Presence of NPA-run schools in SoCot monitored

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Presence of NPA-run schools in SoCot monitored



Government troops are monitoring several communities in a hinterland village in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato due to the reported presence of “fly-by-night” schools run by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Leander, commander of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion, said Wednesday they received reports that the schools have been operating clandestinely in parts of Barangay Ned. He said these schools are mainly makeshift huts that are empty for most of the day and only operate from late afternoon until the evening.

Barangay Ned, located in the province’s boundaries with Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces, is among the remotest barangays of South Cotabato.

Leander said they are still confirming the exact location of the schools but noted that “there were many reports there.”

“They (rebels) gather tribal residents, including children, for evening sessions that focus mainly on fighting the government,” he said in a radio interview.

The Army official said these schools are not legitimate as they are not accredited with nor recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd).

He said the curriculum used by the schools are not official or based on standards set by DepEd.

Leander said there were “documentary reports” that showed the concerned schools were teaching tribal residents to take up arms against the government.

He said they were even abusing the singing of the Philippine national anthem by doing it with their own version.

“The NPA rebels and their sympathizers are mainly using these schools as cover for their illegal activities,” he said.

In line with these, Leander said they have stepped up their security operations in parts of the province to counter the movements of the NPA rebels.

He said they have received reports about rebel sightings these past weeks in some remote villages, especially in the province’s boundary areas.

South Cotabato province and this city are reportedly part of the operational area of the NPA’s Front 73.

The NPA has two other major fronts, 71 and 72, operating in the neighboring provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004233

Rebellion raps filed vs 2 arrested Mautes

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Rebellion raps filed vs 2 arrested Mautes



Police here have filed charges of rebellion and illegal possession of firearms against two alleged members of the Maute terrorist group in Marawi City as police and the Army have continued its clearing operations in the besieged city.

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, police regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), said police officers in Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur quickly acted on a tip from civilians about the presence of two suspected jihadist in Barangay Pantar at 4 p.m. Monday.

Sindac identified the suspects as Sailanie Asral Mamaorong, 37 years old and Mama S. Batara also known as “Mamaorong.”

They have been charged by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-Armm).

Citing reports from Lanao del Sur police office, Sindac said the town police office and the provincial police office along with elements of the 65th Infantry Battalion arrested the two while in possession of improvised caliber .50 Barret rifle and one improvised M-203 rifle grenade launcher.

According to Chief Inspector Leah Y. Cuyco of PRO-Armm information office, the suspects did not resist arrest and are now in the custody of the PNP-CIDG.

Sindac commended the operating troops that lead to the arrest of two suspects believed to be part of the more than 600 jihadist that laid siege in the Islamic City of Marawi on May 23.

To date, government forces are still battling remnants of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Group in at least two villages of the city.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004225

Army seeks local gov't’s help vs insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Army seeks local gov't’s help vs insurgency

A top official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday asked local government units to take an active role in fighting insurgency in the country.

Speaking to local government executives, military personnel, and regional directors during the 29th anniversary of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, AFP Vice Commander Major Gen. Harold Cabreros stressed the need for local officials to assist in the anti-insurgency drive.

Cabreros said the military alone cannot solve the insurgency problem.

“Local government officials is of great help in fighting insurgency because we are pushing for holistic approach. When we say holistic, this means that it is not only the military, but this also needs the help from our local leaders, the non-government organizations, national government agencies and other sectors of the government,” he explained.

The official lauded the Samar provincial government headed by Governor Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos for pushing the provincial development roadmap to help end insurgency in the province.

While the provinces of Southern Leyte and Biliran are already declared as insurgency-free and the province of Leyte as conflict-manageable affected areas, Samar province remains to be one of the hotbeds of insurgency in the region along with nearby Northern and Eastern Samar provinces.

The three provinces are recipients of government infrastructure projects meant for conflict-affected areas.

Cabreros added that the interventions of the Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas to help government agencies deliver basic services, has greatly helped in reducing the number of rebel groups in Samar Island.

Meanwhile, the official believed that recent attacks by the New People’s Army against government forces has no significant effects to the peace and order situation in the region.

The attacks are “NPA’s tactics to conduct terroristic activities just to give a message that they are there,” Cabreros said.

“But then, they are attacking soft targets like the Philippine National Police who are there to fulfill their mandate to enforce the law, our policemen are not there to fight insurgency, but to enforce our law,” Cabreros added.

The official is optimistic that the military in the region will be able to neutralize insurgency despite recent deployment of four battalions to Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004289

PRO-18 chief: NPA claims vs. cops ‘purely allegations’

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): PRO-18 chief: NPA claims vs. cops ‘purely allegations’

The chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-18 in Negros Island Region assailed the New People’s Army (NPA) for claiming that the slain policemen in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental were part of various illegal activities.

