Philippine Defense chief sees peaceful elections in Sulu

Dr. Sakur Tan, the provincial governor of Sulu.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / February 7, 2010) – Filipino Defense chief Norberto Gonzales assured peaceful elections in the southern province of Sulu after meeting with local politicians, government media said Sunday.

It said Gonzales with Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and Representative Munir Arbison and that both have agreed to peaceful elections in May. Tan, a religious man, is seeking reelection under the government’s political coalition Lakas-Kampi-CMD, while Arbison, who is on his third and last term, is running against the incumbent governor.

“Cultivating his old personal ties with the Tausugs, Gonzales convinced Governor Sakur Tan and Congressman Munir Arbison, together with their respective supporters who were either incumbent holders or candidates for elected local positions in Sulu, to put aside their arms and instead engage in a fair and brotherly competition,” the Philippine News Agency reported.

Last month, Senior Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, the regional police chief, ordered the investigation into the reports that some 300 firearms landed in the coastal town of Luuk.

Tan, citing intelligence reports, said the weapons were smuggled in Luuk by a still unidentified armed group after President Gloria Arroyo declared martial law in December in Maguindanao province where security forces recovered huge caches of light infantry and heavy artillery weapons allegedly owned by the powerful Ampatuan clan.

It was unknown whether the weapons came from Maguindanao or who owns arms cache.

The Ampatuan clan is one of the most feared in Mindanao and also among the wealthiest in the impoverished Maguindanao province, whose governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., and his sons, Zaldy Ampatuan, the regional governor, and Andal Ampatuan Jr., and several family members and relatives were linked by authorities to the gruesome killings of 57 people on November 23.
Among those killed were 31 journalists and wife and relatives of Buluan vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, who is a candidate for governor of Maguindanao in next year’s polls. The victims were on a political caravan when they were abducted and killed by more then 100 gunmen allegedly led by Ampatuan Jr.

All of them were eventually arrested in connection with the brutal slayings. The Ampatuans denied all the accusations against them.

Tan last year also put Sulu under a state of emergency after Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped three Red Cross workers. He also ordered security forces to dismantle all private armies of political warlords in the province.

Police also recruited some 2,000 civilians to form part of the Police Auxiliary Unit to help authorities fight terrorism and guard villages against rebel attacks.

The Abu Sayyaf group was also linked to last year’s failed assassination attempt on Tan outside his office in Patikul town. Militants bombed Tan’s convoy on May 13 that wounded 10 people, including a local town mayor Hatta Berto.

Tan just came from his office and on his way home when a motorcycle bomb exploded near his vehicle. Police later captured two suspected bombers Juhan Alimuddin and Sulayman Muin who confessed to investigators that they were hired by Tan’s political foe to kill the governor.

Manila has put up a one million peso-bounty for the arrest of those behind the failed assassination and religious and civil groups condemned the attack. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine Defense Chief Visits Zamboanga City

Philippine Defense chief Norberto Gonzales during a visit Friday, February 5, 2010 to Zamboanga City where he presided a youth forum and attended a meeting by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 5, 2010) - Philippine Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales arrived in Zamboanga City in Mindanao Island for a series of meetings with private and government groups.

Gonzales also visited eight wounded soldiers at a military base in Western Mindanao Command where he and regional marine commander Lieutenant Benjamin Dolorfino pinned them medals.

The soldiers were among a group of infantrymen injured in a recent roadside bombing by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan province that had killed an army man.

While in Zamboanga City, Gonzales also spoke at a youth forum and attended a meeting by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council and another forum on climate change. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines Defense chief enjoys durian in Sulu province

Philippine Defense chief Norberto Gonzales enjoys eating durian besides Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during a visit in Sulu province in the southern Philippines. Tan says Sulu is rich in many varieties of fruits such as durian and mangosteen and is ready to supply various markets in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Manila Gives In To MILF Demand, Signs Deal On Muslim Homeland In Troubled South

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 27, 2008) – Philippine peace negotiators late Sunday rushed to make a deal with Muslim rebels and promised them ancestral homeland hours before President Gloria Arroyo is to deliver her State of the Nation Address.

Government negotiators and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels have agreed on the issue of ancestral domain and formal signing has been set next month, said Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator.

“We have already initialed the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain at ten p.m. tonight. There will be formal signing on August. The document is secured from further discussion,” Iqbal told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Kuala Lumpur where the peace talks were held.

