Friday, October 13, 2017

PH, Malaysia, Indonesia launch Trilateral Air Patrol

From Update Philippines (Oct 13): PH, Malaysia, Indonesia launch Trilateral Air Patrol



The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia on Thursday launched its “Trilateral Air Patrol” (TAP) to secure common areas of maritime interest against terrorists and other lawless elements.

This will complement the three nations’ “Trilateral Maritime Patrol,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Major Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

“The TAP of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines that complements the earlier arrangement for the conduct of the ‘Trilateral Maritime Patrol’ for the common area of maritime interest among these countries was launched today in Subang Air Base in Malaysia at around 2:30 p.m.,” he said.

The “Trilateral Maritime Patrol” was signed by the three nations last April. Defense ministers from the participating nations along with their ranking military officials attended the launching activity.

Padilla said Brunei and Singapore also sent their representatives as observers.

He added the TAP agreement has designated the area of maritime interest that will be the subject of both maritime and air patrols. It will be carried out from designated staging points.

Staging point for Indonesia is Tarakan; Bongao for the Philippines; and Tawau for Malaysia.

“Each country will take turns leading the mission thru a designated mission commander using host country air assets. Air patrol will be monitored from a maritime coordinating center. A host country will use their air assets with other nations patrol teams aboard,” the AFP spokesperson said.

To maximize resources from all sides, one country would conduct the task one at a time, he added.

Padilla said the launching of TAP is very timely as trade passing through the maritime areas of common concern of the three nations amounts to USD40 billion annually.

https://www.update.ph/2017/10/ph-malaysia-indonesia-launch-trilateral-air-patrol/21712

Japanese, Filipino forces develop bond

From Update Philippines (Oct 13): Japanese, Filipino forces develop bond



Philippine Navy and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) together with United States military builders conducted the humanitarian and civic assistance part of the recently ended US-PH KAMANDAG exercise.

Japanese forces joined the exercise proper as observers.

KAMANDAG helped maintain a high level of readiness and enhanced bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities between participating armed forces.

During the KAMANDAG US Marines, Japan Ground Self Defense Force Soldiers, and Philippine Navy Seabees carried out construction projects to benefit local communities in Casiguran, Aurora. This included the construction of classrooms.

KAMANDAG ended October 11. The JGSDF were officially observers of the exercise and only helped with the humanitarian civic assistance activities.

https://www.update.ph/2017/10/japanese-filipino-forces-develop-bond/21721

380 enter army training

From Update Philippines (Oct 13): 380 enter army training

A total of 380 Candidate Soldiers (CS) went through reception rites on October 12 during the Opening Ceremony of Candidate Course Class 493 and 494-17, the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army said.


7th Infantry Division commander Major General Felimon T. Santos was the keynote speaker during the event.

The Candidate Soldiers will undergo four months of rigorous training.


7th Infantry Division photo

Upon finishing the said training they will be recognized formally as bonafide soldiers of the Philippine Army.

7th Infantry Division, also known officially as Kaugnáy Division, is the Philippine Army’s primary infantry unit specializing in rapid deployment. It is based in Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

https://www.update.ph/2017/10/380-enters-army-training/21729

Duterte warns communists of revolutionary government, full-scale war

From Update Philippines (Oct 13): Duterte warns communists of revolutionary government, full-scale war

President Rodrigo Duterte warned the communist group National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) of revolutionary government if their destabilization plots turn into chaos.

The President made the statement during the October 13 episode of PTV’s ‘Sa Totoo Lang’, a program of President Duterte with Erwin Tulfo.

“‘Pag ang destabilization ninyo patagilid na at medyo magulo na, I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term,” President Duterte said.

“I will arrest all of you and we can go to a full-scale war against the reds,” he added.

https://www.update.ph/2017/10/duterte-warns-communists-of-revolutionary-government-full-scale-war/21736

Duterte “resurrects” Salamat Hashim; warns “fighting everywhere in Mindanao” if…

From MindaNews (Oct 13): Duterte “resurrects” Salamat Hashim; warns “fighting everywhere in Mindanao” if…

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday erroneously “resurrected” Salamat Hashim, founding chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as he warned of trouble ahead in Mindanao “if we fail to come up with a reasonable counter proposal” to the Bangsamoro people’s struggle for self-determination.

