Bomb blast rocks Basilan's capital town, 1 injured

ISABELA, Basilan--An improvised bomb exploded as a convoy of vehicles passed by near a house of a local politician here at 12:00 noon today.

Military reports said that the bomb was detonated as the vehicle carrying Isabela Vice Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibun, followed by a Red Cross vehicle, passed by the house of Mayor Cherry Lyn Akbar in Sunrise village.

Shrapnels ripped off parts of both vehicles, causing slight injury to  Red Cross personnel identified as Jonathan Cabuyao.

Police investigators who rushed to the scene of the blast found out that the improvised bomb was attached to an XRM motorcycle that was parked along the road.

In his statement to the police, Ajibun said that he might be the target of the bomb attack perpetrated by still unidentified people.

The Army's 104th Brigade led by Col. Arthur Ang has dispatched soldiers to assist the local police in the conduct of thorough investigation.

1st Infantry Division chief, Brig. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz urged the people to help monitor the security situation, and report to government authorities the presence of suspicious looking people in their locality.

Quipayo Church (Immaculate Conception Church)

Famously known as one of the oldest churches in Bicolandia, the Immaculate Conception Church (also known as Quipayo Church) was established by Franciscan Missionaries who flocked to Bicol Region in 1578.

The 'Ladrillo' (brick) church is located in the village of Quipayo in Calabanga town, Camarines Sur. To reach this place, you have to take a jeep with Calabanga signboard from a terminal in Naga City. From the town center, you can take a motorcycle towards the site.

The Quipayo Church remains as an independent parish until today, making it one of the oldest parishes of the Archdiocese of Caceres.

The arch bridge of the church remains intact after almost 500 years of existence.

As one of the earliest brick churches which were built by the Spaniards, this church has become an enduring symbol of the Christianization of the Bicol region. By virtue of Presidential Decree Nr 1505 dtd June 11, 1978, this church was declared by the National Historical Institute as a National Historical Landmark.

Two NPA Bandits Die in Bicol Clashes

SCOUT RANGERS identify themselves with the black panther (also referred as Musang), for its ferocity and ability to hunt its prey using stealth.

PILI, Camarines Sur-- Two NPA bandits were killed in two separate clashes in the Bicol region yesterday, Monday.

The first clash erupted in Binawangan village, Capalonga town in Camarines Norte at around 7:50am between the elite Scout Rangers and a small band of bandits.

One bandit lay dead in the 30-minute running gunbattle that ensued. The soldiers confiscated a Caliber 5.56mm M16 Armalite Rifle and two laptop computers from the rebels.

No one was hurt among the Rangers who have launched prompt pursuit operations following the blood traces of the fleeing rebels.

In Masbate province, another clash occurred in Bagacay village, San Jacinto town at around 2:00pm.  

The combined elements of the 9th Infantry Battalion led by Lt Col Jun Pacatan and the local police of the said town were conducting law enforcement operations to arrest extortionists when they were fired upon by the rebels numbering around 30.

The soldiers confiscated from the rebels a Cal 5.56mm M16 Rifle,  a 12-gauge shotgun and components used in assembling improvised landmines after the 10-minute clash.

An unidentified dead bandit was abandoned by his comrades who fled in disarray. The soldiers brought him to the village for identification purposes.

"No one among the residents knew the identity of the slain rebel so we arranged with the local officials for his immediate burial," said Pacatan in a phone call.

Major General Josue Gaverza, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division based here said that the encounters were the result of the cooperation extended by the civilian populace to the government forces.

"We can only end the insurgency problem through Bayanihan. We are thankful to the people who provided us with accurate information about the presence of rebels who extort money from them,"said Gaverza.

Army deploys 100 soldiers to secure a development project in Albay

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – After the recent burning of construction equipment in Daraga town in Albay, a hundred-strong Infantry Company of Army soldiers is deployed to safeguard the construction of an international airport.

Lt Col. Audrey Pasia, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, said that he has started deploying additional troops in Alobo village of said town since this morning.

"Aside from conducting security operations, the soldiers will continue to implement various peace and development missions in the nearby villages. We will work closely with our counterparts in the local government to help the people in the locality," he said.

The deployment of additional soldiers was requested by the local government officials after the burning of some construction equipment owned by Sunwest Corporation, by suspected NPA rebels on May 18.

