NPA attacks unarmed soldiers one hurt and killing another

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
November 23, 2010

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  The terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the province of Northern Samar attacked unarmed soldiers while enjoying their off duty swimming and washing clothes in the famous, “Pinipisakan Falls” in Brgy. San Isidro, Las Navas town late morning yesterday, November 22.

Based on the report reaching this headquarters from the commanding officer of the Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Joel Paloma, Technical Sergeant Edgardo Tahum and Sergeant Rennie Solis both members of 6th Field Artillery Battery were in their admin time washing their dirty clothes with five (5) innocent young people when fully armed terrorists opened fire at them.

Tahum was hit at his right knee and left foot and was later brought to HANJIN clinic for first aid treatment then rushed to Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for appropriate medication.  Solis was unfortunately hit on his head that caused his instantaneous and untimely death while the five young people displaced the area covered with morbid fear and still in state of shock as of press time.

Pinipisikan Falls, a tourist destination in Northern Samar is about 300 meters away from the proper of Brgy San Isidro and about 21 km away from Las Navas. With the combined effort of the civilians in the area and the troops of 63IB, Solis’ body was recovered and brought to the 63IB’s headquarters in Opong, town of Catubig for proper disposition.  Relatives are already informed about the incident.

Meanwhile, the commander 8ID Major General Mario Chan strongly condemns in the strongest possible terms the newest blatant violation of the terrorist NPA on human rights and international humanitarian law.

“These soldiers are not armed during that time and had no capacity to engage any armed confrontation.  The act perpetrated by these terrorist is a clear manifestation of ill-respect to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), a total abuse of our people’s right that is deemed condemnable in the strongest possible terms,” declares Major General Chan.

“I challenge now the different human rights advocates who keep on barking over the violation of human rights to come into the open and eventually condemn this undoubtedly upsurge of human rights violation.  Why don’t you bark once more and condemn these brutal godless monsters that mercilessly attacked the defenceless troops?  Prove now that you are really for the human rights of the people, and not for the rights of these terrorists,” says General Chan.

“I am also appealing to our peace loving people to work hand-in-hand with the authorities to include media entities and various religious and people’s organization to take account our moral obligations to maintain harmony in the province. Let us all be united to condemn the drastic and brutal violation of our people’s right, not just for our own sake, but for our children and their children,” says General Chan.

Major General Chan also said that the attack made by the terrorist against unarmed soldiers is nothing but their desperate move to retaliate against the successive successful feat of the 8ID for the past few weeks particularly in the tri-boundary areas of the Samar provinces where the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC) main camp fell in the hands of the government and assorted high powered firearms, war materiel, explosive materials, medical supplies & equipment, communications equipment, subversive documents and other high valued equipment and personal belongings were recovered.

These hopeless moves of bringing front lies and propaganda as well as sabotaging and brutal killing are just used by the NPA to project their false strength to the people and pretend to be winning their barbaric cause.

“I understand that the reason why they are doing these deeds targeting the soft targets is to make us loosen the grip of our intensified combat operations in the area that gradually drains their resources.  This incident would not make our desire to stop insurgency in the province for the benefit of our people, instead we will continue to pursue these terrorists until finally put an end on their violent,” Chan adds.

“I would like to recognize the heroism paid for by our comrade-in-arms who died in the true spirit of peace and democracy.  The highest regards of our people and our Armed Forces will be bestowed upon him.  Although sad to note, my deepest condolences to the love ones left by Sgt Solis,” vows General Chan.

Civilian tips repel NPA attack against government forces

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
November 23, 2010

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  The 52nd Cadre Battalion’s 33rd Western Samar CAFGU Active Auxiliary Company in Poblacion, Motiong, Samar was attempted to harass by the unidentified number of New People’s Army (NPA) around 9:50 p.m. yesterday, November 22.

According to report that reached to this headquarters, the NPA’s attack failed due to the early warning provided by the residents in the area.

The NPA was armed by assorted high powered firearms when they attempted to take over the camp and the fire fight just lasted for 10 minutes because the enemy sensed the readiness of the soldiers and CAAs manning the camp.

