Eastern Mindanao Command feted for efforts in securing, maintaining peace

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 19): Eastern Mindanao Command feted for efforts in securing, maintaining peace

For their outstanding efforts in securing peace in Southeastern Mindanao, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang lauded all the officers and enlisted personnel of the Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC).

The AFP chief expressed his appreciation to all EMC personnel during his visit to Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters at Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City Wednesday.

Catapang was welcomed and briefed on the EMC security situation by Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad, the area commander.

Col. Romeo S. Brawner Jr, EMC spokesperson, brushed aside that the visit is about loyalty check amidst coup rumors.

"This is not a loyalty check but this is part of his routine as chief-of-staff to be personally updated on the efforts on the ground. And besides, our officers and soldiers are very professional and loyal to the chain of command and the constitution," he added.

Catapang also lauded the EMC for the good working relation with the Philippine National Police in the maintenance of peace and security in Southeastern Mindanao area.

"I came here not only to check on how you’re doing in bringing peace to our community but also to congratulate you. Your accomplishments are also attributed to your good working relationship with the PNP, which is a manifestation of our professionalism in the security sector," he stressed.

The visit came after joint AFP-PNP repulsed the attack of the New People's Army on the Mati City Police Station that resulted to the death of four soldiers and one NPA bandit, and the capture of an NPA leader.

Catapang also took the chance to personally award medals to 12 personnel of units under EMC for their respective individual accomplishments.

Awardees for gallantry in action were given to Capt. Angelo Jose T. Gomez, 2nd Lt. Franz Arwin Balmaceda, Pfc. Ronnie R. Gusto, Pfc. Romeo F. Lipanda, and 2nd Lt. Jerson F. Sanchez.

While awardees for outstanding achievement in socio-economic development are Cmdr. Manuel L. Gimena and CPO Rolando A. Romero.

The awardees for meritorious accomplishment involving risk of life but not in direct conflict with the adversary are Major Mark Anthony U. Ruby, 2nd Lt. Rodolfo L. Ubando Jr, Pfc. John Russel F. Veran and Cpl. Tristan H. Alac.

The awardee for meritorious in action is Lt. Col. Pablo Rustria Jr.

Meanwhile Catapang promoted Sanchez to first lieutenant for his meritorious act during an encounter in Tugas, Datal Anggas in the town of Alabel, Sarrangani Province.

"I was directed by the President to promote you to 1st lieutenant" Catapang declared.

Sanchez led the troops of 73rd Infantry Battalion who encountered NPA bandits that led to the killing of seven NPA bandits, wherein five were identified as leaders, recovery of nine high powered firearms and subversive documents.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=737232

NorthCot on heightened alert following threats from BIFF

From MindaNews (19): NorthCot on heightened alert following threats from BIFF

North Cotabato is on heightened alert following threats from the spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that it would attack the provincial capitol.

Senior Supt. Danilo Peralta, North Cotabato police chief, said all entry and exit points from the Ligawasan Marsh, where the BIFF is expected to be coming from, have been secured. The military, he said, is providing support to the police, although the capitol has been functioning normally with no visible changes in its security.

“We have intelligence information the bombs set off by the BIFF in North Cotabato since last month emanate from the Ligawasan marshland,” Peralta said.

BIFF spokesperson Abu Misry Mama, in a phone interview Thursday, warned that they would attack the provincial capitol of North Cotabato, claiming the governor is supporting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), from whom the BIFF broke away in early 2010.

Mama alleged that North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza is funding the MILF, under Commander Jack Abbas, to drive away his group from the outskirts of North Cotabato.

The BIFF and MILF clashes – triggered by a feud between MILF Commander Jack Abbas and BIFF chief operations officer Mohaiden Animbang alias Kumander Karialan –started about two weeks ago and has displaced at least 18,000 civilians in Pagalungan and Datu Montawal, Maguindanao, and in Pikit, North Cotabato.

“This is the reason why Jack Abas and his group are determined to drive us out of North Cotabato. It is impossible since we have BIFF forces who are natives of the province,” Mama said.

Mendoza vehemently denied Mama’s allegations. She said she has no power over the MILF but her office has been providing livelihood assistance and projects to Moro communities, including in areas where the MILF operates.

“That could have been mistaken as support to MILF,” Mendoza said.

“Whether MILF or not, if they are in North Cotabato, they can benefit from the provincial government’s projects,” she said.

“I have nothing to do with their conflict. That was clan war or family feud and everybody knows about it,” Mendoza added.

Von Al Haq, MILF spokesperson, also the governor had nothing to do with the family feud.

