One question for Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.
During the past few days, the “Man of the Hour” has been former AFP chief of staff, Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., who has been facing a Senate inquiry on the government’s vaccination program. In March 2020, General Galvez was appointed chief implementer of the COVID-19 National Task Force, and his latest title since November has […] The post One question for Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
The inevitable flight
I got a surprise message from my niece Riva Galvez-Tan who wrote a guide or manual on “Your Inevitable Flight,” a pre-departure manual......»»
Books, greens & unfinished business
I recently had lunch with very busy insurance executives and since the topic was about insurance, I raised the question on how prepared were they for retirement or even semi-retirement. Of course, NO ONE, not a single one, had really entertained the thought or been working on the inevitable......»»
Cha-cha plebiscite during mid-year elections: No media question on Comelec s apparent uncertainty
BOTH LEGISLATIVE chambers are on the forefront of ongoing charter change discussions. Legislators have repeatedly said that amendments will be limited to economic measures in the 1987 Constitution.Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Com.....»»
‘Promote compassion, unity during Ramadan’
Muslims and Christians should promote compassion, generosity and unity during the observance of the holy month of Ramadan, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said......»»
26,145 MILF combatants Decommissioned
Up to 26,145 former combatants of secessionist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front have been decommissioned and are now living as civilians in communities, presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said yesterday......»»
2023 banner year for peace process – Galvez
The government has achieved ”major milestones” on the peace process this year, according to Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr......»»
‘No preconditions for future peace talks with Reds’
In the spirit of goodwill, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. reminded the supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front of the Philippines not to set any preconditions that will derail the upcoming peace discussions between the national government and the communist group......»»
Palawan PNP deploys over 1.3k cops for barangay, SK elections
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Police Provincial Office in Palawan has deployed over 1,300 cops and other uniformed personnel from the marines and the coast guard to secure the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on 30 October. The deployment ceremony was held on Thursday at the Police Provincial Office headquarters in Barangay Tiniguiban in Puerto Princesa City, led by provincial director Colonel Carlito Narag Jr. and Palawan Commission on Elections supervisor Atty. Percival Mendoza. Narag expects the 1,333 combined personnel from the 3rd Marine Brigade and the Coast Guard District Palawan to ensure the secure, honest and safe conduct of the BSKE 2023 in 433 barangays across 23 municipalities in Palawan. "The others who will be assigned in the distant islands [of Palawan] have already gone ahead. This number is enough already — we also borrowed additional 77 police personnel from the City PNP — so we can be assured that will be able to fully support the BSKE," Narag said. He said that as law enforcers, they are committed to performing their responsibilities in Palawan to ensure the safety of the voters and the 14,862 BSKE candidates across all towns of Palawan. "We're really hoping that this will be a fair, peaceful and honest election," he said. The Puerto Princesa City Police Office also deployed approximately 957 police personnel, combined with uniformed personnel from the marines and the coast guard to secure the BSKE in 66 barangays. City police director Colonel Ronie Bacuel and City Comelec officer Atty. Julius Cuevas led the deployment ceremony in Barangay San Pedro also on Thursday morning. Bacuel stated that "they will ensure the orderliness and peace during the conduct of the safe elections in the city." He assured that the entire police force in Puerto Princesa is prepared for any challenges that may arise on election day. The post Palawan PNP deploys over 1.3k cops for barangay, SK elections appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Leftists weave yarns, scams
The desperation of left-wing groups to remain relevant has pushed them to resort to “elaborate hoaxes and fraudulent money-making schemes,” the National Security Council said on Saturday. NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the attempts to defraud came in the guise of manufactured claims against government security agencies. Earlier, the Philippine National Police reported that two young women involved in an anti-reclamation campaign in Manila Bay were missing, and this was linked to their advocacy. Malaya said Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro had surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion in Doña Remedios Trinidad town in Bulacan on 12 September, contrary to leftist groups’ allegation that government security forces had abducted the two. “They had actually bolted their organization and sought the help of the authorities for their safe return home,” he said. Fake fundraising Malaya accused the leftist groups of soliciting funds from the public and making it appear that the security forces were irrelevant in protecting the general safety. “They collect money through GCash with the intent of using this to discredit and put the government in a bad light. They want the international community to believe that this country is a failed state,” Malaya said. “The Karapatan-led offensive included a shameless fundraising drive to collect money from the public purportedly to help locate the two young girls. It turned out, however, that the two had bolted their underground organization