From the Manila Times (Feb 3): MILF pact could allow US bases in Bangsamoro homeland
THE United States (US) may be granted basing rights in Mindanao by the Bangsamoro Political Entity once the final peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is signed and set into motion, according to an in-house think tank of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Office of Strategic and Special Studies (OSS), a unit under the military, said Washington played a pivotal role in the peace talks both directly, through “secret” meetings between US officials and MILF leaders, and indirectly, by providing aid.
“One thought is about an American-led plot to lend a debt of gratitude by helping Mindanao become independent and get repaid in terms of grant of US rights to set up bases there,” the OSS said in a book it published, “In Assertion of Sovereignty: The Peace Process.”
The paper was authored by Cesar Pobre and Raymond Jose Quilop, a political science professor from the University of the Philippines who has been providing policy directions to the AFP over the last two decades.
According to the OSS, General Santos City in South Cotabato is being considered as the future site for a US base.
“In any event, whatever interest the US may have in the peace process, it may be well to keep in mind that from 1999 to 2008, six meetings between US government officials and MILF leaders have reportedly taken place. In February 2008, [Former] US Ambassador Kristie Kenney paid a visit to the main rebel base of Camp Darapanan in the town of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and met with MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad and Central Committee members,” the book said.
The meetings were so secret that “the visit was done apparently with no prior coordination with the appropriate government authorities.”
“The day before the visit, Kenney was with then DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo for the opening of the Balikatan exercises,” it said.
Reports about Kenney’s “secret” meeting with the MILF leaders was first made public by Wikileaks in 2011 through the release of purportedly secret cables from the US Embassy in Manila to Washington. The OSS book confirmed this.
It was widely known that after declaring war on terror following the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, the US government worried that Mindanao would become a “sanctuary or training ground for international terrorists.” Washington was aware of the MILF’s supposed links to Jemaah Islamiyah and al-Qaeda.
“Apparently, Ambassador Kenney was interested in the progress of the peace talks and the creation of a new autonomous region under MILF rule. An exchange of views regarding the Balikatan exercises was reported to have been done,” the OSS said.
Reserved power
But Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the observation may be out of place in the context of the new deal being forged with the MILF.
For one, granting the US being basing rights here is a power “reserved to the national government,” Deles said.
Asked if the Bangsamoro Political Entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) could actually enter into such an agreement, Deles replied: “No.”
“Foreign policy is a reserved power of the national government! That is very clearly stated in the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and in the power-sharing annex,” she said in a text message to The Manila Times.
CIA front
The OSS book said Washington was considered a “major stakeholder” in the peace process and had actually used organizations that were believed to be fronting for the Central Intelligence Agency. One of these agencies is the US Institute for Peace (USIP) through the Philippine Facilitation Project.
The OSS, citing several sources, said the USIP’s “true objective is to infiltrate the MILF.”
“The US through the USIP guided the crafting of the [defunct] MOA-AD [memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain] to serve its tactical and strategic objectives in the country as well as in the Southeast Asian region,” it noted.
The allegations were denied by Kenney who pointed out that the USIP acted on its own in preparing a study paper on the peace process that did not reflect Washington’s position, but “she did not mention, however, that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was among the ex-officio members of the institute.”
http://manilatimes.net/milf-pact-could-allow-us-bases-in-bangsamoro-homeland/73033/
Monday, February 3, 2014
Security tightened in GenSan after mortar find
From MindaNews (Feb 3): Security tightened in GenSan after mortar find
Security has been tightened in various parts of the city following the recovery on Sunday night of a live 60mm mortar round near a roadside community police outpost in the area.
Chief Insp. Edgar Yago, chief of the police station number 01 here, said Monday the mortar round was found at past 8 p.m. at the vicinity of its police box or outpost in Purok San Roque Silway in Barangay Dadiangas West.
Based on their initial investigation, he said the explosive was abandoned beside the police box by a child who found it near the area.
Yago said the child reportedly played with the explosive for several days before deciding to leave it at the police box.
“It’s a live mortar round and could explode or detonate if not handled properly,” the police official told reporters.
Yago said they were still determining the possible owner of the abandoned mortar round, which is similar to those attached in improvised bombs that exploded in Maguindanao province last week.
The official refused to link the recovery of the mortar round to the bombing incidents in Maguindanao that were believed to be the handiwork of splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
“It’s a plain mortar round and there were no attached materials like those in improvised explosive devices,” he said.
Authorities earlier placed this city and other areas of Region 12 under heightened alert in the wake of the “law enforcement operations” launched by government forces against members and leaders of the BIFF in Maguindanao.
Chief Supt. Lester Camba, Region 12 police director, said the move is a precautionary measure against possible diversionary attacks being planned in the area by the BIFF and its allied armed groups.
The official said they are specifically monitoring possible movements of the BIFF in parts of Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum towns in Sarangani Province and other areas of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and North Cotabato.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/02/03/security-tightened-in-gensan-after-mortar-find/
Security has been tightened in various parts of the city following the recovery on Sunday night of a live 60mm mortar round near a roadside community police outpost in the area.
Chief Insp. Edgar Yago, chief of the police station number 01 here, said Monday the mortar round was found at past 8 p.m. at the vicinity of its police box or outpost in Purok San Roque Silway in Barangay Dadiangas West.
Based on their initial investigation, he said the explosive was abandoned beside the police box by a child who found it near the area.
Yago said the child reportedly played with the explosive for several days before deciding to leave it at the police box.
“It’s a live mortar round and could explode or detonate if not handled properly,” the police official told reporters.
The official refused to link the recovery of the mortar round to the bombing incidents in Maguindanao that were believed to be the handiwork of splinter group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
“It’s a plain mortar round and there were no attached materials like those in improvised explosive devices,” he said.
Authorities earlier placed this city and other areas of Region 12 under heightened alert in the wake of the “law enforcement operations” launched by government forces against members and leaders of the BIFF in Maguindanao.
Chief Supt. Lester Camba, Region 12 police director, said the move is a precautionary measure against possible diversionary attacks being planned in the area by the BIFF and its allied armed groups.
