Palace: Increased US presence not because of China

Malacañang on Thursday denied the disputes with other countries over territories in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) were the reason for the increased US presence in the Philippines that was announced by President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday.

Secretary Edwin Lacierda, Mr. Aquino’s spokesperson, nevertheless acknowledged that the rise in the numbers of US troops and vessels visiting the country would contribute to the stability of the region, as well as improve the Philippine military’s capability to protect the country.

Military ‘updates’

Lacierda said the beefed-up US presence was not related to the territorial disputes with China and other claimant-countries to the Spratlys and other potentially rich islands in the West Philippine Sea.

“No, it’s in line with the belief of the President [that] we have to update our military training and capability,” he said during the daily Malacañang news briefing.

“As you know, our military hardware are not quite up to date with [that of] our neighbors. So it’s imperative for us to update our military hardware and that’s for purposes of the protection of our country as well. But this is primarily to improve our military training and capability,” he said.

As for whether an increased US presence would contribute to stability in the West Philippine Sea, Lacierda said: “It will certainly.

He reiterated, however, that the primary reason for expanding the joint military exercises with the United States was the expected improvement in the capability of the Philippine military.

“What we can say for certain is that the acquisition of military hardware and the training of our Philippine troops would certainly improve our capability to protect our borders and to protect ourselves from any threat from without,” he said.

“So that is our position. That’s the reason we’re getting training, not only from them (US), by the way,” he added.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday described plans to hold more joint military training exercises with the United States as an “expanded VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement), but definitely with no bases” involved.

He said the “high value” and “high impact” exercises would benefit the armed forces of both the Philippines and the US—which would be sending over more troops—although he could not say how many servicemen would be participating on both sides.

“I cannot be definite on the numbers but definitely there will be more participation of forces from both the US and the Philippines,” Gazmin told reporters during the 115th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio.

New exercises

He said the exercises would be different from those conducted in Mindanao, which American forces traditionally visit as part of the annual Balikatan joint training exercise.

“We are looking at exercises that will be of value to both countries, those high-impact exercises that can help us in a lot of areas,” said Gazmin.

He cited among these exercises at sea to help the Philippine Navy improve its emergency and disaster response skills.

President Aquino earlier said the Philippines was looking to the United States for help in building up its defense capability in the midst of maritime tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea and other security concerns.

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DJ Yap, Norman Bordadora | Philippine Daily Inquirer | March 23, 2012 | Article Link

Palace belies CPP claim US conducted Sulu air strikes

Malacañang on Sunday belied reported claims by the Communist Party of the Philippines that the United States and not the Philippine military conducted the air strikes in Sulu that killed suspected top terrorist leaders earlier this month.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte dismissed as propaganda the reported claim of the CPP.

“Propaganda lang din yan, walang katotohanan ang napaloob sa statement nila na US troops ang nag-conduct ng air attacks sa Mindanao," she said on government-run dzRB radio.

The CPP had called for an "independent investigation" into what it claimed was the involvement of American soldiers in the bombing and air raids in Parang town.

It noted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has claimed the target was a Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf stronghold but there is no independent verification yet.

“All the information has come from the AFP which has been known to issue distorted and self-serving statements. There should be an independent investigation to look into the involvement of American soldiers belonging to the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) in the planning, provision of intelligence and surveillance information, actual execution and logistical support to the military operation leading to the air raids,” said the CPP.

“Such involvement of US troops violates Philippine national sovereignty. Claims that American military troops and advisers only get involved upon the request of the Aquino administration and the AFP only makes it worse,” it added.
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LBG, 
GMA News Online
February 12, 2012 3:39pm
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Palace downplays new Spratlys tension due to 2nd warship from US

Malacañang on Saturday downplayed the prospects of tensions in the Spratlys being raised anew with the expected arrival in the country of a second warship purchased from the United States.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the acquisition of the warship should not run in conflict with the zone of peace in the Spratlys that the Philippines has been pushing for.

“I don’t think the acquisition of a warship will conflict with our push for a zone of peace in the Spratlys. I don’t think anyone will disagree when we say we are in dire need of an upgrade when it comes to our military. This is the start of our modernization [process])," she said on government-run dzRB radio.

She said President Benigno Aquino III had cited the need for ships to patrol the country’s territory, saying there is “obviously a disproportion" between the existing vessels and the country’s long coastlines.

“We want to make sure we have adequate means to give to the Navy and the Coast Guard," she said.

