Wednesday, January 12, 2022

CPP/CIO: Red salute to Ka Menandro Villanueva (Ka Bok), Commander of the NPA, revolutionary hero of the Filipino people

Propaganda statement posted to the Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Newsroom (Jan 12, 2022): Red salute to Ka Menandro Villanueva (Ka Bok), Commander of the NPA, revolutionary hero of the Filipino people




MARCO VALBUENA
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

January 12, 2022

Read in: Pilipino

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) calls on all revolutionary forces and commands all Red fighters to give the firmest Red salute to Ka Menandro Villanueva (Ka Bok), Commander of the New People’s Army (NPA), who was recently killed by the fascist enemy in Mabini town, Davao de Oro. Ka Bok (also known as Ka Jude and Ka Gipo) was around 70 years old.

Let us pay homage to Ka Bok who selflessly served the Filipino people’s revolutionary cause and helped advance their national democratic and socialist aspirations. A revolutionary fighter for five decades, Ka Bok, is now among the legion of heroes of the Filipino people. He dedicated all his life to the cause of the proletariat and the oppressed and exploited masses.

Ka Bok earned the most rabid ire of the fascists because he successfully led the Party and armed revolution in Southern Mindanao from one level to another, because he roused and empowered the peasant and Lumad masses, because he helped plant and nurture the kernel of the people’s democratic government, and because he promoted and guided the people’s resistance against mining and other big capitalist operations that ravaged the land and plundered and destroyed the environment.

Ka Bok together with other cadres and commanders, played an important role in the expansion and strengthening of the people’s army and the Communist Party of the Philippines across Mindanao. He also performed crucial tasks in the national growth of the NPA as its head commander, and as member of the CPP’s Central Committee and its central organs of leadership.

It is a testament to the strength, resilience, and guerrilla discipline of the NPA, and extensive and deep support of the broad masses for the people’s army that it took the enemy more than a decade—spending billions of pesos in relentless military operations, aerial bombings, artillery shelling, occupation of communities, and terrorizing the peasants and Lumad masses—before it could finally vanquish Ka Bok.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the beloved family and friends of Ka Bok. His death is mourned by the Party, the NPA and all revolutionary forces, and by the broad masses of workers and peasants, especially the downtrodden people in the hinterlands of the Davao provinces, whom he dearly served over the past several decades.

The death of Ka Bok is a big loss for the Party and the armed revolution. But this setback is only temporary and will be surmounted in due time. A number of Party cadres and NPA commanders, veterans in people’s war, as well as young leaders trained by Ka Bok and steeled in military and political work, are primed to take his place and perform his duties.

Indeed, revolutionary leaders play an important role in the people’s war. However, it is the broad masses of the people—awakened and fighting firmly—who play the far greater and decisive role in advancing the people’s democratic revolution.

In the face of worsening forms of oppression and state terrorist attacks, the people’s desire for liberation and determination to wage revolution is greater than ever before. The reign of terror of the fascist, corrupt and puppet Duterte regime deepens the revolutionary zeal of the Filipino people.

As in any war, the people’s war will encounter setbacks and losses, but lessons will be learned to help guide its further advance. The loss of Ka Bok will not stop the people’s war from further advancing and gaining strength, because it is a just and democratic war which represents the people’s highest aspirations for national freedom and social liberation.

The lifelong revolutionary service and heroism of Ka Bok will forever inspire all Red fighters and the Filipino people to carry forward the people’s war to ever greater heights.

https://prwcinfo.wordpress.com/2022/01/12/red-salute-to-ka-menandro-villanueva-ka-bok-commander-of-the-npa-revolutionary-hero-of-the-filipino-people/

Kalinaw News: Military unearths another Communist Terrorists’ arms cache in Cagayan

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 12, 2022): Military unearths another Communist Terrorists’ arms cache in Cagayan



Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in the province of Cagayan continues to suffer massive losses as troops of the 17th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Tala discovered and seized another Communist Terrorists’ arms cache and sets of propaganda materials in Sitio Angkiram, Barangay Sicalao, Lasam, Cagayan on January 11, 2022.

According to Acting Commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NoLCom), Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, the discovery of the arms cache was made following the revelation of alias “Frank”, a former member of the Communist Terrorist Group operating in Cagayan, who recently yielded to government on New Year’s Day.

“This is a clear manifestation of full trust and confidence of alias Frank in the government. Now, as more combat-weary members of the Communist terrorist group surrender to the military, they are realizing the truth that there is nothing to gain with the long-drawn years of armed struggle. Frank’s willingness to provide vital information solidifies his intention of peaceful change,” said Maj. Gen Costelo.

On a report submitted by 501st Infantry Brigade led by Brig. Gen. Steve Crespillo, the following items were recovered from the discovered arms cache in Lasam, Cagayan; one (1) barrel of M16A1 5.55mm rifle, one (1) barrel of M14 7.62mm rifle, two (2) caliber of 38mm revolver, and two (2) boxes of enemy propaganda material.

“The recovered communist terrorists’ war materials were brought to the Headquarters of 17th Infantry Battalion in Alcala, Cagayan for proper disposition, and were believed to be owned by the Communist terror group Komiteng Probinsya (KOMPROB) Cagayan-Komiteng Rehiyon-Cagayan Valley (KR-CV),” Brig. Gen. Crespillo added.

In a statement from alias Frank, he revealed that the propaganda materials were used by the Communist Terrorist Groups in exploiting and recruiting innocent minors, students, and the Indigenous sector. He said that the CTG propaganda materials are full of lies, and the CTG use it to deceive the community.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, Commander of the Joint Task Force Tala thanked alias Frank for choosing the path of peace instead of conflict and for responding to the call of the government for social healing and reconciliation to attain peace.

“The information you have provided led our troops to another accomplishment, a step closer to our goal of eliminating armed threats in the region, I call on to the few remaining Communist terrorists to yield to the government. We assure you of your safety as the government opens its doors for you for a chance of having a peaceful and progressive life, “Maj. Gen. Mina added.

Likewise, Maj. Gen. Costelo expects more members of the Communist terrorist group to surrender in the days to come as they continue to see the harsh reality of being a part of the terrorist group, always in danger and distress.

“I encourage members of the communist terrorists, who are victims of the deception and lies of the communist terrorist group, to withdraw their support and allegiance to terror groups, lay down their arms, and return to the fold of the government, and become productive citizens of our country,” Maj. Gen. Costelo added.



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/military-unearths-another-communist-terrorists-arms-cache-in-cagayan/

Kalinaw News: 4ID scores against CPP-NPA terrorists in Lanao del Sur encounter; 1 NPA dead and 5 firearms seized

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 12, 2022): 4ID scores against CPP-NPA terrorists in Lanao del Sur encounter; 1 NPA dead and 5 firearms seized



CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City –troops from the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division has scored anew against the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in an encounter that left one (1) CNT dead and five of its (5) high-powered firearms seized.

The encounter involving the 1st Special Forces Bn led by LtCol Vercisio G San Jose, under the operational control of the 403rd Infantry Brigade led by BGen Ferdinand T Barandon and an estimated fifty (50) fully armed CNTs operating in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur boundary, happened in Brgy Ranao Ibaning, Amai Manabilang, Lanao Del Sur on Saturday, 6:30AM, January 8.

