3 rebels surrender to pursuing government troops in Sarangani

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): 3 rebels surrender to pursuing government troops in Sarangani

Three New People's Army (NPA) fighters, who earlier traded shots with government forces in Sarangani last Feb. 16, voluntarily surrendered to pursuit troopers of the 73rd Infantry Battalion last Feb 18 and 19.

Col. Romeo Brawner, Eastern Mindanao Command spokesperson, said that these very same rebels were part of the NPA force whom Army troopers encountered in Alabel town last Feb. 17.

In the same encounter, seven rebels were killed while nine high-powered weapons were seized.

Brawner said that these NPA fighters surrendered to 73rd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Ronnie Babac on Feb. 18 and 19.

The rebels opted to surrender due to intense pressure brought about by pursuing government troops.

Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Eastern Mindanao Command head, reiterated his call to the rebels to surrender.

"We are calling on our deceived brothers who are still with the NPA to lay down your firearms and live peaceful lives. You may approach your local executives like your mayors, who can assist in facilitating your surrender and start a new life," he added.

Meanwhile, the surrenderees will be enrolled at the Sarangani Province Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (CLIP) as part of the effort to reintegrate them into mainstream society.

On the other hand, Baladad vowed to continue to intensify the efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people in EMC area of responsibility.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=737492

Military allays fear of MILF attack in Northern Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): Military allays fear of MILF attack in Northern Mindanao

The military on Friday has allayed fears of an impending attack by elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lanao Del Norte.

Army Captain Frank Suelto, spokesperson of the army’s 1st Infantry Division in Western Mindanao, has denied the report of an impending attack although the military is on standby alert.

He said that the military and the MILF are communicating directly and are closely coordinating with each other as part of the protocol under the Framework Agreement.

Suelto said that everything is normal in the provinces of Lanao Del Norte, home to the second largest MILF command based in Mindanao, next to the MILF camp in Nort Cotabato.

For the past days, there have been persistent reports about an impending MILF attack in Iligan City and the neighboring province and city of Misamis Oriental sending apprehensions among residents in the area.

Suelto said that transportation has remained normal in the area and there is “nothing to worry about.”

However, he said, it is a standard operating procedure for the military to be on standby alert, particularly the army’s 2nd mechanized battalion in Iligan City. The army air support units are also on high alert.

Maj. Christian Uy, of the army’s 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan De Oro City, said that the military is always on standby alert.

“We have deployed our forces in coordination with the local law enforcement group in the four corners of Northern Mindanao in anticipation of any terror attacks,” Uy said.

He said that the army is always prepared to ensure the safety and security of the civilian populace.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=737557

NPA denies firefight with government troopers

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): NPA denies firefight with government troopers

The communist New People’s Army (NPA) on Friday denied an armed engagement with government troopers while a group of foreigners was in Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon.

Alan Juanito, the spokesperson of the NPA-North Central Mindanao Committee, said that the NPA rebels were constrained to issue the statement to the local media after the military has issued a press release that its troopers had engaged the NPA in a firefight in Mt Kitanglad sometime in the morning of Feb. 13, 2015.

Army Maj. Christian Uy, of the army’s 4th Infantry Division, said that one was wounded when a group of foreigners was caught in the crossfire between the government troopers and the NPA guerrillas in Mt. Kitanglad.

Uy said that the military was pursuing a group of armed men believed to be NPA members when the firefight occurred in the village of Dalwangan, part of the Kitanglad mountain range, where a group of seven foreign environmentalists were on a “birdwatching” trip in the area.

Village officials have reported that Carlito Gayamara, the foreigners’ guide, was wounded in the firefight as the foreigners scampered for safety. The foreigners were later safely evacuated to the nearby city of Malaybalay.

Juanito said that the NPA has denounced the military’s propensity of putting the blame on the communist guerillas by concocting a scenario of armed skirmishes that have never taken place.

“It was ridiculous that out of their (military) folly, they would blame the attack on the NPA. It was really slapped on the military’s taunted professionalism, much less, involving the elite force of the army rangers,” Juanito said in a statement to the local media.

It also lamented that the military has not taken care of Gayamara, the lone victim who suffered gunshot wounds during the military’s invented armed encounter, Juanito said.

He said that Gayamara, who is confined in a hospital in Valencia City in Bukidnon, has been made to pay his own medical bills without getting any assistance from the military.

