Trooper killed by sniper fire in Marawi raises government death toll to 155

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 7): Trooper killed by sniper fire in Marawi raises government death toll to 155

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said that another soldier was killed when he was hit by sniper fire in the continuing battle in Marawi City.

 

AFP spokesman Major Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said the death of the still unidentified soldier brought to 155 the total number of government soldiers killed in the Marawi conflict which is nearing its fifth month on October 23.

Joint Task Force Marawi said a total of 753 Islamic State-inspired Maute Group terrorists have so far been killed in the fighting while recovered firearms number 805. The killed civilians remain at 47 while those rescued have reached 1,750.

“Early this (Friday) morning, we had an incident when we were operating in an area and incurred another casualty through sniper fire. And it’s a sad development because we were expecting that as we engaged more in these remaining areas and have better control of the peripheral areas, we’d be able to minimize that,” General Padilla said during the Mindanao Hour in Malacañang.

Padilla said fighting continues in an area of about seven to eight hectares in Marawi. “This is where most of the encounters with the enemy are occurring,” he said. “Unfortunately, we still face a very tenacious enemy who is determined to defend their area,” he added.

With regards to the rescue of 17 hostages – nine men and eight women – General Padilla said, “There were conflicting reports that some were surrenderees from the inside. I’d like to correct that. This might have been a mix-up between the hostages that were rescued and they may have been alluding to the nine men.”

Padilla also said that based on the debriefing done on the individuals, the remaining hostages number about 40, while the Maute-ISIS members are about 40 to 50.

The information learned from the debriefing of the rescued hostages, he said, is a very important factor in the planning for the remaining areas held by the terrorists, Padilla said.

 

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/07/trooper-killed-by-sniper-fire-in-marawi-raises-government-death-toll-to-155/

AFP considers Maguindanao and Cotabato as most threatened areas

From UNTV News and Rescue (Oct 6): AFP considers Maguindanao and Cotabato as most threatened areas

 

MANILA, Philippines — The military has been diligently monitoring and gathering information to prevent another armed crisis the likes of Marawi siege.

 

AFP Spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla pointed out that the provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato are the most threatened areas to date because of the presence of armed groups supporting Maute terrorists there.

 

“Because there remains in those areas sizeable numbers of armed men who have pledged allegiance to this — the group who are in Marawi,” said Padilla.

The official also reiterated that martial law in Mindanao is needed to end the atrocities in Mindanao.

“Martial law in Mindanao will not end when the battle in Marawi is over because we still have until the end of the year to do everything we can to prevent this kind of rebellion from happening again,” said the AFP spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the military revealed that certain groups are now being monitored by the AFP for possibly supporting the Maute terrorists.

Padilla said once they have gathered enough evidence, they will proceed to file appropriate legal charges.

“And we’re conducting our thorough research on these people because it may be possible that they had been part or accessory to the rebellion,” said the official.

 

https://www.untvweb.com/news/afp-considers-maguindanao-cotabato-threatened-areas/

AFP mulls raps vs groups involved in Marawi siege

From the Philippine Star (Oct 7): AFP mulls raps vs groups involved in Marawi siege

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is mulling the possibility of taking legal action against groups linked to the attack in Marawi City, military spokesman Major Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said yesterday. AP/Bullit Marquez, File
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is mulling the possibility of taking legal action against groups linked to the attack in Marawi City, military spokesman Major Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said yesterday.
 

During the regular Mindanao Hour briefing at Malacañang yesterday, Padilla also assured the public that the AFP will never be involved in any destabilization plot against President Duterte.

He said the people can trust the Armed Forces to do what is right within their mandate in the Constitution.

Padilla explained that the military is conducting a “thorough research on these people because it may be possible that they had been part or accessory to the rebellion.”

 

“These groups that we have been watching closely have exhibited indications that since the very beginning of the Marawi crisis, they may have been partial to the terrorists or the rebels in the areas,” he said.

Padilla was commenting on reports that some groups are planning to file charges against the AFP for its offensive operations in Marawi.

