‘Bike for Love’ held in Maguindanao to push for Bangsamoro Basic Law

From MindaNews (Feb 15): ‘Bike for Love’ held in Maguindanao to push for Bangsamoro Basic Law

Valentine’s Day became an occasion to push for the resumption of deliberations on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which have been put on hold following the clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that left 44 elite policemen, Moro rebels and at least four civilians dead.

Police, military and civilian officials led by 6^th Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan and government peace panel head Miriam Coronel-Ferrer biked along the 105-kilometer highway from Cotabato City to this new provincial capital town to sound off renewed appeals for Congress to pass the draft BBL.

Organizers said the biking event, dubbed the Bangsamoro Bike for Love, symbolized the desire of Mindanao-based police, military and civilians for enduring peace and justice through the passage and implementation of the BBL.

Mangudadatu said the event also disproved notions that the Mamasapano clash had wedged a gap between the military and the police as institutions.

The bikers made three stopovers along the highway, the last in this town where the 4^th Sagayan Festival underway to drumbeat calls for amity, peace and understanding in the province.

The Bangsamoro, which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao upon its approval in a plebiscite, hit a snag when the Senate and the House of Representatives suspended its deliberations in deference to their separate probes on the Mamasapano clash last Jan. 25.

The clash left 44 police commandos, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and some civilians dead, scores wounded and thousands of villagers displaced.

Close to 400 members of the police Special Action Force went to Mamasapano on Jan. 25 to get terror suspects Zulkipli bin Hir alias Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman. Marwan was reportedly killed in the raid while Usman managed to escape.

Some lawmakers cited the incident to question the MILF’s sincerity in helping quell lawlessness in the conflict areas.

In the Senate hearings this week, MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal reiterated the front’s commitment to work for lasting peace in the region. He stressed that nobody wanted the Mamasapano clash to happen.

Ferrer, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Q. Deles maintained that the Mamasapano clash should be treated as an issue separate from the BBL.

They said the proposed law is an instrument that could bring about lasting peace in the region.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman yesterday returned to Mamasapano along with actor Robin Padilla, a convert to Islam, to support calls for the passage of the BBL.

Hataman warned scrapping the BBL might rekindle hostilities and put to waste billions of pesos that have been infused in the ARMM in the transition towards the Bangsamoro.

ARMM Public Works Secretary Emil Sadain said that infrastructure projects alone in the region have cost the government P29.5-billion since 2012.

Sadain broke down the sum as follows: 2012 – P1-billion (projects 96% completed); 2013 – P1.5-billion (projects 80% completed); 2014- P5-billion (projects 40% completed); 2015 – P10-billion (projects to kick off); and P12-billion proposed for 2016.

He said the projects covered concreting of local and national highways, waterworks systems, bridges, and vital wharves.

Private business investments in ARMM were recorded at P3.9 billion last year, and P900 million so far this year.

Regional investment board officials said the bulk of the capital went to Maguindanao, where at least P14.5 billion of investments from foreign firms has been in the pipeline for implementation this year or the next.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/02/14/bike-for-love-held-in-maguindanao-to-push-for-bangsamoro-basic-law/

NPA attacks Mati City’s police station; 1 NPA killed, 1 cop injured

From MindaNews (Feb 15): NPA attacks Mati City’s police station; 1 NPA killed, 1 cop injured  

A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed when around 80 armed men believed to be members of the NPA attacked the City Police Station at aroun 7 p.m. Sunday, the mayor said in a statement.

“Tonight at around 7 p.m., around 80 unidentified men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on board vans and a truck entered the City of Mati and for still undetermined reasons descended upon the City Police Station and opened fire which resulted in one PNP personnel wounded and one NPA dead and some other unconfirmed casualties,” Mayor Carlo Rabat said in a statement posted on his Facebook wall, I love Mati.

Rabat said the policemen fought back and were able to repel the attackers who eventually withdrew and fled towards the city’s outskirts.

