Brains behind Lahad Datu kidnap also a bomb expert

From MSN News (Aug 15): Brains behind Lahad Datu kidnap also a bomb expert

The suspect is a member of Darul Islam Sabah, which is known to have links with the Abu Sayyaf militants - who are notorious for their kidnappings and demands for ransom.

Police have identified a 30-year-old bomb expert, Mohd Amin Bacho, as the mastermind behind the kidnapping of two cousins in Lahad Datu last year.

The suspect is a member of Darul Islam Sabah, which is known to have links with the Abu Sayyaf militants - who are notorious for their kidnappings and demands for ransom.

Mohd Amin, who is from Sabah, was revealed to be a cruel mercenary and is believed to have helped assemble explosive materials for several terror attacks southern Philippines recently.

He has now also been established as the key man behind the kidnapping of Tung Wee Jie and Tung Wee Wei, is on the most wanted list of the Malaysian police and their counterparts in the Philippines.

The Star today reported Special Task Force (Operations and Counter Terro­rism) Director Comm Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun as saying that Mohd Amin was one of seven men who ambushed and kidnapped Wee Jie, 26, and Wee Wei, 34, on Nov 14, 2012.

“We are in contact with our counterparts in the Philippines to assist in the capture of Mohd Amin so that he can be held responsible for militant activities in Malaysia as well as neighbouring countries,” he was quoted as saying.

The suspect was identified following Wee Jie's escape from his captors on Aug 4.
“He (Wee Jie) identified Mohd Amin based on pictures of several suspects that we showed him,” said Fuzi.

Mohd Amin, he said, is believed to have worked together with six members of the Abu Sayyaf group to kidnap the cousins.

“Wee Jie also told us that Mohd Amin was with the group throughout his captivity. He told us that Mohd Amin spoke to him in English and Bahasa Malaysia with a Sabah accent."

Fuzi also disclosed that Mohd Amin was part of an open investigation under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 for his involvement in the Darul Islam Sabah militant group.

Wee Jie and Wee Wei were kidnapped by armed men from their family plantation in Tambisan, Lahad Datu and was taken to Jolo island in the Philippines, a stronghold of the militant group, who are associated with al-Qaeda.

Until April 17, the cousins were kept chained in a bamboo hut and were fed with rice and salted fish. They were later separated when Wee Wei fell sick and the armed men told Wee Jie that his cousin had been sent to the hospital.

Wee Jie managed to unshackle himself using a fork and was later reunited with his family in Port Dickson after he was flown here last Wednesday.

Police in the Philippines had reportedly said that they were planning to comb the area where Wee Jie had been held to locate the latter's cousin.

“We have yet to confirm if Wee Wei died in captivity,” Fuzi said.

http://news.malaysia.msn.com/malaysia-news/brains-behind-lahad-datu-kidnap-also-a-bomb-expert

Bomb expert identified as mastermind behind Sabah kidnap

From the Straits Times (Aug 15): Bomb expert identified as mastermind behind Sabah kidnap



Mohd Amin Bacho, a Darul Islam Sabah member known for his cruel streak has been identified as the mastermind behind the kidnap of Malaysian cousins Tung Wee Jie (L) and Tung Wee Wei (previously reported as Chong Wei Jie and Chong Wei Fei) from Sabah last year. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Tawau-born Mohd Amin Bacho, 30, is a member of Darul Islam Sabah, which is linked to the Abu Sayyaf group based in southern Philippines. The Islamist militant group is notorious for a string of kidnap-for-ransom attempts.

A MAN known for his cruel streak has been identified as the mastermind behind the kidnap of Malaysian cousins Tung Wee Jie and Tung Wee Wei (previously reported as Chong Wei Jie and Chong Wei Fei) from Sabah last year, The Star reported.

Tawau-born Mohd Amin Bacho, 30, is a member of Darul Islam Sabah, which is linked to the Abu Sayyaf group based in southern Philippines. The Islamist militant group is notorious for a string of kidnap-for-ransom attempts.

Amin was known to have beheaded hostages when the group failed to extort ransom.

The bomb expert was also allegedly involved in plotting a spate of recent bombings in southern Philippines, according to the Malaysian daily.

"We are in contact with our counterparts in the Philippines to assist in the capture of Mohd Amin so that he can be held responsible for militant activities in Malaysia as well as neighbouring countries," said Commander Mohamad Fuzi Harun, a special task force director in charge of Malaysia's counter-terrorism operations.

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/se-asia/story/bomb-expert-identified-mastermind-behind-sabah-kidnap-20130815

Military sees Abu hand in Jolo blast

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 15): Military sees Abu hand in Jolo blast

The military on Thursday said it was quite certain that the Abu Sayyaf was behind Wednesday night’s grenade blast outside the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu that left two people wounded.

“Right now we see the grenade throwing (incident) as the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf,” Colonel Jose Johriel Cenabre, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.

Cenabre issued the statement as the Sulu police said they were still trying to establish the identities and the motive of those behind the blast that took place along Arulas Street at 7 p.m.

The grenade explosion caused minor injuries to 19-year old Shaima Pakanna, a resident of Sitio (sub-village) Boutan in Indanan town’s Kajatian village; and Romano Saijuan 25, a resident of Zone 3 in Tulay village, Jolo.

Pressed on what his basis is for linking the blast to the Abu Sayyaf was, Cenabre cited the spate of attacks–which Malacañang attributed to the shadowy Khilafah Islamic Movement in some parts of Mindanao, “bandits will definitely ride on the issue.”

But Chief Inspector William Conrad Gutierrez, the information officer of Sulu police office, said they do not even have any suspect yet.

“We still don’t have suspects, we still cannot say who was responsible for the explosion,” Gutierrez said.

He said the police could only come out with further statement on the blast if the Jolo police had already wrapped up its investigation.

“(The Jolo police) is still conducting an investigation by gathering more information from (witnesses near) the church, from the nearby establishments and from the two victims, who were hurt in the explosion,” Gutierrez said.

He said elements of the police’s Scene of Crime Operation had recovered a safety lever, which boosted earlier theory the explosion was caused by a grenade, but it was not indicative of who the suspects could be.

But while saying the Abu Sayyaf’s link to the blast had not been established yet, Gutierrez said the police were certain that the faction of the Moro National Liberation Front, which is led by Nur Misuari, had no involvement in the attack.

Earlier, Misuari’s group came out with a declaration of independence for Sulu.

“We could not see any link either,” Cenabre said when asked if Misuari’s group might be involved in the grenade attack.

Gutierrez said as a result of the explosion, more soldiers and policemen have been deployed in Jolo “for target hardening of vital areas and installations.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/466345/military-sees-abu-hand-in-jolo-blast

Army seeks sustainable dev’t, peace

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 19): Army seeks sustainable dev’t, peace

In its pursuit of being an instrument of sustainable peace and development in the countryside, the Philippine Army’s Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) has come up with the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan, an army general revealed over the weekend.

Major General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. said the IPSP Bayanihan “calls for the genuine concern for every citizen, and vigilance in order to protect the weak and the innocent, prevent New People’s Army (NPA) resurgence, and prevent damage or loss to lives and properties.”

The NOLCOM commander said the number of rebels still active in his area has dwindled and represents only the “remnants of the NPA.”

Catapang spoke last Friday at the Bantay Bayanihan Forum at the Holy Angel University (HAU) to help Bantay Bayanihan-Pampanga Lead Convener Rommel Combis “gather various vantage points on AFP’s IPSP including college students from Arts and Sciences, Education, Social Sciences and Philosophy, the members of the media, and civil society groups.”

