MILF: Shooter in Mamasapano viral video not ours

From the Daily Tribune (Feb 12): MILF: Shooter in Mamasapano viral video not ours

Despite denials from Palace, AFP

Secret US Embassy cables leaked by WikiLeaks in 2010 detail the US government’s heavy involvement in counter-terrorism efforts targeted particularly against Jemaah Islamiyah members, including Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan, who was the subject of the botched operation in Mamasapano on Jan. 25, resulting in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and its partner-rebels Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) gory slaughter of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers.

“A careful perusal of these cables reveals how deep US involvement in the covert counter-terrorism efforts in Mindanao runs.

“From funding to intelligence gathering and actual operations, we can trace Washington’s shadow movements in the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) through these cables,” Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon said Wednesday.

The cables, which range from 2005 to early 2010, show how the US government planned to “embed” secret agents and operate covertly within the ranks of Philippine forces, Ridon said.

In one cable, details of US government funding for counter-terrorism operations in the Philippines was also revealed.

Covert operations

The US Pacific Command (PACOM) started exploratory talks with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine government on the possibility of “developing a range of enhanced US-GRP counter-terrorism scenarios” back in 2004.

In cable 05MANILA286, it was shown that US forces intended to engage in a range of “combat-related activities,” including providing “intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to the AFP.”

Washington also contemplated on “revamping the PNP” to make it a useful player in the Global War on Terror.

In cable 05MANILA1614 classified as “secret,” the US embassy asked the Federal government for funding to cover a “comprehensive “Management Assessment of the Philippine Police,” which involved providing “embedded US government analysts at a single GRP counterpart agency.”

By June 2005, cable 05MANILA2590 marked as “secret” reported that US military assistance to the AFP and the PNP has been “making a difference” and has resulted in several successful operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

“US counter-terrorism assistance, ranging from operations/intelligence fusion support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to RMAS’ involvement with the Philippine National Police (PNP), has helped the Philippines register some counter-terrorism successes in 2004 and 2005. While we have tremendous access here, continued, sustained engagement is needed if we want to ensure that the GRP turns the corner on terrorism,” the summary of the said cable read.

“These cables confirm what has long been suspected – that counter-terrorism efforts, especially in Mindanao, are directed and spearheaded by the US. It comes as no surprise then that the Mamasapano operation was also directed by US forces,” Ridon said.

“In other words, these assaults against suspected terrorists - including Marwan - are carried out always and always with US forces,” he added.

Apart from providing technical and tactical support during counter-terrorism campaigns, the US also has a program of embedding Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel in the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P), a US military unit representing the PACOM to help the local forces battle terror activities.

“The trial initiative to embed two FBI agents with Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines is nearing the end of its first 90-days. The concept works. We ask the Department to convey our appreciation to the FBI for its support and to urge that the program be continued,” secret cable 06MANILA4378 stated.

The JSOTF-P, which was set up in 2002 with its main base stationed inside the Western Mindanao Command in Camp Navarro in Zamboanga, is also reportedly involved in the Mamasapano clash.

“The FBI is the department that offered reward money for Marwan and Usman. The presence of embedded FBI agents in the JSOTF-P is relevant as it may help explain where ‘actionable information’ on Marwan has been coming,” Ridon said.

The US embassy first requested that Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan be included in the “Rewards for Justice List” back in 2006, leaked cables also reveal.

“A senior figure in the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist organization, Zulkifli has been implicated in plotting attacks on the USS Blue Ridge, and was centrally involved in hiding ammonium nitrate for planned JI attacks against US facilities in Singapore. He has been directly linked to al-Qaida operative Hambali and is an intimate associate of JI operative Dulmatin,” former US Ambassador Kristie Kenney said in secret cable 06MANILA4388.

“The announcement of a new high-value reward, and subsequent publicity, will attack the web of social, religious, and cultural ties upon which Zulkifli has relied for his safety and freedom. The Rewards for Justice program has already helped restrict the movement of the JI terrorists Dulmatin and Umar Patek, and could have a significant impact on Zulkifli’s freedom of action and ability to conduct JI activities in central Mindanao,” Kenney explained.

Ridon pointed out that reports showing that the US government funded the Mamasapano operation and other operations that targeted Marwan may indeed be authentic, given the fact that Washington allots millions of federal funds for covert operations in Mindanao annually.

Secret cable 09MANILA2271 detailed US government financing of counter-terrorism operations in the Philippines.

