From the Philippine Star (Nov 17): Troops kill 4 BIFF members in Maguindanao clash
MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Four members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) were killed while a soldier was wounded in an encounter in Rajah Buayan town late Sunday, the military said.
Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said BIFF bandits attacked a military detachment in Barangay Sapakan in Rajah Buayan, provoking an hour-long firefight.
Hermoso said the bandits also attacked a village, where majority of residents are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The villagers have confirmed that four bandits were killed in the BIFF’s ensuing encounters with combatants of the 45th Infantry Battalion and local MILF forces.
Hermoso said the wounded soldier is still confined in a hospital, but he is already "out of danger.”
He said responding combatants of the 45th IB, which covers Rajah Buayan and nearby towns, fired 81-millimeter mortars to drive away the BIFF bandits that attacked Barangay Sapakan.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/11/17/1392791/troops-kill-4-biff-members-maguindanao-clash
Sunday, November 16, 2014
DND presents transformation roadmap to PNoy
From ABS-CBN (Nov 17): DND presents transformation roadmap to PNoy
[Video]
MANILA - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin presented a transformation roadmap to President Aquino during the Department of National Defense's 75th anniversary on Monday.
The roadmap contains a detailed plan of what the department intends to achieve after 14 years.
In his speech, Aquino touted the agency's recent achievements which he claims have completely changed its image from being a dictator's tool during the Marcos Era.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/11/17/14/dnd-presents-transformation-roadmap-pnoy
[Video]
MANILA - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin presented a transformation roadmap to President Aquino during the Department of National Defense's 75th anniversary on Monday.
The roadmap contains a detailed plan of what the department intends to achieve after 14 years.
In his speech, Aquino touted the agency's recent achievements which he claims have completely changed its image from being a dictator's tool during the Marcos Era.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/11/17/14/dnd-presents-transformation-roadmap-pnoy
PAF spending P35.6M for C-130
From Ang Malaya (Nov 17): PAF spending P35.6M for C-130
Philippine Air Force is applying the sum of PhP35,634,408 for the maintenance and needed spare-parts of one PAF C-130 Hercules in a bid make sure its current assets are airworthy.
“The Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that it is allocating Php35,634,408 for the acquisition of spare parts and maintenance of the communication/navigation system of one of its three Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo aircraft,” the state news agency said.
PAF has three C-130s being used to transport equipment and military troops. While on times of disaster C-130s are utilized for relief operations.
While the military still needs additional transport aircraft, US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has approved earlier this year the sale of two C-130s to Philippine Government.
“This proposed sale would contribute to U.S. security and foreign policy goals by building the Philippines’ maritime domain security capacity and deepening our overall strategic partnership with the Philippines,” US DSCA said in a certification sent to US Congress.
http://www.angmalaya.net/page/2
Philippine Air Force is applying the sum of PhP35,634,408 for the maintenance and needed spare-parts of one PAF C-130 Hercules in a bid make sure its current assets are airworthy.
“The Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that it is allocating Php35,634,408 for the acquisition of spare parts and maintenance of the communication/navigation system of one of its three Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo aircraft,” the state news agency said.
PAF has three C-130s being used to transport equipment and military troops. While on times of disaster C-130s are utilized for relief operations.
While the military still needs additional transport aircraft, US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has approved earlier this year the sale of two C-130s to Philippine Government.
“This proposed sale would contribute to U.S. security and foreign policy goals by building the Philippines’ maritime domain security capacity and deepening our overall strategic partnership with the Philippines,” US DSCA said in a certification sent to US Congress.
http://www.angmalaya.net/page/2
Security forces foil bombing attempt in Basilan province
From the Mindanao Examiner (Nov 17): Security forces foil bombing attempt in Basilan province
BASILAN – Government soldiers disarmed Monday an improvised explosive planted at a government school in Lamitan City in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.
The explosive was discovered inside the Colonia Elementary School. It was unknown how the bomber managed to smuggled the explosive inside the school. The discovery of the explosive came a day after a bomb attack in North Cotabato’s Kabacan town killed a student and injured 17 others.
Officials said the improvised explosive, fashioned out from a mortar bomb, went off late Sunday outside the Kabacan Central Pilot School. Soldiers and policemen who responded to the attack have recovered two more explosives nearby.
“The IED exploded near the gate of Kabacan Central Pilot School. Two more bombs were discovered at an overpass near the school and were immediately disrupted by in the area,” Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, of the 6th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, told The Manila Times.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the violence, but police and military were looking into the involvement of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who recently pledged allegiance to the jihadist group ISIS or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. “We are suspecting the BIFF as the culprit,” Petinglay said.
Another bomb, planted near an army post in the village of Banayal in North Cotabato’s Tulunan town, also exploded over the weekend. There were no reports of casualties, but the attack sent a chilling warning that even in the presence of troops in the village, rebels can easily sneak and stage attacks undetected by security forces.
The bomb was assembled from a 60mm mortar and rigged to a detonator. The 39th Infantry Battalion maintains several posts in the area.
Just recently, a mortar attack also killed an eight-year girl and an adult man and injured three more people in nearby Pikit town where security forces are battling the BIFF. The 6th Infantry Division quickly blamed the attack on the BIFF, but the rebel group pointed to the soldiers as behind the shelling.
The provincial government has offered P100,000 reward for anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the bombers.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20141117003910
BASILAN – Government soldiers disarmed Monday an improvised explosive planted at a government school in Lamitan City in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.
The explosive was discovered inside the Colonia Elementary School. It was unknown how the bomber managed to smuggled the explosive inside the school. The discovery of the explosive came a day after a bomb attack in North Cotabato’s Kabacan town killed a student and injured 17 others.
Officials said the improvised explosive, fashioned out from a mortar bomb, went off late Sunday outside the Kabacan Central Pilot School. Soldiers and policemen who responded to the attack have recovered two more explosives nearby.
“The IED exploded near the gate of Kabacan Central Pilot School. Two more bombs were discovered at an overpass near the school and were immediately disrupted by in the area,” Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, of the 6th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, told The Manila Times.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the violence, but police and military were looking into the involvement of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who recently pledged allegiance to the jihadist group ISIS or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. “We are suspecting the BIFF as the culprit,” Petinglay said.
Another bomb, planted near an army post in the village of Banayal in North Cotabato’s Tulunan town, also exploded over the weekend. There were no reports of casualties, but the attack sent a chilling warning that even in the presence of troops in the village, rebels can easily sneak and stage attacks undetected by security forces.
The bomb was assembled from a 60mm mortar and rigged to a detonator. The 39th Infantry Battalion maintains several posts in the area.
Just recently, a mortar attack also killed an eight-year girl and an adult man and injured three more people in nearby Pikit town where security forces are battling the BIFF. The 6th Infantry Division quickly blamed the attack on the BIFF, but the rebel group pointed to the soldiers as behind the shelling.
The provincial government has offered P100,000 reward for anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the bombers.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20141117003910
No more rebels in Lake Sebu town – AFP
From MindaNews (Nov 17): No more rebels in Lake Sebu town – AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has declared the entire municipality of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato as insurgency-free.
South Cotabato provincial board member Agustin Demaala Jr., chair of the board’s committee on public order and safety, said the 1002nd Infantry Brigade issued the declaration following a series of validation and assessment in the area.
He said the declaration covered all 19 barangays of Lake Sebu, which is located along the boundary areas of South Cotabato and the provinces of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
“These 19 barangays are now free from CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) influence,” Demaala said.
Citing results of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade’s assessment, he said the NPA fronts operating in the area were forced to abandon and dismantle their organized structures in Lake Sebu’s 19 barangays due to their declining influence.
He specifically cited the NPA’s local political propaganda units, which mainly assists the group’s operations and recruitment activities.
Demaala, who is a retired Army major general, said the rebels were eventually forced to focus their operations in the boundary areas of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
The official said such situation was the result of the enhanced security operations as well as peace and development initiatives conducted by the 27th Infantry Battalion (IB) in the area in the last two years.
The official credited the declaration to the “focused and effective” leadership of Lt. Col. Shalimar Imperial, who formally left his post last Friday as commanding officer of the 27th IB following a two-year stint.
He was replaced by Lt. Col. Ronald Jess Alcudia, who was previously assigned at the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao.
Imperial will assume as the staff officer for education and training or G8 of the 10th Infantry Division in Mawab, Compostela Valley.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/11/17/no-more-rebels-in-lake-sebu-town-afp/
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has declared the entire municipality of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato as insurgency-free.
South Cotabato provincial board member Agustin Demaala Jr., chair of the board’s committee on public order and safety, said the 1002nd Infantry Brigade issued the declaration following a series of validation and assessment in the area.
He said the declaration covered all 19 barangays of Lake Sebu, which is located along the boundary areas of South Cotabato and the provinces of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
“These 19 barangays are now free from CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) influence,” Demaala said.
Citing results of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade’s assessment, he said the NPA fronts operating in the area were forced to abandon and dismantle their organized structures in Lake Sebu’s 19 barangays due to their declining influence.
He specifically cited the NPA’s local political propaganda units, which mainly assists the group’s operations and recruitment activities.
Demaala, who is a retired Army major general, said the rebels were eventually forced to focus their operations in the boundary areas of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
The official said such situation was the result of the enhanced security operations as well as peace and development initiatives conducted by the 27th Infantry Battalion (IB) in the area in the last two years.
The official credited the declaration to the “focused and effective” leadership of Lt. Col. Shalimar Imperial, who formally left his post last Friday as commanding officer of the 27th IB following a two-year stint.
He was replaced by Lt. Col. Ronald Jess Alcudia, who was previously assigned at the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao.