The Bantay Bayanihan forum seeks to have a multi-sectoral assessment of the  IPSP of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

http://mb.com.ph/News/Provincial_News/27907/Army_seeks_sustainable_dev’t,_peace#.UhEFRI7D9lY

Eastern Police: No bomb in San Juan explosion

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 19): Eastern Police: No bomb in San Juan explosion

Eastern Police Director Chief Supt. Miguel Laurel has ruled out explosives in Friday’s 1:10 a.m. blast in Greenhills, San Juan City.

He said scene of crime operatives sifted through debris to determine any signature typical of a terror attack.

“Based on the 29 specimen lifted along Wilson Street and its periphery and 33 swabs taken by SOCO inside the restaurant it found negative of any explosive materials, indicating that the explosion is not attributed to a bomb,” Laurel said, referring to Mañosa Noodles, Seafoods and Chops restaurant on Wilson street.

After analyzing the remaining 20 percent of the samples, he said official findings will be announced.

When asked if the owner of the establishment is liable, Laurel said “upon the conclusion of our investigations we will turn it over to the Bureau of Fire to determine possible culpability.”

The fire code has a detailed inspection checklist to be satisfied by any establishment before obtaining a business permit and license to operate.

“After we finish our investigations, we will hand it (report) over to the BFP to look into possible violations on safety procedures particularly in the maintenance of building code,” he said.

Of the seven injured, Laurel said the stay-in worker, who was admitted to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan for second degree burns, was transferred to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Project 4, Quezon City.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/08/19/eastern-police-no-bomb-in-san-juan-explosion/

OIC steps in; Misuari loses Kiram

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 18): OIC steps in; Misuari loses Kiram

THE influential Organization of Islamic Cooperation will step in to help resolve the conflict between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, an official said Sunday.

The MNLF has declared independence from the Philippines and announced it will no longer seek further talks or consultations with the government regarding the peace agreement that it signed with it in 1996.

“We understand the OIC is undertaking processes to address these issues,” presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said in a text message.

“We await word from our facilitator, Indonesia, as chair of the OIC peace committee for the southern Philippines.”

Deles made her statement even as the Sulu Sultanate, the Islamic Tausug state that once ruled over many islands in the Sulu Sea, said it does not support MNLF founder Nur Misuari’s declaration of independence.

Group spokesman Abraham Idjirani said Sultan Jamalul Kiram III was not consulted when Misuari declared independence for Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu and North Borneo or Sabah.

He said Sabah historically and legally was owned by the sultanate, as well as the Sulu archipelago that included Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan and the Zamboanga Peninsula.

“That was his prerogative but as far as Sabah is concerned, we are not in favor of that, Idjirani said.

He said the sultanate declared independence from the Philippines in 2004, but the United Nations did not act on its resolution because it was not recognized as a sovereign state.

Deles did not give more details on the OIC’s next move, but said the bloc “understands the position of the government of the Philippines and our problems.”

MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza, who heads the MNLF peace panel, earlier said the Aquino administration had adopted contradicting positions and alibis, resulting in blunders that left them with no other option but to declare independence.

He said the MNLF would now seek recognition of the Moro people’s right to self-determination before the United Nations.

“Misuari is going to the UN to file a petition for the decolonization [of Mindanao) because this part of the country that was annexed unilaterally by the government without the consent of the Moro people,” Cerveza said.

Still, Undersecretary Jose Lorena of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said it would serve Misuari and the MNLF well to engage the government in crafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The legislative measure will pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro, a political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which was a product of the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF.

The Bangsamoro, on the other hand, will be a product of the ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“They need to engage us and articulate their position,” Lorena said.

“It is in the integrated interest of the Bangsamoro people, including the MNLF, to be part of this process,” he added.

Misuari was earlier invited to be part of the Transition Commission that is drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law, but he declined. Neither did he send a representative of the MNLF to be part of the commission.

“We encourage Mr. Misuari to be a partner in ensuring the welfare of the MNLF communities and actively engage with us in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will include the agenda of the MNLF,” Lorena said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/08/19/oic-steps-in-misuari-loses-kiram/

‘US-PH lingo no laughing matter’

From the  Manila Standard Today (Aug 17): ‘US-PH lingo no laughing matter’

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Friday slammed American and Filipino officials allegedly for using words that could not be understood in a bid to circumvent a constitutional prohibition on the foreign military bases and troops in the country without the Senate’s approval.

“What is meant by rotation presence? Are they rotating? How would they rotate?” asked Santiago who drew laughter from the audience attending  the 15th Midyear Convention of the Philippine Academy for Rehabilitation Medicine at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

She rebuked the Philippine government and the United States for using imprecise words to conceal their intention.

The first round of talks between Philippine and American officials on increasing the United States’ military presence in the Philippines concluded on Monday, with the  second round scheduled to be held in Washington at the end of the month.

Santiago said some news accounts had hinted that, in order to accommodate the US request, the Department of Foreign Affairs would recommend to the President an executive agreement instead of a treaty because a treaty would require the Senate’s consent.

She said that, as chairwoman of the Senate’s foreign relations committee, she had a problem with that proposal.

She said the issue now was whether the President could enter into an executive agreement without the Senate’s concurrence.

“The Senate’s concurrence is indispensable. To the Department of Foreign Affairs, do not try any tricks. I am right here,” Santiago said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, on Friday asked the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense to brief the Senate on the outcome of the initial talks between the Philippines and the
United States on the proposed expansion of America’s military presence in the Philippines.

“The devil is in the details,” Drilon said.

“As a senator, it is my obligation to our people to ensure that any agreement the government will enter into is legal and in accordance with our Constitution. I will examine the outcome of the negotiations to see to it that it will not infringe on the lives of our people and their guaranteed rights.”

Drilon said the ongoing negotiations should be transparent. The Philippines’ negotiators must make sure there would be no permanent basing of American troops in the country because that would violate the Constitution.

But Drilon assured Foreign Affairs and the Defense Department of the Senate’s cooperation in the government’s aim to bolster its defense and security.

“If Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario’s claim that any activity under the framework agreement will be governed by the VFA will hold true and be carried out until a final agreement is signed, the ratification by the Senate will no longer be necessary,” Drilon said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/08/17/us-ph-lingo-no-laughing-matter/

MNLF to Gov’t: NO MORE TALK

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 18): MNLF to Gov’t: NO MORE TALK

The Moro National Liberation Front will no longer seek further dialogue or consultation with the Aquino administration regarding the 1996 peace agreement because the government has chosen to “abrogate” the pact through its actions, a spokesman said on Saturday.

MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza, who heads the MNLF peace panel, said the Aquino administration has adopted contradicting positions and alibis resulting in blunders that left the MNLF no option but to declare independence.

“The government has no other option, but to recognize the rights of Moro people in the same way the United States granted independence to the Republic of the Philippines in 1945 under the Tydings-MacDuffie law,” Cerveza said.

“The closure of the peace agreement has given [MNLF Chairman Nur] Misuari freedom to pursue other options,” Cerveza said, adding that the MNLF will now seek recognition of the Moro people’s riught to self-determination before the United Nations.

“So now Misuari is going to UN to file a petition for the decolonization [of Mindanao] because this part of the country was annexed unilaterally by the government with out the consent of the Moro people,” Cerveza added.

But the Aquino administration said it remained committed to its obligations under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF, according to Undersecretary Jose Lorena of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Lorena said the government has no intention of abrogating or abandoning the FPA, and has been continuing its positive engagements with the MNLF, contrary to the claims of MNLF leader Nur Misuari.

“The Aquino administration has always engaged the MNLF since 2010 and will continue to do so under the existing mechanism as we have conveyed to the (Organization of Islamic Cooperation —Peace Committee for Southern Philippines),” Lorena said after Misuari declared a Bangsamoro Republic over parts of Mindanao.

Lorena said Misuari, along with his contingent is always being invited and “present in the Tripartite Implementation Review meetings and other related meetings over the past three years.”