In the said cable, the US embassy in Manila endorsed for approval $34.1 million budget from the US government for counter-terrorism operations in 2010. Details include:

1. Equipment to Support Close Air Support (CAS) Operations ($8m)
Project Description: Provide the Armed Forces of the Philippines with critical components required to augment current AFP systems and allow a precision-guided munitions (PGM) capability, including laptop computers loaded with software to program and control the weapons systems; a wireless link to the weapon guidance systems for bombs; Rockwell/Collins TALON V / UHF radios for aircraft; upgraded equipment and training for AFP Forward Air Controllers (PFAC) to support CAS operations. By providing a common, secure communication link between AFP aviation assets fitted with precision guided munitions and PFACs, the armed forces will be able to independently develop and respond to real-time actionable intelligence with their airborne weaponry. The proposed program would provide the AFP with critical components required to augment current systems to attain PGM capability, while keeping US control of sensitive technology.

2. Force Reconnaissance Battalion Marine Strike Company ($9.3 m)
Project Description: Increase the ability of the AFP’s Force Reconnaissance Battalion (FRBn) to fully integrate and operate as one of the premier Tier 1 Coast Watch South (CWS) interdiction units. Currently, the FRBn does not work with the Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG) or CWS, although they are outfitted with a fleet of Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) and are tactically and doctrinally matched with the JSOG mission.

3. Equipment for Naval Special Operation Units ($6m)
Project Description: Increase the ability of the AFP’s Naval Special Operations Units (SOUs) to fully integrate and operate with the AFP’s Joint Special Operations Group and as one of the premier Coast Watch South interdiction units. Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) will provide a flexible, inexpensive and easily maintained platform from which naval SOU’s can conduct near-shore interdiction and vessel boarding search and seizure, combined reconnaissance and surveillance, and littoral insertion and extraction. CRRC’s are easily integrated into the current Philippine Navy 78-foot Patrol Craft platform for rapid deployment and increased range of operations. Integrated weapons, navigation and communications equipment will make the naval SOU’s extremely effective interdiction and apprehension platforms.

4. Inshore Boat Battalion ($10.8 m)
Project Description: Provide US Marine Corps Small Unit Riverine Craft (SURC) for riverine and inshore patrols, insert and extract operations, and blockade missions to the Inshore Boat Battalion (IBBn). The IBBn is primarily deployed to the Western Mindanao Command. The SURC will allow IBBn to operate in two feet of water and land Marines onshore or conduct intercept and boarding operations in Sea State 3. The package will include crew served weapons, night vision, GPS and radar navigation, secure communications and personal team equipment.

“This cable clearly shows that the US government is financing all counter-terrorism efforts, especially against JI, in Mindanao. Remember that this cable only reveals the budget for 2010. We believe that funding has continued in the subsequent years,” Ridon said.

“This budget proposal from the US embassy also confirms that there are drones, precision-guided munitions and other hi-tech equipment in Mindanao, equipment which was supposedly used in the Mamasapano operation,” Ridon said.

“These cables reveal Washington’s longstanding intervention in the affairs of the Philippine government, especially in peace and internal security. It also provides compelling evidence that the US is capable and may indeed have spearheaded the operations against Marwan. It substantiates reports that the US is liable for the botched operation and responsible for the deaths in Mamasapano,” Ridon said.

Noy denies US funding, purpose of Zambo visit

Earlier reports said that President Aquino was in Zamboanga in a US base drone facility where he was watching the SAF operations in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in real time. But presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda yesterday blasted allegations of Aquino’s purpose of being in Zamboanga in time for the operations of the SAF against Indonesia bomber and top terrorist Marwan, saying they are “downright malicious.”

Lacierda said Aquino’s purpose was to check the security in the area as only two days earlier a deadly car blast left two people dead and hurt 52 others in the city.

“Those kinds of allegations are malicious. President Aquino was there precisely to discuss the Zamboanga bombing. That’s a very scurrilous accusation which has no basis and truth,” he said.

The Palace official said that the the President was there to assure the people of Zamboanga. Lacierda added that “to impute any other motive is downright malicious.”

He also denied allegations leveled by Congressman Ridon that the Mamasapano operations – which led to the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos – was funded by the US government.

Malacañang denied Ridon’s accusations, anchoring on the representative’s lineage with the Makabayan bloc in Congress, which Lacierda claimed to always be against the government.

“Congressman Ridon is coming from the Makabayan bloc which obviously has a retried (spiel) that is very polarized. That is the purpose of the inquiry in the House, that is the purpose of the inquiry in the Senate, that is the purpose of the Board of Inquiry, where you can ask any questions,” Lacierda said.

The Palace executive simply dismissed the statement of Ridon, saying it is “mere” personal opinion on the matter as there are no findings to the effect of his statements, despite the evidence of the leaked Wikileaks cables.

According to reports, the US military had drones flying around the area of the Mamasapano clash during the exact incident. The US government has continually denied involvement with operations in Mindanao.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/us-gave-noy-34-1m-for-drones-smart-bombs-ops