No one was reported hurt in the side of the government forces while on the enemy side. It is still being determined as of press time.

Meanwhile, Major General Chan, 8ID’s commander commended the troops of Motiong detachment for successfully defending their post and thwarting the enemy attack.  According to Major General Chan, “Such gallant feat of our troops is a clear manifestation of their dedication to duty in poretecting the people against the threat groups that will sow terror to the peace loving Samarenos”.

He said that another NPA plan was thwarted due to the unwavering support of our people.  It only proves that insurgency could not be totally expunged by a mere military solution.  It needs a thorough collaboration between the civilians and the soldiers.

“As I was saying, this feat can be attributed to our people. Our services can be fully carried out if our people also show concern, not just for our soldiers, but for themselves too,” he says.

Troops were already sent out to pursue the fleeing communist terrorists and make them face the legal charges and the full force of the law.

With the standing call of General Chan to the rebels to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream society to re-experience the genuine democracy, he further said that the 8ID is very much firmed to sue those who do not show intention to cooperate with the government and keep on staging chaos to the people.

“Our people are already tired of waiting their long desired peace and development in the region.  Even they are voluntarily giving their share to lessen the burden of our government to fast track this insurgency problem that mocks the decent living condition of our people.  And now that they keep on showing their ardent desire for peace, the 8ID assures them with a remarkable services for the sake of peace, prosperity and eventually development in Region 8 ,” vows General Chan.

Silliman University law team is new champ of 2010 moot court competition on IHL

By ICRC
November 22, 2010

MANILA  –  The Silliman University team outshined 13 other law schools to emerge as champions in the recent national moot court competition on international humanitarian law (IHL).

The team from Dumaguete City clinched first place in the finals held 20 November at the Supreme Court en banc session hall. They were adjudged as best team by a panel of judges led by Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and lawyer Harry Roque.

"The finalists were very well prepared, and it was a very difficult choice. We hope the winners will do well in Hong Kong – it takes a real character to go in front of the court and argue your points. Our country needs people like that, and I hope one day I will see them in the halls of the Supreme Court again,” said Justice Sereno.

Aside from receiving a trophy, the Silliman University law team will be sent by the ICRC to the regional finals in Hong Kong in 2011. Last year, the winning team from Ateneo de Manila University ranked as one of the top five prosecution teams in the HK finals.

A total of 14 law schools from across the country displayed their argumentation skills in the annual event organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS), and the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Nine provincial law schools and five law schools in Metro Manila joined this year's competition: Silliman, Ateneo de Davao University, St. Louis University-Baguio, Southwestern University in Cebu, University of Cebu, University of San Carlos in Cebu, University of Batangas, University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, Lyceum of the Philippines, San Beda College of Law and University of the Philippines-Diliman.

San Sebastian College Manila played host for the elimination and semifinal rounds. "It's the second time for our school to join but it's my first," said Phoebeth Peras, a junior law student from the University of Cebu. "If you're prepared for the match, then it's only your sense of confidence that can harm your presentation."

But lawyer Neil Silva, a former mooter and one of the judges for the elimination round, said he was “very impressed” with the students. “They were able to combine comprehensiveness and depth, which is usually not easy to combine. They were well-prepared to sustain the most difficult questions on IHL," he observed.

An "IHL role-play challenge" was also introduced this year to simulate practical applications of the law that seeks to limit the effects of war. For this challenge, the students were asked to act as an ICRC delegate, a military officer, reporter, or civilian dealing with an armed-conflict situation.

Southwestern University was declared the best team for the role-play challenge. They were awarded books on IHL for their effective performance.

"We've worked really hard to prepare for the moot court competition, but it was a real challenge, particularly the role play. But it was worth it! We've made some many new friends, and being in the en banc hall of the Supreme court makes it really special," said best mooter Micah Dagaerag of Silliman.

The moot court contest began in 2005 with only six participating schools but it is now considered a prestigious event for law students, being the only moot court competition that is allowed to hold its finals in the high tribunal's en banc session hall.