 

“The reason I mentioned that is because of statements that have been recently said, and threats to file cases against the Armed Forces. And I’d just like to inform the public that these groups have been, from the very beginning, observed as being partial to the side of the rebels,” Padilla said.

The AFP is digging deeper into the participation of these groups in the rebellion.

“And this is indicative of deeper and much more thorough information that we are now looking for that may, in all probability, link these groups to the destabilization occurring in the area,” Padilla added.

Padilla invoked that “the state has the right to defend itself and the offensives carried out in Marawi were in pursuit of that because we would like to bring back the rule of law and law and order in the area.”

Padilla expressed confidence that the Marawi crisis would end before the Philippines hosts the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit this November.

He said the AFP will not declare an end of hostilities until the last terrorist offering resistance has been dealt with months after the Maute group attacked Marawi last May 23.

Once the fight against the Maute terrorists is over, Padilla said the AFP will continue to monitor the security landscape of Mindanao to ensure that there will be no repeat of the Marawi siege.

Clearing operations are also ongoing in the conflict areas, with more or less 200 buildings and facilities yet to be cleared of unexploded ordnances and improvised explosive devices planted by the terrorists.

Meanwhile, Padilla said that 17 hostages were recently rescued by the AFP, while around 40 hostages still remain inside the conflict zone. He said the rescue of the remaining hostages will be the subject of AFP’s operations in the coming days.

Padilla added that the military is grateful to the President for his announcement that Filipino soldiers will get higher salaries by next year.

Padilla noted that the alleged destabilization efforts would fail because “we have a commander-in-chief who has malasakit for every soldier and is keeping his end of the bargain of taking care of every uniformed man doing his job.”

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, director of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police, said six policemen have died while 61 others were wounded in the fighting in Marawi City since May 23.

He said that Police Officer 1 Mohaimin Nato has remained missing since the hostilities started in Marawi.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/10/07/1746325/afp-mulls-raps-vs-groups-involved-marawi-siege

Know your enemy, Negros police told

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 7): Know your enemy, Negros police told

Know your enemy.

That is what Police Director Camilo Cascolan, PNP chief for Operations, said yesterday in response to the series of incidents involving policemen killed in ambushes perpetrated by the New People's Army, while responding to distress calls.

Cascolan, who officiated over the formal deactivation of the Police Regional Office 18 at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City yesterday, said they are going around the country, to lecture to the police on Community Anti-Terrorism Awareness Program, Enhanced Managing Police Operations, aside from Knowing the Enemy.

He again reminded the police to strictly observe security measures, while responding to distress calls. Before responding, they should verify calls for help with their Barangay Intelligence Network or assets, and should walk while going to the ambush site.

He also stressed the need for the police to control their borders or boundaries. “When you control the borders, we would be able to control the area inside,” Cascolan said.

There should be always coordination and cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he added.

“If you are not familiar with the ambush area, you should seek the help of PPSCs (Police Public Safety Companies) or RPSB ( Regional Public Safety Battalion) and have a thorough plan for it,” Cascolan said.

Cascolan also stressed the need for simulation exercises among police units. “Everybody will know what to do in case anything happens”, Cascolan said.

“When you have done all these things and your men are all safe, it is the time to go on the offensive,” he also said.

Six policemen died, and three others were injured, in an ambush staged by the NPA in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, on July 21, while they were responding to a shooting incident in the area.

A similar incident recently took place in Cauayan, Negros Oriental. But the five Cauayan policemen who responded to a reported hold-up incident, survived, and were unhurt during the ambush staged by suspected communist rebels.

Next week, they will launch an Inter-Agency Committee on Legal Action that will be responsible for filing legal action against those responsible for the ambush of their personnel and harassment of police detachments, Cascolan said.

The Philippine National Police is also planning to increase the number of PPSCs of provincial police offices, including those in Negros Island, as well as of RPSB personnel to their maximum limit.

At present, Cascolan said the provincial police office has only one public safety company, compared to four before.