Those are “purely allegations,” said Chief Superintendent Edmund Gonzales, regional director of PRO-1.

Gonzales was reacting to the statement of the NPA’s Leonardo Panaligan Command on Monday that they ambushed the policemen because of the complaints of residents on their alleged involvement in killings, abuses, and illegal drugs activities.

Gonzales said the attack was a “barbaric and treacherous act.”

Those who were killed were good men and had no criminal records, he added.

The six fatalities during the July 21 ambush were police chief Superintendent Arnel Arpon, Senior Police Officer 2 Mecasio Tabilon, Senior Police Officer 2 Teovic Agosto, Senior Police Officer 1 Jesael Ancheta, Police Officer 2 Alvin Paul Bulandres, and Police Officer 2 Alfredo Dunque.

Injured were Senior Police Officer 4 Jerome Delara, Police Officer 3 Jordan Balderas, and Police Officer 2 Jorie Maribao.

Policemen in Negros Occidental also jointly condemned the atrocity perpetrated by the NPA that claimed the lives of their six colleagues.

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) led the hanging of tarpaulin expressing their sentiments on the deaths of their fellow police officers.

At the entrance of the NOCPPO headquarters of Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod, policemen put up a banner Monday which read: “We are willing to die so that others may live, but we don’t deserve to be murdered. You died as heroes.”

“We condemn the terroristic and barbaric acts of CPP-NPA,” it added

Similar tarpaulins were also mounted in police stations in Negros Occidental.

For his part, Captain Eduardo Precioso, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, also condemned that NPA’s “treacherous and inhumane act.”

“I challenge the Grupo ng Karapatan to investigate the inhuman act, the violation of human rights that the NPA terrorists did to the Philippine National Police personnel and to the civilians that they attacked,” he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004389

Negros Oriental backs “Support Our Troops” project

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Negros Oriental backs “Support Our Troops” project



Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, local officials and other stakeholders on Wednesday rallied behind government efforts to end the war in Marawi City and promote peace amidst the terror threat in the country.

Their pledges of commitment were made during the launching of the Support Our Troops in Marawi movement at the Robinsons Place shopping mall in this city, the capital of Negros Oriental.

Degamo, in his message read by former governor and vice governor Atty. Jose Baldado, lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) members who are fighting to maintain peace and security in the communities.

“I know how hard and life-threatening your duty is. It entails sacrificing your heart (and) your life for the love of your country,” the governor said.

“Our flag still flies proudly in many parts of the country because of the bravery, gallantry of these men and therefore it is just proper and fitting that we give them much needed support and assistance in whatever means we could”.

He said simple acts of kindness for these troops, such as providing them food and water and other basic needs, would help boost the morale for those who are still out there in Marawi fighting the local terrorist group.

Side from supplies, the governor said people should also offer prayers for the troops whose lives are at risk as they continue to fight for peace in Marawi.

For his part, Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo warned that the threat of terrorism has “struck the entire world.”

Remollo is hoping the conflict in Marawi City, which he described as a beautiful city, will soon be over. Once rebuilding starts, he said it could become the “summer capital of Mindanao.”

“We honor our troops who have sacrificed their lives and the least we can do is support them,” the mayor said.

Remollo added support must be given as well to the evacuees from Marawi City, saying that the Maranaws are freedom-loving Filipinos and simple traders.

When evacuees arrived here, the city welcomed them and provided them with basic needs as they are also fellow Filipinos, Remollo said.

Mayor Remollo expressed optimism that the Marawi conflict will end soon.

Meanwhile, Bais City Mayor Mercedes Goñi, also thanked the police and military who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of peace in Marawi.

Mayor Goñi said she tried her best to give what the police and Army need, as they are “our heroes” because our lives depend on them.

She also emphasized that Muslims are to be treated the same way as Ilocanos, Bicolano, Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilonggo, Cebuano or Tausug, because “we are all Filipinos.”

A message from Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the 1st district of Negros Oriental was read during the program.

“The terror groups who continue to bring havoc in this country should not be tolerated at all costs and must be defeated with all seriousness. We must stop their growing influence so as to discourage others who are willing to emulate their deeds,” she said.

As citizens, Limkaichong said people should cooperate and support the PNP and AFP in whatever way possible.

“Let us remember that these men and women in service are also sons, fathers, daughters, mothers, brothers, and children,” she said.

The Support Our Troops in Marawi project here is spearheaded by the Bantay Bayanihan Para sa Kapayapaan, headed by Marietta Jambora, in cooperation with the provincial government, the city government and other stakeholders.