The 3-hour firefight resulted in the recovery of one (1) Cal 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun, one (1) Cal 5.56mm M4 rifle, one (1) Cal 5.56mm M16 rifle, one (1) Cal 7.62mm M14 rifle, and one (1) Cal .30 M1 Garand rifle.

“Thru our no let-up policy, we have been tracking down these CPP-NPA terrorists as they crossed over to Lanao del Sur province.” BGen Barandon said.

It can be recalled that CNTs in Bukidnon had suffered devastating losses in a series of encounters last year that led to the neutralization of several CNT leaders and members including Ka Oris, Mindanao’s top NPA Commander.

Since January 2021, 4ID had neutralized 162 CNTs thru capture or killed during encounters, 351 CNTs voluntarily surrendered, and 1666 members have rejected the terrorist CP-NPA-NDF and renewed their allegiance to the government. Also, a total of 448 firearms were seized through encounters, surrenders, and the discovery of an arms cache.

In a statement, 4ID Acting Commander Brigadier General Oliver T VesliƱo said that the CNTs in 4ID AOR is incurring irreversible losses following the neutralization of its key leaders. Again, he reiterated his call for the remaining CNTs to instead embrace peace and start life anew by availing of the government’s E-CLIP program.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/4id-scores-against-cpp-npa-terrorists-in-lanao-del-sur-encounter-1-npa-dead-and-5-firearms-seized/

BIFF member surrenders in Cotabato

From the Manila Times (Jan 8, 2022): BIFF member surrenders in Cotabato (By Julmunir Jannaral)



A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) has returned to the fold of the law. Seck Panday (center), a member of the BIFF-Karialan Faction, surrendered to Col. Jovencio Gonzales (4th from right), commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade. The surrender ceremony was held in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato Province. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) laid down his arm and returned to the folds of the law in Cotabato on Wednesday.

According to WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., the surrendered personality was identified as alias Seck Panday, a member of the BIFF-Karialan Faction who appeared to be tired and weary.

"He submitted himself and handed over his M16A1 rifle to Col. Jovencio Gonzales, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade (602IB) and Lt. Col. Edgardo Vilchez Jr., commanding officer of the 34th Infantry Battalion (34IB) in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato," Rosario added.

According to Gonzales, Panday was subsequently presented to Midsayap Mayor Romeo Arana. "He will be included in the list of beneficiaries of livelihood packages to help him start anew so that he will not be lured to join the group again," the brigade commander further stated.

The surrender was made possible through the joint efforts of the 34IB, Philippine National Police Midsayap, and the intelligence units. The 34IB is currently facilitating the custodial debriefing to the surrendered personality.


READ: BIFF leader, 5 followers give up to Armed Forces

Based on the report, the former violent extremist grew tired of hiding and running for his life as the military intensified its operations in the area, hence his surrender.

Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) Commander Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy lauded the 602IB and its subordinate units for the numerous accomplishments, particularly in convincing several BIFF personalities to end their armed struggle.

In 2021, JTFC reported a total of 189 BIFF surrenders in Central Mindanao.

"This is a good start for the new year. Rest assured that the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) will continue to accomplish its mandates until we achieve sustained peace and development in Western Mindanao." Rosario emphasized.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/01/08/news/regions/biff-member-surrenders-in-cotabato/1828544

14 BIFF combatants surrender to govt

From the Manila Times (Jan 9, 2022): 14 BIFF combatants surrender to govt (By Julmunir Jannaral)



Ammunition deposited to the Philippine Army by BIFF members who surrendered on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Two young combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), together with 12 of their adult comrades, surrendered to the military in Cotabato on Thursday, January 6.

According to Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), on Saturday said the two minors are 16 and 17 years of age.

"This is one of the reasons why we work hard to end terrorism. We do not want our youth to be lured into the terrorist groups, be indoctrinated with false ideologies, and be deprived of a brighter future," the WestMinCom commander said.

The 14, whose identities were not disclosed, were members of the BIFF-Bungos Faction. They submitted themselves to the military at the 34th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap, Cotabato.

Col. Jovencio Gonzales, commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade said that the surrendered personalities handed over one M16 rifle with a magazine and six rounds cartridge of 5.56mm ball; one M1 Garand rifle with three live ammunition; one M14 rifle with a magazine; two cal. 50 modified Barret Sniper rifle with five live ammunition; one 7.62mm modified Barret Sniper rifle with a magazine; and one cal. 45 pistol with magazine and three rounds of ammunition.

Joint Task Force Central Commander, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy lauded the troops of the 34IB for their hard work and dedication that led to this significant feat. On January 5, a member of the BIFF-Karialan Faction ended his armed struggle and submitted himself to the same army battalion.

The surrender of the 14 BIFF members was made possible through the joint efforts of the 34IB, intelligence units and Northern Kabuntalan Municipal Police Station.

"We condemn the groups who forcibly recruit minors and other vulnerable members of society to join them in their dubious goals." Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. added.

BIFF is listed as a terrorist organization in the Philippines that has been responsible for several bombing incidents and other terrorist activities in Central Mindanao.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/01/09/news/regions/14-biff-combatants-surrender-to-govt/1828675

1ID gets 6 new officers

 From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Jan 11, 2022): 1ID gets 6 new officers



ZAMBOANGA. The 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division (ID), the premier command of the Philippine Army, receives on January 10, 2022, six new officers to be assigned to its field units. A photo handout shows one of the six officers receives "Tabak" patch during the flag raising ceremony at Camp Cesar Sang-an, home of the 1ID in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. (SunStar Zamboanga)

THE Philippine Army has assigned six officers to the 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division (ID), the premier command of the branch of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

They were welcomed and recognized during the flag-raising ceremony Monday, January 10, at the Division grandstand.

The six officers-one captain and five second lieutenants-received their "Tabak" patch from Colonel Pompeyo Jason Almagro, the chief of staff the 1ID.

Almagro said they are favored to be assigned with the 1ID as many officers wanted to be assigned with the unit but didn't have the chance.

He noted that the 1ID has fought many wars, thus it is called the fightingest Division of the Philippine Army.

Captain Jaynon Basoy, one of the six officers assigned to the 1ID, was formerly assigned with the 9th Infantry Division.

Basoy is a member of the Officer Preparatory Course Class 60-2013.

The five new second lieutenants are graduates of the Officer Preparatory Course Class 72-2021.
 
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1917829/zamboanga/local-news/1id-gets-6-new-officers

4 WNI Dibebaskan dari Penyanderaan Abu Sayyaf Lewat Diplomasi (4 Indonesians Freed from Abu Sayyaf Hostage Through Diplomacy)

 Posted to CNN Indonesia (Jan 7, 2022): 4 WNI Dibebaskan dari Penyanderaan Abu Sayyaf Lewat Diplomasi (By Kemenlu | CNN Indonesia)

Bagikan : Mesin diplomasi terus bekerja untuk memberikan perlindungan kepada Warga Negara Indonesia (WNI) di luar negeri sepanjang tahun 2021 dan akan terus meningkatkan sistem perlindungan WNI ke depannya. (Foto: KEMENLU PELH RI)

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Mesin diplomasi terus bekerja untuk memberikan pelindungan kepada Warga Negara Indonesia (WNI) di luar negeri sepanjang tahun 2021.