Local authorities in the area believe that the rebels resented the non-payment of extortion money to the NPA by the private contractors.

 

Acts of banditry

Major Harold Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, said that the recent attack on a development project has shown that the NPA is no longer fighting for a cause, but has metamorphosed to become the largest bandit group in the country today.

"They are masquerading themselves as fighting for freedom and for the rights of the people but their activities in the field appear otherwise. The people are fed up by the forcible collection of extortion money which they proclaim as "revolutionary taxes"," he said.

In the year 2011, a total of 1.2 billion peso worth of properties were damaged by the NPA rebels as a result of the 31 reported atrocities against business establishments and government infrastructures.

It can be recalled that Joma Sison issued a statement during the 43rd Founding Anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), directing the CPP’s armed group, the NPA, to intensify its attacks.

The NPA'S raid on the Taganito Mining firm in Surigao by the rebels was carried out because of the mining company's refusal to pay extortion. It is an open secret that mining firms are always targeted by the NPA to compel them to pay enormous sum of money extorted from them.

"The NPA attacks against development projects have evil purposes: They want the people to remain poor by depriving them of economic opportunities brought out by the existence of infrastructure projects. Also, they can easily manipulate the minds of the people who are living in misery in isolated communities like the ones in Caramoan peninsula," said Cabunoc who once served in the Bicol Region.

Cabunoc also said that the NPA rebels could no longer hide the fact that extortion activities are their main source of income.

"Senior communist leaders have enjoyed the luxury of receiving a steady flow of extortion money collected not only from big business entities but also from poor farmers in far-flung communities. As a matter of fact, a high-ranking NPA leader in Albay who has no known source of income, Iglicerio Pernia a.k.a. Ka Choy, was arrested by security forces while gambling in Bulacan with at least three hundred thousand pesos of cold cash in his possession in 2008," he said.

In 2011, the CPP-NPA-NDF (CNN) has collected an estimated amount of 300 million pesos from its extortion activities, a significant increase from the 95.5 Million estimated collection in 2010 . A high percentage of this amount is generated from forced collections from big business establishments like mining firms and transportation companies.

The figure of the communist rebels' extortion revenues could rise during the election period due to the usual collection of permit to campaign (PTC) or permit to win (PTW) fees from aspiring politicians.

Cabunoc said that it is high time for the people to think twice before giving in to the demands of the small bands of extortionists which are thriving in some communities.

"Banditry is one of the serious problems in the countryside. We would like the people to join hands in resisting these armed extortionists by denying any form of support to them and to report their presence to government authorities," he said.

Army Shooting Team Won Medals in Australia

SHOOTING DOWN UNDER. Members of the Army's Shooting Team pose for a souvenir photo during the 2012 Australian Army Skill At Arms Meeting held in Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria last week. (MTU Photo)

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The Army Shooting Team won international recognition in the recently concluded Australian Army Skills-at-Arms Meeting (AASAM) held at Puckapunyal Military Area in Victoria, Australia from May 01-21, 2012.

Lt Col Ricky Bunayog, the Commanding Officer of the Army's Marksmanship Training Unit, said that  the team brought home  2 Golds, 4 Silvers and 9 Bronze medals.

Composed of veteran shooters of the Army, the Philippine team emerged number seven among the 16 participating countries in this year’s competition.

Major Harold Cabunoc, Army spokesperson said that it is another pride not only to the Army but also to the entire country.

“The team’s victory is another concrete manifestation of your Army’s high level of excellence in the field of marksmanship. Our team has consistently brought home lasting honor for the country in the past decade,” he said.

The AASAM which started in 1984 at North Queensland Australia is an annual event open to international competitors. It is designed to enhance Army operational capability by means of a rigorous, challenging and combat focused skill at arms competition.

Several teams including ASEAN members, Japan, US Army and Marines, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, French Forces New Caledonia join Australian competitors marking a participation increase this year.

The Philippine Army Shooting Team started joining the competition in 2005 which was held in New South Wales.

The Army shooters who battled in the two-week combat marksmanship shooting match include Staff Sgt. Jesustino B Agod, Staff Sgt. Armando G Mejia, Staff Sgt. Rudy M Edas, Staff Sgt. Alan G Lao, Staff Sgt Willard B Carrera, Staff Sgt. Jovemar M Rapsing, Cpl. Rodney L Rizano, Cpl. Angelo E Bonagua, Pfc. Jumar B Cenas, Pfc. Hader D Hammara and Pfc. Rosalito A Collado.