The project here involves the selling of T-shirts at P150.00 each, with P20.00 to be given to the Marawi troops through Operation Blessings Foundation Philippines.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004408

Army extends medical aid to wounded MILF fighters

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): Army extends medical aid to wounded MILF fighters



The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6th ID) displayed rescued and accommodated in a military hospital two members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) wounded in a clash with outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Sharif Saydona town in Maguindanao.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, of the 6th Infantry Division headquarters, said Major General Arnel dela Vega, 6th ID commander, has expressed his full support especially to the wounded personnel of MILF who needs medical assistance.

Kamsa G. Karinda and Naim Musiko, both belonging to MILF 118th base command, are now confined at Camp Siongco Hospital.

Encinas said members of the MILF clashed with Isis-linked BIFF forces in Barangay Pusao, Shariff Saydona.

The MILF has been helping the military in law enforcement operation against the BIFF in Maguindanao and Encinas said the coordination and cooperation the MILF had extended through the ceasefire panel led to the firefight.

"We wanted to prevent the BIFF from initiating terroristic actions against peaceful communities," dela Vega said.

Four were reportedly killed among followers of BIFF Commander Abdulmalik.

Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana of the Army’s 6th Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Battalion, said local officials in Sharif Saydona told the Army that at least four BIFF fighers were killed in the firefight.

Under the GPH-MILF ceasefire agreement, the government and the MILF are bound to mutually cooperate in neutralizing terrorists and criminals in areas covered by the peace agreement.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004453

Arms, bomb materials seized in raid-

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): Arms, bomb materials seized in raid

Soldiers and police officers arrested early Thursday a man believed to be a sub-leader of communist New Peoples' Army (NPA) and seized firearms and components for bomb making.

Colonel Roberto Angcan, 1002nd Brigade commanding officer, identified the NPA leader as Commander Ariel Rebuta, of Purok 3, Barangay Biangan here.

The 1 a.m. raid was covered by search warrants, according to Angcan. It was joined by elements of 39th Infantry Battalion, PNP Public Safety Battalion and Makilala PNP.

Recovered from Rebuta's house were three M-16 Armalite rifles, powder believed to be ammonium nitrate, electrical cords, seven mobile phones and 1,500 pieces of ammunition for various calibers.

According to Angcan, Rebuta has been placed under Army surveillance after intelligence information showed that he was keeping high-powered guns in his home.

After the intelligence information was verified and counter-checked, the operation was conducted.

Angcan said the presence of bomb making ingredients was an indication Rebuta and his group were planning to set off improvised bombs against companies and businesses that ignored their demands for revolutionary taxes.

Now detained at Makilala PNP lock-up cell, Rebuta is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004469

Fight vs terror, violent extremism high on ASEAN agenda — DFA

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Fight vs terror, violent extremism high on ASEAN agenda — DFA

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers are expected to extensively discuss terrorism and violent extremism during this year’s ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

"Definitely, counterterrorism and countering violent extremism is high on the agenda of ASEAN and we expect the ministers to have a fairly extensive discussion on the topic," DFA spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said at a Palace briefing.

The DFA official pointed out that as chair of the 50th ASEAN meetings, the Philippines has been very active in pushing for a united front in fighting terror and extremism.

He said that under the auspices of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) last February, the Philippines and the European Union co-chaired a workshop on mainstreaming countering violent extremism in Brussels.

"That’s part of the commitment of the Philippines to find a way for ARF and ASEAN as well to cooperate in addressing violent extremism and terrorism. And we also have a very active intercessional meeting on counter-terrorism and transnational crime in ARF," Bolivar said.

"And we expect these intercessional meetings to report to the ministers the outcomes of their activities for the last year. And also, we expect the ministers to approve activities that are planned for the next intercessional year, so from August to the next year," he added.

Foreign ministers and senior officials from 27 countries will gather in Manila for the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) August 2 to 8.

According to Bolivar, the annual AMM and its related meetings bring together the foreign ministers of ASEAN; ASEAN Plus Three which is China, Japan, Korea; the East Asia Summit; and the ASEAN Regional Forum as well as the Post-Ministerial Conferences where ASEAN meets with each of its 10 dialogue partners.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano will chair the 50th AMM; the 18th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting; the 7th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting; and the 24th ASEAN Regional Forum.

ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004084

AFP shrugs off Sison's claim on NPA extortion

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): AFP shrugs off Sison's claim on NPA extortion

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has doubted the claim of Communist Party of the Philippines(CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison that he and other ranking leaders of the rebel movement do not benefit from the extortion rackets being enforced by the New People's Army (NPA).