“This is the start of our upgrade so to speak because of the equipment that we have," she added.

Earlier reports quoted Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin as saying the US will provide a second warship to the ill-equipped Philippine Navy amid the conflict over the Spratlys.

The Philippines has had brushes with China earlier this year in the contested area in the West Philippine Sea.

Six claimants are contesting the Spratlys: the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

According to earlier reports, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton assured Gazmin during talks in Manila last Wednesday that Washington would give the Philippines a second Coast Guard cutter virtually for free sometime in 2012.

The first second-hand cutter from the US Coast Guard sailed to Manila in August and became the most modern vessel in the Philippine fleet. — LBG, GMA News

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11/19/2011 | 12:39 PM

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Philippine talks with Maoist rebels hit an impasse

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Negotiations to end one of Asia's longest-running Marxist insurgencies have stalled in the Philippines after Maoist rebels insisted jailed comrades be released and escalated attacks on government troops and mining companies, the government said Wednesday.

The guerrillas wanted several more comrades freed after the government released five in recent months, one of whom is believed to have returned to fight with the rebels, government negotiator Alexander Padilla said. He said the government would not release more rebels.

Padilla called on the guerrillas to return to the negotiating table and said both sides may miss the mid-2012 deadline to complete the talks.

"We're no longer advancing because we keep going in circles," Padilla said in a news conference.

Norway, which has been brokering the talks, has tried to bridge differences between the Manila government and the guerrillas but has not brought them back to the negotiating table.

Rebel negotiators refused to meet government counterparts in June and last month, demanding the release of 13 more jailed guerrillas. They said the 13 are consultants in the peace talks and are covered by a 1995 agreement that provided them immunity from prosecution and arrest.

Padilla said the rebels failed to produce proof the detainees are covered by the agreement.

A recent wave of rebel attacks, including an assault by more than 200 New People's Army guerrillas that devastated three nickel mining complexes in southern Surigao del Norte province in October, has also damaged efforts to build trust, Padilla said.

"These attacks are not helping to create a conducive atmosphere for the negotiations," he said.

Military officials have said the attacks were part of rebel extortion attempts. The guerrillas, however, accused the mining firms of causing massive environmental pollution and exploiting Filipino workers by paying them cheap wages in dangerous work conditions.

The rebels have been fighting for a Marxist state since 1969, accusing successive Philippine administrations of subservience to U.S. interests and failing to improve the lives of the poor. Their numbers have dwindled to an estimated 4,000 fighters amid battle setbacks, surrenders and factionalism. They are listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and European Union.

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By JIM GOMEZ - Associated Press | AP

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Murdered general's son named new Army chief

President Benigno Aquino III has picked Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista as the next commander of the Philippine Army, replacing Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz who will be retiring on Nov. 13 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

"His (Bautista) record has been exemplary, both in the field and in staff positions," said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte Tuesday in announcing Aquino's pick for the next Army chief.


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Bautista is the son of Brig. General Teodulfo Bautista, who was killed by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels who pretended to surrender in Sulu in 1977. An Army camp in the province is named after the elder Bautista.

The younger Bautista, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1981, is currently the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division responsible for peace and security operations in Central Visayas, which is composed of the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. He will assume his new position on Nov. 9.

"With his appointment, the President believes that the Philippine Army will be able to build on the foundation of reforms instituted by Bautista’s predecessors in the Philippine Army, and will continue these reforms while orienting the Army to be a force for the maintenance of peace," Valte said.

Reached by GMA News Online, Bautista said of his new designation: "I am honored and humbled by the designation. I will take it as a challenge and motivation to do good for the Army."

Bautista said he would be focusing on two subject matters soon as he assumes the top Army post: the Internal Peace and Security Plan-Bayanihan and the Army Transformation Road Map.

He said he would be elaborating on these during the Army change-of-command Wednesday at Fort Bonifacio.

In welcoming the President's designation of Bautista, military information chief Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said: "With the Aquino government committed in shifting the focus of peace and security efforts on the people, MGen. Bautista led the formulation of the AFP medium term plan Bayanihan through the conduct of a series of conferences and workshops involving various stakeholders. The 6-year plan involves innovative approaches and paradigm shifts and is now the blueprint of the AFP in winning the peace."

Second Army chief of PNoy

Bautista, 53, is the second commanding general of the Philippine Army to be appointed by Aquino, who assumed office in June 2010.