The official said they are specifically monitoring possible movements of the BIFF in parts of Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum towns in Sarangani Province and other areas of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and North Cotabato.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2014/02/03/security-tightened-in-gensan-after-mortar-find/
Spotlight on military camps ahead of peace talks
From Gulf News (Feb 3): Spotlight on military camps ahead of peace talks
Camps of MILF will be the centre of decommissioning of weapons
The six military camps of a Filipino-Muslim rebel group that is about to sign a comprehensive peace deal with the government will begin decommissioning of weapons before its integration with the communities in southern Philippines, sources said.
Camps of MILF will be the centre of decommissioning of weapons
The six military camps of a Filipino-Muslim rebel group that is about to sign a comprehensive peace deal with the government will begin decommissioning of weapons before its integration with the communities in southern Philippines, sources said.
Mejol Sadain, a member of the MILF peace negotiating team, said that the camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) province will witness the disposal of weapons of some 12,000 members of its armed wing Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF). The government and the MILF have agreed in Kuala Lumpur last month to create the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), to undertake the project.
Both negotiating parties have agreed that the IDB will be composed of three foreign and four local experts, to be chaired by an expert from Canada, Sadain said, adding that the process was chosen instead of the proposed destruction of the weapons.
The IDB will also oversee the armouries where the firearms of the BIAF will be placed, said Sadain, adding that these armouries will be erected soon in the MILF camps. He did not say if the armouries of the BIAF will also be strengthened for the keeping of the weapons of the BIAF fighters.
“This aspect of the agreement is really hard to implement, but it can be done if both parties trust each other,” a source told Gulf News, who requested for anonymity.
Both the government and the MILF have also agreed that former BIAF members and soldiers jointly work for the prevention of loose firearms, by targeting private armed groups in the southern Philippines, said Sadain.
Meanwhile, the source said, “It’s a tall order because this might not be done without the holding of peace talks between the government and several armed groups in the south.”
The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) led by Umbra Ameril Kato, a former MILF commander, has an armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), which clashed with government forces in Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces last week, resulting in the death of more than 50 and displacement of 35,000 residents.
The clashes began when BIFF members refused to accept the warrants of arrest issued by prosecutors against BIFF members who were blamed for the fatal attacks in the south in 2012.
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which forged two pro-autonomy peace settlement with the Philippine government in 1976 and 1996, has resurrected armed struggle. A faction of the MNLF led by MNLF founder Nur Misuari renewed armed struggle in 2001 and in 2013.
“The BIFM and the MNLF are two big reasons why it is hard to make Mindanao gun-free,” said the source.
Meanwhile, the main aim of the government and the MILF is also to develop MILF camps into residential and productive communities, said Sadain, adding this will be undertaken as soon as the peace settlement is signed, as part of the so-called decommissioning process.
The deal signed in Kuala Lumpur includes an annex called normalisation, which centred on the decommissioning of BIAF weapons and the fate of the MILF fighters.
Earlier, the government and MILF have signed three other agreements on transitional arrangements; sharing of earnings between the autonomous Filipino-Muslim region and the national government; identification of autonomous governance belonging to the Filipino-Muslim autonomous region and areas of governance shared both by the national government and the Filipino-Muslim autonomous region.
The Philippine government and the MILF started the pro-autonomy peace talks in 1997.
http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/spotlight-on-military-camps-ahead-of-peace-talks-1.1285708
http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/spotlight-on-military-camps-ahead-of-peace-talks-1.1285708
'MNLF eyes 'Kosovo-style' campaign
Posted to ABS-CBN (Feb 3): 'MNLF eyes 'Kosovo-style' campaign
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has warned it will carry out what it calls a “Kosovo style” struggle to “decolonize” southern Mindanao and some parts of Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak.
MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari called on his followers to renounce armed struggle and adopt the Kosovar model by carrying out peaceful assemblies in attaining their political objective for self rule, spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said yesterday.
Fontanilla was referring to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence where participants unanimously declared Kosovo as independent from Serbia.
Although the legality of the declaration was disputed by Serbia, several countries recognized it.
Fontanilla said Serbia sought international validation and support for its stance that the declaration was illegal, but the International Court of Justice said the declaration did not violate international law.
“Armed struggle is already obsolete as proven in other countries. We will bring our cause to the people,” Fontanilla said.
He said their struggle is now on the second phase after Misuari declared the independence of the Bangsa Moro Republik in Sulu in last year.
Fontanilla said the MNLF has conducted peaceful assembles in General Santos City and Davao City before hostilities broke out in Zamboanga City that eventually led to the filing of charges against Misuari and his men.
According to Fontanilla, peaceful assemblies are scheduled next month in key cities in Mindanao and Sulu. He said the result of the assemblies would form part of the documentary evidence to be submitted before the United Nations committee on decolonization.
“The MNLF is just expressing its desire to be an independent state and it will be the people who decide, it’s a war in winning the hearts and mind of the people,” he said.
Fontanilla said the MNLF is now taking the next step that will involve a series of assemblies for every province where Muslims, Christians and tribal groups will express their desire for self-rule.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/03/14/mnlf-eyes-kosovo-style-campaign
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has warned it will carry out what it calls a “Kosovo style” struggle to “decolonize” southern Mindanao and some parts of Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak.
MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari called on his followers to renounce armed struggle and adopt the Kosovar model by carrying out peaceful assemblies in attaining their political objective for self rule, spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said yesterday.
Fontanilla was referring to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence where participants unanimously declared Kosovo as independent from Serbia.
Although the legality of the declaration was disputed by Serbia, several countries recognized it.
Fontanilla said Serbia sought international validation and support for its stance that the declaration was illegal, but the International Court of Justice said the declaration did not violate international law.
“Armed struggle is already obsolete as proven in other countries. We will bring our cause to the people,” Fontanilla said.
He said their struggle is now on the second phase after Misuari declared the independence of the Bangsa Moro Republik in Sulu in last year.
Fontanilla said the MNLF has conducted peaceful assembles in General Santos City and Davao City before hostilities broke out in Zamboanga City that eventually led to the filing of charges against Misuari and his men.
According to Fontanilla, peaceful assemblies are scheduled next month in key cities in Mindanao and Sulu. He said the result of the assemblies would form part of the documentary evidence to be submitted before the United Nations committee on decolonization.
“The MNLF is just expressing its desire to be an independent state and it will be the people who decide, it’s a war in winning the hearts and mind of the people,” he said.