Pada tahun tersebut, pemerintah melalui diplomasi berhasil membebaskan 4 warga negara Indonesia (WNI) yang disandera oleh kelompok bersenjata Abu Sayyaf.


Hal itu dikemukakan Menteri Luar Negeri RI Retno Marsudi dalam Pernyataan Pers Tahunan Menlu (PPTM) 2022 yang diselenggarakan secara virtual, Kamis (6/1)

"Sebanyak 4 WNI dibebaskan dari penyanderaan," kata Menlu Retno.

Keempat WNI yang berprofesi sebagai nelayan tersebut berhasil dibebaskan setelah disandera selama 1 tahun 3 bulan.

Tiga WNI dibebaskan pada 18 Maret 2021. Kemudian, satu WNI lainnya dibebaskan pada 21 Maret 2021.

Sebelumnya mereka diculik oleh Abu Sayyaf saat sedang melaut di perairan Tambisan, Lahad Datu, Sabah Malaysia pada 16 Januari 2020.

Selain pembebasan sandera, pelindungan juga diberikan dalam bentuk evakuasi 33 orang WNI dan 7 WNA dari Afghanistan, fasilitasi repatriasi lebih dari 73 ribu WNI termasuk anak buah kapal (ABK), dan pembebasan 7 WNI dari hukuman mati.

Selain itu, perlindungan juga diberikan dalam bentuk penyaluran 240 ribu paket bantuan sembako, penyelamatan lebih dari Rp179 miliar hak finansial, dan fasilitasi pemberian vaksin kepada lebih dari 88 ribu WNI di berbagai belahan dunia.

Ke depan, pemerintah akan terus meningkatkan sistem perlindungan WNI melalui penguatan infrastruktur dan sumber daya manusia (SDM), percepatan digitalisasi, dan pengembangan kerangka hukum dan kerja sama internasional.

Baca artikel CNN Indonesia "2021, 4 WNI Dibebaskan dari Penyanderaan Abu Sayyaf Lewat Diplomasi" selengkapnya di sini: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20220107180422-25-743992/2021-4-wni-dibebaskan-dari-penyanderaan-abu-sayyaf-lewat-diplomasi

English Translation:

4 Indonesians Freed from Abu Sayyaf Hostage Through Diplomacy

Ministry of Foreign Affairs | CNN Indonesia

Friday, 07 Jan 2022 18:28 WIB

Share : The diplomatic machine will continue to work to provide protection for Indonesian citizens (WNI) abroad throughout 2021 and will continue to improve the protection system for Indonesian citizens in the future. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs PELH RI)

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- The diplomatic machine will continue to work to provide protection for Indonesian citizens (WNI) abroad throughout 2021.

In that year, the government through diplomacy succeeded in freeing 4 Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf armed group.

This was stated by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi in the 2022 Minister of Foreign Affairs Annual Press Statement (PPTM) which was held virtually, Thursday (6/1).

"A total of 4 Indonesian citizens were released from being held hostage," said Foreign Minister Retno.

The four Indonesian citizens who work as fishermen were successfully released after being held hostage for 1 year and 3 months.

Three Indonesian citizens were released on March 18, 2021. Then, another Indonesian citizen was released on March 21, 2021.

Previously they were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf while at sea in Tambisan waters, Lahad Datu, Sabah Malaysia on January 16, 2020.

In addition to the release of hostages, protection was also provided in the form of evacuating 33 Indonesian citizens and 7 foreigners from Afghanistan, facilitating the repatriation of more than 73,000 Indonesian citizens including crew members (ABK), and releasing 7 Indonesian citizens from the death penalty.

In addition, protection is also provided in the form of distributing 240 thousand basic food aid packages, saving more than Rp. 179 billion in financial rights, and facilitating the provision of vaccines to more than 88 thousand Indonesian citizens in various parts of the world.

In the future, the government will continue to improve the protection system for Indonesian citizens through strengthening infrastructure and human resources (HR), accelerating digitization, and developing legal frameworks and international cooperation.

Read the full CNN Indonesia article "2021, 4 Indonesians Freed from Abu Sayyaf Hostage Through Diplomacy" in full here: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20220107180422-25-743992/2021-4-wni-dibebaskan-from-hostage-taking -gray-sayyaf-through-diplomacy.

ISIS or Al-Qaeda: Which Loons as the Greater Threat to Global Security?

Posted to the Small Wars Journal (Jan 10, 2022): ISIS or Al-Qaeda: Which Loons as the Greater Threat to Global Security? (By Mahmut Cengiz)

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan at the end of August 2021—an event precipitated by the withdrawal of all remaining US troops in the country—questions about the Taliban’s ability to target the Western world and fears that Afghanistan would become a haven for al-Qaeda arose immediately in the minds of many government officials and non-government observers. Such concerns were well-grounded. Since the 11 September 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, numerous franchises have formed in various parts of the world, and one of them was al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), which evolved into today’s the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist organization. Both al-Qaeda and ISIS have not only competed to be the caliph of Islamic world through the pursuit of utopian ideologies but they also have sought to target the Western world. This article analyzes the capacity of ISIS and al-Qaeda in terms of operational and organizational capabilities, use of violence, geographical expansion, and ideological inspiration for lone actors to determine which group—ISIS or al-Qaeda—is the greater threat to global security.
Geographic Expansion

ISIS and al-Qaeda have engaged in a strategy of global expansion and competition to become the most influential terrorist organization. Wherever political, religious, and economic grievances have prompted Muslim communities to engage in violence and adopt terrorist strategies, both al-Qaeda and ISIS have sought the allegiance of the aggrieved communities.

Table 1 lists a sampling of al-Qaeda-affiliated groups that were in existence between 2015 and 2019, according to the Global Terrorism Database (from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism)[1] and the Statistical Annex Information (from the US Department of State).[2] Most of these groups are still active. Al-Qaeda has used localization policies to create a network of umbrella organizations with groups that pledged allegiance, declared loyalty, or been sympathetic to group’s ideology. Jamaat al-Nusra Wal Muslimin (JNIM) in the Sahel region of Africa and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria are two examples. HTS was formed with the involvement of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the Ansar al-Din Front, Jaysh al-Sunna, Liwa al-Haqq, and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement. Al-Qaeda used the same strategy to create the JNIM group, which resulted from the merger of Ansar Dine, the Macina Liberation Front, al-Mourabitoun, and the Saharan branch in the Islamic Maghreb.



Table 1: A Sampling of al-Qaeda-Affiliated Groups in Existence between 2015 and 2019

Al-Shabaab is another active al-Qaeda-affiliated group. It operates in Somalia and Kenya and has been listed by the U.S. Department of State since 2014 as one of the top five terrorist organizations responsible for the most terrorist attacks. In addition to HTS, other al-Qaeda-affiliated groups have filled the vacuums in Syria since 2015 when ISIS began to lose a significant amount of its territory in the country. For example, Hurras al-Dine is based in Idlib (a city in northwestern Syria) but it carried out attacks outside Idlib in 2021.[3] Ongoing conflict in the Jammu and Kashmir region have created opportunities for al-Qaeda to be the address for jihadist groups that have fought against the Indian military.