and went under the care of a friend,” he said. Karapatan is a militant group purportedly advocating for the protection of human rights. Malaya slammed Karapatan’s massive disinformation campaign, “Surface Jonila and Jed Network,” saying, “This was made out of manufactured threads of storylines using the Internet that even the media, the viewing public, and the government became victims of the elaborate deception.” Karapatan was among the first groups to sound the alarm after the two anti-reclamation activists went missing. With help from the Department of Justice, the NSC and PNP’s Cybercrime Group have started to build a case against the scammers from the leftist groups. “We will certainly investigate their possible liabilities in relation to the Revised Penal Code, anti-cybercrime law, and other special laws. We’re working now with the Department of Justice on the possible filing of charges against them,” Malaya said. Not an abduction Meanwhile, Police Capt. Carlito Buco of the Bataan Provincial Police Office said Tamano and Castro were in a safe house with their parents. Citing the police’s final investigation report, Buco said Tamano and Castro were not “abducted” and could not be declared “missing persons.” “The two young girls were staying at a Methodist church in Orion town as far back as 1 September and had been planning to leave their organization,” he said. The post Leftists weave yarns, scams appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malaya warns vs. elaborate hoax, money scams by leftist group
The public should be vigilant against falling prey to “elaborate hoax and fraudulent money-making schemes” by the leftist groups, the National Security Council warned on Saturday. NSC Assistant-Director General, Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, said that these fraud activities are carved out of manufactured claims against security agencies of the government. Malaya’s warning stemmed from the report of the Philippine National Police stating that two young women said to be involved in environmental campaigns around Manila Bay who were reported missing have surfaced in Bulacan. Malaya said Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro reportedly surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion in Doña Remedios Trinidad town on September 12, contrary to the claims of the leftist groups the two were abducted by government security forces. “They had actually bolted their organization and sought the help of authorities for their safe return home,” he added. Malaya accused the leftist group of pooling financial resources from the people to make it appear that the government security forces are irrelevant. “Kumakalap po sila ng pera gaya nang sa GCash with the intent of using this to discredit and put government in a bad light. They want the international community to believe that this country is a failed state,” Malaya lamented. “The Karapatan-led offensive included a shameless fundraising drive to collect money from the public purportedly to help locate the two young girls. It turned out, however, that the two students bolted their underground organization and went under the care of a friend,” he added. Malaya then slammed the Karapatan’s massive disinformation campaign “Surface Jonila and Jed Network” saying, “These are made out of manufactured threads of storylines using the internet that even the media, the viewing public, and the government became victims of the elaborate deception.” Karapatan, a human rights organization, was one of the first to sound the alarm when the two anti-reclamation activists went missing. The NSC and PNP’s Cybercrime Group, through the help of the Department of Justice, have already started to build up a case against these scammers from the leftist groups. “We will certainly look into their possible legal liabilities in relation to the Revised Penal Code, anti-cybercrime law, and other special laws. We’re working now with the DoJ for the possible filing of charges against them,” Malaya said. Not an abduction Meanwhile, PCapt. Carlito Buco of the Bataan Provincial Police Office Tamano and Castro have already met their parents and currently staying in a safe house Citing the police’s final investigation report, Buco said Tamano and Castro were not “abducted” or cannot be declared “missing persons.” “The two young girls were staying at a Methodist church in Orion town as early as September 1 and had been planning to leave their organization,” he added. The post Malaya warns vs. elaborate hoax, money scams by leftist group appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 ‘missing environmentalists’ not abducted — NSC
The National Security Council on Friday broke the narratives of left-leaning organizations that the missing students tagged as environmentalists, Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro, who were allegedly abducted by government forces, were instead "safe and sound" in a safehouse as they turned themselves to the police for fear that their lives might be in danger after leaving the leftists' movement. "They left the movement. Hindi totoo na abducted itong dalawa. They left the movement on their (own) free will," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan E. Malaya told the media at the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict press briefing held at the National Press Club in Manila. "Second. They are not environmentalists, they were organizers ng kaliwa," Malaya added referring to local communists' front organizations like Kabataan and Karapatan. Since 1 September 2023, the two young girls, according to Malaya, were "planning to leave the movement" as narrated by Tamano and Castro in their sworn statements now forwarded to the Department of Justice to prepare charges against individuals and groups that took advantage of the conditions and experiences by the two students. Their sworn statements, Malaya said, were done "not in front" of soldiers or police, but with lawyers from the Public Attorney's Office and Commission on Human Rights representatives. "This is also a scam, may