Uy, however, said that the military has extended medical assistance, particularly in the medical operation of Gayamara.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=737555

Oban is guest of honor and speaker in this year's PMA alumni homecoming

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): Oban is guest of honor and speaker in this year's PMA alumni homecoming

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff and Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement executive director Gen. Eduardo S.L. Oban is the guest of honor and speaker in this year's Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni homecoming on Saturday.

His speech will take place at the PMA's Borromeo Field, Fort Gregorio Del Pilar, Baguio City.

He will be addressing 1,500 active and retired military and police officers who have confirmed their attendance during this year's homecoming rites which started Feb. 19 and will end on Sunday.

Oban is a member of the PMA “Matapat” Class of 1979.His term as AFP chief began on March 8, 2011 and ended on Dec. 12 of the same year.

Also expected to attend the event are AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. of PMA Class of 1981, Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin, a member of PMA Class 1968, PMAAAI Board of Directors, and Medal of Valor Awardees.

Lead host for this year’s homecoming is the PMA Class of 1985 (Sandiwa).

Other hosts include PMA Class of 1970 (Magiting), 1975 (Makabayan), 1980 (Mapitagan), 1990 (Bigkis-Lahi), 1995 (Marilag), 2000 (Sanghaya), 2005 (Sanlingan), and 2010 (Masidlak).

The oldest cavalier is CAV Vicente Alhambra and CAV Catalino Ibañez, both from Class 1942, while the youngest is CAV Bryan S. Arlegui of Class 2014.

To celebrate the homecoming, the PMA Alummi Association Inc. has planned out a series of activities that will run from Feb. 19 to 22.

The highlights include the PMA Alumni Eco Trail Run within Fort Del Pilar and Battle of Classes Golf Tournament at Camp John Hay Feb. 19; Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the PMA Alumni Memorial, Opening of PMA Football Cup and Leadership Forum for Cadets at PMA Campus on Feb. 20; the traditional “Open House” at the PMA Cadet Barracks on Feb. 21; Arrival Honors for Royal Thai General Thawip Poonsiri Netniyom of Class ’81, and Silent Drill on Feb. 22.

During the main event on Feb. 21, a special recognition will be given to the members of PMA Class 1955 as Diamond jubilarians (60 years); Class 1965 as Golden jubilarians (50 years); and Class 90 as Silver Jubilarians (25 years).

The PMAAAI will also give honor to outstanding cavaliers for their achievements in their own field of expertise.

The honorees are Senior Supt. Wilfred A. Nicolas of PMA Class of 1965 for Private Enterprise; Director General Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., PMA Class of 1970 for Public Administration; Lt. Gen. Felicito VM. Trinidad, PMA Class 1982 for Command and Administration; Col. Danilo G. Pamonag, PMA Class of 1985 for Army Operations; Senior Supt. Ronald M. Dela Rosa, PMA Class of 1986 for Police Operations; Lt. Col. Elpidio T. Factor, Class 1995 for Naval Operations; Cmdr. Inocencio C. Rosario Jr., Class ’96 for Coast Guard Operations; Major Gremel B. Brual, Class ’96 for Special Operations; and Major Jonathan P. De Leon, Class ’01 for Air Force Operations.

The PMA has produced over 10,000 alumni with 106 others who graduated from allied service academies since its establishment in 1936.

Some of its members became leaders and key-position holders in the military, police, and other law enforcement agencies while some have served in the government, corporate, non-profit, educational, and other leadership and management positions at various levels of responsibility.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=737417

SAF weapons’ return a step forward in restoring public confidence in peace process -- Ferrer

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): SAF weapons’ return a step forward in restoring public confidence in peace process -- Ferrer

Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on Thursday said that the retrieval of the weapons of the Special Action Forces on February 18 by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was a positive step forward in restoring public confidence in the peace process, and reiterated calls for the voluntary return of other weapons still in the possession of the MILF, civilians and other groups.

In a televised interview Thursday, Coronel-Ferrer noted that the MILF showed it was serious in its commitment to “pursuing the peace” by returning the weapons of the SAF troopers, as she welcomed the commitment of MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal that the MILF would ensure that they will look for the rest of the weapons.

She said the MILF leadership had informed the government panel the difficult job it did in approaching its own forces to convince them to return the SAF weapons in their possession, mainly because many of those holding the weapons also had relatives who died from the encounter in January 25 in Mamasapano.

However, as MILF peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said, "we [MILF] are willing to travel the extra mile so the peace process will proceed" as he assured that the "MILF is a partner of peace in Mindanao," Ferrer noted.