Peralta said the police are on full alert versus followers of the slain Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and his Filipino aide Abdul Basit Usman. Usman is reportedly still alive but wounded in the January 25 clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/02/19/northcot-on-heightened-alert-following-threats-from-biff/

Rubber plantation workers injured in Basilan blast

From MindaNews (Feb 19): Rubber plantation workers injured in Basilan blast

A rubber plantation worker was injured in an improvised bomb explosion perpetrated by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sumisip, Basilan province, a police official disclosed Thursday.

Senior Insp. Alchmad Alibonga, Sumisip police chief, identified the victim as Marcos Yagao, 36, a rubber tapper of the Mangal Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Cooperative (Marbedco).

Alibonga said the incident took place around 6:30 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Mangal.

Investigation showed that Yagao was tapping rubber trees at the Marbedco rubber plantation when an improvise bomb exploded, according to Alibonga.

He said the victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Alibonga said the bomb explosion was the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf Group for the refusal of the cooperative to give in to their demand of protection money.

The incident was the second that occurred this month in Sumisip.

The first was last February 3 wherein a rubber farmer, Hamirun Mingkong, 47, of Barangay Guiong, Sumisip, was injured.

Mingkong was about to tap rubber trees when he accidentally stepped on an improvised bomb fashioned out as a land mine.

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/02/19/rubber-plantation-workers-injured-in-basilan-blast/

New Moro rebel group took part in Mamasapano clash – Iqbal

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 18): New Moro rebel group took part in Mamasapano clash – Iqbal

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, Philippines – A new group of Moro insurgents was allegedly involved in the tragic Mamasapano clash and this group emerged from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Mohagher Iqbal, the chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), took everyone by surprise here when he said that a third Moro armed group, led by Muhammad Ali Tambako, took part in the clash of January 25.

“It is public knowledge that the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) broke into three groups: The group of Ameril Umra Kato, the one of Kagui Karialan, and the group of Muhammad Ali Tambako … But now, Tambako has formed another group, and its name is something like “justice,” basta merong “justice” yan (one that has the word “justice” in it),” Iqbal told reporters following the turnover of 16 firearms that MILF members had seized from slain members of the Special Action Force.

Reached for comment, Abu Misri Mama, the spokesperson of the BIFF, did not confirm the splitting of the BIFF into three groups.

He said that Tambako’s group, made up of former BIFF members, came to being after Tambako met with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari in Sulu in October 2013.

Mama said the BIFF leadership was against any meeting with Misuari.

He said Tambako has since named his splinter armed group the United Justice Movement (UJM).

Tambako is materially well-off, according to some people who know him in the local Muslim religious sector. Tambako had studied in Jamiatun (University of) Malik Saud in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is why he is addressed as “Ustadz,” according to people who know him.

Police sources said Tambako’s name was not new to them and that they had gotten hold of arrest warrants against him, in connection with his role in 2008 bloody attacks in Maguindanao and North Cotabato over the botched memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/673779/new-moro-rebel-group-took-part-in-mamasapano-clash-iqbal

MILF: Editorial -- Orchestrated, well-oiled ‘spoiling’

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Feb 17): Orchestrated, well-oiled ‘spoiling’

The most relevant question nowadays re: Mamasapano incident where 44 members of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police (SAF-PNP) and 18 MILF fighters slain on January 25, would be: “why did the police operation take place when the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is under deliberation in Congress? Would there be any other opportune moment when the raid could have been executed?

Clearly, the timing is flawed and the aftermath is devastating. A lapse in judgment call is indeed clearly established; the consequence, however, is even more tragic and it is sending the BBL reeling on its track and it might not pass Congress at all.

We are not suspecting the leadership of the SAF-PNP of any ill-intention in executing their plan on that precise moment.  However, even the best of intention and action can be manipulated by outside interests. Remember the attack of Sabah led by Agbimuddin Kiram of the Sultanate of Sulu in February 2013 and attack of Zamboanga City by the MNLF faction of Chairman Nur Misuari in September 2013. They were not fully planned by the leaderships of these groups; unseen hands and funds were reportedly part of the equations. 

The case of Mamasapano clash also shows some of the demonic hands that spread lies, hatred, outrage, and other forms of demonic agenda.  Never mind Federico D. Pacual Jr. of the Philippine Star  and Rigoberto Tiglao Jr. of the Manila Times, they are the breed of men who cannot argue with sense when it comes to Moros in Mindanao. Their eyes and hearts are sealed, as if they were living during the height of the Moro-Spanish War in the 16th century.

Pieces of evidence are slowly flowing in that the same group, which dipped their bloody hands into the Sabah and Zamboanga City fiascos, is again at play here. They are attacking the BBL, MILF and President Benigno Aquino simultaneously. They appeared to be well-oiled and organized.

However, the MILF never feels threatened by this orchestrated spoiling. First, we are on the side of truth that the MILF is also victim in this unfortunate incident. We never thought of fighting the SAF commandos that dawn of January 25 or any other day for that matter. The ceasefire between the MILF and government has been observed with sincerity by both sides and, in fact, since 2011 there has never any single clash between them. Second, the MILF has never coddled “terrorists” or much more Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Abdulbasset Usman, who were holed up in a non-MILF area.