Bautista, who has been decorated seven times in combat, is known as the brains behind the military's Internal Peace and Security Plan, also known as “Bayanihan."

"He shepherded the development of the plan from its conceptualization, development, writing, launching and implementation," Valte said. "The plan involves innovative approaches and paradigm shifts and is now the blueprint of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in winning the peace."

Bautista is also a graduate of the Joint & Combined Warfighting Course at the Joint Forces Staff College, Virginia, USA; the Grade II Staff and Tactics Course in New Zealand; as well as a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, Diliman.— Amita O. Legaspi/KBK/RSJ, GMA News

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Palace: MILF's refusal to yield Asnawi a ceasefire violation

The refusal of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to surrender its deputy commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi is a violation of the ceasefire agreement with the government, Malacañang said on Monday.

“Insofar as the ceasefire agreement is concerned, it is very clear the MILF cannot harbor criminal elements, that is in violation of the ceasefire agreement," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters in a phone interview.

Asnawi, deputy commander of the MILF’s 114th base command, has been the subject of manhunt operations since he bolted the Basilan Provincial Jail in December 2009. He was allegedly among the MILF rebels who beheaded 10 Marines following an encounter in Al-Barka town in Basilan in 2007.

The MILF, through its vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, had rejected calls for them to turn in Asnawi, saying the joint government-MILF investigation showed that the MILF had nothing to do with the beheading of the Marines.

Lacierda said they would ask Marvic Leonen, the government chief negotiator in the talks with the MILF, to enlighten them on the group’s claim that it had been cleared of liability in the 2007 incident.

“We’d like to also get some enlightenment with that regard. Remember, [in] 2007 we were not in government [yet], so that’s something that we’d like to also get clarification on," he said.

Asnawi and his men were reported to be among the forces that attacked a military patrol in Al-Barka, Basilan on October 18, resulting in the deaths of 19 soldiers — an encounter that the MILF said would not have happened if the military honored the agreement on the rebel group’s area of temporary stay (ATS). Several of the soldiers were captured and mutilated before being killed.

The ATS is a place designated by the government and the MILF Coordinating Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) where forces of the secessionist group can stay to prevent encounters with troops pursuing members of the bandit Abu Sayyaf group.

The 19 soldiers were part of a team that was supposed to serve a warrant on Asnawi and about 10 of his men, including some alleged Abu Sayyaf members, when the fighting ensued last Oct. 18

Lacierda said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the CCCH are now working out the operational details to pursue lawless elements in areas considered as MILF lairs.

“They are discussing the mechanisms on those things and that’s the reason why the operational needs are left to the AFP and the CCCH to discuss," he said. — KBK, GMA News

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AMITA O. LEGASPI, GMA News

Source

Palace: Grants to insurgents a good thing

Malacañang on Saturday defended the multimillion-peso grants the government has been giving insurgent groups to further the peace process, particularly breakaway factions of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Secretary Edwin Lacierda, President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesperson, said the government was taking full responsibility for the releases even if the grants were in compliance with agreements entered into with the insurgents during past administrations.

Lacierda made the statement after several bishops expressed their disapproval of what they described as government doles to the insurgent groups.

Former military chaplain Lipa Bishop Ramon Arguelles said the grants won’t help the peace process as the funds might even be used to arm the rebels and mean more “dead soldiers, widows and orphans.”

Gov’t is sincere

In an interview over state radio dzRB, Lacierda said: “How will that not affect positively the peace process or the peace talks with the rebels? Isn’t this proof that the government is sincere in making sure that their lives are enhanced, are improved so they would be able to become constructive members of society once more?”

“If you look at the program, Pamana is an assistance to our countrymen who want to return to their communities and to the fold of the law,” he said.

The bishops’ remarks came in the wake of the government’s P31-million allocation for communities in Negros Oriental and Panay Island and the P5-million fund for the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute.

Pamana is the program that provides livelihood assistance to communities in furtherance of the peace process.

Lacierda said that contrary to Arguelles’ statement, even a military general in the person of 3rd Infantry Division chief Major General Emmanuel Bautista agreed with the program.

“If there’s no incentive for them to return (to the mainstream of society), isn’t it possible that they will go back to the mountains?” Lacierda said.

“That’s why we are providing them programs. This is not bribery. This is assistance to them. We want to give them programs so that they’ll be integrated back to the community where they should be to be with their families,” he said.

Lacierda also addressed the criticism that the administration was passing the buck for the brickbats it received following the fund releases.