Fontanilla said the MNLF is now taking the next step that will involve a series of assemblies for every province where Muslims, Christians and tribal groups will express their desire for self-rule.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/03/14/mnlf-eyes-kosovo-style-campaign
Peace deal with NDF in 2016 still uncertain, says Deles
From the Philippine Star (Feb 2): Peace deal with NDF in 2016 still uncertain, says Deles
While the peace pact between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is now on its final stretch, it remains uncertain whether a peace deal with the communists will be reached before President Aquino steps down in 2016.
Officials admitted that talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) are at an impasse, but they remain hopeful all stakeholders will still cobble together a peace agreement.
“Mahirap yung (negotiating) table talaga but I think if we don’t give up, there can be a way for the communities affected,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles told STAR editors and reporters last Friday.
When asked whether it is possible that no peace accord will be reached with the NDF by 2016, Deles said: “My job is not to give up so I will never say no.”
“We are hoping that by 2016... the communities will see that there is a way to peace, that they will be confident that there can be peace,” she added.
Negotiations between the government and the NDF hit an impasse over differences on the rebels’ demand to free communist leaders with criminal cases. The NDF represents the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Communist Party of the Philippines in the peace talks.
The NDF said jailed communist leaders should be freed since they are covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), which provides peace consultants immunity from arrest.
Government negotiators, however, said the NDF has no way to prove that the jailed rebels, especially those using aliases, are really peace consultants.
The stalemate has prompted government negotiators to look at a “new approach” to attain peace in communist-affected areas.
“The new approach is more on what needs to happen on the ground. The new approach is trying to build more mechanisms among people to work for peace,” Deles said.
“Peace process is always better if the leadership of the parties are able to talk but some things really need to happen on the ground to convince the leadership of the CPP-NPA-NDF that we have to talk, that we should come where there is a way of moving forward,” she added.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/02/02/1285762/peace-deal-ndf-2016-still-uncertain-says-deles
While the peace pact between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is now on its final stretch, it remains uncertain whether a peace deal with the communists will be reached before President Aquino steps down in 2016.
Officials admitted that talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) are at an impasse, but they remain hopeful all stakeholders will still cobble together a peace agreement.
“Mahirap yung (negotiating) table talaga but I think if we don’t give up, there can be a way for the communities affected,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles told STAR editors and reporters last Friday.
When asked whether it is possible that no peace accord will be reached with the NDF by 2016, Deles said: “My job is not to give up so I will never say no.”
“We are hoping that by 2016... the communities will see that there is a way to peace, that they will be confident that there can be peace,” she added.
Negotiations between the government and the NDF hit an impasse over differences on the rebels’ demand to free communist leaders with criminal cases. The NDF represents the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Communist Party of the Philippines in the peace talks.
The NDF said jailed communist leaders should be freed since they are covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), which provides peace consultants immunity from arrest.
Government negotiators, however, said the NDF has no way to prove that the jailed rebels, especially those using aliases, are really peace consultants.
The stalemate has prompted government negotiators to look at a “new approach” to attain peace in communist-affected areas.
“The new approach is more on what needs to happen on the ground. The new approach is trying to build more mechanisms among people to work for peace,” Deles said.
“Peace process is always better if the leadership of the parties are able to talk but some things really need to happen on the ground to convince the leadership of the CPP-NPA-NDF that we have to talk, that we should come where there is a way of moving forward,” she added.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/02/02/1285762/peace-deal-ndf-2016-still-uncertain-says-deles
‘Human shield’ dies in NPA attack
From Tempo (Feb 1): ‘Human shield’ dies in NPA attack
SORSOGON CITY – A civilian used by rebels as human shield was killed while a policeman was wounded in an encounter here late Thursday night.
In a report sent to Senior Superintendent Victor Deona, Philippine National Police regional director, said some 10 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) fighters attacked a police post at Barangay Cabid-an junction road.
Police Inspector Arne Oliqiano of the city police said that the ensuing exchange of fire between the cops and the rebels lasted for 30 minutes, seriously wounding Police Office 2 Jovit Liwanag.
The civilian fatality, used by the rebels as cover, was identified as Henry Orbina of Salvacion, Irosin town.
Orbina, a worker of Sts. Peter Paul Corp, in the area, was passing by the place when the encounter occurred.
Liwanag, who sustained gunshot wounds in the upper right back and lower legs, was immediately brought to the nearest hospital for medical treatment; while the body of Orbina was brought to Funeraria Labalan.
Oliqiano said the wounded cop along with PO3 Ronel Diesta and PO1 Noly Lagsit resisted the rebels’ attempt to takeover the police post.
When radioed of the incident, the Sorsogon City Police Station and the Armed Forces contingent responded immediately but failed to arrest the rebels.
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2014/02/human-shield-dies-in-npa-attack/#.UvAtd8aA2AI
SORSOGON CITY – A civilian used by rebels as human shield was killed while a policeman was wounded in an encounter here late Thursday night.
In a report sent to Senior Superintendent Victor Deona, Philippine National Police regional director, said some 10 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) fighters attacked a police post at Barangay Cabid-an junction road.
Police Inspector Arne Oliqiano of the city police said that the ensuing exchange of fire between the cops and the rebels lasted for 30 minutes, seriously wounding Police Office 2 Jovit Liwanag.
The civilian fatality, used by the rebels as cover, was identified as Henry Orbina of Salvacion, Irosin town.
Orbina, a worker of Sts. Peter Paul Corp, in the area, was passing by the place when the encounter occurred.
Liwanag, who sustained gunshot wounds in the upper right back and lower legs, was immediately brought to the nearest hospital for medical treatment; while the body of Orbina was brought to Funeraria Labalan.
Oliqiano said the wounded cop along with PO3 Ronel Diesta and PO1 Noly Lagsit resisted the rebels’ attempt to takeover the police post.
When radioed of the incident, the Sorsogon City Police Station and the Armed Forces contingent responded immediately but failed to arrest the rebels.
http://www.tempo.com.ph/2014/02/human-shield-dies-in-npa-attack/#.UvAtd8aA2AI
NPA rebels abduct auto mechanic in Southern Philippines
From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 1): NPA rebels abduct auto mechanic in Southern Philippines
DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels on Saturday abducted a man whose wife they had previously seized filed criminal charges against them in the southern Philippines, the military said.
Officials said Jerry Mataas, an automotive mechanic working for Santa Maria Bus Company in Compostela Valley province, was taken by New People’s Army rebels from his house in the village of Teresa in Maco town.