Imperial will assume as the staff officer for education and training or G8 of the 10th Infantry Division in Mawab, Compostela Valley.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/11/17/no-more-rebels-in-lake-sebu-town-afp/
Kapalong to be declared as normalized, development ready area
From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 17): Kapalong to be declared as normalized, development ready area
A military official announced recently during the Biz Talk at Big8 that Kapalong, one of the most NPA infiltrated municipalities in the province, will be declared as normalized and development ready area by the end of November.
Col. Ricardo Nepumoceno, deputy commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, said that Kapalong will be neutralized from the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“During the Serbisyo Caravan of the ARENA on the last week of November, we will declare Kapalong as peaceful, normalized and ready for development,” Col. Nepumoceno said.
He said that through the project QUEPETAKA or Quest for Peace in Talaingod and Kapalong, eight NPA members surrendered in Kapalong and New Corella for this year.
“Since March to October, there are 13 armed engagements already, which resulted to the capture of SMRC Camp in Talaingod and death of 28 NPA members, including Eleazar De Asis Romero, platoon leader of SYP, GF33,” he added.
Col. Nepumoceno explained that project QUEPETAKA envisioned a genuine and lasting peace, and sustainable development in Talaingod and Kapalong through the conduct of Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP).
He added that the army conducted various fora and consultations with the tribal leaders and communities in Kapalong and Talaingod since June of this year.
“We also hold a Cultural Sensitivity Seminar to our soldiers to further educate our troops and understand the culture and traditions of tribal communities in the area,” he added.
He said that aside from the conferences with the tribal communities, the army together with other civic organizations conducted nine medical and dental outreach activities in the province for the months of August and September, youth leaders summit, rice distribution, fun run and other related activities>
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2871416203140/kapalong-to-be-declared-as-normalized-development-ready-area
A military official announced recently during the Biz Talk at Big8 that Kapalong, one of the most NPA infiltrated municipalities in the province, will be declared as normalized and development ready area by the end of November.
Col. Ricardo Nepumoceno, deputy commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, said that Kapalong will be neutralized from the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“During the Serbisyo Caravan of the ARENA on the last week of November, we will declare Kapalong as peaceful, normalized and ready for development,” Col. Nepumoceno said.
He said that through the project QUEPETAKA or Quest for Peace in Talaingod and Kapalong, eight NPA members surrendered in Kapalong and New Corella for this year.
“Since March to October, there are 13 armed engagements already, which resulted to the capture of SMRC Camp in Talaingod and death of 28 NPA members, including Eleazar De Asis Romero, platoon leader of SYP, GF33,” he added.
Col. Nepumoceno explained that project QUEPETAKA envisioned a genuine and lasting peace, and sustainable development in Talaingod and Kapalong through the conduct of Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP).
He added that the army conducted various fora and consultations with the tribal leaders and communities in Kapalong and Talaingod since June of this year.
“We also hold a Cultural Sensitivity Seminar to our soldiers to further educate our troops and understand the culture and traditions of tribal communities in the area,” he added.
He said that aside from the conferences with the tribal communities, the army together with other civic organizations conducted nine medical and dental outreach activities in the province for the months of August and September, youth leaders summit, rice distribution, fun run and other related activities>
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2871416203140/kapalong-to-be-declared-as-normalized-development-ready-area
AFP: We know were Sayyafs are, we will definitely corner them
From Ang Malaya (Nov 16): AFP: We know were Sayyafs are, we will definitely corner them
Abu Sayyaf Group headed by Radullan Sahiron suffered a major loss during the Friday encounter with government forces, Malacanang and Armed Forces of the Philippines believe.
Intelligence report said approximately 30 bandits were heavily injured last Friday, while 10 were reportedly killed. “Because of their wounded, they can’t just go down [from Mt. Bunga, Talipao, Sulu] and escape. We know where they are and we will definitely corner them,” Joint Task Group Sulu commander Col. Allan Arrojado said using Filipino.
The clash between government forces and Abu Sayyaf bandits also resulted to the killing of ASG sub-leader Hairullah Asbang. While five soldiers sacrificed lives.
Western Mindanao Command Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela said “this is a good opportunity because the soldiers cornered the group. We believe that because of this we will have a good accomplishment in the law enforcement operation.”
“It was my recon elements led by Lt. Dante Espiritu who spotted the bandits in a makeshift hut. He radioed to me that they will initiate contact as one of the bandits unknowingly approached their position to relieve himself,” 1st Scout Ranger Company comabat leader Lt. Michael Asistores said. Minutes after the confrontation the recon group asked for reinforcements.
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/11/16/5797-afp-we-know-were-sayyafs-are-we-will-definitely-corner-them
Abu Sayyaf Group headed by Radullan Sahiron suffered a major loss during the Friday encounter with government forces, Malacanang and Armed Forces of the Philippines believe.
Intelligence report said approximately 30 bandits were heavily injured last Friday, while 10 were reportedly killed. “Because of their wounded, they can’t just go down [from Mt. Bunga, Talipao, Sulu] and escape. We know where they are and we will definitely corner them,” Joint Task Group Sulu commander Col. Allan Arrojado said using Filipino.
The clash between government forces and Abu Sayyaf bandits also resulted to the killing of ASG sub-leader Hairullah Asbang. While five soldiers sacrificed lives.
Western Mindanao Command Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela said “this is a good opportunity because the soldiers cornered the group. We believe that because of this we will have a good accomplishment in the law enforcement operation.”
“It was my recon elements led by Lt. Dante Espiritu who spotted the bandits in a makeshift hut. He radioed to me that they will initiate contact as one of the bandits unknowingly approached their position to relieve himself,” 1st Scout Ranger Company comabat leader Lt. Michael Asistores said. Minutes after the confrontation the recon group asked for reinforcements.
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/11/16/5797-afp-we-know-were-sayyafs-are-we-will-definitely-corner-them
Abu Sayyaf protecting kidnap victims–Army
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 17): Abu Sayyaf protecting kidnap victims–Army
Draped with a Philippine flag, a white coffin was loaded into a Nomad plane bound for Tambler Airport in General Santos City early Sunday morning.
Hours later, another coffin was placed inside another aircraft bound for Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City.
Some personnel of the Philippine Air Force and top officials of the Western Mindanao Command sent off the bodies of Privates First Class Joey Blanche of Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat province, and Gabby Aches of Misamis Oriental province in simple military funeral rites at Edwin Andrews Air Base here.
Blanche and Aches were among the five soldiers killed in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu province on Friday.
Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the bodies of the three other fallen soldiers—Privates First Class Alison Claro of Gamu town, Isabela province; Samuel Taluyan of Kalinga province; and Albert Villaluna of Luban town, Occidental Mindoro province— would be flown to Manila via a C-130 military cargo aircraft on Monday.
Guerrero refused to comment when asked about the reported beheading of one of the soldiers, as earlier confirmed by Col. Allan Arrojado of the Joint Task Group Sulu.
Arrojado, in a separate interview, said his men did not die in vain.
“They fought hard. Our men fought hard for over five hours and we were able to inflict heavy casualties on the Abu Sayyaf fighters,” he said.
At least 28 other soldiers were wounded in the clash. Arrojado said 10 bandits were killed while 30 others were wounded in the five-hour fighting.
Guerrero, who visited Sulu on Saturday, told reporters that the government troops were engaged in “a very close and intense firefight, just about 10 to 20 meters from the enemies.”
He denied that the troops were ambushed.
“That was a deliberate AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) operation,” he said.
Although it was unusual for the bandits to engage the military in a long encounter, Guerrero said it could be that “they are protecting somebody at the back.”
“And we know they are protecting kidnap victims. What our troops hit then were the outer layer groups of (Abu Sayyaf leader) Radulan Sahiro,” he said. The clash involved at least 300 Abu Sayyaf members. The military said Sahiron’s group merged with five other sub-groups.
Arrojado said that despite the casualties, “more troops were sent to block the escape routes of the bandits.”
“We will continuously pursue the bandits in their jungle hideouts,” he said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/651067/abu-sayyaf-protecting-kidnap-victims-army
Draped with a Philippine flag, a white coffin was loaded into a Nomad plane bound for Tambler Airport in General Santos City early Sunday morning.
Hours later, another coffin was placed inside another aircraft bound for Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City.
Some personnel of the Philippine Air Force and top officials of the Western Mindanao Command sent off the bodies of Privates First Class Joey Blanche of Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat province, and Gabby Aches of Misamis Oriental province in simple military funeral rites at Edwin Andrews Air Base here.
Blanche and Aches were among the five soldiers killed in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu province on Friday.
Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the bodies of the three other fallen soldiers—Privates First Class Alison Claro of Gamu town, Isabela province; Samuel Taluyan of Kalinga province; and Albert Villaluna of Luban town, Occidental Mindoro province— would be flown to Manila via a C-130 military cargo aircraft on Monday.
Guerrero refused to comment when asked about the reported beheading of one of the soldiers, as earlier confirmed by Col. Allan Arrojado of the Joint Task Group Sulu.
Arrojado, in a separate interview, said his men did not die in vain.
“They fought hard. Our men fought hard for over five hours and we were able to inflict heavy casualties on the Abu Sayyaf fighters,” he said.
At least 28 other soldiers were wounded in the clash. Arrojado said 10 bandits were killed while 30 others were wounded in the five-hour fighting.
Guerrero, who visited Sulu on Saturday, told reporters that the government troops were engaged in “a very close and intense firefight, just about 10 to 20 meters from the enemies.”
He denied that the troops were ambushed.
“That was a deliberate AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) operation,” he said.
Although it was unusual for the bandits to engage the military in a long encounter, Guerrero said it could be that “they are protecting somebody at the back.”
