From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 16): NPA leader killed in North Cotabato
A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a firefight with government troops on Saturday in Sitio Flortam, Barangay Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato.
Lt. Colonel Rhojun Rosales, commander of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, said the body of Jacob Rodinas (who was also known as Jecko or Velum) , secretary of Guerrilla Front 51, was recovered around 7 a.m. on Sunday, a day after the encounter.
Rosales said the slain NPA leader had standing arrest warrants for various crimes, including arson, extortion, homicide and murder.
Rodinas and Juanito Pueblas, also known as “Taghoy” were top NPA leaders of GF-51, he said.
Pueblas was killed on July 21 in Barangay Astorga, Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur, along with his comrades.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1033083/npa-leader-killed-in-north-cotabato
Sunday, September 16, 2018
NPA rebel surrenders in Bukidnon
From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Sep 16): NPA rebel surrenders in Bukidnon
A SUSPECTED hitman of the New People’s Army (NPA) has surrendered and returned to the folds of the law over the weekend.
A certain Bryan Fabre alias Alex, 32, resident of Barangay Mabuhay, Valencia City, turned himself in to the Eight Infantry Battalion (8IB) in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.
The military said Fabre was a member of Squad 1, SDG Platoon "Thunder", North Central Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.
Fabre surrendered to the government troops his homemade 9mm sub-machine gun.
The military reported that the former communist guerilla yielded because he got tired from hiding and running from the government forces.
In a statement, the military said Fabre got fed up with the false promises of the organization "that left him with nothing but a life filled with fear and starvation".
"The CPP-NPA terrorists is weakening each passing day with all our efforts to maintain peace and order in the province of Bukidnon. The members of this armed group is slowly realizing it," 8IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana said.
"It is never too late to go back and start again. The government will be there to support and help you get back on your feet only if you give peace a chance," he added.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1764587
A SUSPECTED hitman of the New People’s Army (NPA) has surrendered and returned to the folds of the law over the weekend.
A certain Bryan Fabre alias Alex, 32, resident of Barangay Mabuhay, Valencia City, turned himself in to the Eight Infantry Battalion (8IB) in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.
The military said Fabre was a member of Squad 1, SDG Platoon "Thunder", North Central Mindanao Regional Committee of the NPA.
Fabre surrendered to the government troops his homemade 9mm sub-machine gun.
The military reported that the former communist guerilla yielded because he got tired from hiding and running from the government forces.
In a statement, the military said Fabre got fed up with the false promises of the organization "that left him with nothing but a life filled with fear and starvation".
"The CPP-NPA terrorists is weakening each passing day with all our efforts to maintain peace and order in the province of Bukidnon. The members of this armed group is slowly realizing it," 8IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Illana said.
"It is never too late to go back and start again. The government will be there to support and help you get back on your feet only if you give peace a chance," he added.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1764587
NPA rebels kill soldier in Samar firefight
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 15): NPA rebels kill soldier in Samar firefight
A soldier was killed in an encounter with suspected communist rebels in Matuguinao town, Samar province on Friday.
The lone fatality was identified as Sgt. Daniel Silagan, who was among the soldiers involved in clearing operations in Barangay Mahayag, a mountain village that could only be reached by motorcycle.
Government troopers belonging to the 63rd Infantry Battalion encountered about 10 armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army.
The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1032793/npa-rebels-kill-soldier-in-samar-firefight
A soldier was killed in an encounter with suspected communist rebels in Matuguinao town, Samar province on Friday.
The lone fatality was identified as Sgt. Daniel Silagan, who was among the soldiers involved in clearing operations in Barangay Mahayag, a mountain village that could only be reached by motorcycle.
Government troopers belonging to the 63rd Infantry Battalion encountered about 10 armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army.
The firefight lasted for about 20 minutes.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1032793/npa-rebels-kill-soldier-in-samar-firefight
NPA leaders surrender in Compostela Valley
From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 16): NPA leaders surrender in Compostela Valley
Six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, four of whom are high ranking leaders, voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion in Compostela Valley, a military report said.
The report disclosed that the NPAs surrendered to the 46th ID under Lt. Col. Benjamin A Dao-on at Mabini, Compostela Valley on Friday (September 14, 2018).
The high ranking NPA surrenderees were one alias Joffrey, identified as a political instructor of the Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) platoon; an alias Sander, identified as the vice commander, an alias Anthony, squad leader of Squad 2, SDG Pltn; and alias Arnel, team leader, ABE Squad 1. The other surrenderees were identified as alias Renz, a member of squad 2 and alias Tenie, also a member of squad 2.
The surrenderees initially yielded four caliber 45 pistols. However, during the course of the custodial debriefing, the former rebels disclosed the location of their other firearms, which resulted in the recovery of four AK47 rifles.
Meanwhile, Col.Gilbert Saret, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, welcomed the surrenderees and assured them of assistance as they return to mainstream society.
“We would like to welcome our brothers who were victims of NPA exploitation. We want to assure them that we will assist them as they return to the fold of the law, particularly, in their enrollment with the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program or the E-CLIP,” Saret said.
“Further, we are calling the CNT (communist NPA terrorists) members to come down and be part of the change that the government is pursuing, and help make our community peaceful and progressive,” he added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/16/npa-leaders-surrender-in-compostela-valley/
Six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, four of whom are high ranking leaders, voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 46th Infantry Battalion in Compostela Valley, a military report said.
The report disclosed that the NPAs surrendered to the 46th ID under Lt. Col. Benjamin A Dao-on at Mabini, Compostela Valley on Friday (September 14, 2018).
The high ranking NPA surrenderees were one alias Joffrey, identified as a political instructor of the Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) platoon; an alias Sander, identified as the vice commander, an alias Anthony, squad leader of Squad 2, SDG Pltn; and alias Arnel, team leader, ABE Squad 1. The other surrenderees were identified as alias Renz, a member of squad 2 and alias Tenie, also a member of squad 2.
The surrenderees initially yielded four caliber 45 pistols. However, during the course of the custodial debriefing, the former rebels disclosed the location of their other firearms, which resulted in the recovery of four AK47 rifles.
Meanwhile, Col.Gilbert Saret, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, welcomed the surrenderees and assured them of assistance as they return to mainstream society.
“We would like to welcome our brothers who were victims of NPA exploitation. We want to assure them that we will assist them as they return to the fold of the law, particularly, in their enrollment with the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program or the E-CLIP,” Saret said.
“Further, we are calling the CNT (communist NPA terrorists) members to come down and be part of the change that the government is pursuing, and help make our community peaceful and progressive,” he added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/16/npa-leaders-surrender-in-compostela-valley/
AFP reiterates firefight in Patikul, Sulu was a legitimate encounter
From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 16): AFP reiterates firefight in Patikul, Sulu was a legitimate encounter
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Sunday reiterated that the firefight that took place in Patikul, Sulu, on Friday afternoon that left seven Abu Sayyaf terrorists killed was a result of a legitimate encounter.
Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“We stand firm in our report that this was a legitimate encounter contrary to enemy propaganda that it was a “massacre,” said AFP spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo in a statement.
“The site of the encounter is a notorious ASG territory. That is a fact established by military and human intelligence. The folks of Patikul know it very well such that no civilians dared to go or pass by the place,” he added.
Arevalo insisted that aside from seven Abu Sayyaf terrorists killed, the encounter also resulted in the wounding of six other terrorists including ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan who was seriously hit in his stomach and lower extremities.
He added that the focus military operations (FMO) also resulted in the wounding of 17 of their troops due to shrapnel wounds as a result of the one hour and thirty minutes of fierce firefight.
Arevalo said the AFP leadership commends the operating units from Joint Task Force Sulu under Brig..Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo for successful FMO in a known Abu Sayyaf terrorist lair in Brgy. Bakong, Patikul, Sulu on Friday, September 14, at about 1:30 p.m.
Troops recovered from the encounter site an M16 rifle, four magazines for 5.56 mm, a bandolier, a civilian pack, three keypad cellphone, a touch screen cellphone, eight pieces of syringe, IED components (9 Volts battery, 1 blasting cap with wire, 161 piece live 5.56 rounds, four pieces 7.62mm rounds, one empty 50 caliber rounds, two box empty m249 ammunition, 23 empty shell 40mm, and enemy assorted personal effects.
“We praise the combat skills of our soldiers in seizing the element of surprise and firepower. They were unfazed by volleys of retaliatory fire from more or less 100 Abu Sayyaf terrorists under senior leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan,” Arevalo said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/16/afp-reiterates-firefight-in-patikul-sulu-was-a-legitimate-encounter/
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Sunday reiterated that the firefight that took place in Patikul, Sulu, on Friday afternoon that left seven Abu Sayyaf terrorists killed was a result of a legitimate encounter.
Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“We stand firm in our report that this was a legitimate encounter contrary to enemy propaganda that it was a “massacre,” said AFP spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo in a statement.