The victim’s wife, Janice, was abducted by rebels on December 27 and rescued a month later by troops from the 71st Infantry Battalion in Maco town. The woman filed charges against the NPA just recently, according to the military
“The abduction of Mr. Mataas is believed to be an act of threat and intimidation of the NPAs to terrorize the Mataas family and the rest of the community after the wife has filed charges of Serious Illegal Detentionon January 29, 2014 against the New People’s Army,” it said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
The military also said that the town’s vice mayor Voltaire Rimando has appealed to the rebels to free the woman and to put a stop to the kidnapping of innocent civilians.
“The local government of Maco would like to appeal to these NPAs to stop kidnapping innocent civilians and release their kidnap victims immediately. Based from the information we have received, they belong to the indigenous people of the community. The New People’s Army must respect and spare these civilians who want to live peacefully,” the same statement quoted the politician as saying.
“Prior to these recent untoward incidents, Barangay Teresa and Masara are known to be one of the peaceful Barangays of Maco. If ever there will be a continuous threat and armed conflict in that area, the economy will be greatly affected especially that 70% of the local income of our municipality is coming from APEX Mining Company. It makes the operation of APEX Mining Company as the heart of our town. Therefore, we have to make the place peaceful and safe without any threat and intimidations from the New People’s Army,” it further said.
Colonel Angelito de Leon, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, has condemned the woman’s abduction and accused the rebel group of human rights violation.
“I strongly condemn the NPAs’ abduction of the Mataas couple which is a gross violation of their Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. “I am also appealing to the members of the populace to continue to unite and stand up against the NPA who continue to cause disorder in far flung communities,” De Leon said in the statement, adding they will file a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights.
He said troops were deployed to track down the rebels and rescue the hostage.
The NPA has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate Maoist state in the country.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20140201103006
DAVAO CITY – Communist rebels on Saturday abducted a man whose wife they had previously seized filed criminal charges against them in the southern Philippines, the military said.
Officials said Jerry Mataas, an automotive mechanic working for Santa Maria Bus Company in Compostela Valley province, was taken by New People’s Army rebels from his house in the village of Teresa in Maco town.
The victim’s wife, Janice, was abducted by rebels on December 27 and rescued a month later by troops from the 71st Infantry Battalion in Maco town. The woman filed charges against the NPA just recently, according to the military
“The abduction of Mr. Mataas is believed to be an act of threat and intimidation of the NPAs to terrorize the Mataas family and the rest of the community after the wife has filed charges of Serious Illegal Detentionon January 29, 2014 against the New People’s Army,” it said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
The military also said that the town’s vice mayor Voltaire Rimando has appealed to the rebels to free the woman and to put a stop to the kidnapping of innocent civilians.
“The local government of Maco would like to appeal to these NPAs to stop kidnapping innocent civilians and release their kidnap victims immediately. Based from the information we have received, they belong to the indigenous people of the community. The New People’s Army must respect and spare these civilians who want to live peacefully,” the same statement quoted the politician as saying.
“Prior to these recent untoward incidents, Barangay Teresa and Masara are known to be one of the peaceful Barangays of Maco. If ever there will be a continuous threat and armed conflict in that area, the economy will be greatly affected especially that 70% of the local income of our municipality is coming from APEX Mining Company. It makes the operation of APEX Mining Company as the heart of our town. Therefore, we have to make the place peaceful and safe without any threat and intimidations from the New People’s Army,” it further said.
Colonel Angelito de Leon, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, has condemned the woman’s abduction and accused the rebel group of human rights violation.
“I strongly condemn the NPAs’ abduction of the Mataas couple which is a gross violation of their Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. “I am also appealing to the members of the populace to continue to unite and stand up against the NPA who continue to cause disorder in far flung communities,” De Leon said in the statement, adding they will file a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights.
He said troops were deployed to track down the rebels and rescue the hostage.
The NPA has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate Maoist state in the country.
http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20140201103006
AFP counterinsurgency drive inside public schools
Op/Ed piece in the Philippine Star (Feb 1): AFP counterinsurgency drive inside public schools
In pursuing its counterinsurgency program, dubbed “Oplan Bayanihan,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines has used schools, hospitals, clinics, and religious places in blatant violation of certain national and international laws and conventions.
From July 2010 to December 2013, the human rights alliance Karapatan said it had documented 18 cases of minors as victims of extrajudicial killing and 132,633 others — mostly children — as rights violation victims in the course of the AFP’s use of such venues for military purposes.
Many voices have been raised decrying the victimization of Filipino children in this way. Numerous organizations here and abroad have repeatedly urged the AFP and the Aquino government to pull out military personnel from communities and schools and to stop the killings and other rights violations.
But no positive government action was taken on these appeals.
In a case discussed in this column on August 13, 2011, the Blaan Literacy School and Learning Center in Upper Suyuan, Malapatan, an indigenous community in Sarangani province, was occupied by soldiers for three months.
The school’s organizers filed complaints, supported by affidavits of victims and witnesses, with the Ombudsman and the Commission on Human Rights. They charged six officers and soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion with harassment, threat and intimidation, and violation of RA 7610 (which provides special protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination).
Another case (discussed here on July 21, 2012) pertained to protest by 118 teachers and directors of literacy and non-formal schools in northeastern Mindanao against soldiers who had occupied their schools, interrogated the teachers, conducted classes, and branded their schools as “rebel schools.”
The delegates to a “Mindanao Conference in Defense of Schools under Attack,” held in Davao City, demanded the immediate pullout of AFP troops and paramilitary units from their schools and communities. Neither action nor response came.
Recently Karapatan documented other related cases, but this one is particularly interesting:
Starting July 1, 2012, Grade 6 and high school students were required to participate in AFP-conducted counterinsurgency lectures during class hours in Baguio City public schools.
The lectures were authorized through Memorandum No. 68 of the Department of Education-CAR, which allowed the 5th Civil Military Operations Battalion, 5th IDPA “to conduct a counter-insurgency campaign, a 1-hour symposium, in all public elementary and high schools in this Division…”
The memo explains: “This is to enhance pupils’/students’ consciousness about the deceptions and clandestine operations of the Communist Terrorist Movement.”