But in the course of their withdrawal, “they were also believed to have been responsible for the explosion of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the 701st Army Brigade Headquarters in Barangay Don Martin Marundan.”

Rabat assured everyone that the situation is “under control” as he appealed for “calm and continued confidence” in the city’s security sector.

He said hot pursuit operations are now being undertaken by combined PNP and Philippine Army forces against the perpetrators.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/02/15/npa-attacks-mati-citys-police-station-1-npa-killed-1-cop-injured/

Philippine Congress urged to summon US Ambassador Goldberg to shed light on anti-terror ops

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Feb 15): Philippine Congress urged to summon US Ambassador Goldberg to shed light on anti-terror ops

A Filipino group has urged lawmakers to probe the alleged involvement of US military forces in the bungled anti-terror operation that left 44 police commandos and 18 former rebels dead in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao.

The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino now wants Congress to summon US Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip Goldberg, so he can shed light on allegations that its security forces or military contractors were involved in the January 25 botched operation.

Members of the elite Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police raided the hideout of Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, deep inside the territory of Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Tukanalipao village in Mamasapano town and killed him.

Marwan’s finger was also cut off by commandos for DNA analysis and submitted by SAF to two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in General Santos City.

But MILF members, aided by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, surrounded the SAF commandos on their way out, trapping them by the river, and killed 44 of them, many shot in the head at close range, in daylong clashes. Seven civilians were also reported killed by commandos, but authorities were silent about this and could not be independently confirmed.

“If the lawmakers are dead-serious to seek the truth behind the Mamasapano tragedy no matter the political cost, they should start taking notice of the immense white elephant in the Session Hall. They should once and for all invite Ambassador Goldberg and demand from him nothing less of the truth,” Gie Relova,  of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, said.

The US Embassy has repeatedly denied involvement in the SAF operation, but confirmed that Americans helped evacuate wounded commandos on the request of the police.

The US is maintaining several small bases and a fleet of drones in southern Philippines manned by about 500 personnel under Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines based in Zamboanga City since 2001. US troops are training Filipino soldiers and policemen in fighting terrorism.

“The admission of (SAF) Commander (Getulio) Napeñas that he sought US assistance in the evacuation of the wounded troops is but the tip of the iceberg. There are still far more controversial and unsettled concerns like the use of US choppers instead of ours, the issue of drones hovering at the height of the gunfight, the index finger of Marwan directly flown out of the country, the coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the source of the actionable intelligence which President Aquino mentioned in his national address, all missed if not suppressed in the earlier hearings,” Relova said.

“Nagging questions will continue to crop up and the people perpetually agitated by the tragedy not unless the Ambassador Goldberg steps up to the plate and do what honorable men do - speak the truth. Goldberg answers must not only convince the members of the committee led by Senator Grace Poe but must also satisfy the Filipino nation.”

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/02/philippine-congress-urged-to-summon-us.html

Cops repulse NPA attack in Southern Philippines

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Feb 15): Cops repulse NPA attack in Southern Philippines

Policemen have repulsed an attack late Sunday by communist rebels in southern Philippines, but one officer was wounded in the fighting, reports said.

 

It said a still undetermined number of New People’s Army rebels were believed killed or wounded in the clash in Mati town in Davao Oriental province. Dozens of rebels tried to overran the police station, but officers put up a fight until reinforcements arrived.

The rebels, who arrived in stolen van and truck, fled under cover of darkness as security forces pursued them.

No other details were immediately available from the police or military about attack, but radio network dzMM reported that clearing operations were on going in the area where rebels escaped.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/02/cops-repulse-npa-attack-in-southern.html

2 Sayyaf men killed, 13 others wounded in Basilan clashes

From the Mindanao Examiner BlogSpot site (Feb 15): 2 Sayyaf men killed, 13 others wounded in Basilan clashes

Government soldiers killed at least 2 Abu Sayyaf rebels in fierce gun battle Sunday in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials said.