“The site of the encounter is a notorious ASG territory. That is a fact established by military and human intelligence. The folks of Patikul know it very well such that no civilians dared to go or pass by the place,” he added.
Arevalo insisted that aside from seven Abu Sayyaf terrorists killed, the encounter also resulted in the wounding of six other terrorists including ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan who was seriously hit in his stomach and lower extremities.
He added that the focus military operations (FMO) also resulted in the wounding of 17 of their troops due to shrapnel wounds as a result of the one hour and thirty minutes of fierce firefight.
Arevalo said the AFP leadership commends the operating units from Joint Task Force Sulu under Brig..Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo for successful FMO in a known Abu Sayyaf terrorist lair in Brgy. Bakong, Patikul, Sulu on Friday, September 14, at about 1:30 p.m.
Troops recovered from the encounter site an M16 rifle, four magazines for 5.56 mm, a bandolier, a civilian pack, three keypad cellphone, a touch screen cellphone, eight pieces of syringe, IED components (9 Volts battery, 1 blasting cap with wire, 161 piece live 5.56 rounds, four pieces 7.62mm rounds, one empty 50 caliber rounds, two box empty m249 ammunition, 23 empty shell 40mm, and enemy assorted personal effects.
“We praise the combat skills of our soldiers in seizing the element of surprise and firepower. They were unfazed by volleys of retaliatory fire from more or less 100 Abu Sayyaf terrorists under senior leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan,” Arevalo said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/16/afp-reiterates-firefight-in-patikul-sulu-was-a-legitimate-encounter/
NPA leader killed in Compostela Valley
From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 16): NPA leader killed in Compostela Valley
A New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed following an encounter between the rebels and government troops in Compostela Valley on Saturday.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The NPA leader was identified as Jacob Rondinas alias Jecko or Velum, secretary of the Guerrilla Front 51, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee
It was learned that troops from the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion were scouring the area when they encountered still undetermined number of NPAs at Sitio Flortam, Brgy. Batasan, Makilala, Compostela Valley, at about 5 p.m. Saturday.
A report from the local community said Rondinas roamed Sitio Flortam and desperately tried to recover their lost mass base by force recruitment.
Their mode of recruitment is simply inviting their target for a meeting and eventually forcing them to take arms.
The troops responded with caution and reached the target which led to an encounter.
On Sunday at about 7:30 a.m., troops of the 39th IB on clearing operation discovered a cadaver near the encounter site which was later identified as that of Rondinas.
The 1002nd Brigade under Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan informed the Makilala Philippine National Police (PNP) and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were informed about the incident for further investigation.
“The 1002nd Brigade extends the hand of peace to the members of the NPA terrorist [group] in the area. We will continue to use all lawful and peaceful means to encourage the NPAs to go back to the folds of law but we also use force when necessary. The brigade and 10ID are here to protect the people in the communities as we journey towards peace,” Ancan said.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Noel S. Clement, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, lauded the troops’ accomplishment and said “the people in the community that reported to us of the NPA presence love peace and that manifests their commitment to help our campaign for peace.”
“There are many ways that the government is doing to end violence. and attain peace. As 10ID and the people commit to a peaceful resolution of conflict here, we continue on performing our mandated task with deep adherence to respect human rights, international humanitarian law and rule of law,” Clement added.
NPA leader killed in Compostela Valley
A New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed following an encounter between the rebels and government troops in Compostela Valley on Saturday (September 15, 2018).
The NPA leader was identified as Jacob Rondinas alias Jecko/Velum, Secretary of the Guerrilla Front 51, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee
It was learned that troops from the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, were scouring the area when they encountered still undetermined number of NPAs at Sitio Flortam, Brgy. Batasan, Makilala, Compostela Valley, at about 5 p.m. Saturday.
A report from the local community said that Rondinas roamed Sitio Flortam and desperately tried to recover their loss mass base by force recruitment.
Their mode of recruitment is simply inviting their target for a meeting and eventually force them to take arms.
The troops responded with caution and reached the target which led to an encounter.
On Sunday at about 7:30 a.m., troops of the 39th IB on clearing operation discovered a cadaver near the encounter site which was later identified as that of Rondinas.
The 1002nd Brigade under Brigadier General Roberto Ancan informed the Makilala Philippine National Police (PNP)
and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were informed about the incident for further investigation.
“The 1002nd Brigade extends the hand of peace to the members of the NPA terrorist in the area. We will continue to use all lawful and peaceful means to encourage the NPAs to go back to the folds of law but we also use force when necessary. The brigade and 10ID are here to protect the people in the communities as we journey towards peace ,” Ancan said.
Meanwhile, Major General Noel S. Clement, the Commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, lauded the troops’ accomplishment and said “the people in the community that reported to us of the NPA presence love peace and that manifest their commitment to help our campaign for peace.”
“There are many ways that the government is doing to end violence. and attain peace. As 10ID and the people commit to a peaceful resolution of conflict here, we continue on performing our mandated task with deep adherence to respect human rights, international humanitarian law and rule of law,” Clement added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/16/npa-leader-killed-in-compostela-valley/
A New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed following an encounter between the rebels and government troops in Compostela Valley on Saturday.
(MANILA BULLETIN)The NPA leader was identified as Jacob Rondinas alias Jecko or Velum, secretary of the Guerrilla Front 51, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee
It was learned that troops from the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion were scouring the area when they encountered still undetermined number of NPAs at Sitio Flortam, Brgy. Batasan, Makilala, Compostela Valley, at about 5 p.m. Saturday.
A report from the local community said Rondinas roamed Sitio Flortam and desperately tried to recover their lost mass base by force recruitment.
Their mode of recruitment is simply inviting their target for a meeting and eventually forcing them to take arms.
The troops responded with caution and reached the target which led to an encounter.
On Sunday at about 7:30 a.m., troops of the 39th IB on clearing operation discovered a cadaver near the encounter site which was later identified as that of Rondinas.
The 1002nd Brigade under Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan informed the Makilala Philippine National Police (PNP) and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were informed about the incident for further investigation.
“The 1002nd Brigade extends the hand of peace to the members of the NPA terrorist [group] in the area. We will continue to use all lawful and peaceful means to encourage the NPAs to go back to the folds of law but we also use force when necessary. The brigade and 10ID are here to protect the people in the communities as we journey towards peace,” Ancan said.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Noel S. Clement, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, lauded the troops’ accomplishment and said “the people in the community that reported to us of the NPA presence love peace and that manifests their commitment to help our campaign for peace.”
“There are many ways that the government is doing to end violence. and attain peace. As 10ID and the people commit to a peaceful resolution of conflict here, we continue on performing our mandated task with deep adherence to respect human rights, international humanitarian law and rule of law,” Clement added.
NPA leader killed in Compostela Valley
A New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed following an encounter between the rebels and government troops in Compostela Valley on Saturday (September 15, 2018).
The NPA leader was identified as Jacob Rondinas alias Jecko/Velum, Secretary of the Guerrilla Front 51, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee
It was learned that troops from the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, were scouring the area when they encountered still undetermined number of NPAs at Sitio Flortam, Brgy. Batasan, Makilala, Compostela Valley, at about 5 p.m. Saturday.
A report from the local community said that Rondinas roamed Sitio Flortam and desperately tried to recover their loss mass base by force recruitment.
Their mode of recruitment is simply inviting their target for a meeting and eventually force them to take arms.
The troops responded with caution and reached the target which led to an encounter.
On Sunday at about 7:30 a.m., troops of the 39th IB on clearing operation discovered a cadaver near the encounter site which was later identified as that of Rondinas.
The 1002nd Brigade under Brigadier General Roberto Ancan informed the Makilala Philippine National Police (PNP)
and Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) were informed about the incident for further investigation.
“The 1002nd Brigade extends the hand of peace to the members of the NPA terrorist in the area. We will continue to use all lawful and peaceful means to encourage the NPAs to go back to the folds of law but we also use force when necessary. The brigade and 10ID are here to protect the people in the communities as we journey towards peace ,” Ancan said.
Meanwhile, Major General Noel S. Clement, the Commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, lauded the troops’ accomplishment and said “the people in the community that reported to us of the NPA presence love peace and that manifest their commitment to help our campaign for peace.”
“There are many ways that the government is doing to end violence. and attain peace. As 10ID and the people commit to a peaceful resolution of conflict here, we continue on performing our mandated task with deep adherence to respect human rights, international humanitarian law and rule of law,” Clement added.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/16/npa-leader-killed-in-compostela-valley/
3 Indonesians freed by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
From Malaya Business Insight (Sep 17): 3 Indonesians freed by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
THREE Indonesians were freed by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu on Saturday, almost 20 months since they were kidnapped in Tawi-Tawi.
Hamdam Salim, 34, Subandi Sattuh, 27, and Sudarlan Samansung, 41 were released around 4 p.m. and subsequently recovered by the military in Barangay Buanza in Indanan town, Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command, said yesterday.
The release brings to 11 the number of individuals still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.