mga kumakalap ng pera (through G-Cash or Pay Maya) calling for donations (to find the two girls)," Malaya said. He challenged the communist front organizations to turn back the money collected or give it to Tamano and Castro or to their parents who suffered more from false narratives. Malaya said the DOJ will file cases against these groups and individuals. P/Capt. Carlito l Buco Jr., chief public information officer of the Bataan Provincial Police Office, on the other hand, said the case brought also some fears to parents of students in the province, as youngsters are targeted by the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and National Democratic Front, for recruitment. "We call on the students, maging matalino (be smart) kayo at isaalang-alang (think of your love ones) ang mahal ninyo sa buhay," the police official said. He added while the two reportedly missing students are now safe and sound, their sworn statements would attest to their experiences inside the Communist movement, which make them fearful for their security. The post 2 ‘missing environmentalists’ not abducted — NSC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teodoro pushes for protection of Phl sovereignty, sovereign rights over EEZ
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday stressed the need to upgrade efforts to protect the country’s sovereignty and its sovereign rights in the exclusive economic zone. Teodoro also mentioned the pressing need to back up the use of politics and diplomacy with a strategic defense posture. “The intensity of the need to focus on protecting our sovereignty and sovereign rights is paramount in the global race for resources and influence,” he said, during the deliberation of his ad interim appointment by the Committee on National Defense of the Commission on Appointments. Under his helm, Teodoro expressed the Department of National Defense’s desire to modernize the entire defense organization and leverage the country’s security partnerships in promoting the Philippines’ national interests. “There is a need for cognizance of sovereignty and sovereign rights. We need to principally use politics and diplomacy, backed up by a strong backbone of a strategic defense posture,” he said. Part of his policy direction he said was to put a premium on the DND Proper and its civilian bureaus “to better manage resources and services”—on top of the continuing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. "We need managerial solutions to managerial problems, not military solutions to managerial problems,” Teodoro said. He also stressed the need to set up a Trust Fund when reforming the pension system of the military and uniformed personnel. Teodoro likewise assured that the men and women of the AFP are “cognizant of the consideration given by Congress for their welfare.” “Matagal na proseso po ito, dahil matagal din po namang nahinog ang sitwasyon na ito. Sa ngayon po kailangan nating balansehin ang morale and welfare ng ating kasundaluhan (This is a long process, because there was a long need to ripen the situation. For now, we need to balance the morale and welfare of our soldiers),” he said. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed Teodoro as DND chief on 5 June, after Carlito Galvez Jr.’s stint as the defense department’s officer-in-charge. Marcos administered Teodoro’s oath to the office on 6 June at the Malacañan Palace. Teodoro was the DND chief from 2007 to 2009 under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was the youngest to hold the position at the age of 43 at that time. Teodoro, a bar exam top-notcher in 1989, also assumed the role of Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council during his tenure in the DND. The post Teodoro pushes for protection of Phl sovereignty, sovereign rights over EEZ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teodoro gets CA nod
The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday approved the ad interim appointment of Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense. Prior to his confirmation, the 12-member House contingent of the powerful CA spared Teodoro from questioning as a “courtesy” to the Defense chief who previously worked as Tarlac's 1st district representative. “The 12-member House of Representatives contingent will no longer ask questions regarding the nominee being a former member of Congress for three consecutive terms in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Congress,” said Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte, the majority leader of the CA. Villafuerte added that the House contingent “has no doubt regarding the fitness and integrity of the nominee”. He appealed to their counterpart, the Senate to accord the same courtesy to Teodoro. From the 12-member Senate contingent, only Senator Risa Hontiveros asked questions to Teodoro. Hontiveros questioned Teodoro about his plans for the DND, now under his watch for the second time. He held the same position under the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the age of 43, the youngest ever appointee to the agency. Responding to the lawmaker’s query, Teodoro admitted that there has been a “shift in the evolution” from his first stint in the DND. He noted that he is now focusing on “straddling the balance between maintaining internal security and with an emphasis definitely given what is happening to the outside environment.” “We are strengthening our defense posture. We are gradually enhancing the capabilities of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he said. The Defense chief said he is also working on “leveraging” the country’s alliance with other nations to strengthen the country’s capability to protect itself from external threats. By doing so, he noted that he would try to introduce “management solutions to managerial problems, and not military solutions to managerial problems.” “That is the transformation that we are trying to make. We are also deeply restrategizing what we intend to do at least in the next five years in order not only to make the defense department more responsive