One year later, in July 2013, after a mid-term assessment of Oplan Bayanihan’s implementation, AFP Chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista set guidelines in the conduct of AFP activities inside or within the premises of schools or hospitals. (Bautista, main author of Oplan Bayanihan was named AFP chief months earlier.)
Letter Directive No. 25, authorized by Bautista, refers to the following laws and conventions:
• RA 7610 (earlier cited), which declares children as “zones of peace” and calls for monitoring and reporting on children in situations of armed conflict. It also prohibits the use of schools, hospitals and rural health units for military purposes (as command posts, barracks, detachments, supply depots, etc.);
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict;
• UN Security Council Resolution No. 1612 establishing monitoring and reporting mechanisms on Grave Child Rights Violations in Situations of Armed Conflict; and
• UN Security Council Resolution No. 1882, which calls for decisive state actions on abuses against children in situations of armed conflict.
Specifically, the letter-directive defines as its purpose “to prevent the occurrence of the six (6) Grave Child Rights Violations,” in compliance with UNSC Resolutions 1612 and 1882. These violations are: killing or maiming children, using them in armed conflict, rape/sexual violence, abduction, denying children humanitarian access, and attacks against schools/hospitals.
On Dec. 13, 2013, in relation to Bautista’s guidelines and invoking the same laws and conventions, Education Secretary Armin Luistro issued a memorandum “to protect the rights of children even during armed conflict.”
Memorandum No. 221 set the procedures for the approval and monitoring of AFP requests to conduct activities in public schools, including the submission of post-activity reports by school principals and reports on any violations of the AFP guidelines.
Despite the guidelines — or because these are intentionally so crafted — AFP units have continued to violate the very laws and international conventions that they are supposed to obey.
For instance, the guidelines state that “non-combat or non-traditional” activities inside schools, such as civil-military operations, “must not be in the nature that is within the context of armed conflict in order to avoid undue labeling, tagging and branding of persons/groups/organizations…”
The fact, however, is that “civil-military operations” are intrinsic to counterinsurgency.
Thus, in the CMO counterinsurgency lectures in Baguio — which have been extended to freshman orientation in colleges and universities — video presentations are used to tag progressive people’s organizations and partylist groups as CPP-NPA “front organizations,” according to Karapatan.
It’s probably because the guidelines say — in outright deception — that “the conduct of anti-insurgency information campaigns inside schools and hospitals is forbidden” ONLY “in the course of traditional activities, such as combat or intelligence operations.”
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/02/01/1285368/afp-counterinsurgency-drive-inside-public-schools
In pursuing its counterinsurgency program, dubbed “Oplan Bayanihan,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines has used schools, hospitals, clinics, and religious places in blatant violation of certain national and international laws and conventions.
From July 2010 to December 2013, the human rights alliance Karapatan said it had documented 18 cases of minors as victims of extrajudicial killing and 132,633 others — mostly children — as rights violation victims in the course of the AFP’s use of such venues for military purposes.
Many voices have been raised decrying the victimization of Filipino children in this way. Numerous organizations here and abroad have repeatedly urged the AFP and the Aquino government to pull out military personnel from communities and schools and to stop the killings and other rights violations.
But no positive government action was taken on these appeals.
In a case discussed in this column on August 13, 2011, the Blaan Literacy School and Learning Center in Upper Suyuan, Malapatan, an indigenous community in Sarangani province, was occupied by soldiers for three months.
The school’s organizers filed complaints, supported by affidavits of victims and witnesses, with the Ombudsman and the Commission on Human Rights. They charged six officers and soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion with harassment, threat and intimidation, and violation of RA 7610 (which provides special protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination).
Another case (discussed here on July 21, 2012) pertained to protest by 118 teachers and directors of literacy and non-formal schools in northeastern Mindanao against soldiers who had occupied their schools, interrogated the teachers, conducted classes, and branded their schools as “rebel schools.”
The delegates to a “Mindanao Conference in Defense of Schools under Attack,” held in Davao City, demanded the immediate pullout of AFP troops and paramilitary units from their schools and communities. Neither action nor response came.
Recently Karapatan documented other related cases, but this one is particularly interesting:
Starting July 1, 2012, Grade 6 and high school students were required to participate in AFP-conducted counterinsurgency lectures during class hours in Baguio City public schools.
The lectures were authorized through Memorandum No. 68 of the Department of Education-CAR, which allowed the 5th Civil Military Operations Battalion, 5th IDPA “to conduct a counter-insurgency campaign, a 1-hour symposium, in all public elementary and high schools in this Division…”
The memo explains: “This is to enhance pupils’/students’ consciousness about the deceptions and clandestine operations of the Communist Terrorist Movement.”
One year later, in July 2013, after a mid-term assessment of Oplan Bayanihan’s implementation, AFP Chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista set guidelines in the conduct of AFP activities inside or within the premises of schools or hospitals. (Bautista, main author of Oplan Bayanihan was named AFP chief months earlier.)
Letter Directive No. 25, authorized by Bautista, refers to the following laws and conventions:
• RA 7610 (earlier cited), which declares children as “zones of peace” and calls for monitoring and reporting on children in situations of armed conflict. It also prohibits the use of schools, hospitals and rural health units for military purposes (as command posts, barracks, detachments, supply depots, etc.);
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict;
• UN Security Council Resolution No. 1612 establishing monitoring and reporting mechanisms on Grave Child Rights Violations in Situations of Armed Conflict; and
• UN Security Council Resolution No. 1882, which calls for decisive state actions on abuses against children in situations of armed conflict.
Specifically, the letter-directive defines as its purpose “to prevent the occurrence of the six (6) Grave Child Rights Violations,” in compliance with UNSC Resolutions 1612 and 1882. These violations are: killing or maiming children, using them in armed conflict, rape/sexual violence, abduction, denying children humanitarian access, and attacks against schools/hospitals.
On Dec. 13, 2013, in relation to Bautista’s guidelines and invoking the same laws and conventions, Education Secretary Armin Luistro issued a memorandum “to protect the rights of children even during armed conflict.”
Memorandum No. 221 set the procedures for the approval and monitoring of AFP requests to conduct activities in public schools, including the submission of post-activity reports by school principals and reports on any violations of the AFP guidelines.
Despite the guidelines — or because these are intentionally so crafted — AFP units have continued to violate the very laws and international conventions that they are supposed to obey.