Army Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, a spokesman for the Philippine military, said the fighting – that lasted seven hours - also wounded 6 soldiers and at least 2 rebels. He said 5 civilians were also shot and wounded by rebels as they flee from pursuing soldiers in the village of Kuhon in Al-Barka town.

He said soldiers rescued the wounded civilians and rushed them to hospital as troops, backed by MG MD 520 helicopters, pursued the rebels under Abu Sayyaf leader Basir Kasaran.

“The bandits shot five civilians as they fled. The soldiers heroically rescued them amidst the heavy fighting and transported them to a hospital. Six soldiers were wounded in the seven-hour sporadic fighting that started at about 5:45 a.m. in Al-Barka. Two Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while two others wounded in the clash,” Cabunoc said.

He said one of the air force helicopters was hit by enemy fire during the operation, but no serious damage was reported. “We also commend the heroic pilots of MG MD 520 attack helicopter that was hit by enemy fire while providing close air support. They are hero pilots,” said.

Marine Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the fighting erupted in the village of Kuhon. “The encounter is a result of the persistent efforts of the Task Force Kasanyangan,” she said.

She said the task force aims to address the prevailing insurgency problem and revive governance in the town, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf. 

But the larger group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a peace deal with Manila last year, is also active in the town, scene of deadly clashes between MILF rebels and government troops in the past. 

It was unknown if MILF forces were aiding security forces in battling the Abu Sayyaf. 

 

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.net/2015/02/2-sayyaf-men-killed-13-others-wounded.html

NPA still a threat to Compostela Valley despite deployment of forces–military

From the Philippine Daily Star (Feb 14): NPA still a threat to Compostela Valley despite deployment of forces–military

Military officials on Friday admitted that the communist insurgency remained a threat to the resources-rich province of Compostela Valley despite the deployment of forces from at least three Army brigades.

“Compostela Valley is the only province (in the country) in which the insurgency problem has not yet been totally addressed,” said Col. Casiano Monilla, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade.

With the presence of large agribusiness plantations and small and medium-scale mining operations in the province, Compostela Valley is a “perpetually-contested area” between government security forces and the New People’s Army (NPA), he said.

The 1001^st Brigade has three battalions in the province, the 46th, 25th and the 71st infantry battalions.

The 701st and the 1003rd infantry brigades also have troops that operate in other areas of the province.

At least P2.3 million in so-called revolutionary taxes are collected by the NPA in Compostela Valley every month, according to Capt. Rey Vergel Annogui, the 1001^st Brigade’s information chief.

The collections allegedly come from banana plantations, business establishments and even politicians, as well as the thriving mining industry.

“The rebels will not just easily give up the province because of the huge resources they can get from here. Extortion money the NPA gets from here is funding the insurgency up to the national level,” Monilla said as he tried to illustrate how important the province is for the rebels.

Since January last year, the NPA has initiated 18 violent incidents such as abduction of civilians and government forces (six), bombings (five), burning of government and private equipment and facilities (five), assassinations (two) and ambuscade and robbery.

Annogui said their brigade dealt with two NPA sub-regional commands, with an estimated strength of 220 armed fighters spread over six guerrilla fronts and three mobile strike forces called Pulang Bagani (Red Warrior) Companies (PBCs).

Monilla said the mountain ranges separating Compostela Valley with neighboring provinces such as Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental, and the ease of crisscrossing these to evade punishing military operations contributed to the difficulty that security forces face in addressing the insurgency problem in the province.

But he said the military was banking on civic action programs under the Oplan Bayanihan or the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) to help solve the decades-old communist insurgency problem.

“We really have to double our efforts in clearing Compostela Valley of the communist insurgency,” said Monilla. “At least we minimized the number of villages now under the influence of the NPA.”

He said the NPA was also trying to gain more foothold as it had setup at least three “municipalities,” complete with governmental structures such as a mayor and other local functionaries.