Hashim, vice chair of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), broke away in the late 1970s to form the MILF, passed away on July 13, 2003 in Camp Bushra in Butig, Lanao del Sur.



President Rodrigo Roa Duterte speaks at the relaunching of the Malacañang Press Briefing Room (MPBR) at the New Executive Building (NEB) on October 12, 2017. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Duterte, the first Mindanawon President who has repeatedly vowed during the election campaign and even as President that he would “address the historical injustices” committed against the Bangsamoro said the MILF (now chaired by Al Haj Murad Ebrahim) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are “hanging on to the reins of their horses,” are cooperating with government and even fighting alongside government forces but “are hoping that what they have been asking for centuries will be given.”

“If we fail to come up with a reasonable counter proposal, then I assure you that there will be fighting everywhere in Mindanao. For then, the mainstream rebel groups would now be joining with the extremist groups,” Duterte warned at the relaunching of the Malacanang Press Briefing room on Thursday, October 12.

“Now, we are on one side and (MNLF founding chair Nur) Misuari has remained neutral pero some of their rogue members are there fighting,” he said.

“But fundamentally, they are waiting for the word of Hashim Salamat and Nur Misuari. But if their common determination, their dream is — ends in a failure or a disappointment, magkaisa itong lahat against the Republic of the Philippines. And I have it in good authority that they will declare an independence. They would declare an independent Mindanao,” Duterte said.

Hashim succumbed to a lingering illness on July 13, 2003 in Butig, Lanao del Sur but his death was announced 23 days later, the same time it was announced that MILF Vice Chair for Military Affairs Murad was assuming the post of MILF chair.

Both the MILF and MNLF have signed peace agreements with the government: for the MNLF, the Tripoli Agreement on December 23, 1976 under the Marcos administration and the Final Peace Agreement on September 2, 1996 under the Ramos admininstration; and for the MILF, the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro on October 15, 2012 and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on March 27, 2014, both under the administration of Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

Both MNLF and MILF had given up their bid for independence in favor of autonomy but implementation of the peace agreements has become a problem for both fronts because the laws passed to supposedly implement the peace agreement, “watered down” the letter and spirit of the peace agreements, in the case of the MNLF.

For the MILF, the first attempt to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) under the Aquino administration, failed. The MILF criticized the substitute bills of the House and Senate committees for allegedly rendering the future Bangsamoro less autonomous than the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that it is supposed to replace. Congress adjourned in early 2016 without passing the law.

“Rallying point of extremists in Mindanao”

On November 30 last year, MNLF and MILF leaders warned during the Kusog Mindanaw Conference on Federalism that unimplemented peace pacts will be the “rallying point of extremists in Mindanao.”

“We, the MNLF and MILF …. we will become irrelevant if our peace agreements will not be implemented and in fact that is the issue, the rallying point of the extremists in Mindanao. They’re saying, ‘look at the MNLF and the MILF, their agreements have never been implemented. So there’s no point talking with this government who has violated peace agreements since time immemorial,’” Randolph Parcasio, who represented Misuari at the forum, said.

“Implement the peace agreements so that you will have MNLF and MILF who are now cooperating with government, to continue their being relevant,” he said.

Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the peace implementing panel of the MILF, said extremism “is part of human nature” and that even in schools, there are classmates who express extremist view. But violent extremism, he said, must be addressed.

He explained that “until and unless the historic injustices committed against the Moro people (are addressed), I think the extremist groups, the violent extremist groups would still multiply because they have so much reason to fight the government.”

But if the historical injustices are addressed “by the passage of a good (Bangsamoro) law, then the MNLF, the MILF can be partners of government and we have both the moral and the legal authority to do it,” he said.

The BBL drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission composed of 11 members nominated by the MILF and 10 members nominated by government submitted its draft BBL to the President on July 17, 2017 but it was finally filed as a bill only on September 27.

The bill has been referred to the three Committees all headed by Mindanawons: Muslim Affairs under Lanao del Sur Rep. Mauyag Papandayan, Jr.; Local Governments under South Cotabato Rep. Pedro Acharon; and Peace and Reconciliation under Tawi-tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali.

The leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate — Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel — are both Mindanawons.

Papandayan told MindaNews on October 10, that the three committee chairs met a day earlier and agreed “ipasa ang BBL next year” (BBL will be passed next year).

Asked if they would still conduct public hearings, Papandayan said yes. But there is no scheduled yet for the hearings, he said.

