Zambo siege was carried out by ‘misguided’ factions in MNLF – AFP official

 News
Dec 102013
 
Zambo siege was carried out by ‘misguided’ factions in MNLF – AFP official

A military spokesman said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is “not against” the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in general since the attack on Zamboanga City in September was carried out not by the whole group but by “misguided” factions led by the group’s founding chairman Nur Misuari. “We have a final peace agreement already with the MNLF and we are not against the MNLF… What happened in Zamboanga [was done by] factions of the MNLF, that they used violence to advance their goals which, to us, is unacceptable,” said AFP information chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala on Tuesday. “We believe that the MNLF still abides by the final peace agreement and that what happened in Zamboanga [was done] only [by] those misguided by Nur Misuari,” he added. Misuari and some of his men are wanted for the attack, which left over 200 people dead, most of them MNLF fighters. Although not physically present during the attack, Misuari allegedly ordered the siege as he accused the government of disregarding them in the peace negotiations it is conducting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The rebels claimed last year’s signing of a Bangsamoro Framework Agreement between the government and the MILF sidelined the peace agreement the government signed with the MNLF in 1996. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News

Aquino assures enough funds to help Yolanda victims

 Entertainment
Nov 142013
 
Aquino assures enough funds to help Yolanda victims

Aerial shot of the province of which was heavily damaged by super typhoon Yolanda (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday evening reassured the public that government has enough funds to help those affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). The President said the funds include some P16 billion in savings, P6 billion from the President’s Social Fund, and P1 billion from the calamity and contingency funds. “And yung sa reconstruction phase naman (As for the reconstruction phase), most of that would occur next year wherein the new budget hopefully will have been approved and there will be new funding for the rehabilitation,” he said after getting a briefing on the situation at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. On the other hand, the President said the government can draw from the Quick Response Funds of agencies such as the Departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). He noted that the bulk of the DPWH’s work for now is clearing roads. “At isama ko na rin pala. Sinasabi ng DOST, DENR, na parang itong event na ‘Yolanda’ ay tapos na,” he added. Meanwhile the President reiterated that the government’s priority now is to restore power and communications to affected areas. He said the DPWH will clear roads to facilitate relief efforts, while the DSWD and agencies like the National Food Authority go full blast in repacking operations. For their part, the military’s C-130 planes and Read More …

Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit

 News
Oct 102013
 
Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 6:53 pm | Thursday, October 10th, 2013 Indonesia’s military chief General Moeldoko pays a courtesy call to Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday at the General Headquarters Camp Aguinaldo. He is on a “goodwill visit” to the country from October 9 to 11. Photo from AFP Public Affairs MANILA, Philippines – Indonesia’s military chief is in the Philippines for a three-day visit. General Moeldoko, commander-in-chief of Tentara Nacional Indonesia (Indonesian Defense Forces), paid a courtesy call to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines General Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday at Camp Aguinaldo. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said his visit was part of a tradition of military chiefs among Asean counterparts. He will be in the country from October 9 to 11. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Features , General Moeldoko , Global Nation , Indonesia , Military Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

DND says it received over P600M from DAP

 News
Oct 082013
 
DND says it received over P600M from DAP

The Department of National Defense (DND) has received over P600 million from the Aquino administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), the constitutionality of which is being challenged before the Supreme Court. In a statement Tuesday, the DND said the P665.6 million it received from 2011 to 2012 were used for the programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, such as the procurement of equipment and spare parts, on-base housing, and the repair, renovation and rehabilitation of different facilities, the department said in a statement. Bulk of the funds for AFP went to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Presidential Security Group (PSG), according to the statement. The air force used its P397.3 million DAP funds for on-base housing facilities and the procurement of communication equipment. The funds were also used for various PAF’s projects such as the allocation of resources for search and rescue requirements, base facilities and equipment, and the repair, renovation and rehabilitation of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) facilities in Lipa, Batangas. Meanwhile, the PSG got P248.3 million for its communication enhancement project — the repair of buildings and barracks, the upgrade of communication equipment to digital from analog, and the installation of CCTV in the Malacañang complex. The DAP, which allows the Department of Budget and Management to pool government savings for other purposes, was said to be the source of the P50 million given to some senators last year after the Senate impeachment court voted to convict then-Chief Justice Renato Corona. — Read More …

