PH military continues hunt for Malaysian Mahmud Ahmad in Marawi

From Rappler (Oct 16): PH military continues hunt for Malaysian Mahmud Ahmad in Marawi

Top Malaysian terrorist Mahmud Ahmad reportedly channeled at least P30 million ($600,000) to finance the attack in Marawi City

TOP MALAYSIAN TERRORIST. Mahmud Ahmad reportedly channeled at least P30 million ($600,000) to finance the attack in Marawi City, Philippines.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues its hunt for Mahmud Ahmad, Malaysia's top terrorist, who joined and reportedly financed the fighting in Marawi City.

AFP chief General Eduardo Año said Ahmad is among 8 foreign fighters they are still looking for. DNA tests are being conducted to check if these foreign fighters are among the dead retrieved from the battle area. (WATCH: VLOG: U.S. agents check for most wanted terrorists among Marawi bodies)

"I think he is still alive, but he is already insignificant. We'll get him soon," Año said.

Clashes continue on the ground as the military pushes on to clear the battle area of remaining terrorists and end the war that began on May 23.

Ahmad reportedly channeled at least P30 million ($600,000) to finance the attack in Marawi City, according to the military.

On Monday, October 16, soldiers killed the top leaders behind the siege. Abu Sayyaf subleader Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute of the family-led Maute Group were shot by government snipers as troops assaulted enemy position to rescue remaining hostages. (READ: The life of a Maute hostage in Marawi)

These terrorist leaders pledged allegiance to international terrorist network Islamic State (ISIS).

https://www.rappler.com/nation/185473-malaysia-terrorist-mahmud-ahmad-marawi

Hapilon, Omar Maute offered millions of pesos to escape Marawi

From Rappler (Oct 17): Hapilon, Omar Maute offered millions of pesos to escape Marawi

The military believes that the nearly P1-billion loot taken by local terrorists from homes and establishments in Marawi is still somewhere in the main battle area

GOOD NEWS. Military chief General Eduardo Ano (2nd, left) and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (2nd, right) show photos of slain terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute to the media in Camp Ranao, Marawi City, on October 16, 2017. Photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – The top leaders of the Marawi siege offered millions of pesos in exchange for their safe passage out of the war-torn city, Armed Forces chief General Eduardo Año said.

Año said in a news conference on Monday, October 16, that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon – the supposed Emir of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Southeast Asia – and Omar Maute were desperate to flee Marawi as government troops closed in on them.

Both were killed past midnight on Monday. (READ: Top Marawi siege leaders killed in clashes)

“We received such information that they were offering millions for anyone who can lead and can provide them with banca (boat) and guide them out of main battle area,” Año said in a press confer ence with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in Camp Ranao, the headquarters of the 103rd Infantry Battalion, on Monday.

The military believes that the nearly P1-billion loot taken by local terrorists from homes and establishments in Marawi was still hidden and buried somewhere in the main battle area.

“As days passed, they (terrorists) each took [their] own [share of the loot] and hid the money so that when they can escape, they can come back for it,” Año said.

The AFP chief believes that the money is still in inside Marawi City as the military had already sealed off the city.

“I believe the money is still inside the main battle area,” Año said.

The military chief said that Hapilon and Omar Maute were so desperate to get out of Marawi City that they even commanded their hostages to provide them with boats to aid their escape.

Año said that based on the information that the military received, there were at least two motorized boats readied for the terrorist leaders' escape but the latter were unable to reach them because of the intense firefight that later claimed their lives.

Año said the supposed escape route of the terrorist leaders had been sealed off by joint special operatives from the Army, Marines, and Special Action Force of the National Police.

The Navy Special Operations Group (NavSOG) and the Maritime police had sealed off Lake Lanao, which prevented any escape through the lake.

At least 20 terrorists were killed by the NaVSOG as they tried to enter or exit the main battle area through the water.