"I hope more schools will join the moot court competition in the years to come because it gives the students an alternate means of training and learning. It also exposes them to international law, which I discovered myself to be a very dynamic field," added Silva.

As part of its IHL program for the academe, the ICRC also supported the publication of the third volume of the Asia-Pacific IHL Yearbook, which was launched by the UP-Institute of International Legal Studies on 17 November.

The ICRC is a neutral and impartial organization that assists and protects victims of armed conflicts. As guardian of IHL, it reminds parties to the conflict of their obligation under this law to spare the lives of civilians and to treat them with humanity and dignity.

Solon backs Pope on condom use to fight AIDS

Press Release
November 22, 2010

QUEZON CITY  –  Pope Benedict XVI's declaration favoring the use of condoms to halt the spread of AIDS will go a long way in promoting safe sex among Filipinos, Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said Monday.

Barzaga said the use of both male and female condoms would surely mitigate the grave public health risks associated with AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

"The Pope is absolutely right. Unless we aggressively encourage the use of condoms, we risk losing a greater number of otherwise able-bodied Filipinos to AIDS in the years ahead," Barzaga said.

"If we examine the statistics closely, the AIDS-causing HIV is definitely spreading here at an alarming rate," he pointed out.

"From a monthly average of only 44 new HIV cases diagnosed two years ago, we now have a monthly average of 133 new infections getting detected," Barzaga added.

In the whole of 2008, a total of only 528 new HIV cases were reported, or a monthly average of just 44.

In the whole of 2009, a total of 835 new HIV cases were listed, or a monthly average of 70.

From January to September this year, however, the monthly average new cases discovered soared to 133.

Citing a report by the National AIDS Registry, Barzaga said a total of 1,201 new HIV cases have thus far been diagnosed in the nine months to September this year. "In September alone, the 153 new HIV cases reported was nearly three times the 56 cases in September 2009," Barzaga said.

The 153 new cases in September also brought to 5,625 the cumulative number of Filipinos found infected with HIV since passive surveillance began in 1984.

"Considering that our surveillance system is passive, there's really no telling how many new HIV cases are left undiagnosed and unreported every month," Barzaga said.

He noted that of the aggregate 5,625 HIV cases detected in the country, 90 percent or 5,027 were found infected through sexual contact.

"There's no question the use of condoms will contribute in a big way to containing the spread of AIDS," Barzaga said.

Calbayog Mayor expresses desire to run against the incumbent governor in a recall election

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
November 20, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY  –  Since nobody wanted to fight the Tans, Calbayog Mayor Reynaldo Uy finally made up his mind and announced before the press in a conference on Thursday held at I’s Plant Hotel, this city that he is set to run for governor in the province of Samar and Board Member Eunice Babalcon for vice-governor should a recall election be granted by the Commission on Elections.

Said move was an upshot of the League of Municipalities (LMP-Samar Chapter) board resolution where 18 mayors have signified their signatures expressing their support that a recall election against incumbents Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Vice-Governor Stephen James Tan be held.

According to Uy, his desire to govern the province of Samar is not for personal interest but to serve the people, eliminate signing of blank vouchers, quashing ghost projects, giving the 20% development fund to respective towns and restoring the capitol in its old form.

“Calbayog is already a city. Let’s concentrate in Catbalogan for development, Uy said.

The resolution passed by the majority bloc at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Thursday during the regular session specifically cites the basis for filing a petition for recall election, to wit:

