AFP disputes MILF exec,insists rebels IS-linked

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 2): AFP disputes MILF exec,insists rebels IS-linked

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stood firm in tagging the targeted group in Lanao del Sur as terrorists with ties to the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) contrary to claims of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar.

Last Sunday, Jaafar said in a television interview that those targeted by massive military operations in Butig, Lanao del Sur were not terrorists but Muslims dismayed over the non-passage of the MILF-proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., spokesman of the AFP, said that the group targeted in Lanao del Sur was a group of terrorists with links to JI.

“Based on the information we have at hand this group is in our list of local terrorist groups that have been linked to the JI and the group of the Indonesian terrorist known as Sanusi who was killed in Marawi sometime in 2012,” Padilla said.

“They are also closely linked to the series of NGCP tower bombings,” he added. Padilla dismissed claims of Jaafar, citing the military’s evidence proving otherwise.

“We do not believe otherwise because of these very strong pieces of evidence and information that validates that,” said Padilla.

“Furthermore, the surprise attack on our detachment last 20 February 2016 could have been motivated by a desire to avenge their leader (Sanusi),” he added.

Padilla said that a total of 24 terrorists have been identified as among those killed in Butig where the military launched massive air and artillery assaults after the rebels attacked the military detachment.

Among those killed were Omar Maute, tagged as the leader of the terrorist group, and Indonesian Mohammad Muktar.

As of press time yesterday, the military is still conducting clearing operations in Butig where another terrorist lair was overran on Sunday.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), said the military’s main objective in Barangay Poctan was captured at around 4:20 p.m.
Tan said that the clearing operations are carefully being conducted due to possible presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and booby traps in the area.

“Troops continue to scour the barangay area and clear it from booby traps and IEDs,” he said, adding that on Sunday night, soldiers also recovered 81-millimeter (mm) mortar rounds that were fashioned into homemade bombs and two grenades.

With the ongoing operations in Lanao del Sur, security forces in the adjoining province of Lanao del Norte has taken up measures in order to prevent a possible spillover of the fighting.

In fact, Lanao del Norte has been on a red alert status since last week, according to Supt. Surki Serenas, spokesman of the Northern Mindanao regional police.

“Police Regional Office 10 has already undertaken counter-measures in relation to the firefights in Butig, Lanao del Sur. In fact, the command which is already on “Full Alert” status, has intensified its intelligence build up and checkpoint operations in its boundaries to contain and prevent spill-over of atrocities in our area,” said Serenas.

“Our PPO (provincial police office) and CPO (city police office) sharing geographical boundaries with Lanao Sur also has a ready augmentation from RPSB (regional public safety battalion) and their respective public safety companies in case of eventualities.

Likewise, constant coordination with PNP and AFP counterparts in the affected areas are also being undertaken,” he added.

Military: Maute slain

Last Feb. 23, Tan also reported the death of Omar Maute, the head of the local terrorist organization, who spearheaded the attack on the detachment of the 51st Infantry Battalion in Butig, Lanao Del Sur last Feb. 20.

An estimated 40 to 80 lawless elements took part in the raid which lasted until early Feb. 21, along with Omar’s younger brother.

Tan based this claim on intelligence reports which claimed that the bandit leader was killed in the constant air and artillery strikes against them.

In addition, the reports said 24 out of the 42 other terrorists killed in the operation have been identified.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, said it continues to assist the AFP in conducting checkpoints and blocking forces due to the recent bombings incidents on towers of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (GCP) in the province Lanao del Sur.

“We support the conducting of check points. Help control the main supply route,” PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez told reporters.

Marquez also said the PNP was checking if there were improvised explosive devices on roadsides so that the movements of the AFP would not be impeded.

PNP expects the reduction of toppling down of power transmission towers at NGCP by terrorist neutralized by the AFP; several reports say these groups were responsible for the toppling down of the towers.

NGCP tower No. 5 at Barangay Pantar, Bubong, Lanao del Sur was bombed last Jan. 18, 2016 and the bombings would aggravate the tenuous power situation in Mindanao. Another tower was also bombed in Lanao del Norte.

At least 16 towers were bombed last year. The NGPC calls for PNP and AFP to monitor the safety of the towers so that transmissions services will not be interrupted.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/afp-disputes-milf-exec-insists-rebels-is-linked