From Politiko Mindanao (Nov 1): Duterte wants Bangsamoro Law plebiscite to succeed before dealing with Misuari
President Rodrigo Duterte wants the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to be ratified by the Bangsamoro people before he negotiates again with Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari.
In a speech in Cagayan De Oro City Wednesday (October 31), Duterte reiterated his desire to forge peace with Moros.
“I hope the plebiscite would push through and the — for the yes votes to win so that I can deal again with the… And then Misuari, we will talk but we will no longer join that. When the time comes, let us talk,” he said.
“So I pray that the BOL will push through. Inshallah. And after that I will deal with Misuari,” Duterte added.
The BOL will grant greater political power and autonomy to the people of the area currently known as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The MNLF, however, is against the law and wants the government to follow instead the 1996 peace agreement that led to ARMM’s creation.
http://mindanao.politics.com.ph/duterte-wants-bangsamoro-law-plebiscite-to-succeed-before-dealing-with-misuari/
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Sison accuses Duterte of siding with oligarchs
From the pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Nov 1): Sison accuses Duterte of siding with oligarchs
“No amount of pretending to distribute land ownership certificates, be these token or fake, can cover up his selfish and ugly role as an ultra-reactionary part of the oligarchy.”
This was the reaction of Community Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison to the pronouncement of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte who in his speech here Wednesday evening belittled the revolutionary struggle waged by the Communist rebels in the country.
Duterte visited the city to lead the distribution of the Certificates of Land Owners Award (CLOAs) to some 3,400 agrarian beneficiaries, covering 5,808 hectares, in Northern Mindanao, at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines on Wednesday.
Despite Duterte’s “supposed familiarity with the revolutionary movement in the Southern Mindanao region,” Sison said, the President pretends “not to know the great achievements of the movement and its government in mass organizing, public education, land reform, production, health care delivery, cultural work, disaster relief and rehabilitation and other endeavors for the benefit of the people.”
Sison was referring to Duterte’s statement that the CPP and its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) “haven’t done anything… everything that you died for, the idea, your theology and politics, all of it came from Sison’s brain.”
Duterte also took a stab at the demand of the Communist insurgents for land and remarked about what happened in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, where nine sugarcane farmers were killed by armed men on October 20.
“To my brothers and sisters who are with the NPA, if you want land distribution, slow down and wait because we will claim even the privately-owned lands, but we will do it in accordance with the law,” Duterte said.
Following the shooting in Sagay, Duterte said he has ordered Agrarian Reform Sec. John Castriciones to prioritize the distribution of lands covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in Negros and elsewhere.
“I told him to give everything up for land reform there in Bacolod. For the beneficiaries who were unable to benefit from it, I ordered Secretary Castriciones to give it away. But don’t steal and kill people because if you do, my order to the police and the military is to have you evicted,” the President cautioned.
Duterte said he would give the lands to qualified beneficiaries, but told them it can’t be done overnight and that there was no need for forcible occupation of such properties.
“Just wait because I can’t speed things up,” he said.
In contrast, Sison said, “Duterte has been a brutal and corrupt bureaucrat capitalist serving the interest of foreign corporations, the big compradors and landlords in plantations, logging, and mining.”
By making false charges of murder against the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) in Negros Occidental, Sison said Duterte is turning the victims of the Sagay massacre into culprits because he is in cahoots with the big landlords in Negros.
“Duterte is using the brute power of the state to defend his fellow landlords and cover up their crimes against the farm workers and peasants,” the Communist leader said.
In a statement last week, the NFSW has accused a private armed group with links to some “power landlords” as the ones responsible for carrying out attack in Sagay.
http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/sison-accuses-duterte-of-siding-with-oligarchs/
“No amount of pretending to distribute land ownership certificates, be these token or fake, can cover up his selfish and ugly role as an ultra-reactionary part of the oligarchy.”
This was the reaction of Community Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison to the pronouncement of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte who in his speech here Wednesday evening belittled the revolutionary struggle waged by the Communist rebels in the country.
Duterte visited the city to lead the distribution of the Certificates of Land Owners Award (CLOAs) to some 3,400 agrarian beneficiaries, covering 5,808 hectares, in Northern Mindanao, at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines on Wednesday.
Despite Duterte’s “supposed familiarity with the revolutionary movement in the Southern Mindanao region,” Sison said, the President pretends “not to know the great achievements of the movement and its government in mass organizing, public education, land reform, production, health care delivery, cultural work, disaster relief and rehabilitation and other endeavors for the benefit of the people.”
Sison was referring to Duterte’s statement that the CPP and its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) “haven’t done anything… everything that you died for, the idea, your theology and politics, all of it came from Sison’s brain.”
Duterte also took a stab at the demand of the Communist insurgents for land and remarked about what happened in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, where nine sugarcane farmers were killed by armed men on October 20.
“To my brothers and sisters who are with the NPA, if you want land distribution, slow down and wait because we will claim even the privately-owned lands, but we will do it in accordance with the law,” Duterte said.
Following the shooting in Sagay, Duterte said he has ordered Agrarian Reform Sec. John Castriciones to prioritize the distribution of lands covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in Negros and elsewhere.