He said they will recommend the increase of PPSC unit in one province to PNP chief Ronald ‘Bato” dela Rosa, as well as the increase of RPSB strength to its maximum of limit.

The newly-deactivated PRO18 headquarters is being eyed for a satellite office of the PRO 6 in Bacolod City.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/October/07/topstory1.htm

Filipino charged for plotting NY attacks in name of ISIS

From Rappler (Oct 7): Filipino charged for plotting NY attacks in name of ISIS

Authorities say 37-year-old Russell Salic of the Philippines allegedly provided funds for the planned attacks that were thwarted by an undercover FBI agent



Three people, including a Filipino, have been charged with involvement in a jihadist plot to attack targets including New York's subway and Times Square, authorities announced on Friday, October 6.

An undercover FBI agent thwarted the planned attacks which were to be carried out in the name of the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as ISIS or the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq) during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in 2016.

The 2015 attack on the Bataclan concert hall in Paris and another on the metro in Belgium the following year served as inspiration for the planned killings in New York.

Those attacks were both claimed by ISIS, a brutal militant group that seized swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and has inspired a series of deadly attacks abroad.

Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, a 19-year-old Canadian who purchased bombmaking materials and was arrested after traveling to the US, has pled guilty to "terrorism offenses," the statement said.

Talha Haroon, a 19-year-old American citizen living in Pakistan, allegedly planned to take part in the attacks, while Russell Salic of the Philippines, 37, allegedly provided funds for the operation.

The attacks were thwarted with the help of an undercover FBI agent posing as an ISIS supporter who communicated with the 3 plotters.

Haroon and Salic have been arrested abroad, and their extradition to the US is pending.

"El Bahnasawy and Haroon identified multiple locations and events in and around New York City as targets of the planned attacks, including the New York City subway system, Times Square and certain concert venues," the statement said.

El Bahnasawy sent the undercover FBI agent an image of Times Square, saying that "we seriously need a car bomb" to attack it and that he wanted to "shoot up concerts cuz they kill a lot of people."

Haroon, meanwhile, told the agent that the subway would make a "perfect" target, and that suicide vests could be detonated after the attackers expended their ammunition.

Salic also began communicating with the FBI agent, eventually sending "approximately $423" to fund the attacks and promising to send more, according to prosecutors.

New York was the target of the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people and led the US to launch an open-ended "war on terror" that included invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and military operations in a number of other countries.

These operations led, directly and indirectly, to tens of thousands of deaths, and cost the US hundreds of billions of dollars.

The most recent attack in New York occurred in September 2016, when a pressure cooker bomb exploded in the Chelsea neighborhood, wounding 29 people.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/184548-filipino-charged-plotting-new-york-attacks-isis

Filipino charged for foiled NY terror plot is a doctor from Marawi

From Rappler (Oct 7): Filipino charged for foiled NY terror plot is a doctor from Marawi

Russel Salic surrendered to authorities in the Philippines in April 2017. The US wants him extradited



TERROR PLOT. A Filipino is among those charged in a foiled terror plot in New York. Times Square file photo from Wikipedia

Russel Salic, the Filipino charged for allegedly supporting a foiled terror plot in New York, is a doctor who used to practice in Marawi City, Rappler learned.

Salic, a 37-year-old orthopedic surgeon, used to work at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City, among other hospitals. He lived in neighboring Marantao town.

He surrendered to authorities in Manila in April and is now under government custody, according to lawyer Abdul Jamal Dimaporo, the chief of the National Bureau of Investigation in Iligan City. Dimaporo facilitated the surrender.

Salic is facing kidnapping and murder charges in the Philippines, based on the complaint of several sawmill workers from Iligan City who were abducted by the Maute Group in Butig, Lanao del Norte, in April 2016.

The complainants had positively identified Salic as among those who reportedly held them captive, and alleged that they saw him talking to members of the Maute family.

Salic denied the allegation when he appeared at the preliminary investigation of the Department of Justice in August, saying in his counteraffidavit that at the time of the abductions, he was working at the Nothern Mindanao Medical Center in Iligan City which is far from Butig.