“And we know they are protecting kidnap victims. What our troops hit then were the outer layer groups of (Abu Sayyaf leader) Radulan Sahiro,” he said. The clash involved at least 300 Abu Sayyaf members. The military said Sahiron’s group merged with five other sub-groups.
Arrojado said that despite the casualties, “more troops were sent to block the escape routes of the bandits.”
“We will continuously pursue the bandits in their jungle hideouts,” he said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/651067/abu-sayyaf-protecting-kidnap-victims-army
AFP planning for a second major clash with Sayyaf bandits
From Ang Malaya (Nov 17): AFP planning for a second major clash with Sayyaf bandits
“We will have to continue to pressure them because that is the order from the higher ups, to defeat the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, in Sulu, in Zamboanga and in Tawi-Tawi,” Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Genereal Gregorio Catapang Jr. said over the weekend.
Catapang made the statement after military troops in Talipao, Sulu have been into a major clash with the Abu Sayyaf Group headed by Radullan Sahiron last Friday, November 15.
Intelligence report said that approximately 300 Sayyaf bandits, with some of them badly wounded, are within the perimeter of Mount Bunga in Talipao, Sulu.
“We are monitoring them,” Catapang added. “They are still resting but we are now crafting a plan to catch up with them.”
General Catapang added that additional troops may be deployed when the need arises.
“We are preparing for the next law enforcement operation.”
“We will be on relentless campaign against lawlessness and kidnapping to arrest them and to ensure the safety of kidnap victims.” There are 1,200 deployed soldiers in Sulu and 1,000 troops in Basilan.
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/11/17/5806-afp-planning-for-a-second-major-clash-with-sayyaf-bandits
“We will have to continue to pressure them because that is the order from the higher ups, to defeat the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, in Sulu, in Zamboanga and in Tawi-Tawi,” Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Genereal Gregorio Catapang Jr. said over the weekend.
Catapang made the statement after military troops in Talipao, Sulu have been into a major clash with the Abu Sayyaf Group headed by Radullan Sahiron last Friday, November 15.
Intelligence report said that approximately 300 Sayyaf bandits, with some of them badly wounded, are within the perimeter of Mount Bunga in Talipao, Sulu.
“We are monitoring them,” Catapang added. “They are still resting but we are now crafting a plan to catch up with them.”
General Catapang added that additional troops may be deployed when the need arises.
“We are preparing for the next law enforcement operation.”
“We will be on relentless campaign against lawlessness and kidnapping to arrest them and to ensure the safety of kidnap victims.” There are 1,200 deployed soldiers in Sulu and 1,000 troops in Basilan.
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/11/17/5806-afp-planning-for-a-second-major-clash-with-sayyaf-bandits
Hundreds flee shelling by BIFF, government forces in Maguindanao
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 16): Hundreds flee shelling by BIFF, government forces in Maguindanao
PIKIT, North Cotabato – Hundreds of families from the town of Datu Piang in Maguindanao province fled to neighboring villages here as the military and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters traded mortar shells starting early Friday. At least two civilians have been reported killed.
Insp. Sindato Karim, officer in charge of the police here, said a total of 407 families sought refuge in the villages of Kabasalan and Bulol for fear of being caught in the crossfire as both sides shelled each other’s positions.
Karim said local authorities expected the number of evacuees to increase as the town’s social welfare and development office had yet to validate the presence of other evacuees in Barangays Katilakan, Barungis, Punol, Makabual and Balong.
“We need to clear the roads leading to these villages for the safety of our policemen and local government employees who will conduct validations in the area,” Karim told the Inquirer in an interview.
As of Saturday morning, Karim said, sporadic gunbursts and explosions believed from mortar fire could still be heard in Datu Piang town.
Karim confirmed the death of two civilians hit by mortar shells while leaving Datu Piang town on Friday afternoon. He identified the victims as Rayhana Akmad, 8, and Kinto Akmad, 40, both residents of Barangay Lagban in Datu Piang.
Another civilian, Laila Akmad, was wounded in the incident.
Karim said the victims were crossing the Rio Grande de Mindanao on a motorized banca when they were hit by a mortar shell.
“We cannot ascertain yet who among the two warring groups fired the explosive,” Karim said.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/650961/hundreds-flee-shelling-by-biff-government-forces-in-maguindanao
PIKIT, North Cotabato – Hundreds of families from the town of Datu Piang in Maguindanao province fled to neighboring villages here as the military and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters traded mortar shells starting early Friday. At least two civilians have been reported killed.
Insp. Sindato Karim, officer in charge of the police here, said a total of 407 families sought refuge in the villages of Kabasalan and Bulol for fear of being caught in the crossfire as both sides shelled each other’s positions.
Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) INQUIRER File Photo
Karim said local authorities expected the number of evacuees to increase as the town’s social welfare and development office had yet to validate the presence of other evacuees in Barangays Katilakan, Barungis, Punol, Makabual and Balong.
“We need to clear the roads leading to these villages for the safety of our policemen and local government employees who will conduct validations in the area,” Karim told the Inquirer in an interview.
As of Saturday morning, Karim said, sporadic gunbursts and explosions believed from mortar fire could still be heard in Datu Piang town.
Karim confirmed the death of two civilians hit by mortar shells while leaving Datu Piang town on Friday afternoon. He identified the victims as Rayhana Akmad, 8, and Kinto Akmad, 40, both residents of Barangay Lagban in Datu Piang.
Another civilian, Laila Akmad, was wounded in the incident.
Karim said the victims were crossing the Rio Grande de Mindanao on a motorized banca when they were hit by a mortar shell.
“We cannot ascertain yet who among the two warring groups fired the explosive,” Karim said.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/650961/hundreds-flee-shelling-by-biff-government-forces-in-maguindanao
WestMinCom chief: Zambo twin bombings a diversionary tactic by Abu Sayyaf
From the Zamboanga Today (Nov 15): WestMinCom chief: Zambo twin bombings a diversionary tactic by Abu Sayyaf
The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (WestMinCom) commander is viewing the recent explosion in Zamboanga city as a diversionary tactic that could be perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf due to ongoing military operations in Basilan.
“It’s more of a disruption to the ongoing security operations that we are doing not only in Basilan but also to secure the Boy Scouts Jamboree,” Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero, WestMinCom chief, told local reporters.
Guerrero said that they expected some diversionary tactics by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan due to the ongoing military offensive in the area, thus their decision to transfer some troops to the city proper after the explosion occurred.
At the time, the AFP is also securing more than 7,000 boy scouts staying at the Zamboanga Ecozone, the site of the Centennial Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
In a press conference, Zamboanga City Police Office Chief Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro said that the police is looking at various angles for the explosion that occurred last Sunday in downtown Zamboanga city.
This includes extortion and the possiblity that lawless elements are targetting Explosives and Ordnance Personnel in conducting bombing activities.
Guerrero clarified that he is not confirming the diversionary tactic angle as police are still conducting their investigation on the incident.
He however warned the local police to watch out for any diversionary tactics to be employed by lawless elements in Basilan to disrupt the government forces’ efforts in the area.
The two officials made the statement after separate explosions in downtown Zamboanga City last Sunday.
An Explosives and Ordnance personnel and his K9 dog were injured after an improvised explosive device exploded at the second floor of a massage parlor in Tomas Claudio Street.
Minutes later, Bomb Squad K9 handler PO2 Manuel Franklin Ined together with K9 dog Diego were injured in yet another explosion meters away from the establishment.
http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/19176-westmincom-chief-zambo-twin-bombings-a-diversionary-tactic-by-abu-sayyaf.html
The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (WestMinCom) commander is viewing the recent explosion in Zamboanga city as a diversionary tactic that could be perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf due to ongoing military operations in Basilan.
“It’s more of a disruption to the ongoing security operations that we are doing not only in Basilan but also to secure the Boy Scouts Jamboree,” Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero, WestMinCom chief, told local reporters.
Guerrero said that they expected some diversionary tactics by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan due to the ongoing military offensive in the area, thus their decision to transfer some troops to the city proper after the explosion occurred.
At the time, the AFP is also securing more than 7,000 boy scouts staying at the Zamboanga Ecozone, the site of the Centennial Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
In a press conference, Zamboanga City Police Office Chief Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro said that the police is looking at various angles for the explosion that occurred last Sunday in downtown Zamboanga city.
This includes extortion and the possiblity that lawless elements are targetting Explosives and Ordnance Personnel in conducting bombing activities.
Guerrero clarified that he is not confirming the diversionary tactic angle as police are still conducting their investigation on the incident.
He however warned the local police to watch out for any diversionary tactics to be employed by lawless elements in Basilan to disrupt the government forces’ efforts in the area.
The two officials made the statement after separate explosions in downtown Zamboanga City last Sunday.
An Explosives and Ordnance personnel and his K9 dog were injured after an improvised explosive device exploded at the second floor of a massage parlor in Tomas Claudio Street.
Minutes later, Bomb Squad K9 handler PO2 Manuel Franklin Ined together with K9 dog Diego were injured in yet another explosion meters away from the establishment.
http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/19176-westmincom-chief-zambo-twin-bombings-a-diversionary-tactic-by-abu-sayyaf.html
Top AFP, DoH officials visit Pinoy peacekeepers on Caballo Island
From the Daily Tribune (Nov 17): Top AFP, DoH officials visit Pinoy peacekeepers on Caballo Island
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and acting Health Secretary Janette Garin yesterday visited the 132 Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola virus-stricken Liberia who are undergoing 21-day quarantine period on Caballo Island in Cavite.
Catapang and Garin mingled with the peacekeepers, who are now allowed to roam around the island, only four days after they arrived there.
Garin said that she and the AFP updated the peacekeepers about the condition of their fellow peacekeeper who was evacuated to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) after developing fever on the second day of quarantine period.