to the outside and internal environments but also to make more efficient our use of resources, and to use information technology to the highest extent possible,” he added. Teodoro also underscored the importance of strengthening the country’s capability to respond to external strength and not just rely on diplomacy. “[T]he intensity of the need to focus on protecting our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, in the exclusive economic zone and other jurisdictions of the country become more paramount now, as the whole world is in a raise for resources,” he said. “We could not afford to be laidback here. We should be cognizant of it because we can and principally use diplomacy, however, if diplomacy is not backed up by a strong spinal cord, then we will just be stymied by a greater force,” he added. He made the remarks amid the increasing tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. Teodoro said the Defense Department wishes the concentrate on not only guarding the islands of the archipelago and its internal waters but also on securing “peaceful, unimpeded, and unobstructed exploitation, and exploration of our sovereign rights over the 200 nautical mile EEZ of the republic and in all areas of the Philippines, to secure our baselines.” Last June, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Teodoro’s appointment as the new DND secretary, replacing Carlito Galvez Jr. who led the agency for five months. Aside from Teodoro, the CA also approved the promotion of 11 generals and senior officers of the AFP. Jose Jesus Luntok, Ramon Flores, Dennis Pacis, Nasser Lidasan, Benedict Balaba, Steve Crespillo, Arvin Lagamon, Ivan Papera, Lloyd Cabacuñgan, and Fernando Ventura secured CA’s approval for their rank of Brigadier General. Peter Jempsun de Guzman’s rank of Commodore was also approved. The post Teodoro gets CA nod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New clark city to host 47-ha technology hub
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Provincial Government of Tarlac have forged a strategic partnership to develop a 47-hectare technology hub in New Clark City. BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua M. Bingcang and Tarlac Governor Susan A. Yap signed a memorandum of agreement to develop a 47-hectare property in New Clark City. BCDA executive vice president Atty. Gisela Z. Kalalo and Tarlac Vice Governor Atty. Carlito S. David served as witnesses. “We are grateful that through the efforts of the Provincial Government of Tarlac, we are realizing our dream of developing New Clark City as the Philippines’ model for future smart cities. This milestone is a product of years of hard work by the government and the private sector to bring in investments in ICT, big data and R&D, among others,” said Bingcang. Under the MOA, the BCDA grants usufructuary rights to the Provincial Government of Tarlac to use the subject property. The land shall establish, develop and institutionalize a hub for agro-industry, research and development, logistics and other complex technological facilities like hyperscale data centers. “It is our pride that New Clark City, a smart and sustainable metropolis, is strategically located in Tarlac. Through this partnership with BCDA, we will be bringing in investments and eventually opening up employment opportunities for the people of Tarlac. Rest assured that the Provincial Government of Tarlac will be here, hand in hand, to support the dreams and aspirations of the BCDA for this next frontier of development,” said Yap. The post New clark city to host 47-ha technology hub appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Man who ‘raped’ own daughters collared
A 40-year-old man wanted for raping his own daughters was arrested by the police in a manhunt operation in Antipolo City Wednesday afternoon. The suspect, identified as Carlito Sacdalan, alias Tolits, a resident of Barangay San Luis, Antipolo City, is listed as No. 3 most wanted in the Calabarzon Region. He is accused of raping his two daughters — then 17 years old and 12 years old — while his wife was working abroad in 2016. According to the victims, they were repeatedly raped by their father. One of them got pregnant after the rape. The rape was discovered when the victims’ mother went home and found out that her eldest daughter was pregnant. Since then, the accused went into hiding after finding out that his daughters reported the incident to their mother. The accused was apprehended by joint operatives of the Antipolo City Police Station’s Warrant Section and CIDG Rizal PFU through a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Gay Marie Lubigan-Rafael of Antipolo City Regional Trial Court Branch 73 for five counts of qualified statutory rape, qualified rape and statutory rape with no bail recommended. The post Man who ‘raped’ own daughters collared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fisherman’s remains discovered
Olongapo City, Zambales — A body of a fisherman was found at the shores of a beach resort in Barangay Kalaklan here on Friday morning. Police identified the fatality as Carlito Timbang Sr., a fisherman from the neighboring town of Subic who was recently reported missing. His wife Doreen confirmed the identity of the victim. A witness said that he first saw the body around 6 a.m., citing that the body was in a decomposition stage. He added that the body had a tattoo on his chest that says “Love Me.” Meanwhile, the body of 15-year-old boy was found in the waters of Subic Bay and reports said that the victim allegedly drowned at the Sta. Rita River on Thursday afternoon during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Egay. The parents of the victim confirmed the identity of the body that was washed ashore in front of the administration building of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Vice Mayor Jong Cortez said that strong currents from the river washed the body of the victim from the river towards the waters of Subic Bay. The post Fisherman’s remains discovered appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Death toll reaches 26 as search, retrieval ops underway for capsized boat in Rizal