Full responsibility

He said the administration found the programs worth pursuing even if the agreements with the groups concerned were forged during past administrations.

“We are not shirking from that responsibility, we take full responsibility,” Lacierda said.

“Former Secretary [Benjamin] Diokno has said we can always cancel them. Correct, that’s true. We are reviewing all the contracts by the previous administrations and, based on the recommendation, these are worth pursuing,” he said.

“If they are worth pursuing, why cancel them? We are taking full responsibility for this P5 million and the P31 million that we are going to provide for livelihood programs for rebel returnees. We’re not blaming the previous administrations. All we are saying is we are outlining the history, the timeline of these and these are all borne out by documents,” Lacierda said.

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By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Source

Palace to take full responsibility for ‘dole-outs’ to rebels

After getting criticisms on the matter, Malacañang on Saturday said it will take full responsibility for at least P36 million in “aid" to communist and secessionist rebel groups.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also insisted the Palace is not blaming the previous administrations for the financial agreements that resulted in what critics called “dole-outs" to the rebels.

“The P5 million and P31 million... we take full responsibility for that and that’s why we are defending the [allocation of the money]. Former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has said we can always cancel them... that’s true. [But] based on recommendations, these are worth pursuing," Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio.

He was referring to the P5 million given to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to set up a leadership institute, and P31 million to the Alex Boncayao Brigade [breakaway urban hit squad of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA)] for livelihood projects.

Critics, including some Catholic bishops, had scored the Palace for such “dole-outs" to rebel groups.

“We are going to provide as livelihood programs for rebel returnees. All we are saying is we are outlining the timeline and these are borne out by documents," he said.

When asked if the Palace is standing by the “aid," Lacierda said, “Yes... we are taking full responsibility."

On the other hand, Lacierda chided some bishops for criticizing the aid, saying they may have been “misinformed" about the situation.

One such bishop, Lipa Archbishop and former military vicar Ramon Arguelles, was quoted as saying he found the news about the dole-outs “very distressing."

“It will mean more dead soldiers, widows and orphans. It is paying them [rebels] to destroy our country. It’s like arming the enemy. They might use to buy arms so that they can become stronger," Arguelles was quoted as saying.

“Mahalaga sa rebel returnees, after spending so long sa bundok we have to orient their frame of mind. We provide them livelihood programs, and means by which to reintegrate themselves to the community," Lacierda said.

“This is not bribery, this is assistance to them," he added.

He also insisted that such “aid" can positively affect the peace process, to “prove the government is sincere so they will be able to become constructive members of society once more."

“Those opposed to that are perhaps afraid [na mababawasan] ang mga kasama nilang rebelde sa bundok that’s why they are saying it’s a dole-out," he added. — LBG, GMA News

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Palace defers to AFP questions on MILF's areas of temporary stay

Malacañang will defer to the Armed Forces of the Philippines the task of threshing out the claim of Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's so-called Areas of Temporary Stay (ATS) no longer exist.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Palace is leaving it to the AFP and Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) on how to observe the ceasefire with the MILF.

“(From a) broader perspective, with respect to ATS and dealings with the MILF and lawless elements, we leave it with the AFP and the CCCH to operationalize those details. We will defer to the AFP," Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio.

Besides, he said these issues will be discussed between the government and MILF peace panels in Malaysia.

Lacierda also said it is important that the government speak with only one voice on the matter to avoid any confusion.

“Since it’s an operation that requires the expertise of the AFP in conjunction with the CCCH in recognition of ceasefire agreement... mas maayos kung sila ang mag-uusap diyan," he added.

Earlier, Ortiz was quoted as saying the ATS no longer exists, even as he instructed troops in Basilan to continue pursuit operations especially against the lawless elements behind the murder of 19 soldiers in Basilan's Al-Barka town last October.

Ortiz said the ATS was established in 2007 as a result of the encounter in Basilan that resulted in the death of 14 Marines, 10 of whom were beheaded.

Because the 2007 operations had ended, he said the ATS should also have been terminated as well.

MILF should be frank

Lacierda also said the Palace expects the MILF to be “frank and forthright" with the government panel on the issue.

“We expect them to be at arm’s length with us in the peace panel negotiations. We’ve been very forthright and frank with them just as we expect them to be frank and forthright. We are hoping to move to more substantive issues of peace talks and that’s something we are looking forward to," he said.