The MILF turned over 16 and a half weapons and one cellphone unit at a joint press conference of the GPH and MILF peace panels on Tuesday in the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Camp Siongco in Maguindanao. These were retrieved, verified, and presented by the MILF in the presence of representatives from both sides.

The retrieval of the SAF’s firearms was facilitated by the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT). The GPH CCCH is headed by BGen. Carlito Galvez with Secretariat head Dir. Carlos Sol. The MILF CCCH is headed by Rashid Ladiasan. Meanwhile, the IMT team is led by Malaysian head of mission MGen Dato' Abdul Samad Bin HJ Yaakub and joined by IMT member, Norwegian William Hovland.

The retrieved weapons were officially turned over to the PNP Thursday (February 19) in a ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo and attended by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces chief of staff General Gregorio Catapang Jr., Interior and Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

According to Roxas, parallel efforts are currently being done by government to retrieve remaining SAF firearms, including those not in the hands of the MILF.

Coronel-Ferrer reiterated her call to the MILF, civilians and other armed groups ‎to voluntarily return SAF weapons that they have in their possession.

"‎Alang alang sa mga naiwan nitong trahedya ng Mamasapano, sana ay magkaroon ng ganoong klaseng show or gesture of coming together muli bilang isang bansa para talaga makamit natin yung ating hinahangad na kapayapaan. So patuloy po ang ating panawagan sa lahat, sa lahat po na maaring may pinanghawak na ganitong mga armamento at iba pang mga kasangkapan (In solidarity with the loved ones of those who have fallen in the tragic incident in Mamasapano, I hope that there will be a show or gesture of coming together as a nation so that we will finally have peace. We continue to call on everyone, to those who are still in possession of SAF weapons to return it including other SAF belongings that they may have)," she said.

In response, Iqbal noted that, "kung may natitira pa (SAF weapons & personal effects) sa MILF, hahanapin po namin yan (if there are remaining SAF weapons and personal effects with the MILF, we will continue to look for it),” adding, “I am not discounting that there may be firearms that may not have been accounted [for] pero patuloy ang efforts ng MILF (but the efforts of the MILF to look for it continue).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=737490

AFP partners with ICRC for IHL training for troopers

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): AFP partners with ICRC for IHL training for troopers

In line with its efforts to comply with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has partnered with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to train 30 military personnel on the nuances of IHL and its dissemination.

Training will take place in Davao City on Feb. 23 to 26, AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.

He said that the soldiers, who completed the training would form part of the mobile training team that disseminates the gained information to all line units of the AFP, including the personnel of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) at the 10th Infantry Division in Panacan, Davao City.

Cabunoc said the training is organized by the AFP Human Rights Office (HRO), in partnership with the ICRC. It is part of the military’s advocacy on human rights protection and promotion of the IHL.

“As our frontliners, our enlisted personnel and CAFGU members need to know the basic principles of IHL, including the protection of civilians and respect for wounded or captured fighters,” AFP HRO chief Col. Jose Antonio Carlos Motril said.

“This training is part of our commitment to integrate IHL into the teaching of our armed forces personnel, and we look forward to replicating this program in other areas,” he said.

The training includes lectures on IHL principles and the Philippine IHL Act, Republic Act 9851, among other topics. After the training, the AFP mobile training teams are tasked to go around patrol bases to disseminate IHL among members of the CAFGU.

IHL regulates the means and methods of warfare and protects those not or no longer participating in hostilities. As guardian of IHL, the ICRC helps enhance the teaching and dissemination of IHL to increase awareness and promote compliance among weapon bearers.

The ICRC is a neutral, independent and impartial humanitarian organization that is mandated to protect and assist civilians affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=737524

MILF continues to be partner of government in peace process – Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): MILF continues to be partner of government in peace process – Palace

Amid different opinions and hatred arising from Mamasapano incident, Malacanang still sees Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as the government’s partner in achieving the lasting peace in Mindanao.

”It is understandable that citizens have taken a contrary view or may think less kindly of them (MILF). It is up to them on how to answer that. But at least they continue to be, if they want, to be partners of government when it comes to the peace process,” Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Friday in a press briefing in Malacanang.

Valte said pursuing peace remains the main goal of the government to help bring the long overdue development for the people of Mindanao.

”At this point, we all want to be for peace because we know the costs of not having peace and just having war. So at this point, we will continue to stay the course, at least for this peace,” Valte said.

Despite the Mamasapano encounter between the Special Action Force (SAF) and the combined forces of the MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), both the government and the MILF peace panel was able to sign the decommissioning part of the peace agreement.