The US government claimed that Salic sent around $423 to fund bombings in New York supposedly in the name of international terrorist network Islamic State (ISIS).

The US is asking the Philippines to extradite him.

Salic was charged along with two other alleged terrorists.

Canadian Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, 19, was the one who purchased bombmaking materials. He was arrested after traveling to the US and reportedly pled guilty to "terrorism offenses.

American Talha Haroon, 19, reportedly planned to take part in the attacks. He was living in Pakistan.

Dimaporo said the US coordinated with the NBI in January to look for Salic. He went into hiding first before finally surrendering to authorities in April amid military crackdown on alleged supporters of ISIS in Marawi.

Dimaporo said Salic was not facing any criminal charge in the Philippines when he became a person of interest in the US.

The Philippines issued a provisional warrant of arrest before the doctor based on the request of the US government.

But Salic was later accused by the Philippine government of involvement in the Marawi siege despite his surrender before the attack, meaning he is now facing a local case.

Salic shares the surname of former Marawi City Mayor Pre Salic, among the alleged supporters of the Maute-ISIS group responsible for the siege in Marawi.

But they are not related, according to locals in Marawi.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/184582-filipino-charged-ny-terror-plot-doctor-marawi

Search for missing cop in Marawi continues

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 7): Search for missing cop in Marawi continues

Philippine National Police (PNP) authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have intensified their search for a missing police officer involved in the Marawi City operation against terrorists.

Chief Supt. Theodore Sindac, ARMM police director, said the search for missing Police Officer 1 Mohaimin Nato is ongoing and they are hoping he is alive.

Nato was assigned in Marawi City when the Maute terrorist group and Abu Sayyaf attacked the city on May 23.

Along with Nato's family and relatives, the Lanao del Sur and Marawi police offices have continued searching for the missing policeman who was last seen fighting the ISIS-inspired group in Marawi City’s commercial district.

Sindac would not speculate as to what happened to Nato but added that the PNP-ARMM acknowledged his bravery.

Speaking to reporters, Sindac said the PNP-ARMM lost six police officers in the Marawi siege, while 61 police personnel were injured in the fight against the ISIS-leaning group.

Sindac said some of the injured police officers remained in the hospital.

Sindac assured the family of Nato that the police would continue searching for him, especially now that the war against the ISIS group in Marawi City is nearing its end.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012121

6 soldiers hurt in Iloilo bomb blast

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 7): 6 soldiers hurt in Iloilo bomb blast

Six soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61st IB) sustained minor injuries from a bomb attack staged by suspected New People’s Army rebels Friday night in Barangay Pangilihan in Janiuay, Iloilo Province.

Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot Jr., 61st IB Commanding Officer, on Saturday said five of the soldiers, who sustained minor cuts on their bodies, were already discharged from the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC).

Only one of the soldiers is still confined for further treatment, but Magbalot stressed his wound is not life-threatening.

Magbalot said the soldiers were on their way back to the mainland at around 10:45 p.m. after conducting Community Support Program in five mountainous barangays of Janiuay when they were hit by a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED).

The troopers also encountered three to five alleged NPA rebels who immediately fled after the explosion and when the soldiers started to fire back.

Magbalot said they were about three meters away from the area where the IED was planted by the suspected rebels.

Recovered from the scene were several parts of the IED.

Magbalot said none from the civilians in the community was hurt.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012091

2 Aussie Navy warships to visit PH

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 7): 2 Aussie Navy warships to visit PH

Two Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warships, the HMAS Adelaide (LO1) and the HMAS Darwin (FFG-04), will make a goodwill visit to the Philippines on Oct. 10-15.

The visit of the two vessels, which will arrive at Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, is part of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Joint Task Group Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said in a statement Friday.

The HMAS Adelaide, commanded by Capt. Jonathan Earley, is classed as an amphibious assault ship and a landing helicopter dock while the HMAS Darwin, under the command of Commander Phillip Henry, is a guided missile frigate, Lincuna added.