This truth will be ridiculed first and then opposed, but in the end, it becomes self-evident, which will lead to the vindication of the MILF. And third, we know there is no way ahead of us except to solve the armed conflict in Mindanao peacefully and this will be through the passage of a good BBL in Congress. The resort to all-out war policy by government is not a good decision.

http://www.luwaran.net/index.php/editorial/item/772-orchestrated-well-oiled-spoiling

MILF: 'Let us be partners for Peace'

Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 16): Let us be partners for Peace

Let me speak straight from the heart.
   
        First, the encounter between the MILF and the SAF was an unfortunate en-counter. It was something that nobody planned or wanted. We thought that we had effective protocols and mechanisms in place that would prevent things like these from happening. In the end, 44 SAF, 18 MILF and many more died in that encounter. We must honor them by making sure that their sacrifice would not be in vain. While we cannot change the past, we can do something about the future. We can work together to make sure that something like this will not happen again. Thus, we are already investigating the conduct of our men during that encounter to see if anyone violated the rules of conduct.

        Second, the MILF was not the only group that was present in the area. The SAF fought other armed individuals belonging to different networks and groups - BIFF, private armed groups, local militias, etc. The delicate task of finding out who did what, especially the reported atrocities, cannot immediately be blamed on the MILF. That would be unfair. We need to investigate. On the part of the MILF, aside from our own investigation, we push for a truly independent group that would conduct a fair and impartial investigation of the incident.

        Third, the MILF was immediately working to effect the ceasefire as early as 6:30 in the morning. But because of the limitations in communications and because of the on-ground situation of battle, the ceasefire was obtained only in the afternoon. MILF members who were part of the joint ceasefire committee risked their lives to effect the ceasefire. We were trying to save those men.

        Fourth, credit must be given where credit is due. Through the efforts of the MILF, 28 SAF were rescued from imminent death that day. The 28 SAF were part of the first team and holed up in an area one kilometer northeast of Tukanalipao . They were already being fired upon by unidentified armed groups. The 28 SAF are alive today because of the efforts of the MILF and finally, it is the will of God.

        Fifth, the MILF is against all forms of terrorism. We have made a solemn vow to fight terrorism in our areas. Terrorism is inconsistent with Islam and has no place in the orientation and principles of the MILF. Our previous actions bear witness to our commitment against terrorism. To tag the MILF as a terrorist group is unfair.

        Sixth, the MILF did not harbor Marwan or Usman. The MILF has no links with these terrorists and terrorist organizations. Marwan and Usman were in areas outside the MILF controlled areas.

        Seventh, the MILF and the BIFF are different organizations. We do not share the same goals and objectives. There is no truth to the allegation that we are conniving with each other.

        Eight, we are committed to peace. We have been in negotiations with the Philippine Government for 17 years. Our present partnership with President Aquino has been durable - there has been no recorded armed hostilities between the gov-ernment and the MILF since 2011. We signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law. Each of these agreements is a testament to our commit-ment to pursue our objectives through peaceful means.

        Ninth, the peace process is important to us – and to everybody. It has brought us the promise of a good life for our people - free from fear, want and dis-crimination. It contains our hopes and our dreams - if not for us, for our children. We have waited for this opportunity for 17 years. We promised our people that peace will be our legacy. We seek your help in making this promise possible. We cannot do it by ourselves. We ask you to help us live in peace.

        Finally, justice is at the core of our struggle. We have been seeking justice for a long time. Thousands of our brothers and sisters have died pursuing this cause. We see an opportunity that peace can be established. Please do not let this unfortunate incident be used to derail 17 years of hard work and lessen our resolve for peace and justice. Let peace be our legacy. Let us be partners for peace.

        Maraming salamat.

                            MOHAGHER IQBAL
                            Chairman
                            Bangsamoro Transition Commission
                            11 February 2015

http://www.luwaran.net/index.php/document/item/770-let-us-be-partners-for-peace

MILF: MILF returns captured SAF firearms

Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 19): MILF returns captured SAF firearms



In a simple ceremony yesterday, at the 6th Infantry Division Headquarters of the Philippine Army at Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation front (MILF) returned to the government  sixteen (16) high powered firearms that it captured from elements of the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) during a “misencounter” at Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last January 25. The clash resulted to the death of 44 SAF members, 18 MILF combatants, and 5 civilians.

The turn-over led by MILF Chief Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal and ceasefire committee was a show of sincerity and commitment of the Moro front in the peace process between the GPH and the MILF that started in 1997.