”And again, for — some may think that it is difficult, but we will continue to stay the course, at least for peace,” Valte said.

Valte, however, said the GPH and the Office Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) are aware that there is already a delay in the timetable for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

” The leadership of Congress has conveyed to us that they are not dropping the matter. They recognize that it is very — it’s an important piece of legislation,” she said.

The Palace official also said the government is ready once the Senate and the House of Representatives commence its deliberations on the BBL.

The two houses of Congress suspended the deliberations following the bloody Mamasapano that left 44 SAF commandos dead and 15 others wounded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=737538

Senate hearings: Was there US involvement in SAF ops?

From Rappler (Feb 20): Senate hearings: Was there US involvement in SAF ops?

Details revealed about possible involvement of Americans in the bloody police operation in Mamasapano raise a lot of questions

US ASSISTANCE: An injured police commando (on stretcher) waits to be loaded onto a waiting US military helicopter. All photos by Mark Navales/AFP

 

Were the Americans involved in the police operation that killed at least 65 Filipinos? Did they provide intelligence? Were US drones or spy planes watching the clashes in Mamasapano, Maguindanao?

 

Relieved Special Action Forces (SAF) commander Getulio Napeñas was resolute in repeatedly denying any US involvement in the planning and implementation of “Oplan Exodus,” the police operation that targeted Zulkifli bin Hir or “Marwan” of the notorious Jemaah Islamiyah. Marwan was the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI's) "most wanted terrorist" who was killed along with 44 elite cops, 18 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and at least 3 civilians.

 

But when Senator Francis Escudero asked how the cut finger of Marwan was immediately turned over to the FBI if there was no coordination, Napeñas consulted his counsel.

 

“Your Honor, that’s the same question raised earlier wherein we requested this be taken in the executive session,” Napeñas said towards the end of Day 2 of the Senate hearing on Oplan Exodus.

 

White plane?

 

What the executive sessions revealed to senators remain unknown, but details that raise a lot of questions have cropped up before senators decided to censor themselves on the possible involvement of Americans in the country’s bloodiest security operation.

 

US troops have been rotating in the Philippines in the past decade to "train, advise, and assist" the Philippines in its counterterrorism campaign. In February 2012, the Philippines and the US worked together in launching the first smart bomb attack in the country. The target was also Marwan, but he managed to escape.

 

In Mamasapano, Mayor Datu Benzar Ampatuan spoke of a white plane that was seen circling Tukanalipao. The senators did not ask further questions during the hearing but they recalled photos of the US Navy P-8 Poseidon that were separately snapped by photographers above Ayungin Shoal during a tense encounter between Philippine and Chinese ships in March 2014 and above the site of the Zamboanga siege in September 2013.

 

The military told the senators it could not deploy air assets in Mamasapano because they were elsewhere in Mindanao. The PNP doesn't have air assets either.

 

Oplan Exodus is also an operation led by the US-trained Seaborne Unit of the SAF. The elite unit of the PNP also receives equipment from US Special Forces through the Rewards for Justice Program.

 

Here are excerpts of the discussions during the 3 hearings held in the Senate:

 

On turning over Marwan's specimen to FBI

 

Day 1

 

Senator Sotto: Paanong nakarating sa FBI?

 

General Magalong: Your honor, the finger was actually around – that was Tuesday or Wednesday kasi, sir, hinahanap ko rin iyong specimen (because sir, I was also looking for the specimen). Ang sabi sa akin ni Raymond Train, “Sir, on the way na po iyong tao po natin papunta po sa GenSan dahil nandoon na po iyong dalawang FBI agents. Doon na tinanggap iyong specimen and properly received, sir, with the right receipt. (Raymond Train told me, 'Sir, our man is already on the way to GenSan because the two FBI agents are already there. That was where the specimen was received...)

 

The FBI later confirmed that the DNA from the specimen matched the DNA of Marwan's brother, who is incarcerated in the US. The FBI raised a $5-million bounty for Marwan’s arrest.

Senator Loren Legarda also asked why it was given to the FBI and not the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), but Napeñas asked to give his response during the executive session.

 

Were US troops on the ground?

Day 2

 

Senate President Drilon: Any US Armed Forces personnel, did they know about this operation beforehand?

 

Napeñas: It was already during the time that we were receiving information and report that there were casualties that I requested our contact with the US Armed Forces if they could provide us medical evacuation, your honor,” said Napeñas.