The three were seized by the Abu Sayyaf off Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi on January 18 last year, and later brought to Sulu, a known bailiwick of the group.
Besana said there is no information on whether ransom was paid. “What we know is they are pressured (by the military operations),” he said.
He said the release was made possible through the joint efforts of the military’s Joint Task Force Sulu under Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, former Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, and other stakeholders.
A report from the police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said the three were released to the Moro National Liberation Front which brokered for their release.
They were then turned over to former Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan before they were brought to the Joint Task Force Sulu and Senior Supt. Pablo Larra II, chief of the Sulu police.
Besana said operations continue to secure the freedom of the remaining kidnap victims -- nine Filipinos, a Dutch, and a Vietnamese.
http://malaya.bayaninetwork.com/business-news/news/3-indonesians-freed-abu-sayyaf-sulu
THREE Indonesians were freed by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu on Saturday, almost 20 months since they were kidnapped in Tawi-Tawi.
Hamdam Salim, 34, Subandi Sattuh, 27, and Sudarlan Samansung, 41 were released around 4 p.m. and subsequently recovered by the military in Barangay Buanza in Indanan town, Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command, said yesterday.
The release brings to 11 the number of individuals still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.
The three were seized by the Abu Sayyaf off Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi on January 18 last year, and later brought to Sulu, a known bailiwick of the group.
Besana said there is no information on whether ransom was paid. “What we know is they are pressured (by the military operations),” he said.
He said the release was made possible through the joint efforts of the military’s Joint Task Force Sulu under Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, former Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, and other stakeholders.
A report from the police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said the three were released to the Moro National Liberation Front which brokered for their release.
They were then turned over to former Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan before they were brought to the Joint Task Force Sulu and Senior Supt. Pablo Larra II, chief of the Sulu police.
Besana said operations continue to secure the freedom of the remaining kidnap victims -- nine Filipinos, a Dutch, and a Vietnamese.
http://malaya.bayaninetwork.com/business-news/news/3-indonesians-freed-abu-sayyaf-sulu
Clan war ends in Maguindanao
From The Daily Tribune (Sep 17): Clan war ends in Maguindanao
PHOTO CREDIT: FACEBOOK.COM/PHILIPPINEARMYAFP
They can talk peace, after all.
The bloody clan war between two families in Maguindanao finally ended on Saturday after a settlement aided by Army soldiers between their members.
The Iranun Inter-Agency Task Force, led by the local government of Barira, successfully aided the settlement between the Daraba-Sasao and Kumiling-Nati families.
The violent dispute started with a personal grudge that led to the killing of two persons last July.
The settlement also led to the handover of a pistol, two rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade as a sign of their sincere desire to end their conflict.
Brigadier Gen. Jesus Sarsagat of the 603rd Brigade and Mayor Abdul Radjak Tomawis helped to settle the dispute.
They said they wanted to end the culture of violence and uphold peace and security within the community.
Both parties expressed their gratitude to the military and civilian authorities.
http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/09/17/clan-war-ends-in-maguindanao/
PHOTO CREDIT: FACEBOOK.COM/PHILIPPINEARMYAFP
They can talk peace, after all.
The bloody clan war between two families in Maguindanao finally ended on Saturday after a settlement aided by Army soldiers between their members.
The Iranun Inter-Agency Task Force, led by the local government of Barira, successfully aided the settlement between the Daraba-Sasao and Kumiling-Nati families.
The violent dispute started with a personal grudge that led to the killing of two persons last July.
The settlement also led to the handover of a pistol, two rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade as a sign of their sincere desire to end their conflict.
Brigadier Gen. Jesus Sarsagat of the 603rd Brigade and Mayor Abdul Radjak Tomawis helped to settle the dispute.
They said they wanted to end the culture of violence and uphold peace and security within the community.
Both parties expressed their gratitude to the military and civilian authorities.
http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/09/17/clan-war-ends-in-maguindanao/
Soldiers save Indonesians, wounded NPA
From the Daily Tribune (Sep 17): Soldiers save Indonesians, wounded NPA
Philippine military rescued three Indonesians who were long held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu.
The three Indonesians have been Abu Sayyaf captives since January 2017 in Tawi-Tawi and were subjects of rescue missions by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since the day of their abduction by the ISIS-inspired group.
The Indonesian hostages were identified as Hamdam Salim, 34; Subandi Sattuh, 27 and Sudarlan Samansung, 41. They were rescued in Barangay Buanza, Idanan.
All three are fishermen. They will be repatriated after they have been turned over to the Indonesian embassy.
The freed Abu Sayyaf victims were turned over to JTF Sulu Commander, Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., former governor Abdusakur Tan and Provincial Director of the Sulu Provincial Police Office Supt. Pablo Labra II.
The rebel was abandoned by his comrades after he was heavily wounded as a result of the exchange of gunfire between the government and rebel forces.
According to reports, the three hostages were forcibly taken last 18 January 2017 while they were onboard a speedboat off the waters of Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi.
The rescue was made possible through the collective efforts of the Joint Task Force Sulu, Miss Tarhata Misuari, Abdul Kiram Misuari and former governor Abdusakur Tan.
They were immediately brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical check-up and custodial debriefing.
Last Friday, government troops also rescued a wounded member of the New People’s Army following an encounter in Davao Oriental.
The rebel was abandoned by his comrades after he was heavily wounded as a result of the exchange of gunfire between the government and rebel forces.
The wounded rebel was identified as Jason Languban.
He was rescued in Barangay Maragatas, Lupon at 9 a.m. on tips provided by the residents to the troops belonging to the 28th Infantry Battalion.
Upon interrogation, Languban said he was from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
The military rushed Languban to the Camp Panacan Station Hospital before he was transferred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center, also in Davao City.
http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/09/17/soldiers-save-indonesians-wounded-npa/
Philippine military rescued three Indonesians who were long held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu.
The three Indonesians have been Abu Sayyaf captives since January 2017 in Tawi-Tawi and were subjects of rescue missions by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since the day of their abduction by the ISIS-inspired group.
The Indonesian hostages were identified as Hamdam Salim, 34; Subandi Sattuh, 27 and Sudarlan Samansung, 41. They were rescued in Barangay Buanza, Idanan.
All three are fishermen. They will be repatriated after they have been turned over to the Indonesian embassy.
The freed Abu Sayyaf victims were turned over to JTF Sulu Commander, Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., former governor Abdusakur Tan and Provincial Director of the Sulu Provincial Police Office Supt. Pablo Labra II.
The rebel was abandoned by his comrades after he was heavily wounded as a result of the exchange of gunfire between the government and rebel forces.
According to reports, the three hostages were forcibly taken last 18 January 2017 while they were onboard a speedboat off the waters of Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi.
The rescue was made possible through the collective efforts of the Joint Task Force Sulu, Miss Tarhata Misuari, Abdul Kiram Misuari and former governor Abdusakur Tan.
They were immediately brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical check-up and custodial debriefing.
Last Friday, government troops also rescued a wounded member of the New People’s Army following an encounter in Davao Oriental.
The rebel was abandoned by his comrades after he was heavily wounded as a result of the exchange of gunfire between the government and rebel forces.
The wounded rebel was identified as Jason Languban.
He was rescued in Barangay Maragatas, Lupon at 9 a.m. on tips provided by the residents to the troops belonging to the 28th Infantry Battalion.
Upon interrogation, Languban said he was from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
The military rushed Languban to the Camp Panacan Station Hospital before he was transferred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center, also in Davao City.
http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/09/17/soldiers-save-indonesians-wounded-npa/
Video: IED blast in GenSan injures 7
Posted to the Daily Tribune (Sep 16): IED blast in GenSan injures 7
An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in front of a pharmacy and lyin-in hospital in General Santos City, South Cotabato injuring seven people on Sunday, according to the General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO).
The IED exploded past noon at the Makar junction in Barangay Apopong, the GSCPO said in a Facebook post.
The injured were taken to the Saint Elizabeth Hospital, the Philippine National Police reported.
http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/09/16/ied-blast-in-gensan-injures-7/
The IED exploded past noon at the Makar junction in Barangay Apopong, the GSCPO said in a Facebook post.
The injured were taken to the Saint Elizabeth Hospital, the Philippine National Police reported.
http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/09/16/ied-blast-in-gensan-injures-7/
4 NPA leaders surrender; 1 hurt Red fighter rescued
From the Mindanao Times (Sep 17): 4 NPA leaders surrender; 1 hurt Red fighter rescued
Four high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) and two members surrendered to the 46th Infantry Battalion in Mabini, Compostela Valley on Friday.
Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, the spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), identified the high-ranking NPA surrenderees were identified as alias Joffrey, political instructor of the Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) Platoon; alias Sander, vice commander of the SDG; alias Anthony, squad leader; alias Arnel, team leader, Abe Squad 1, SDG.
The other surrenderees were identified as alias Renz and alias Tenie, both members of Squad 2, SDG, all of Guerrilla Front 33.