Other active groups listed in Table 1 that get serious attention from the western world are AQAP, AQIS, and the Haqqani Network. AQAP is still active in the Middle East and operates predominantly in Yemen where it targets pro-government forces and Yemeni military. The Western world has found AQAP to be more menacing than other jihadist groups because of AQAP’s links to radical American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and its attempts to target the Western world.

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India.[4] It is the Taliban’s ally and has an extensive network in Afghanistan.[5] The Haqqani Network, which operates in Afghanistan, is a key ally of al-Qaeda and was responsible for an attack that targeted the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul in 2011, resulting in the wounding of 77 US soldiers. A 2020 US Department of the Treasury memorandum described how al-Qaeda is gaining strength in Afghanistan and noted that the Haqqani Network had formed a new joint unit of armed fighters in cooperation with Al-Qaeda.[6] A 2021 UN report stated that the Haqqani Network has strong links with regional terrorist groups and is one of the primary liaisons between the Taliban and al-Qaeda.[7]

ISIS, on the other hand, has been one of the world’s most popular terrorist organizations. Founded by Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqawi, the group emerged from al-Qaeda’s remnants in Iraq. After fading into obscurity by 2007, the group reemerged in 2011 and invaded Iraqi territory (Mosul and Tikrit) in 2014 and areas along Syria’s border with Turkey in 2015. A U.S.-led military campaign in 2015 led to considerable losses for ISIS, and the group lost 95 percent of its territory by 2017. The Western world declared victory against ISIS when the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed in 2019. ISIS in 2021, however, remained one of the most active terrorist groups in the world based on the number of casualties and the number of terrorist incidents. The organization has around 16,000 militants in Iraq and Syria and has been the perpetrator of around at least 500 terrorist attacks in the region. Even in the refugee camps run and operated by the Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS has been influential. For example, the women’s wing of ISIS, the al-Hesba Brigade, controls the refugee camps and targets female refugees who oppose the ISIS ideology.

Also contributing to the attractiveness of ISIS is the group’s decision to create and develop a unique operational, ideological, and organizational model.[8] The model had at its foundation the creation of provincial affiliates and the expansion of its twisted and strict interpretation of Islamist ideology. From there it followed that ISIS would seek to control territory, demonstrate a preference for lethal attacks, claim responsibility for attacks it had carried out, and use traditional and social media to generate operating revenue for the group. Implementation of the model enabled ISIS to become one of the most popular and most well-known terrorist organizations in the world. As an extension of the model, ISIS adopted a new strategy of expanding the organization’s reach through the development of loose ties with like-minded individuals and groups that operate as franchises of ISIS.

The franchise approach is successful, leading to ISIS having more franchises than al-Qaeda. Some ISIS franchises, however, were formed during the early years of the terrorist organization’s existence when other jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria competed to be under the banner of ISIS. A significant number of these, and subsequent, franchises have added the ISIS moniker to the franchise group’s name, thereby creating the perception that ISIS is a global organization—even after the organization lost its power in the territories where it operated in Iraq and Syria.

ISIS, however, has been more influential over jihadist groups that operate in Asia and Africa (see Table 2). All jihadist groups in the Philippines, for example, pledged allegiance to ISIS when the organization was at the peak of its popularity. More recently, in 2018, the wing of the Abu Sayyaf in the Basilan province of the Philippines changed its name to ISIS-Philippines. The US Department of State responded by designating the Basilan wing of the Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist organization. ISIS launched its outreach to the Philippines in 2016 for extremists in southern Philippines who could not travel to its self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria. In 2017, ISIS was able to overrun the city of Marawi. ISIS-Philippines has been one of the most active and capable ISIS-affiliated groups and was listed as one of top 10 terrorist groups responsible for the most casualties in 2019.[9]



Table 2: A Sampling of ISIS-Affiliated Groups in Existence between 2015 and 2019

In Africa, ISIS-affiliated groups far outnumber Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups. ISIS has franchises in Nigeria, the Central African Republican, Mozambique, Nigeria, the Sahel, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Somalia, while Al-Qaeda has only two affiliated groups: JNIM in the Sahel and al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Concern about the terrorist groups that operate in the Sahel has been ongoing. U.S.-led military operations, French troops, and United Nations missions all have failed to fend off the activities of these groups. ISIS-Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and ISIS-West Africa are two ISIS franchises that are active in the Sahel. ISIS-West Africa, operating in Nigeria, gained popularity after it killed the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, in 2021. The group was formed in 2016 by Boko Haram defectors and expanded its operational capacity to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. In 2018, ISIS-West Africa was the perpetrator of 22 attacks in which a total of 160 individuals were killed.[10] The group relies on a hearts-and-minds approach in its operational regions, selectively targeting Christians, state institutions, and military personnel. ISIS-GS operates mostly in Mali. The group came to prominence in 2015 when al-Mourabitoun, a group affiliated with al-Qaeda, pledged allegiance to ISIS. In 2017, ISIS-GS targeted and killed four US soldiers.[11]

ISIS provincial franchises in Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt perpetrated 347 terrorist incidents in 2019, up slightly from 345 incidents in 2018. ISIS-Libya emerged in Derna, a port city in eastern Libya, in 2014 when a group of 300 former Libyan members of the Battar Brigade returned to their country after fighting in Syria and allied with the Ansar al-Sharia terrorist group. ISIS-Tunisia emerged in 2015 when the group was involved in attacks in Sousse, Tunisia, including the targeting of the Bardo Museum.[12] ISIS-Tunisia has maintained its capacity to carry out attacks in the country, where the group executed two suicide attacks in 2019.[13]

In Egypt, which also hosts many jihadist terrorist groups, most of the attacks by these groups have occurred in the northern Sinai area. ISIS-Sinai was to blame for 320 terrorist attacks between 2013 and 2017. This ISIS franchise originated from the Sunni Salafist Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis terrorist group that declared war against the Egyptian government immediately after the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi in a July 2013 military coup. The origin of the ISIS-Somalia franchise dates to 2012 when al-Shabaab assigned Abdul Qadir Mumin to operate in its remote outpost in Puntland in northeastern Somalia.[15]

ISIS-Democratic Republic of Congo (ISIS-DRC) emerged in 2017 in the Democratic Republic of Congo when militants from a new brand of the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Known as the City of Monotheism and Monotheists, the group leaned toward ISIS. The ADF is an Islamist group that has fought against the governments of the DRC and Uganda for several years. The US Department of State designated ISIS-DRC as a foreign terrorist organization in 2021 along with the ISIS branch in Mozambique (ISIS-Mozambique). In October and November 2021, ISIS-DRC was able to expand its capacity to Uganda and was the perpetrator of several attacks.

Mozambique’s experience with violence by Islamic extremists began when Al Sunna wa Jama’ah popped up in the eastern part of the country in 2017. Referred to by locals as al-Shabaab, the group’s grievances included dissatisfaction with widespread poverty and inequality, frustration over the government’s ineffective policies for addressing those issues, and the expansion of Salafist ideology with support from the Gulf States in the form of funding for mosques, social programs, and young students who wanted to study abroad and propagate Wahhabi Islam. The rising influence of Wahhabism led to conflict with Sufi Muslims in the country, resulting in the death of 300 people and the displacement of thousands of others.[16] By 2019, the terrorist group al-Sunna wa Jama’ah emerged and was acknowledged by ISIS as one of its affiliates. Like other ISIS provincial franchises, al-Sunna selectively targeted military troops.