For instance, the guidelines state that “non-combat or non-traditional” activities inside schools, such as civil-military operations, “must not be in the nature that is within the context of armed conflict in order to avoid undue labeling, tagging and branding of persons/groups/organizations…”
The fact, however, is that “civil-military operations” are intrinsic to counterinsurgency.
Thus, in the CMO counterinsurgency lectures in Baguio — which have been extended to freshman orientation in colleges and universities — video presentations are used to tag progressive people’s organizations and partylist groups as CPP-NPA “front organizations,” according to Karapatan.
It’s probably because the guidelines say — in outright deception — that “the conduct of anti-insurgency information campaigns inside schools and hospitals is forbidden” ONLY “in the course of traditional activities, such as combat or intelligence operations.”
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/02/01/1285368/afp-counterinsurgency-drive-inside-public-schools
AW-109 pilots now undergoing NVG training
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): AW-109 pilots now undergoing NVG training
The Philippine Navy on Monday said that the pilots and flight crews of its three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters are now undergoing training on how to efficiently use their NVG (night vision gear) equipment.
NVG is an optical instrument that allows images to be produced in levels of light approaching total darkness.
Training is being provided by AgustaWestland, Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.
This started early in January and will last until March or the first week of April, he added.
Fabic said that having NVGs installed on their AgustaWestland helicopters provided the PN with the capability to operate and fly at night.
The PN is operating three AW-109 helicopters as of this posting. Another two, the attack versions, are expected to arrive by the third quarter of this year.
The AW-109 "Power" helicopter is a three-ton class, eight-seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.
The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.
The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
Its superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost-effective maritime helicopter in its class.
For shipboard operations, the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.
The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.
Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612130
The Philippine Navy on Monday said that the pilots and flight crews of its three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters are now undergoing training on how to efficiently use their NVG (night vision gear) equipment.
NVG is an optical instrument that allows images to be produced in levels of light approaching total darkness.
Training is being provided by AgustaWestland, Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said.
This started early in January and will last until March or the first week of April, he added.
Fabic said that having NVGs installed on their AgustaWestland helicopters provided the PN with the capability to operate and fly at night.
The PN is operating three AW-109 helicopters as of this posting. Another two, the attack versions, are expected to arrive by the third quarter of this year.
The AW-109 "Power" helicopter is a three-ton class, eight-seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles.
The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.
The AW-109 has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions.
Its superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost-effective maritime helicopter in its class.
For shipboard operations, the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.
The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW-109 to perform its mission when many other helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.
Over 550 AW-109 "Power" and AW-109 light utility helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612130
AFP remains on alert for possible BIFF attacks
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): AFP remains on alert for possible BIFF attacks
Despite inflicting a crippling defeat on the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that all its forces in Maguindanao are still on alert and conducting security operations to account for the remaining brigands.
Major Gen. Domingo Tutaan, AFP spokesperson, said they opted to do this footing as the BIFF could attack again without any warning.
"(They could attack again as) they are sinister (and) treacherous. That is why vigilance is required," he added.
The AFP earlier stated that its "Operation Darkhorse," which was terminated Sunday, resulted in the neutralization of 101 known BIFF personalities of which 52 were killed and 49 wounded.
"Operation Darkhorse" also resulted in the recovery several high-powered firearms, explosive ordnance and capture of four BIFF camps and the neutralization of a makeshift IED (improvised explosive device) factory in Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.
The factory is responsible for the production of IEDs used in bombings inCentral Mindanao .
"Operation Darkhorse" was launched late last week by the Army in support of the Philippine National Police (PNP)'s drive to effect warrants of arrest for BIFF personalities involved in various crimes including kidnap for ransom, murder, and other violent activities.
It provided military support to the PNP in their pursuit of BIFF personalities.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612165
Despite inflicting a crippling defeat on the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that all its forces in Maguindanao are still on alert and conducting security operations to account for the remaining brigands.
Major Gen. Domingo Tutaan, AFP spokesperson, said they opted to do this footing as the BIFF could attack again without any warning.
"(They could attack again as) they are sinister (and) treacherous. That is why vigilance is required," he added.
The AFP earlier stated that its "Operation Darkhorse," which was terminated Sunday, resulted in the neutralization of 101 known BIFF personalities of which 52 were killed and 49 wounded.
"Operation Darkhorse" also resulted in the recovery several high-powered firearms, explosive ordnance and capture of four BIFF camps and the neutralization of a makeshift IED (improvised explosive device) factory in Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.
The factory is responsible for the production of IEDs used in bombings in
"Operation Darkhorse" was launched late last week by the Army in support of the Philippine National Police (PNP)'s drive to effect warrants of arrest for BIFF personalities involved in various crimes including kidnap for ransom, murder, and other violent activities.
It provided military support to the PNP in their pursuit of BIFF personalities.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612165
Operation 'Darkhorse' achieves tactical objective - AFP
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Operation 'Darkhorse' achieves tactical objective - AFP
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that "Operation Darkhorse" achieved its tactical ojective which was to render the "Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters" (BIFF) without any operating base or sanctuary.
"(Operation Darkhorse) was designed for some objectives and one of those is to deny the enemy, the BIFF a sanctuary, where they can consolidate, prepare, train or stage attacks of terror. We were able to get that sanctuary and once we attained that tactical objective, we terminated operations against them," AFP spokesperson Major Gen. Domingo Tutaan said.
"Operation Darkhorse" was terminated last Sunday. The AFP earlier announced that the offensive campaign against the BIFF resulted in the recovery of several high-powered firearms, explosive ordnance and capture of four BIFF camps and the neutralization of a makeshift IED (improvised explosive device) factory in Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.
The IED factory is responsible for the production of explosive device used in bombings inCentral Mindanao .
"Operation Darkhorse" was launched late last week by the Army in support of the Philippine National Police (PNP)'s drive to effect warrants of arrest for BIFF personalities involved in various crimes including kidnap for ransom, murder, and other violent activities.
It provided military support to the PNP in their pursuit of BIFF personalities.
The operation resulted in the neutralization of 101 known BIFF personalities of which 52 were killed and 49 wounded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612168
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday announced that "Operation Darkhorse" achieved its tactical ojective which was to render the "Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters" (BIFF) without any operating base or sanctuary.