Congress is on recess from October 14 to November 12, will resume sessions from November 13 to Deember 15 and will go on recess again on December 16 to January 14.

The original target under the Duterte Administation’s Bangsamoro Peace and Development Roadmap is to pass the BBL by yearend of 2017.

Not ready for another war

Duterte noted in his speech Thursday that “we are not ready to embark on another war again. This time on a large scale throughout Mindanao. I just know what will happen.”

In the latter part of his speech, he mentioned Murad, the MILF chair since Hashim passed away in 2003. “In the meantime, I have to talk patiently with Secretary (Jesus) Dureza (Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process). Everytime Murad is there, Secretary is there. Everytime Nur Misuari is there with me in Davao, Secretary Dureza is also there.”

“But he knows deep in his heart and we fear the same challenge and that would be… I hope it would not end in a fissure na magka — mag-hiwalay ang Mindanao,” Duterte said, adding, that “if there is a status of belligerence given to them, then it becomes very, very, very serious for all of us.”

The MNLF sits as an observer at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The OIC had gotten the leaders of the MNLF and MILF to work together under the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum (BCF), on how best to move forward in harmonizing the tracks of the peace agreements they signed separately with the Philippine government.

The OIC does not support separatist movements. When it accepted the then undivided MNLF as an observer, it supported their moves for autonomy, not independence.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2017/10/duterte-resurrects-salamat-hashim-warns-fighting-everywhere-in-mindanao2/

Ulama to hold regional summit vs. violent extremism, terrorism in Zamboanga

From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 13): Ulama to hold regional summit vs. violent extremism, terrorism in Zamboanga

Ulama or Muslim scholars from Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces are set to convene here for a two-day regional summit that aims at addressing the emergence of violent extremism and terrorism.

The event, which will begin on Friday at the Garden Orchid Hotel, is an offshoot of the Ulama Summit held in Cotabato City in May and initiated by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the regional Darul Ifta, and Majlish-Shura. “Our aim here is to spread the true teachings of Islam. We are mobilizing the Ulama to counter the threat of violent extremism,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

As early as 2015, the Darul Ifta of the ARMM declared that “terrorism and mischief cannot be accepted as synonyms for jihad, or one of struggle’s methods, because our religion commands us to be compassionate to all beings in the land.”

The Ulama have condemned the brazen attack of the Islamic State-inspired Maute, Abu Sayyaf and other jihadist groups in Marawi City.The fighting, which started days before the holy month of Ramadan ‪on May 23, has been ongoing for more than five months now.

The objectives of the solidarity summit, according to Hataman, is to bring together the Ulama in the region for mutual consultation and for discussions on the pressing issue of violent extremism and terrorism as well as reach a consensus on how to protect the Muslim community in general and determine the Ulama’s role in countering and preventing violent extremism in the locality. Part of the two-day summit is for the Ulama to set guidelines to reach a common understanding on terminologies about Islam that would prevent misinterpretation.

The Ulama will also craft plans and approaches on how to deal with the issues of violent extremism, and develop ‘Risalatul Wasatan’, or to call moderation in teaching about Islam. The highlight of the summit is to clear the misconception on the negative labeling of Muslims in general.

Hataman said high-ranking officials from the national government – among them Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana – and local government leaders have been invited to discuss the issue of violent extremism in a collective manner.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/ulama-to-hold-regional-summit-vs-violent-extremism-terrorism-in-zamboanga/

Sayyaf fighter arrested in Zamboanga ahead of anti-terrorism summit

From the Mindanao Examiner (Oct 13): Sayyaf fighter arrested in Zamboanga ahead of anti-terrorism summit

Security forces in Zamboanga City have arrested an Abu Sayyaf militant involved in mass kidnappings in the southern Philippine province of Basilan in 2001, police said Friday.

The capture of Hussin Iril alias Ibba Gani came ahead of an anti-terrorism summit here. Iril is being implicated in the kidnappings of dozens of people, some of them brutally killed in Lantawan town after Abu Sayyaf militants raided a coconut and rubber plantation.

Police said Iril, who was captured at Paseo del Mar on Thursday afternoon, is currently being interrogated. Details of the investigation were not immediately made available by the police.

Iril was the 4th Abu Sayyaf fighter arrested in Zamboanga in recent weeks. Three other militants, who are natives of Basilan, had been captured for plotting to bomb civilian targets here. Zamboanga had been bombed many times in the past years and the threats from the Abu Sayyaf still continue.