Operational Capabilities and Use of Violence

Operational capabilities have been critical in the analysis of terrorist organizations in terms of which group should be considered the most dangerous. Both the al-Qaeda and ISIS core groups and their franchises have the capacity to use terrorist tactics ranging from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, drone attacks, and mortar launchings. According to the 2019 Annex of Statistical Information, ISIS-Core used explosives in 10 percent of the group’s attacks and IEDS in 37 percent of its attacks.[17] Al-Shabaab, as a strong franchise of al-Qaeda in Africa, used explosives in 11 percent of the group’s attacks and IEDs in 33 percent of its attacks. When it comes to assassinations, ISIS-Core used the tactic slightly more often than did Al Shabaab (19 percent and 15 percent, respectively). ISIS-Core also outdid Al Shabaab in the use of suicide bombings (18 percent and 16 percent, respectively).[18]

Other tactics that indicate the operational capacity of terrorist organizations are the use of complex coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTAs), multiple terrorist tactics in a single attack, and campaign attacks.[19] Al-Qaeda’s attacks in Europe, such as the 2004 Madrid bombings[20] and the 2007 London bombings,[21] were replaced by ISIS CCTAs in Europe in the mid-2010s, such as the Paris attacks in 2015[22] and the Brussels bombings in 2016.[23] An ISIS franchise in Sri Lanka, the National Tawheed Jamaah, was the perpetrator of the 2018 Easter Day attacks that killed more than 300 people in seven separate targets.[24] In 2021, ISIS-K deployed a suicide bomber who stormed Afghanistan International Airport, killing 170 civilians and 13 US service members. The deadly incident is another example of how ISIS franchises are capable of using multiple tactics in a single attack. Today, ISIS seems to be more capable of using CCTAs in Europe than al-Qaeda does; however, it should be noted that al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in the Sahel, Somalia, and Syria are indeed capable of conducting CCTAs. In this context, the use of campaign attacks indicates the extent to which terrorist organizations are capable of executing global attacks. In 2018, for example, ISIS-Core conducted campaign attacks in more than 10 countries after the organization lost one of its strongholds in Syria.[25]

Group leadership is another indicator of operational capacity. ISIS excels in this area compared with al-Qaeda. ISIS has a strong and influential leadership model that enables the organization to exert some measure of control over its franchises. In contrast, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri is over 80 years old and has less control over the al-Qaeda-core group and the core group’s franchises. The ISIS model also enabled the organization to quickly replace its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, after he was killed in a targeted US military operation in 2019. The speed at which the ISIS leader was replaced sent a message to counterterrorism experts about the effectiveness of the decapitation component of the Western counterterrorism model.

Terrorist groups rarely are random or senseless in the selection of their targets. They use violence strategically to send messages to an outside audience, such as the Western world. ISIS groups appear to be more violent than al-Qaeda groups. In 2019, the Annex of Statistical Information report listed four ISIS groups responsible for the most casualties (i.e., persons killed and wounded): ISIS-Core, ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-K, and ISIS-Philippines.[26] This list included only two al-Qaeda groups: HTS and al-Shabaab. According to the casualty rate (obtained by dividing the number of casualties by the number of incidents attributed to a particular group) given in the 2019 report, of the top five ISIS and al-Qaeda groups responsible for the most incidents, ISIS-affiliated groups were the more violent of the two groups (see Figure 1). For example, ISIS-K killed or wounded 724 people in 47 incidents, followed by ISIS-West Africa, which killed or wounded 1,222 people in 85 incidents. The most violent al-Qaeda group was HTS, with a casualty rate of 7.7.[27]



Figure 1: Casualty rates for ISIS-affiliated (blue) and al-Qaeda-affiliated (red) groups in 2019

Figure 1 compares the attacks and casualties for which ISIS-affiliated groups and al-Qaeda-affiliated groups were responsible in 2019. ISIS-affiliated groups killed or wounded 6,652 people in 959 incidents, while al-Qaeda-affiliated groups killed or wounded 4,420 people in 767 incidents.[28]



Figure 2: Comparison of the number of attacks and casualties for which ISIS-affiliated groups and al-Qaeda-affiliated groups were responsible in 2019

In terms of using violent tactics, ISIS-affiliated groups have been more violent than al-Qaeda-affiliated groups. For example, ISIS-affiliated groups were involved in more beheading incidents than al-Qaeda-affiliated groups between 2014 and 2020, according to another dataset, which was collected by the author. For example, as shown in Figure 3, ISIS-Core was the perpetrator of 717 out of 1,256 beheadings in Iraq and Syria. Copying the core organization’s tactics, other ISIS-affiliated groups also used beheading as one of their tactics. Additionally, ISIS-Core was involved in incidents where people were burned alive.[29]

 

Figure 3: Number of beheaded victims, by perpetrator group. Note that all of the groups listed here—except for Lone Actor (Jihadist), Taliban, and Al Shabaab—are ISIS and its affiliates.

Lone Actor Attacks

Lone actor terrorism poses an enormous threat that shows no signs of abating. Starting from the early 2010s, the world has witnessed an increase in the number of lone actor attacks. Such attacks are committed by individuals who operate according to their own timetable and do not have any formal connections with any terrorist organizations. These individuals are mostly self-radicalized and inspired by a terrorist ideology. Two ideologies—right-wing extremism and jihadism—are dominant among lone actors. When jihadist groups realized that victory over the well-equipped and well-developed Western military was impossible, they changed their tactics and encouraged their sympathizers to operate like sleeper cells in their home countries in the Western world. According the dataset Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States, the ISIS ideology inspired more people to self-radicalize than did the al-Qaeda ideology.[30] According to author’s dataset of information on lone actors between 2014 and 2020, ISIS-inspired individuals outnumbered al-Qaeda-inspired individuals (95 percent and 5 percent, respectively).[31]

Conclusion

ISIS has been the predominant terrorist organization in the Middle East since the launch of Syrian civil war, dwarfing considerably the stature of al-Qaeda which, at one point, was seen as a significant threat in the region and elsewhere. The world media has reported, for example, that ISIS has gained territory in Syria and Iraq, is the ruler of at least 6 million people in Iraq and Syria, has been the perpetrator of violent attacks, and has expanded its franchises in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Therefore, ISIS is perceived as being a more serious threat than al-Qaeda.

It would not be wrong to say that ISIS has been more successful than al-Qaeda at spreading its global influence, using indiscriminate violence, inspiring lone actors, and attracting media attention and coverage. Al-Qaeda, however, should not be underestimated. Al-Qaeda has renewed its capacity to act as a terrorist organization, its presence has increased in many regions, and it has shown that it is capable of competing on the same level as ISIS. Al-Qaeda franchises in Syria, Somalia, and the Sahel have gained popularity among potential radicals and are capable of targeting local military, international military, and state institutions. Unlike ISIS-Core and its franchises that indiscriminately target civilians, al-Qaeda-affiliated groups are more strategic in the selection and use of their terrorism targets.