Chairman Iqbal said that the MILF hierarchy talked to their commanders to return the firearms following the peace process. He said that 10 firearms are in the hands of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and 18 more are still to be accounted for. He said that the MILF is exerting efforts to return the remaining firearms of the Special Action Force.

Retired Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Chairman of the GPH Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) said that the firearms were turned-over on Tuesday night near the site of bloody clash in Mamasapano. “It was an emotional turned-over as the rebels themselves who personally returned the firearms”, and there is doubt about it, said Gen. Galvez.

On his part, Gen, Gregorio Catapang, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) thanked the MILF for “walking extra mile” for the peace process.

ARMM Regiona Governor Mujiv Hataman and other local officials also witnessed the ceremony.

http://www.luwaran.net/index.php/welcome/item/776-milf-returns-captured-saf-firearms

MILF: Third-Party Monitoring Team issues its second annual Public Report; Highlights considerable progress in 2014, before clash in Mamasapano

Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 17): Third-Party Monitoring Team issues its second annual Public Report; Highlights considerable progress in 2014, before clash in Mamasapano

Posted by OPAPP, Friday, February 13, 2015. The Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT), formally established in 2013 as part of the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, today issued its second annual Public Report.
  

TPMT Chair Alistair MacDonald said “The recent tragic events at Mamasapano have underlined yet again the human costs of conflict, and the TPMT joins in expressing their condolences to the families of all the victims. Pending the results of the various investigations now being carried out, it would be premature to comment substantively on these events. But it will be essential to protect the future while providing just remedies for the past – and that future can only prosper in the context of a widespread and lasting peace.”

MacDonald added that while public attention was necessarily focused on the recent tragedy, it was nevertheless important not to overlook the substantial progress which had been achieved during 2014 in different dimensions of the peace process. “Ending decades of violent conflict can not be accomplished overnight,” he said, “and the painstaking efforts of all those working for peace deserve to be acknowledged.”

MacDonald therefore hoped that this second annual report of the TPMT would serve to recall the distance that had already been travelled, while acknowledging the challenges that still lay ahead.

In its report released today, the TPMT noted that 2014 had seen major progress in the implementation of the peace agreements – notably including the completion of the Normalisation Annex in January, the historic signature of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in March, the submission of the draft BBL to Congress in September, and the launching immediately thereafter of the extensive Congressional consultations and deliberations on the BBL.

In addition, work continued on all the other dimensions of the agreements, including :
- initial progress in the normalisation track, setting up three major normalisation bodies (JNC, TJRC, IDB), and preparing for the first ceremonial turnover of crew-served weapons and high-powered firearms by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s BIAF to the Independent Decommissioning Body

- continued work on socio-economic development, including through the Sajahatra Bangsamoro programme as well as the preparation of a detailed Bangsamoro Development Plan

- preparing for the transition from ARMM to Bangsamoro Transition Authority, with the establishment of a Coordinating Committee for the Transition. Progress was not as rapid as either Party would have wished, and delays were encountered in a number of areas – for example in completing the drafting of the BBL, in some of the practical aspects of normalisation, or in the implementation of socio-economic programmes.
Looking forward, multiple challenges had already existed (even before the tragic events at Mamasapano)

- completing deliberations on the BBL in a timely manner, in a form compliant with the agreements and not subject to major challenges in the Supreme Court

- preparing for the successful conduct of the plebiscite to ratify the BBL and determine the geographic scope of the Bangsamoro

- arranging for a smooth transition from ARMM to BTA, including addressing the challenges arising from a much shorter-than-expected transition period

- ensuring the necessary support for socio-economic development

- and achieving the greatest possible sense of inclusivity, among all the inhabitants of the future Bangsamoro

Now, since 25 January, many of these pre-existing challenges will become even more acute. Emotions run high, and confidence in the process has taken a knock. But while the challenges are great, the prizes to be gained are even greater – creating a sustainable peace, allowing the region to achieve its full potential and to contribute more effectively to the prosperity and security of the nation as a whole.

And the best guarantees of success are the continuing commitment to peace of both Parties, at the highest level, the massive engagement of Congress and the public in deliberating on the BBL, and the underlying hopes of the people of Mindanao that their children should be able to grow and prosper in a peaceful and just society.

(The present Public Report is the second such report issued by the TPMT (the first having been issued in February 2014).

http://www.luwaran.net/index.php/welcome/item/771-third-party-monitoring-team-issues-its-second-annual-public-report-highlights-considerable-progress-in-2014-before-clash-in-mamasapano

CPP/NPA: AFP troops shoot foreign tourists in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

NPA propaganda statement posted to the CPP Website (Feb 17): AFP troops shoot foreign tourists in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Alan Juanito
Spokesperson
NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Operations Command (Julito Tiro Command)

 

The New People’s Army – North Central Mindanao Regional Command condemns the indiscriminate firing of operating AFP troops under the 4th Infantry Division against seven foreign tourists and their guide in a mountainous part of Brgy. Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on February 13, 2015, around 8:00 AM, which wounded a civilian.