“I told him to give everything up for land reform there in Bacolod. For the beneficiaries who were unable to benefit from it, I ordered Secretary Castriciones to give it away. But don’t steal and kill people because if you do, my order to the police and the military is to have you evicted,” the President cautioned.
Duterte said he would give the lands to qualified beneficiaries, but told them it can’t be done overnight and that there was no need for forcible occupation of such properties.
“Just wait because I can’t speed things up,” he said.
In contrast, Sison said, “Duterte has been a brutal and corrupt bureaucrat capitalist serving the interest of foreign corporations, the big compradors and landlords in plantations, logging, and mining.”
By making false charges of murder against the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) in Negros Occidental, Sison said Duterte is turning the victims of the Sagay massacre into culprits because he is in cahoots with the big landlords in Negros.
“Duterte is using the brute power of the state to defend his fellow landlords and cover up their crimes against the farm workers and peasants,” the Communist leader said.
In a statement last week, the NFSW has accused a private armed group with links to some “power landlords” as the ones responsible for carrying out attack in Sagay.
http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/sison-accuses-duterte-of-siding-with-oligarchs/
Sulu questions Bangsamoro law, asks SC to stop plebiscite
From MindaNews (Oct 31): Sulu questions Bangsamoro law, asks SC to stop plebiscite
Barely three months before its scheduled ratification, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the Organic Law on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao.
Through Governor Abdusakur Tan II, the Province of Sulu submitted a 48-page petition this month asking the high tribunal to declare Republic Act No. 11054 unconstitutional and stop the conduct of a plebiscite set on January 21 next year.
Named respondents in the petition are Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Commission on Elections, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
It asked for certiorari and prohibition with a request for temporary restraining order to prevent the Comelec from holding the plebiscite.
‘Only one organic act’
The petition argued that the law cannot abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and replace it with a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) because the Constitution allows only one organic act to establish an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.
“Since ARMM is created by Constitutional fiat, Congress, by itself, has absolutely no authority to abolish ARMM. Only through an amendment of the Constitution may ARMM be abolished. This is so, because only the Constitution may create or abolish an autonomous region,” it said.
Questions on plebiscite
The petition questioned the law’s provision on the plebiscite that the votes of the provinces and cities under the ARMM will be treated as “one geographical area.”
“[T]o consider the provinces and cities of the ARMM as one geographical area for purposes of voting in the plebiscite to ratify the BOL violates the constitutional requirement enshrined in Section 18, 2nd paragraph, Article X of the Constitution that the creation of the autonomous region shall be effective when approved by majority of the votes cast by the constituent units in a plebiscite called for the purpose,” it said.
ARMM comprises the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
‘Why MILF?’
The petition also questioned the designation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as head of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to the prejudice of other rebel groups in Mindanao, as well as Muslims and non-Muslims who are not MILF members.
MILF supporters shout the Takbir during the Consultative Assembly on the Bangsamoro Organic Law inside Camp Darapanan in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on 29 July 2018. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
“Without a doubt, Section 2, Article XVI of BOL was included in the law solely for the purpose of placing the MILF in a class of its own, to the exclusion of others similarly situated, in violation of the equal protection clause mandated by our Constitution,” it said.
After the ratification of the Bangsamoro law, the ARMM is deemed abolished and the BTA will assume as caretaker government until the holding of regular elections for the region in 2022.
‘Due diligence’ in crafting the law
Dureza, in a statement issued on Monday, expressed confidence the Bangsamoro law can withstand the constitutionality test.
“The Bangsamoro Transition Commission that drafted the Bangsamoro Organic Law complied with President Duterte’s directive that it will comply with all previously signed agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms,” he said
“Both chambers of Congress, the Senate and the House and their legal minds painstakingly worked on the law. They scrutinized its fine points and fine- tuned them taking into account the landmark decisions of the Supreme Court and drew from the lessons of the past. There was also due diligence done by the legal minds of the executive department before the President affixed his signature to RA 11054,” he added.
He said he was leaving the fate of the law in the hands of the SC.
‘More than just a law’
Mohagher Iqbal, chief peace negotiator of the MILF, said they’re hoping that “altruistic reasons drove him (Tan) rather than prolonging a political career.”
“The BOL is more than a piece of legislation. It is a product of the 17 years of difficult peace negotiations and four years of arduous drafting and consultation process with a variety of stakeholders in the Bangsamoro as well as eminent constitutionalists and legal experts. The BOL hopes to fulfill the Bangsamoro’s right to self-determination, address the historical grievances of the Bangsamoro people and introduce necessary reforms to promote good governance and improve the delivery of services in a region gravely affected by decades-long conflict.
“The BOL, compared to RA 9054 and RA 6734, has provisions that will grant the Bangsamoro people, including the Sulu province, the opportunity to chart their political, economic and social future. Surely, the Sulu governor can see value in that?” Iqbal said.
“We can only hope that the honorable men and women of the high court would see that the BOL will help reinforce and strengthen the political and legal foundation of just and lasting peace in the region. Moreover, it was deliberated upon and approved by the Congress’ best legal minds who are also confident that the BOL can stand the test of constitutionality in the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will remain committed to the peace process and work with various stakeholders in Mindanao,” he added.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/10/sulu-questions-bangsamoro-law-asks-sc-to-stop-plebiscite/
Barely three months before its scheduled ratification, a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the Organic Law on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao.