“First, the incumbent officials in the position have been remiss and remain to be remiss in the performance of their duties and functions as public officials in the Province of Samar; second, basic social services and programs are not properly implemented due to poor administration, lack of capacity to govern, and engagement in divisive partisan politics on the part of said Governor and Vice Governor; third, the people of Samar have long been deprived of the basic services and programs of government in the field of health, education, livelihood, infrastructure, agriculture and other programs and activities meant to improve their lives; fourth, the continued stay in power of the present dispensation administered by Tan Family will only cause more damage than benefits to the people of Samar; fifth, despite repeated public demands asking the present administration of Governor Sharee Ann Tan and her brother Vice Governor Stephen James tan to observe the tenets of good government for the Province of Samar, efforts towards that end are always put to naught because of their personal and family interests, whims and caprices, apathy, greed and arrogance; sixth, the governor, vice governor and their cohorts had conspired in illegally obtaining the make-believe approval of the 2010 budget of the province for no other purpose but to give semblance of legality to their ever-increasing venalities in government; seventh, the people of Samar have been suffering from undue and inept public administration characterized by rampant graft and corruption collectively resulting in the betrayal of public trust and loss of confidence; eighth, the Constitution provides that the congress shall enact a local government code which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structures instituted through a system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative, and referendum, allocate among different local government units their powers, responsibilities, and resources, and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment, and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of the local unit; and ninth, Republic Act 7160 specifically provides the initiation of recall process as amended by RA 9244.”

Liberal Party’s counsel Roger Casurao said that in case of Samar Province where it has an estimated number of 450,000 registered voters, only 10 percent from that shall be required to sign in the petition. Such signatures will be verified by the COMELEC.

The Local Government Code of 1991 provides that “no recall shall take place within one (1) year immediately preceding a regular local election”, which refers to one where the position of the local officials to be recalled is to be actually contested and filled by the electorate.

“Dire pwede magparecall within one year tikang lumingkod an usa nga elective official,” Casurao clarified.

It was also learned from the prescon that there were already signature campaigns initiated and the target date for recall is 2011.

To support this allegation, Mayor Uy admitted having made his move in the second district of Samar by helping some officials in the latest Barangay and SK Elections, and he was so satisfied with the result when he gained the sympathy of 20 mayors from among the 25 towns in the whole province.

In the forthcoming ABC and SK Federation Elections, the group has already chosen their candidates to run against the other.

Greenpeace calls on Philippines to Turn the Tide; Bats for renewable Mindanao

By GREENPEACE
November 19, 2010

GENERAL SANTOS CITY  –  Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior arrived today in General Santos City in Mindanao, Southern Philippines to kick off the Philippine leg of her “Turn the Tide” tour of Southeast Asia.  The ship, which brings with her a vision of a green and peaceful future, has been travelling the region since September and is now on its final tour stop in the Philippines.  Greenpeace is calling for an Energy [R]evolution in the country and is batting for clean, sustainable, peaceful energy in Mindanao.

“Greenpeace believes that clean, renewable energy is crucial for genuine development.  Our message is clear: sustainability and economic development go hand in hand.  Destructive, carbon intensive fossil-fuel based systems have given rise to the most urgent environmental threats that our country and the world faces today.  This is now the challenge for President Noynoy Aquino.  Even as the current administration is looking at ways to stimulate the economy, it is critical that economic interventions are also sustainable for the planet and especially for the Philippines’ future,” said Mark Dia, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Philippines country representative.

“Clean energy has an important role to play in Mindanao’s sustainable development, and now is the time to intervene before more coal plants are built on the island.  There are options available to Mindanao other than coal -- options that work.  Mindanao with a renewable energy scenario opens doors to a green development pathway for the island, and less conflict with equal access and sovereignty of energy for all,” he added.

The Rainbow Warrior arrives in the Philippines two months after the launch of the “Turn the Tide Tour” in Bangkok, Thailand.  The ship has been sailing the region, working with grassroots environmental movements in Thailand and in Indonesia, and joining communities in their call for renewable energy solutions and their demand for a model of development that values human lives and livelihoods, as well as the natural ecosystems on which these depend.  The Tour marks 10 years of Greenpeace Southeast Asia campaigns to protect forests, catalyze an Energy [R]evolution, promote sustainable agriculture, and stop water pollution in the region.

Greenpeace believes that the Philippines has the potential to lead the Energy [R]evolution and be a model of renewable energy uptake and low-carbon development.  As an archipelago and a developing country, the Philippines is known to be vulnerable to climate change.  But what is lesser known is that the country could lead the rest of the developing world by harnessing its enormous renewable energy potential.  Data from the Department of Energy shows that the country’s total wind power potential is at 70,000 megawatts (MW), and solar power potential is at 5.1 kilowatt hours per square meter.  Currently, new renewables comprise only .9% of the country’s energy mix.