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año said Wednesday the CPP chair is expected to deny this vehemently.

"He will definitely disavow that because he is a liar. A master deceiver; a criminal. Only someone with such a vicious mind can hatch and execute a plan like the bombing of Plaza Miranda (which took place in Aug. 21, 1971) that caused the death and wounding of several innocent people," the AFP chief stressed.

"Mr. Sison and other top leaders of the CPP-NPA will deny taking lion-share of the extortion money they exact from plantation owners, contractors, and business persons," he added.

He added that the entire military, along with the rest of the nation, will be very surprised if Sison will admit to taking his share in the rebels' extortion scheme, adding such illegal activities have no paper or money trails which can implicate the CPP founder and his cohorts.

"The local New People’s Army tasked to do the collection of “revolutionary tax” that resents that iniquitous sharing is likely to deny that Mr. Sison and other CPP-NPA honchos derive monetary benefits. They all are guilty of extortion, grave coercion, destructive arsons, and kidnapping," Año pointed out.

The AFP chief also emphasized that Sison and his group has long since traded their ideology for money; principles for perks; cause for benefits.

"Their group has become a big burden to business and employment opportunities for the people. They should stop their false pretenses of being pro-people and pro-progress. Because they are in fact the anti-thesis to peace and development for the people," he pointed out.

Earlier, the CPP founder said taxes collected by the NPA were voluntarily given by their supporters and these are used for social and economic programs for the people and maintenance of their fighting force.

Sison also said he gets nothing from this even as he stressed that his living and medical expenses in The Netherlands are provided by Dutch charitable organizations, his friends and relatives.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004238

Mexican training ship visits PH Aug 4-8

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Mexican training ship visits PH Aug 4-8

Mexican training ship, the ARM Cuauhtémoc (Ambassador and Knight of the Seas), will arrive Friday, Aug 4, for a five-day goodwill visit to the Philippines.

Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the Mexican ship will dock at Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor.

PN units will render the traditional welcoming ceremonies upon her arrival.

"This first time visit of a Mexican Navy vessel coincides with the 35th anniversary of the said ship and the centenary of the promulgation of the Mexican Constitution. Along with its officer and enlisted crew headed by the Commanding Officer, Capt. Rafael Lagunes Arteaga, onboard are around 40 cadets from the Heroic Navy Military School of Mexico," Lincuna stressed.

The PN spokesperson said the visit also commemorates the historic voyage by the Manila-Acapulco Galleon for almost 250 years.

ARM Cuauhtémoc will leave on Aug 8, he added.

The former is a sail training vessel of the Mexican Navy, named for the last Mexica Hueyi Tlatoani Cuauhtémoc who was captured and executed in 1525.

She is the last of four sister ships built by the Naval Shipyards of Bilbao, Spain, in 1982, all built to a design similar to the 1930 designs of the German firm Blohm & Voss, like Gorch Fock, USCGC Eagle and the NRP Sagres.

The former's visit attests the renewed long-standing ties that join Mexico and the Philippines together, not only as partners but as sister nations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004261

Terror plots in PH not new — DND chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Terror plots in PH not new — DND chief

Terror plots in the Philippines are not exactly new.

This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when asked on whether he is aware of any terrorist plans to attack other areas in Mindanao and other parts of the country aside from Marawi City where fighting against Maute Group remnants is now ongoing for almost three months.

"Terror threats in all of Mindanao and even outside Mindanao has been with us for a long time. In fact we had terror acts committed here in Manila before," he added in a message to the Philippine News Agency Wednesday.

Such actions are possible as Filipino terrorists and their allies can travel all over the Philippines unimpeded, giving them the opportunity to create mayhem and terror anywhere.

"This is not new. Filipino terrorists can travel all over the country unimpeded hence they could create mayhem anywhere. That is why we should all be vigilant. The safety of a community is mainly the concern of all residents, not only the police or military," Lorenzana stressed.

On Tuesday, Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said President Rodrigo Duterte has called for a meeting in Malacanang to discuss new terror threats against three areas in Mindanao.

He also stressed that the Chief Executive stressed that he wants 20,000 additional military personnel for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He declined to give any more details as the information is very sensitive and only the President can disclose it to the public.

As of this posting, an estimated 502 Maute Group terrorists have been killed along with 114 government troops and 45 civilians.

Also seized were 592 firearms while 1,723 civilians were rescued.

Fighting in the area has been raging since May 23 when government forces made a botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" Isnilon Hapilon.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004299

Duterte eyes more soldiers to crush terror groups

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Duterte eyes more soldiers to crush terror groups

President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his desire to recruit additional soldiers to reinforce the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid reports of terror groups’ other planned attacks in Mindanao, senators said Wednesday.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara made this confirmation a day after President Duterte summoned senators and congressmen for a meeting on Tuesday (August 1).