President Rodrigo Duterte, citing fresh intelligence reports, recently said that local jihadists allied with the Islamic State, are targeting Zamboanga and Isabela City in Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the troubled Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Ulama or Muslim scholars from Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces have gathered here Friday for a two-day regional summit aimed at addressing violent extremism and terrorism. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana attended the summit.

The event is an offshoot of the Ulama summit held in Cotabato City in May. Initiated by ARMM, the regional Darul Ifta, and Majlish-Shura, Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman said they are mobilizing the Ulama to spread the true teachings of Islam and counter the threat of violent extremism.

The Darul Ifta declared that “terrorism and mischief cannot be accepted as synonyms for jihad, or one of struggle’s methods, because our religion commands us to be compassionate to all beings in the land.”

It also condemned the brazen attack of local jihadists in Marawi City on May 23. The fighting has been ongoing for more than five months now and has virtually turned Marawi into a war-ravaged city similar to Mosul in Iraq.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/sayyaf-fighter-arrested-in-zamboanga-ahead-of-anti-terrorism-summit/

Hataman said the summit brings together the Ulama in the region for mutual consultation and for discussions on the pressing issue of violent extremism and terrorism, as well as reach a consensus on how to protect the Muslim community in general, and determine the Ulama’s role in countering and preventing extremism in the locality.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/sayyaf-fighter-arrested-in-zamboanga-ahead-of-anti-terrorism-summit/

Army, police hunt Muslim wedding attackers

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Army, police hunt Muslim wedding attackers

Police and Army Special Forces have launched manhunt operations against two men who shot dead a father of the bride and injured the groom during a Muslim wedding rites here Thursday morning.

Chief Insp. Reynaldo Delatien, city police substation 2 commander, said that they are working closely with the 5th Army Special Force Battalion and Army’s 6th Infantry Division to get the culprits behind the incident.

Delatien identified the fatality as Hadji Nasifh Abdullah Sampiano, 52, former village chair of Barangay Purakan, Balabagan, Lanao del Sur and the injured as Abil Gampong Balindong, 35, resident of Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

The shooting occurred after the wedding rites of Balindong and Sampiano’s daughter in a Muslim rite inside the mosque of the Mall of Alnor in Barangay Rosary Heights 9 here shortly before noon.

One of the gunmen, armed with 9-mm pistol, opened fire on Sampiano several times, hitting him in the head and body. Stray bullets hit Balindong who was standing nearby. Both were rushed to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center situated just across the mall but Sampiano was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.

Investigators are still are still trying to determine the motive of the attack.

Witnesses said the shooting occurred so fast that everybody was caught by surprise since the crime scene was a holy place.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012615

Peace, security summit slated in Zamboanga City

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Peace, security summit slated in Zamboanga City

The Regional Darul Ifta will hold a one-day Regional Ulama Solidarity Summit for Peace and Security to unite the concerned stakeholders against violent extremism and terrorism.

In a letter, Regional Darul Ifta Executive Director Aleem Abdulmuhmin Mujahid said the summit will be held on Saturday, October 14, in one of the hotels in this city.

Mujahid said the objectives of the solidarity summit is to bring together the ulamas (religious professionals) in the Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (ZamBaSulTa) areas to mutually consult and discuss on the pressing issue of violent extremism and terrorism (VET).

Mujahid said it is also to reach consensus on how to protect the Muslim community in general and determine the ulama role in countering and preventing VET in the locality.

He said the invited participants are from the academe, civil society, security, and inter-faith sectors to witness the coming together of the ulama in the region on this important issue.

He said they were invited to interact with members of the ulama sector and to explore opportunities for partnership and networking.

During the summit, there will be presentation and they will be addressing misconceptions on salafism and wahhabism; reading of the declaration of ulama solidarity against violent extremism and terrorism; and, partnership workshop to determine the government organizations, donors and non-government organizations to work with, what to work on and how to work about.

National Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman are invited to deliver their respective messages during the summit.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012608

Another NPA rebel yields to Abra police

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 13): Another NPA rebel yields to Abra police

A 22-year-old member of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to government, the Police Regional Office (PRO) here said.

Cordillera Regional Director Elmo Francis Sarona identified the NPA member as Lowell Carmelo Maglia of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG), who surrendered morning of October 8 in Poblacion Gangal, Sallapadan, Abra province.