The government, MNLF and the OIC have been engaging in a tripartite review of the implementation of the final peace agreement since 2007. The review process is being facilitated by the OIC-PSCP, which is chaired by Indonesia.

“As far as the (Government of the Philippines) is concerned, we are not aware of any reason for them to claim that government has abandoned them,” Lorena said.

“Our aim has always been to complete the Tripartite Implementation Review so that we can move forward with concrete actions towards the development of MNLF communities, which we have already started,” he added.

“We encourage Mr. Misuari to be a partner in ensuring the welfare of MNLF communities and actively engage with us in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law which will include the agenda of the MNLF,” he added.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles had earlier said the government’s main objective in pushing for the completion of the tripartite review is to start the implementation process for the consensus points and mechanisms that the Parties have agreed on.

“We have already informed the OIC through the chair and members of the [Peace Committee for Southern Philippines chaired by Indonesia] that we think it is time to draw a conclusion to the review process,” she said.

Deles also cited Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa’s “firm support for the efforts being undertaken by the GPH to ensure a comprehensive settlement of the armed conflict in Southern Philippines.”

“He was categorical in stating that Indonesia opposes any attempt to jeopardize the territorial integrity of the Philippines and that any such move falls outside the ambit of the agreed upon Tripartite Review Process,” Deles said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/08/18/mnlf-to-govt-no-more-talk/

Military harassment evicts 500 tribesmen

From the Manila Times (Aug 16): Military harassment evicts 500 tribesmen

Some 500 tribesmen fled the province of Agusan del Sur because of reported militarization and harassment by soldiers and policemen and have sought refuge in Davao City.

Tribe leaders said they were treated like animals and detained by authorities for no apparent reasons.

“We don’t understand why we had to be treated worse than farm animals,” said Marilyn Edgame, spokesman for the group Kasaka, which represents indigenous tribes.

Edgame said they were detained by authorities when they asked for aid from the provincial government. And with no hope and under threat, they were forced to flee their homes and sought sanctuary in Davao City.

They are now temporarily housed in Bankerohan Gymnasium. She said evacuees were victims of alleged “ambush negotiations” by a municipal warden who would come in the middle of the night and forced the tribe leaders to sign agreements to bring back the villagers to their homes.

”They dragged one of our datus, who had difficulty in understanding because he was deaf. They forced him to sign an agreement, but we immediately intervened. The warden was furious after that,” Edgame said.

A village leader, Mako Malayon, said the warden took advantage of their inability to read and write and the little knowledge they have of the process of law.

Edgame said police forces prevented them from bringing the human rights group Karapatan into the village. “We were barricaded by the police from coming back. We were without shelter and had to sleep on the road, with police trucks that had no plate numbers roving around us. The police held our food supply and to think that we had mothers who were still carrying their children, I would say we treat our farm animals better,” she said.

Communist front

But the Eastern Mindanao Command has strongly denied accusations by Kasaka that there is widespread militarization in Agusan del Sur that prompted some 500 Manobo tribesmen to flee.

Captain Severino David, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said Kasaka and the human rights group Karapatan violated an agreement with the Agusan Provincial Crisis Committee when they hauled the evacuees to Davao City instead of returning them back to Loreto town.

David said part of the agreement signed by Karapatan and Kasaka is that the evacuees will go back to their respective villages with the following conditions—the evacuees will be provided with transportation, accommodation and food provision until they arrive safely in their respective villages and the governor and mayor would ensure the safe and peaceful return of the evacuees.

Loreto town mayor Dario Otaza told the military that they learned the flight of the evacuees from other villagers. “We learned from our constituents that the evacuees were already being hauled to Davao City instead of going back to Loreto,” Otaza said.
“The agreement was very clear when they signed it. I am dismayed how Karapatan defied the agreement by deceiving the indigenous peoples and propagating lies about the plight of our tribe,” tribal chieftain Ronnie Tuga said.

The military said that Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza has created the provincial crisis committee to assess and respond to the needs of the tribesmen who camped out in the capitol grounds, claiming they were evacuees from Loreto town and were protesting “militarization” of their villages.

David said Karapatan and Kasaka prodded the evacuees to set up camps in the capitol grounds.

He said both groups are believed to be affiliated with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front.

Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz 3rd, the Eastern Mindanao Command chief, said the presence of troops in the province was approved by the municipal government and six villages in Loreto which also issued a resolution welcoming the presence of the soldiers—who are members of the 26th Infantry Battalion—to promote peace and development in the area.

“Karapatan took away the rights of the indigenous people to avail of the basic services from the government. With this, Karapatan and the NPA front organizations should be held liable for the conditions of the indigenous people who are in Davao City right now,” Cruz said.

The military said thee motive of the two groups is suspicious as both fail to lift a finger when the NPA rebels commit atrocities in Loreto town in the same way that they were silent when the rebels tossed a grenade at a fiesta celebration in Paquibato district in Davao City that left 20 people wounded.

And other crimes perpetrated by the NPA, including the murder of health worker Lina Bacus in Kauswagan village in Loreto town in June. The village chieftain was also murdered by rebels in his house in Kauswagan. Rebels also abducted Santa Teresa village Councilor Edgar Bantuasan and torched one sawmill after its owner refused to pay extortion money.

http://www.manilatimes.net/military-harassment-evicts-500-tribesmen/30230/

Peace projects for 42 Pikit villages ready

From MindaNews (Aug 17): Peace projects for 42 Pikit villages ready

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to implement around P25.2 million worth of community peace projects in 42 villages of Pikit in North Cotabato.

Gemma Rivera, DSWD Region 12 director, said Friday the projects are part of an ongoing convergence initiative for conflict-affected areas that are being implemented in the region through a partnership between the agency and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

She said they have completed the assessment of the community project proposals and the processing of documents for the requests for fund releases.

“We have submitted the project proposals to the central office for approval and funding,” she said in a statement.

Rivera said the proposed projects include the construction of community peace and learning centers, solar driers, potable water systems, pre and post-harvest facilities and road rehabilitation.

 

She said the projects are all due for completion before the end of the year.

“These projects are aimed to provide better access to basic social services, while at the same time supporting peace-building efforts and helping addressing conflict in the different villages of Pikit,” Rivera said.

The DSWD, through its poverty-reduction program Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), earlier forged a partnership with the OPPAP for the implementation of community peace projects in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas in Mindanao like Pikit town.

The project is part of OPAPP’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) project, which is the government’s flagship peace and development framework.
Known as Kalahi-CIDSS-PAMANA project, it employs the community-driven development strategy, where peace and development priorities are addressed in a participatory, collective and inclusive decision-making process.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/08/17/peace-projects-for-42-pikit-villages-ready/

Mindanao nun tags US military use of drones ‘killer program’

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 17): Mindanao nun tags US military use of drones ‘killer program’

Washington’s drone program was branded “killer program” by a Mindanao-based nuns’ association as it called on the government to reject attempts by the Americans to put up a base in the country.

Sister Noemi Degala, executive secretary of the Sisters’ Association in Mindanao (Samin), said in a statement e-mailed to the Inquirer that in Pakistan alone, under the so-called global war on terror, US drone strikes have killed as many as 3,549 people, 197 of them children.

“This is the fundamental moral issue why the drone program of the United States must be rejected,” she said.

Degala said the program acts as “the prosecutor, judge and executor for and on behalf of a US president and military situated thousands of miles away from the targets.”

“It is also a mockery of international humanitarian laws because it does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in times of armed conflict. In fact, the US is the number one violator of human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) agreements,” she said.

Degala said the US government was so drawn to its drone program that the use of unmanned aircraft has become “a new form of idolatry or the idol worship of instrument of death at the expense of people’s lives, lands and human rights.”

“It contradicts the words of Pope Francis opposing instruments of death in our times,” Degala said, adding that the US was now “the calf that demands the world’s absolute obedience.”

