MILF COMMANDERS DEFECT TO MNLF -- FELT MILF CHIEF MURAD CONSPIRED WITH MALAYSIA

THE FOUR MILF COMMANDERS WHO APPARENTLY DEFECTED TO MNLF: Samsudin, former chairman of the MILF Council of Ulamas; Salamat, brother of deceased MILF founder Hashim Salamat who allegedly commands 8,000 MILF troops; Jianalan, Murad’s former security chief who commands about 6,500 fighters; Saidale, a new commander of 1,500 armed men.

Gapul Hadjirul, political director of the Moro National Liberation Front central committee, said to Manila Standard Today, “He [Murad] betrayed his supporters when he conspired with the Malaysians in entering into a Framework Agreement that is a deception by the government and a conspiracy with the Americans to attain their secret objective in Mindanao.”

Despite the "look good, feel good" rhetorics, Malaysia has ulterior motives in engineering this deal; part of which is to prevent the Philippines from ever reviving the Sabah claim -- and they have achieved this by funding and supporting secessionist groups in Mindanao; another is to ensure of their potential control of resources-rich Mindanao which the separatists may just hand to them to form part of a larger Malaysia federation. 

DO NOT TRUST MALAYSIA!

Link to MST story: MILF wracked by defections

In photo: Shown left MILF chief Murad with his benefactor Malaysia PM Najib Razak
Original photo caption: Najib shares shares a moment with Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Al Haj Murad during the signing of a peace deal at the Malacanang palace in Manila October 15, 2012. — Reuters pic
Source: Malaysia Insider Najib says Malaysia must help sustain Bangsamoro [MILF] deal

America under siege in the Far East? Too much, too many on one plate

There is little doubt that China, whose ambition for world military and economic dominance has been seen to threaten America's lone superpower dominance, sees a weakness in America today (and part of that weakness is  America's colossal debt). 

Over the last few months China has shown  brazen and aggressive posturings in the Far East, i.e., against Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines, three of the key allies of the United States in the Far East, against Vietnam and has openly engaged all four countries over territorial disputes.

In response to the China challenge, America has been forced to vigorously 'swing' from the Middle East to the Far East. In reality, it is not only China's aggressive military posturings that have prompted America to re-calibrate its forward defence operations but the rise of India as an economic, and potentially, a military power as well...

And as if America did not have enough on its plate, Russia may just also begin to 'challenge' the US in the region. If Valdimir Putin's recent ASEAN pronouncements are a good indication, Russia is turning to the Far East too and has ambitions of asserting itself in the Pacific Rim, a region which has always been considered to belong to America's sphere of influence. 

Is it a coincidence when early this year,  Russian anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Panteleev found herself face to face with USS Wayne E Meyer, a US guided missile destroyer while she was on a goodwill visit in Manila, Philippines, a key US ally in the region?

With Russia possibly wanting to join the fray, the United States must now enhance, enlarge and re-construct its Pacific command  from where an already busy America operates in the Middle East.  


Evidently, this 'swing' to the Far East or pivot to the Pacific is leaving North Atlantic flank wide open. This is why America is very eager for the rest of NATO member countries to strengthen their defence structures to help America guard against threats to their north Atlantic flank.

Too much, too many on any one plate...

~~ Adb
 

On Sultan Muedzul Lail T Kiram, Sultanate of Sulu & North Borneo (Sabah): May he live to lead his people to the greatness they deserve

By Teo Calasanz

For the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum

23 October 2012

Let me be clear that the opinion I will present is entirely my own and does not represent anyone in the group.

We all have been discussing this Sabah claim for quite some time now. Some for about a year, some of us for many years, and even some, for almost a lifetime. However, the events of the past few days have threatened to make all these discussions moot and academic. Not only is there a possibility of losing Sabah completely but there is that real possibility of the disintegration of the country. I will not bother to discuss the so called Framework Agreement as this has already been dissected to death. We have also been discussing who the rightful Sultan of Sulu should be considering that the land that is the subject of discussion is the property of the Sultanate and its heirs. This is separate from the discussion of the sovereignty over the land. However, all of these are interrelated and cannot be separated from each other without affecting the other subject.

After objectively analyzing the different aspects of the different claimants, I have concluded that the best claims are among three individuals representing two lines of succession. Of these, the best claim is that of Jamalul. However, he suffers from an apparent disinterest by virtue of his continued residency in Manila. The next would be his Raja Muda Esmail who is acting Sultan for now. He tilts in favor of Malaysia owing to their stay there when Pres Marcos declared martial law. The last would be Muedzul, the son of Mahakuttah the last sultan.

Be that as it may, there are times when circumstances and the needs of the hour force us to alter our priorities. We are at a critical moment in our history and as irrelevant as it may seem to many in the rest of the country, the importance of having the right sultan in Sulu cannot be cannot be overemphasized. It can determine the fate of the Visayas and Mindanao as well.