These komiteng munisipyo (municipal committees) were in fact district revolutionary governments comprising several municipalities in the province’s two legislative districts, he said.

“These shadow municipalities already have a school, a sort of cooperative and several businesses, but with the income being taken by the communist movement,” Monilla said.

During a briefing with reporters at the brigade headquarters, Annogui said part of the brigade’s objective is to “de-influence” all of the 155 barangays of the province from the NPA by the first six months of the year.

Part of the efforts toward that, he said, included the strengthening of the relationship between the Army and local government units, businesses and other sectors and the conduct of peace and development outreach programs (PDOP) to far-flung communities.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/672933/npa-still-a-threat-to-compostela-valley-despite-deployment-of-forces-military

Army apologizes to shaken birdwatchers

Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Feb 14): Army apologizes to shaken birdwatchers

An Army official has expressed apologies for the encounter between soldiers and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a popular birdwatching site near a protected area here that caught seven foreign birdwatchers in surprise.

“They were in shock and still shaken,” Army Lt. Col. Nassar Lidasan said of the seven foreigners caught in the crossfire between his troops and rebels in Barangay Dalwangan Friday.

Lidasan, chief of the Army 1st Special Forces Battalion spoke briefly with Peter Simpson, one of the foreigners, over the phone Friday afternoon.

The Army officer offered Simpson his apologies for the near-tragic incident.

“The birdwatchers scampered for cover when the firing started. They did not know what was happening,” Lidasan said.

Simpson and six other foreigners identified as British Paul Thomas Rendel, Jill Patricia Rendel; Danish Leo Soegaard Borch, Birgette Noerregaard, Ole Frederiksen; and Australian Richard Lindsay Johnstone trekked to Mangasa, Barangay Dalwangan to see a Philippine Eagle nest when a 10-minute clash between Army soldiers and NPA rebels erupted at 8:51 a.m. Friday.

Not expecting to be caught in a firefight, the birdwatchers scampered for cover but Johnstone got separated from the group. He was reunited with his companions at Del Monte lodge in Dalwangan at 2 p.m.

Their Filipino guide Carlito Gayramara, 61, was wounded and brought to Malaybalay Polymedic General Hospital.

Lidasan said his troops, who have been in frequent clashes with the rebels since Feb. 10, did not know of the presence of the birdwatchers.

“I really wanted to apologize to the birdwatchers. Had we known they were there we would have not engaged the rebels,” he said.

Col. Jesse Alvarez, chief of the 403rd Infantry Brigade said they were surprised when they were told of the presence of the bird watchers.

One soldier killed

Alvarez said their soldiers have been hunting the NPA rebels since Feb. 10 when the Army Special Forces clashed with them resulting to the death of one soldier.

“Nobody coordinated with us. We could have advised them not to go,” he said.
Dalwangan Barangay Chair Esperanza Martinez confirmed that the mountains of the Mt. Kitanglad range near their village were the scenes of heavy fighting the past days.

“We can hear loud explosions from our village. Sadly, the bird watchers did not coordinate with us,” she said.

Daniel Somera, Protected Area Superintendent for Mount Kitanglad of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said their office granted the foreigners a permit to watch the Philippine Eagle nest in Mangasa from Feb. 10 to 14, 2015.

Aside from the Philippine Eagle, the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park is home to endemic bird species like the Kitanglad leaf-warbler Apo Myna and Whitehead Swiftlet.

It was declared as a national park in 1990, and became a full-fledged protected area in November 2000 through Republic Act 8976.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/weekend-cagayan-de-oro/2015/02/14/army-apologizes-shaken-birdwatchers-392234

Another NPA official falls

From Tempo (Feb 15): Another NPA official falls

Intensified security operations by troops under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command have resulted in the arrest of another ranking leader of the New People’s Army, a military spokesman said.

Major Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said the arrest of Robert Laurente Rivas Jr., alias “Opos,” allegedly an NPA vice commander, and one Jojea Alameda also prevented the communist armed group from staging atrocities on Friday the 13th.