Rebel leaders have accused the Arroyo government of reneging on previous agreements on the Muslim ancestral domain that led to the failure of the peace talks in Malaysia, which is mediating in the negotiations.

Government peace negotiators led by Rodolfo Garcia tried to change an earlier deal on the ancestral domain that led to the collapse of the talks on Friday, Iqbal said.

President Gloria Arroyo’s peace adviser Hermogenes Esperon flew Sunday to Malaysia to restart the stalled talks and eventually agreeing to the rebel demand for a separate homeland.

The MILF also wanted the August 11 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) postponed until after the peace agreement is signed. The five-province ARMM is included in the ancestral domain, including some areas in Zamboanga Peninsula, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces in Mindanao where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes. And also Palawan Island in central Philippines.

The formal signing of the agreement on the ancestral domain was originally set on August 5. Arroyo has supported the proposal to postpone the ARMM polls for the peace talks to succeed. Arroyo is also expected to include the MILF peace talks in her State of the Nation Address on Monday morning.

Iqbal said the formal signing would be held in Malaysia with Esperon, Garcia and Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Arroyo’s security adviser.

Esperon said there is need to amend the Constitution to allow plebiscite on areas under the ancestral domain that would make up the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity and give Muslims their own homeland.

The MILF previously said it will not sign any peace deal with the Arroyo government unless its demand for self-determination is granted. Last year, peace talks were also stalled after government negotiators reneged on the same deal.

Arroyo opened peace talks with the MILF in 2001 after deposing President Joseph Estrada in a bloodless revolution. But despite the peace talks, sporadic fighting between rebels and soldiers still continue in Mindanao with both sides accusing each other of violating a fragile truce accord.

The MILF is fighting for the establishment of a strict Islamic state in Mindanao, whose more than 18 million populations include about 4 million Muslims.

The Arroyo government previously offered the MILF the whole of the Muslim autonomous region, which is composed of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are among the poorest in the country torn by strife and clan wars since its creation in 1989. The MILF flatly rejected the offer and insisted on self-determination.

But peace negotiators earlier this month signed an agreement in Kuala Lumpur that will empower the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity to build, develop and maintain its own institutions, inclusive of civil service, electoral, financial and banking, education, legislation, legal, economic, police and internal security force, judicial system and correctional institutions necessary for developing a progressive Muslim society. (Mindanao Examiner)

No People Power Coming, Says Arroyo Security Adviser

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 30, 2008) - Philippine National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales has appealed to citizens to help in nation building and support efforts by the government to bring about peace and development in the country.

Gonzales was in Davao City at the weekend and spoke at a forum participated by members of civil society groups and non-government organizations. He also explained the real story behind the ZTE controversy and current political situation in the country.

“The Filipino people at the moment are not interested in people power. We are not going towards any people power revolt. Most people do not want to attend protest actions,” Gonzales said at the forum organized by the Concerned Dabawenyos for Peace and Development and the Centre for Strategic Studies.

Since the surfacing of Rodolfo Lozada, a self-confessed witness, who alleged that a P200-million bribe was offered by Elections chief Benjamin Abalos Sr., to Romulo Neri, then Economic Secretary. This allegation opened a Philippine Senate investigation that caused sectors from the students, business and civil society to call for President Gloria Arroyo to resign.

Abalos has resigned as head of the Commission on Elections to pave the way for an impartial investigations.

At the forum, Gonzales explained that the prospect of change in the presidency is remote, “because President Arroyo is too strong”.

He said the important elements found in Edsa 1 revolution are not present in the current situation. Bishops, priest and nuns bearing rosaries in rallies is not around.”They do not join now”.

The 1986 people power is a miracle, he said. “Mother Mary made Edsa 1 possible.”

Gonzales said “the trouble is, government is not allowed to do what it should do to address problems of the country.” Government needs a communication system like the ZTE project to synchronize communication system of the country.

“Politicians in the opposition realize the futility of the present exercise calling for the resignation of the president, but they continue to do their tricks to gain the media mileage they badly need for the upcoming national elections in 2010”, the Secretary Gonzales finally said. (Candido Apararece, Jr.)

Basilan Clash Adds Crack On Already Fragile Peace In Southern Philippines

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Peace Talks Sa MILF, Namimiligro Na Dahil Sa Basilan Clash!