Carlito Gayamara was wounded in this incident, receiving a gunshot wound on his upper arm. He was then serving as a tourist guide to seven foreign bird-watchers trekking Mt. Kitanglad. What was supposed to be the group’s immersion in a natural wonder turned into a traumatic experience when they, despite their shouts that they are civilians, were strafed for more than ten minutes by the reactionary troops.

The military did not even help their victim to the hospital and left Gayamara to shoulder all expenses for his medication by himself. Worse, they announced through the media that Gayamara was caught in crossfire and hit by a stray bullet. This is a big lie orchestrated to conceal their responsibility to the victim. There was no encounter between NPA and AFP troops in the area that day. Only the AFP troops and the tourists happened to meet at the time.

The absurdity of the AFP’s attack on civilian tourists is only exceeded by that of their effort to conceal and twist the truth. It is clear to us that this is one of those cases where AFP troops vent their anger on innocent civilians after their latest defeat in a battle with NPA fighters in the area. This is a big slap to the face of their much-vaunted “professionalism”, especially that of their elite forces.

It will be remembered that Red fighters under Mt. Kitanglad Sub-regional Command previously harassed operating troops of the Special Forces Battalion on February 11 in a neighboring area. Two of their troops were killed while five others were wounded, contrary to the 4th ID’s claim that only one of their soldiers was killed. In reaction, the AFP even bombarded the area with 12 artillery shells, in a clear desecration of what Lumads in the area consider a sacred haven. This resulted in the evacuation of more than 40 families to Brgy. Kibenton, Impasug-ong. Aside from being desperate, these troops are clearly demoralized, resulting in their paranoid attack on the tourists they encountered. This, however, is only a symptom of a bigger demoralization afflicting the whole organization of AFP and PNP after the Mamasapano tragedy.

The officers and troops who attacked the said group of tourists must be held culpable. They should, once more, ask for an apology from the Lumads in the area for violating the previous agreement between Gen. Gapuz and tribal leaders in 2012. Most importantly, however, the time is nigh for the ouster of their commander-in-chief, Benigno Aquino, who consistently denies his culpabilities and whose administration of the AFP, PNP and the whole nation is ridden with failures which resulted in the tragedy in Mamasapano and the tragedy of unprecedented suffering among the people.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20150217_afp-troops-shoot-foreign-tourists-in-malaybalay-city-bukidnon

MNLF defends MILF from 'war' rumors

From the Philippine Star (Feb 17): MNLF defends MILF from 'war' rumors



"These people spreading such stories are warmongers," says Muslimin Sema, chairman of the largest and most politically-active faction of the Moro National Liberation Front, or MNLF. YouTube photo

The largest faction in the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Tuesday dismissed claims by people close to the fugitive Nur Misuari that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is to wage war if government junks the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Muslimin Sema, chairman of the largest and most politically-active MNLF group, said there is no truth either to claims by lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla and Christian preacher Absalom Cerveza that the MILF has asked other Moro groups in Mindanao to prepare for an all out war if the government sets aside the BBL as a consequence of the January 25 police-MILF encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The followers of Sema, a former mayor of Cotabato City, are grouped together in 16 "revolutionary states" scattered in Central Mindanao, in the Zamboanga peninsula and in the island provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

RELATED: MILF still hopeful for Bangsamoro law

"These people spreading such stories are warmongers. They are warmongers, nothing more, nothing less. The public should be careful about what they say," Sema said.

Sema said Fontanilla and Cerveza claim to speak for Misuari, who has abandoned the September 2, 1996 government-MNLF final peace agreement by declaring "Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan independence" in August 2013.

Misuari is now wanted for leading a bloody mutiny in Zamboanga City in September 2013 to dramatize his opposition to the ongoing government-MILF peace process.
"We in Central Mindanao, particularly MNLF members in Maguindanao, do not doubt the sincerity of the MILF in upholding its two major agreements with the government, the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro," Sema said.

Sema said none of their state chairmen in different provinces in Mindanao had received any advisory for them to prepare for an all out war with government if Congress will shelve for good the draft BBL.

The bill aims to establish an MILF-led Bangsamoro government, to replace the ARMM, based on the group's final peace compact with the Aquino administration.
"Leaders of the legitimate MNLF and the MILF may have some differences in ideologies and religious convictions, but we are all together in our quest for a peaceful resolution of this decades-old Moro problem," Sema said.

Sema said even their top leader in North Cotabato, Datu Dima Ambil, who has more than a thousand followers, denied receiving any "war advisory" from the MILF, as insinuated by Fontanilla and Cerveza.