Balagtey said soldiers from the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion and elements of the Lianga Police Station arrested them in a checkpoint in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Thursday.

The two were reportedly “on their way to lay land mine in the area.”

Balagtey said Rivas and Alameda were on board a motorcycle when they were stopped by the troops for inspection.

Recovered from their possession were one anti-personnel improvised explosive device, one caliber .38 pistol, blasting cap, 27 meters firing wire for IED, one mobile phone, and two battery packs.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/02/15/another-npa-official-falls/

2 Abu Sayyaf killed in Al-Barka clash

From Rappler (Feb 15): 2 Abu Sayyaf killed in Al-Barka clash

(2nd UPDATE) Troops from the Philippine Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion encountered fighters from the Abu Sayyaf Group in Al-Barka town on February 15

Troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Join Task Group Basilan encountered fighters from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Al-Barka town in Basilan before daybreak on Sunday, February 15.

According to the AFP, government forces were implementing a military operation against members of the ASG led by a certain Bashir Kasaran in Barangay Kuhun in Al-Barka.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt Col Harold Cabunoc said 6 soldiers were wounded in sporadic clashes that lasted for 7 hours.

At least 2 members of the ASG died while two others were wounded, Cabunoc said, adding that 5 civilians were shot by ASG members. The civilians and soldiers are currently being treated at a local hospital.

"The soldiers heroically rescued them amidst the heavy fighting and transported them to a hospital," Cabunoc said in a tweet.

In an earlier tweet, Cabunoc said MG MD 520 choppers had been sent to the area to support government’s troops.

"The AFP and [Philippine National Police] are relentlessly pursuing the bandits in Basilan province in collaboration with the local government and in coordination with other stakeholders including the MILF communities," Cabunoc said in a statement released by the AFP.

"We will not allow the lawless elements to hamper the development projects and other peace initiatives in the province of Basilan and the rest of Mindanao," he added.

Al-Barka is the same town where almost 4 years ago, 19 soldiers from the Army’s Special Forces were killed by forces from the ASG and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). It would be the worst operational blunders in the Army’s recent history. Officers from the AFP were court-martialed over the incident.

Two were found guilty while the other two, acquitted before a military court.
In 2007, some 23 troops from the Marines were also killed in Al-Barka during skirmishes with the MILF.

The MILF and the Philippine government have recently signed a peace deal that would pave the way to the creation of a new autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.

But the death of at least 65 individuals including 44 elite cops during a police operation gone awry in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao, have put the peace process in danger.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/83993-philippine-army-abu-sayyaf-al-barka

3 soldiers wounded in Army-Abu Sayyaf clash in Basilan

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 15): 3 soldiers wounded in Army-Abu Sayyaf clash in Basilan

Three soldiers were wounded in a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Al Barka town in Basilan on Sunday morning.

 Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said wounded were soldiers from the 104th Army Brigade which clashed with Abu Sayyaf bandits in the village of Kuhon at 5:45 a.m. Sunday.

Muyuela said the clash was a result of security operations of Task Force Kasanyangan (Peace) which was formed and tasked to address insurgency in Al Barka, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf.

TF Kasanyangan was organized by the Office of the Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman and supported by Basilan Provincial Governor Jum Akbar and Joint Task Group Basilan.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/673051/3-soldiers-wounded-in-army-abu-sayyaf-clash-in-basilan

2 attack choppers bomb Abu Sayyaf lair in Basilan, 3 govt troopers wounded in ground offensives

From InterAksyon (Feb 15): 2 attack choppers bomb Abu Sayyaf lair in Basilan, 3 govt troopers wounded in ground offensives

The military, together with the support of local government officials, has launched an “all-out offensive” against the kidnap and terror group Abu Sayyaf in its lair in Basilan, firing from two attack helicopters.