Si Philippine Marines chief Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga habang nakatitig sa labi ng mga sundalong napatay ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front sa Basilan province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

BASILAN (Mindanao Examiner / 13 Jul) – Nagmatigas kahapon ang pamahalaan na dapat pagbayaran ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Abu Sayyaf ang pagpatay sa 14 na sundalo sa lalawigan ng Basilan.

Sampu sa mga napatay ay pinugutan ng ulo at ang iba naman ay tinanggalan pa ng ari ng mga rebeldeng MILF at militanteng Abu Sayyaf sa labanan nanaganap nuong nakaraang Martes sa bayan ng Al-Barka.

Naunang ipinahayag ng militar na handa itong tugisin ng militar ang mga Abu Sayyaf sa lalawigan ng Basilan kahit pa nasa lugar ito ng rebeldeng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Tiniyak naman kahapon ni acting Defense chief Norberto Gonzales na bibigyan ng aksyon ng pamahalaan ang naganap na karumaldumal na pagpaslang sa mga sundalo.

Kasalukuyang may peace talks ang pamahalaan sa MILF at anumang kaguluhan sa pagitan ng dalawang grupo ay posibleng makadiskaril sa paguusap.

“Hindi natin papayagan na hindi maparusahan yun gumawa ng ganoon,” ani pa ni Gonzales sa pahayag nito sa himpilang dzRH.

Sinabi ni Gonzales na bagamat importante ang peace process sa Mindanao ay dapat isaalang-alang ang batas ng bansa.

Halatang masama ang loob ni Gonzales habang nagbibigay ng pahayag dahil sa nasawing mga marines. Ibinunyag pa nitong miyembro rin siya ng Philippines Marines at isang reservist.

Tila hinamon pa ni Gonzales ang MILF ng sabihin nito sa radyo na: “Eh kung gusto nilang umatras eh di umatras sila (sa peace talks) pero sa ilalim ng batas ay dapat (silang) parusahan.”

Ito ay matapos na sabihin ng dzRH na dahil may peace talks ay hindi maaring ipanakot ito ng rebeldeng grupo.

Sinabi ni Gonzales na hindi lamang ambush ang ginawa ng MILF dahil pinugutan pa ng ulo ang mga sundalo.

“Nasa peace process tayo eh tapos aambusin ninyo ang mga sundalo. At hindi lang simpleng ambush ang ginawa at kita-kita naman ng lahat (sa television videos) ang nagyari at hindi naman natin pedeng payagan iyan,” ani Gonzales. “Hindi natin papayagan na yun mga nagkasala ay hindi paparusahan.”

Unang sinabi ni Philippine Marines chief, Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga na hindi titigilan ng mga tropa ang grupong nasa likod ng pagpatay sa mga sundalo.

"Definitely, we will pursue the Abu Sayyaf wherever they are," ani Allaga ng tanungin kung hahabulin ng mga tropa ang mga militante.

Ito rin ang sinabi sa Abante ni Western Mindanao chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo at hindi titigil ang militar sa pagtugis sa Abu Sayyaf.

Unang ibinintang ng militar sa Abu Sayyaf at MILF ang pagpatay sa sundalo ng Marines. Nais rin ni Cedo na makuha ang mga armas na nasamsam ng [inagsanib na puwersa ng Abu Sayyaf at MILF, kabilang ang limang M60 machine guns at mga automatic rifles.

Sinabi ni Cedo na ang mga sundalong napatay ay bahagi ng mga grupong naghahanap sa dinukot na Italian Catholic priest Giancarlo Bossi na umano'y bihag sa bayan ng Al-Barka. "There is a high probability the kidnapped priest was brought to Basilan," dagdag pa nito.

Kahapon ay inamin ng AFP na may mga kilos na ang militar sa Basilan at ipinupuwesto na ang mga sundalo upang tugisin ang nasa likod ng pagpatay sa 14 na tropa ng Marines.

"We are pre-positioning troops in the area. It will be more of punitive actions. We will be running after the perpetrators," ani Bacarro.

Sa harap nito, sinabi ni Bacarro na titiyakin naman ng militar ang kaligtasan ni Bossi sakaling nasa Basilan nga ito itinatago ng mga dumukot sa kanya. (Juley Reyes at Juan Magtanggol)

Human Rights Group Hails Catholic Bishops Stand On RP Anti-Terror Law

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 10 Jul) – A human rights group on Tuesday praised the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) after it called for a review of the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007, or the anti-terrorism law, citing apprehension among lawyers and other sectors.