“General Catapang and I visited our troops there (Caballo Island) and firstly we told them about the status of their fellow peacekeeper, and at the same time, we wanted to ensure they are all healthy,” said Garin.
For his part, Catapang said they mingled with the troops and developed a new way to greet each other –elbow to elbow.
The AFP chief said the peacekeepers remained in high spirits.
“They are high morale, the last time they have specified area (but) now they are allowed to roam around the whole island. There are no restrictions because we mingled there,” Catapang said.
“And we have a new style of greeting (demonstrated elbow to elbow),” he added.
The AFP chief said that elbow to elbow is allowed as reiterated assurance there is nothing to worry about Ebola virus.
Catapang said he and Garin personally visited and mingled with the peacekeepers to allay public fears of the deadly virus.
“We are happy that (we visited them) together with Secretary Garin to show that worrying sometimes is difficult to douse from the people’s mind but if they see us mingling, talking and joking around, sharing happy moment there,” Catapang said.
Garin echoed Catapang’s call not to “isolate” the peacekeepers, who served an extended 11-month tour of duty in Liberia.
“We should not stigmatize or ostracize them,” Garin said.
Catapang and Garin said that all of the 132 peacekeepers on Caballo Island are all doing well.
According to Garin, the other one, who was at RITM, is already improving based on his blood smear.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said that the AFP chief and Garin arrived at Caballo Island at around 1:30 p.m. and they left about 3 p.m.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/top-afp-doh-officials-visit-pinoy-peacekeepers-on-caballo-island
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and acting Health Secretary Janette Garin yesterday visited the 132 Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola virus-stricken Liberia who are undergoing 21-day quarantine period on Caballo Island in Cavite.
Catapang and Garin mingled with the peacekeepers, who are now allowed to roam around the island, only four days after they arrived there.
Garin said that she and the AFP updated the peacekeepers about the condition of their fellow peacekeeper who was evacuated to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) after developing fever on the second day of quarantine period.
“General Catapang and I visited our troops there (Caballo Island) and firstly we told them about the status of their fellow peacekeeper, and at the same time, we wanted to ensure they are all healthy,” said Garin.
For his part, Catapang said they mingled with the troops and developed a new way to greet each other –elbow to elbow.
The AFP chief said the peacekeepers remained in high spirits.
“They are high morale, the last time they have specified area (but) now they are allowed to roam around the whole island. There are no restrictions because we mingled there,” Catapang said.
“And we have a new style of greeting (demonstrated elbow to elbow),” he added.
The AFP chief said that elbow to elbow is allowed as reiterated assurance there is nothing to worry about Ebola virus.
Catapang said he and Garin personally visited and mingled with the peacekeepers to allay public fears of the deadly virus.
“We are happy that (we visited them) together with Secretary Garin to show that worrying sometimes is difficult to douse from the people’s mind but if they see us mingling, talking and joking around, sharing happy moment there,” Catapang said.
Garin echoed Catapang’s call not to “isolate” the peacekeepers, who served an extended 11-month tour of duty in Liberia.
“We should not stigmatize or ostracize them,” Garin said.
Catapang and Garin said that all of the 132 peacekeepers on Caballo Island are all doing well.
According to Garin, the other one, who was at RITM, is already improving based on his blood smear.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said that the AFP chief and Garin arrived at Caballo Island at around 1:30 p.m. and they left about 3 p.m.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/top-afp-doh-officials-visit-pinoy-peacekeepers-on-caballo-island
2 killed as intense firefight erupts anew in CamSur
From the Daily Tribune (Nov 17): 2 killed as intense firefight erupts anew in CamSur
Two civilians, one of them a government militiaman, were killed during an intense clash between government security forces and heavily-armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Camarines Sur province yesterday.
Maj. Angelo Guzman, public affairs officer of the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said that elements of the Army’s 49th Infantry battalion (IB), along with members of Cafgu, were sent to Sitio Sarabangan, Barangay Tinamod in Pasacao town to check on the killing of a civilian by NPA rebels.
However, the government security forces were immediately engaged by around 30 fully-armed NPA rebels in the area. The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes.
Guzman said that the encountered NPA rebels used machine gun during the clash.
As a result, one Cafgu member and a civilian were killed while two other militiamen were wounded.
As of press time yesterday, the remains of the slain Cafgu member was not yet recovered.
Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, 49th IB commander, said that efforts are now ongoing to recover the body of the slain militiaman.
Guzman said that Solcom chief Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya ordered relentless operation to flush NPA rebels away from their comfort zones in Southern Tagalog to bring about development.
Meanwhile, in Sorsogon province, an Army man, who was in civilian clothes and was about to withdraw his yearend bonus, was killed by NPA rebels yesterday morning.
Guzman identified the slain Army soldier as Cpl Zaldy Bengua, a member of the 9th IB.
Guzman said that Bengua, along with his buddy who was not identified for security reason, was aboard a tricycle when three NPA rebels, armed with long firearms, fired upon them at around 7 a.m. along Barangay San Antonio in Barcelona town.
“Bengua was on his way to the town center with his buddy-soldier on a tricycle when the rebels accosted their vehicle,” said Guzman, adding the two soldiers were wearing civilian clothes.
According to Guzman, Bengua was about to withdraw his yearend salary bonus and remit it to his family when the attack happened.
Bengua, armed with .45 caliber pistol, tried to engage the communists but the rebels immediately fired at him. The Army corporal died on the spot.
The second soldier, however, managed to save a mother and her two children who were also aboard the tricycle when he dragged them to safety.
Guzman said that the rebel assassins immediately fled.
Col. Cesar Idio, commander of the Army’s 903rd Brigade, immediately ordered pursuit operations against the communist-ambushers as he vowed intensified combat operations against the NPA in Sorsogon and Masbate.
“This incident, while isolated, will further intensify the effort of the 903rd Birgade to continue its aggressive conduct of focused military operation in the affected areas to win the peace in Sorsogon and Masbate provinces,” Idio said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/2-killed-as-intense-firefight-erupts-anew-in-camsur
Two civilians, one of them a government militiaman, were killed during an intense clash between government security forces and heavily-armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Camarines Sur province yesterday.
Maj. Angelo Guzman, public affairs officer of the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said that elements of the Army’s 49th Infantry battalion (IB), along with members of Cafgu, were sent to Sitio Sarabangan, Barangay Tinamod in Pasacao town to check on the killing of a civilian by NPA rebels.
However, the government security forces were immediately engaged by around 30 fully-armed NPA rebels in the area. The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes.
Guzman said that the encountered NPA rebels used machine gun during the clash.
As a result, one Cafgu member and a civilian were killed while two other militiamen were wounded.
As of press time yesterday, the remains of the slain Cafgu member was not yet recovered.
Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, 49th IB commander, said that efforts are now ongoing to recover the body of the slain militiaman.
Guzman said that Solcom chief Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya ordered relentless operation to flush NPA rebels away from their comfort zones in Southern Tagalog to bring about development.
Meanwhile, in Sorsogon province, an Army man, who was in civilian clothes and was about to withdraw his yearend bonus, was killed by NPA rebels yesterday morning.
Guzman identified the slain Army soldier as Cpl Zaldy Bengua, a member of the 9th IB.
Guzman said that Bengua, along with his buddy who was not identified for security reason, was aboard a tricycle when three NPA rebels, armed with long firearms, fired upon them at around 7 a.m. along Barangay San Antonio in Barcelona town.
“Bengua was on his way to the town center with his buddy-soldier on a tricycle when the rebels accosted their vehicle,” said Guzman, adding the two soldiers were wearing civilian clothes.
According to Guzman, Bengua was about to withdraw his yearend salary bonus and remit it to his family when the attack happened.
Bengua, armed with .45 caliber pistol, tried to engage the communists but the rebels immediately fired at him. The Army corporal died on the spot.
The second soldier, however, managed to save a mother and her two children who were also aboard the tricycle when he dragged them to safety.
Guzman said that the rebel assassins immediately fled.
Col. Cesar Idio, commander of the Army’s 903rd Brigade, immediately ordered pursuit operations against the communist-ambushers as he vowed intensified combat operations against the NPA in Sorsogon and Masbate.
“This incident, while isolated, will further intensify the effort of the 903rd Birgade to continue its aggressive conduct of focused military operation in the affected areas to win the peace in Sorsogon and Masbate provinces,” Idio said.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/2-killed-as-intense-firefight-erupts-anew-in-camsur
AFP eyeing reinforcements to Sulu as Abu Sayyaf cuts power to Talipao
From InterAksyon (Nov 16): AFP eyeing reinforcements to Sulu as Abu Sayyaf cuts power to Talipao
(UPDATE - 5:38 p.m.) The military might send reinforcements to Sulu province to beef up government forces pursuing the Abu Sayyaf following Friday’s deadly clash, which left scores of soldiers and extremists dead or wounded, Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said on Sunday.
The disclosure came as Colonel Allan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the Abu Sayyaf has cut off power to Talipao town, where Friday’s five-hour battle, happened.
"Pinag-aaralan pa namin (kung) dagdagan pa namin 'yung puwersa namin kung kinakalingan (the necessity of beefing up our forces)," Catapang said in a chance interview in Camp Aguinaldo following a visit to United Nations peacekeepers quarantined on Caballo Island.
Catapang said they had been considering sending reinforcements even before Friday's clash as part of the military's "graduated response" to the Abu Sayyaf but hinted this has become more likely "ngayong napatunayan natin na talagang may puwersa pa sila diyan (now that we have proven they still maintain a substantial force there) ... so we will be able to contain them."
