The Amsterdam-based electronics giant Royal Philips Electronics intends to expand its operations in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, to capture greater market shares in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

This was the message that Jan Oosterveld, Philips Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Officer (CEO), brought to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during his courtesy call this afternoon in Malacaņang.

The President told Oosterveld of her deep appreciation for including the Philippines in his whirlwind tour of the Asia-Pacific region.

Oosterveld also donated a 17-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) television set to the Office of the President. The unit was received by Lynn D. Moreno, head of the Property and Procurement Office of the Office of the President.

Oosterveld is on a two-day visit to Manila as part of his week-long tour of Asia-Pacific to assess the market situation in the region.

He had just arrived from India and Singapore, and is scheduled to leave Manila today for South Korea and China.

Oosterveld is a member of the Royal Philips Electronics Group Management Committee in charge of corporate strategy. His job is to develop a corporate vision and ensure that the company has a porfolio of alliances that would enhance this corporate vision.

He was recently appointed Philips CEO for Asia-Pacific and is planning to promote Asia-Pacific not only as a manufacturing center but also as a market hub.

Philips Electronics has its headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and has a long history in the Asia-Pacific, with operations in Indonesia since 1896, in India since 1924, in Japan since 1953, and in the Philippines since 1920.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today lifted the state of rebellion, saying the threat to national security posed during and after the failed mutiny of junior military officers in Makati City last July 27 "has abated."

The President also called on the people "to erase and stop spreading rumors and speculations contained in text messages about false troop movements and armor deployments."

She further that the formal peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) "will continue under our policy of pursuing a just, comprehensive and durable settlement of the Mindanao conflict."

After conferring awards to nine outstanding Philippine soldiers at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacanang, the President said the coup threat "has abated … I am hereby lifting the state of rebellion."

She said she was not scheduled to speak during the activity but had to do so to make the important announcement.

She added that Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia could start declassifying the names of the coup plotters "except for the proper names of those who have not yet been arrested."

"The state of rebellion is not a political sword of Damocles. No political party or group operating within the ambit of the Constitution has been threatened or prejudiced by it," she stressed.

"Court processes prevail. The media has free rein. Any of my actions can be challenged before the Supreme Court, to which I commit obedience," she said.

The President hinted that the creation and ongoing investigation of the Feliciano Fact-Finding Commission into the Oakwood mutiny could help Congress in its inquiries.

"Kailangan ng higit na konsultasyon para masigurado ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga opisyal na nakatakdang magbigay ng testigo. Hindi na kailangang ipahaba ito sa isa pang laro ng propaganda. Ito ay bagay na pagbabantay sa mga buhay at pambansang seguridad (More consultations are needed to ensure the welfare and security of the officers who will testify. This should not be further used as propaganda)," she said.

With the state of rebellion lifted, the President called a stop to rumor-mongering as she urged the people to remain vigilant against the threat of terrorism.

"We must set aside the Oakwood syndrome and get on with matters that require earnest vigilance, especially the ever-constant threat of terrorism," she said.

"Let’s keep our eyes and ears focused on terrorist threats for these are ever present," she added.

The President noted that the recapture of Indonesian terrorist Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi was vital to the cause of fighting transnational terrorism.

She said al-Ghozi, who is believed to be in Mindanao, has been identified with the foreign terrorist cell Jemaah Islamiya "and must be neutralized at all cost to pre-empt their movement across borders."

"We issue a strong warning to any armed group in the area that are aiding or coddling al-Gozhi that they will definitely suffer the consequences," she stressed.

As the peace talks with the MILF are about to start in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the President looked forward to the cooperation of the MILF in the manhunt for al-Ghozi "under its commitment to the peace process."

She said the government has launched focused operations Sunday in Lanao del Norte and today in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao to get al-Ghozi and his group.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Gen. Narciso Abaya today announced the capture of three active military officers who are suspected of involvement in the failed coup staged by young military officers last July 27.

In an ambush interview in Malacaņang this afternoon, Abaya identified the military officers as Col. Herbert Avinante, assigned with the Training and Document Command of the Philippine Army; Col. Pompeyo Limbo, also with the Philippine Army; and Maj. Demy Tejares, commander of the 10^th Infantry Battalion.

Abaya said the three officers, who are now detained at the headquarters of the Philippine Army, are in addition to the 300 officers and men who have surrendered to government forces after their short-lived takeover of the high-end Oakwood apartment-hotel in Makati City last July 27.