Sema said Ambil and his followers are in close contact with the chairperson of North Cotabato's provincial peace and order council, Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza.
"They will not do anything that can cause trouble in that province, whose political leaders are their partners in various peace advocacy activities," Sema said.

Sema said their group will never turn away from the GPH-MNLF final peace accord.
"In fact we are looking forward to the resumption of the tripartite review of that peace agreement," he said.

The three-way effort of addressing misunderstandings in the implementation of the agreement, which started in 2007, involves Malacañang, the MNLF and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The OIC helped broker the GPH-MNLF truce.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/17/1424806/mnlf-defends-milf-war-rumors

MILF slams pro-Misuari 'warmongers' spreading rumors

From the Philippine Star (Feb 18): MILF slams pro-Misuari 'warmongers' spreading rumors

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Wednesday dismissed claims by followers of Nur Misuari it issued a "war advisory" calling on the Moro National Liberation Front to prepare for war if the government abandons the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Two non-Muslim followers of Misuari, Emmanuel Fontanilla and Absalom Cerveza, have been announcing since Tuesday to different media outfits in Metro Manila that MNLF leaders had received an official communiqué from the MILF urging them to be ready for war if the draft BBL is shelved due to the January 25 bloodshed in Mamasapano.

"It started as a text message spread by warmongers. It is not true that we have sent them such hostile advisories as they claim," Iqbal said.

Some local officials had branded as whimsical and preposterous the insinuations by Fontanilla, a lawyer, and Cerveza, a Christian preacher.

Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao told reporters he would be among the first to know if the MILF had indeed issued such advisory to Moro groups.

Hataman pointed out that he chairs the ARMM's inter-agency regional peace and order council, whose members include people from various civil society organizations, representatives of the political and religious communities in all five provinces under his jurisdiction.

"The membership of the council also includes provincial governors of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the mayors of the cities of Lamitan and Marawi. That is absolutely untrue. That is nothing but fiction spread by warmongers. So whimsical indeed," Hataman said.

Hataman and Iqbal separately aired their views on the allegations of Fontanilla and Cerveza during a press conference on Wednesday at the officers' club of the Army's 6th Infantry Division at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The press conference capped off the MILF's return of 16 firearms rebels took from the policemen killed in firefights in Barangays Tukanalipao, Pidsandawan and Inog-og in Mamasapano town in the second district of Maguindanao last January 25.

READ: MILF returns SAF weapons

Iqbal said he himself received a text message from an anonymous sender accusing their central committee of called on the MNLF to prepare for an all-out war.

Deliberations on the draft BBL by the 75-member congressional committee handling it had been suspended to pave the way for an inquiry into the Mamasapano incident.

"Ang masasabi ko dito, walang katotohanan 'yan. Trabaho 'yan ng mga walang magawa, yung mga warmongers. Masyadong mabilis yang mga warmongers. It's just pure and simple act of warmongers, and it has never been emanating from the MILF," Iqbal said, apparently referring to the assertions by Fontanilla and Cerveza.

Highly-placed Army intelligence sources said the text messages mentioning the MILF's war advisory to the MNLF first circulated on Monday in Isulan town and in Tacurong City, both in Sultan Kudarat province, and in Gen. Santos City and South Cotabato, where most members of the clans of Fontanilla and Cervesa resides.

In a statement Wednesday, the largest faction in the MNLF had said Fontanilla and Cerveza are both spreading unfounded and "preposterous" stories about the MILF.

Misuari is hostile to the MILF and is rabidly opposed to Malacañang's peace agreement with the rebel group, which splintered from the MNLF in the early 1980s.

Former Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, chairman of the largest and most politically-active MNLF group, said there is no truth to the claims by Fontanilla and Cerveza.

READ: MNLF faction defends MILF from 'war' rumors

Misuari is now wanted for leading a bloody mutiny in Zamboanga City in September 2013 to dramatize his opposition to the ongoing government-MILF peace process.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/18/1425151/milf-slams-pro-misuari-warmongers-spreading-rumors

MILF to accept diluted Bangsamoro law

From the Philippine Star (Feb 18): MILF to accept diluted Bangsamoro law

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday said it can accept a diluted form of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, but warned that it will not address problems in Mindanao.

Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF's chief negotiator, said that the MILF will only reject a law that do more harm than good to communities that ought to benefit from it.

Iqbal said, however, that the group trusts Congress to enact the bill without revisions.

"I trust the collective wisdom of Congress to pass good legislation in the form of the Bangsamoro Basic Law," Iqbal told reporters in a press conference at the officers' club of the Army's 6th Infantry Division in Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat,
Maguindanao.

RELATED: MILF slams pro-Misuari 'warmongers' spreading rumors

Iqbal also vowed that the MILF will choose to take the path of peace even after the government abandons the Bangsamoro process as a consequence of the January 25 bloodshed in Mamasapano between police commandos and Moro rebels.