On the flip side, the brutality and beheadings for which ISIS has come to be known and its penchant for claiming responsibility for almost every incident that happens in the Western world have resulted in a loss of credibility for the terrorist organization. It should be noted that until 2016, ISIS had been one of the most reliable terrorist organizations in terms of claiming responsibility for attacks that it truly had perpetrated. In the years since then, ISIS jumps at every chance to claim responsibility for terrorist attack and, at times, will make false claims of perpetrating an attack—just to maintain or bolster its popularity. The tide, however, has turned. Now al-Qaeda has the distinction of being more reliable than ISIS. Terrorism databases, for example, show that around 500 ISIS-Core attacks occur each year, a number far lower than the number of terrorist attacks for which ISIS has claimed responsibility. Al-Qaeda and its affiliates (e.g., al-Shabaab, JNIM, and HTS) on the other hand have claimed responsibility only when they were real attackers.

As one might expect, the rivalry between ISIS and al-Qaeda continues. It is common, for example, to see clashes between ISIS affiliates and al-Qaeda affiliates and for the al-Qaeda affiliates to dominate ISIS in most regions. For example, Al Shabaab has been known to clash with ISIS-Somalia, JNIM with ISIS-GS, the Taliban with ISIS-K, and AQAP with ISIS-Yemen. In most cases, Al-Qaeda affiliates have gained victories against ISIS affiliates.

The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, however, has complicated the ISIS-al-Qaeda conflict. With help from the Haqqani Network, the Taliban and al-Qaeda have developed strong ties to each other. Al-Qaeda’s leader, for example, praised and congratulated the Taliban for its successful takeover of Afghanistan. In another example, just as the Taliban provided safe haven to al-Qaeda before 9/11, it is believed that Al-Qaeda will enjoy immunity in Afghanistan under the Taliban government. To conclude, it would not be wrong to expect ongoing lone actor attacks by ISIS-inspired individuals in the Western world nor an increase in al-Qaeda’s capacity and influence in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Both ISIS and al-Qaeda deserve close attention, but the world needs to be aware of al-Qaeda’s increasing capacity as a global terror threat.

Endnotes

[1] Global Terrorism Database. The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), https://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/.

[2] Development Services Group, “Annex of Statistical Information 2019: Country Report on Terrorism 2019.” Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center, US Department of State. 10 June 2020, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Annex-of-Statistical-Information.pdf.

[3] Khaled al-Khateb, “Table 1: A Sampling of Al Qaeda-Affiliated Groups

in Existence between 2015 and 2019.” Al-Monitor. 11 January 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/01/syria-hurras-al-din-idlib-raqqa-attack-islamic-state.html.

[4] “Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).” Mapping Militant Organizations. Stanford: Stanford University, Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). July 2018, https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/al-qaeda-indian-subcontinent-aqis.

[5] Iftekharul Bashar, “Rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan: Security Implications for Bangladesh.” Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses. Vol. 13, no. 4. International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, 2021: pp. 19–24, https://www.jstor.org/stable/48618779.

[6] Gregory Sullivan, Audit Director to Lead Inspector General, Department of Defense, Memorandum, “Operation Inherent Resolve - Summary of Work Performed by the Department of the Treasury Related to Terrorist Financing, ISIS, and Anti-Money Laundering for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2021.”US Department of the Treasury. 4 January 2021, https://oig.treasury.gov/sites/oig/files/2021-01/OIG-CA-21-012.pdf.

[7] “Twelfth report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team submitted pursuant to resolution 2557 (2020) concerning the Taliban and other associated individuals and entities constituting a threat to the peace stability and security of Afghanistan.” Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team to the United Nations Security Council, S/2021/486. 1 June 2021, https://www.undocs.org/pdf?symbol=en/S/2021/486.

[8] Mahmut Cengiz, “The ISIS Model and its Influence Over Global Terrorism.” Paper presented to International Criminology Conference 2021. Washington, DC (Virtual): Policy Studies Organization. 5 Novemebr 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vue0u0_IPY.

[9] Op.Cit. “Annex of Statistical Information 2019: Country Report on Terrorism 2019” at Note 2.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ned Price, “On the Death of ISIS-GS Leader Adnan Abu Walid Al-Sahrawi.” Press Release. US Department of State. 17 September 2021, https://www.state.gov/on-the-death-of-isis-gs-leader-adnan-abu-walid-al-sahrawi/.

[12] Will Hartley, “Vehicle-impact and knife attack underlines persistent low-level Islamic State threat in Tunisia.” Janes. 24 September 2020, https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/vehicle-impact-and-knife-attack-underlines-persistent-low-level-islamic-state-threat-in-tunisia,

[13] “Tunisia: Extremism and Terrorism.” Counter Extremism Project. No Date [Accessed 9 January 2022], https://www.counterextremism.com/countries/tunisia.

[14] “Terrorism in Egypt.” WorldData.info. No Date [Accessed 9 January 2022], https://www.worlddata.info/africa/egypt/terrorism.php.

[15] Jason Warner, “Sub-Saharan Africa’s Three “New” Islamic State Affiliates.” CTC Sentinel. Vol. 10, no. 1. January 2017, https://ctc.usma.edu/sub-saharan-africas-three-new-islamic-state-affiliates/.

[16] Marc Chua, “Challenges Within Mozambique.” Small Wars Journal. 15 January 2020, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/challenges-within-mozambique.

[17] Op.Cit. “Annex of Statistical Information 2019: Country Report on Terrorism 2019” at Note 2.

[18] Ibid.

[19] On complex coordinated terrorist attacks (CCTAs), see John P. Sullivan and Adam Elkus, “Postcard from Mumbai: Modern Urban Siege.” Small Wars Journal. 16 February 2009, https://smallwarsjouranl.com/jrnl/art/postcard-mumbai-modern-urban-siege.

[20] Fernado Reinares, Al-Qaeda’s Revenge: The 2004 Madrid Train Bombings. New York: Columbia University Press, 2017.

[21] Kevin J. Strom and Joe Eyerman, “Interagency Coordination: Lessons Learned From the 2005 London Train Bombings.” NIJ Journal. Issue No. 261. October 2008, https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/224088.pdf.

[22] Two sequences of attacks against targets in Paris occurred in 2015. The first 7-9 January 2015 targeted the offices of the journal Charie Hebdo and was followed by a hostage situation and shootings, as well as an attack on the Hypercacher Kosher market. , “John P. Sullivan and Adam Elkus, “Urban Siege in Paris: A Spectrum of Armed Assault.” Small Wars Journal. 2 February 2015, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/urban-siege-in-paris-a-spectrum-of-armed-assault. The second on [13] November 2015 involved the siege of the Bataclan. Jean-Charles Brisard, “The Paris Attacks and the Evolving Islamic State Threat to France. CTC Sentinel. Vol. 8, no. 11. November/December 2015, https://ctc.usma.edu/the-paris-attacks-and-the-evolving-islamic-state-threat-to-france/.

[23] See Jean-Charles Brisard and Kevin Jackson, “The Islamic State’s External Operations and the French-Belgian Nexus.” CTC Sentinel. Vol. 9, no. 11. November/December 2016, https://ctc.usma.edu/the-islamic-states-external-operations-and-the-french-belgian-nexus/.

[24] Amarnath Amarasingam, “Terrorism on the Teardrop Island: Understanding the Easter 2019 Attacks in Sri Lanka.” CTC Sentinel. Vol. 12, no. 5. May/June 2019, https://ctc.usma.edu/terrorism-teardrop-island-understanding-easter-2019-attacks-sri-lanka/.

