said that Filipinos who were recruited by ISIS have left the country in July. The Davao City mayor also said that he does not condemn the decision of those who joined ISIS as long as it would not wreak havoc in the country. Duterte’s confirmation reinforced the claim of former President Fidel V. Ramos who recently said in a TV interview that about 100 young Filipinos are training with the terrorist group. However, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dismissed the claim of Ramos, citing an AFP military intelligence report that revealed that no Filipino rebels were seen training with ISIS. The AFP later said that Duterte’s claims are unverified. “We haven’t covered any valid intel or any valid information,” Lieutenant General Eduardo Año, 10th Infantry Division (ID) Commander, said. “We have not reported any of the local jihadists leaving the country.” On Friday, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), a militant Muslim organization, said that it has formed an alliance with ISIS. BIFM, however, denied that they have sent men to Iraq and Syria to train or fight alongside with ISIS forces. ISIS is said to have emanated from the Al Qaeda in Iraq. Duterte’s ISIS claims unverified, AFP says  Breakaway Moro group admits alliance with ISIS  Saudi top cleric: ISIS, Read More …

By Bong Lozada |INQUIRER.net 4:47 pm | Monday, August 25th, 2014 Lieutenant General Eduardo Año. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–After Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte claimed that some Muslim rebels in Davao have joined terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that his information was still unverified. Lieutenant General Eduardo Año, 10th Infantry Division (ID) Commander, said there are no valid intelligence reports supporting the claims of Duterte, who echoed the statement of former president Fidel V. Ramos. “We haven’t covered any valid intel or any valid information,” said Año, who was still the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief early August. “We have not reported any of the local jihadists leaving the country.” He added that the AFP does not release any unverified information as it might cause panic to the people. “If we are to speculate, say something that is not validated, it may cause panic to our people,” Año said. Despite Duterte’s claims, Año said that members of the rebel group Abu Sayyaf, who pledged support to ISIS, are still in the country. Año said that the group, which also calls itself as Kalifa Islamiyaah, is conducting the training in the borders of Lanao and Maguindanao. He, however, said that the 10th ID would still verify Duterte’s claims and look into the appropriate action that would be implemented. “I don’t know his basis, but we will check it,” Año said. “We will take a careful look on what his basis is.” Año added that he would have his Division’s Intelligence officers check into the claim. Read More …