Through Governor Abdusakur Tan II, the Province of Sulu submitted a 48-page petition this month asking the high tribunal to declare Republic Act No. 11054 unconstitutional and stop the conduct of a plebiscite set on January 21 next year.
Named respondents in the petition are Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Commission on Elections, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
It asked for certiorari and prohibition with a request for temporary restraining order to prevent the Comelec from holding the plebiscite.
‘Only one organic act’
The petition argued that the law cannot abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and replace it with a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) because the Constitution allows only one organic act to establish an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.
“Since ARMM is created by Constitutional fiat, Congress, by itself, has absolutely no authority to abolish ARMM. Only through an amendment of the Constitution may ARMM be abolished. This is so, because only the Constitution may create or abolish an autonomous region,” it said.
Questions on plebiscite
The petition questioned the law’s provision on the plebiscite that the votes of the provinces and cities under the ARMM will be treated as “one geographical area.”
“[T]o consider the provinces and cities of the ARMM as one geographical area for purposes of voting in the plebiscite to ratify the BOL violates the constitutional requirement enshrined in Section 18, 2nd paragraph, Article X of the Constitution that the creation of the autonomous region shall be effective when approved by majority of the votes cast by the constituent units in a plebiscite called for the purpose,” it said.
ARMM comprises the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
‘Why MILF?’
The petition also questioned the designation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as head of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to the prejudice of other rebel groups in Mindanao, as well as Muslims and non-Muslims who are not MILF members.
MILF supporters shout the Takbir during the Consultative Assembly on the Bangsamoro Organic Law inside Camp Darapanan in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on 29 July 2018. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
“Without a doubt, Section 2, Article XVI of BOL was included in the law solely for the purpose of placing the MILF in a class of its own, to the exclusion of others similarly situated, in violation of the equal protection clause mandated by our Constitution,” it said.
After the ratification of the Bangsamoro law, the ARMM is deemed abolished and the BTA will assume as caretaker government until the holding of regular elections for the region in 2022.
‘Due diligence’ in crafting the law
Dureza, in a statement issued on Monday, expressed confidence the Bangsamoro law can withstand the constitutionality test.
“The Bangsamoro Transition Commission that drafted the Bangsamoro Organic Law complied with President Duterte’s directive that it will comply with all previously signed agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms,” he said
“Both chambers of Congress, the Senate and the House and their legal minds painstakingly worked on the law. They scrutinized its fine points and fine- tuned them taking into account the landmark decisions of the Supreme Court and drew from the lessons of the past. There was also due diligence done by the legal minds of the executive department before the President affixed his signature to RA 11054,” he added.
He said he was leaving the fate of the law in the hands of the SC.
‘More than just a law’
Mohagher Iqbal, chief peace negotiator of the MILF, said they’re hoping that “altruistic reasons drove him (Tan) rather than prolonging a political career.”
“The BOL is more than a piece of legislation. It is a product of the 17 years of difficult peace negotiations and four years of arduous drafting and consultation process with a variety of stakeholders in the Bangsamoro as well as eminent constitutionalists and legal experts. The BOL hopes to fulfill the Bangsamoro’s right to self-determination, address the historical grievances of the Bangsamoro people and introduce necessary reforms to promote good governance and improve the delivery of services in a region gravely affected by decades-long conflict.
“The BOL, compared to RA 9054 and RA 6734, has provisions that will grant the Bangsamoro people, including the Sulu province, the opportunity to chart their political, economic and social future. Surely, the Sulu governor can see value in that?” Iqbal said.
“We can only hope that the honorable men and women of the high court would see that the BOL will help reinforce and strengthen the political and legal foundation of just and lasting peace in the region. Moreover, it was deliberated upon and approved by the Congress’ best legal minds who are also confident that the BOL can stand the test of constitutionality in the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will remain committed to the peace process and work with various stakeholders in Mindanao,” he added.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/10/sulu-questions-bangsamoro-law-asks-sc-to-stop-plebiscite/
Duterte asks communists to stop occupying lands
From MindaNews (Nov 1): Duterte asks communists to stop occupying lands
President Rodrigo R. Duterte asked communists to stop occupying lands that are “already owned” and urged them instead to wait because he will distribute lands eventually through legal means.
President Duterte in Cagayan de Oro City. Presidential Photo
In his speech in Cagayan de Oro City Thursday during the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAS) to farmers in Mindanao – a transcript of which was provided by the Presidential Communications Operations Office – the President also warned the communists and their allies that he will have them shot or arrested by authorities if they continue to illegally occupy properties.
“To my brothers and sisters who are with the NPA, if you want land distribution, slow down and wait because we will claim even the privately-owned lands, but we will do it in accordance with the law.” he said.
He said that “the communists are acting up now” such that “if they see a vacant lot, they occupy it.”
Duterte warned that if they occupy lands again, law enforcers will “pick you up and if you resist… you will get bruised. I told [authorities] that if a person who is armed resists, kill them.”
He pointed out that the communists were fooled by Jose Ma. Sison’s ideals.
Duterte assured them that they will get their lands in due time but he urged them to give him some time because he could not hasten everything.
“Entering a piece of land, you seize everything and pretend to be the owner. Don’t do that. Just wait because I can’t speed things up,” he said.