Accompanying Bunayog who served as Contingent Commander, are  Maj. Amelito G Baa, Maj. Charlie C Banaag, who both served as support staff members.

The team’s past victories in AASAM include the bagging of  2 golds, 1 silver and a bronze medal in 2005 and  2 Golds and 4 Silver medals in 2009. 

Its best performance was in 2010 garnering  eight Golds, 11 Silvers and one Bronze medal. In the same year they have recorded the fastest time in the obstacle course race marking the fastest ever in the entire AASAM history. Their feat was capped by bringing home the Perpetual Trophy for the Rifle Falling Plates match.

The team has added a new addition to its growing number of awards by bringing home the Meggit International Trophy for the Battle Simulation match this year.

Similarly, collecting Gold medals becomes the team’s habit in other national as well as international shooting competitions hosted by foreign countries such as China and Australia.

The team is expected to present their medals to Army Chief Lt Gen Emmanuel T Bautista who is happy about the new accomplishment of the shooting team.

Bautista himself is a shooting enthusiast. He leads the Army shooting team in the quarterly Games of the Generals that is participated by star-rank officers from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard.

Aside from shooting competitions, the Army Shooting Team is also actively involved in implementing various marksmanship training program in the different Army units all throughout the archipelago.

An Army shooter inspects a foxhole shooting position prior to the start of the shooting match that simulates combat situation. Electronic targets are laid down  the field at varied distances (100m-400m).  (MTU Photo)

Shooters count their hits on the silhouette targets which were mounted on electronic target system called DART (Disappearing Automatic Retaliatory Target).

SHOOTING FRIENDS. Philippine Army shooters pose for a photo with the contingent of shooters from Japan.

 2005 AASAM Photos

The Army sent its first shooting contingent to AASAM in October 2005. I participated as a shooter, firing both a scoped M16A2 Rifle and M1911A1 Pistol. Two of the original members of this contingent, SSg Rudy Edas (seated, 2nd from left), and Cpl Rodney Rizano (standing, 2nd from right), are members of the 2012 AASAM Team.

This is my photo during the International Practice match, a very challenging match simulating combat scenarios in the field. My Mindanao battle experiences made the difference here.

Carrying a combat load weighing around 7.5kgs, I engaged man-sized targets with my pistol out to 50-meters. Certainly, this shooting match is very challenging and very much applicable in our field situations. That is why, we recommended that the Army Shooting Team be allowed to compete here every two years.

BROTHERS IN ARMS. International shooting competitions are our opportunities to win friends around the globe. This is the reason why friendly shooting matches among various Armed Forces must be continued.

Army soldiers repulse NPA rebel attack in Albay

DARAGA, Albay – Two soldiers were wounded while defending a security outpost that was attacked by heavily-armed NPA rebels in Barangay Alobo here at about 9:35 p.m. last night (May 18). 

Col Arthur P Ang, the Commander of the 901^st Infantry Brigade based here, said that around eight NPA rebels rained bullets on  the 12-man Army detachment which was providing security at the construction site of an international airport located in this town.

“Our soldiers were able to maneuver and repulse the rebels in the 10 minute firefight which ensued. However, another small band of rebels were able to torch down some of the construction equipment which were located several hundred meters away from the soldiers' harboring area,” said Ang.

Two soldiers identified as Pfc Gapayao and Pfc Cornal of 2IB were wounded during the attack. They are now in stable condition at a local hospital in Legaspi City.

“Without our soldiers, all equipment and facilities could have been burned,” added Ang who have directed a prompt pursuit operations against the rebels.

The rebels were able to set some equipment ablaze before disappearing in the darkness.

The construction equipment are owned by Sunwest Corporation which had been victimized by NPA attacks in the past years for its refusal to pay extortion money demanded by the bandits..

In 2009, Army soldiers also foiled the NPAs attempt to burn heavy equipment used in constructing the hydroelectric plant in San Miguel, Catanduanes.

Ang has directed Lt Col Audrey Pasia of the  2nd Infantry Battalion to pursue the rebels and beef up the security forces manning the construction site.

“This is a desperate move by the NPA rebels because Sunwest Corporation will never concede to their extortion demands,” he said.

Major General Josue S Gaverza Jr., Commander of the 9^th Infantry Division' personally checked the damage caused by the bandits.