Balagtey said the surrenderees initially turned over four .45 caliber pistols. But they also pointed out where they hid four AK47 rifles, which were later recovered.
The rebels surrendered to the 46th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division under Lt. Col Benjamin A Dao-on, the newly designated battalion commander. The 46th IB is under the operational control of the 1001st Infantry Brigade.
Meanwhile, Col Gilbert Saret, commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade, assured the former rebels of assistance as they return to the mainstream society.
“We would like to welcome our brothers who were victims of NPA exploitation,” Saret said. “We want to assure them that we will assist them as they return to the folds of the law, particularly, in their enrollment with the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program or the E-CLIP,” he added.
Wounded NPA fighter rescued
A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was rescued by the local government unit of Lupon and troops of the 28th Infantry Battalion at the vicinity of Barangay Maragatas, Lupon, Davao Oriental around 9 a.m. on Friday.
Lt. Col. Miguel Ramon, the battalion commander identified him to TIMES as Jason Languban, a resident of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Ramon said the wounded NPA was brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Treatment (SPMC) after he sustained three gunshot wounds on his chest.
On Sept. 13, there was an encounter between troops of 28th IB and NPAs in Barangay Maragatas, which killed one soldier. Troops found the fighter after the clash and rescued him.
In his statement, Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, the commander of 10th Infantry Division, said, “We will always be steadfast in adherence to the provisions on the respect of Human rights, IHL and rule of law.”
“The wounded NPA deserved a chance to live but it doesn’t mean that he will be spared of the crimes he has committed,” Clement added.
http://mindanaotimes.net/4-npa-leaders-surrender-1-hurt-red-fighter-rescued/
Four high-ranking leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) and two members surrendered to the 46th Infantry Battalion in Mabini, Compostela Valley on Friday.
Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, the spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), identified the high-ranking NPA surrenderees were identified as alias Joffrey, political instructor of the Sentro De Grabidad (SDG) Platoon; alias Sander, vice commander of the SDG; alias Anthony, squad leader; alias Arnel, team leader, Abe Squad 1, SDG.
The other surrenderees were identified as alias Renz and alias Tenie, both members of Squad 2, SDG, all of Guerrilla Front 33.
Balagtey said the surrenderees initially turned over four .45 caliber pistols. But they also pointed out where they hid four AK47 rifles, which were later recovered.
The rebels surrendered to the 46th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division under Lt. Col Benjamin A Dao-on, the newly designated battalion commander. The 46th IB is under the operational control of the 1001st Infantry Brigade.
Meanwhile, Col Gilbert Saret, commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade, assured the former rebels of assistance as they return to the mainstream society.
“We would like to welcome our brothers who were victims of NPA exploitation,” Saret said. “We want to assure them that we will assist them as they return to the folds of the law, particularly, in their enrollment with the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program or the E-CLIP,” he added.
Wounded NPA fighter rescued
A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was rescued by the local government unit of Lupon and troops of the 28th Infantry Battalion at the vicinity of Barangay Maragatas, Lupon, Davao Oriental around 9 a.m. on Friday.
Lt. Col. Miguel Ramon, the battalion commander identified him to TIMES as Jason Languban, a resident of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Ramon said the wounded NPA was brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Treatment (SPMC) after he sustained three gunshot wounds on his chest.
On Sept. 13, there was an encounter between troops of 28th IB and NPAs in Barangay Maragatas, which killed one soldier. Troops found the fighter after the clash and rescued him.
In his statement, Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, the commander of 10th Infantry Division, said, “We will always be steadfast in adherence to the provisions on the respect of Human rights, IHL and rule of law.”
“The wounded NPA deserved a chance to live but it doesn’t mean that he will be spared of the crimes he has committed,” Clement added.
http://mindanaotimes.net/4-npa-leaders-surrender-1-hurt-red-fighter-rescued/
7 slain in Patikul, Sulu: encounter? massacre? mistaken identity?
From MindaNews (Sep 16): 7 slain in Patikul, Sulu: encounter? massacre? mistaken identity?
The killing of seven persons in Patikul, Sulu on Friday was a result of an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf, according to the military, but a Moro group says it was massacre of civilians allegedly harvesting mangosteen fruits while a university professor says it was a case of mistaken identity, the victims ending up as ‘collateral damage’ for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Propaganda!,” Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command said, as he dismissed allegations of massacre. He told MindaNews Saturday night via text message that the seven were “ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) talaga mga yun” (all ASG members) and that 17 soldiers were even wounded during the encounter. An earlier press statement from Besana’s office said the soldiers were “slightly wounded.”
Besana said photographs of the seven bodies lined up, which went viral on social media, were taken after they were turned over to the local government unit on Saturday. He said the encounter happened on Friday and the slain victims were all brought to the hospital for forensic examination by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The victims’ families were able to claim the bodies on Saturday.
Besana also dismissed allegations of mistaken identity. “Paano magiging mistaken identity kung one hour and 30 minutes sila nakipagbarilan sa tropa inflicting 17 wounded sa tropa? Pasalamat nga dapat sila kasi dinala ng tropa mga napatay at itinurn over properly sa LGU (local government unit) for proper burial” (How could it have been a mistaken identity when they fought the troops for one hour and 30 minutes and 17 troops were wounded. They should be thankful because the troops brought the bodies and turned them over properly to the LGU for proper burial), he told MindaNews Sunday morning.
Massacre
Suara Bangsamoro (Voice of the Bangsamoro) said what happened Friday was a massacre.
In a statement e-mailed to media outlets late Saturday evening, Jerome Succor Aba, national chair of Suara Bangsamoro, said members of civil society organizations in Sulu identified the victims as “husbands of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Patikul who were shot by elements of scout rangers while harvesting mangosteen fruits in the area.”
Aba said the victims — with ages ranging from 18 to 32, including a high school student — were from Barangay Tambang in Patikul who recently moved to an evacuation site in Barangay Igasan also in Patikul and who sought and were granted permission by the military to go to Sitio Tubig Bato in Barangay Kabuntakas to harvest mangosteen.
“There was an encounter between the Abu Sayaff and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) that day. While they were in Kabuntakas, Scout Rangers mistook the seven as ASG members and captured them,” Aba said, citing reports from the victims’ families in Sulu.
Aba said the victims were still alive “in the hands of the military by noontime, but at around 5:00 in the afternoon, their lifeless bodies were delivered by the AFP to the local police station.”
Encounter
A press statement issued shortly before noon Saturday by Besana’s office, the Western Mindanao Command’s Public Information Office, said soldiers under Task Group Panther led by Lt. Col. Samuel Yunque and Scout Rangers led by Captain Michael Aristores “encountered more or less 100 fully armed Abu Sayyafs under senior leader Radullan Sahiron and sub leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu” at around 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
Besana said three Indonesians kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in January this year were rescued Saturday afternoon.
The press statement said the Joint Task Force Sulu headed by Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, reported seven Abu Sayyaf members killed and six others wounded including Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan who was “seriously hit in his stomach and lower extremities.”
It said 17 soldiers were “slightly wounded” during the encounter due to shrapnel while “more casualties on the enemy side are yet to be determined based on the blood stains spotted in the encounter site.”
The Westmincom said the injured were rushed to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for treatment while the seven cadavers were brought to the hospital for forensic examination and proper disposition.
It said troops recovered from the encounter site — with the seven alleged Abu Sayyaf members — “one M16 rifle, four 5.56 mm magazines, one bandolier, one touchscreen cellular phone, and assorted war materiel and ammunitions.”
“Collateral damage”
A mistaken identity that led to a “collateral damage,” was how Professor Octavio Dinampo, who teaches at the Mindanao State University – Sulu in Patikul town, described what happened Friday.
“There are two things here,” Dinampo told MindaNews in a text message. “First, there was a legitimate encounter between the Army’s Scout Rangers and the groups of Amir Raddulan Sahirun, sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan (of the Abu Sayyaf), resulting to the wounding of five soldiers. Two, the relatives of the seven victims claimed they were actually farm owners who asked the permission of the (military) commanding officer to harvest some fruits.”
“So most probably they were chanced upon by the operating scout rangers and mistaken for ASGs,” Dinampo said.
Dinampo noted that one of the victims was identified as a student of Jallao National High School.
He said what happened was more of “collateral damages than massacre, for being there at the wrong place and time.”
Who is accountable?
Suara Bangsamoro’s Aba said the AFP “should be held accountable for this crime.”
“This is not the first time that the AFP committed an atrocity against civilians while parading the victims as Abu Sayyaf bandits,” he said.
He recalled that in 2005, a family was massacred in Maimbung, Sulu that prompted then Moro National Liberation Front leader Ustadz Habier Malik to “retaliate against the AFP in defense of their communities.”
Aba was likely referring to what has become known as “Ipil Massacre” of eight persons — seven civilians including two children and two teenagers — and an Army soldier on vacation from his post in Cotabato City, in the coastal village of Ipil in Maimbung, Sulu on February 4, 2008.