In Zamboanga City, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar maintained her opposition to the prolonged stay of US forces in the city and decided to skip the ceremonial turnover of command for the US-led Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines as a manifestation of her protest.

US forces have been in the city since 2002 and are deployed there under the Balikatan defense training program.

Such a military rite was usually attended by local government officials in the past in honor of visiting diplomats and foreigners.

Philippine military officials were mum on Salazar’s absence but it did not deter them and US officials – led by Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas – to go on with the affair and witness the assumption of new JSOTFP commander Col. Robert McDowell.

McDowell replaced Col. Mark Miller, who was JSOTFP commander for over three years.

“I expounded to them (US and Filipino military officials) the issue of JSOTFP that has to be defined. Through the years of their presence in Zamboanga, they have not given us their long-term plan and the national government is up again in discussing this issue (of US bases),” Salazar said last Tuesday.

She said she even went as far as asking the US State Department about the presence of American soldiers in the city but she was instead told to “ask this question to the Philippine government.”

Thomas emphasized that there was an agreement between Manila and Washington on the presence of US forces in the country.

“As President Aquino has stated we are working on the Visiting Forces Agreement and the access agreement, we are working on everything with a duly-elected national government,” he said.

Thomas said the US government understood that any agreement has to be in accordance with the Philippine Constitution, that was why “we have people coming here to discuss that.”

He did not directly comment on  Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s and Salazar’s opposition to the use of the country’s airfields by US forces.

Instead, Thomas said, Washington could assure the public  that the stay of US forces here would not violate any law.

“I am not so sure what others may have talked about but I can assure you we would do nothing even not propose anything that would not be in accordance with the Philippine Constitution,” he said.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/83541/mindanao-nun-tags-us-military-use-of-drones-killer-program

Maguindanaoans hurt by reports of JI presence in province

From the Philippine Star (Aug 16): Maguindanaoans hurt by reports of JI presence in province

Peace activists, local officials and members of the business community in the province are griping over insinuations that Malaysian Jemaah Islamiya member Zulkifli bin HIr, also known as Marwan, is hiding somewhere in the province.

A recent published report had quoted both National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia and the spokesman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Von-Al-Haq, as saying that they have information that Marwan is being coddled presently by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in one of its its lairs in the province's second district.

Muslim traders in Maguindanao’s adjoining Datu Piang and Shariff Aguak towns were saddened by the report, something for them so “unrealistic” and detrimental to what they describe as now “improving economy” in their municipalities.

“The spokesman of the MILF seemed to have forgotten that under their ceasefire agreement with the government, they are to help find criminals and terrorists and pluck them out of the areas covered by the ceasefire accord,” said a Moro rice and corn grains trader.

The trader who asked not to be identified said the Visayan buyers of his merchandise in General Santos City have stopped providing him with cash advances for the procurement of grains after reading the report on the alleged presence in Maguindanao of Marwan.

Marwan was said to have trained in fabrication of home-made bombs in Peshawar, Pakistan and in Kandahar Afganistan.

A senior official of the League of Mayors in Maguindanao said such scenario is not just preposterous, but unfounded as well.

“It is impossible for our constituent-barangay officials not to detect the presence of any foreign terrorist in any part of the province. No one from them will ever allow the peace process to be derailed by any presence of foreign terrorists in their communities,” the league official said.

Against BIFF policies

The spokesman of BIFF, Abu Misry Mama, told reporters that coddling a terrorist like Marwan, is against the revolutionary policies of their organization.

“We in the BIFF only bomb military positions. We don’t do bombings to kill innocent people,” Mama said in halting Filipino.

A vice-mayor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that what is so saddening for them is that it is government officials based in Metro Manila, not from Central Mindanao, who are painting a “bad picture” of the province with their assertions that Marwan is in the area.

Intelligence units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police command could not confirm the presence of the Malaysian bomb-maker in the province.

The MILF’s vice chairman, Ghadzali Jaafar, told reporters Thursday that the new threat group Khilafah Islamiya Mindanao (KIM) had indeed emerged recently, borne out of dissatisfaction by its organizers with the Mindanao peace process.

Jaafar, an ethnic Maguindanaon, emphasized, however, that the new group "KIM" is based in Lanao del Sur, not in Maguindanao.

“This group is led by Maranaws,” he said.

Jaafar said they remain committed to the 1997 government-MILF Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities, which obliges them to help, through the joint ceasefire committee, in the interdiction of criminals and terrorists in flashpoint areas to prevent security problems that can affect the cordiality of the peace talks.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/08/16/1098061/maguindanaoans-hurt-reports-ji-presence-province

Photo: MNLF rebels loyal to Nur Misuari man a checkpoint in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao

From the Facebook page of Nur Misuari (Aug 16): Photo: MNLF rebels loyal to Nur Misuari man a checkpoint in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao



MNLF rebels loyal to Nur Misuari man a checkpoint in Datu
Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Thursday, August 15, as they go on alert following Misuari's reported declaration of independence for Mindanao. Chino Gaston

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=603478533029231&set=a.188564007854021.41920.185093644867724&type=1&theater

MNLF returns to rebellion

From the Philippine Star (Aug 16): MNLF returns to rebellion

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari has revived the secessionist movement and formally established their federated state, naming himself president following the declaration of independence last Monday in Sulu, according to an MNLF official.

Habib Muhahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF Islamic Command Council (ICC), said Misuari’s chief of staff Murshi Ibrahim had confirmed in a statement that Misuari declared last Aug. 12 the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik in Daira, Barangay Lampaya, in Talipao, Sulu.

Hashim said Misuari also designated himself as the commander-in-chief of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces (BAF).

“For all peace and freedom loving people of the world and oppressed Bangsamoro, Salam. For the sake of peace and egalitarian democracy, H.E Prof. Nur Misuari of the Bangsamoro Republik and commander-in-chief of the BAF, has declared the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik in Daira Lampaya, Talipao Autonomous Federated State of Lupah Sug,” Hashim quoted the statement of Ibrahim.

The Bangsamoro Republik covers the whole of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan.
Misuari’s legal counsel Emmanuel Fontanilla, however, claimed that the new state also includes Sabah and Sarawak.

Fontanilla said the Bangsamoro Republik is eyeing Davao City as capital and seat of government.

Hashim said Ibrahim explained that the declaration of independence by Misuari is in line with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514 of 1960 granting independence to all colonized countries.

Ibrahim added that the MNLF faction led by Misuari would pursue its independence only through peaceful and legal means.

Hashim’s ICC is another MNLF faction that is separate from Misuari’s group.

Hashim said it was not clear from Misuari’s group if the declaration was also meant as a call for hostility.

Misuari’s faction had initiated its plan to declare an independent state due the reported plan of the Philippine government to cancel the tripartite review that would fully implement a 1996 final peace agreement between the government and the MNLF signed during the Ramos administration.

The group of Misuari opposed the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which they believed would sideline them even though the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recognizes the MNLF as the sole representative of the Bangsamoro people.

Sources said Misuari has left the country to lobby for the support of the OIC for the Bangsamoro Republik. “Now, we are a sovereign nation under a colonial occupation of President P-Noy’s regime,” Ibrahim stated, according to Hashim.

Hashim said they have received unconfirmed reports of movements in several key areas in Mindanao in support of Misuari. He declined to name the areas to avoid causing panic among residents.

Hashim said his group remains neutral on Misuari’s declaration of independence.
“However, if the MNLF-government final peace agreement is already abrogated, the MNLF is left with no option but independence,” Hashim said.

According to Hashim, he was not aware of the move of another MNLF faction led by former Cotabato City mayor Muslimen Sema, who chairs the MNLF executive council (EC), a group that ousted Misuari from leadership several years ago.