The militant group and the CBCP even condemned the soon-to-be-implemented Act as “even worse than PP1017, CPR and EO464.” “We welcome the timely objection of the CBCP to the HSA implementation on July 15,” said Karapatan regional head Beberly Musni.

The CBCP expressed concern over the “morality dimension” of the law which is set for implementation on July 15. Earlier, the militants urged the CBCP to issue statements condemning the implementation of the said Anti-Terror law.

“We hope the other faiths and sectors will follow suit,” said Musni adding people should expressed on the widest and strongest condemnation to the HSA.

Musni said, like the opposition of the multi-sectors on Charter Change will compel the GMA regime to abandon the HSA.

“This is like impact on the peoples’ freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and in right to liberty and privacy,” she said. Last year, the Supreme Court declared Executive Order 464 and Presidential Proclamation1017 as “unconstitutional and partly unconstitutional.”

“Our outrage over the attempted charter change should be again being expressed on the HSA,” said Musni. Musni also urged the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, headed by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, to support the CBCP stand. President Gloria Arroyo said the HSA will take effect on July 15.

“The new law could be used to abuse the rights of government critics,” said Musni. Musni claimed that it is ironic that instead of making the people feel secure, the law would most likely cause chaos and insecurity.

The CBCP called for the suspension of the implementation of HSA. "Since we, as pastors, have to look more into the morality of this law and make a pronouncement in that level,” said in a CBCP’s statement however, reiterated their pursuit for peace as well as condemnation of terrorist acts.

On Monday, acting Defense Secy. Norberto Gonzales maintained that the public has no reason to fear the HAS. "If you are not planning anything illegal then the law is for the protection of human rights and not for its (human rights) violation," he said.

Arroyo was in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday where she spoke at the Mindanao Peace and Security Summit.

Cagayan de Oro Mayor Constantino Jaraula said the country needs the new law to address the threat of terrorism.

Gonzales said the government is seriously considering tagging the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army as terrorist organizations. The United States and European Union also listed the CPP and NPA as foreign terrorist organizations on Manila’s prodding.

Arroyo initiated the summit through the National Security Council (NSC) and was attended by multi-sector groups in Mindanao, local government officials, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP), ulamas, priests and even representatives of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), members of the academe and the President’s Cabinet who hold positions in the security cluster committee.

Arroyo has defined the government's target in the next three years, which is for the AFP to give strategic defeat to insurgency and other rebel groups, modernize the military, advance the protection of human rights, a sustainable peace in Mindanao and expand alliances for regional and global security.

She also signed Executive Order 546, stating the important role of local officials in preparing internal security plans in their localities and the making of PNP as co-equal partner in the effort of combating insurgencies and terrorism in the country.

Peace initiatives and development are also starting to pour in with the optimism of foreign donors supportive of the government peace initiatives in Mindanao. (With a report from Ben Balce)

Philippine Authorities Fail To Locate Kidnapped Italian Priest

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All Set For Anti-Terror Summit In Southern Philippines

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 09 Jul) – Security is tight Monday in Cagayan de Oro City where President Gloria Arroyo is to speak on an anti-terrorism summit.

Arroyo would also meet with her Cabinet security cluster in the first leg of public consultations on the Human Security Act (HSA) which is set to take effect on July 15.

Senior Supt. Aurelio Trampe Jr., chief of the local police force, said he placed the entire city on heightened security alert because of the summit at the Pryce Plaza here. “Additional personnel will be deployed in crowded places in the entire city,” said Trampe. “We provided 2nd and 3rd layer security to President Arroyo today.”

The summit is expected to draw leaders and experts in the security field from the government, business, religious and the academe, according to Trampe. But militant groups and political activists have threatened to stage mass actions to protest the anti-terrorism law.

They said the HAS would be used by the government to silence progressive groups and politicians opposed to Arroyo’s rule. Beverly Musni, head of the human rights group, Karapatan, said militants and activists would immediately be arrested once the HSA took effect.

But Norberto Gonzales, National Security Adviser and acting Defense chief, said the HSA had enough safeguards to prevent its abuse.

“There is nothing to fear really. The law is there to protect the public, not to harm them,” he said, adding people must commit a terrorist act before they can be arrested.

Gonzales, who is also the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) consultant, also said the anti-terror law is all set for implementation but admitted that its organizational structure is still being finalized.

“We’ve already complied with most of the requirements but I’m not sure how complete our organization is because we have to identify members of the office that would implement it,” he said.