To put it bluntly, the Philippines’ claim over Sabah hinges on the assignment of the Sultanate’s claim of sovereignty over the territory. If the sultan revokes that assignment and sides with Malaysia, it tremendously weakens any claim the Philippines has on Sabah. But worse would be if any state that would include Sulu, decides to join the Malaysian Federation, not only have we lost any claim on the most productive state in Malaysia but also the most productive areas of the Philippines as well.

The only way to forestall this possibility is to have a sultan who will ensure that Sulu and Tawitawi will remain Philippine territory.

He must likewise be a leader who can inspire his people and give them hope that they can have a better future ahead. For so long, our brothers in Sulu have had this perception that they are treated as second class citizens of this country. We have several occasions in history when kings have been replaced by others with better qualifications either through the will of the people or by force. In our own history, we have had two legally elected presidents deposed by others.

While there are many who all claim the title of Sultan, we have not seen anyone step into the shoes of a real leader. Someone who will inspire and lead his people to the greatness they once had. A leader who will restore their pride in their culture and in themselves. A leader the people will follow into battle if it need be.

At the moment, I can only see one man who fits this mold: Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram. 

May he live to lead his people to the greatness they deserve.

*Teo Calasanz was a junior naval officer serving aboard RPS (BRP) Cebu in 1968 in a stand off with a small joint British and Malaysia flotilla near Turtle Islands when news broke out that Operation Merdeka, the first physical attempt by the Philippines to recover Sabah, had been discovered.

In picture: Sultan Muedzul Kiram with HM's Chief of Staff, Royal Armed Forces, Sultanate of Sulu & North Borneo (Sabah)

AT THE END OF THE DAY, MNLF's NUR MISUARI CAN BE A 'SOFTIE'...

NO! NO! That's not meant to malign the MNLF founder and legendary Tausug warrior but merely to say that he is human and appreciates, like many of us, respect and a minimum of courtesy.

That was actually my reaction after reading a news report in today's Freeman that said, "The stance of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari against the framework agreement may soon soften as a result of the Aquino administration's "talks" with the leader of the former rebel group."

It reminded me of a story that no less than current DND Secretary Voltz Gazmin likes to tell of the 1986 historic meeting between the late President Cory Aquino and the legenderary warrior -- or an incident just before the meeting, when she broke protocol and flew to Sulu to sue for peace with the MNLF. Voltz Gazmin, who was then CG, Presidential Security Group, tells the story often enough to highlight the courageous streak in the late president but which also gave us an insight into Misuari's innate Tausug character. 

Voltz Gazmin recounted that the event was due to take place right in MNLF lair and as commanding general of the presidential security command, he was naturally apprehensive for the security of the chief executive. The life of the president was in his hands. He remarked that the president felt almost no fear and trusted that she would be able to achieve what she had set out to do. But he did not trust the MNLF, Misuari or not Misuari, to get anywhere near the president especially in Sulu where he would be severely outnumbered if things went wrong. But one thing he did say was that from the onset of the meeting between Cory and Misuari, the Tausug rebel exuded a very courteous demeanour towards the president, almost humble, perhaps, honoured and impressed that the president, a woman to boot, would have the courage to show up in "enemy country." 

After a brief but courteous exchange, and just as the serious part of the discussions was about to begin, Mrs Aquino did the most unexpected thing -- which had not been planned at all; she ordered everyone out of the conference room except for a note taker. She decided that she was going to speak to Nur Misuari one-on-one. Voltz was naturally caught off guard. He was adamant that he did not want to leave the president alone with the rebel Tausug Misuari and insisted to be present with the president. But the president refused Gazmin's remonstrances. She was determined that they should be left alone to discuss the process of peace. She tried to reassure the PSG chief that everything would be alright and ordered him to leave.

With his heart trepidating, he left and waited outside the conference room. After nearly an hour, the president called for staff and the commander of the PSG. Alongside a meek-looking Nur Misuari, the president announced that they had come to an agreement to go forward to settle matters towards peace. According to Gazmin, he was left speechless. He saw Nur Misuari almost appearing like a lamb, acting with great deference to the president, in other words, respectful. 

Cory Aquino left an indelible image of courage and fortitude in General Voltz Gazmin. But unknown to him, he left me personally with the appreciation that Nur Misuari, despite the rhetorics, is a reasonable man, a fierce but also gentle Tausug warrior. And that was what the MNLF commander was like when I finally met him for the first time back in the 90s. 

By Anne de Bretagne

For The Philippine Sabah Claim Forum

24 October 2012

LINK TO NEWS ITEM: P-Noy sends ally to talk to Misuari

PHOTO from Presidential Museum and Library.