Meanwhile, Fontanilla told The STAR that the “interim Constitution” of the Bangsamoro Republik was already submitted to the United Nations in New York a day after Misuari declared independence.

“The Declaration of Independence has the blessing of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation which transmitted the Constitution to the UN,” he said.

Fontanilla said the action of the OIC was an offshoot of the letter of the Philippine government declaring that 1996 peace accord with the MNLF was already completed despite the two remaining unresolved issues.

He said the OIC in a resolution has urged the government to synchronize the framework agreement with MILF and the 1996 peace accord with the MNLF.

Under the proposed Bangsamoro Republik Constitution, the form of government will be a federal system with the Muslims, Christians, and highlanders sharing equal powers in the government.

Fontanilla assured the people that the MNLF would exhaust all peaceful and legal means to attain their political objective.

He also hinted the setting up of a government in exile pending the full independence of the Bangsamoro Republik.

At least five countries in the Middle East have offered sanctuary to Misuari and the other officials of the government in exile while the UN deliberates the status of the new republic.

 

AFP hopeful for peace

 

The military is optimistic that the MNLF will honor its peace agreement with the government but is ready to support the police in the event that Misuari’s acts would lead to violence.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said they are hopeful that MNLF would continue to be a catalyst for peace and development.

“The AFP remains hopeful that our brothers and sisters in Mindanao will remain patient with the ongoing peace process. We are optimistic that the MNLF will respect and abide by the rule of law,” Zagala said.  “We will continue our intensified operations to contain and isolate auxiliary threat groups that seek to spoil the gains of the peace process,” he added.

AFP Western Mindanao Command spokesman Col. Rodrigo Gregorio said they would support the law enforcement operations of the police in the event that Misuari’s actions result in violence.

“It’s (violence) the least that we want to happen and probably Misuari does not want it to happen too,” Gregorio said.

Give peace efforts a chance

 

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez appealed to Misuari to give a chance to current administration efforts to bring peace to Mindanao.

“I am pleading with chairman Nur: You’ve fought so hard for Mindanao. We have a real chance under President Aquino to bring peace and development to our island. So let’s make it work for the benefit of the Mindanaoans,” he said.

He made the appeal in the wake of reports that Misuari has launched an independence movement that aims to separate some parts of Mindanao from the republic.

Rodriguez, president of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines, said he received information that Misuari is recruiting people for his supposed independence movement even in non-Muslim provinces, including Rodriguez’s home province of Misamis Oriental.

“Chairman Nur’s campaign is counter-productive and would jeopardize the peace process that we’ve worked for in the last three years,” Rodriguez said.

“I am from Mindanao. Our people are tired of fighting. They want peace and development. At no other time in our history that peace is possible than now. So let’s move forward,” he said.

He said the peace process with the MILF is now in its homestretch after the government and the MILF signed an agreement on wealth sharing.

The agreement will benefit the proposed Bangsamoro region and its people, he added.
Under the agreement, 75 percent of revenues from certain minerals will go to the region with 25 percent going to the national government, while on other mineral resources, the sharing is 50-50.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/16/1097101/mnlf-returns-rebellion

Nur declares independence of 'Bangsamoro Republik'

From the Philippine Star (Aug 15): Nur declares independence of 'Bangsamoro Republik'

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari has  "established" a federated state and named him as the president following the declaration of independence early this week in Sulu province, an MNLF official said.

In a statement, Murshi Ibrahim, Misuari's chief of staff, said Misuari declared the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik in Daira, Barangay Lampaya, Autonomous Federated State of Lupah Sug, according to Habib Mujahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF Islamic Command Council (ICC).

He said Ibrahim stated that Misuari has also declared himself as the commander-in-chief of the Bangsamoro Armed Forces (BAF) of what the erstwhile leader  called as the 193rd member nation of the UN.

“For all peace and freedom loving people of the world and oppressed Bangsamoro, salam. For the sake of peace and egalitarian democracy, H.E Prof. Nur Misuari of the Bangsamoro Republik and commander-in-chief of the BAF, has declared the independence of the Bangsamoro Republik in Daira Lampaya, Talipao Autonomous Federated State of Lupah Sug,” Hashim quoted the statement of Ibrahim.

Ibrahim said the declaration of Misuari was made under the authority of the United Nation General Assembly 1514 resolution of 1960 granting independence to all colonized countries.

Ibrahim added that MNLF group under Misuari will pursue its independence through peaceful and legal means.

Misuari's faction has expressed opposition to the proposed Bangsamoro entity under the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Misuari has also complained about the reported plan of the Philippine government to put a closure to the tripartite review that will implement in full the 1996 final peace agreement signed during the Ramos administration.

Misuari faction  believes that the government talks with the MILF would sideline the MNLF, despite  being the sole recognized representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“Now, we are a sovereign nation under a colonial occupation of President Pnoy’s (Benigno Aquino III) regime,” Ibrahim stated, according to Hashim.

Hashim said it was unclear whether the declaration also meant a call for hostilities.
However, he said they have received unconfirmed reports of movements in several key areas in Mindanao in support of Misuari. He declined to identify the areas to prevent panic among civilians.

Hashim said for that for his group’s part,  they remain neutral between the government and Misuari.

“However, if the MNLF-GPH final peace agreement is already abrogated, the MNLF is left with no option but independence,” Hashim said.

According to Hashim he was  also unaware about the move of former Cotabato mayor Muslimin Sema, who chairs the MNLF Executive Council (EC), to oust Misuari as their leader a few years ago.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/08/15/1094161/nur-declares-independence-bangsamoro-republik

Attacks In Central Mindanao: Overestimating The Bangsamoro Splinter Group – Analysis

From the Eurasia Review (Aug 15): Attacks In Central Mindanao: Overestimating The Bangsamoro Splinter Group – Analysis

[Attacks attributed to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Mindanao have raised concerns of possible implications on the negotiations between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). A calibrated response to the BIFF – an MILF splinter group – is necessary to protect the gains in the peace process.]

THE 13 JULY 2013 signing of the Annex on Wealth Sharing and Revenue Generation between the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was hailed as a major milestone towards a Final Peace Agreement (FPA) and the creation of a new autonomous entity of Bangsamoro. ]

Attacks launched by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), an MILF splinter, before and after the Annex signing has stoked fears of continued conflict in Mindanao even after peace with the MILF.

The skirmishes caused a short-lived closure of a national highway and displaced civilians. The 26 July bombing of Kyla’s Bar in Cagayan De Oro City (CDO) that killed eight and injured 46 have already been attributed to the BIFF in spite of an ongoing investigation.

Some pundits in Manila are already dismissing a prospective GPH-MILF peace pact. This chorus of pessimism has been echoed – somewhat prematurely – in anonymous “risk control” assessments cited by the Philippine media.

Contesting the critics

Localised conflict drivers in Central Mindanao contest the prevailing paradigm in both the local and overseas press that the BIFF is most likely plotting with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) to bomb the urban areas in Mindanao.

Based in the hinterlands of Central Mindanao, the BIFF does not have the networks in place to operate in urban areas which were previous JI and ASG targets. Deploying resources for an urban terrorism campaign would only strain the BIFF’s already limited resources and is anathema to its erstwhile doctrine.

Aside from setting back the GPH-MILF peace process, overstating the BIFF’s links to the ASG and the JI can lead to the wrong responses. The threat posed by the ASG and JI will not be addressed by scouring Central Mindanao for purported training camps but by focusing efforts in the islands of Basilan and Sulu off the coast of Western Mindanao. In fact, a heavy-handed response can unduly stress existing mechanisms between the GPH and MILF to broker peace and resolve conflict.

Conversely, the more kinetic – or armed – approaches used to target JI and ASG operatives would not suffice to address the more socio-economic motivations of the BIFF’s rank and file.