In late February 2008, the Westmincom’s Judge Advocate General’s Office absolved the suspects – soldiers belonging to the Army’s Light Reaction Company and Navy Special Warfare Group – claiming it was a “legitimate encounter with the Abu Sayyaf.”
Calling CHR
Suara Bangsamoro called on the Commission on Human Rights to investigate what happened in Patikul “and the scores of human rights violations reported by Moro communities in the course of the AFP’s anti-terror operations and martial law in Mindanao.”
It said President Rodrigo Duterte’s “all-out war policy is killing more and more of our Moro brothers and sisters.”
“We are enraged that to appease his Filipino soldiers, he would sacrifice the lives of Moro people by exonerating the perpetrators of the massacre and branding the victims as terrorists,” Suara Bangsamoro said as it held Duterte “responsible for the various human rights violations committed by the military against the Moro people.”
Duterte declared a “state of national emergency owing to lawless violence in Mindanao” on September 4, 2016, two days after the bombing at the Roxas night market in Davao City that left 14 persons dead and 70 others injured. One of the 70, a pregnant woman, died a few days later.
Duterte placed the entire Mindanao — composed of 27 provinces and 33 cities — under martial law on May 23, 2017, Day 1 of the Marawi Siege.
Martial law, supposedly only for 60 days, has been extended twice — until December 31, 2017 and until December 31, 2018, if not extended further.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/09/7-slain-in-patikul-sulu-encounter-massacre-mistaken-identity/
The killing of seven persons in Patikul, Sulu on Friday was a result of an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf, according to the military, but a Moro group says it was massacre of civilians allegedly harvesting mangosteen fruits while a university professor says it was a case of mistaken identity, the victims ending up as ‘collateral damage’ for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Propaganda!,” Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command said, as he dismissed allegations of massacre. He told MindaNews Saturday night via text message that the seven were “ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) talaga mga yun” (all ASG members) and that 17 soldiers were even wounded during the encounter. An earlier press statement from Besana’s office said the soldiers were “slightly wounded.”
Besana said photographs of the seven bodies lined up, which went viral on social media, were taken after they were turned over to the local government unit on Saturday. He said the encounter happened on Friday and the slain victims were all brought to the hospital for forensic examination by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The victims’ families were able to claim the bodies on Saturday.
Besana also dismissed allegations of mistaken identity. “Paano magiging mistaken identity kung one hour and 30 minutes sila nakipagbarilan sa tropa inflicting 17 wounded sa tropa? Pasalamat nga dapat sila kasi dinala ng tropa mga napatay at itinurn over properly sa LGU (local government unit) for proper burial” (How could it have been a mistaken identity when they fought the troops for one hour and 30 minutes and 17 troops were wounded. They should be thankful because the troops brought the bodies and turned them over properly to the LGU for proper burial), he told MindaNews Sunday morning.
Massacre
Suara Bangsamoro (Voice of the Bangsamoro) said what happened Friday was a massacre.
In a statement e-mailed to media outlets late Saturday evening, Jerome Succor Aba, national chair of Suara Bangsamoro, said members of civil society organizations in Sulu identified the victims as “husbands of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Patikul who were shot by elements of scout rangers while harvesting mangosteen fruits in the area.”
Aba said the victims — with ages ranging from 18 to 32, including a high school student — were from Barangay Tambang in Patikul who recently moved to an evacuation site in Barangay Igasan also in Patikul and who sought and were granted permission by the military to go to Sitio Tubig Bato in Barangay Kabuntakas to harvest mangosteen.
“There was an encounter between the Abu Sayaff and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) that day. While they were in Kabuntakas, Scout Rangers mistook the seven as ASG members and captured them,” Aba said, citing reports from the victims’ families in Sulu.
Aba said the victims were still alive “in the hands of the military by noontime, but at around 5:00 in the afternoon, their lifeless bodies were delivered by the AFP to the local police station.”
Encounter
A press statement issued shortly before noon Saturday by Besana’s office, the Western Mindanao Command’s Public Information Office, said soldiers under Task Group Panther led by Lt. Col. Samuel Yunque and Scout Rangers led by Captain Michael Aristores “encountered more or less 100 fully armed Abu Sayyafs under senior leader Radullan Sahiron and sub leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu” at around 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
Besana said three Indonesians kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in January this year were rescued Saturday afternoon.
The press statement said the Joint Task Force Sulu headed by Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, reported seven Abu Sayyaf members killed and six others wounded including Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan who was “seriously hit in his stomach and lower extremities.”
It said 17 soldiers were “slightly wounded” during the encounter due to shrapnel while “more casualties on the enemy side are yet to be determined based on the blood stains spotted in the encounter site.”
The Westmincom said the injured were rushed to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for treatment while the seven cadavers were brought to the hospital for forensic examination and proper disposition.
It said troops recovered from the encounter site — with the seven alleged Abu Sayyaf members — “one M16 rifle, four 5.56 mm magazines, one bandolier, one touchscreen cellular phone, and assorted war materiel and ammunitions.”
“Collateral damage”
A mistaken identity that led to a “collateral damage,” was how Professor Octavio Dinampo, who teaches at the Mindanao State University – Sulu in Patikul town, described what happened Friday.
“There are two things here,” Dinampo told MindaNews in a text message. “First, there was a legitimate encounter between the Army’s Scout Rangers and the groups of Amir Raddulan Sahirun, sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan (of the Abu Sayyaf), resulting to the wounding of five soldiers. Two, the relatives of the seven victims claimed they were actually farm owners who asked the permission of the (military) commanding officer to harvest some fruits.”
“So most probably they were chanced upon by the operating scout rangers and mistaken for ASGs,” Dinampo said.
Dinampo noted that one of the victims was identified as a student of Jallao National High School.
He said what happened was more of “collateral damages than massacre, for being there at the wrong place and time.”
Who is accountable?
Suara Bangsamoro’s Aba said the AFP “should be held accountable for this crime.”
“This is not the first time that the AFP committed an atrocity against civilians while parading the victims as Abu Sayyaf bandits,” he said.
He recalled that in 2005, a family was massacred in Maimbung, Sulu that prompted then Moro National Liberation Front leader Ustadz Habier Malik to “retaliate against the AFP in defense of their communities.”
Aba was likely referring to what has become known as “Ipil Massacre” of eight persons — seven civilians including two children and two teenagers — and an Army soldier on vacation from his post in Cotabato City, in the coastal village of Ipil in Maimbung, Sulu on February 4, 2008.
In late February 2008, the Westmincom’s Judge Advocate General’s Office absolved the suspects – soldiers belonging to the Army’s Light Reaction Company and Navy Special Warfare Group – claiming it was a “legitimate encounter with the Abu Sayyaf.”
Calling CHR
Suara Bangsamoro called on the Commission on Human Rights to investigate what happened in Patikul “and the scores of human rights violations reported by Moro communities in the course of the AFP’s anti-terror operations and martial law in Mindanao.”
It said President Rodrigo Duterte’s “all-out war policy is killing more and more of our Moro brothers and sisters.”
“We are enraged that to appease his Filipino soldiers, he would sacrifice the lives of Moro people by exonerating the perpetrators of the massacre and branding the victims as terrorists,” Suara Bangsamoro said as it held Duterte “responsible for the various human rights violations committed by the military against the Moro people.”
Duterte declared a “state of national emergency owing to lawless violence in Mindanao” on September 4, 2016, two days after the bombing at the Roxas night market in Davao City that left 14 persons dead and 70 others injured. One of the 70, a pregnant woman, died a few days later.
Duterte placed the entire Mindanao — composed of 27 provinces and 33 cities — under martial law on May 23, 2017, Day 1 of the Marawi Siege.
Martial law, supposedly only for 60 days, has been extended twice — until December 31, 2017 and until December 31, 2018, if not extended further.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/09/7-slain-in-patikul-sulu-encounter-massacre-mistaken-identity/
7 injured in GenSan blast; 3rd blast in Region 12 in 3 weeks
From MindaNews (Sep 16): 7 injured in GenSan blast; 3rd blast in Region 12 in 3 weeks
Seven persons, among them a six-year old girl, were wounded in a noontime explosion in nearby General Santos City on Sunday, authorities said.
Sunday’s bombing was the third in Region 12 since the August 28 and September 2 bombings in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province left five persons dead and nearly 50 others injured.
Citing initial reports, Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-12, said the explosion occurred at around 11:40 a.m. outside the TGP Generic Pharmacy at Crossing Makar in Barangay Labangal.
Gonzalez, in a text message, said the still unknown suspect placed the improvised explosive device beside the pharmacy.
The official said that investigations were underway to establish the motive and identify the suspects of the attack.
South Cotabato’s 1st district Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. urged the public to be vigilant in the wake of the explosion.
Acharon said the bombing appeared to “scare than to hurt people.”
Lawyer Arnel Zapatos, city administrator, said the victims were being treated at a local hospital for injuries.