“All who attempted to escape (through the lake) we have neutralized,” Año added.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/185536-hapilon-omar-maute-offered-millions-escape-marawi-afp

AFP to hunt down terrorist groups after Marawi crisis

From Rappler (Oct 17): AFP to hunt down terrorist groups after Marawi crisis

The AFP chief says they will aim for Basilan, Sulu, and Maguindanao to finish off other terror groups there by the end of 2017

CONTINUED OPERATIONS. The AFP said it will hunt down other terror groups following the operation that killed top leaders behind the Marawi siege. Photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

With renewed vigor and a high morale after killing the top leaders behind the siege in Marawi City, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will go after other terror groups in the country, aiming to put an end to them before the year’s end.

In a press conference inside the headquarters of the army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade on Monday afternoon, October 16, AFP chief General Eduardo Año said that they will intensify their efforts to hunt down other terror organizations in the country.

“We in the military, we will not relax or sit on our laurels over our victory but it will even inspire our armed forces and the police and other law enforcement agencies to go after the remaining [terrorists] and finish them off,” Año said.

Año added that they will aim for Basilan, Sulu, and Maguindanao to finish off other terror groups there by the end of 2017.

The AFP chief added that with the death of Isnilon Hapilon, the leader of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group from Basilan, the terror organization is left with no leader.

Hapilon and Maute Group leader Omar Maute were killed Monday morning in a surgical operation by Joint Task Group Ranao led by Special Forces from the Army, Marines, and the Philippine National Police.

Isnilon suffered a gunshot wound to the chest while a sniper snuffed the life out of Maute through a headshot.

Año said that the AFP is ready for any backlash that would spring from the death of Maute and Hapilon, the supposed emir of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Southeast Asia.

“We are prepared for that – any backlash or reaction that they will do, whether military or non-military reactions. That is our job, that is our competency, but definitely, as I said, this is a very big setback on their movement,” Año said.

The AFP chief however acknowledged that there are still ISIS sympathizers that they need to neutralize.

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has previously pledged allegiance to ISIS.

But Año downplayed the capacity of the BIFF to stage an attack at the scale of the Marawi siege.

“They cannot take over Cotabato City or General Santos or any particular big municipality in central Mindanao because our forces are strategically located, and of course we have the MILF cooperating with us,” Año said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/185521-afp-hunt-down-terrorist-groups-marawi

DWDD: COMMAND VISIT | COM NOLCOM at 503rd IBde HQ

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 14): COMMAND VISIT  |  COM NOLCOM at 503rd IBde HQ

TABUK, Kalinga (DWDD) – Major General Emmanuel B Salamat AFP, Commander, AFP Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) conducted a two-day (October 9-10) Command Visit to the Headquarters of the 503rd Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army based at Tabuk City, Kalinga.

The brigade is under the leadership of Colonel Leopoldo A Imbang Jr MNSA PA.







Com NOLCOM also visited the Navy Base in Sta. Ana Cagayan as well as the Philippine Air Force 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing. PIO NOLCOM.MCAG







http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/14/command-visit-com-nolcom-at-503rd-ibde-hq/

DWDD: 703IBDE@29 | Com NOLCOM at 703rd Inf Bde Anniversary

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 14): 703IBDE@29  |  Com NOLCOM at 703rd Inf Bde Anniversary

BONGABONG, Nueva Ecija (DWDD) – Major General Emmanuel B Salamat AFP, Commander, AFP Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) attended the 29th Founding Anniversary of the 703rd (AGILA) Infantry Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army at Barangay. Calaanan, Bongabong, Nueva Ecija last October 10, 2017. PIO NOLCOM.MCAG







http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/14/703ibde29-com-nolcom-at-703rd-inf-bde-anniversary/

DWDD: COURTESY VISIT | Com 7ID visits Com NOLCOM

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 14): COURTESY VISIT  |  Com 7ID visits Com NOLCOM

CAMP GEN SERVILLANO AQUINO, Tarlac City (DWDD) – Northern Luzon Command troops rendered foyer honors to Major General Felimon T Santos Jr AFP, Commander of 7th Infantry KAUGNAY Division, Philippine Army during his courtesy visit to Major General Emmanuel B Salamat AFP, Commander, AFP Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) last October 12, 2017 at Camp Gen Servillano Aquino, Tarlac City. PIO NOLCOM.MCAG





http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/14/courtesy-visit-com-7id-visits-com-nolcom/