The mission carried out by Task Force Zambasulta (which stands for Zamboanga Penisula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi) also had ground offensives starting at 5:45 a.m. Sunday.

A sketchy report from Zambasulta commander Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma said two MG520 attack helicopters are currently bombarding with rockets and releasing 50-caliber fires at the bandit group’s locations in Barangay Kuhon, Albarka, Basilan.

Yoma said the ground offensives of the 104th Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Group Basilan initially engaged the group of ASG leader Basir Kasaran alias Basir.

Kasaran has less than 50 armed men.

Another ASG group which is much bigger than Basir’s, the group of Furuji Indama and Nurhasan Jamiri, are also on the run but are closely being pursued by a much bigger number of government troops.

Yoma said three government troopers have been wounded in the firefight.

“Trails of bloods on the ground are everywhere from ASG positions vacated by them after the initial contact. They are on the run but our troops relentlessly pursuing them now,” he said.

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command (Navfor-Westmincom), which Yoma also commands, has been blocking all exit and entry points of Basilan to intercept bandits who might be escaping to nearby islands.

Yoma said the ongoing offensive is a result of the persistent efforts of the Task Force Kasanyangan, an inter-agency task force organized by the Office of the Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Office of the Provincial Governor of Basilan, Basilan Police Provincial Office, and other stakeholders.

“The purpose of the task force is to come up with a whole-of-nation approach supported by various agencies of the government and civil society groups to address the prevailing insurgency problem and revive governance in the Municipality of Albarka, a renowned ASG stronghold,” Yoma said.

Abu Sayyaf, which is engaged in kidnap-for-ransom and other banditry acts, has been active since the early 1990s.

It is a small but violent Islamist militant group which operates in southern Philippines.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/105103/2-attack-choppers-bomb-abu-sayyaf-lair-in-basilan-3-govt-troopers-wounded-in-ground-offensives

Hundreds flee fighting between military, NPA in Bukidnon town

From GMA News (Feb 14): Hundreds flee fighting between military, NPA in Bukidnon town

[Video report: Mahigit 400 Residente, Lumikas Dahil Sa]

More than 400 residents of a barangay in Impasugong town in Bukidnon fled their homes on Saturday because of a clash between the military and the New People's Army there.

 

According to a report on "24 Oras" aired Saturday, a tour guide who was in the area with foreign bird watchers was hit during the clash. The foreigners were reportedly unharmed.

 

The residents of Barangay Kibenton have been allowed to stay at a day-care center and at a covered court in town, the report said.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/436604/news/regions/hundreds-flee-fighting-between-military-npa-in-bukidnon-town

Suspected NPA guerrillas raid water facility in Masbate

From GMA News (Feb 15): Suspected NPA guerrillas raid water facility in Masbate

Some 50 suspected New People's Army guerrillas on Saturday raided a water treatment facility in Masbate, with police saying this could be over the firm's failure to pay "revolutionary taxes."
Bicol police spokesperson Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquin said the incident occurred at about 6 a.m. at Singfil Hydro Builders water treatment facility in Barangay Mandali in Mobo town.

The armed men and women disarmed the duty personnel and guard a ng took away three handheld radios, a charger, a cal-.45 pistol, and two cal-.38 revolvers.

Calubaquin said their investigation showed the company failed to pay so-called revolutionary taxes to the NPA.

Police are identifying the attackers and preparing charges against them.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/436912/news/regions/suspected-npa-guerrillas-raid-water-facility-in-masbate

AFP: Soldiers clash with Abu Sayyaf in Basilan

From GMA News (Feb 15): AFP: Soldiers clash with Abu Sayyaf in Basilan

Government forces figured in a clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan before dawn Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.

AFP public affairs unit head Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the clash occurred in Barangay Kuhon in Al Barka town at 5:45a.m.