"Well, malakas sila pero mas malakas 'yung Armed Forces (they are strong but the Armed Forces is stronger) so we will have to continue to pressure (the Abu Sayyaf) kasi 'yun ang order sa atin ng ating (because that is the order of our) hierarchy, to defeat the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, in Sulu, in Zamboanga, in Tawi-Tawi," he added.
Arrojado said the local electric cooperative “gave us information that their line going to Talipao was cut off by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Binabaril nila ‘yung mga transformer, walang ilaw hanggang ngayon ‘yung Talipao area (They shot out the transformers, there is no power in the Talipao area until now).”
"The terrorists were asking for P100,000 a month as protection money (but) the cooperative manager refused to give," he added.
Arrojado said the power utility gave the information to civil-military operations personnel who reached out to stakeholders in Talipao after the fighting died down.
The military officer also updated the toll from Friday’s clashes, disclosing that the Abu Sayyaf had suffered more than 30 casualties, including 10 fatalities.
"In our monitoring they (Abu Sayyaf) had more than 30 casualties but we've only identified 10 of the killed and they had 18 wounded," Arrojado said.
The Army Scout Rangers who engaged more than 300 Abu Sayyaf gunmen for five hours in Barangay Bud Bongao, on the boundary of Talipao and Patikul towns, suffered five dead and 26 wounded.
Arrojado said they have continued to track down the Abu Sayyaf since the clash and said chances were good of catching up with the extremists because "marami silang wounded na kasama (they have many wounded companions)."
"Nagpapahinga din sila so marami nang sighting kung saan then 'yun, ginagawan namin ng plan para matumbok namin, inaasahan naming matumbok sila (They are resting too so there have been many sightings of where they are, and we are drawing up plans to pin them down, we are hoping to pin them down)," Arrojado said. "We've to plan and execute this two to three steps ahead against the enemy."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99319/afp-eyeing-reinforcements-to-sulu-as-abu-sayyaf-cuts-power-to-talipao
(UPDATE - 5:38 p.m.) The military might send reinforcements to Sulu province to beef up government forces pursuing the Abu Sayyaf following Friday’s deadly clash, which left scores of soldiers and extremists dead or wounded, Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said on Sunday.
The disclosure came as Colonel Allan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the Abu Sayyaf has cut off power to Talipao town, where Friday’s five-hour battle, happened.
"Pinag-aaralan pa namin (kung) dagdagan pa namin 'yung puwersa namin kung kinakalingan (the necessity of beefing up our forces)," Catapang said in a chance interview in Camp Aguinaldo following a visit to United Nations peacekeepers quarantined on Caballo Island.
Catapang said they had been considering sending reinforcements even before Friday's clash as part of the military's "graduated response" to the Abu Sayyaf but hinted this has become more likely "ngayong napatunayan natin na talagang may puwersa pa sila diyan (now that we have proven they still maintain a substantial force there) ... so we will be able to contain them."
"Well, malakas sila pero mas malakas 'yung Armed Forces (they are strong but the Armed Forces is stronger) so we will have to continue to pressure (the Abu Sayyaf) kasi 'yun ang order sa atin ng ating (because that is the order of our) hierarchy, to defeat the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, in Sulu, in Zamboanga, in Tawi-Tawi," he added.
Arrojado said the local electric cooperative “gave us information that their line going to Talipao was cut off by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Binabaril nila ‘yung mga transformer, walang ilaw hanggang ngayon ‘yung Talipao area (They shot out the transformers, there is no power in the Talipao area until now).”
"The terrorists were asking for P100,000 a month as protection money (but) the cooperative manager refused to give," he added.
Arrojado said the power utility gave the information to civil-military operations personnel who reached out to stakeholders in Talipao after the fighting died down.
The military officer also updated the toll from Friday’s clashes, disclosing that the Abu Sayyaf had suffered more than 30 casualties, including 10 fatalities.
"In our monitoring they (Abu Sayyaf) had more than 30 casualties but we've only identified 10 of the killed and they had 18 wounded," Arrojado said.
The Army Scout Rangers who engaged more than 300 Abu Sayyaf gunmen for five hours in Barangay Bud Bongao, on the boundary of Talipao and Patikul towns, suffered five dead and 26 wounded.
Arrojado said they have continued to track down the Abu Sayyaf since the clash and said chances were good of catching up with the extremists because "marami silang wounded na kasama (they have many wounded companions)."
"Nagpapahinga din sila so marami nang sighting kung saan then 'yun, ginagawan namin ng plan para matumbok namin, inaasahan naming matumbok sila (They are resting too so there have been many sightings of where they are, and we are drawing up plans to pin them down, we are hoping to pin them down)," Arrojado said. "We've to plan and execute this two to three steps ahead against the enemy."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99319/afp-eyeing-reinforcements-to-sulu-as-abu-sayyaf-cuts-power-to-talipao
BIFF isinabit sa pambobomba sa Mindanao
From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Nov 17): BIFF isinabit sa pambobomba sa Mindanao
Tuluyan ng isinabit ng militar kahapon ang Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters sa madugong pambobomba sa bayan ng Kabacan sa North Cotabato province na kung saam ay isang estudyante ang nasawi at mahigit sa isang dosena ang sugatan.
Sumabog ang bomba kamakalawa ng gabi sa labas lamang ng Kabacan Central Pilot School at dalawa pa ang natagpuan ng mga sundalo at parak bago pa man sumambulat ang mga ito.
"The IED exploded near the gate of Kabacan Central Pilot School. Two more bombs were discovered at an overpass near the school and were immediately disrupted by in the area," ani Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, ng 6th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner.
Walang umako sa atake, ngunit sinabi ni Petinglay na ang BIFF ang pangunahing suspek sa pagsabog. "We are suspecting the BIFF as the culprit," ani pa ng opisyal.
Noon nakaraang buwan lamang ay sumumpa ang BIFF sa jihadist group na ISIS at nagbanta pa na lalong paiigitingin ang opensiba nito sa Mindanao na kung saan ay nakikibaka ang mga rebelde para sa sariling estado ng mga Muslim.
Nakilala naman ang nasawi na si Monique Mantawil, 19, na nagaaral sa University of Southern Mindanao, habang nasa pagamutan pa rin ang mga sugatan na nakilalang sina Ibrahim Bantulan, Usman Dimacaling, Mohamad Masukat, Anwar Montokayan, Samra Sembaga, Queen Mary Alimuhanid, Ritchie Baguio, Hartzel Bragat, Giezel Mae Butil, Arvie Estrella, Vestoni Gevero, Tonton Kusain, Merwin Lagat, Rowena Nufies, Albert Pagatpat, Flo Rohana at Girlie Royless.
Nag-alok naman ang provincial government ng P100,000 reward sa sinuman na makapagbibigay ng impormasyon at sa ikadarakip ng mga bombers.
Naganap ang atake halos isang araw lamang matapos na sumabog rin ang isang bomba di-kalayuan sa detachment ng 39th Infantry Battalion sa Barangay Banayal sa bayan ng Tulunan sa North Cotabato rin.
Bagamat walang inulat na casualties sa pagsabog doon ay tila nagbigay naman ng mensahe ang mga rebelde na sa kabila ng dami ng mga sundalo sa lugar ay nalulusutan pa rin sila ng BIFF.
Kamakailan lamang ay 2 katao ang nasawi at dalawa rin ang sugatan ng sumabog ang isang mortar sa bayan ng Pikit sa naturang lalawigan at agad naman ito ibinintang ng 6th Infantry Division sa BIFF, ngunit inginuso naman nito ang militar na siyang nasa likod ng pagsabog.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/biff-isinabit-sa-pambobomba-sa-mindanao.html
Tuluyan ng isinabit ng militar kahapon ang Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters sa madugong pambobomba sa bayan ng Kabacan sa North Cotabato province na kung saam ay isang estudyante ang nasawi at mahigit sa isang dosena ang sugatan.
Sumabog ang bomba kamakalawa ng gabi sa labas lamang ng Kabacan Central Pilot School at dalawa pa ang natagpuan ng mga sundalo at parak bago pa man sumambulat ang mga ito.
"The IED exploded near the gate of Kabacan Central Pilot School. Two more bombs were discovered at an overpass near the school and were immediately disrupted by in the area," ani Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, ng 6th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner.
Walang umako sa atake, ngunit sinabi ni Petinglay na ang BIFF ang pangunahing suspek sa pagsabog. "We are suspecting the BIFF as the culprit," ani pa ng opisyal.
Noon nakaraang buwan lamang ay sumumpa ang BIFF sa jihadist group na ISIS at nagbanta pa na lalong paiigitingin ang opensiba nito sa Mindanao na kung saan ay nakikibaka ang mga rebelde para sa sariling estado ng mga Muslim.
Nakilala naman ang nasawi na si Monique Mantawil, 19, na nagaaral sa University of Southern Mindanao, habang nasa pagamutan pa rin ang mga sugatan na nakilalang sina Ibrahim Bantulan, Usman Dimacaling, Mohamad Masukat, Anwar Montokayan, Samra Sembaga, Queen Mary Alimuhanid, Ritchie Baguio, Hartzel Bragat, Giezel Mae Butil, Arvie Estrella, Vestoni Gevero, Tonton Kusain, Merwin Lagat, Rowena Nufies, Albert Pagatpat, Flo Rohana at Girlie Royless.
Nag-alok naman ang provincial government ng P100,000 reward sa sinuman na makapagbibigay ng impormasyon at sa ikadarakip ng mga bombers.
Naganap ang atake halos isang araw lamang matapos na sumabog rin ang isang bomba di-kalayuan sa detachment ng 39th Infantry Battalion sa Barangay Banayal sa bayan ng Tulunan sa North Cotabato rin.