Meanwhile, Lacierda said President Benigno Aquino III has yet to issue instructions to convene the National Security Council (NSC) to address the peace-and-order situation in Mindanao, as suggested by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“We have no word yet on the NSC meeting. that’s being worked on. But the security cluster is already meeting on it. And the president has called for a meeting of some military and Cabinet officials. We look at this as a law enforcement measure," he said.

“I’m not sure if the president is set to convene the NSC. The security cluster is doing its job and the president is giving instructions to the appropriate security agencies," he added.

When asked if the Palace sees no need for the NSC meet at this time, he said, “right now the president has not made mention of any instruction to that effect." — LBG, GMA News

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P5-M grant to MILF not an Aquino commitment, Palace insists

Malacañang on Wednesday insisted that it only complied with the Arroyo administration’s commitment when it handed a P5-million check to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) check for the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI).

This was in response to the denial of Jesus Dureza, the presidential peace adviser during the Arroyo administration, that the Arroyo government committed a P5-million fund for BLMI.

“I am also trying hard to recall but during my watch, I was not privy to that P5-million alleged commitment by the Arroyo administration that Pres. Aquino is now claiming he is merely implementing and ‘delivering’," wrote Dureza in his Nov. 1 column published by MindaNews.

Durez served as chief negotiator from 2001 to 2003 and presidential peace adviser from 2006 to 2008.

In a press statement, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the establishment of the BLMI as a leadership training and management center was proposed during the 10th GRP-MILF Exploratory Talks in February of 2006.

She said both panels agreed to fast-track the BLMI’s establishment during the discussions last November 14 and 15, 2007, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She added that Dureza should discuss the matter with his fellow panel members at that time.

“Based on the documents in our possession, Rodolfo C. Garcia, then-chairman of the [government] peace panel, requested the funding assistance from Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," Valte said.

She stressed that the fund assistance was given to a non-stock, nonprofit entity intended for training Moro leaders and other entities such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asia Foundation have also extended contributions to the BLMI.

BLMI was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

JICA gave funds for the construction of the building that will house the institute. In 2000, Asia Foundation provided support for a series of workshops to draw up the vision and organizational structure of the BLMI.

Marvic Leonen, the government’s chief negotiator in the peace talks with the MILF, said President Benigno Aquino III approved the appropriation for the BLMI during the consultation with the panel early this year.

Leonen said he personally handed the P5-million check to MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ibrahim during their last round of formal exploratory talks on August 22-23 in Kuala Lumpur.

The awarding of the check was announced during the Aug. 23 press conference held by the government panel following the meeting in the Malaysian capital. - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News

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Aquino to honor Estrada admin's deal with breakaway Reds — Palace

Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that it will release the fund for local government units that will be identified for community development and livelihood assistance in compliance with the Estrada administration’s agreement with a communist breakaway group.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Aquino administration is “committed to the negotiating tables that are pursuing a just and lasting peace."

She said the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) — a breakaway from the Communist Party of the Philippines — signed an agreement with the government on Dec. 6, 2000, several weeks before an uprising ended the Estrada administration.

Valte said in that agreement, the government committed to release funds for reintegration and development to establish, operate, and support livelihood projects, housing assistance, education and training, primary health care, agriculture and irrigation facilities, farm-to-market roads, microfinance, among others.

“The funds will be released to the LGUs (local government units) in areas that will be identified for community development and livelihood assistance," she said Wednesday.

She added that the Armed Forces, through Major Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, has expressed its support for the peace process with the RPMP-RPA-ABB, as it impacts on security concerns on the ground.

Valte earlier denied that the government will be giving a P31-million grant directly to RPMP-RPA-ABB. She, however, noted that there are development projects in areas where members of breakaway communist group live.

She said the project is under PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program for the development of communities and alternative livelihood.

PAMANA is the government’s peace and development program and framework that seeks to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities through community-driven projects that address people’s needs and, at the same time, promote peace.

It is being led by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and joined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Agrarian Reform.

Valte said the government does not turnover funds to any groups but identify communities that need development and formulate programs for it. She did not mention how much assistance will be provided, but said it is the government that will manage the fund. — KBK, GMA News

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AMITA O. LEGASPI, GMA News

Source

Deles in the hot seat again over P31-M grant

The top peace adviser of President Benigno Aquino 3rd seemed to have found herself in even hotter water, this time over a “confirmation” that she made over the weekend that a breakaway communist hit squad had received P31million in grant from the government.
Secretary Teresita Deles, Palace adviser on the peace process, the other week was dragged into the controversial P5 million in aid to a leadership institute run by the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

On Monday, Malacañang clarified that the government did not give the P31-million grant to the Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB), once the urban vigilante squad of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said that the grant, which the government would be shelling out as part of its Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana)) project, was meant for development of communities in strife-torn areas in the country.