Delegates of the Philippine Navy will welcome the vessels in a ceremony. Expected to attend are Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely, ranking PN officials, and Earley in his capacity as Joint Task Group commander.

A port briefing on security and health will be conducted on board one of the RAN vessels, Lincuna said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012079

Civilians turn over BIFF bombs to Army

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 7): Civilians turn over BIFF bombs to Army

Civilians in a conflict-affected area in Maguindanao are helping government forces clear their communities of improvised bombs from an ISIS-inspired group, the Army here said.

As proof of this, Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, chief of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion, said civilians surrendered some five kilos of unexploded ordnance they found in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, on Friday.

The Army and its ally, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), have been fighting for over two months now against the faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under Commander Esmael Abdulmalik in the area.

The clashes that started in late July left at least 50 fatalities from both the MILF and BIFF. Fighting erupted when the BIFF tried to hoist ISIS black flags in MILF-identified communities in Barangays Andavit and Tee in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

The MILF sent Task Force Ittihad (Unity) to the two villages to convince the outlawed group not to hoist ISIS flags.

Instead, the BIFF set off bombs that left 10 MILF injured and triggered sporadic gun battles.

This developed as Besana expressed elation at the gesture of civilians in turning over components of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to authorities, citing it has also saved the lives of civilians from unnecessary explosions that might occur in their communities.

Approximately five kilograms of assorted improvised explosive devices believed to be made by followers of Abu Toraypi were surrendered by civilians to the personnel of the CMO Battalion in Sitio Gadong, Barangay Pagatin 2, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao," Besana said.

He said it was not clear where the IEDs were discovered, mentioning that what is important is that the IEDs are now in the safe hands of military bomb experts.

He said such civilian cooperation was the result of the massive information campaign being conducted in support to the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade and 6th ID's campaign against the terror group in the area.

"IEDs pose great hazards and threats to the civilians in the area. It is being used by the BIFF to inflict casualties to pursuing AFP soldiers and MILF fighters and to protect their strongholds which were recently cleared after fierce clashes for more than two months now," Besana said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012124

DWDD: QUALITY SERVICE | PAFPMC celebrates 10th Founding Anniversary

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 6): QUALITY SERVICE  |  PAFPMC celebrates 10th Founding Anniversary

COL JESUS VILLAMOR AIRBASE, Pasay City (DWDD) – The Philippine Air Force Personnel Management Center (PAFPMC) celebrated its 10th year founding anniversary yesterday, October 05, 2017 at the New Hall of Flags, Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City with the PAF Vice Commander, Major General Rozzano D Briguez AFP, as guest of honor.

Celebrating the unit’s achievements, personnel were awarded with plaques of appreciation to recognize their outstanding performance and contribution to the PAFPMC. The following are:

Officer of the Year – 2Lt Darwin N Padilla PAF
Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year – SSg Jose Z Tuazon PAF
Airman of the Year – A2C Jestony B Quiapo PAF
Civilian Employee of the Year – Ms Kim L Mira CE

 

 

With this year’s theme: “PAFPMC @ 10: A Decade of Continuous Quality Personnel Services Management towards a Jointly Engaged and Transforming FORCE”, the unit’s Commanding Officer, Lt Col Adriano SJ Duadico PAF (MNSA), looks forward to another decade of building and strengthening forges as they reaffirm the unit’s commitment through STEP-UP: Self-discipline, initiative, creativity; Teamwork and training; Evolving efficient excellence; Professionalism and Patriotism; Universal competence; Personnel management experts.

MGen Briguez, on the other hand, lauded the men and women of the PAFPMC for their continuous teamwork to provide a quality personnel management services to make the work productive in every organization of the Philippine Air Force. Photo by A1C Yupangco PAF / MCAG









http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/06/quality-service-pafpmc-celebrates-10th-founding-anniversary/

DWDD: RENEWED TIES | PRRD wants to strengthen Ph-US relations

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 6): RENEWED TIES  |  PRRD wants to strengthen Ph-US relations

 

CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – The Philippines still considers the United States of America as its number one ally.