Latent tensions also exist between Islamist militant groups such as the JI and ASG, and secessionist movements like the BIFF and the MILF. The MILF has eschewed involvement with the Islamist groups as early as 2003 to legitimise itself as a political movement that can be negotiated with. A largely unheard of strategic special operation, Oplan Tornado, was launched in 2005 by the Philippine military to hunt high-value ASG and JI targets, effectively dismantling the networks and camps they have established in Central Mindanao.

An overblown threat

Casting the BIFF as an existential threat to the GPH-MILF peace process ignores the underlying motivations of its leader, Ameril Umbra Kato. A former chief of the MILF’s 105th Base Command, Kato was expelled for opposing the GPH-MILF peace process.

Taking with him 300 men from his former command, Kato organised the BIFF to wage his own personal crusade in his traditional and very specific area of influence: the provincial boundary between North Cotabato and Maguindanao delineated by the Rio Grande River.

The parochial leanings of Kato are obvious as most clashes between his forces and pro-government militia are due to the former’s attempts to extort from local farmers.

Another modus operandi used by Kato’s forces are raids to seize farm produce and livestock. The topology and climate of the BIFF’s areas of influence, centred on a few villages in Maguindanao, also limit the courses of action available to Kato’s men and explains the spasmodic nature of his attacks.

Attacks by Kato’s men are often launched during the rice harvest season, when supplies are available to sustain their operations.

This operational limit is consistent with the inability of Southern Philippine secessionist groups to launch expeditionary attacks away from their encampments.

A protracted campaign is also unsustainable for Kato given the relative flatness of the terrain around the Rio Grande River. This allows the Philippine military to use combat assets such as mechanised infantry against the BIFF that would have otherwise been less effective in other areas of Mindanao.

Guarding against policy dissonance

There is no question that the BIFF threat must be addressed – but as a local “lawless armed group” as categorised by Philippine security forces.

Divorcing the BIFF from its context could lead to the re-emergence of national discourse especially in Manila, which seeks to dismiss the peace negotiations with the MILF as appeasement. The ability of national discourse to undermine local initiatives to maintain the ceasefire is not without precedent as seen in the near collapse of the GPH-MILF talks in 2008.

At present, Philippine online forums and social media pages are already abuzz with simplistic and erroneous claims that the BIFF is an adjunct of the MILF. The explosion at Kyla’s Bar is being linked to the BIFF notwithstanding the equal possibility of local electoral politics as a motive for the attack.

The challenge therefore is for Manila to pursue a nuanced approach against the BIFF. A misstep in handling the BIFF, during a critical juncture in the GPH-MILF talks, can reignite conflict in Mindanao – something that must be avoided for the sake of achieving permanent peace.

Joseph Franco is an Associate Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University.

http://www.eurasiareview.com/15082013-attacks-in-central-mindanao-overestimating-the-bangsamoro-splinter-group-analysis/

Palace mum on Misuari's declaration of independence

From ABS-CBN (Aug 16): Palace mum on Misuari's declaration of independence

Malacañang declined to comment further on Nur Misuari's declaration of independence, saying the elected officials of the areas being claimed by Misuari as part of his territory may want to give their comment on whether they support Misuari's call.

Valte stressed that the government is not abrogating its peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and pointed out the MNLF commanders have expressed support for the government's peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Quoting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Valte said the military is prepared to respond to any incidents of violence.

"The AFP continues to hope for peace in Mindanao and… they continue to hope that the MNLF will continue to be supportive of the ongoing negotiations for the Bangsamoro. But, they also did say that in case there is violence, they will be ready to protect the citizens," Valte said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/08/16/13/palace-mum-misuaris-declaration-independence

MNLF confirms 'declaration of independence', girds itself for possible fighting

From GMA News (Aug 16): MNLF confirms 'declaration of independence', girds itself for possible fighting

A spokesperson for the Moro National Liberation Front confirmed that its founder and chairman, Nur Misuari, declared independence for Mindanao in Talipao, Sulu on August 12.

"We believe that [the] signing of the framework agreement na magkakaroon sila ng comprehensive agreement within the year—notwithstanding the fact that the final peace agreement of 1996 still exists and is valid—this for us is, technically, tantamount to an abrogation of the 1996 peace agreement," said Habib Mujahab Hashim in Chino Gaston's report on GMA News TV's "24 Oras".




Gaston noted that in the MNLF camps they visited, brand-new flags were flying.

MNLF fighters in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao were armed with rocket-propelled grenades and M-16 rifles, awaiting instructions and getting themselves ready should Misuari's declaration result in fighting.

"Alam ko ang MNLF ay may pwersa," said MNLF commander Jainuddin Salik in the report. "Lahat from the very beginning to the present, the MNLF is still prepared and laging handa."

A Commander "Menzi" told Gaston that they hoped that the government would receive the news of Misuari's declaration peacefully, but that they were ready for anything that might happen.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/322239/news/regions/mnlf-confirms-declaration-of-independence-girds-itself-for-possible-fighting

MILF, MNLF clash in North Cotabato

From Rappler (Aug 15): MILF, MNLF clash in North Cotabato

At least 50 families left their homes in Matalam, North Cotabato after members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front battled with forces of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Wednesday, August 14, the military said.

Capt Antonio Bulao of the military's 602nd Infantry Brigade said the firefight started when more than 10 MILF rebels under Commander Alimansur Imbong of the 108th Base Command torched a house of Macapagal Mangadta in Purok 5, Barangay Kidama at around 9:30 Wednesday morning.

Mangadta is a brother of a certain Commander Dragon of the MNLF.

There are no reports of casualties as of posting. Bulao said the MILF rebels withdrew toward the direction of Barangay Marbel.

The MILF is a breakaway group of the MNLF. Under the Ramos government, the MNLF signed a peace pact that put an end to their rebellion, but the former rebels are now saying some of the provisions of the agreement have not been fulfilled.

The MNLF's renewed calls for a review of the agreement intensified after the Aquino government and the MILF signed a framework agreement that set the stage for the signing of a final peace pact.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/36526-milf,-mnlf-clash-in-north-cotabato

MNLF: We won't resort to violence

From ABS-CBN (Aug 16): MNLF: We won't resort to violence

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) secretary-general Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim said the group will not use violence in its bid for independence.
This, after the MNLF said it no longer wants to be a part of the Philippines and declared a "Bangsamoro Republic" Monday.

Ibrahim added the current peace talk between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is not the main reason for the declaration.

The MNLF wants Palawan, Sulu, Davao and even Sabah to be part of an independent Mindanao with MNLF founder Nur Misuari as its leader.

"We will continue to struggle through the end but by legal and peaceful means. Rest assured, the MNLF will never result to violence. The MNLF will not result to war. Just to you know as an instrument their strategic political mission," Ibrahim said.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/08/16/13/mnlf-we-wont-resort-violence

Misuari’s 1996 peace pact with gov’t still valid – Palace

From the Philippine Star (Aug 17): Misuari’s 1996 peace pact with gov’t still valid – Palace

Malacañang acknowledged yesterday the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is still valid and in effect.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte dismissed insinuations that the 2012 framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has superseded it.

“We all agree that the 1996 agreement is still in force, and it’s not been abrogated, at least by us,” she said.

Speaking to reporters, Valte said the government has not ignored MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari. “Does he exist at all? Of course,” she said. “You know, if we were to ignore you then, we would not respond to anything – at all.”

Valte said Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao “spoke” with Misuari, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles continuously coordinates with members of the MNLF.  “That’s why we have MNLF commanders that have expressed their support for the framework agreement (with the MILF),” she said. “We’ve already said that the 1996 final peace accord with the MNLF, we are not abrogating that, that’s very clear. Second, the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law seeks to benefit not just the MILF but also all those in those areas.” 