Sarona said Maglia surrendered without firearm to Sallapadan Mayor Nenita Mustard Cardenas.
He added the KLG operates in Abra and possibly responsible for the series of attacks and harassments in the province and nearby provinces.


Sarona said Maglia’s surrender came after he got frustrated with the group's leadership and for fear of his life as government forces continuously conduct offensives against the rebel group.

The surrender of NPA members over the past months is a result of the joint efforts of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as active cooperation of the community and local government units.

The government offers opportunities to former NPA rebels who return to the fold of the law through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012657

Army condemns NPA attack on power line in Mt. Province

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 13): Army condemns NPA attack on power line in Mt. Province

The military's 5th Infantry Division (5ID) covering the Cordillera region condemned on Thursday the continuing atrocities perpetrated by the New People's Army (NPA) in the region.

The most recent is the attack on a power transmission line supplying two provinces.

Captain Jefferson Somera, 5ID Information Officer relayed Major General Paul Atal, 5ID commander’s statement saying the NPAs attacked the HEDCOR tapping point at Barangay Otucan Norte, Bauko, Mountain Province last October 10.

This resulted in power outages in the province and nine municipalities of Benguet province.

Somera said the attack affected the economic activity in the affected areas.

“Just like in all atrocities they committed, the NPAs justified their criminal acts by concocting stories, blaming their victims of violating environmental laws and policies, when in fact their real purpose is to pressure the victims to pay their extortion demands," he said.

Melma Batario, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) media relations officer for North Luzon in a telephone interview Thursday evening said the attack affected the transmission line serving Mountain Province Electric Cooperative (MOPRECO) which led to the 10-hours power shutdown.

Also affected was Benguet Electric Cooperative’s (BENECO) Atok and Bulalacao substations that resulted to the three-hour power shutdown.

The two Beneco substations serve nine of the 13 towns which include the municipalities of Atok, Buguias, Mankayan, Tublay, Kapangan, Bakun, Bokod, Kibungan, Kabayan including Cervantes Ilocos Sur.

Batario said the two electric distribution utilities and Hedcor were able to act on the problem and contained the effect to the said areas.

She added that no major damage was done on the transmission line and that NGCP has coordinated with the Armed Forces and other law enforcement units for a heightened alert on all their transmission lines.

In the morning of the same day, the NPA also attacked the unguarded heavy equipment of Delta Earthmoving Construction Company, setting ablaze one dump truck, a water truck and a backhoe that were being used in constructing the roads for the communities of Barangays San Pablo and Arwas, both of Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya province.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012656

Abu Sayyaf man tagged in plantation raid nabbed

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 13): Abu Sayyaf man tagged in plantation raid nabbed

Joint police and military forces have arrested in a law enforcement operation an Abu Sayyaf bandit linked to a plantation raid 16 years ago in Basilan province, the police reported Friday.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the suspect as Hussin Iril alias Ibba Gani, 38, of Barangay Pasobolong, this city.

Galvez said Iril was served a warrant of arrest at around 4 p.m. Thursday at the Paseo del Mar in Barangay Zone IV, this city.

Iril’s arrest came as security measures have been tight for the celebration on Thursday the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, this city’s most revered saint.

Galvez said the suspect has standing warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and penalized under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines as amended by Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7659.

She disclosed the suspect was involved in the June 11, 2001 raid of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan province.

During the raid, the Abu Sayyaf bandits seized eight plantation workers.

Five of them were beheaded while the remaining three were either rescued or had escaped during a clash between the pursuing troops and fleeing Abu Sayyaf bandits.

But Iril denied he is a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Iril said he is an ordinary resident of Barangay Pasobolong and sells cigarette to earn a living.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012726

3 more Abu Sayyaf men surrender

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 13): 3 more Abu Sayyaf men surrender

Three more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) have surrendered as government offensive continued against them in the province of Sulu, a top military official said Friday.

The surrender of the three brought to a total of 120 members of the ASG who have surrendered to the government since January this year.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identified the three surrenderees as Ajimad Musnali, Nanah Amdad Tunggal, and Hasiri Sabirin.

Sobejana said they are followers of ASG sub-leader Asbi Misuari, who surrendered earlier to the government authorities.

Sobejana said they surrendered at around 8:30 a.m. Friday to the Joint Task Force Sulu troops in Barangay Bulibangao, Banguingui (formerly Tongkil), Sulu.