According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen Eduardo Año, President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his desire to renew and further strengthen ties with the America.



This was evident when the Commander-in-Chief ordered the increase to 261 from 258 the various activities included in the annual Balikatan exercises for next year after it was initially lessened.

General Año added that the exercise would also re-include “territorial defense exercises” although this will not be done anywhere near the West Philippine Sea (WPS).



He stressed that there are now no limitations set for the conduct of Balikatan 2018

The announcement was made by Gen Año after he formally received 3,000 new M4 assault rifles and millions of ammunitions yesterday, October 5, 2017, as part of the second batch of donation by the government of the People’s Republic of China. AES/ALS

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/06/renewed-ties-prrd-wants-to-strengthen-ph-us-relations/

DWDD: MULTI SECTORAL CONCERN | EMC holds 2nd Forum on Preventing Violent Extremism

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 6): MULTI SECTORAL CONCERN | EMC holds 2nd Forum on Preventing Violent Extremism

 

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City (DWDD) – A Multi-Sectoral Forum on Countering and Preventing Violent Extremism that will gather representatives from various sectors in CARAGA Region is being conducted by Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC), in coordination with the CARAGA Conference for Peace and Development today, October 6, 2017 at San Lorenzo Ruiz Formation Center, Butuan City.

Invited and expected personalities participating comes from the youth, security, religious, academe, Bangsamoro, Indigenous Peoples and other sectors in the said region.

The Forum is part of the continuing activity of Eastern Mindanao Command in sustaining peace while preventing violent extremism in its area of responsibility.

Last August 23, 2017, the same forum was conducted in Davao City to educate, aware, and draw input and support from various sectors in Davao Region to develop programs and activities in preventing extremism through the context of whole of nation approach.

Following EMC’s forum, the 10th Infantry Division also supported and participated in the Peace Dialogue with the Multi-Sectoral Muslim Leaders of Davao Del Norte on September 26, 2017. The dialogue was devoted on consensus building against terrorism and illegal drugs and has gathered several leaders of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and other peace stakeholders in Davao Region.

On the other hand, Lt. General Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command graced the forum in Butuan City. It was highlighted with the presentation of topics aligned on countering violent extremism from the three Resource Speakers:

Dr. Mark Anthony Torres of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao based in Mindanao State University – Iligan will discuss the general perspective of Violent Extremism, the “push and pull” factors, Marawi perspective, and some recommendations based on the institution’s research. Al Qualam Institute on Islamic Studies Director Mussollini Lidasan, on the other hand, will present the current programs and researches on preventing extremism, while Mr. Ednar Dayanghirang will present the prevention of violent extremism on the local government perspective by presenting the best practices of Davao Oriental.

The activity will end with the presentation of inputs and recommendations of the participants from various sectors to support in preventing terrorism.

The Multi-Sectoral Forum in Butuan City will be the second leg of the three Regional fora that are being conducted by EMC, while the third leg will be held in Region 12 on the last week of October 2017. EMC/MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/06/multi-sectoral-concern-emc-holds-2nd-forum-on-preventing-violent-extremism/

DWDD: UNITY THROUGH PROSPERITY | Army, LGU fight radicalization, taps Lumad Youth of Bukidnon

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 6): UNITY THROUGH PROSPERITY |  Army, LGU fight radicalization, taps Lumad Youth of Bukidnon

 

CAMP OSITO D. BAHIAN, Bukidnon (DWDD) – The local government unit of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, in collaboration with the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, conducted a three (3) – day Youth Leadership Summit from September 29 to October 1, 2017 for the youth leaders coming from the Bukidnon, Higaonon, and Umayamnon Tribes with the theme“Kagpabaton-batona daw malambag sa bungkatol ha bulawan” (Unity through prosperity).

The activity, which was held at Mt. Moriah Camp and Conference Center inBrgy. Patpat, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, aims to empower the Lumad youth by honing their leadership potentials and re-indoctrinating them about the cultures and traditions of their tribes so that they may become conduits of peace, development, and culture preservation in their respective communities. The activity also serves as a venue for spreading awareness among the youth on the radicalization and recruitment efforts of local terrorist groups and other lawless elements.