As part of the ship tour, Greenpeace is inviting President Aquino to visit their flagship when it docks in Manila on November 27 to 29, and is urging him to commit to 50% renewable energy by 2020, through a public petition at their website, www.grenpeace.org.ph.

“The Rainbow Warrior is a symbol of positive change and represents people’s struggle for a cleaner, greener and peaceful future.  We are honored to be part of the movement in the Philippines that aims to make green development a reality.  The Rainbow Warrior first toured the Philippines ten years ago to expose and address toxic waste and dioxin pollution from incineration.  She has since sailed for clean energy and for the phase out of coal power.  In those ten years, landmark laws have been enacted.  We believe that change is possible, and together with communities, action can turn the tide,” said Mike Finken, captain of the Rainbow Warrior.

The Rainbow Warrior’s two-and-a-half month voyage across Southeast Asia to promote a green and peaceful future began in Thailand on September 17, 2010 and will conclude in Manila on November 29. The ship’s fourth visit to the region coincides with the 10th year anniversary of Greenpeace’s official presence in Southeast Asia – as well as the Rainbow Warrior’s first ever tour of the region, the ‘Toxics-Free Asia Tour’ in 2000. Follow the Tour on www.greenpeace.org/seasia.

WE Act 1325 Network launched today

By MYRA M. TAMBOR
November 17, 2010

QUEZON CITY  –  A back to back significant event was held today to give emphasis on the efforts of women leaders to the peace initiatives in the country.  Women leaders representing various organizations came to the launching of WE Act 1325 Network and gathered together for a forum on “Implementing the Philippine National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325: Ways Forward”.  The event held at Miriam College, Quezon City was graced by the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles.

United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 passed 10 years ago, “reaffirms the need to implement fully international humanitarian law that protects the rights of women and girls during and after conflicts and expresses concerned that civilians particularly women and children, account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict and recognizes the consequent impact this has on durable peace and reconciliation.  It also reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution.”

WE Act 1325 Network which stand for Women engaged in action on 1325, was established to ensure that the UN Resolution will be implemented in the country.  The said network is composed of Sulong CARHRIHL, Al Mujadilah Development Foundation, Aksiyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan, Asian Circle 1325, Balay Rehabilitation Center, Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance, Center for Peace Education, Coalition of Mindanao Indigenous People for Peace Advocacy, GZO Peace Institute, Initiatives for Interfaith Dialogue, Isis International, Lupah Sug Bangsamoro Women, Mindanao 1325, Mindanao People’s Caucus, Nisa Ul Haqq Fi Bangsamoro, Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court, PILIPINA, Panghiliusa sa Paghidhu-Negros PSPN, Saligan Mindanao, Women and Gender Institute.

Meanwhile, the network received an overwhelming support from various partners both coming from international and national agencies, such are United Nations Development Fund, UNIFEM soon to be called UN Woman, UNFPA, Global Network of Women Peace Builders and the Philippine Commission on Women.  “The solidarity messages of the official representatives of these organizations are just great and we all need to hear it for us to be more inspired and do more for the places in our country where the adverse impact of armed conflict is experienced”, said Ms. Joeven Reyes of Sulong CARHRIHL.

Further, Reyes said that WE Act 1325 has formulated the Philippine National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security: Implementing UNSCR 1325 as well as 1820 aiming for 2 goal of actions.  These are to: 1st Ensure the protection of women’s human rights and prevention of violation of these rights in armed conflict and post - conflict situations; 2nd Empower women and ensure their active and meaningful participation in areas of conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, peace building and post-conflict reconstruction; 3rd Promote and mainstream a gender perspective in all aspects of conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace building; and 4th To institutionalize a system to monitor, evaluate and report on the implementation of the National Action Plan in order to enhance accountability for successful implementation and the achievement of its goal.