He told members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) to stop from illegally taking over private and government-owned properties and make the government appear “inutile.”
“Don’t steal lands that already have tenants. The Kadamay would steal even the housing units in Bulacan that I had made for the soldiers and the poor. They tried to get as much as they could,” he said.
Duterte said Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones has been directed to distribute available government-owned properties that are not reserved for schools.
The President distributed 2,331 CLOAs, covering at least 5,808 hectares of agricultural lands, to more than 3,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Northern Mindanao on Wednesday.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/11/duterte-asks-communists-to-stop-occupying-lands/
President Rodrigo R. Duterte asked communists to stop occupying lands that are “already owned” and urged them instead to wait because he will distribute lands eventually through legal means.
President Duterte in Cagayan de Oro City. Presidential Photo
In his speech in Cagayan de Oro City Thursday during the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAS) to farmers in Mindanao – a transcript of which was provided by the Presidential Communications Operations Office – the President also warned the communists and their allies that he will have them shot or arrested by authorities if they continue to illegally occupy properties.
“To my brothers and sisters who are with the NPA, if you want land distribution, slow down and wait because we will claim even the privately-owned lands, but we will do it in accordance with the law.” he said.
He said that “the communists are acting up now” such that “if they see a vacant lot, they occupy it.”
Duterte warned that if they occupy lands again, law enforcers will “pick you up and if you resist… you will get bruised. I told [authorities] that if a person who is armed resists, kill them.”
He pointed out that the communists were fooled by Jose Ma. Sison’s ideals.
Duterte assured them that they will get their lands in due time but he urged them to give him some time because he could not hasten everything.
“Entering a piece of land, you seize everything and pretend to be the owner. Don’t do that. Just wait because I can’t speed things up,” he said.
He told members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) to stop from illegally taking over private and government-owned properties and make the government appear “inutile.”
“Don’t steal lands that already have tenants. The Kadamay would steal even the housing units in Bulacan that I had made for the soldiers and the poor. They tried to get as much as they could,” he said.
Duterte said Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones has been directed to distribute available government-owned properties that are not reserved for schools.
The President distributed 2,331 CLOAs, covering at least 5,808 hectares of agricultural lands, to more than 3,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Northern Mindanao on Wednesday.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/11/duterte-asks-communists-to-stop-occupying-lands/
Islamic State finds safe haven in the Philippines
Posted to the Asia Times (Nov 1): Islamic State finds safe haven in the Philippines (By Bong Sarmiento)
One year after the siege of Marawi, Islamic State militants from around the world continue to stream into the southern Philippine island of Mindanao
One year after the siege of Marawi, Islamic State militants from around the world continue to stream into the southern Philippine island of Mindanao
Islamic State fighters in a radicalization video clip targeting the Philippines. Photo: YouTube
Despite Islamic State’s failure last year to establish a caliphate in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, foreign militants continue to flock to the island of Mindanao, waiting in the wings to strike anew.
Security analysts and military officials say at least 100 foreign terrorist fighters are now holed up with a range of local armed groups that have pledged their allegiance to Islamic State.
Filipino troops needed five months to flush out Islamic State-allied Maute and Abu Sayyaf fighters from their positions in Marawi, which one year later has yet to rise from the ashes of the urban war that left its core in ruins.
Rommel Banlaoi, chair of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, claims in an interview with Asia Times that Islamic State foreign fighters are now streaming into Mindanao and that the situation is “getting worse.”
His claim is based on information he collected over several months from state security agencies. “The entry of FTFs (foreign terrorist fighters) to the Philippines continues despite the liberation of Marawi,” Banlaoi told the Asia Times on October 30.
He also says that at least 60 have been identified by state agents through their aliases, while nearly 30 others are unidentified.
Despite Islamic State’s failure last year to establish a caliphate in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, foreign militants continue to flock to the island of Mindanao, waiting in the wings to strike anew.
Security analysts and military officials say at least 100 foreign terrorist fighters are now holed up with a range of local armed groups that have pledged their allegiance to Islamic State.
Filipino troops needed five months to flush out Islamic State-allied Maute and Abu Sayyaf fighters from their positions in Marawi, which one year later has yet to rise from the ashes of the urban war that left its core in ruins.
Rommel Banlaoi, chair of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, claims in an interview with Asia Times that Islamic State foreign fighters are now streaming into Mindanao and that the situation is “getting worse.”
His claim is based on information he collected over several months from state security agencies. “The entry of FTFs (foreign terrorist fighters) to the Philippines continues despite the liberation of Marawi,” Banlaoi told the Asia Times on October 30.
He also says that at least 60 have been identified by state agents through their aliases, while nearly 30 others are unidentified.
A Filipino soldier lies on a mattress as government troops fought the Islamic State-aligned Maute group in Marawi, Philippines July 1, 2017. Photo: Reuters/Jorge Silva
The figure is significantly higher than the 48 foreign fighters that the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ intelligence unit said were operating in Mindanao as of January 2018.
A repeat of last year’s months-long siege would be disastrous for the Philippines and the wider region. The urban war left some 1,100 individuals dead, mostly Islamist gunmen, including 32 foreign fighters, according to the Philippine military.
Over 350,000 civilians were displaced by the war that began on May 23 last year, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to place all of Mindanao under rights-curbing martial law. The order will remain in effect until the end of this year.