Trampe said they expect militant groups to hold protest actions but this would not hinder the consultation. “We are prepared with our civil disturbance management team in case there will be street rallies,” Trampe said.

City Mayor Constantino Jaraula said Arroyo would arrive later in the day.

According to a government handout, the summit aims to identify problems and difficulties faced in fighting terrorists from the perspectives of the stakeholders and to agree on an action agenda to strengthen local mechanisms for counter-terrorism. (Ben Balce)

Amnestiya Sa Mga Rebeldeng Grupo, Pinaboran Ng Defense Department!

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 02 Jul) – Pabor ang bagong liderato ng Department of National Defense (DND) sa ipinapanukalang paggawad ng amnestiya sa mga rebelde, kabilang ang mga nag-aklas na miyembro ng militar.

Ayon kay Defense officer-in-charge at National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, bahagi ng demokratikong proseso ang pagbibigay ng amnestiya sa mga rebelde.

Ngunit, mahalaga aniyang mapag-aralan muna ito ng Kongreso at magpatibay ng batas hinggil sa nasabing hakbang.

Idinagdag pa ni Gonzales na kung plano ng Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso sa pamamagitan ni House Speaker Jose de Venecia na ipursige ang amnestiya ay kailangang isagawa na ito sa lalong madaling panahon.

"It has to be studied as early as possible," ani Gonzales. Sinabi ng kalihim na nakahanda silang magbigay ng rekomendasyon hinggil sa naturang usapin. (Juley Reyes)

Dating Security Adviser, OIC Defense Chief Na; Bumanat Agad!

QUEZON CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 02 Jul) – Aminado ngayon ang kaluluklok na Officer-in-Charge ng Department of National Defense (DND) na si National Security Council (NSC) Adviser Norberto Gonzales na tagumpay o nakalalamang ang mga kalaban ng Estado sa mapanirang propaganda.

Isinagawa kanina ang turn-over ceremony sa Tanggulang Pambansa na pansamantalang pangangasiwaan ni Gonzales sa loob ng isang buwan bago maupo si Tarlac Rep. Gilbert Teodoro Jr. sa Agosto 3.

Ang dating kalihim na si Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., ay ibinalik sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) matapos ang limang buwang panunungkulan sa DND. Sa kanyang talumpati, sinabi ni Gonzales na tuluyang nadidiin ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa usapin ng extrajudicial killings dahil sa kampanya ng mga kalaban tulad ng Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).

"Enemies are successful in showing that we are wrong. This cannot be allowed to happen. The communists is using the killings as propaganda, unnecessarily blaming the government," ani Gonzales.

Sa isang buwang magiging pag-upo ni Gonzales ay tiniyak nito sa mga miyembro ng AFP na hindi na magagamit ng mga rebelde at terorista ang black propaganda upang linlangin o papaniwalain ang taumbayan.

Pinayuhan rin ng kalihim ang militar na isakatuparan ang trabaho nang matahimik.Nais ni Gonzales na maipursige ang mga pagsisiyasat sa pagkakadawit ng militar sa political killings at bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga kaanak ng biktima na makapagsalita para sa panig nito. (Juley Reyes)

MILF Tags 2 Arroyo Advisers As Behind Resignation Of Peace Negotiator

COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 19 Jun) – Two senior Arroyo government advsiers were said to be behind the resignation of the country’s chief peace negotiator with Muslim rebels in the restive southern Mindanao region.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) tagged Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza and National Security adviser Norberto Gonzales as behind the replacement of Silvestre Afable as head of the government peace panel.

A Catholic priest, Eliseo Mercado, is named new government peace negotiator.

“We have unimpeachable sources from the Palace that told us the two – Dureza and Gonzales – are behind Afable’s sudden resignation,” the head of the MILF peace panel, Mohagher Iqbal, told the regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.

Iqbal said the two officials, with the participation of an unidentified, but influential religious group, hatched the plan to remove Afable last week for still unknown reasons.

“Afable’s resignation is a set back to the peace process. Afable has done so much for the peace process,” he said.

He called Dureza and Gonzales as “gigolo and spoilers of the peace process.”

Dureza was a former lead government negotiator with the MILF, but had resigned after rebel leaders accused him of secretly inserting a provision on a previously signed agreement.

The two officials were not immediately available to comment on the allegations.

The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for a separate homeland in the troubled, but mineral-rich region of Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)