 

The group Suara Bangsamoro had claimed an American was among those killed in Mamasapano on January 25. It cited the account of a farmer who went to the scene of encounter and claimed he saw the body of a "blue-eyed foreigner" and even touched his nose. The US embassy in Manila denied the report.

 

The Americans maintain a temporary facility inside the military’s nearby Camp Siongco. (READ: What is EDCA? Look at Zambo's PH-US joint operations)

 

On drones watching the clashes

 

Day 1

 

Senator Poe: Marami ay galing sa news report.... Mayroon daw isa doon sa Seaborne Command na kumuha ng video na nagsasabing mayroong parang drone. Ito ba'y napansin ninyo? (There are a lot coming from news reports... There was one from the Seaborne Command who took a video which showed there was a drone. Did you notice this?)

 

Napenas: Doon po sa pag-i-stay ko sa tactical command post, your honor, wala akong nakita na drone na lumilipad doon sa tactical command post. Iyong napabalita sa news na kinunan ng video doon mismo sa area, katulad ng sinabi ko kanina, that is approximately 10 to 11 kilometers – napakalayo po para makita ko. Wala po akong nakita. (When I was staying in the tactical command post...I didn't see any drone flying by. What was reported in the news about video being taken in the area, as I said awhile back, that is approximately 10 to 11 kilometers – too far for me to see. I didn't see anything.)

 

Day 2

 

Senator A. Cayetano: During the whole day, may nakita ka bang

drones sa area? (The whole day, did you notice any drones in the area?)

 

Mayor Ampatuan: May lumilipad pong eroplanong puti. (There was a white airplane flying by.)

 

Senator Cayetano: So may drones. (So there were drones.)

 

Mayor Ampatuan: Hindi po natin masabi kung drone or kung anuman. (We can't say if that was a drone or something else.)

 

Sen A Cayetano: Tapos ano siya, dumaan lang? Paikot-ikot? (And it just passed by? Or did it go around?)

 

Mayor Ampatuan: Paikot-ikot po. (It went around.)

 

Senator Cayetano: General Napeñas, kasama ba sa operation niyo na mayroong drones na magga-guide? (General Napeñas, was it part of your operations to have drones as guide?)

 

Napeñas: I am not aware doon sa drone, your honor, because I am at the –

 

Senator Cayetano: Did you request the US government for drones?

 

Napeñas: No, sir. Malayo po iyong lugar ko, nandodoon ako sa tactical command. (My location was far, I was at the tactical command.)

 

On foreign intelligence

 

Day 1

 

Senator Poe: Wala po bang nakikipag-ugnayan sa inyo na ibang mga foreign authorities na binibigyan kayo ng intelligence? Hindi naman masama dahil mayroon naman tayong cooperation, halimbawa. (Were there other foreign authorities coordinating with you and providing you intelligence? This isn't necessarily bad because we have cooperation, for example.)

 

Napeñas: Wala na po, your Honor. Ang tumutulong sa amin sa intelligence na ito po, iyong director ng intelligence na si Police Senior Superintendent Mendez, kasama yung kanyang assistant na si Police Superintendent Monsaive. Siya po iyong laging kasama namin pag nagmi-mission planning doon sa Camp Bagong Diwa ng Bicutan, Your Honor. (No one, your Honor. The one assisting us with intelligence was the director of intelligence, Police Senior Superintendent Mendez, with his assistant, Police Superintendent Monsaive. He's our constant companion whenever we do mission-planning in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Your Honor.)

 

Day 3

 

Senator Legarda: At any time, did you seek clarification or assistance from a foreign intelligence group or a conduit to such?

 

General Purisima: No, your Honor. I did not seek any assistance or conduit with any foreign intelligence, your Honor.

 

Senator Legarda: Have you been the conduit between Director Napeñas and any foreign intelligence group?

 

General Purisima: I have no knowledge on the conduit of Director Napeñas, your Honor.

 

Senator Legarda: My question is, have you been the conduit between the SAF, whether Director Napeñas or any foreign intelligence group, or any group that presented itself, providing you information from a foreign intelligence source?

 

General Purisima: No, your Honor. With regard to intelligence matters, the Directorate for Intelligence coordinates with other foreign counterparts, your Honor.

 

Senator Legarda: So you admit that there was coordination with foreign counterparts, and you’re, perhaps, the repository of information from the foreign intelligence units? You may not be officially in touch with them, but were there other groups that you were in touch with that received foreign intelligence information regarding Oplan Exodus?

I’m not accusing you. I simply want to ascertain the sources of our information because your source of intel on Marwan after 8 years is remarkable.