He met some local officials and the private contractors to coordinate the resumption of the construction jobs. 

An officer of Sunwest Corporation has pledged to replace the damaged equipment so that the project can be completed in the soonest time as possible.

President Ramon Magsaysay's Ancestral House

If you are visiting the province of Zambales, the ancestral house of former President Ramon "Monching" Magsaysay is worth your visit. It is located along the national highway in Castillejos town. 

Let me tour you around the place and appreciate the life of President Magsaysay, one of the finest leaders our country ever had.

This place is administered by the National Historical Institute after it was converted into a museum in 1990. It is open from Tuesday-Sunday every week.

This is the main entrance to the house where the 'Champion of the Masses' spent his younger days until he became the 7th President of the Republic. The house was damaged by the 1991 eruption of Mt Pinatubo but it was restored to its former glory as what we can see today.

As you enter the house, you will be greeted by Monching's photo on horse back, as if watching over you from a distance.

 Here are some of his memorabilia when he served as President of the republic

These are the war medals that he earned when he served as a military officer of the guerilla forces who fought the Japanese during the 2nd world war.

This is my photo while clicking snapshots of the great memorabilia displayed inside the house.

Some of the personal belongings that he used during his Presidency

This is the wooden stairs leading towards the second floor of his house 

 This is the place where old Monching takes his time to relax

This is the view from the veranda where you can see the national highway. Right across the ancestral house is a church of the Iglesia Filipina Indepediente.



This is the garage where you can find his 1942 Willy's Jeep and 1955 Cadillac, both of which are in good running condition. He used the Willy's Jeep when he was Defense Secretary and the Cadillac was his Presidential car (1953-1957). 

 This is the view of the house from behind. The glass-walled garage is in the right side of the photo.

Outside the photo is a bust of the late President, standing guard of the place which was his home until the time of his death.

Army soldiers rescue road accident victims in Mt Province

ARMY RESCUERS carry an injured passenger of a jeep which plunged to a ravine in Dalican village, Bontoc town last Sunday (May 13), killing 11 people. (Photo by S7, 54IB) 

BONTOC, Mt Province- Army soldiers launched a prompt rescue mission to save the victims of a road accident here Sunday afternoon (May 13).

Lt Col Steve Crespillo, the Commander of the 54th Infantry Battalion , said that he sent the rescue teams from his battalion upon learning about the freak road accident in Sitio Balitian, Bgy Dalican in this town, at around 3:30pm.

"My soldiers led by Staff Sgt Rodante Juan and SSgt Pedro Mamgue, rushed to the scene to retrieve the victims who were trapped inside the vehicle. Six of the passengers died instantly and the soldiers immediately transported the survivors to Bontoc General Hospital for treatment where some of them expired, raising the number of fatalities to 11," he said.

"Ten people survived the accident and they are now recuperating from their sustained injuries. Meanwhile, 8 of the dead victims were brought to Dalican village for proper disposition," he added.

Pvt First Class Jonathan Baltazar, a member of 54IB was at the scene during the incident. He promptly requested for rescue teams from his unit.

A squad of soldiers led by Ssgt Randy Paggao which was on Bayanihan activities in the same village, also joined in the rescue mission, saving the severely injured victims.

 Later in the evening, Crespillo likewise informed the provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council about the said accident.

The passenger jeep owned by Mr Robin Rescay and driven by a certain Tony Dulawan, was negotiating a steep curve when it plunged to the ravine due to 'miscalculation'.

The fatalities of the accident include: Sherleene Benis, Maryanne Campoli, Chuwarey Arokod, Jonalyn Sallongen, Teresa Arochay, Chagon Chamkas, Adelene Dumaksyon, Melvin Arochay and Delia Sumilao.


Crespillo said that he has condoled with the families of the victims.

 

Army soldiers receive new housing units

DEFENSE SECRETARY Voltaire Gazmin salutes the colors together with Army Chief Lt Gen. Emmanuel Bautista upon his arrival at the Army headquarters at 1:30pm today, May 14, 2012. Gazmin was the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the turn over of housing units to military personnel who once occupied the JUSMAG area. (Photo by Pfc Cesar Lopez)

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City- The Philippine Army has formally turned over 32 newly-constructed housing units to deserving military personnel inside the Army headquarters here, at 1:30 pm today (Monday), a military official said.