Search and retrieval operations for the victims of the capsized motorboat in Binangonan, Rizal are still ongoing, the Philippine Coast Guard said Friday, 28 July. Based on the latest report by the Philippine Coast Guard's substation in Binangonan, at least 26 people died and 40 others were rescued after their boat–Princess Aya—sank in waters just meters away from their port of origin in Barangay Kalinawan. At least 14 of the fatalities have been identified so far. The sunken outrigger vessel had just left Binangonan for Talim Island when it encountered strong winds, causing all passengers to panic and move to one side, which caused the boat to capsize. Several government agencies are now working together to immediately resolve the incident. They also vowed to provide the necessary assistance to the victims and their families. Joining the retrieval operations are Coast Guard Rear Admiral Hostillo Arturo Cornelio, Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen. Carlito Gaces, Binanganon municipal councilor Jerome Antiporda, Binangonan Municipal Health Office head Dr. Angelito Dela Cuesta, Rizal Police Provincial Office, Binangonan MDRRMO head Jose Hernandez, and Reyan Derick Marques of the Office of Civil Defense. Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard will conduct a parallel investigation on the incident. The post Death toll reaches 26 as search, retrieval ops underway for capsized boat in Rizal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t eyes MILF decommissioning completion ahead of 2025 BARMM parliament election
The government is targeting to complete the decommissioning of the remaining 1,301 Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatants ahead of the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliament election in 2025, with the third phase of the decommissioning process slated to begin on 3 August. This was announced by Presidential Adviser on Reconciliation, Peace, and Unity, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., during the 2023 post-State of the Nation Address or SoNA forum held in Pasay City on Wednesday late afternoon. “Actually it’s a way earlier because we are targeting to finish the decommissioning before the BARMM election 2025 along with parallel programs of the government for the former combatants,” Galvez told reporters in an interview. The peace adviser noted around 24,600 former MILF combatants have already been decommissioned since the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Reconciliation and Unity as well as Independent Decommissioning Body, began facilitating the first and second phases of the program. A total of 19,345 MILF combatants have availed of the first phase of decommissioning in 2015 and the second phase from 2019 to 2020. At least 5,500 MILF combatants underwent decommissioning until end-December of 2022. Galvez said the decommissioning program comes with the provision of emergency employment, social entrepreneurship projects, and skills development training to the former combatants. “It’s very critical that we build on the peace gains and ensure continuing progress in the BARMM,” he added. Under the decommissioning program, qualified family beneficiaries were also given a Bangsamoro Transitory Family Support Package amounting to P80,000 and P20,000 worth of Livelihood Settlement Grants. This program is part of the normalization track under the Bangsamoro Organic Law—which is designed for the peaceful reintegration of former combatants into their communities with several support packages provided by the concerned national agencies and local government units. The post Gov’t eyes MILF decommissioning completion ahead of 2025 BARMM parliament election appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OPAPRU welcomes PBBM’s support to Bangsamoro, amnesty program
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s unwavering support to the Bangsamoro region and his commitment to helping former rebels in their transformation process. OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday thanked Marcos for mentioning the gains and progress of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during his second State of the Nation Address on 24 July. "What we have witnessed… is President Marcos' genuine sincerity in implementing all the signed peace agreements, and his commitment to bring sustainable peace throughout the country. This is true to his mantra of unity towards national healing and reconciliation," Galvez said after Marcos cited BARMM’s progress and effective self-governing. Galvez recalled that just less than two months into his administration, Marcos administered the oath of office to 80 newly reappointed members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on 12 August 2022. This is the first time that the composition of the BTA includes members of the Moro National Democratic Front, particularly from the group of its founding chairman Nur Misuari. In his speech, Marcos emphasized the great potential of the region and stressed that "through the BARMM, we have strengthened the nation’s prospects for finally achieving sustainable progress anchored on a true and lasting peace in Southern Philippines. We will continue to support the progress of the BARMM, apace with our singular vision for all Filipinos." He said the national government is expanding its energy resources to include the BARMM. On 6 July, Marcos previously witnessed the signing of the Intergovernmental Energy Board Circular (EIB) on the Joint Award of Petroleum Service Contracts and Coal Operating Contracts in the BARMM, which marks another major milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process. The IEB Circular operationalizes the provision in Section 10, Article XIII of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, to jointly grant rights, privileges, and concessions for the exploration, development, and utilization of uranium and fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal within the territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro. The Circular aims to boost economic development and draw foreign capital into the region. Amnesty program Meanwhile, Marcos vowed his administration would push for the completion of the reintegration process of the former combatants into “productive members of society” by fully implementing the amnesty program for them. Galvez also welcomed Marcos' promise to issue a proclamation that will grant amnesty to those former rebels in the country that have returned to the folds of the law. In his speech, the President asked Congress to support his endeavor on pushing the amnesty program in the country. The amnesty program is being facilitated by the National Amnesty Commission—a government agency that was created on 25 March 1994 by then-President Fidel V. Ramos, through Proclamation 347. The NAC is primarily tasked to receive and process applications for amnesty that were filed through the Local Amnesty Board. In 2021, Marcos’s predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, likewise, issued Proclamation 1090, 1091, and 1092—were concurred with by Congress and the Senate—to grant amnesty to the members of revolutionary groups who committed crimes in furtherance of their political beliefs which include Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Rebolusyunaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas / Revolutionary Proletarian Army / Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB). However, the Senate did not concur with Proclamation 1093, series of 2021, granting amnesty to former members of the Communist Terrorist Group that have committed crimes punishable under the revised penal code and special penal laws in the furtherance of their political beliefs. Further, Galvez said OPAPRU will be “carrying out the Marcos administration's five-point peace, reconciliation, and unity agenda throughout his term. Among the agenda includes the completion of peace agreements with the MILF and MNLF towards healing and reconciliation in the Bangsamoro; the Ending of local communist armed conflict by expanding the transformation programs for the local conflict peace process; Completion and sustainment of the gains of the signed peace agreements with the RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG, and Cordillera Bodong CBA-CPLA; Enhancement of the resilience for peace of communities and vulnerable groups through social healing and peacebuilding approaches in support of the peace processes; and Enhancement of the delivery of Conflict-Sensitive and Peace Promoting-compliant socio-economic interventions in addressing the key drivers of conflict through convergence and complementation in support of the peace processes. The post OPAPRU welcomes PBBM’s support to Bangsamoro, amnesty program appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OPAPRU lauds PBBM support for Bangsamoro
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity recognized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s unwavering support to the Bangsamoro region as well as expressing commitment to helping former rebels in their transformation process. OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday thanked Marcos for mentioning the gains and progress of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao during his second State of the Nation Address on 24 July. “What we have witnessed… is President Marcos’ genuine sincerity in implementing all the signed peace agreements, and his commitment to bring sustainable peace throughout the country. This is true to his mantra of unity towards national healing and reconciliation,” Galvez said after Marcos cited BARMM’s progress and effective self-governing. Galvez recalled that in just less than two months into his administration, Marcos administered the oath of office to 80 newly and reappointed members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on 12 August 2022. This is the first time that the composition of the BTA includes members of the Moro National Democratic Front, particularly from the group of its founding chairman Nur Misuari. In his speech, Marcos emphasized the great potential of the region and stressed that “through the BARMM, we have strengthened the nation’s prospects for finally achieving sustainable progress anchored on a true and lasting peace in Southern Philippines. We will continue to support the progress of the BARMM, apace with our singular vision for all Filipinos.” He said the national government is expanding its energy resources to include the BARMM. On 6 July, Marcos previously witnessed the signing of the Intergovernmental Energy Board Circular on the Joint Award of Petroleum Service Contracts and Coal Operating Contracts in the BARMM, which marks another major milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process. The IEB Circular operationalizes the provision in Section 10, Article XIII of Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, to jointly grant rights, privileges, and concessions for the exploration, development, and utilization of uranium and fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal within the territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro. The Circular aims to boost economic development and draw foreign capital into the region. Meanwhile, Marcos vowed his administration would push for the completion of the reintegration process of the former combatants into “productive members of society” by fully implementing the amnesty program for them. Galvez also welcomed Marcos’ promise to issue a proclamation that will grant amnesty to those former rebels in the country that have returned to the folds of the law. In his speech, the President asked Congress to support his endeavor on pushing the amnesty program in the country. The amnesty program is being facilitated by the National Amnesty Commission — a government agency that was created on 25 March 1994 by then-President Fidel V. Ramos, through Proclamation 347. The post OPAPRU lauds PBBM support for Bangsamoro appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»