"There is no option, but the option is peace," Iqbal said.

Iqbal said a diluted form of BBL will only encourage many sectors to disengage from the peace process and foment more discontent among groups that have warned them not to indulge in a peace process with government.

The security situation in Mindanao, moreover, will not be solved by a weaker BBL, he said.

"Patuloy and problema dito sa Mindanao because the solution, the supposed medicine was not administered, hindi naibigay," Iqbal said.

Also present in the press conference were Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, GPH chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Catapang, Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and ranking military officials.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/18/1425155/milf-accept-diluted-bangsamoro-law

Mamasapano operation: From 5:48 a.m. to past midnight

From the Philippine Star (Feb 19): Mamasapano operation: From 5:48 a.m. to past midnight



Philippine National Police Special Action Force commandos follow a van with one of the remains of 44 special commandos as it leaves Camp Bagong Diwa for its final journey to his hometown Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 at suburban Taguig city, south of Manila, Philippines. Southeast Asia's top terrorist suspect has evaded capture and survived several military assaults in the southern Philippines, where police now await DNA results to confirm if he is the man killed in the Jan. 25 raid that left 44 police commandos dead. AP/Bullit Marquez

From the initial euphoria expressed after the killing of Malaysian bomb suspect, Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan, the mood shifted to a tense and then overwhelming grief as the news of dozens of casualties come in at the tactical post command in Shariff Aguak last January 25.

At 5:48 a.m., Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina congratulated sacked Special Action Force commander Director Getulio Napeñas apparently after the SAF troopers confirmed that they were able to neutralize Marwan.

In between calls for reinforcement, Napeñas received congratulatory messages from his higher-ups and colleagues including one message that said: "Hope we can turn the tide with the arrival of the AFP reinforcement. [The mission] came with a cost."

As efforts to call for reinforcements continue, sources bolstered earlier reports that President Aquino had been informed about developments on the ground as early as 5 a.m.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas II also inquired at about 10 a.m. on details on Marwan’s death, including information whether the assault team got pictures and DNA samples to be used later on to verify the death.

At around the same time, Roxas informed Napeñas that the President sought clarification on the number of casualties and the troops on the ground.

Sources said the information indicating the rather high number of casualties came at about 8 a.m., later raising more questions why the military failed to provide reinforcements despite reports that President Aquino was constantly updated about the developments before dawn of that tragic Sunday.

Since 5:30 a.m., the members of the 84th Seaborne company that assaulted Marwan’s lair and fatally shot him on the chest, were also having a hard time pulling out of the area as they were attacked by armed men.

It was around 6:13 a.m. when Napeñas also informed then suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima that the 55th Special Action Force (SAC) was having a hard time pulling out of the enemy’s lair located two kilometers of Barangay Tukalanipao because they are under attack from heavy gunfire.

At 6:34 a.m., another SAF officer sought for help, telling his superior through text: "Request fire support from Army sir!"

It was Espina who facilitated the call for reinforcement from the Armed Forces through Western Mindanao commander Gen. Rustico Guerrero. At 6:22 a.m., 6th Infantry Brigade commander Gen. Edmundo Pagilinan also came into the picture.

There was urgency in call for help all throughout the morning of January 25 despite assurances given by Napeñas that the military’s reinforcements were then being coordinated from higher-ups.

Napeñas gave his ground commander the assurance that the commanding officer of 601st Brigade has ordered the 45th Infantry Brigade to dispatch reinforcements.
At 6: 52 a.m., then SAF deputy commander Chief Superintendent Noli Talino informed the PNP chief that the SAF troops were engaged in a firefight with armed men about two kilometers east of Barangay Tukalanipao.

Surrounded

Sources privy to the investigation revealed that there were numerous calls for help as the team at the tactical command post in Shariff Aguak received many reports from the field that the commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had started consolidating their forces.

As early as 7: 12 a.m, reports that the MILF's 118th and 105th base commands have started to muster strength, apparently upon sensing the presence of the SAF men in their areas.

At 7:26 a.m., Espina was informed that Marwan was neutralized by the SAF troopers.
“Marwan was neutralized but the body was left behind due to [the] heavy volume of fire,” the report read.

The report also mentioned the firefight between the containment blocking force of SAF and armed men in Tukalanipao.

“Extraction is on going and support from the AFP was requested,” the report to Espina added.

From 7:37 a.m. until late morning, Napeñas had provided the grid coordinates of his men who were pinned between enemy lines.

Barely two hours after the first call for help, the military sent armored vehicles with the division reconnaissance platoon and the anti-bomb experts, accompanied with SAF personnel to locate the besieged commandos.

“The SAF troops cannot move because of the vast terrain,” a source said, quoting the reports from the ground.