Defense Secretary Voltaire T Gazmin attended the ceremony as the guest of honor and speaker, signifying his strong support to the Army’s projects which are focused on the morale and welfare program for its personnel. Senior military officials led by Army Chief Lt Gen Emmanuel Bautista also graced the occasion that was attended by other military personnel, beneficiaries and their family members.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, said that the construction of the housing units is under the JUSMAG Replication project of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority .

It is the BCDA's initiative to secure the relocation of JUSMAG housing area occupants whose residential area is taken over by BCDA for possible lease or development.

“The former JUSMAG occupants are prioritized in this replication project, and there are also new applicants who were granted the privilege to avail of these housing facilities inside the camp,” said Cabunoc.

In his short message, BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano Cassanova said that the completion of the replication project was his own personal commitment.

"This is our way to recognize the invaluable services rendered by our soldiers for the country. We would like to honor them with a decent housing facility that they can call home," he said.

The 32 completed units are part of the 160 condo-type units of the 10-unit buildings which are constructed a few hundred meters away from the posh residences of Mc Kinley Hill.

Cabunoc said that the remainining 128 units are still undergoing final touches and will be completed by November 2012.

Each housing unit has 3 main bedrooms and a maid's quarters which is comparable to the condo units in nearby areas that can be rented at around P15,000.00-P18,000.00/month.

Army personnel occupying on-base units pay a maintenance fee amounting to Php 400.00 for enlisted personnel and P500.00 for officers. This 'rental fee' could vary depending on the quarter allowances per computed based on the soldier's rank.

Aside from the condo-type housing units, the Army will also turn-over 50 apartment type housing units later this year. With a floor area measuring around 180 sqm., each unit has 4 bedrooms and an attic.

These units are projected as transferring area for the occupants of the Junior Officers Quarters (JOQ) along Arellano Road. Vacated units will be awarded to 50 deserving enlisted personnel of the command.

The new Army housing program

The new Army housing program started sometime in 2005 as part of the Armys' thrust to grant decent housing facilities for its soldiers. To achieve this goal, the Army partnered with Non-Government Organizations and Local Government Units to strengthen its housing initiatives.

Since the inception of the Army Housing Program, a total of 2,144 Army-wide on-base housing units were already granted to personnel, 879 of which are inside Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila.

On-base housing facilities are constructed right inside the Army bases across the country, but these could not be owned by the soldiers. Those who opt to avail of off-base housing can own the property by availing of housing loans from reputable lending institutions partnered by the Army like the PAG-IBIG fund.

Meanwhile, donors of the off-base units normally shoulder half of the amount due, with the remaining half of the total amount paid by the beneficiaries on a monthly basis.

A partnership with the Gawad-Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. gave birth to the Kalinga sa Kawal Housing Project.

Under this project, lots were initially given to Army personnel. Following the signature mode of Gawad-Kalinga, the soldiers in the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ will work together in building their houses.

Out of 872 completed housing units, 687 are already turned-over while the remaining 185 are yet to be awarded.

P-Noy housing project

Augmenting the Army housing program is the P-Noy housing project which started in 2011.

A total of 10, 699 housing units were allocated for the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, out of which 3, 783 are dedicated for the Army wherein 3, 319 were already entitled for officers and enlisted personnel waiting for formal turn-over.

The remaining units are still open for application. These housing units are located outside military bases such as General Trias in Cavite, Calamba in Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal.

Meanwhile, Cabunoc said that through the continuous support from the government and external donors, the Army will continue to provide shelter to its personnel, enhancing the security and protection of the soldiers' family members.

“Owning houses does not only provide physical security but more importantly an inspiration for the beneficiaries to continue living their dream of giving a good future to their families while serving the country,” said Cabunoc.

Army chief Lt General Emmanuel Bautista said that he will always support the implementation of projects that will benefit the soldiers.

“Granting modest and comfortable housing facilities for our soldiers is our humble way to uplift the living conditions of our soldiers who have faithfully performed their duties, especially those who are helping the people in far-flung communities. It is also part of our attaining our vision of becoming a world-class Army by 2028,” said Bautista.

Army Chief Lt Gen Emmanuel Batutista receives the symbolic key of the JUSMAG Replication project from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, as BCDA President Arnel Paciano Cassanova looks on. (Photo by Pfc Cesar Lopez)