[25] Op.Cit. “Annex of Statistical Information 2019: Country Report on Terrorism 2019” at Note 2.

[26] Ibid.

[27] Ibid.

[28] Ibid.

[29] Ibid.

[30] “Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States - PIRUS (Keshif).” The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). Accessed 9 January 2022, https://www.start.umd/edu/profiles-individual-radicalization-united-states-prius-keshif.

[31] Author’s dataset with Dr. Kutluer Karademir. The dataset recorded 251 attacks between 2014 and 2020 by individuals that qualify the definition of lone actors.


Categories: terrorism
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About the Author(s)

Mahmut Cengiz


[Dr. Mahmut Cengiz is an Assistant Professor and Research Faculty with Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. Dr. Cengiz has international field experience where he has delivered capacity building and training assistance to international partners in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. He also has been involved in the research projects for the Brookings Institute, European Union, and various US agencies.]

https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/isis-or-al-qaeda-which-looms-greater-threat-global-security

Woman trips on wire, triggers blast that kills her in Basilan

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jan 11, 2022): Woman trips on wire, triggers blast that kills her in Basilan (By: Julie S. Alipala)

A 42-year old woman who accidentally tripped on a wire while on her way to fetch water died in an explosion at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11, in Barangay Upper Benembengan, Sumisip town, Basilan.

Police Major Faisal Tandico, officer-in-charge of the Sumisip police station, said Junaira Saad, a mentally-challenged woman, sustained shrapnel wounds on the different parts of her body and head, causing her instantaneous death.


“(She) was on her way to fetch water and accidentally tripped on the wire that triggered the explosion,” said Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan.

The wire that she tripped over was attached to a triggering device, causing the IED to explode, said Gobway, who identified the signature of the explosive to be that of Tawakkal Bayali, a sub leader of the Abu Sayyaf.

“This planting of APM (anti personnel mine), its components and triggering device were identified as signatures of Tawakkal Bayali,”
Gobway said.


Tandico said the body of the victim was already brought to her immediate family, who was preparing for a traditional Muslim burial rites.

He said the police were closely coordinating with the military in the area. “We immediately coordinated with our AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) counterparts in the area and tapped the Barangay Intelligence (BIN) to possibly identify the suspects,” he said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1539189/woman-trips-on-wire-triggers-blast-that-kills-her-in-basilan

PNP condemns shooting of intel cop in Northern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12, 2022): PNP condemns shooting of intel cop in Northern Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)



SLAIN COP. Men carry the body of Staff Sgt. Joerel Pajac, fatally shot in Catubig, Northern Samar on Jan. 10, 2022. The Philippine National Police on Tuesday (Jan. 11, 2022) condemned the incident. (Photo courtesy of Danny Balading)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has condemned the fatal shooting of an intelligence police officer in Catubig, Northern Samar on January 10.

The Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) here said the “treacherous” attack against Staff Sgt. Joerel Pajac was a clear violation of human rights.


“We call on witnesses to the incident to cooperate with our police to identify the attackers so that justice will be served,” the PNP said in a statement issued on Tuesday night.

Pajac, 39, a resident of Calingnan village in Catubig town, was assigned to the Northern Samar Police Intelligence Unit.

He was about to disembark from a motorboat when four armed men suddenly appeared and shot him.

The unarmed victim jumped into the water but the gunmen continued shooting at him before fleeing towards San Francisco village.

The victim's body was recovered floating on the river after more than an hour.


Catubig, a third-class town in Northern Samar, is about 311 km. north from Tacloban, the regional capital.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165171

Most wanted Mindanao NPA leader facial composite released

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12, 2022): Most wanted Mindanao NPA leader facial composite released (By Che Palicte)



COMPOSITE SKETCH. The composite sketch of Eric Jun Casilao alias "Elian" or "Wally" released by the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) released on Wednesday (Jan. 12, 2022). He is among the most wanted New People's Army (NPA) leaders in Mindanao and allegedly being groomed to be the successor of another NPA leader, slain Menandro Villanueva alias “Bok". (Photo courtesy of 10ID)

The latest composite sketch of Eric Jun Casilao alias "Elian" or "Wally" which came out from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group, Regional Forensic Unit 11 was released by the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) on Wednesday.

In a statement, the 10ID said the photo was
based on descriptions by former high-value individuals who were once the comrade of Casilao while inside the communist New People’s Army (NPA) movement.

Casilao, 43, is currently the secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and the brother of former ANAKPAWIS Rep. Ariel Baring Casilao.

The 10ID added that Casilao has been with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - NPA for some 20 years with his party wife, May Casilao alias Gab.


Casilao is facing multiple criminal cases that include two counts of murder, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.

Groomed to be the successor of slain Menandro Villanueva alias “Bok," Casilao has a PHP5.4 million bounty placed on his head.

Villanueva, the longest-serving secretary of the NPA's SMRC and concurrent secretary of the Komisyong Mindanao KOMMID, commanding officer of the NPA’s National Operations Command (NOC), and member of the POLITBURO of the Central Committee of the CPP was killed in an encounter with military forces on January 5 in Davao de Oro.

Maj. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., 10ID commander, said anybody who can pinpoint the whereabouts of Casilao will get the PHP5.4 million reward money being offered by the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“I am calling every citizen to continuously support our campaign against the terrorist group. Your information and cooperation are vital to us,” Torres said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165203

NPA arms cache discovered in Nueva Ecija

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12, 2022): NPA arms cache discovered in Nueva Ecija (By Zorayda Tecson)



ARMS CACHE. Troops of the 84th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Kaugnay and Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Office of Nueva Ecija unearth an arms cache of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Minuli, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday (Jan. 12, 2022). The troops were conducting peace and security efforts when a concerned resident of Barangay Minuli tipped off the location of the arms cache. (Photo by Northern Luzon Command)

Troops of the 84th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Kaugnay and Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Office of Nueva Ecija discovered an arms cache of the New People’s Army in Barangay Minuli, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, acting commander of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), said the troops were conducting peace and security efforts when a concerned resident of Barangay Minuli tipped off the location of the arms cache of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Costelo said the war materiel and communication equipment include an M203 grenade launcher, three stocks/butt plates of M14 rifle, six cartridges of 5.56mm, 10 rounds of 40mm high explosive, four long 5.56mm magazines assembly, two short 5.56mm magazines assembly, five ICOM two-way radios with a charger, a 30-liter container with rice, two keypad cell phones, and, assorted medical paraphernalia.


Col. Joseph Norwin Pasamonte, commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade, whose area covers the province of Nueva Ecija, said the recovered items were brought to headquarters of the 84th Infantry Battalion in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija for proper documentation and disposition.

Costelo congratulated the troops on their dedication in carrying out their mandated tasks.

Since the start of this year, the Nolcom forces discovered three NPA arms and food caches.

"Nolcom will be relentless on its peace, security, and development efforts to end the local communist armed conflict in the northern Luzon. I call on the remaining members of the communist terrorist group to peacefully lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law. You are victims of the lies and deceptions of the communist terrorists. Nolcom is always here to help you to start anew," Costelo said in a statement.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165242

68IB troops end over 5-year stint in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12, 2022): 68IB troops end over 5-year stint in Basilan (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



NEW ASSIGNMENT. Troops of the Army's 68th Infantry Battalion (IB) board a Philippine Navy ship Tuesday (Jan. 11, 2022) at the port of Lamitan City, Basilan en route to Mindoro, their new place of assignment as the Armed Forces of the Philippines reshuffled some of its forces in the country. The 68IB troops, who served in Basilan from Sept. 6, 2016, will be replaced by the Army's 14th Division Reconnaissance Company and 17th Scout Ranger Company. (Photo courtesy of Westmincom)

The Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion (IB) departed Basilan province after more than a five-year stint against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reshuffled some of its forces in the country.

Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said Wednesday that the 68IB troopers will be replaced by the Army’s 14th Division Reconnaissance Company and the 17th Scout Ranger Company.


“These two companies will provide additional forces to the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan in forging peace, security, and development in the province,” Rosario said in a statement.

The officers and enlisted men received military merit medals for their meritorious actions and invaluable services rendered as members of the 68IB in Basilan province since Sept. 6, 2016.

They also received a command plaque in grateful recognition of the Westmincom for their invaluable contribution in accomplishing their missions.

Col. Frederick Sales, deputy commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade (Bde) and JTF-Basilan, expressed his gratitude to the 68IB troops and wished them well in a send-off ceremony Tuesday held at the port of Lamitan City.

From Basilan, Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, 101Bde commander, said in a text message Wednesday that the 68IB’s next place of assignment is Mindoro.

Meanwhile, Rosario also extended his appreciation to the 68IB troopers for their deep sense of duty and commitment to service that led to the neutralization of the remaining ASG members under sub-leader Radzmil Jannatul alias Khubayb.

“Your achievements earned distinct honor and credit not only for your unit but also for the whole AFP,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165226

168K doses of J&J jabs pad US donations to 3.4M

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11, 2022): 168K doses of J&J jabs pad US donations to 3.4M (By Ferdinand Patinio)



US DONATION. Personnel from the Department of Health and Bureau of Customs check the shipment containing 168,000 doses of Janssen Covid-19 vaccines at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Tuesday (Jan. 11, 2022). The first shipment this year of the single-dose vaccine was donated by the United States through the COVAX Facility. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

The Philippines received another shipment of United States-donated Covid-19 vaccines with the arrival of 168,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) jabs on Tuesday.

Overall, 12,905,660 doses of the single-dose jab manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals have been donated to the country -- 3,420,860 by the US government through the COVAX Facility and 9,484,800 from COVAX itself.

Dr. Paz Corrales, National Task Force Against Covid-19 medical consultant, said the latest donation is another boost to help end the pandemic.

“We thank the US government for donating the J&J vaccines through the COVAX Facility. It’s a big help especially now that we have increasing cases of Covid 19 case maybe because of the Omicron variant,” she said in an interview after the arrival of the vaccines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City via Emirates Flight EK 332.

Corrales said with the continuous arrival of vaccines, there is no reason not to avail of protection against severe infections and even death.

“Everyone should go to vaccination sites,” she added.

Corrales likewise added to the continuous reminders for the public to strictly follow health protocols.

“Let's go back to complying with minimum health standards, frequent hand washing, wearing of mask, maybe voluntarily wearing of face shields and then social distancing, and of course, to get vaccinated,” she said.

The total number of delivered vaccines, both procured and donated, has reached 213,655,520.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165157

Army engineering units help in 'Odette' rebuilding efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12, 2022): Army engineering units help in 'Odette' rebuilding efforts (By Priam Nepomuceno)


Photo courtesy of Philippine Army

The Philippine Army (PA) said Tuesday night its 52nd Engineer Brigade (52EBde) is assisting local government units in northeastern Mindanao in rebuilding and reconstruction efforts in communities severely affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

The 52EBde units have been conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts since “Odette” swept through Mindanao and Visayas in mid-December last year.

"Seven construction and maintenance teams from 52EBde are currently deployed to clear debris-strewn roads and help repair typhoon-damaged homes and government buildings in Surigao del Norte, Siargao, and Dinagat Islands," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.

He added that these teams also facilitated the delivery of construction materials to help typhoon-stricken families rebuild their homes in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.

Meanwhile, PA Chief, Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., assured families in calamity areas of their continued help.

"The Philippine Army will continue to exhaust all means to help our typhoon-stricken countrymen get back on their feet,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165176

Tank gunnery simulator to enhance Army's firing capabilities

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12, 2022): Tank gunnery simulator to enhance Army's firing capabilities (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Once turned over and operational, the newly delivered tank gunnery simulation system of the Philippine Army (PA) would greatly enhance the capabilities of units tasked to operate the service's incoming light tanks.

"The Tank Gunnery Simulation System is part of the first list on the Horizon 2 of the RAFPMP (Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program). (The) project is yet to be completed in the first quarter this year. Once delivered to the Army, an inspection will be conducted for its acceptance,"
PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a message to reporters Tuesday night.

The PHP36 million simulator, which was delivered early this month, was acquired from Wolfberry Asia - PT Indocertes Joint Venture to provide training to PA light tank crews in using their 105mm main guns.

The PA, especially its Armor Division, is expected to undertake the delivery of 20 Elbit Systems Land Sabrah ASCOD light tanks (tracked) by this year.


"The tank gunnery simulator would enhance the skills and capabilities of our Army personnel in the performance of their given tasks/unit missions," Trinidad said.

He added that the system would be accepted into service once inspected and approved by the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC).

"The TIAC needs to convene and have the schedule. This is to check that what has been specified in the order must be delivered accordingly," he added.

Trinidad said the TIAC is the part where the PA makes its final technical inspection and decision to accept the newly-delivered equipment or platforms.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165178

Gov't to leave 'no stone unturned' in Mindanao bus bombing probe

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 12, 2022): Gov't to leave 'no stone unturned' in Mindanao bus bombing probe (By Lade Jean Kabagani)



OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (File photo)

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) has assured that authorities will go after the perpetrators of the recent bombing of a passenger bus in Aleosan, North Cotabato.

In a statement on Wednesday, OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. asked the public to stay calm but always remain vigilant.

"Rest assured that the national government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to the bar of justice," Galvez said.

Galvez strongly condemned the "ruthless attack" on Tuesday morning that injured at least six people, three of them children, and killed a 5-year-old boy.

In an initial report, bomb experts said an improvised explosive device was planted under one of the seats near the rear portion of the bus and set off through a mobile phone.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the victim, as we pray for the swift recovery of all those wounded. It is heartbreaking that as our country continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic and is still in the process of recovering from the wrath of Typhoon Odette, the agents of violence have once again made their presence felt and wrought havoc among our people," Galvez said.

He lamented such "brutal acts have no room in a humane, peaceful society."

Galvez believes the attack was clearly perpetrated by those who wanted to sow fear, animosity, and division among people.

"Let us all band together and show them that they cannot break our will and spirit – that we are strong, unfazed, and united," he said.

Galvez warned those who wanted to dismantle the peace process in Mindanao.

"And for those who wish to diminish the gains of the peace process, which we have worked so hard to push forward and sustain – this is our message to all of you: You will not succeed because we, all peace-loving Filipinos, will stand guard to protect these gains at all cost," said Galvez.

The use of improvised explosive devices with anti-personnel mine characteristics is illegal and prohibited under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, otherwise known as the Mine Ban Treaty, signed during the Geneva Convention in 1997.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165213