He said they yielded three high-powered firearms, consisting of two caliber .30 spring field rifles and a caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle.

He said the surrender was facilitated by the troops of the 545th Engineering Construction Brigade and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Southwestern Mindanao command.

Sobejana said the surrenderees will undergo custodial debriefing at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Sulu in Camp General Teodulfo Bautista.

Of the 120 surrenderees since January this year, 65 surrendered in Basilan, 31 in Sulu, 21 in Tawi-Tawi, and two in Zamboanga City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012714

Mautes welcome to surrender: Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 13): Mautes welcome to surrender: Lorenzana

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has brushed aside insinuations that Maute group members, who will surrender to the government, will still be killed by government forces.

Lorenzana issued the statement on Friday to counter the propaganda of the Maute group warning their remaining members fighting in Marawi City that they will be killed by the government once they surrender.

“No, if you will surrender, you will not be killed,” Lorenzana assured, citing they will be afforded fair trial and the opportunity to be rehabilitated back to the society.

So far, Lorenzana said that three members of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group surrendered two weeks ago.

He said troops are moving around daily with public address system giving instructions on what to do by the Maute group members who wish to surrender.

He said it is useless for the remaining members of the Maute group to continue on fighting.

“If they keep on fighting, then we will finish them,” he emphasized.

He disclosed that the terrorist group leaders namely, Abdullah and Omar Maute, as well as Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Isnilon Hapilon are still inside the main battle area of Marawi City.

But Lorenzana this time begged off to give specific date as to when would the fighting ends in the besieged city of Marawi.

“The crisis will end soon. Malapit na,” Lorenzana assured.

The defense chief arrived here on Friday for the opening of the two-day (not one-day as earlier reported) Regional Ulama Solidarity Summit for Peace and Security.

The objectives of the solidarity summit are to bring together the ulama (religious professionals) in the Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (ZamBaSulTa) areas to mutually consult and discuss on the pressing issue of violent extremism and terrorism (VET); and, to reach consensus on how to protect the Muslim community in general and determine the ulama role in countering and preventing VET in the locality.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012753

Pres. Duterte: Scout Rangers' homes to be completed in December 2018

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Pres. Duterte: Scout Rangers' homes to be completed in December 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, October 11, led the groundbreaking ceremony of a housing project here for the Scout Rangers.

“So by December hopefully, by the grace of God, we will have your units ready,” the President said in his speech. “General Ed Del Rosario, sabi naman ni Housing, he will deliver the houses to you December 2018. So, 2018 tapos na ‘yung mga bahay,” he added.

The National Housing Authority project, under the AFP/PNP Housing Program, will provide 1,000 housing units for the members of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment. The Chief Executive also announced that aside from the houses, the soldiers will also receive PHP70,000.

The Manila Banking Corporation (Manilabank), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Housing Authority (NHA), Pag-IBIG Fund, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Scout Ranger Multi-Purpose Cooperative entered into an agreement for the development of the 50-hectare portion of the Manilabank property into a housing site.

A 200-million subsidy fund from the Budget department will finance the construction of the housing project.

During his speech, President Duterte advised officials to choose durable materials for the housing units, adding that he is interested in the improvement of the quality of fixtures.

“What I have noticed actually ‘yung --- take note of this, Housing, ‘yung mga materials sa banyo. ‘Yun ang nagbe-break down kaagad,” he said. “But I’d like you to choose the durable ones. Wear and tear ‘yan araw-araw. Pati ‘yung --- ang unang nagfa-falter, alam mo? Flush,” he added.

He also discussed the various housing projects for government troops in Davao City, Zamboanga City, in Mati, and in Iligan City. President Duterte said he prioritized the housing project for soldiers because their lives are always in danger. “Ngayon, sabi ko... Bakit ko kayo inuna? Matagal ako sa gobyerno. Ang tatay ko was once upon a time a JAGO during war,” he said.

“And used to say that he was also governor of Davao. Inuuna niya dahil ang sundalo pati pulis, on the average --- do not be offended --- medyo nasa delikado na sitwasyon everyday sa buhay nila,” the President explained.

The Chief Executive also announced that 5,000 units of Kalashnikov rifles from Russia will arrive for the government forces. “As part of the… ‘Yung dala ko galing Russia, pumunta kami almost just below 24 hours. We will have the Kalashnikov so it’s just a matter of using the --- memory lang ‘yan, 5,000,” the President said.