The AFP chief also said that "more or less," they have already accounted for all those involved in the ill-advised military adventurism, except for two officers, who he identified as Captains Peter Paul Iringan and John Andres.

Abaya also said the AFP is ready to present those involved in the aborted coup during the first hearing of the Feliciano Commission to be held on Wednesday at Camp Aguinaldo.

On the hearing at the Senate, Abaya said that since they received a subpoena, they will bring the eight junior officers this coming Thursday for the resumption of the investigation on the military mutiny by the Senate Committee of the Whole.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today assured that all privileges given to officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) such as housing, education and other benefits would remain a priority under her administration.

"All privileges granted to the men and women of the Armed Forces such as housing or education opportunities shall be prioritized for those who exemplify excellence and valor in combat operations," the President said.

She made the announcement after conferring awards to nine outstanding Philippine soldiers selected by the Rotary Club of Makati Metro and the Metrobank Foundation.

"If a soldier gets a medal for gallantry in action, he or she will automatically be placed on the priority list to avail of housing, educational opportunities, and other privileges regardless of unit, rank or connections," she said.

The greater the valor, the more the rewards, she added.

She said the privates and enlisted personnel in the AFP could get a financial reward in the sense that they can get promoted.

But the officers corps cannot get promoted automatically because the law prescribes the number of officers within the Armed Forces.

"Therefore, the only way by which we can tie up something material with the honor of the medal is to give this kind of priority to them," she said.

The President conferred The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) 2003 awards to Col. Adrian Quidlat, a surgeon and the commanding officer of the V. Luna General Hospital; Col. William Campos, commander of the 71^st First Battalion of the 7^th Infantry Division; M/Sgt. Paulino Bala, of the 31^st Infantry Battalion of the 2^nd Infantry Division; M/Sgt. Ramon Padrilanan, of the Civil Affairs Group of the Philippine Army; Col. Juancho Sabban, the Superintendent of the Marine Corps Training Center in Fort Bonifacio; M/Sgt. Carlos Sulit, assigned at the Headquarters Service Company Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 in Tawi-Tawi; Maj. Bruce Concepcion, of the PAF Tactical Operations Group XI in Davao City; M/Sgt. Jose Maquinay Jr., the Group Sergeant Major and Civil Military Operations Non-Commissioned Officer of the 300^th Air Intelligence and Security Group in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City; and Staff Sgt. Joel Baldonado, the Armament Maintenance Specialist of the 18^th Attack Squadron, 15^th Strike Wing in Sangley Air Base, Cavite City.

She said the nine Outstanding Philippine Soldiers selected by the Makati Rotary Club and Metrobank Foundation were lucky to receive P100,000 each.

In the history of the AFP, she said only 10 men were only able to receive the Medal of Valor that brings with it a financial reward.

The United States Embassy reaffirmed today that US President George W. Bush will visit the Philippines in October.

The US Embassy said planning for Bush’s visit – his first state visit abroad – continues although no firm dates have yet been set.

Following is the press statement issued by the US Embassy on the planned visit:

"In response to speculation in the local media regarding the visit of President Bush, the U.S. Embassy wishes to reconfirm the following facts.

"During the State Visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Washington on May 19, 2003, President Bush announced that he accepted her invitation to the Philippines. At the close of the joint press conference at the White House with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on that day; President Bush said: ‘Finally, I’m honored to accept President Arroyo’s generous invitation to visit the Philippines this fall, when I intend to travel to Southeast Asia for the APEC leaders meeting.’

"President Bush will visit here in October, when he is in the region for the APEC Summit in Bangkok.

We will honor the agreement reached between Ambassador Cimatu with the Magdalo group in the evening of July 27 at Oakwood Hotel, Makati.

The leaders who knowingly took over the Oakwood and its vicinity for the purpose of taking over the government shall face all the consequences of their actions.

Being charged before the civilian court for violation of Article 134-A of the Revised Penal Code is one of the consequences of the actions taken by the leaders and their co-conspirators.

The participation of other military personnel in the aborted government takeover shall be weighed carefully.

Those who were misled and deceived would be treated with leniency, pursuant to law.

We reiterate that the government negotiation with the Magdalo group in Oakwood last July 27 was done in good faith and in full observance of the law.

We went to Oakwood to ensure that the situation would not deteriorate into a major crisis or, worse, a bloody confrontation. We pursued an agreement with the Magdalo group on the peaceful and orderly return to barracks of everyone involved.