 

General Purisima: Your Honor, as a matter of principle, it’s the Directorate for Intelligence who handles every information and who processes the information, your Honor.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/84460-senate-hearing-american-involvement-mamasapano

MILF not keen on surrendering Mamasapano fighters

From Rappler (Feb 20): MILF not keen on surrendering Mamasapano fighters

The ceasefire agreement with government recognizes the group's right to discipline its own men, an MILF leader says



NO SURRENDER. A file photo of the aftermath of the January 25 clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Photo by Mark Navales/AFP

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it disciplines its own men, and that this policy is stated in the ceasefire agreement it signed with government.

Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, stressed this following calls for the rebel movement to surrender their troops and commanders involved in the January 25 clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, that resulted in the death of 44 police commandos who carried out a mission to terminate the Malaysian bomb terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir. A total of 18 MILF rebels and at least 3 civilians were also killed in the incident.

 

Iqbal said by phone that the ceasefire agreement between both sides states that it's the MILF's responsibility to impose disciplinary measures against members found to have violated any ceasefire provision. In the same manner, Iqbal added, the government is responsible for punishing its own forces who violate the ceasefire pact.

 

“We will follow what we have agreed with them in the mechanism,” Iqbal said, adding the MILF cannot guarantee the turnover to government of members who took part in the fierce fighting.

 

The January 25 clash threatens the peace agreement forged by both sides last year and which they hope to implement through the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will set the stage for the creation of a regional government. But congressional hearings on the law have been suspended.

 

The police leadership has accused the MILF of an “overkill” in the January 25 encounter. The MILF said its forces acted in self-defense. (READ: No 'overkill' in Mamasapano)

 

President Benigno Aquino III has called on the MILF to show good faith by surrendering the weapons they seized that day and arresting one terrorist who escaped the attack, Abdul Basit Usman.

 

The MILF has issued an order for the arrest of Usman.

 

On February 18, the MILF returned to the government peace panel 16 firearms confiscated from the police Special Action Force.

 

Iqbal said this gesture was difficult enough. “It was hard to convince them because what happened there was a legitimate encounter and we also lost men,” he said.

 

The MILF commanders who reportedly led the units involved in the January 25 clash include Sakaria Goma, Ustdads Nanan, Abdurahman Upan and Sansudin Pakinda.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/84519-milf-not-keen-surrender-mamasapano-troops

BIFF threats put police in Cotabato on alert

From InterAksyon (Feb 20): BIFF threats put police in Cotabato on alert

Police forces go on alert as the spokesman of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters Abu Misry Mama said Friday that BIFF forces would have no choice but to launch attacks on the provincial capitol and elsewhere in Cotabato.

Mama said this was in case Governor Emmylou Mendoza and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Base Commander Kumander Jack do not let up on the harassment campaign to drive his men from the province.

In a radio interview with Brigada News Cotabato radio, Mama underscored that his forces do not wish to put the safety and security of non-combatants at risk, but added that Governor Mendoza is paying off the forces under Abas to drive BIFF out.

"Kumander Jack should not allow himself to be used by Governor Emmylou Mendoza," Mama said.

Police investigation has been pointing at elements of the BIFF as the source of recent peace and order disturbance in the province.

Skirmishes between BIFF and the forces under Kumander Abas broke out in early February, with the running battles resulting in the displacement of an estimated 20,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in and around the tri-border Buliok Complex.

For her part, Governor Mendoza has denied that she has any deal with any group aimed at driving out BIFF from her province, even as she ordered intensified peace and order operations by the law enforcement establishment to ensure peace and security for her constituents.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/105483/biff-threats-put-police-in-north-cotabato-on-alert

DOJ junks Pemberton plea, upholds findings on treachery, abuse of strength, cruelty in Laude murder

From InterAksyon (Feb 20): DOJ junks Pemberton plea, upholds findings on treachery, abuse of strength, cruelty in Laude murder

 
File photos of Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude and United States Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton from News5 video screenshot

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by United States Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton in connection with the October 11, 2014 alleged murder of Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude in Olongapo City. 

In a nine-page resolution signed by DOJ Secretary Leila M. De Lima promulgated on Feb. 20, 2015, the department denied the motion for lack of merit.

”We reviewed the facts and the procedural backdrop of this case vis-à-vis the arguments in the Motion for Reconsideration and found no sufficient justification to reverse, alter or modify the Resolution dated 27 January 2015,” the DOJ resolution said.