Bagamat walang inulat na casualties sa pagsabog doon ay tila nagbigay naman ng mensahe ang mga rebelde na sa kabila ng dami ng mga sundalo sa lugar ay nalulusutan pa rin sila ng BIFF.
Kamakailan lamang ay 2 katao ang nasawi at dalawa rin ang sugatan ng sumabog ang isang mortar sa bayan ng Pikit sa naturang lalawigan at agad naman ito ibinintang ng 6th Infantry Division sa BIFF, ngunit inginuso naman nito ang militar na siyang nasa likod ng pagsabog.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/biff-isinabit-sa-pambobomba-sa-mindanao.html
Bomb explodes in Philippines, 17 wounded
From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Nov 16): Bomb explodes in Philippines, 17 wounded
COTABATO CITY – A powerful bomb explosion late Sunday injured more than a dozen people in an attack by suspected rebels in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said many of those injured in the blast in downtown Kabakan in North Cotabato were reportedly in serious condition. The improvised explosive, fashioned out from a mortar bomb, went off outside a public school. Soldiers and policemen who responded to the attack have recovered two more explosives nearby.
“The IED exploded near the gate of Kabacan Central Pilot School. Two more bombs were discovered at an overpass near the school and were immediately disrupted by in the area,” Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, of the 6th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the violence, but police and military were looking into the involvement of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who recently pledged allegiance to the jihadist group ISIS or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
“We are suspecting the BIFF as the culprit,” Petinglay said.
The bombing occurred just a day after an improvise explosive also went off near an army post in the village of Banayal in North Cotabato’s Tulunan town.
There were no reports of casualties, but the attack sent a chilling warning that even in the presence of troops in the village, rebels can easily sneak and stage attacks undetected by security forces.
The bomb was assembled from a 60mm mortar and rigged to a detonator. The 39th Infantry Battalion maintains several posts in the area.
Just recently, a mortar attack also killed an eight-year girl and an adult man and injured three more people in nearby Pikit town where security forces are battling the BIFF. The 6th Infantry Division quickly blamed the attack on the BIFF, but the rebel group pointed to the soldiers as behind the shelling.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/bomb-explodes-in-philippines-17-wounded.html
COTABATO CITY – A powerful bomb explosion late Sunday injured more than a dozen people in an attack by suspected rebels in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said many of those injured in the blast in downtown Kabakan in North Cotabato were reportedly in serious condition. The improvised explosive, fashioned out from a mortar bomb, went off outside a public school. Soldiers and policemen who responded to the attack have recovered two more explosives nearby.
“The IED exploded near the gate of Kabacan Central Pilot School. Two more bombs were discovered at an overpass near the school and were immediately disrupted by in the area,” Captain Jo Ann Petinglay, of the 6th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the violence, but police and military were looking into the involvement of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who recently pledged allegiance to the jihadist group ISIS or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
“We are suspecting the BIFF as the culprit,” Petinglay said.
The bombing occurred just a day after an improvise explosive also went off near an army post in the village of Banayal in North Cotabato’s Tulunan town.
There were no reports of casualties, but the attack sent a chilling warning that even in the presence of troops in the village, rebels can easily sneak and stage attacks undetected by security forces.
The bomb was assembled from a 60mm mortar and rigged to a detonator. The 39th Infantry Battalion maintains several posts in the area.
Just recently, a mortar attack also killed an eight-year girl and an adult man and injured three more people in nearby Pikit town where security forces are battling the BIFF. The 6th Infantry Division quickly blamed the attack on the BIFF, but the rebel group pointed to the soldiers as behind the shelling.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/bomb-explodes-in-philippines-17-wounded.html
Hagel: US needs game-changing military innovation
Posted to the Manila Times (Nov 16): Hagel: US needs game-changing military innovation
SIMI VALLEY, California - Wary of a more muscular Russia and China, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday the Pentagon will make a new push for fresh thinking and creative ideas about how the US can keep and extend its military superiority despite tighter budgets and 13 years of war.
Hagel announced a "defense innovation initiative" that he likened to historic and successful campaigns during the Cold War to offset military advantages of US adversaries.
"We must change the way we innovate, operate and do business," he said in remarks prepared for a defense forum.
In a memo to Pentagon leaders in which be outlined the initiative, Hagel said the US must not lose its commanding edge in military technology.
"While we have been engaged in two large land-mass wars over the last 13 years, potential adversaries have been modernizing their militaries, developing and proliferating disruptive capabilities across the spectrum of conflict. This represents a clear and growing challenge to our military power," he wrote.
Hagel said the US cannot afford to relax or assume that the military superiority it developed during the Cold War will automatically persist.
Hagel said he is launching a long-range research and development program to find and field breakthroughs in key technologies, including robotics, miniaturization and advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3-D printing. He said the Pentagon will call on the private sector and academia for help.
"This program will look toward the next decade and beyond," he said. "In the near-term, it will invite some of the brightest minds from inside and outside government to start with a clean sheet of paper and assess what technologies and systems DoD ought to develop over the next three to five years."
Hagel likened the program to the Eisenhower administration's "New Look" program in the 1950s, which sought to rapidly expand the US nuclear weapon arsenal to offset superior Soviet conventional military power in Europe. He also compared it to the 1970s push by the Pentagon to emphasize long-range research into technologies that yielded such significant breakthroughs as stealth aircraft, Patriot air defense weapons, precision-guided bombs and missiles and more sophisticated surveillance systems.
http://www.philstar.com/world/2014/11/16/1392430/hagel-us-needs-game-changing-military-innovation
SIMI VALLEY, California - Wary of a more muscular Russia and China, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday the Pentagon will make a new push for fresh thinking and creative ideas about how the US can keep and extend its military superiority despite tighter budgets and 13 years of war.
Hagel announced a "defense innovation initiative" that he likened to historic and successful campaigns during the Cold War to offset military advantages of US adversaries.
"We must change the way we innovate, operate and do business," he said in remarks prepared for a defense forum.
In a memo to Pentagon leaders in which be outlined the initiative, Hagel said the US must not lose its commanding edge in military technology.
"While we have been engaged in two large land-mass wars over the last 13 years, potential adversaries have been modernizing their militaries, developing and proliferating disruptive capabilities across the spectrum of conflict. This represents a clear and growing challenge to our military power," he wrote.
Hagel said the US cannot afford to relax or assume that the military superiority it developed during the Cold War will automatically persist.
Hagel said he is launching a long-range research and development program to find and field breakthroughs in key technologies, including robotics, miniaturization and advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3-D printing. He said the Pentagon will call on the private sector and academia for help.
"This program will look toward the next decade and beyond," he said. "In the near-term, it will invite some of the brightest minds from inside and outside government to start with a clean sheet of paper and assess what technologies and systems DoD ought to develop over the next three to five years."
Hagel likened the program to the Eisenhower administration's "New Look" program in the 1950s, which sought to rapidly expand the US nuclear weapon arsenal to offset superior Soviet conventional military power in Europe. He also compared it to the 1970s push by the Pentagon to emphasize long-range research into technologies that yielded such significant breakthroughs as stealth aircraft, Patriot air defense weapons, precision-guided bombs and missiles and more sophisticated surveillance systems.
http://www.philstar.com/world/2014/11/16/1392430/hagel-us-needs-game-changing-military-innovation
Possible jihadist plot vs Pope in PH visit–source
From the Manila Times (Nov 16): Possible jihadist plot vs Pope in PH visit–source
Authorities are monitoring a group of alleged foreign jihadists, believed to have ties with al-Qaeda, which has established terror cells in Luzon and the Visayas preparing for a terror plot during the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis in January 2015.
A reliable source from the Philippine National Police (PNP) told The Manila Times that the two terror cells established by foreign jihadists were identified as the Khilafa Islamiya, with one cell operating in Luzon and the other in the Visayas.
The source added that they were able to locate the Luzon cell of Khilafa Islamiya, which he said, is composed of five members and headed by an Islamic cleric from Bangladesh whom he declined to identify.
“This group is composed mostly of foreigners and they are headed by a cleric from Bangladesh. The other foreigners had just come from Cotabato City where they have trained some militants,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The source described the other foreigners as Arab looking and was allowed entry to the Philippines by immigration authorities because the individual did not have any derogatory record on file. The source refused to divulge the exact location of the terror cell to not compromise the ongoing operation against them.
“They don’t have any pending criminal record. That’s the reason why I cannot give you their names,” the source said.
Nevertheless, the source who had provided vital information in the past said that they will continue monitoring the activities of the said group of foreigners, which they believed were sent here to kill the Pope when he arrives here for a five-day visit in January 2015.
The source added that a non-governmental organization based in the United Kingdom, which is said to have been involved in relief work, is funding the terror cells.
“If you remember the group of Al Jamal Khalifa…this one is also supported financially by an NGO involved in relief and charity works,” the source said as he was referring to the group sent by al-Qaeda in 1995 to assassinate Pope John Paul II.
The same NGO, the source said, still continues to exist but had assumed a different name.
The source added that based on their monitoring, no local militants are involved or will be taking part in the plot to assassinate the Pope when he comes here by January. “No members of the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) are involved in the plot,” the source said.
Most of those who will carry out the task will be foreign jihadists, said the source, who added that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) were plotting to assassinate the Pope during one of his overseas travels.
Although the source said earlier that the arrested Abu Sayyaf leader Khair Mundos was said to be involved in the alleged murder plot, Mundos’s role is limited to only scouring the possible route to be taken by Pope Francis during his visit.
In an earlier interview, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said no threats to the life of Pope Francis during have been confirmed or monitored. “As of this moment we have not monitored any plot against the Pope,” Mayor said.
The PNP spokesman said the police are in the thick of security preparations for Pontiff’s visit.