Troops, police on alert

 

Following Misuari’s declaration of an independent Bangsamoro Republik, police and troops in Mindanao have remained on alert.

Local governments in the affected areas have called on the national government to dialogue with Misuari for the full implementation of the 1996 peace accord with the MNLF.

Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabel Climaco-Salazar said: “We don’t know what will be the effect of this declaration, but as I said before, the City of Zamboanga is for peace and the city supports the peace process of the Aquino administration.”  

Salazar said they have no direct verification of Misuari’s declaration, but that his pronouncement is an eye opener for the national government to dialogue with the MNLF, MILF and other groups.

“If we are to achieve peace it should be inclusive to all the different groups that would want peaceful process and coexistence here,” she said.

Troops and police have heightened their guard in anticipation of possible violence by MNLF members.

Col. Andrelino Colina, Task Force Zamboanga commander, said they have improved the procedures in checkpoints and patrols are being conducted on a regular basis in areas identified as possible entry points.

“In anticipation we have heightened the alert and intelligence monitoring have been intensified on possible movement,” he said.

Colina said the military has not intercepted so far any information on any impending plot of the Misuari faction to unleash hostilities.

“There is no major plan of attack,” he said.

The military also dismissed the possibility that some former MNLF fighters integrated into the Armed Forces are being enticed to support Misuari.

In a statement, Undersecretary Jose Lorena of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process debunked Misuari’s pronouncement that the government has not   engaged the MNLF for a discussion on the 1996 peace accord.

“Our aim has always been to complete the Tripartite Implementation Review so that we can move forward with concrete actions towards the development of MNLF communities, which we have already started,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III called on Misuari to tone down his aggression and continue talking to the government to find a settlement of his issue with the peace process between the government and the MILF.

“There are other ways of asserting the just aspirations of our brother- and sister-Muslims without causing bloodshed and breaking up our Republic,” he said.

The lawmaker from Cagayan de Oro City urged Misuari to continue pushing for the creation of a federal republic.

“I suggest we work together to achieve it as one people,” he said. “To the government, I suggest that it should not pull the trigger as its knee jerk reaction. Talk them out of it. Talking is better than shooting.” 

Pimentel and his father, former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr. before him, have long pushed for an amendment of the Constitution to change the form of government to federalism.  

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/17/1100791/misuaris-1996-peace-pact-govt-still-valid-palace

Army, rebels engage in brief encounter

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 16): Army, rebels engage in brief encounter

Army soldiers figured in about five minutes of gunbattle with a group of suspected New People’s Army rebels yesterday in Brgy. Tan-awan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

No casualty was reported on the government side, but this would not be undetermined on the part of about 10 suspected rebels, who scampered away in various directions, Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, said.

Soldiers of the 47th Infantry Battalion Headquarters Service Company
led by a certain 2Lt. Raner were conducting a scouring operation in Sitio Sanggapa, Brgy. Tan-awan, Kabankalan,when they encountered about 10 rebels reportedly as members of the Sangay sa Partido Platoon-Central of the NPA at about 2 p.m. yesterday.

Recovered at the encounter site were ammunition of various calibers of firearms and a back pack. Pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels were still ongoing as of last night.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/August/17/topstory11.htm

MNLF, BIFF broach possibility of 'alliance'

From InterAksyon (Aug 16): MNLF, BIFF broach possibility of 'alliance'

The Moro National Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters on Friday said broached the possibility of forming a “political alliance” in their quest for Bangsamoro independence.

MNLF secretary general Ustadz Murshi Ebrahim, interviewed by phone, said, “It’s possible to have a political alliance with (the) BIFF. Our forces are former comrades and we knew each other even before.”

BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama, responding to Ebrahim’s statement, said: “It’s a very good development (an) alliance is very possible.”

The MNLF was founded in 1969 by Nur Misuari and waged an armed struggle for independence. In 1996, it signed a peace agreement with the government that, among others, paved the way for the establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In 1984, Salamat Hashim, who had broken away from the MNLF, formally established the MILF. The organization, which has renounced an independent homeland, is now in the final stages of forging a peace agreement with the government that, among others, would replace the ARMM with a new Bangsamoro juridical entity.

The BIFF, on the other hand, was formed in 2011 by former MILF commander Ustadz Ameril Umra Kato, who has continued to advocate an independent Bangsamoro.

On August 12, Misuari, who is opposed to the framework agreement between the MILF and the government and has often voiced disappointment over what he has called violations of the 1996 peace pact, was reported to have declared independence in his home province of Sulu.

However, what exactly the implications of his declaration are remain undertain.
Misry declined to comment when asked whether they support Misuari’s declaration.
“Let’s wait and see,” he said.

Misuari and Kato met in November 2011 in Maguindanao to discuss possible common ground on which their forces could cooperate.

Days after the meeting, however, Kato fell seriously ill and he has not been seen or heard publicly since, although his followers have consistently denied reports he is dead.

Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF’s chief negotiator to peace negotiations with government and the organization’s vice-chairman for information, agreed a BIFF-MNLF alliance is possible.

However, he did not make much of it, saying: “Let them face the consequences, positive or negative.”

It would not be the first time the disparate rebel factions of Mindanao have forged alliances with each other.

In the mid-1990s, the MILF, through then vice chairman for military affairs Al Haj Murad Ebrahim confirmed the existence of a “tactical alliance” with communist rebels and the then-fledgling Abu Sayyaf.

The alliance with the MILF was subsequently confirmed by the National Democratic Front and, at one point, was even formalized between the two rebel organizations.

Iqbal, however, questioned the timing of Misuari’s declaration of independence, which comes as the MILF and government are in what they call the “final stretch” of their negotiations.

At the same time, the MILF chief negotiator said Misuari’s declaration gave them ever reason to fast track their negotiations.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/68736/mnlf-biff-broach-possibility-of-alliance

Army develops disaster warning device

From the Philippine Star (Aug 16): Army develops disaster warning device

The Army has developed an equipment that could serve as an early warning system for disaster-prone areas.

The MLX4 manpack public address system will soon be distributed to field units to alert communities and to minimize casualties.

“The manpack system is portable and it can help save lives because it will enable our soldiers to provide warnings to people,” 1Lt. Gemira Dy, public affairs chief of the Army’s Civil-Military Operations Group, said.

The MLX4 project will undergo field testing this month. The Army plans to initially distribute 416 units of the equipment to field personnel nationwide.

The equipment has two microphone inputs, a DVD player, AM/FM radio, MP3 port, and a siren that are all arranged in a backpack aluminum carriage with harness for mobility. Disaster management officials can use the MLX4 to issue announcements and advisories.

The MLX4 is powered by a 220 wattage of dual-sourced batteries that can last up to 14 hours. Its speaker could reach about one kilometer in an open terrain and about 500 meters in built up areas.

Details of the manpack public address system project are now being finalized.

Dy said each MLX4 unit costs about P12,000, cheaper than the commercially sold speakers with similar capabilities that cost about P30,000.

“The project will entail lower costs since the materials were sourced locally and we are the ones who assembled the units,” she said.

Col. Arnulfo Burgos, chief of the Army Civil-Military Operations Group, said the MLX4 would be essential for soldiers involved in disaster relief, humanitarian operations and peace and development activities.

A similar project was undertaken by the Army in 1997. Col. Paul Regencia, then the commandant of the Civil-Miliary Operations School, led the creation of a man-packed loudspeaker which was eventually used for classroom exercises and civic action programs.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/1408b81cc9d34202

DFA: Increased US military presence to be covered by simple executive pact

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 17): DFA: Increased US military presence to be covered by simple executive pact
The deal that would allow an increased presence of US military forces in the Philippines that is currently under negotiation by the two governments will be forged simply as an executive agreement and within the bounds of the Philippine Constitution and existing defense pacts, the Department of Foreign Affairs said  Friday.