”We also affirm the findings of the OCP (Office of City Prosecutor)-Olongapo City on the existence of the circumstances of treachery, abuse of superior strength, and cruelty which qualify the crime to murder,” it added.

Pemberton earlier asked the DOJ to reconsider its January 27, 2015 resolution denying his petition for review of the resolution of the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office that found probable cause against him for murder as defined and penalized under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.

Pemberton assailed the finding of probable cause purportedly based on what he called “additional evidence,” which the prosecutor's office has allegedly no authority to receive and which he claimed he did not have the opportunity to address and rebut.

The “additional evidence” which Pemberton referred to were the pieces of evidence which the prosecutor's office received after he was allegedly declared to have waived his right to file a counter-affidavit on Oct. 27, 2014.

He argued that the evidence on record does not establish probable cause against him for either murder or homicide.

He added that the DOJ’s finding of the existence of the qualifying circumstances of treachery, abuse of superior strength, and cruelty disregards jurisprudence requiring that these circumstances must be established by direct evidence.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/105498/doj-junks-pemberton-plea-upholds-findings-on-treachery-abuse-of-strength-cruelty-in-laude-murder

BIFF only wants Islamic state

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 20): BIFF only wants Islamic state

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) reiterated on Friday that it wants only the establishment of an Islamic state and nothing less.

“Kung hindi Islamic state ay hindi kami sasali doon (If it’s not Islamic state, we won’t join),” BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama told Radyo Inquirer 990AM when asked what it thought of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Mama clarified that while they are not enemies to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is pursuing a peace agreement with the Philippine government, they are also not allies.

The BIFF is the armed group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, which broke away from the MILF at the height of the peace talks. However, the two groups were accused of working together during the bloody clash in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao, which left 44 policemen, 18 MILF fighters and at least five civilians dead.

Reports from last year said the BIFF, like the bandit group Abu Sayyaf, has pledged allegiance to the notorious Islamic State (IS), which has become known for beheading its captives.

READ: BIFF, Abus pledge allegiance to Isis

IS operates mainly in the Middle East and claims to be a worldwide caliphate or Islamic government.

During the interview, Mama said they will not return the firearms taken from the policemen killed in Mamasapano.

READ: BIFF to gov’t forces: ‘We’ll use SAF guns against them’

He said it was the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police’s Special Action Force (SAF) who were sowing terror in Mindanao.

He denied knowing Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, who was the target of the SAF operation. While government forces succeeded in killing Marwan, the encounter that ensued resulted in the death of 44 policemen.

Because of the incident, the peace process and the BBL remain in peril while President Benigno Aquino III continues to receive flak for how he handled the operation.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/674216/biff-only-wants-islamic-state

BIFF, MILF war: Army to protect civilians

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 20): BIFF, MILF war: Army to protect civilians



CIVILIANS caught in the fighting between Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters seek refuge in a gymnasium in Pagalungan town, Maguindanao province, on Feb. 17. Gun battles have displaced up to 20,000 residents of several villages in the town and in Pikit town in North Cotabato province. JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao—The military would serve as a buffer to prevent civilian casualties in the ongoing fighting between two rival Moro guerrilla groups that has spread to more villages in the provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao, the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said here.

Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., AFP chief, said the 6th Infantry Division of the Army would send soldiers to areas where a group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters is battling a group from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Since last week, members of MILF and BIFF have been at war in remote areas of Pikit town in North Cotabato and Pagalungan in Maguindanao, sending hundreds of residents fleeing.

Common enemy

“We have to look into this. While it could be only clan war, we have to step in to put a stop to the fighting,” said Catapang, interviewed after the turnover by MILF of 16 firearms belonging to Special Action Force commandos who were killed in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao during an operation to get international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan.”

At least seven Pikit villages had become ghost towns when BIFF gunmen came and torched houses. BIFF also occupied several villages in Pagalungan, which is adjacent to Pikit.

Catapang said the deployment of soldiers to the site of the fighting would have to be properly coordinated.

“We are also at war with the BIFF so we have to look into this so as not to complicate things,” he said.

20,000 flee

North Cotabato Gov. Lala Taliño-Mendoza said more than 20,000 people from Pikit town and Pagalungan had been displaced by the fighting between an MILF unit under Jack Abas and BIFF.

Six MILF men, so far, had been killed, including Datukong Ampuan, an MILF unit leader. There is no word on BIFF casualties.

“Our enemy here is only Commander Jack Abas because he vowed to push us out of the area in exchange for money,” said BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama in a phone interview.