DWDD: SIDE BOYS HONOR | BGen Abraham Claro Casis at NOLCOM

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 14): SIDE BOYS HONOR  |  BGen Abraham Claro Casis at NOLCOM

CAMP GEN SERVILLANO AQUINO, Tarlac City (DWDD) – A side boys honor was rendered to the newly-promoted Brigadier General Abraham Claro C Casis AFP, Commander, 703rd Infantry Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army during his courtesy call to Major General Emmanuel B Salamat AFP, Commander, AFP Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) last October 13,2017 at Headquarters NOLCOM at Camp Gen Servillano Aquino, Tarlac City. PIO NOLCOM.MCAG









http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/14/side-boys-honor-bgen-abraham-claro-casis-at-nolcom/

DWDD: FINAL STAGE | Marawi Siege nearing end

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 16): FINAL STAGE  |  Marawi Siege nearing end

 

LANAO DEL SUR (DWDD) – The terror reign of the Daesh-inspired Maute Group in the City of Marawi is nearing its end.

This is according to ARRM Assemblyman and Provincial Crisis Management Committee spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong, although he declined to give a deadline.

Sporadic fighting is still on-going but the main battle area has been limited to two hectares.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is in its final phase of clearing the city of remaining terrorist and from booby traps and unexploded ordnance. Government forces are carefully scouring the remaining infrastructures and conducting assaults on enemy positions to avoid inflicting any harm on the remaining hostages.



Police special forces check vehicles at a checkpoint near the entrance to Marawi on May 25, 2017. Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP



It is confirmed that there is still an estimated 40 to 60 hostages, made up of mostly women and children. Although it was revealed that some families seen in the custody of the Maute are actually their family members.

The AFP also clarified that the previously circulated October 15 deadline is only a target date, since they have made it clear that they will not announce any deadlines. This was aimed at easing any pressure on the advancing troops to avoid unwanted casualties and to prevent civilians from being frustrated.

Adiong also added that they have not allowed the evacuees to return to their homes, since the Joint Task Force Ranao has not given any go-signal yet. The situation remains volatile, even in “military controlled area”. They are trying to avoid evacuating civilians again and again, unless the situation has normalized.

He also explained that once the situation normalizes, they have already made mechanism on how to implement the orderly return of civilians to Marawi City. The system involves the clustering of residents by barangay for a smooth and safe return to their homes.

As of the latest, there are a total of 392,000 evacuees awaiting return to Marawi. AES

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/16/final-stage-marawi-siege-nearing-end/

DWDD: NO LET UP | AFP Working Round-the-Clock to clear Marawi

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 16): NO LET UP | AFP Working Round-the-Clock to clear Marawi

 

LANAO DEL SUR (DWDD) – Sporadic fighting is still on-going in the main battle area in Marawi.

According to Col Romeo Brawner, Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Ranao, our forces are still experiencing some form of resistance.

October 14, troops were able to rescue a teenage girl who revealed that most of the remaining hostages are being used as human shield by the Maute. She added that the terrorist has resorted to having hostages run across streets to draw fire from soldiers and have even force their own family members (women and children) to fight for them.

 

Meanwhile Col Brawner reiterated that it has never been a policy of the AFP to set any deadline, contrary to the earlier circulated October 15 set, because they don’t want to pressure the troops to hasten their operations and prevent unwanted loss of life or limbs.

Yesterday, government forces suffered more than twenty soldiers wounded since battles have become more intense since the encounters are now in close-quarters.

Col Brawner said that the main battle area is down to two hectares, while there are an estimated 40 to 60 hostages remaining and the enemy strength is down at 40. AES

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/16/no-let-up-afp-working-round-the-clock-to-clear-marawi/

DWDD: STATEMENT | SND on Death of Daesh Leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 16): STATEMENT | SND on Death of Daesh Leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute

STATEMENT OF

DEFENSE SECRETARY DELFIN N. LORENZANA

on the Death of Isnilon Hapilon, Omar MAute and Rescue of 17 Hostages

 

We have received a report from AFP ground commanders in Marawi that the operation conducted by government forces to retake the last remaining Daesh-Maute stronghold in the city has resulted in the death of the last terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, and that their bodies have been recovered by our operating units.