Rushed to the St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment of injuries were 19-year old Jessly Yrome Guyos, 34-year old Lally Jean Alipyo and six-year old Joanna Bless Alipyo — all of Polomolok in South Cotabatp; Filipa Regidor, 63, Marlon Arabia, 30, and Marlou Orabia Yadao — all of Apopong in General Santos City; and John Lenon Calong, 22, of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
General Santos City police chief Sr. Supt. Raul Supiter said the seven are in stable condition.
Powerful explosions rocked Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat on August 28 and September 2. The police and the military blamed the bombings on the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
The region was placed on full red alert following the lethal Isulan blasts.
Region 12 straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/09/7-injured-in-gensan-blast-3rd-blast-in-region-12-in-3-weeks/
Seven persons, among them a six-year old girl, were wounded in a noontime explosion in nearby General Santos City on Sunday, authorities said.
Sunday’s bombing was the third in Region 12 since the August 28 and September 2 bombings in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province left five persons dead and nearly 50 others injured.
Citing initial reports, Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-12, said the explosion occurred at around 11:40 a.m. outside the TGP Generic Pharmacy at Crossing Makar in Barangay Labangal.
Gonzalez, in a text message, said the still unknown suspect placed the improvised explosive device beside the pharmacy.
The official said that investigations were underway to establish the motive and identify the suspects of the attack.
South Cotabato’s 1st district Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. urged the public to be vigilant in the wake of the explosion.
Acharon said the bombing appeared to “scare than to hurt people.”
Lawyer Arnel Zapatos, city administrator, said the victims were being treated at a local hospital for injuries.
Rushed to the St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment of injuries were 19-year old Jessly Yrome Guyos, 34-year old Lally Jean Alipyo and six-year old Joanna Bless Alipyo — all of Polomolok in South Cotabatp; Filipa Regidor, 63, Marlon Arabia, 30, and Marlou Orabia Yadao — all of Apopong in General Santos City; and John Lenon Calong, 22, of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
General Santos City police chief Sr. Supt. Raul Supiter said the seven are in stable condition.
Powerful explosions rocked Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat on August 28 and September 2. The police and the military blamed the bombings on the Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
The region was placed on full red alert following the lethal Isulan blasts.
Region 12 straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/09/7-injured-in-gensan-blast-3rd-blast-in-region-12-in-3-weeks/
Marine killed in Sultan Kudarat clash
From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 16): Marine killed in Sultan Kudarat clash
Marines clashed with communist rebels that left one soldier dead and another injured in southern Philippines, officials said Sunday.
The weekend fighting erupted in the village called Sangay in Sultan Kudarat’s Kalamansig town where members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 fought with the New People’s Army. The soldiers were sent to the area after villagers reported the presence of the insurgents.
“During the encounter, a marine troop suffered a serious injury and died at a hospital in Cotabato City. He paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting terrorism in Central Mindanao. Another troop was also wounded and is already in a stable condition. Both soldiers suffered multiple shrapnel wounds on the different parts of their bodies,” a statement released by the 6th Infantry Division said.
There was no report of enemy casualties.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, division commander, said the operation against the rebels will be relentless and branded the group as terrorists. He also condoled with the family of the slain soldier. He did not release the identities of the casualties.
The rebels have been fighting for many decades now to overthrow the democratic government and establish a communist state.
https://mindanaoexaminer.com/marine-killed-in-sultan-kudarat-clash/
Marines clashed with communist rebels that left one soldier dead and another injured in southern Philippines, officials said Sunday.
The weekend fighting erupted in the village called Sangay in Sultan Kudarat’s Kalamansig town where members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 fought with the New People’s Army. The soldiers were sent to the area after villagers reported the presence of the insurgents.
“During the encounter, a marine troop suffered a serious injury and died at a hospital in Cotabato City. He paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting terrorism in Central Mindanao. Another troop was also wounded and is already in a stable condition. Both soldiers suffered multiple shrapnel wounds on the different parts of their bodies,” a statement released by the 6th Infantry Division said.
There was no report of enemy casualties.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, division commander, said the operation against the rebels will be relentless and branded the group as terrorists. He also condoled with the family of the slain soldier. He did not release the identities of the casualties.
The rebels have been fighting for many decades now to overthrow the democratic government and establish a communist state.
https://mindanaoexaminer.com/marine-killed-in-sultan-kudarat-clash/
RDC, OPAPP lead commemoration of Mount Data Peace Accord on Sept. 13
From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 15): RDC, OPAPP lead commemoration of Mount Data Peace Accord on Sept. 13
Cordillera elders and leaders met with some national officials and other autonomy advocates to commemorate the historic Mount Data Peace Accord this week at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Dubbed as “32 Years of Sipat: A Gathering of Cordillera Peace and Autonomy Advocates,” this year’s commemoration of the peace agreement was brought to the national scene with the staging of the formal program at the PICC on Thursday, September 13.
Thirty two years ago, on Sept. 13, 1986, the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) led by Fr. Conrado Balweg heeded the call for peace by the then President Corazon C. Aquino through the forging of a sipat or the peace agreement at the Mount Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province. A symbolic exchange of peace tokens was done between the government and the rebel force that included a rifle, a rosary, and a bible.
The historic event also paved the way for the government’s recognition of the aspirations for the establishment of an autonomous region of the Cordillera starting off with the issuance of Executive 220 creating the Cordillera Administrative Region as a transition towards autonomous region. Said Cordillera regional autonomy which is mandated under the 1987 Constitution, however, remains elusive.
Regional Development Council (RDC) Vice Chair and NEDA-CAR Regional Director Milagros Rimando said the event intends to gather key personalities who played a crucial role in the peace process and the pursuit of regional autonomy initiatives. It aims to update stakeholders on the state and gains of the peace process in the region as well as the Cordillera autonomy initiatives.
Rimando said the commemoration at the PICC is part of RDC efforts to drumbeat the pursuit of Cordillera regional autonomy at the national level, raise consciousness and gather insights or collective aspirations of the stakeholders relative to regional autonomy.
Among the guests are champions of Cordillera autonomy including Senators JV Ejercito, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Bam Aquino; members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Cordillera congressmen and other Cabinet officials such as Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Sec. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Legislative and Liaison Office (PLLO) Sec. Adelino Sitoy, and Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Raul Lambino.
The activity, which is also in line with National Peace Consciousness Month, is a collaboration of the Cordillera RDC-CAR with OPAPP, PLLO, the Presidential Communications Operations Office and Philippine Information Agency – Cordillera.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1012551
Cordillera elders and leaders met with some national officials and other autonomy advocates to commemorate the historic Mount Data Peace Accord this week at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Dubbed as “32 Years of Sipat: A Gathering of Cordillera Peace and Autonomy Advocates,” this year’s commemoration of the peace agreement was brought to the national scene with the staging of the formal program at the PICC on Thursday, September 13.
Thirty two years ago, on Sept. 13, 1986, the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) led by Fr. Conrado Balweg heeded the call for peace by the then President Corazon C. Aquino through the forging of a sipat or the peace agreement at the Mount Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province. A symbolic exchange of peace tokens was done between the government and the rebel force that included a rifle, a rosary, and a bible.
The historic event also paved the way for the government’s recognition of the aspirations for the establishment of an autonomous region of the Cordillera starting off with the issuance of Executive 220 creating the Cordillera Administrative Region as a transition towards autonomous region. Said Cordillera regional autonomy which is mandated under the 1987 Constitution, however, remains elusive.
Regional Development Council (RDC) Vice Chair and NEDA-CAR Regional Director Milagros Rimando said the event intends to gather key personalities who played a crucial role in the peace process and the pursuit of regional autonomy initiatives. It aims to update stakeholders on the state and gains of the peace process in the region as well as the Cordillera autonomy initiatives.
Rimando said the commemoration at the PICC is part of RDC efforts to drumbeat the pursuit of Cordillera regional autonomy at the national level, raise consciousness and gather insights or collective aspirations of the stakeholders relative to regional autonomy.
Among the guests are champions of Cordillera autonomy including Senators JV Ejercito, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Bam Aquino; members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Cordillera congressmen and other Cabinet officials such as Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Sec. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Legislative and Liaison Office (PLLO) Sec. Adelino Sitoy, and Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Raul Lambino.
The activity, which is also in line with National Peace Consciousness Month, is a collaboration of the Cordillera RDC-CAR with OPAPP, PLLO, the Presidential Communications Operations Office and Philippine Information Agency – Cordillera.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1012551
Ustadz shot while praying in Basilan, survives attack
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 16): Ustadz shot while praying in Basilan, survives attack
A Muslim religious cleric or ustadz was shot while performing a regular prayer inside a masjid (mosque) in Barangay Tipo-tipo Proper in Basilan province at about 7 p.m. Friday.
Tipo-tipo municipal police chief, Insp. Gilbert Gorospe, identified the religious leader as Hasan Sali, 45, resident of Albarka, Basilan, saying he is in stable condition after sustaining a gunshot wound on his right leg.