Ceasefire mechanisms

Members of the Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities were monitored to be on its way to the "battle" area at around 11 a.m., apparently to call for ceasefire.

At past noon, SAF and military officers continued to ask details on coordinates and locations of the troopers.

At 12:20 p.m., the officers at the command post are still waiting for feedback from the ceasefire committee. It was the same time when members of the 55th Special Action Coy (SAC) and the 84th Seaborne got separately engaged in heavy firefight with MILF fighters.

Separate testimonies of assault team leader Superintendent Raymond Train and Police Officer 2 Christopher Lalan, lone survivor of 55th SAC, revealed that they were surrounded by enemies.  They waited for reinforcements, as some lay on the ground wounded.

At 1:36 p.m, there was report that the ceasefire team from the AFP and the MILF were on their way to coordinate ceasefire mechanisms. Negotiations went on until 7 p.m.

Waiting for rescue

At 7 p.m, Train reported to Napeñas the need to send evacuations for their seven comrades who were killed in action.

“We can’t move sir… need casevac,” Train was quoted as saying in the report. Casevac means casualty evacuation.

At 7:12 p.m.  Secretary Roxas advised Napeñas to “keep calm and keep your head.”
“Di natin papabayaan ang tropa natin. PNoy gave guidance to AFP Westmincon,” Roxas was quoted as saying.

More than five hours later, the rescue team are still looking for the besieged SAF commandoes.  With the help of a US-manned surveillance aircraft, the teams were located and rescued at around midnight.

The tactical command post reported that the rescue teams and the besieged troops have linked up for rescue.  A Catholic bishop relayed his expressed of concern for the many deaths with a hope that there will sooner cessation of hostilities in the affected communities.

At past midnight, the tactical command post received messages expressing grave concern for the deaths of affected SAF personnel.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/19/1425465/mamasapano-operation-548-.m.-past-midnight

No MILF gun factory in Maguindanao: Ferrer

From ABS-CBN (Feb 19): No MILF gun factory in Maguindanao: Ferrer

[Video report]

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front does not have a weapons factory in General Salipada Pendatun, Maguindanao, the chairwoman of the government peace panel said Thursday.

Speaking to ANC, Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer said the main gun factory of the MILF in Camp Abubakar was already demolished during the time of President Estrada.

She said peace negotiators conducted an investigation after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano claimed the MILF has a weapons factory in barangay (sitio) Katol, General Salipada Pendatun, Maguindanao.

"It's not there. We know, we have checked the area. We did our own checking and what we found out is the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters has its own [improvised explosive device] factory in the area," she said.

The chief peace negotiator said the government is not negotiating with the BIFF simply because the latter group does not want peace. Even the MILF failed to convince the BIFF leadership to stay with the group and forge a lasting peace deal with the government.

"Right now, they do not want to negotiate with us. They are doing all these things, sniping our military forces. The conditions are not there to negotiate with them and the conditions actually require that we incapacitate them," she said.

"It takes two to tango."

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/02/19/15/no-milf-gun-factory-maguindanao-ferrer

MILF sniper wounded in encounter with BIFF

From GMA News (Feb 19): MILF sniper wounded in encounter with BIFF

A sniper of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front suffered a seven-inch wound after figuring in an encounter with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Pikit town in Cotabato province Tuesday.

The sniper, who needed 10 stitches for the wound in his back, said the hours-long firefight started at 9 a.m., GMA News stringer Ferdinandh Cabrera reported.

He said the opposing forces managed to get within 70 meters of each other. During the fighting, he was hit in the back by a bullet of an M-14 rifle.

At least three others were wounded, he said.

But he said the MILF would not allow the BIFF to enter its territory.

"Hanggang gabi na yun eh, halos hindi na maputol ang bakbakan, mainit talaga yun, kaunti lang sila kaso lang alam nila ang area, kaya namin sila hinaharangan doon sa boundary kasi ayaw namin ang gawain nilang masama, hindi namin hahayaan na makapasok sila," he said.

Meanwhile, BIFF spokesman Abu Misry Mama said they suffered one fatality.

He added they do not consider the MILF an enemy, but admitted they are at odds with the MILF's eastern command chief, Jack Abas.

The BIFF is a splinter group of the MILF.

Meanwhile, a resident called for the BIFF and MILF to end their fighting as both are working for self-determination.

"Gusto namin na magkasundo na lang ang dalawang panig kasi Bangsamoro lahat yan sila, walang magka-iba dyan, iisa lang ang pinaglalaban nila, sa tuwing nagbabarilan yan sila iisa lang ang sinasabi nila, Allahu Akbar," said Bai Lumen.

The fighting has affected some barangays in Datu Montawal with 638 families or 3,200 people.

At least 18,200 civilians have been affected by fighting between the MILF and BIFF.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/440771/news/regions/milf-sniper-wounded-in-encounter-with-biff