US carrier cruises in disputed waters amid rivalry - trivalleycentral.com: National News

US carrier cruises in disputed waters amid rivalry - trivalleycentral.com: National News: ON BOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON — A U.S. aircraft carrier group cruised through the disputed South China Sea on Saturday in a show of Ameri…

To President Aquino: Even nations must accept that relationships are not a one-way street

WE ARE RATHER PERPLEXED BY THE PRESIDENTIAL QUIP DURING SPEECH AT STATE DINNER IN HONOUR OF VISITING FRENCH PRIME MINISTER

During the state banquet held in honour of visiting French Prime Minister Ayrault, President Aquino was reported to have said that "he was curious why there had been little interaction between Philippine and French leaders in the past 65 years despite sharing a love of good food."

Mr Aquino, we hope has not forgotten that France was the first country in the world back in 1987, to recognize the revolutionary government of his late mother's, the Cory Aquino government, ahead of every other country, including the United States.

France was the first country in the world, to have approved sale of some of the most sensitive armaments there were around (we cannot say which for security reasons) upon the request of Mrs Aquino's government back in 1989 when Mrs Aquino became the guest of honour of France's 14th of July Bicentennial Celebrations of the Taking of the Bastille. Note that the United States refused to sell those 'sensitive armaments' even after a plea by the PSG command to thwart off coup d'état attempts by renegade military forces against the Cory Government. But France did!

During the time of FVR, France regional government (Paris-Ile de France) donated millions of dollars - gratis et amore - and continuing efforts to improve the technical know-how of MMDA officials and engineers through education and grants in France to improve Metro Manila urban planning.

In 1992, France state-owned defence companies sent their people in order to help AFP with military planning in prevision of the AFP's Modernization Law at no cost to Philippine Government. A host of AFP military chiefs and planners were invited to France by way of continuing education.

We must not forget to mention the defence treaty/Defence MOA that France and Philippines signed in 1994 during FVR's visit to Paris... 

There are many other areas where France has contributed to try to help improve relations between leaders of both countries, with France always taking the initiative. In October 2000, a state visit by former President Estrada was cancelled by the Philippines at the last minute. 

Lest we forget, during the dreadful Sipadan hostage crisis, unknown to the public, it was France and her intelligence agency people who organised the negotiations discreetly and effectively in 2000 that enabled the Philippines to resolve the shameful international drama. 

We believe that the Philippines has not taken advantage of what has been on offer or simply has ignored France. The Philippines should actually examine the list of initiatives and take advantage of what France might offer. If ever there had been little interaction between Philippine and French leaders, perhaps, it's time the Philippines examined their side. 

A bit of imagination is required to make things happen. Even nations must accept that relationships are not a one-way street.

By Anne de Bretagne
For the Philippine Sabah Claim Forum
21 October 2012

WILL US Carrier invoke Right of Innocent Passage through Philippine owned but China controlled Scarborough waters?

WILL USS George Washington INVOKE "RIGHT OF INNOCENT PASSAGE" THROUGH SCARBOROUGH WATERS UNDER THE VERY NOSES OF CHINA NAVY WHEN SHE VISITS MANILA ON 24 OCTOBER??? 

We ask this question because despite the fact that Scarborough waters fall well within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines, China now exercises full control of Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal.)

WE HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT USS George Washington, the largest carrier of the United States Navy  just might pass through Scarborough waters this week. Technically, we think that the 20-year old carrier can sail as close as 12 nautical miles to the Panatag shoal (situated 134 miles from Zambales, and very much within the country's 200-mile EEZ) during her planned visit to Manila on 24 October, depending, of course, on the water depth. But according to the Scarborough chart that we've seen, USS George Washington could very well do that and possibly give those China ships stationned in West Philippine Sea a great whooping scare of their lives.

We very much assume that the 104,200-ton carrier's passage through Scarborough waters is not all that innocent. China, which has managed to steal the shoal from under the noses of our country's navy commanders and coast guards, is now in control of the Shoal. We all know the US is a Philippine key ally that many Filipinos believe is vested with "protector powers" under the mutual defence treaty that both countries signed in 1951. The Philippines after all still technically holds proprietary rights to the shoal unless of course the government of the Philippines decides not to contest.

China will certainly protest the passage of the US carrier (if the passage takes place) through the waters of Scarborough but there's nothing they can do about it given that the United States Navy ship will most likely be invoking "right of innocent passage" if she does decide to sail through the Philippines' 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, a right of exclusive exploitation that China disputes disputes today.

Now, this is where it gets interesting: when that happens, it would be ideal if the Philippine Navy takes advantage of the US carrier's passage and deploys a PN ship to maneuver through and as close to the shoal as they can and grab the shoal back. Such bold and daring action will help redeem their tattered image when the Philippines lost control of the Shoal after the back-to-back April-May 2012 fiascos: BRP Gregorio del Pilar's withdrawing to Poro Point leaving the scene of a 'potential confrontation' with China surveillance ship in April followed by China's cordonning off the shoal to foreign "visitors" in May.

Personally?  We think that China's act is tantamount to illegal annexation of part of Philippine territory and if at all, can be deemed an act of piracy.

By Anne de Bretagne

For the Philippine Sabah Clain Forum &

For the Defenders of the Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims

20 October 2012