During the summit, the Lumad youth leaders were able to know and understand the different cultures, traditions, and rights of the Indigenous Peoples; the various government programs for the youth; and the prevailing issues and challenges that they face and how they could cope with them as they embark on their journey towards becoming community leaders who are committed on peace building and in the promotion of a culture of peace in oursociety.

In a simple Closing Ceremony on October 1, 2017, around 11:30 am, Atty. Nestor E. Cajes, Jr., the Provincial Administrator of Bukidnon, who acted as the Keynote Speaker, challenged the participants to go back to the culture of theLumad and avoid violence as a means of airing one’s grievances. He also mentioned that all people have equal rights regardless of tribe.

He said that “Kita tanan pareha ra tag katungod. Pareha ra tag katungodmupadayag sa atong mga kaligotgot, sa atong mga problema. Pero dili sakatong mga radical or extreme nga pamaagi. At the end of the day, walanasulbad ang problema. Makita ninyo nga ang extremism dili maoy tubag saatong mga hinaing.” (We all have equal rights. We have equal rights to express our grievances and our problems but not through radical or extreme means. At the end of the day, you’ll realize that it is not the answer to our problems.)

Likewise, Atty. Richard D. Macas, the Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Bukidnon, urged the participants to advocate peace in their communities. He mentioned that “Ang bungkatol ha bulawan kung atokining sabton mura kini ug Golden Rule. Nindot nga batasan nga iya sa tribu. Kita nga mga Lumad, by nature, peace-loving kita. Busa ato kining ipahayag saatong kumunidad.” (We could relate Bungkatol ha Bulawan to the Golden Rule. It is the good deeds of the tribe. By nature, we Lumads are peace-loving people and we need to advocate this to our tribes.)

Meanwhile, COL ERIC C VINOYA INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade, expressed his gratitude to the Local Government Unit of Malaybalay City and to all participants and facilitators of the Youth Leadership Summit.

He also mentioned the importance of conducting the activity as a means of insulating our youth from the dangers of radicalization and exploitation and ensuring their bright future.

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our partners in peace, the Local Government Unit of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon under the leadership of Hon. Ignacio W. Zubiri, the City Mayor, for supporting the program. Likewise, I would also want to thank the facilitators and the participants of this leadership summit. It is very important that we insulate our youth, most especially theLumads, from the perils of radicalization and violent extremism that is brought about by the exploitations being made by some ill-motivated organizations such as the CPP-NPA-NDF and other local terrorist groups and lawless elements. By empowering and capacitating them to become conduits of peace and development, we can ensure a bright future for Bukidnon and for our country.” – says COL VINOYA. 403IBde/MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/06/unity-through-prosperity-army-lgu-fight-radicalization-taps-lumad-youth-of-bukidnon/

DWDD: LONG ROAD | Rehabilitation of Marawi will meet challenges

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 6): LONG ROAD  |  Rehabilitation of Marawi will meet challenges

FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO, Taguig City (DWDD) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has not yet decided on the issue if it should request for the suspension or the continuous imposition of Martial Law in Mindanao.

 

According to Major General Rolando Joselito Bautista, the New Commanding General of the Philippine Army and concurrent Commander of Task Force Marawi, the imposition of Martial Law has been a major factor in the speedy and effective pursuit of the AFP’s mission in Marawi and nearby provinces.

General Bautista revealed that there are still groups who may launch destabilization efforts against government and civilian targets in different parts of Mindanao to distract the AFP, especially, once the rehabilitation of Marawi commences.

And that is why the AFP has not made any recommendation yet to the president for the early lifting of martial law which is set to end on December 31 after it was extended by the both Houses of Congress.

In the previous statement released by Task Force Bangon Marawi, it was announced by Assistant Secretary Kristofer James Purisima that the total rehabilitation of Marawi City may take three (3) years. AES

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/06/long-road-rehabilitation-of-marawi-will-meet-challenges/