Sali was about to end the regular Friday Sambayang (prayer) when a lone gunman appeared, shot him using a .45-caliber pistol, and escaped on foot to an unknown direction.
No one in the area was able to identify the suspect.
"Wala kasing kuryente sa area pagdating ng alas-6 ng gabi. Sobrang dilim na ang lugar. Nabigla rin lahat, kaya walang nakahabol sa suspek (There was no electricity at about 6 p.m. The place was dark. Everyone was also surprised, that's why no one was able to react and get the suspect)," Gorospe said in a phone interview.
The victim was brought to the nearest hospital in Isabela for medical treatment.
In August, Rev. Fr. Euclid Balosbalos, the parish priest of Santa Isabel Cathedral Parish in Isabela, Basilan was held up by unidentified suspects.
Police said Balosbalos was driving his motorcycle along Menzi-Cabunbata highway in Barangay Menzi, Isabela, when unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects, who were tailing him, suddenly hit him on the face with a hard object.
The priest sustained bruises all over his body and was immediately brought to a hospital. He survived the attack.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048138
A Muslim religious cleric or ustadz was shot while performing a regular prayer inside a masjid (mosque) in Barangay Tipo-tipo Proper in Basilan province at about 7 p.m. Friday.
Tipo-tipo municipal police chief, Insp. Gilbert Gorospe, identified the religious leader as Hasan Sali, 45, resident of Albarka, Basilan, saying he is in stable condition after sustaining a gunshot wound on his right leg.
Sali was about to end the regular Friday Sambayang (prayer) when a lone gunman appeared, shot him using a .45-caliber pistol, and escaped on foot to an unknown direction.
No one in the area was able to identify the suspect.
"Wala kasing kuryente sa area pagdating ng alas-6 ng gabi. Sobrang dilim na ang lugar. Nabigla rin lahat, kaya walang nakahabol sa suspek (There was no electricity at about 6 p.m. The place was dark. Everyone was also surprised, that's why no one was able to react and get the suspect)," Gorospe said in a phone interview.
The victim was brought to the nearest hospital in Isabela for medical treatment.
In August, Rev. Fr. Euclid Balosbalos, the parish priest of Santa Isabel Cathedral Parish in Isabela, Basilan was held up by unidentified suspects.
Police said Balosbalos was driving his motorcycle along Menzi-Cabunbata highway in Barangay Menzi, Isabela, when unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects, who were tailing him, suddenly hit him on the face with a hard object.
The priest sustained bruises all over his body and was immediately brought to a hospital. He survived the attack.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048138
7 hurt in GenSan bomb blast
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 16): 7 hurt in GenSan bomb blast
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Seven persons were wounded after an improvised bomb exploded before noon Sunday near a row of establishments along the national highway in Barangay Apopong here.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, director of Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen), said the blast occurred at about 11:50 a.m. in front of the Vic Bonito Lying-in Clinic, which is located at a crowded section of the Makar junction.
Rasco said it ripped through the facade of the clinic and nearby establishments, which includes an eatery, pharmacy and a pawnshop.
He said the seven persons sustained minor injuries and were brought to the St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
They were identified as Marlon Orabia, 30; Jerry Guyos, 19; Joana Bless Alipio, 3; Filipa Regidor, 64; Lally Jean Alipio, 34; John Lennon Calang, 22; and Claire Uozola, 24.
Witnesses said an unidentified person reportedly left a bag in front of the clinic minutes before the blast.
A worker at the clinic, who asked not to be named, said she saw a man in front of the establishment “like he was looking for something.”
She said she asked him if he needed something and was told that he was looking where to buy pork.
The witness, who was then with her father, said they waved the man off and proceeded to close the clinic to have their lunch.
Moments after settling down, she said they suddenly heard an explosion in front of the clinic.
Rasco, who rushed to the scene, said initial investigation showed that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device.
“This is (an act of) terrorism. The purpose of the perpetrators is to clearly terrorize the people,” he said.
He said they are looking at possible links to the Aug. 28 and Sept. 2 bomb attacks in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat, which killed five people and injured more than 40 others.
Both incidents were blamed by authorities to alleged terror cells of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
“But we can’t make any conclusion yet as we don’t have the evidences and our investigation is still ongoing,” he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048147
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Seven persons were wounded after an improvised bomb exploded before noon Sunday near a row of establishments along the national highway in Barangay Apopong here.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, director of Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen), said the blast occurred at about 11:50 a.m. in front of the Vic Bonito Lying-in Clinic, which is located at a crowded section of the Makar junction.
Rasco said it ripped through the facade of the clinic and nearby establishments, which includes an eatery, pharmacy and a pawnshop.
He said the seven persons sustained minor injuries and were brought to the St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
They were identified as Marlon Orabia, 30; Jerry Guyos, 19; Joana Bless Alipio, 3; Filipa Regidor, 64; Lally Jean Alipio, 34; John Lennon Calang, 22; and Claire Uozola, 24.
Witnesses said an unidentified person reportedly left a bag in front of the clinic minutes before the blast.
A worker at the clinic, who asked not to be named, said she saw a man in front of the establishment “like he was looking for something.”
She said she asked him if he needed something and was told that he was looking where to buy pork.
The witness, who was then with her father, said they waved the man off and proceeded to close the clinic to have their lunch.
Moments after settling down, she said they suddenly heard an explosion in front of the clinic.
Rasco, who rushed to the scene, said initial investigation showed that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device.
“This is (an act of) terrorism. The purpose of the perpetrators is to clearly terrorize the people,” he said.
He said they are looking at possible links to the Aug. 28 and Sept. 2 bomb attacks in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat, which killed five people and injured more than 40 others.
Both incidents were blamed by authorities to alleged terror cells of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
“But we can’t make any conclusion yet as we don’t have the evidences and our investigation is still ongoing,” he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048147
GenSan placed under ‘Alert Level 4’ after bomb blast
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 16): GenSan placed under ‘Alert Level 4’ after bomb blast
Authorities raised the security alert here following the bomb explosion before noon Sunday near a row of establishments along the national highway in Barangay Apopong that left eight people wounded.
Col. Adonis Bajao, commanding officer of the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan, said the entire city was placed under “Alert Level 4” by the crisis management committee headed by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.
“It was approved (by the mayor). We have doubled our security checkpoints in all entry and exit points,” Bajao said.
Supt. Adrin Gonzales, public information officer of Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen), said the blast occurred at about 11:40 a.m. in front of the TGP Generics Pharmacy on the Makar junction.
He said the explosive was left beside the pharmacy and the Vic Bonito Lying-in Clinic, located at a crowded section of the Makar junction.
The blast ripped through the facade of the clinic and nearby establishments, including a branch of the Brigada Pharmacy and MLhuiller pawnshop.
Seven persons were initially reported as wounded but the PRO-12 updated the number of victims to eight as of 5 p.m.
They were identified as Jeslly Yuonne Guyos, 19, of Polomolok, South Cotabato; Anthon Fallor, 24, of Polomolok; Claire Uozoia, 24, of Koronadal City; Joana Bless Alipio, 6, of Barangay Glamang, Polomolok; Lanie Alipio 34, of Glamang, Polomolok; John Lenon Calary, 22, of Sultan Kudarat province; Felipa Regios, 63, of Barangay Apopong here; and Marlon Yadao Orabia, 30, of Olaer, Barangay Apopong.
The victims, who were brought to the St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment, sustained “non-critical” injuries, PRO-12 said.
Witnesses said two unidentified persons who came on board a motorcycle were seen near the scene minutes before the explosion.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, PRO-12 director, said their initial investigation showed that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device.
The police official said he has ordered the full use of resources to track down the suspects and facilitate the immediate resolution of the case.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048157
Authorities raised the security alert here following the bomb explosion before noon Sunday near a row of establishments along the national highway in Barangay Apopong that left eight people wounded.
Col. Adonis Bajao, commanding officer of the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan, said the entire city was placed under “Alert Level 4” by the crisis management committee headed by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.
“It was approved (by the mayor). We have doubled our security checkpoints in all entry and exit points,” Bajao said.
Supt. Adrin Gonzales, public information officer of Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen), said the blast occurred at about 11:40 a.m. in front of the TGP Generics Pharmacy on the Makar junction.
He said the explosive was left beside the pharmacy and the Vic Bonito Lying-in Clinic, located at a crowded section of the Makar junction.
The blast ripped through the facade of the clinic and nearby establishments, including a branch of the Brigada Pharmacy and MLhuiller pawnshop.
Seven persons were initially reported as wounded but the PRO-12 updated the number of victims to eight as of 5 p.m.
They were identified as Jeslly Yuonne Guyos, 19, of Polomolok, South Cotabato; Anthon Fallor, 24, of Polomolok; Claire Uozoia, 24, of Koronadal City; Joana Bless Alipio, 6, of Barangay Glamang, Polomolok; Lanie Alipio 34, of Glamang, Polomolok; John Lenon Calary, 22, of Sultan Kudarat province; Felipa Regios, 63, of Barangay Apopong here; and Marlon Yadao Orabia, 30, of Olaer, Barangay Apopong.