The report also said that our troops have rescued 17 civilian hostages and mopping up operations are underway.

We will announce the termination of hostilities once government forces have ensured that there are no more terrorist-stragglers in the city and we have cleared all structures of IEDs and other traps.
After the fighting stops, we will refocus our efforts on the challenging task of rebuilding nd rehabilitating Marawi. DND/MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/16/statement-snd-on-death-of-daesh-leaders-isnilon-hapilon-and-omar-maute/

DWDD: PREVENTED | NPA atrocities deterred

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 16): PREVENTED  |  NPA atrocities deterred

 

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City (DWDD) – Troops prevented communist/terrorist New People’s Army from conducting atrocities over the weekend after troops from 3rd Infantry Battalion captured six (6) firearms at Sitio Ventura, Wines, Baguio District Davao City on the early evening of October 13 2017.

According to Joint Task Force Haribon, the recovery came after an informant informed 3IB of the location of the firearms and the supposed NPA’s plans of burning some of the equipments of a certain company along Brgy Gumalang, Baguio District, Davao City.

Seized firearms were:

One (1) Barret rifle without serial number
One (1) M14 rifle with serial number 5776933
One  (1) Garrand rifle with serial number 813662
One (1) Thompson without serial number  with one (1) magazine
One (1) Shotgun (Armscor) with defaced serial number
One (1) Shotgun (Homemade) without serial number  with one (1) magazine

On a separate occasion Damilag Patrol Base located at Sitio Damilag, Brgy Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City prevented a possible atrocities along the said Barangay when a patrol encountered an undetermined number of the NPAs in the early morning of Saturday October 14, 2017.

The encounter however left one CAA killed identified as CAA Allan Macla Lausan while no casualty were reported on the NPA side.

MGen. Noel Clement, Commander Joint Task Force Haribon acknowledge the participation of the communities while grieving for the loss of one CAA.

“We recognize the information being provided by the community, this is a manifestation that the NPAs are not welcome in their respective areas and this should be recognized by the NPAs and allow them to live peacefully. We mourn also for the lost of our CAA,  his death will not be in vain as we continue to fight for peace a reason why he volunteered to be with our ranks “ MGen Clement said. JTF Haribon/MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/16/prevented-npa-atrocities-deterred/

DWDD: APPOINTED | (Ret) MGen Caballes new Defense Assistant Secretary

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 16): APPOINTED  |  (Ret) MGen Caballes new Defense Assistant Secretary




CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – Major General Raul Z. Caballes AFP (Ret), was officially appointed as the Deputy Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on 27 September 2017, with the rank of Assistant Secretary.

ASec. Caballes has been the Deputy Administrator of PVAO since 02 July 2015. He relinquished his post upon his retirement on 09 July 2017. Prior to this, he was the pioneering Chief of PVAO Veterans Affairs Management Division from 16 August 2013 to 01 July 2015.

His exemplary leadership as PVAO’s Quality Management Representative has contributed immensely to the agency’s ISO 9001:2008 Certification for its Quality Management System (QMS) for Adjudication of Pension Claims. As Chairperson of the PVAO Strategy Management Board, he propelled the successful qualification of PVAO KAGITINGAN Roadmap 2022 to the proficiency stage of the Performance Governance System.

ASec. Caballes is an outstanding manager, military leader, and a decorated soldier. He served as Chief Operating Officer / Executive Vice President – General Manager of the Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association Inc. (AFPMBAI). He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communication, Electronics, and Information Systems, J6, AFP from 28 May 2005 to 05 January 2007.

A recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Star (DCS) for his military service, he was also awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal (OAM), Silver Wing Medal, and 11 Military Merit Awards (MMM).

ASec. Caballes earned two master’s degrees: Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) under the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) on 05 September 1998 and Master of Management, major in Business Management (MMBM) at the University of the Philippines – Cebu on 26 March 1988.

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Magilas” Class ’76. DND/MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/10/16/appointed-ret-mgen-caballes-new-defense-assistant-secretary/