”This (security preparation) will be a whole government approach… the PNP will be in charge on the security aspect of the visit,” Mayor said in a previous interview.
The PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima announced on Friday the creation of a Task Group that will oversee the security preparations for the coming five-day Papal visit.
Heading the Task Group “Papal Visit 2015” will be Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, the PNP deputy chief for operation and former chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).
http://www.manilatimes.net/breaking_news/possible-jihadist-plot-vs-pope-ph-visit-source/
Authorities are monitoring a group of alleged foreign jihadists, believed to have ties with al-Qaeda, which has established terror cells in Luzon and the Visayas preparing for a terror plot during the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis in January 2015.
A reliable source from the Philippine National Police (PNP) told The Manila Times that the two terror cells established by foreign jihadists were identified as the Khilafa Islamiya, with one cell operating in Luzon and the other in the Visayas.
The source added that they were able to locate the Luzon cell of Khilafa Islamiya, which he said, is composed of five members and headed by an Islamic cleric from Bangladesh whom he declined to identify.
“This group is composed mostly of foreigners and they are headed by a cleric from Bangladesh. The other foreigners had just come from Cotabato City where they have trained some militants,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The source described the other foreigners as Arab looking and was allowed entry to the Philippines by immigration authorities because the individual did not have any derogatory record on file. The source refused to divulge the exact location of the terror cell to not compromise the ongoing operation against them.
“They don’t have any pending criminal record. That’s the reason why I cannot give you their names,” the source said.
Nevertheless, the source who had provided vital information in the past said that they will continue monitoring the activities of the said group of foreigners, which they believed were sent here to kill the Pope when he arrives here for a five-day visit in January 2015.
The source added that a non-governmental organization based in the United Kingdom, which is said to have been involved in relief work, is funding the terror cells.
“If you remember the group of Al Jamal Khalifa…this one is also supported financially by an NGO involved in relief and charity works,” the source said as he was referring to the group sent by al-Qaeda in 1995 to assassinate Pope John Paul II.
The same NGO, the source said, still continues to exist but had assumed a different name.
The source added that based on their monitoring, no local militants are involved or will be taking part in the plot to assassinate the Pope when he comes here by January. “No members of the Abu Sayyaf (ASG) are involved in the plot,” the source said.
Most of those who will carry out the task will be foreign jihadists, said the source, who added that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) were plotting to assassinate the Pope during one of his overseas travels.
Although the source said earlier that the arrested Abu Sayyaf leader Khair Mundos was said to be involved in the alleged murder plot, Mundos’s role is limited to only scouring the possible route to be taken by Pope Francis during his visit.
In an earlier interview, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said no threats to the life of Pope Francis during have been confirmed or monitored. “As of this moment we have not monitored any plot against the Pope,” Mayor said.
The PNP spokesman said the police are in the thick of security preparations for Pontiff’s visit.
”This (security preparation) will be a whole government approach… the PNP will be in charge on the security aspect of the visit,” Mayor said in a previous interview.
The PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima announced on Friday the creation of a Task Group that will oversee the security preparations for the coming five-day Papal visit.
Heading the Task Group “Papal Visit 2015” will be Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, the PNP deputy chief for operation and former chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).
http://www.manilatimes.net/breaking_news/possible-jihadist-plot-vs-pope-ph-visit-source/
One soldier killed in Sorsogon NPA attack
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 16): One soldier killed in Sorsogon NPA attack
One soldier was shot dead by three suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Sorsogon today, said military officials.
The soldier was on his way to withdraw his yearend salary bonus from a bank and mail it to his family when he was shot dead by the suspects with long firearms in Barangay San Antonio, Barcelona at around 7 a.m. local time, according to Colonel Cesar M Idio, commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade.
He said the soldier was riding a tricycle with one of his fellow soldiers when they encountered the suspects. Both were wearing civilian clothes.
Pursuit operation was immediately launched by 903rd Infantry Brigade to capture the rebels who are believed to be still within the vicinity of the area.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/11/16/1392437/one-soldier-killed-sorsogon-npa-attack
One soldier was shot dead by three suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Sorsogon today, said military officials.
The soldier was on his way to withdraw his yearend salary bonus from a bank and mail it to his family when he was shot dead by the suspects with long firearms in Barangay San Antonio, Barcelona at around 7 a.m. local time, according to Colonel Cesar M Idio, commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade.
He said the soldier was riding a tricycle with one of his fellow soldiers when they encountered the suspects. Both were wearing civilian clothes.
Pursuit operation was immediately launched by 903rd Infantry Brigade to capture the rebels who are believed to be still within the vicinity of the area.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/11/16/1392437/one-soldier-killed-sorsogon-npa-attack
Militiaman killed, 2 others wounded in Camarines Sur clash
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 16): Militiaman killed, 2 others wounded in Camarines Sur clash
... Attack happened after ex-militia man was killed in same area
A member of Philippine Army’s paramilitary unit in Bicol was killed and two others were wounded in an encounter with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Camarines Sur Sunday morning, a military spokesman said.
Alvin Candelario, a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAFGU-AA) under the 9th Infantry Division, was killed on the spot during a firefight with some 30 armed men in Sitio (sub-village) Sarabangan, Barangay (village) Tinalmod, Pasacao, Camarines Sur, at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, said Major Angelo Guzman, spokesman of Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) based in Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City.
Guzman said Candelario and his squad encountered the suspected rebels while responding to an earlier call for security assistance from the people of the barangay.
He said two other CAAs were wounded in the same encounter. The firefight lasted for more or less 30 minutes.
Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, commander of 49th Infantry Battalion, explained that the names and other details on the wounded could not be released yet for “tactical reasons.”
Guzman said the village residents asked for the presence of the Army in their area after a civilian identified as Victorino Abioro, 55, a former member of the defunct government-organized Community Home Defense Force (CHDF), was killed on Sunday morning.
He said the body of Candelario was still in the encounter site and efforts were ongoing to recover his remains.
Guzman said they have coordinated with the Philippine National Police in Camarines Sur in investigating the killing.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/651009/militiaman-killed-2-others-wounded-in-camarines-sur-clash
... Attack happened after ex-militia man was killed in same area
A member of Philippine Army’s paramilitary unit in Bicol was killed and two others were wounded in an encounter with suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Camarines Sur Sunday morning, a military spokesman said.
Alvin Candelario, a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAFGU-AA) under the 9th Infantry Division, was killed on the spot during a firefight with some 30 armed men in Sitio (sub-village) Sarabangan, Barangay (village) Tinalmod, Pasacao, Camarines Sur, at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, said Major Angelo Guzman, spokesman of Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) based in Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City.
Guzman said Candelario and his squad encountered the suspected rebels while responding to an earlier call for security assistance from the people of the barangay.
He said two other CAAs were wounded in the same encounter. The firefight lasted for more or less 30 minutes.
Lieutenant Colonel Medel Aguilar, commander of 49th Infantry Battalion, explained that the names and other details on the wounded could not be released yet for “tactical reasons.”
Guzman said the village residents asked for the presence of the Army in their area after a civilian identified as Victorino Abioro, 55, a former member of the defunct government-organized Community Home Defense Force (CHDF), was killed on Sunday morning.
He said the body of Candelario was still in the encounter site and efforts were ongoing to recover his remains.
Guzman said they have coordinated with the Philippine National Police in Camarines Sur in investigating the killing.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/651009/militiaman-killed-2-others-wounded-in-camarines-sur-clash
Claims of French tourist kidnapped by Filipino gunmen in Sabah refuted
From the Star Online (Nov 16): Claims of French tourist kidnapped by Filipino gunmen in Sabah refuted
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian and Philippine authorities are denying reports that a French citizen was kidnapped from Sabah waters by Abu Sayyaf-linked Filipino gunmen.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said there were no reports of any kidnappings in eastern Sabah and believed that such claims were merely to "provoke’’ security forces manning the east coast.
"There has been no reports of any kidnappings, I think they (crossborder kidnappers) are just trying to provoke us,’’ he said when contacted by phone, Sunday, over the report by a Philippines television network Interaksyon news portal TV5, claiming that the Frenchman was being kept hostage at one of the islands in Tawi Tawi province.
Tawi Tawi police chief Col Joey Salido said that there were no reports of any kidnapping whether locally or from across the border (Sabah). Tawi Tawi islands straddle close to Sabah's east coast.
"There is no information of any kidnapping,’’ he stressed when contacted, Sunday.
A report quoting Philippines intelligence sources by the online news portal claimed that a Frenchman from Sabah was "possibly’’ taken hostage.
The news portal claimed that an unnamed officer from Philipines military’s Camp Crame did not disclose when the French tourist was grabbed and did not want to disclose the identity of the hostage.
The report quoting the Philippines intelligence officer claimed that at the moment, the victim was being treated as a "guest", but once the Abu Sayyaf makes contact with French authorities, "that's the time they will issue their demands."
The report also claimed that the Malaysian authorities were aware of the abduction and they were in constant touch with them but had decided not to go public with the information.
Malaysia has tightened its security in the east coast and efforts were underway to secure the release of two Malaysians - fish breeder Chan Sai Chuin, 32 and marine police constable Kpl Zakiah Aleip, 26 - held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Jolo.
Chan was snatched from his fish farm in Kunak on June 16 while Zakiah was grabbed from a police post in Mabul island on July 12.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/11/16/Esscom-Sabah-French-hostage/
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian and Philippine authorities are denying reports that a French citizen was kidnapped from Sabah waters by Abu Sayyaf-linked Filipino gunmen.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said there were no reports of any kidnappings in eastern Sabah and believed that such claims were merely to "provoke’’ security forces manning the east coast.