He also discussed in his speech the proposal to put on lease properties of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “Doon na kayo kumuha ng incremental increase ninyo, plus the additional --- ‘yung appropriation ng gobyerno sa budget. Then you have the income from the --- ‘yung propedad ninyo, ‘yun,” he said.

The President also directed Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to form a committee with members who are knowledgeable about investment.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012517

Slain Maute leaders likely among 22 recovered cadavers: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Slain Maute leaders likely among 22 recovered cadavers: AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is possible that some of the ranking leaders and commanders of the Maute Group and their terrorist allies are among the 22 cadavers recovered in the main battle area in Marawi City last Tuesday.

This is possible as the bodies were recovered in two buildings where military units have encountered tough resistance in the past few weeks, AFP spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said late Wednesday.

"Interesado rin kaming malaman kung may malaking tao dito sa mga namatay na ito kaya't nakiusap tayo sa PNP (Philippine National Police) na madaliin ang pag-identify sa mga namatay na ito dahil maaaring may isa o dalawa dyan sa mga kinikilala nating naging lider ng grupong ito na bahagi ng cadavers (We are interested to know if someone big is among the dead, so we requested the PNP to speed up the identification process because there can be one or two (Maute) leaders among these cadavers)," he added.

Also recovered near the bodies were eight high-powered firearms -- two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, four M-16 automatic rifles, an M-4 assault rifle, an M-14 automatic rifles -- and dozens of improvised explosive devices.

Padilla added that the forensic examinations to be conducted by the police will determine whether foreigners are among the cadavers recently recovered.

As of this posting, the remaining Maute Group terrorists are estimated at 38 to 40, and those killed at 802.

Fighting in Marawi City erupted following an attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and his cohorts last May 23.

Military and police personnel killed in the ongoing campaign are now placed at 160, and rescued hostages at 1,750, while another 42 are held captive by the group.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012529

Maute-held areas in Marawi down to 5 hectares

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Maute-held areas in Marawi down to 5 hectares

Maute group-controlled areas in Marawi City have shrunk to an estimated five hectares, down from eight last week, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, said late Wednesday.

"Ang lugar po na pinagkukubkuban na lang nila ay napaliit na natin, less than five hectares na lang. Dati ay walong ektarya ang hinaharap natin, ngayon ay kulang kulang na lang po, less than five hectares na lang ito (We have reduced the area controlled by them [Maute group]. From eight hectares, it is now down to an estimated five hectares)," Padilla said.

In the five hectares remaining under Maute control, only about 150 buildings and structures need to be cleared, he said, adding that he hopes that clearing operations would not take long.

As of this posting, remaining Maute Group terrorists are estimated at 38 to 40, and those neutralized at 802.

Military and police personnel killed since fighting in Marawi City broke out last May 23 are estimated at 160, rescued hostages at 1,750, and those still held in captivity at 42.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012530

Air patrol to help secure PH, Malaysia, Indon waters

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 13): Air patrol to help secure PH, Malaysia, Indon waters

The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia on Thursday launched its "Trilateral Air Patrol" (TAP) to secure common areas of maritime interest against terrorists and other lawless elements.

This will complement the three nations' "Trilateral Maritime Patrol," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Major Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

"The TAP of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines that complements the earlier arrangement for the conduct of the 'Trilateral Maritime Patrol' for the common area of maritime interest among these countries was launched today in Subang Air Base in Malaysia at around 2:30 p.m.," he said.

The "Trilateral Maritime Patrol" was signed by the three nations last April. Defense ministers from the participating nations along with their ranking military officials attended the launching activity.

Padilla said Brunei and Singapore also sent their representatives as observers.

He added the TAP agreement has designated the area of maritime interest that will be the subject of both maritime and air patrols. It will be carried out from designated staging points.

Staging point for Indonesia is Tarakan; Bongao for the Philippines; and Tawau for Malaysia.

"Each country will take turns leading the mission thru a designated mission commander using host country air assets. Air patrol will be monitored from a maritime coordinating center. A host country will use their air assets with other nations patrol teams aboard," the AFP spokesperson said.

To maximize resources from all sides, one country would conduct the task one at a time, he added.

Padilla said the launching of TAP is very timely as trade passing through the maritime areas of common concern of the three nations amounts to USD40 billion annually.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012664