The victims, who were brought to the St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment, sustained “non-critical” injuries, PRO-12 said.
Witnesses said two unidentified persons who came on board a motorcycle were seen near the scene minutes before the explosion.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, PRO-12 director, said their initial investigation showed that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device.
The police official said he has ordered the full use of resources to track down the suspects and facilitate the immediate resolution of the case.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048157
Blast rocks NoCot town: no one hurt
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 16): Blast rocks NoCot town: no one hurt
Barely eight hours after an improvised bomb exploded in General Santos City that injured eight persons, another improvised explosive device (IED) was set off in the Central Mindanao region, this time inside a videoke bar in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
“Nobody was hurt and bomb experts are still conducting post-blast investigation,” said Senior Inspector Jumrell Amotan, Midsayap town deputy police chief.
Amotan said the blast occurred at around 7:15 p.m. inside Theresa’s Place Videoke Bar in Barangay Poblacion 4.
The videoke bar’s caretaker told police investigators that three men arrived onboard a motorcycle and ordered a one-liter bottle of soft drinks and bread.
A few minutes later, the three men, about 25 to 30 years old, left. The caretaker asked them why they were in a hurry and one of them said they were done. The bar has no other customers at that time.
As soon as the three men left, a loud explosion ripped through the videoke bar made of light materials. It was located about 50 meters away from the Midsayap police office.
The Midsayap bombing was preceded by an IED explosion shortly before noon Sunday on Makar junction in General Santos City that wounded eight people.
The military and police implemented a lockdown of Cotabato City following the Midsayap blast and earlier explosion in General Santos City.
Halima Satol Ibrahim, city information officer, said the lockdown was a “joint decision” of the city government of Cotabato, military and police authorities to ensure the safety of residents from lawless elements that have resorted to terrorism.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048163
Barely eight hours after an improvised bomb exploded in General Santos City that injured eight persons, another improvised explosive device (IED) was set off in the Central Mindanao region, this time inside a videoke bar in Midsayap, North Cotabato.
“Nobody was hurt and bomb experts are still conducting post-blast investigation,” said Senior Inspector Jumrell Amotan, Midsayap town deputy police chief.
Amotan said the blast occurred at around 7:15 p.m. inside Theresa’s Place Videoke Bar in Barangay Poblacion 4.
The videoke bar’s caretaker told police investigators that three men arrived onboard a motorcycle and ordered a one-liter bottle of soft drinks and bread.
A few minutes later, the three men, about 25 to 30 years old, left. The caretaker asked them why they were in a hurry and one of them said they were done. The bar has no other customers at that time.
As soon as the three men left, a loud explosion ripped through the videoke bar made of light materials. It was located about 50 meters away from the Midsayap police office.
The Midsayap bombing was preceded by an IED explosion shortly before noon Sunday on Makar junction in General Santos City that wounded eight people.
The military and police implemented a lockdown of Cotabato City following the Midsayap blast and earlier explosion in General Santos City.
Halima Satol Ibrahim, city information officer, said the lockdown was a “joint decision” of the city government of Cotabato, military and police authorities to ensure the safety of residents from lawless elements that have resorted to terrorism.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048163
Joint Task Force Sulu lauded for anti-ASG ops
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 16): Joint Task Force Sulu lauded for anti-ASG ops
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recognized Joint Task Force Sulu for its successful "focus military operation" in Barangay Bakong, Patikul town that resulted in the death of seven Abu Sayyaf Group bandits on Friday.
"The AFP Leadership commends the operating units from Joint Task Force Sulu under Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo for successful 'focus military operations' in a known Abu Sayyaf terrorist lair in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu on Friday at around 1:30 in the afternoon," AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said in statement Sunday.
Some seven ASG terrorists were killed while 17 troops were wounded by shrapnel in the firefight, which lasted one-and-a-half hours.
"We praise the combat skills of our soldiers in seizing the element of surprise and firepower," Arevalo said.
“They were unfazed by volleys of retaliatory fire from more or less 100 Abu Sayyaf terrorists under (ASG) senior leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan."
Reports added that six other ASG member were wounded, among them were sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who was hit in his stomach and lower extremities.
"We stand firm in our report that this was a legitimate encounter, contrary to enemy propaganda that it was a 'massacre'," Arevalo said.
He added the encounter site is a notorious ASG territory well-established by military and human intelligence.
"The folks of Patikul knows it very well, such that no civilian dared to go or pass by the place," he added.
Recovered were one M16 rifle, four magazines for 5.56mm, one bandolier, one civilian pack, four cellphones, eight pieces of syringe, IED components (9 Volts battery, one blasting cap w/ wire), 161 pieces of live 5.56 rounds, four pieces 7.62mm rounds, one empty 50 caliber rounds, two boxes of empty M249 ammunition, 23 empty shells of 40mm, and assorted personal belongings of the bandits.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048134
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recognized Joint Task Force Sulu for its successful "focus military operation" in Barangay Bakong, Patikul town that resulted in the death of seven Abu Sayyaf Group bandits on Friday.
"The AFP Leadership commends the operating units from Joint Task Force Sulu under Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo for successful 'focus military operations' in a known Abu Sayyaf terrorist lair in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu on Friday at around 1:30 in the afternoon," AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said in statement Sunday.
Some seven ASG terrorists were killed while 17 troops were wounded by shrapnel in the firefight, which lasted one-and-a-half hours.
"We praise the combat skills of our soldiers in seizing the element of surprise and firepower," Arevalo said.
“They were unfazed by volleys of retaliatory fire from more or less 100 Abu Sayyaf terrorists under (ASG) senior leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan."
Reports added that six other ASG member were wounded, among them were sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who was hit in his stomach and lower extremities.
"We stand firm in our report that this was a legitimate encounter, contrary to enemy propaganda that it was a 'massacre'," Arevalo said.
He added the encounter site is a notorious ASG territory well-established by military and human intelligence.
"The folks of Patikul knows it very well, such that no civilian dared to go or pass by the place," he added.
Recovered were one M16 rifle, four magazines for 5.56mm, one bandolier, one civilian pack, four cellphones, eight pieces of syringe, IED components (9 Volts battery, one blasting cap w/ wire), 161 pieces of live 5.56 rounds, four pieces 7.62mm rounds, one empty 50 caliber rounds, two boxes of empty M249 ammunition, 23 empty shells of 40mm, and assorted personal belongings of the bandits.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048134
PRRD eyes Army chief as next NFA administrator
From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 16): PRRD eyes Army chief as next NFA administrator
President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his desire to appoint Philippine Army (PA) Chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista as next administrator of the National Food Authority (NFA).
During the situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon Ompong in Tuguegarao on Sunday, Duterte asked Bautista to take over the NFA after the latter’s retirement from the military on October 15.
“Mabait yan si Rolly (Rolly is kind). In the meantime na hindi kita mailagay sa (that I cannot put you in the) central bank, pwede ka muna sa NFA siguro (perhaps you can go to NFA). Rationalize the idiotic,” he said.
The President’s first marching order to the outgoing PA chief is to make NFA structural to address the country’s rice supply.
He said he needs someone whom he could trust to handle NFA.
“There’s the problem because there’s a dearth of a substantial knowledge of where the rice is. That’s (why) I need somebody I can trust at masasabihan ko na (to whom I could say), ‘Fix that,’” Duterte said.
“Wala naman ako mailagay, si Bautista muna come October (I can’t find someone to put there. Bautista first, come October),” he added.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that Bautista’s appointment as NFA administrator will take effect on October 15.
Duterte earlier announced that incumbent NFA Adminstrator Jason Aquino has requested to be replaced.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048154
President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his desire to appoint Philippine Army (PA) Chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista as next administrator of the National Food Authority (NFA).
During the situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon Ompong in Tuguegarao on Sunday, Duterte asked Bautista to take over the NFA after the latter’s retirement from the military on October 15.
“Mabait yan si Rolly (Rolly is kind). In the meantime na hindi kita mailagay sa (that I cannot put you in the) central bank, pwede ka muna sa NFA siguro (perhaps you can go to NFA). Rationalize the idiotic,” he said.
The President’s first marching order to the outgoing PA chief is to make NFA structural to address the country’s rice supply.
He said he needs someone whom he could trust to handle NFA.
“There’s the problem because there’s a dearth of a substantial knowledge of where the rice is. That’s (why) I need somebody I can trust at masasabihan ko na (to whom I could say), ‘Fix that,’” Duterte said.
“Wala naman ako mailagay, si Bautista muna come October (I can’t find someone to put there. Bautista first, come October),” he added.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that Bautista’s appointment as NFA administrator will take effect on October 15.
Duterte earlier announced that incumbent NFA Adminstrator Jason Aquino has requested to be replaced.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1048154