"There has been no reports of any kidnappings, I think they (crossborder kidnappers) are just trying to provoke us,’’ he said when contacted by phone, Sunday, over the report by a Philippines television network Interaksyon news portal TV5, claiming that the Frenchman was being kept hostage at one of the islands in Tawi Tawi province.
Tawi Tawi police chief Col Joey Salido said that there were no reports of any kidnapping whether locally or from across the border (Sabah). Tawi Tawi islands straddle close to Sabah's east coast.
A report quoting Philippines intelligence sources by the online news portal claimed that a Frenchman from Sabah was "possibly’’ taken hostage.
The news portal claimed that an unnamed officer from Philipines military’s Camp Crame did not disclose when the French tourist was grabbed and did not want to disclose the identity of the hostage.
The report quoting the Philippines intelligence officer claimed that at the moment, the victim was being treated as a "guest", but once the Abu Sayyaf makes contact with French authorities, "that's the time they will issue their demands."
The report also claimed that the Malaysian authorities were aware of the abduction and they were in constant touch with them but had decided not to go public with the information.
Malaysia has tightened its security in the east coast and efforts were underway to secure the release of two Malaysians - fish breeder Chan Sai Chuin, 32 and marine police constable Kpl Zakiah Aleip, 26 - held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Jolo.
Chan was snatched from his fish farm in Kunak on June 16 while Zakiah was grabbed from a police post in Mabul island on July 12.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/11/16/Esscom-Sabah-French-hostage/
Abu Sayyaf shoot down transformers, cut power to Talipao, Sulu - military
From InterAksyon (Nov 16): Abu Sayyaf shoot down transformers, cut power to Talipao, Sulu - military
The Abu Sayyaf has cut off power to the town of Talipao, Sulu, where a clash on Friday left scores of soldiers and extremists dead or wounded, the military said Sunday.
Colonel Allan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the local electric cooperative “gave us information that their line going to Talipao was cut off by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Binabaril nila ‘yung mga transformer, walang ilaw hanggang ngayon ‘yung Talipao area (They shot out the transformers, there is no power in the Talipao area until now).”
"The terrorists were asking for P100,000 a month as protection money (but) the cooperative manager refused to give," he added.
Arrojado said the power utility gave the information to civil-military operations personnel who reached out to stakeholders in Talipao after the fighting died down.
The military officer also updated the toll from Friday’s clashes, disclosing that the Abu Sayyaf had suffered more than 30 casualties, including 10 fatalities.
"In our monitoring they (Abu Sayyaf) had more than 30 casualties but we've only identified 10 of the killed and they had 18 wounded," Arrojado said.
The Army Scout Rangers who engaged more than 300 Abu Sayyaf gunmen for five hours in Barangay Bud Bongao, on the boundary of Talipao and Patikul towns, suffered five dead and 26 wounded.
Arrojado said they have continued to track down the Abu Sayyaf since the clash and said chances were good of catching up with the extremists because "marami silang wounded na kasama (they have many wounded companions)."
"Nagpapahinga din sila so marami nang sighting kung saan then 'yun, ginagawan namin ng plan para matumbok namin, inaasahan naming matumbok sila (They are resting too so there have been many sightings of where they are, and we are drawing up plans to pin them down, we are hoping to pin them down)," Arrojado said. "We've to plan and execute this two to three steps ahead against the enemy."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99319/abu-sayyaf-shoot-down-transformers-cut-power-to-talipao-sulu---military
The Abu Sayyaf has cut off power to the town of Talipao, Sulu, where a clash on Friday left scores of soldiers and extremists dead or wounded, the military said Sunday.
Colonel Allan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the local electric cooperative “gave us information that their line going to Talipao was cut off by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Binabaril nila ‘yung mga transformer, walang ilaw hanggang ngayon ‘yung Talipao area (They shot out the transformers, there is no power in the Talipao area until now).”
"The terrorists were asking for P100,000 a month as protection money (but) the cooperative manager refused to give," he added.
Arrojado said the power utility gave the information to civil-military operations personnel who reached out to stakeholders in Talipao after the fighting died down.
The military officer also updated the toll from Friday’s clashes, disclosing that the Abu Sayyaf had suffered more than 30 casualties, including 10 fatalities.
"In our monitoring they (Abu Sayyaf) had more than 30 casualties but we've only identified 10 of the killed and they had 18 wounded," Arrojado said.
The Army Scout Rangers who engaged more than 300 Abu Sayyaf gunmen for five hours in Barangay Bud Bongao, on the boundary of Talipao and Patikul towns, suffered five dead and 26 wounded.
Arrojado said they have continued to track down the Abu Sayyaf since the clash and said chances were good of catching up with the extremists because "marami silang wounded na kasama (they have many wounded companions)."
"Nagpapahinga din sila so marami nang sighting kung saan then 'yun, ginagawan namin ng plan para matumbok namin, inaasahan naming matumbok sila (They are resting too so there have been many sightings of where they are, and we are drawing up plans to pin them down, we are hoping to pin them down)," Arrojado said. "We've to plan and execute this two to three steps ahead against the enemy."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99319/abu-sayyaf-shoot-down-transformers-cut-power-to-talipao-sulu---military
Guns fell silent in Sulu as troops honor their dead
From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot (Nov 16): Guns fell silent in Sulu as troops honor their dead
Military honors Sunday, November 16, 2014 soldiers killed in fighting with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province.
Guns fell silent on Sunday as the military mourned the deaths of five soldiers killed in ferocious battle with Abu Sayyaf rebels in the southern Filipinoprovince
of Sulu
More than two dozen soldiers were also wounded in Friday’s clashes in the hinterlands of Talipao, a known lair of the Abu Sayyaf tagged as behind the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive southern region. At least 25 rebels were killed and wounded in the clashes, officials said.
Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, led military officials in giving honor to the slain soldiers, two of them - Joey Blanche and Gabby Achas, both private first class – were transported to their provinces on Sunday, according to military spokesperson, Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela.
“Troops honored the slain soldiers and we sent their bodies to their respective provinces,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Muyuela said security forces were tracking down about 300 rebels under Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron.
AFP Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., who condoled with the families of soldiers killed in the clashes, has sent medical teams, mission-essential equipment and additional supplies for the troops battling the Abu Sayyaf.
Despite the fighting in the hinterlands, residents continue with their daily activities as if there were no battles, local officials said, adding, the violence was too far away to affect the normal situation in other parts of the province.
But police forces were ordered to stay vigilant and alert to ensure the safety of civilians and vital government installations in the capital town ofJolo
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/guns-fell-silent-in-sulu-as-troops.html
Military honors Sunday, November 16, 2014 soldiers killed in fighting with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province.
Guns fell silent on Sunday as the military mourned the deaths of five soldiers killed in ferocious battle with Abu Sayyaf rebels in the southern Filipino
More than two dozen soldiers were also wounded in Friday’s clashes in the hinterlands of Talipao, a known lair of the Abu Sayyaf tagged as behind the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in the restive southern region. At least 25 rebels were killed and wounded in the clashes, officials said.
Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, led military officials in giving honor to the slain soldiers, two of them - Joey Blanche and Gabby Achas, both private first class – were transported to their provinces on Sunday, according to military spokesperson, Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela.
“Troops honored the slain soldiers and we sent their bodies to their respective provinces,” she told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Muyuela said security forces were tracking down about 300 rebels under Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron.
AFP Chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., who condoled with the families of soldiers killed in the clashes, has sent medical teams, mission-essential equipment and additional supplies for the troops battling the Abu Sayyaf.
Despite the fighting in the hinterlands, residents continue with their daily activities as if there were no battles, local officials said, adding, the violence was too far away to affect the normal situation in other parts of the province.
But police forces were ordered to stay vigilant and alert to ensure the safety of civilians and vital government installations in the capital town of
Situation remains normal
S
ulu has recently concluded a four-day sports competition participated by hundreds of athletes from different schools in the province.
Thousands of people flocked to the annual sports event held at the provincial sports complex in Patikul town which was packed with people.
Governor Totoh Tan, who is the chairman of Sulu Sports Development Council, urged the youth and the students to get actively in sports because it is not only good for the health, but also improve the activity of the brains and every organ in the body.
“The interest in sports, both as a hobby and a competitive undertaking, should be instilled among the youth, and if possible while they are still in their primary level of education and the fact that sports is integral to the holistic concept in education,” he said.
Vice Governor Sakur Tan said the Sulu Provincial Athletics Association Meet was so successful that next year’s event is expected to draw thousands of people from different towns in Sulu.
He said the sports competition showed the camaraderie and unity not only of teachers and athletes and their trainers, but the people of Sulu as well.
He said he was elated to see the overwhelming response of the people to the annual sports competition despite the ongoing military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf in Talipao town.
ulu has recently concluded a four-day sports competition participated by hundreds of athletes from different schools in the province.
Thousands of people flocked to the annual sports event held at the provincial sports complex in Patikul town which was packed with people.
Governor Totoh Tan, who is the chairman of Sulu Sports Development Council, urged the youth and the students to get actively in sports because it is not only good for the health, but also improve the activity of the brains and every organ in the body.
“The interest in sports, both as a hobby and a competitive undertaking, should be instilled among the youth, and if possible while they are still in their primary level of education and the fact that sports is integral to the holistic concept in education,” he said.
Vice Governor Sakur Tan said the Sulu Provincial Athletics Association Meet was so successful that next year’s event is expected to draw thousands of people from different towns in Sulu.
He said the sports competition showed the camaraderie and unity not only of teachers and athletes and their trainers, but the people of Sulu as well.
He said he was elated to see the overwhelming response of the people to the annual sports competition despite the ongoing military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf in Talipao town.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2014/11/guns-fell-silent-in-sulu-as-troops.html