“[There was no] grant to the ABB. Pamana is the program for the development of communities and alternative livelihoods. [We do not turn over funds to any group],” Valte told reporters during a phone patch interview in Malacañang.

She made the clarification amid reports quoting Deles that the government has given the ABB the P31-million grant to support livelihood projects for residents in the communities occupied by former members of the communist hit squad and their families.

Valte explained that the grant was not given directly to the ABB but is being handled by the government to develop projects for the communities in partnership with local government units and national agencies.

She noted that funds allocated for Pamana projects are “really for the development of communities” and these are not given to a particular entity.

Pamana is the government’s peace and development program and framework, which seeks to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities through community-driven projects that address the people’s needs and, at the same time, promote peace.

It is led by Deles’ Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process with the Social Welfare and Development, Interior and Local Government and Agrarian Reform departments as its partners.

The supposed P31-million deal with the ABB was similar to that entered into by the government with the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA).

Under the deal , CPLA agreed to transform itself from an armed group to a socio-economic organization.

It was learned that under the proposed deal between the breakaway communist hit squad and the government, all members of the group will have to provide profiles of each member so that they could be matched with jobs or livelihoods in their communities.

They would not be required to surrender their firearms — but they have to register them — and would not be given permits to carry the guns outside their residences.

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Written by : Jefferson Antiporda

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/10371-deles-in-the-hot-seat-again-over-p31-m-grant

Palace denies P31-M grant to communist breakaway group

Malacañang on Monday denied reports that it is giving a P31-million grant to communist breakaway group Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).

“There’s no truth to that. We were able to verify with [presidential adviser on peace process Teresita] Ging Deles and there is no such grant to the ABB," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a phone interview with reporters.

But Valte said that there will be a project under PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program for the development of communities and alternative livelihood.

PAMANA is the government’s peace and development program and framework that seeks to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities through community-driven projects that address people’s needs and, at the same time, promote peace.

It is being led by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and joined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Agrarian Reform.

Valte said the government does not turnover funds to any groups but identify communities that need development and formulate programs for it.

“Ang main partner ng national government dito ay concerned local government units at national agencies who can implement the programs. So wala pong grant to the ABB, wala pong katotohanan yung umiikot na meron daw na P31 million na ibinigay na grant sa ABB," she stressed.

She did not mention how much assistance will be provided, but said it is the government that will manage the fund.

“Hindi po ito given to a particular entity. ‘Yung pondo po sa gobyerno pa rin po iikot ‘yan, so tayo po ‘yung magde-develop ‘nung communities and magbibigay po ng alternative livelihood," Valte said.

Deles earlier said that the government wants to forge a deal with the ABB to allow the latter to become a socio-economic organization from being an armed group. - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News

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http://www.gmanews.tv/story/237089/nation/palace-denies-p31-m-grant-to-communist-breakaway-group

Arroyo opens Malacañang for ‘Ondoy’ relief ops

09/28/2009 | 03:59 PM

In the wake of rescue and relief efforts for the victims of tropical storm "Ondoy," President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday opened the doors of Malacañang Palace for the setting up of a relief operations center.

"The President (said) na gawing sentro ng relief operations ang Malacañang, even if kailangan mag-move out ng First Family dito," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in an interview on dzBB radio.

(The President said that Malacañang be the center of relief operations, even if the First Family had to move out.)

A separate radio report said the center would help government agencies pitch in their efforts for faster coordination of their services to the storm’s victims.

The report added that Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Remonde were finalizing plans for the installation of an emergency assistance center at the Palace.

Ondoy battered Metro Manila and the Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions on Saturday – its torrential rains left thousands displaced and about a hundred dead, as of Monday noon.

On Sunday, President Arroyo visited the Ortigas Extension in Pasig City to extend her sympathies to the flood victims in the affected area. She later went to Arayat town in Pampanga to commiserate with the victims in her home province.

The radio report said that on Monday, Mrs. Arroyo went to Marilao, Bulacan to distribute relief goods. Her trip was cut short due to strong rains.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ondoy will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional rains over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon on Monday. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173321/arroyo-opens-malacantildeang-for-ondoy-relief-ops