"(Operation Darkhorse) was designed for some objectives and one of those is to deny the enemy, the BIFF a sanctuary, where they can consolidate, prepare, train or stage attacks of terror. We were able to get that sanctuary and once we attained that tactical objective, we terminated operations against them," AFP spokesperson Major Gen. Domingo Tutaan said.
"Operation Darkhorse" was terminated last Sunday. The AFP earlier announced that the offensive campaign against the BIFF resulted in the recovery of several high-powered firearms, explosive ordnance and capture of four BIFF camps and the neutralization of a makeshift IED (improvised explosive device) factory in Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao.
The IED factory is responsible for the production of explosive device used in bombings in
"Operation Darkhorse" was launched late last week by the Army in support of the Philippine National Police (PNP)'s drive to effect warrants of arrest for BIFF personalities involved in various crimes including kidnap for ransom, murder, and other violent activities.
It provided military support to the PNP in their pursuit of BIFF personalities.
The operation resulted in the neutralization of 101 known BIFF personalities of which 52 were killed and 49 wounded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612168
Always lead from the front, outgoing PA chief tells young officers
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Always lead from the front, outgoing PA chief tells young officers
To ensure the respect of their men, outgoing Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Noel A. Coballes on Monday advised young officers, aspiring to reach flag rank, to always lead at the front.
He added that this sums up most his combat experience.
The former is scheduled to retire this coming Feb. 7 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Coballes said that taking risk is worthwhile, but then you have to manage the risk.
Also, another defining leadership style of the PA chief is empowering the non-commissioned officer corps by emphasizing their role as key leaders and giving them distinction and recognition.
Coballes also mentioned that the morale and welfare of the troops is one of his paramount concerns, and that this is evident in the programs and projects that had been implemented during his incumbency, which include, among others, providing decent and quality housing for the soldiers and improving the health care services and facilities.
Lastly, the PA chief shared the success of the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR) in the continued pursuit of the Army for change and transformation.
Coballes will be leaving the PA with the ATR in full swing and with the Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan" continuing to gain headway and positive results.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612206
To ensure the respect of their men, outgoing Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Noel A. Coballes on Monday advised young officers, aspiring to reach flag rank, to always lead at the front.
He added that this sums up most his combat experience.
The former is scheduled to retire this coming Feb. 7 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Coballes said that taking risk is worthwhile, but then you have to manage the risk.
Also, another defining leadership style of the PA chief is empowering the non-commissioned officer corps by emphasizing their role as key leaders and giving them distinction and recognition.
Coballes also mentioned that the morale and welfare of the troops is one of his paramount concerns, and that this is evident in the programs and projects that had been implemented during his incumbency, which include, among others, providing decent and quality housing for the soldiers and improving the health care services and facilities.
Lastly, the PA chief shared the success of the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR) in the continued pursuit of the Army for change and transformation.
Coballes will be leaving the PA with the ATR in full swing and with the Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan" continuing to gain headway and positive results.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612206
Gov't forces making sure BIFF won't grow into major threat --Palace
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): Gov't forces making sure BIFF won't grow into major threat --Palace
Government forces are taking steps to make sure armed groups trying to fight the government do not become a major threat to peace inMindanao ,
Malacañang assured the public Monday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the government's goal to attain peace forMindanao
remains unchanged.
"Masinsing tinututukan ng ating Armed Forces of the Philippines, particular ang intelligence operative natin, ang sitwasyon para tiyakin na kung anumang galaw ng kaaway ng Republika hindi ito makahadlang sa proseso ng kapayapaan (Our AFP particularly our intelligence operatives are keeping tabs on things to make sure any move by the state's enemies do not become a major threat)," Coloma said at a media briefing.
He said this includes the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari.
The BIFF and followers of Misuari are reportedly joining forces against the government.
Coloma said the government is taking proactive action via intelligence work, surveillance, and "decisive action pag kinakailangan (decisive action if needed)."
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612298
Government forces are taking steps to make sure armed groups trying to fight the government do not become a major threat to peace in
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the government's goal to attain peace for
"Masinsing tinututukan ng ating Armed Forces of the Philippines, particular ang intelligence operative natin, ang sitwasyon para tiyakin na kung anumang galaw ng kaaway ng Republika hindi ito makahadlang sa proseso ng kapayapaan (Our AFP particularly our intelligence operatives are keeping tabs on things to make sure any move by the state's enemies do not become a major threat)," Coloma said at a media briefing.
He said this includes the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari.
The BIFF and followers of Misuari are reportedly joining forces against the government.
Coloma said the government is taking proactive action via intelligence work, surveillance, and "decisive action pag kinakailangan (decisive action if needed)."
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=612298
Palace, military: BIFF still a threat
From Rappler (Feb 3): Palace, military: BIFF still a threat
The military offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) may be over, but both the Palace and the military still consider the group a threat.
On Monday, February 3, a day after the military officially ended its week-long operations against the BIFF, Presidential Communications and Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma acknowledged the breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) still poses some danger.
"The government is working on making sure they don't become a huge threat through appropriate actions, like practice intelligence, surveillance of their locations, and decisive action, when needed," he said. He vowed that the government would bring to justice those who committed illegal acts.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, also said it expects the BIFF to retaliate following the military offensive that killed 52 BIFF members and wounded another 49.
"We are expecting [it] because we hurt them. They're likely to plant explosives like the one on Saturday that hurt a reporter and a civilian. Yesterday, they had an attempt in Guindulungan...they planted 3 IEDs on the highway. It's a good thing people saw it right away and reported it so we were able to defuse it," he said.
While the military said it expects retaliatory attacks, Hermoso said there would be no need to heighten an alert status because it continues to monitor roads, markets, church, and areas where masses of people converge.
Earlier, Lt Colonel Ramon Zagala, chief of the public affairs office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also told reporters the military would continue to hunt down remaining splinter groups.
"They have split into smaller groups and further operations must be done to follow up," he said.
These military operations will be "smaller in scale," he said, adding that they would also be held in coordination with the main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Last week, the Palace gave assurances all its action against the BIFF did not break any rules of engagement.
The military's offensive started after the Philippine government signed the final annex that forms part of its peace agreement with the MILF last week. The agreement aims to give the MILF wider autonomy through the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity, and to put an end to 4 decades of fighting in Mindanao.