The foreign office made this statement late Friday after Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, an international law expert and constitutionalist, said the base access agreement would require Senate concurrence.

The DFA did not directly rebuff Santiago’s statement but pointed out the difference between an executive agreement and a treaty, which requires Senate ratification.

“We are cognizant of what constitutes an executive agreement and a treaty. The Philippine negotiating panel will confine the substance of the proposed framework agreement to an executive agreement,” said the DFA.

As envisioned, the agreement will be part of the implementation of the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty, where both sides agreed to “develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack,” and the Visiting Forces Agreement, which binds US forces to compliance with Philippine law while in the country.

“The IRP (Increased Rotational Presence) Framework Agreement is already within the ambit of the existing MDT and VFA. By this IRP Framework Agreement, we are merely institutionalizing a fuller and more effective implementation of the MDT and VFA,” the foreign office said.

It said also that the agreement will not allow the use or storage of weapons of mass destruction in the country, as provided for in the Constitution.

 

“We will comply with the constitutional prohibition against nuclear weapons. If we suspect or believe that a vessel or aircraft has a nuclear weapon, we will deny entry,” said the DFA.

 

The US has a policy of neither confirming nor denying that its ships or aircraft carry nuclear weapons.

 

The DFA made the statement in question-and-answer form sent out late Friday on the IRP plan, negotiations on which started between the Philippine and US panels on Wednesday in Manila.

 

The talks began as the Philippines stepped up efforts to project a “minimum credible defense posture” amid security concerns in the region, particularly China’s known military buildup in the South China Sea , part of which the Philippines has renamed West Philippine Sea.

 

The DFA said the agreement “should not affect relations with China,” but Beijing is known to have long been opposed to “internationalizing” the maritime dispute.

 

The US, which is currently undertaking a strategic defense pivot to the Asia Pacific as it gradually withdraws from the Middle East, has not taken sides on the conflicting territorial claims but has many times criticized China for its aggressive actions in the disputed waters.

 

In the statement, the DFA maintained that greater US military presence in the country would not be tantamount to “de facto bases” as some groups have warned.

 

“No de facto bases or any kind of bases. The Philippine negotiating panel will be totally guided by the provisions of the Philippine Constitution which explicitly prohibits the establishment of foreign bases on Philippine territory,” said the DFA.

 

The IRP will not deal with operational details and the number of US troops to be allowed in the country will “depend on the scale of operations which we will approve.”

 

“We are not talking about stationing. We are talking about presence in relation to activities and these activities will be held in AFP-owned or controlled facilities or areas,” the statement said.

 

Through the agreement, Philippine troops would stand to benefit from “high-impact and high-value joint exercises which promote interoperability and capacity building that will also bolster humanitarian assistance and disaster response.”

 

“The IRP Framework Agreement prepares us from any and all forces which may bear ill intentions towards us… If one is better prepared, external elements that have ill intentions will tend to think twice,” said the DFA, echoing the same line used by various Philippine administrations in their defense of US military bases in the country in the past.

 

The IRP would also help speed up the government’s efforts to modernize the military as “the US rotational presence will maximize the resources we are providing to upgrade our defense.”

 

“It will take us many years to bring us to the level of modernization that we seek for our AFP. With the support of all Filipinos, the IRP Framework Agreement will significantly help the country to temporarily fill that gap,” the DFA said.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/83535/dfa-increased-us-military-presence-to-be-covered-by-simple-executive-pact

Army reservist Sotto promoted

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 17): Army reservist Sotto promoted



Sen. Vicente Sotto III (right) is congratulated by AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista after being commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel in the Army’s reserve force. Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office

Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has been promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Philippine Army reserve force, the military announced Friday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and the senator’s celebrity daughter, Ciara Sotto, pinned the senator’s rank during the formal ceremonies.

Members of the senator’s family were with him during the ceremony, attended by top AFP officials at the military general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said Sotto used to hold the rank of major as a reserve officer of the defunct premartial law-era Philippine Constabulary. 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/467559/army-reservist-sotto-promoted

RPA peace pact closure reviewed

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 17): RPA peace pact closure reviewed

The draft closure peace agreement of the government and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa–Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara Paduano Group is under due diligence review, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process said yesterday.

The signing of the closure peace agreement has been awaited by members of the RPM-P-RPA-ABB since last year.

“We hope to be able to finish the process soon and move towards the signing,” OPPAP, said in answer to queries from the Visayan DAILY STAR.

In line with the goal of the government to transform the group into a legitimate socio-economic and political organization, the RPA-ABB armed group changed its name to Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan, or Brotherhood for Social Progress.

Marlon delos Santos, newly-elected KPP secretary, had said earlier that, “Even without the signing, this is our way of showing the people that we intend to fulfill our obligation to the government by meeting the requirement of the peace agreement for the group’s institutional transformation.”

Of the 716 profiled KPP members, 607 are in Negros Occidental, 58 in Negros Oriental, and the rest scattered in Panay and some areas of Mindanao and Luzon. They also possess more than 400 firearms and 300 explosives, OPPAP records show.

The former rebel group entered into a peace agreement with the government in 2000.

The KPP, said in a statement it issued, they will pursue social justice as a key to lasting peace and genuine progress. It also vows to improve economic conditions and welfare of its former combatant members and strengthen its capabilities so that it could effectively pursue its commitment to continue to work for the interest of the working masses and pursue substantial reforms for the betterment of the working people.

Meanwhile, Stephen Paduano, national commander of the defunct RPA-ABB, has joined politics. The Commission on Election has allocated one seat at the House of Representatives for the Abang Lingkod partlist with Paduano as the number one nominee, it if it wins its petition in the Supreme Court.

Abang Lingkod garnered more than 260,000 votes, which entitles the group one seat at the House of Representatives.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/August/17/topstory7.htm

Khilafah an imagined threat, says BIFF

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 17): Khilafah an imagined threat, says BIFF

A renegade Moro rebel group described as a figment of the government’s imagination the so-called Khilafah Islamiyah Movement (KIM) that authorities blamed for recent bomb attacks in parts of Mindanao.

Abu Misry Mama, spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), said the government is conjuring up images of a new terror group to “sow fear.”

The BIFF, composed of former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), made the comment after top government officials—Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima—went around Mindanao for a series of security conferences.

Admitting that the information about KIM has yet to be validated, officials nevertheless described the previously unheard of group as an emerging threat.

“There is no such group here in Mindanao,” said Mama.

Mama said he believed that the real target of the military offensive launched on July 6 against BIFF was Marwan, a Malaysian operative of the terror cell Jemaah Islamiyah.

“But he is not here. We do not even have camps to shelter him,” Mama said.

The MILF also expressed skepticism over KIM, saying the new group is “a creation of a sector within the military to discredit the peace talks.”

“We are not certain if this really exists or not,” said Von Al-Haq, spokesperson of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

The BIFF has owned up to the Aug. 7 roadside bomb attack that wounded seven soldiers in Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao but denied being behind the Aug. 5 bombing in Cotabato City that left eight persons dead and at least 30 others wounded.

Cotabato City administrator Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said she was the target of the attack. “It’s not KIM,” she said.

The BIFF also denied having a hand in the July 26 bombing in Cagayan de Oro City that left eight people dead and at least 40 others hurt.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has identified a certain Usman Hapids, alias “Mam Man,” as the KIM member who carried out the attack in Cagayan de Oro City.

Gazmin earlier said KIM is an umbrella group of rogue members of the MILF and the BIFF who want to sabotage peace talks between the MILF and the government.

Maj. Leo Bongosia, spokesperson of the military’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro, said reports point to KIM as being behind the recent bomb attacks.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/467821/khilafah-an-imagined-threat-says-biff