Military MG MD 520 choppers were sent to support the troops, he said.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/436919/news/regions/afp-soldiers-clash-with-abu-sayyaf-in-basilan

Marwan had trained bombers since 2000

From the Philippine Star (Feb 15): Marwan had trained bombers since 2000



Photo obtained from military sources shows a man they identified as terrorist Marwan (right) with BIFF founder Ameril Umbra Kato in July 2012 when a group of foreign and local jihadists with links to IS paid the ailing commander a visit in Talayan town, a couple of kilometers from Mamasapano.

Southeast Asia’s most wanted terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir has been operating and running the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist cell in the Philippines from as early as 2000 until he was killed by the police in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last month.

Zulkifli, also known as Marwan, had been training Muslim rebels in bomb making and demolition operations.

Among those who trained under Marwan were members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Abu Sayyaf.

Intelligence reports obtained by The STAR showed that despite the signing of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF on Oct. 7, 2012, the rebel group continued stockpiling arms and training at Camp Uato, Sitio Barit, Barangay Uato in Marawi City.

BIFF spokesman Abu Misri has been boasting in various radio and television broadcasts of the group’s direct alliance with Islamic State (IS) extremists as well as the Abu Sayyaf under Isnilon Hapilon, and that they were trained by Marwan to manufacture improvised explosive devices in Maguindanao and in Lanao del Norte.

An instructors’ training for the BIFF at Barangay Pilis in Talayan, a few kilometers from Mamasapano in Maguindanao held during the third week of July 2012 was supervised by a relative of Marwan.

It was also reported that aside from the BIFF, some 40 fighters of the MILF 105th Base Command also finished their basic military training course held at Barangay Libutan in Mamasapano in July 2012.

Both the MILF and the BIFF rebels controlled surrounding villages in the area.

“The MILF and the BIFF literally controlled inner areas in Mamasapano and most of the adjacent villages of other towns in the complex that it was highly impossible for them not to know Marwan’s presence within their very own enclave,” one senior security official said.

This was his response to the MILF’s firm denial that they did not know Marwan’s whereabouts, claimed that he was highly mobile.

Marwan was hiding at Barangay Pidsandawan when the police Special Action Force raided the hut he was staying in and killed him before dawn last Jan. 25.

The operation to neutralize Marwan, however, came at a heavy price, with 44 SAF commandos killed by combined MILF and BIFF rebels in the fighting that ensued.

While there is no official confirmation from the BIFF of knowing Marwan’s presence in their area, sustained anti-terrorism intelligence monitoring showed the slain Jemaah Islamiyah militant had been moving from one place to another in Maguindanao as well as in Lanao del Norte.

Marwan was even photographed sitting beside with the already sick BIFF founder Ameril Umbra Kato when a group of Arab and local jihadists with links to the IS paid him a visit at his enclave at Barangay Pilis in Talayan town, a couple of kilometers from Mamasapano.

The towns of Shariff Saidona and Datu Saudi, located between Talayan and Mamasapano, have been classified by government security forces as the “loitering area” of Muslim and private armed groups.

Marwan’s ‘graduates’

Marwan and his Filipino cohort Basit Usman have trained hundreds of militants in explosives and bomb making.

Security officials pointed out Marwan’s “graduates,” estimated at around 300 militants, have been scattered around Mindanao and are possibly now hiding in Metro Manila.

Following the killing of Marwan, there is a big possibility that his graduates would stage retaliatory attacks in Metro Manila.

The 18,000-strong National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has remained on heightened alert to prevent this, a ranking police official said yesterday.

NCRPO chief Director Carmelo Valmoria clarified they have not received any intelligence information that Marwan’s “disciples” would stage retaliatory attacks in Metro Manila, but he ordered his men to track them down as a preventive measure.

Valmoria alerted the five police district directors in Metro Manila of such possibility as he ordered them to coordinate with elders of Muslim communities to report immediately the presence of Marwan’s “students” once they are spotted.

Valmoria also ordered the close monitoring of airports, seaports and bus terminals to detect the possible entry of Marwan’s graduates.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/15/1423887/marwan-had-trained-bombers-2000