Flights to and from Zamboanga City still suspended

 Economy
Sep 092013
 
Flights to and from Zamboanga City still suspended

MANILA, Philippines – All commercial flights to and from Zamboanga remain suspended on Tuesday due to the ongoing conflict between government troops and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said. “Yung aming Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) ay hanggang alas-9 lang sana kagabi (Monday night) pero ang aming information from the Armed Forces, sa intelligence unit nila, and aming sariling intelligence people, ine-extend po namin ang suspension hanggang alas-9 ng gabi ngayong araw na ito (Tuesday),” said CAAP Deputy Director General Rodante Joya. About 10 flights will be affected for the second day of the travel suspension. On Monday, 10 flights were also canceled, stranding 1,500 passengers. Cargo planes are also covered by the suspension, Joya said. Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco appealed to CAAP to lift the suspension as it is affecting commerce in the city, but Joya said there were reports of stray bullets reaching the airport’s runway. The airport is about 3 to 4 kilometers away from the conflict area. Classes in all levels and work are also suspended for the day. The conflict broke out on Monday as MNLF forces reportedly ask for the recognition of Bangsamoro Republik, an unrecognized government declared independent last month by its leader Nur Misuari. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 At least four were reported killed while 14 were injured according to the city government. About 170 more were kept hostage by the group.

PNP adopts 'EDSA Tayo' security plan; intel community alert for Sept 11 threats

 News
Sep 092013
 
PNP adopts 'EDSA Tayo' security plan; intel community alert for Sept 11 threats

The Metro Manila police have adopted a security plan for Wednesday’s anti-pork barrel prayer vigil at the EDSA shrine, that takes into account Monday’s Zamboanga City gun battles. As part of the security plan, Police officers are to inspect backpacks at the “EDSA Tayo” prayer vigil. Metro Manila police head Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr. said they did not want a repeat of the Boston Marathon bombing at the “EDSA Tayo” event, radio dzBB’s Sam Nielsen reported. A backpack was used to conceal pressure-cooker bombs in the Boston Marathon bombing earlier this year. Police units area also prepared for the possibility of a spillover from the Zamboanga City clashes. Government troops and the Moro National Liberation Front gunmen fought a battle within the city limits Monday, leaving six people dead. Wednesday’s “EDSA Tayo” activity is a follow-up of the August 26 anti-pork barrel gathering at the Luneta in Manila. Sept 11 terror attack Meanwhile, Intelligence units of the Philippine National Police are on alert for possible threats marking the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attack on the United States. PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said they are working with the intelligence community to verify possible threats on the anniversary, radio dzBB’s Tuesday Niu reported. Sindac added the PNP has not forgotten the significance of the 2001 terror attack, in which hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Also, Sindac said the PNP’s intelligence unit is exchanging notes with its counterparts Read More …

NDRRMC: 274 still missing from sunken ship in Cebu

 News
Aug 162013
 
NDRRMC: 274 still missing from sunken ship in Cebu

Red Cross personnel attend to survivors of ships’ collision. Survivors of the collision between two ships near the Cebu International Port in waters off the towns of Talisay and Cordova are attended to be personnel of the Philippine Red Cross. GMA News – Cebu At least 274 passengers are still missing as of 7 a.m. Saturday from the collision of a passenger ship and a cargo vessel off Cebu Friday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. In its 7 a.m. update, the NDRRMC indicated the missing are from the MV Saint Thomas Aquinas of 2GO Shipping, as the crew of the MV Suplicio Express 7 are accounted for. “As of 7 a.m. (Saturday), 24 persons are confirmed dead, 572 passengers were rescued, and 274 are missing,” it said. The NDRRMC said the 38 crewmembers of the MV Sulpicio Express 7 are “all safe and accounted for.” Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, and Department of Health taking part in the efforts. Volunteer groups are also helping in the search and rescue efforts. The NDRRMC said the injured victims were brought to various hospitals while the fatalities’ remains were brought to Pier 4 in Cebu City. Management of 2GO provided relief assistance including temporary shelter to 300 survivors at the passengers’ terminal of Pier 4. Other survivors were billeted at Subutel and Stella Marie Hotel, while other survivors in Talisay City Read More …

Aquino expresses belief the Armed Forces is capable of fulfilling its mandate

 Entertainment
Jul 292013
 

MANILA, July 27 (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed strong belief in the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in fulfilling its mandate to protect the lives of the Filipinos. In his speech during the celebration of the 24th National Annual Convention of the School for Reserve Commission and Armed […]

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