Duterte, the country’s first president from Mindanao who claims to have meranaw (Marawi residents refer to themselves as such) roots, declared the liberation of Marawi on October 17, 2017.
More than one year on, though, some 70,000 civilians have yet to return to Marawi’s 250-hectare ground zero, a restriction that has fed local anger and resentment in evacuation centers that have emerged as militant recruitment grounds.
The figure is significantly higher than the 48 foreign fighters that the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ intelligence unit said were operating in Mindanao as of January 2018.
A repeat of last year’s months-long siege would be disastrous for the Philippines and the wider region. The urban war left some 1,100 individuals dead, mostly Islamist gunmen, including 32 foreign fighters, according to the Philippine military.
Over 350,000 civilians were displaced by the war that began on May 23 last year, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to place all of Mindanao under rights-curbing martial law. The order will remain in effect until the end of this year.
Duterte, the country’s first president from Mindanao who claims to have meranaw (Marawi residents refer to themselves as such) roots, declared the liberation of Marawi on October 17, 2017.
More than one year on, though, some 70,000 civilians have yet to return to Marawi’s 250-hectare ground zero, a restriction that has fed local anger and resentment in evacuation centers that have emerged as militant recruitment grounds.
Damaged houses and buildings at Marawi city’s ground zero, October 22, 2017. Photo: Reuters/Romeo Ranoco
Foreign Islamic State fighters often pose as tourists, students overstaying their visas, foreign workers or economic migrants, and at least 10 of them have been arrested since the start of this year, Banlaoi said.
Foreign Islamic State fighters have recently arrived in Mindanao from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, Spain, France, Tunisia, Iraq, Somali, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China, he says, based on government monitoring of the movements.
Most are coming from neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia, using Mindanao’s maritime backdoor through the seas of Sulu and Celebes, known as the Sulawesi Sea in Indonesia.
The Malaysian terror suspects usually enter the southern Philippines through the province of Tawi-Tawi from the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo Island, while the Indonesians tend to come through the provinces of Davao Occidental and Sarangani from North Sulawesi.
The three neighboring nations share broad maritime borders in what is considered the second busiest shipping trade route in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“The FTFs regard Mindanao as the new land of jihad, safe haven and alternative home base,” Banlaoi said. “They join local groups to wage jihad in the Philippines on behalf of the Islamic State.”
The foreign Islamic State fighters are luring local militants with the promise of an East Asian Wilaya, or Islamic province, after the failure to establish one in Mindanao after their defeat in Marawi, Banlaoi said.
The Abu Sayyaf Group based in Basilan and Sulu, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters based in Maguindanao, the Ansar Al-Khilafa Philippines based in Sarangani, and the Abu Dar Group in Lanao del Sur, a remnant of the Maute Group, are all coddling the foreign fighters, he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command, said Islamic State continues to inspire local Muslim armed groups despite their military defeat last year at Marawi.
He also said that foreigners who pledge allegiance to the Islamic State continue to join local Islamic militant groups, confirming Banlaoi’s assessment.
“Some of these foreign terrorists are coming in through our porous borders,” Besana said, referring to the Sulu and Sulawesi seas that the Philippines shares with Malaysia and Indonesia.
The military official said the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have intensified joint navy patrols in border waters in a multilateral cooperation to fight terror threats.
Foreign Islamic State fighters often pose as tourists, students overstaying their visas, foreign workers or economic migrants, and at least 10 of them have been arrested since the start of this year, Banlaoi said.
Foreign Islamic State fighters have recently arrived in Mindanao from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, Spain, France, Tunisia, Iraq, Somali, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China, he says, based on government monitoring of the movements.
Most are coming from neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia, using Mindanao’s maritime backdoor through the seas of Sulu and Celebes, known as the Sulawesi Sea in Indonesia.
The Malaysian terror suspects usually enter the southern Philippines through the province of Tawi-Tawi from the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo Island, while the Indonesians tend to come through the provinces of Davao Occidental and Sarangani from North Sulawesi.
The three neighboring nations share broad maritime borders in what is considered the second busiest shipping trade route in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“The FTFs regard Mindanao as the new land of jihad, safe haven and alternative home base,” Banlaoi said. “They join local groups to wage jihad in the Philippines on behalf of the Islamic State.”
The foreign Islamic State fighters are luring local militants with the promise of an East Asian Wilaya, or Islamic province, after the failure to establish one in Mindanao after their defeat in Marawi, Banlaoi said.
The Abu Sayyaf Group based in Basilan and Sulu, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters based in Maguindanao, the Ansar Al-Khilafa Philippines based in Sarangani, and the Abu Dar Group in Lanao del Sur, a remnant of the Maute Group, are all coddling the foreign fighters, he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command, said Islamic State continues to inspire local Muslim armed groups despite their military defeat last year at Marawi.
He also said that foreigners who pledge allegiance to the Islamic State continue to join local Islamic militant groups, confirming Banlaoi’s assessment.
“Some of these foreign terrorists are coming in through our porous borders,” Besana said, referring to the Sulu and Sulawesi seas that the Philippines shares with Malaysia and Indonesia.
The military official said the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have intensified joint navy patrols in border waters in a multilateral cooperation to fight terror threats.
The Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf Group has been involved in piracy and kidnapping in Philippine waters. File image: Interpol
While acknowledging that security forces alone can not detect foreign terrorist fighters because of the nation’s long coastlines and rugged jungles in Mindanao, the official called on the public to report suspicious foreigners to authorities for verification of their identities.
Local militant groups have instead provided sanctuary to foreign terrorists in the past. That includes well-known Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” a bomb-making expert who was killed in Maguindanao province’s Mamasapano town in January 2015.
Marwan was given safe haven by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a Islamic militant group which has recently declared its allegiance to Islamic State and is accused of orchestrating recent bombings in the region.
Besana said foreign terrorist fighters are arriving in Mindanao because of Islamic State’s “waning influence in the Middle East and in other parts of the world.”
Preventing foreign terrorist fighters from entering the country is difficult for the military and other law enforcement agencies because they often disguise their identities. And while Islamic State aligned groups were defeated at Marawi, it’s not clear where or how they intend to strike next, Besana says.
While acknowledging that security forces alone can not detect foreign terrorist fighters because of the nation’s long coastlines and rugged jungles in Mindanao, the official called on the public to report suspicious foreigners to authorities for verification of their identities.
Local militant groups have instead provided sanctuary to foreign terrorists in the past. That includes well-known Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” a bomb-making expert who was killed in Maguindanao province’s Mamasapano town in January 2015.
Marwan was given safe haven by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a Islamic militant group which has recently declared its allegiance to Islamic State and is accused of orchestrating recent bombings in the region.
Besana said foreign terrorist fighters are arriving in Mindanao because of Islamic State’s “waning influence in the Middle East and in other parts of the world.”
Preventing foreign terrorist fighters from entering the country is difficult for the military and other law enforcement agencies because they often disguise their identities. And while Islamic State aligned groups were defeated at Marawi, it’s not clear where or how they intend to strike next, Besana says.
Kidnap victim 'Duterte' rescued in Sulu
From Rappler (Nov 2): Kidnap victim 'Duterte' rescued in Sulu
Continued military operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Panamao, Sulu, paved the way for the rescue of Jose Duterte on All Saints' Day
Continued military operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Panamao, Sulu, paved the way for the rescue of Jose Duterte on All Saints' Day
RESCUED. Kidnap victim Jose Duterte, 66, is rescued from the Abu Sayyaf on November 1, 2018. Sourced photo
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government troops have rescued a kidnap victim who had been held by the Abu Sayyaf group for over a year in Sulu, the military said.
Continued military operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Panamao, Sulu, paved the way for the rescue of Jose Duterte, 66, on Thursday, November 1.
The kidnap victim is not related to President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Philippine Navy in Sulu, with Marine Battalion Landing Team 3, rescued Duterte early Thursday afternoon, a few days after troops neutralized and captured a number of ASG members in the area.
Continued military operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Panamao, Sulu, paved the way for the rescue of Jose Duterte, 66, on Thursday, November 1.
The kidnap victim is not related to President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Philippine Navy in Sulu, with Marine Battalion Landing Team 3, rescued Duterte early Thursday afternoon, a few days after troops neutralized and captured a number of ASG members in the area.
Duterte and wife Jessica were abducted in their home in Barangay Sta Maria in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, on March 3, 2017. (READ: 'Duterte' couple abducted in Zamboanga del Norte)
At the time of his rescue on Thursday, Duterte was help by a group under Abu Sayyaf subleader Injam Yadah.
Duterte was rescued by the Philippine Marine Ready Force in Sulu led by Brigadier General Armel Senosa Tolato.
At the time of his rescue on Thursday, Duterte was help by a group under Abu Sayyaf subleader Injam Yadah.
Duterte was rescued by the Philippine Marine Ready Force in Sulu led by Brigadier General Armel Senosa Tolato.
The team conducted the rescue operations in the vicinity of Barangay Kandayok in Panamao adjacent to the recent encounter site with the ASG.
The rescued kidnap victim was immediately brought to the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo for medical check up and debriefing.
The rescued kidnap victim was immediately brought to the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo for medical check up and debriefing.
Indonesian consulate warns its citizens in Sabah to stay vigilant following Abu Sayyaf kidnapping warning
From The Star Online (Nov 1): Indonesian consulate warns its citizens in Sabah to stay vigilant following Abu Sayyaf kidnapping warning
The Indonesian consulate in Tawau has issued an alert to its nationals working in Sabah to exercise caution at all times especially when carrying out duties or activities at sea.
Chief of the Indonesian Consul-General's Office in Tawau, Sulistijo Djati Ismojo said in a statement that all Indonesians, especially those working in the fishery sector must take preventive measures to avoid becoming kidnap victims.
This came following an online article by the 'Marine Link' warning sea crews and coastal residents of an attempted kidnapping.
The article titled 'Piracy Warning Off Philippines' also stated that the Philippine Focal Point (Philippine Coast Guard) had warned that a group of approximately 10 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members armed with pistol, rifles and grenade launchers were planning to conduct kidnapping activities in undisclosed areas in Sabah, primarily targeting businessmen or ship's crew of foreign vessels passing through its waters.
The article also stated that the ASG are using unmarked coloured blue and white motor banca locally known as jungkong.