Mama said Abas launched attacks against BIFF after he was paid by Mendoza, which the governor denied.

“Abas is a very feudal man, like a datu. He does not want anyone to threaten his influence in the same territory, most especially if this person was his former subordinate,” Mama said.

Abas maintains that the operation against BIFF was one against criminality.

Clash spreading

Reports reaching the Armed Forces’ headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City said the fighting had spread to more areas.

Social workers in Pagalungan town reported more than 9,000 people in the town fleeing the clashes and taking shelter in three evacuation centers.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of the AFP public affairs office, said it was a rido, or clan war between Abas of MILF and a BIFF group led by Commander Karialan.

Jo Henry, information officer of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team, said the fighting had spread to Datu Montawal, another town in Maguindanao.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/674085/biff-milf-war-army-to-protect-civilians

In Moro community, gunfire meant clan war starting

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 20): In Moro community, gunfire meant clan war starting

It was a community used to gunfire so when the head of a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) unit in the village of Libutan in Mamasapano town, heard gunshots at dawn of Jan. 25, he thought it was from two armed groups settling their disputes through the only means they know–the barrel of the gun.

Hadji Muhalidin, nephew of MILF unit commander Ustadz Manan, said he got a phone call from Manan around 5:30 a.m. asking Muhalidin to check the source of gunfire in the area and, if possible, help pacify the warring parties.

Manan, whose unit is under the MILF’s 105th Base Command of Zacaria Goma and not Ustadz Abdulwahid Tundoc’s 108th Base Command, took a call from Inquirer but said he is authorizing his nephew, Muhalidin, to talk on his behalf.

Inevitable clash

Muhalidin said he was with relatives when they encountered one of the groups of Special Action Force (SAF) commandos that opened fire at them around 7 a.m. The first volley of gunfire killed Guinibon Angkay, 65, also an uncle of Muhalidin.

Muhalidin said the clash became inevitable as more armed men emerged.

Muhalidin said his group’s priority was to flee and bring Angkay’s body home. He said his group of five men crept their way out of the gunfight.

They found out who the armed men were upon their return home, according to Muhalidin. They turned out to be SAF members who had been seen by residents earlier gathering on the Tukanalipao Highway.

Muhalidin said his group never returned to the clash site, since his family had to attend to Angkay’s burial rites and to visiting relatives paying their last respects to the dead.

He said it was “difficult to speculate” and that he could not confirm whether international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” had guards and had shot it out with the policemen. “It’s hard to speak about something we didn’t see,” he said.

Muhalidin said contrary to some government reports, his uncle, Ustadz Manan, did not own the nipa hut that sat close to the hut where Marwan was found in the village of Pidsandawan in Mamasapano.

The Inquirer tried to get a picture of Marwan’s hut but was told by residents that the area is no longer what it used to be.

All-out war

Among the armed men that clashed with the SAF commandos are members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The BIFF, according to its spokesperson Abu Misri Mama, is ready for all-out war if that’s what politicians in Manila wanted.

“If they really want war, (President) Aquino and these politicians should bring guns and march to Maguindanao,” said Mama in a phone interview.

“If they will come here, we will give them what they want. We will show them a real war that is far different from what they see in the movies,” Mama said, taking potshots at Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano who cited movie plots during his questioning at a Senate hearing on the Mamasapano bloodshed.

Mama said an all-out war, however, would not just hurt the BIFF or MILF. “Civilians will suffer most,” he said.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/674074/in-moro-community-gunfire-meant-clan-war-starting

Philippine justifies possible US assistance in Maguindanao

From the Philippine Star (Feb 19): Philippine justifies possible US assistance in Maguindanao

Malacanang, the Philippine presidential palace, said Tuesday it does not see anything wrong if the United States assisted Philippine authorities in the operation against two suspected terrorists in of Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that Zulkifli bin Hir, and Abdul Basit Usman, the high-value targets of the police operation, were terrorists.

He said that terrorism is a "transnational crime" and the Philippines has been coordinating and cooperating with the United States and other countries in the fight against terrorism.

Any cooperation that United States might have provided to the Philippines to neutralize the suspected terrorists could be in the form of "information sharing or technical intelligence," he said.

But Coloma said that under the Philippine laws, direct foreign participation on law enforcement and other types of security operation is prohibited.

Zulkifli, who was on the terror list of the United States, was neutralized in the operation, while Usman escaped.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/19/1425516/philippine-justifies-possible-us-assistance-maguindanao