Led by commander Ameril Umra Kato, the BIFF splintered from the MILF and has rejected the peace talks with the government.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/49593-palace-biff-still-a-threat
The military offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) may be over, but both the Palace and the military still consider the group a threat.
On Monday, February 3, a day after the military officially ended its week-long operations against the BIFF, Presidential Communications and Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma acknowledged the breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) still poses some danger.
"The government is working on making sure they don't become a huge threat through appropriate actions, like practice intelligence, surveillance of their locations, and decisive action, when needed," he said. He vowed that the government would bring to justice those who committed illegal acts.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, also said it expects the BIFF to retaliate following the military offensive that killed 52 BIFF members and wounded another 49.
"We are expecting [it] because we hurt them. They're likely to plant explosives like the one on Saturday that hurt a reporter and a civilian. Yesterday, they had an attempt in Guindulungan...they planted 3 IEDs on the highway. It's a good thing people saw it right away and reported it so we were able to defuse it," he said.
While the military said it expects retaliatory attacks, Hermoso said there would be no need to heighten an alert status because it continues to monitor roads, markets, church, and areas where masses of people converge.
Earlier, Lt Colonel Ramon Zagala, chief of the public affairs office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also told reporters the military would continue to hunt down remaining splinter groups.
"They have split into smaller groups and further operations must be done to follow up," he said.
These military operations will be "smaller in scale," he said, adding that they would also be held in coordination with the main Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Last week, the Palace gave assurances all its action against the BIFF did not break any rules of engagement.
The military's offensive started after the Philippine government signed the final annex that forms part of its peace agreement with the MILF last week. The agreement aims to give the MILF wider autonomy through the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity, and to put an end to 4 decades of fighting in Mindanao.
Led by commander Ameril Umra Kato, the BIFF splintered from the MILF and has rejected the peace talks with the government.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/49593-palace-biff-still-a-threat
Military, LGUs bracing for fresh attacks as BIFF said to shift to urban terrorism
From InterAksyon (Feb 3): Military, LGUs bracing for fresh attacks as BIFF said to shift to urban terrorism
BIFF commander Ustadz Muhaiden Animbang. INTERAKSYON FILE PHOTO BY DENNIS ARCON
As the military braced for threats of more attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, intelligence operations focused on information that the BIFF, remnants of which still roam despite the seizure of three camps in a week-long operation last week, is shifting to urban terrorism.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said on Monday they redeployed troops for precautionary operations, a day after the lapse of a 72-hour extension of the offensive that began Jan. 27.
“We’re heightening our proactive preemptive security measures especially on providing security to vital installations such as roads, public markets, churches, and all areas where people converge,” Hermoso said.
He added that local government units were told to include in their security system the periodic giving of information to their constituents about BIFF activities and possible allied groups. This will ensure “immediate action just like what some residents did when they tipped off [authorities] the three bombs planted by these criminals,” Hermoso explained.
He was referring to IEDs discovered in separate towns in Maguindanao on Sunday, a day after a series of roadside explosions in Ampatuan town wounded 12 people, including two TV5 news crew members whose vehicle had stopped to check on an earlier blast.
On Sunday, the military terminated its major offensive against the MIFF in Maguindanao after the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (AFP-MILF) did not extend the 72-hour extension for the military to defeat the BIFF.
The government’s war against the BIFF killed 52 BIFF fighters, including 13 alleged “child soldiers” and a government soldier; and displaced more than 9,000 families. More than 130 were wounded on both sides and at least 8 civilians were injured in crossfire.
The military claimed having substantially reduced the armed capability of the BIFF with the capture of three major camps including a “bomb factory,” but information says the BIFF has resorted to urban bombings.
“We’d stopped the joint law enforcement operation of the 6th ID and the police in Maguindanao but we continue to enforce normal law enforcement operation to preempt possible retaliation from the BIFF.
We are expecting this just like what happened to the convoy of soldiers and mediamen that was hit by a roadside bombing. Yesterday, there was an attempt by BIFF elements in Guindulungan town to bomb a road but because of information relayed by residents our soldiers and policemen quickly responded and diffused at least three bombs planted along the road,” Hermoso said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/80012/military-lgus-bracing-for-fresh-attacks-as-biff-said-to-shift-to-urban-terrorism
BIFF commander Ustadz Muhaiden Animbang. INTERAKSYON FILE PHOTO BY DENNIS ARCON
As the military braced for threats of more attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, intelligence operations focused on information that the BIFF, remnants of which still roam despite the seizure of three camps in a week-long operation last week, is shifting to urban terrorism.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said on Monday they redeployed troops for precautionary operations, a day after the lapse of a 72-hour extension of the offensive that began Jan. 27.
“We’re heightening our proactive preemptive security measures especially on providing security to vital installations such as roads, public markets, churches, and all areas where people converge,” Hermoso said.
He added that local government units were told to include in their security system the periodic giving of information to their constituents about BIFF activities and possible allied groups. This will ensure “immediate action just like what some residents did when they tipped off [authorities] the three bombs planted by these criminals,” Hermoso explained.
He was referring to IEDs discovered in separate towns in Maguindanao on Sunday, a day after a series of roadside explosions in Ampatuan town wounded 12 people, including two TV5 news crew members whose vehicle had stopped to check on an earlier blast.
On Sunday, the military terminated its major offensive against the MIFF in Maguindanao after the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (AFP-MILF) did not extend the 72-hour extension for the military to defeat the BIFF.
The government’s war against the BIFF killed 52 BIFF fighters, including 13 alleged “child soldiers” and a government soldier; and displaced more than 9,000 families. More than 130 were wounded on both sides and at least 8 civilians were injured in crossfire.
The military claimed having substantially reduced the armed capability of the BIFF with the capture of three major camps including a “bomb factory,” but information says the BIFF has resorted to urban bombings.
“We’d stopped the joint law enforcement operation of the 6th ID and the police in Maguindanao but we continue to enforce normal law enforcement operation to preempt possible retaliation from the BIFF.
We are expecting this just like what happened to the convoy of soldiers and mediamen that was hit by a roadside bombing. Yesterday, there was an attempt by BIFF elements in Guindulungan town to bomb a road but because of information relayed by residents our soldiers and policemen quickly responded and diffused at least three bombs planted along the road,” Hermoso said.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/80012/military-lgus-bracing-for-fresh-attacks-as-biff-said-to-shift-to-urban-terrorism
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)