The article urged shipmasters and crew members to exercise extra vigilance when transiting the waters of Eastern Sabah and Sulu-Celebes seas.
Sulistijo also urged all Indonesians to abide by the warnings, rules and regulations set by the Malaysian government, including the Malaysian maritime enforcers.
"Please make sure all vessels are equipped with security features and systems as required by the Malaysian government," he said.
He also reminded them to keep in touch with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) base and to immediately report of suspicious people or activities.
Two Indonesian fishermen, who were kidnapped by Filipino gunmen in waters off Pulau Bodgaya in Semporna on Sept 11, are still in their captives' hands.
The Indonesians, Samsul Saguni, 40, and Usman Yunus, 35, are believed to have been taken across the border to the southern Philippines by kidnap-for-ransom groups working with the militant Abu Sayyaf group in Jolo.
There was a ransom demand of RM4mil for their release but it is learnt that the families have yet to come up with the money.
Meanwhile, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic) said he has spoken to security forces in the east coast following a warning of piracy and kidnapping in waters off Sabah issued by the Philippines sources recently.
“We just want to make sure that the patrols and other preventive measures are beefed up. Security forces in the east coast have given assurance to increase security in our borders for the safety of locals as well as tourists,” he told reporters on Wednesday (Nov 1).
The Indonesian consulate in Tawau has issued an alert to its nationals working in Sabah to exercise caution at all times especially when carrying out duties or activities at sea.
Chief of the Indonesian Consul-General's Office in Tawau, Sulistijo Djati Ismojo said in a statement that all Indonesians, especially those working in the fishery sector must take preventive measures to avoid becoming kidnap victims.
This came following an online article by the 'Marine Link' warning sea crews and coastal residents of an attempted kidnapping.
The article titled 'Piracy Warning Off Philippines' also stated that the Philippine Focal Point (Philippine Coast Guard) had warned that a group of approximately 10 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members armed with pistol, rifles and grenade launchers were planning to conduct kidnapping activities in undisclosed areas in Sabah, primarily targeting businessmen or ship's crew of foreign vessels passing through its waters.
The article also stated that the ASG are using unmarked coloured blue and white motor banca locally known as jungkong.
The article urged shipmasters and crew members to exercise extra vigilance when transiting the waters of Eastern Sabah and Sulu-Celebes seas.
Sulistijo also urged all Indonesians to abide by the warnings, rules and regulations set by the Malaysian government, including the Malaysian maritime enforcers.
"Please make sure all vessels are equipped with security features and systems as required by the Malaysian government," he said.
He also reminded them to keep in touch with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) base and to immediately report of suspicious people or activities.
Two Indonesian fishermen, who were kidnapped by Filipino gunmen in waters off Pulau Bodgaya in Semporna on Sept 11, are still in their captives' hands.
The Indonesians, Samsul Saguni, 40, and Usman Yunus, 35, are believed to have been taken across the border to the southern Philippines by kidnap-for-ransom groups working with the militant Abu Sayyaf group in Jolo.
There was a ransom demand of RM4mil for their release but it is learnt that the families have yet to come up with the money.
Meanwhile, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic) said he has spoken to security forces in the east coast following a warning of piracy and kidnapping in waters off Sabah issued by the Philippines sources recently.
“We just want to make sure that the patrols and other preventive measures are beefed up. Security forces in the east coast have given assurance to increase security in our borders for the safety of locals as well as tourists,” he told reporters on Wednesday (Nov 1).
34 Reds surrender in Compostela Valley
From Politiko Mindanao (Nov 1): 34 Reds surrender in Compostela Valley
A fulltime New Peoples’ Army rebel and 33 Militia ng Bayan (MB) members surrendered to the military in Compostela Valley.
Those who gave up to the 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Upper Lahi, Brgy. Magnaga in Pantukan Tuesday, October 30, came from Barangay Napnapan of the said municipality, military said.
They are all under the Weakened Guerilla Front (WGF) 2, Sub-Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Command organized by certain Kagwang, commanding officer of MB operating in the area.
Lt. Col. Esteveyn E. Ducusin, Battalion Commander of 71st IB, said that with the intervention of the barangay officials and with the help of the real time information fed by the populace, the mass surrender made successful.
“We will never stop to suppress communist NPA terrorists in our area of operation until our populace will leave peacefully away from fears and coercionmade by this terrorist group,” he said.
http://mindanao.politics.com.ph/34-reds-surrender-in-compostela-valley/
A fulltime New Peoples’ Army rebel and 33 Militia ng Bayan (MB) members surrendered to the military in Compostela Valley.
Those who gave up to the 71st Infantry Battalion (IB) at Sitio Upper Lahi, Brgy. Magnaga in Pantukan Tuesday, October 30, came from Barangay Napnapan of the said municipality, military said.
They are all under the Weakened Guerilla Front (WGF) 2, Sub-Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Command organized by certain Kagwang, commanding officer of MB operating in the area.
Lt. Col. Esteveyn E. Ducusin, Battalion Commander of 71st IB, said that with the intervention of the barangay officials and with the help of the real time information fed by the populace, the mass surrender made successful.
