Commander Madrox men fall to joint gov’t, MILF operation

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 16): Commander Madrox men fall to joint gov’t, MILF operation

More than a dozen henchmen of Samad Masgal alias Commander Madrox, notorious leader of an armed group of lawless elements involved in the drug trade and operating in North Cotabato, were turned over yesterday by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 602nd Infantry Brigade and elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Mindanao Front to the Provincial Police Office of Cotabato after being nabbed in a successful joint law enforcement operation.

The said operation was conducted from 5 to 11 October 2016 in the areas of Nabalawag, Kapinpilan, and Kadingilan in Midsayap, North Cotabato. The joint Government of the Philippines (GPH)-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) as well as the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) were tapped to help coordinate the operation since it was conducted in areas with strong MILF presence.

“For the past six days, eh nakita natin yung sigasig ng MILF at saka ng government forces na maipatupad ang kautusan ng ating Presidente na mag all-out campaign against illegal drugs and criminality (We’ve seen in the last six days the determination of the MILF and the government forces to enforce the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to launch an all-out campaign against illegal drugs and criminality),” said Director Carlos T. Sol Jr. of the combined secretariat of the GPH-CCCH and the AHJAG.

The CCCH and AHJAG are composed of members from the GPH and the MILF with the International Monitoring Team (IMT), as the third party. Established in 1997, it has been tasked to coordinate the implementation of the GPH-MILF Ceasefire Agreement and resolve complaints over ceasefire violations so that small skirmishes do not intensify. The AHJAG, meanwhile, is a mechanism, seeking to isolate and interdict lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities. It was initially formed during the May 2002 Joint Communique between the GPH and the MILF in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

“Ngayon nakikita natin sa harap yung mga taong responsible sa kriminalidad at saka sa proliferation ng illegal drugs especially shabu doon sa areas of operation (We can see now people responsible for the criminality and the proliferation of illegal drugs especially methamphetamine in the areas of operation),” he added. The apprehended personalities were received by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as witnessed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency of Region 12.

A similar operation was conducted last August by the AFP and the MILF against the group of Commander Madrox which resulted in the death of four of his followers while three from the Philippine army were killed in action.

“[T]he fight against illegal drugs transcends all affiliations and it even unites people with diverse backgrounds... [N]gayon po kami ay natutuwa dahil ang pagsasama-sama ng mga pwersa ng Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines at ang pag sanib na rin ng MILF sa ating hanay na mga lumalaban sa illegal na droga ay naisakatuparan. (We are very delighted that the coming together of the PNP, the AFP, and the addition of the MILF among our allies against illegal drugs is becoming a reality),” announced PDEA-12 Regional Director Lyndon B. Aspacio.

“[W]e all have a personal stake in this fight and I hope that in the coming days we will be seeing more of this operation,” he added.

“Everything is clear with mutual trust and cooperation. We are here because of this. We are here to participate in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. Our cooperation has brought about one of our objectives and that is to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs,” commented PNP North Cotabato Provincial Director Police Superintendent Emmanuel B. Peralta.

On 12 July 2016, the government’s and MILF’s respective CCCH and AHJAG signed the Agreement of Cooperation and Coordination in the Campaign against Illegal Drugs in MILF controlled areas. The agreement allows for “information exchange/sharing which includes, but not limited to the submission of the MILF of a list of drug personalities identified in its area subject to validation of the law enforcement agencies” as well as to allow the MILF to “conduct information drive on the ill-effects of illegal drugs in the MILF affected areas as part of its demand reduction activities” among others.

“When President Duterte came into power, the MILF formalized an agreement with the government that will allow it to lead the anti-illegal drug campaign in MILF controlled areas… This pursuit operation has resulted into better and peaceful lives for our stakeholders as well as stronger confidence between GPH and MILF forces,” said MILF Central Mindanao Front Commander Gordon Sayfulah.

“I would like to commend this new administration for its strong commitment to end illegal drugs in our country. I would also like to express my gratitude to those who have been part of the operation which includes the operating troops and coordinating body,” the MILF leader said further.

The thirteen apprehended personalities, who have outstanding warrants of arrest, are the following: Ali Masgal Buat; Guiamalodin Kalay Palakad; Guiama Milikano y Masgal; Mandag Mamalinta y Mamao; Nandi Pagao y Sinangkad; Taokie Habip Lumilis; Kenny Gumbila Dima; Ronnie Ferrer Catulogn; Morem Masgal Milicano; Omar Masgal Angking; Sari Alim Lumilis; Mantoa Amal Gombila and Tiyabong Mamalinta. Commander Madrox, himself, remains at large.

Also recovered during the operation were two grenade launchers; two M16 rifles; an M14 rifle; a homemade shotgun; a .30-caliber Garan rifle; a homemade .50-caliber sniper rifle; one rocket propelled grenade launcher ammunition; and two fragmention grenades alongside a handful of short firearms. A number of shabu-containing heat-sealed sachet packs as well as other drug paraphernalia were also recovered during the operation.

AFP 6th Infantry Division Commander Major General Carlito Galvez, Jr., for his part, commented that the successful law enforcement operation also serves as another building block toward reaching a permanent peace with the Moro rebel groups.

“Let us guard the opportunities that we have at hand; and maybe, if we can continuously work with the same enthusiasm and commitment, we can finally put an end to the decades- or centuries-long conflicts that have been happening. Now is the time for us to unite and fight together this drug problem.”

“I hope that this is just the beginning; if we have a strong partnership that is united in implementing the intentions of the President I know that we will be able to accomplish many things together,” he added. (OPAPP)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141476537693/commander-madrox-men-fall-to-joint-gov-t-milf-operation