“We will never stop to suppress communist NPA terrorists in our area of operation until our populace will leave peacefully away from fears and coercionmade by this terrorist group,” he said.
http://mindanao.politics.com.ph/34-reds-surrender-in-compostela-valley/
6 NPAs in Cagayan Valley surrender
From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 1): 6 NPAs in Cagayan Valley surrender
CAMP MARCELO A ADDURU, TUGUEGARAO CITY – Six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Cagayan Valley surrendered to the police last week, a belated report said.
Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional police director, reported that on October 28, alias JM and alias Lito, both residents of Barangay Cabaruan, Maddela, Quirino voluntarily surrendered to the police and turned over M-16 rifles and several rounds of ammunition.
The surrender of the duo was made possible through negotiations facilitated by Army Staff Sgt. Francie Alameda and PO3 Federico Tulay of the San Manuel, Isabela police.
The rebel returnees were brought to 502nd Headquarter in Soyung, Echague, Isabela for proper disposition.
On the same day, four teenaged NPA rebels in Cagayan surrendered to the Piat police.
The rebel returnees, aged 12 to 16, told the police that the are NPA rebels trained to handle long and short firearms in Marag Valley.
“Said individuals voluntarily surrendered to the PNP and AFP personnel after a successful dialogue with them under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in the said municipality,” Espino said.
Espino thanked elements of the PNP and AFP who facilitated the surrender of the rebel returnees.
Espino also invited and urged other communist rebels in Cagayan Valley and other parts of the country to ditch the armed struggle, return to the folds of the law and avail of benefits and government assistance for rebel returnees while living peacefully with their families.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/11/01/6-npas-in-cagayan-valley-surrender/
CAMP MARCELO A ADDURU, TUGUEGARAO CITY – Six New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Cagayan Valley surrendered to the police last week, a belated report said.
Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional police director, reported that on October 28, alias JM and alias Lito, both residents of Barangay Cabaruan, Maddela, Quirino voluntarily surrendered to the police and turned over M-16 rifles and several rounds of ammunition.
The surrender of the duo was made possible through negotiations facilitated by Army Staff Sgt. Francie Alameda and PO3 Federico Tulay of the San Manuel, Isabela police.
The rebel returnees were brought to 502nd Headquarter in Soyung, Echague, Isabela for proper disposition.
On the same day, four teenaged NPA rebels in Cagayan surrendered to the Piat police.
The rebel returnees, aged 12 to 16, told the police that the are NPA rebels trained to handle long and short firearms in Marag Valley.
“Said individuals voluntarily surrendered to the PNP and AFP personnel after a successful dialogue with them under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in the said municipality,” Espino said.
Espino thanked elements of the PNP and AFP who facilitated the surrender of the rebel returnees.
Espino also invited and urged other communist rebels in Cagayan Valley and other parts of the country to ditch the armed struggle, return to the folds of the law and avail of benefits and government assistance for rebel returnees while living peacefully with their families.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/11/01/6-npas-in-cagayan-valley-surrender/
Troops recover IED after clash with rebels in Bukidnon
From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 1): Troops recover IED after clash with rebels in Bukidnon
Soldiers belonging to the Army's 88th Infantry “Maringal” Battalion recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) following two separate encounters with rebels in the hinterland village of Magkalungay in San Fernando, Bukidnon.
Capt. Norven Jay Garcia, 88IB civil-military operations officer, said Wednesday that government troops encountered remnants of Guerilla Front 6 of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Monday and Tuesday.
Aside from the recovered IED, soldiers also seized detonating cord, a jungle hammock, three empty gas containers, and other personal effects belonging to the rebels.Garcia said no one was hurt on the government side but they believed the retreating rebels suffered an undetermined number of injuries or casualties.
Soldiers conducted combat patrols in the area after residents informed the military about the presence of NPA rebels, who were allegedly conducting extortion activities.
Lt. Col. Randy Remonte, 88IB commanding officer, said the latest firefights are proof that rebels can no longer reconnect to their lost mass bases after "their supporters completely turned their backs on them".
Remonte called on the rebels to join their former comrades who have returned to the folds of the law and received economic assistance from the government.
San Fernando, a first-class municipality located in the eastern part of Bukidnon bordering Davao del Norte, is part of the second legislative district of Bukidnon.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052718
Soldiers belonging to the Army's 88th Infantry “Maringal” Battalion recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) following two separate encounters with rebels in the hinterland village of Magkalungay in San Fernando, Bukidnon.
Capt. Norven Jay Garcia, 88IB civil-military operations officer, said Wednesday that government troops encountered remnants of Guerilla Front 6 of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Monday and Tuesday.
Aside from the recovered IED, soldiers also seized detonating cord, a jungle hammock, three empty gas containers, and other personal effects belonging to the rebels.Garcia said no one was hurt on the government side but they believed the retreating rebels suffered an undetermined number of injuries or casualties.
Soldiers conducted combat patrols in the area after residents informed the military about the presence of NPA rebels, who were allegedly conducting extortion activities.
Lt. Col. Randy Remonte, 88IB commanding officer, said the latest firefights are proof that rebels can no longer reconnect to their lost mass bases after "their supporters completely turned their backs on them".
Remonte called on the rebels to join their former comrades who have returned to the folds of the law and received economic assistance from the government.
San Fernando, a first-class municipality located in the eastern part of Bukidnon bordering Davao del Norte, is part of the second legislative district of Bukidnon.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052718