“The President said he would like to upgrade Armed Forces in terms of capabilities and personnel and I think those reforms are necessary,” Angara told reporters in an interview.

In a separate interview, Drilon said that it was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who requested for “additional manpower” of “about 20,000 soldiers.”

Both senators said that these requests were made following intelligence reports on “new threats” posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) group in the South.

“(The President) briefed us on the intelligence information on new threats posed by the ISIS in the South and he is looking into at a closer regional cooperation with neighboring countries particularly Indonesia,” Drilon said.

Angara said that the Senate has expressed willingness to help through filing appropriate measures to support initiatives to upgrade the Armed Forces.

Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson also agreed with the President’s plan.

"The Marawi threat was just a culmination of it and it can go to other places like Surigao, Agusan, Sulu, Zamboanga so we really would require a beefing up of our Armed Forces," Gordon said.

Lacson said President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao and request to extend it were also right decisions made in hindsight.

"On hindsight, tama yung ginawa ng Presidente on how he addressed the Marawi crisis dahil kung hindi ganun yung pagka-address baka nag-spillover (the President did the right thing on how he addressed the Marawi crisis because if he didn’t address it that way, it might have spilled over),” Lacson said.

“In spite of so many objections, mas mainam na rin yun ang ginawa niya (In spite of many objections, it’s better that he did that),” Lacson said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004307

Indonesia to host trilateral meeting on terrorism in October

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Indonesia to host trilateral meeting on terrorism in October

Foreign ministers and security officials of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are expected to meet again in October in Jakarta, Indonesia, to discuss further measures to effectively address terrorism and extremism.

Budi Dhewajani, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, said the Indonesian government will host the next trilateral meeting on security among the three countries in October.

“We are getting very closer and closer to make sure that our region is a safe region. This is important because if we cannot create a safe region, how can we support the business?,” Dhewajani told reporters.

The October meeting is a follow-up one after the three countries held trilateral meeting on security in June here in Manila amid raging fight between government soldiers and the Maute militant in Marawi City.

During their June meeting, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Hj. Aman agreed to task their senior officials to consider the proposed Plan of Action in the context of measures to enhance effort and cooperation in addressing the root causes and underlying conditions of extremism.

The proposed Plan of Action, which would be reported at their next meeting, also took into account measures to enhance the intelligence and information sharing among all security and intelligence agencies on potential, imminent and real threats; and stop the flow of terrorist financing.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism are high on the agenda of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, as their foreign ministers meet for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) here from August 2 to 8.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004335

Campaign to decisively end Marawi crisis in the works: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2): Campaign to decisively end Marawi crisis in the works: AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is planning the campaign that would hopefully neutralize remnants of the Maute Group in Marawi City, once and for all.

AFP Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Eduardo Año, on Wednesday met with military commanders in Marawi City to review their plans to liberate the remaining areas in the city still being held by the terrorists.

"(During the meeting,) ground commanders presented their plans, which would hopefully inflict the blow necessary to complete the mission and decisively defeat the (remaining) Maute Group members," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Edgard Arevalo, said in Filipino.

In the same meeting, Año was given a comprehensive update on the situation in Marawi City.

"The presentation was very good, the AFP chief was very satisfied. His queries were properly addressed and explained to him with satisfaction," Arevalo said.

After the briefing, the AFP chief commended the troops for their bravery, especially those who have fallen in battle, and those wounded in the fight and yet are raring to return to the front-lines to continue the clearing operations.

"They are part of history unfolding as not everyone has the opportunity to (help in the ongoing fight against) terrorism (which is now a huge problem in the world)," Arevalo said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004390

AFP chief to troops: Stay alive while clearing Marawi

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): AFP chief to troops: Stay alive while clearing Marawi



A good military commander is often likened to a father to his men, often solicitious of their well-being or welfare.

And in the trade of taking life, in defense of one's country, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año made one request to troops on clearing operations against the Maute Group remnants in Marawi City.

"Stay focused on your mission. Stay alive. Keep safe. It will not be too long before we accomplish your task. You can count on the support of your headquarters and the abiding prayers of our nation ," the AFP chief stressed.

He made this appeal as the military is now planning the operation which will decisively neutralized the remaining Maute Group terrorists who are reportedly pocketed in a less than one square-kilometer in Marawi's business district.

Año visited troops fighting in the Marawi City front-lines to see for himself how soldiers there are faring and to discuss and check battle plans made by their commanders for the final push against the remaining terrorists.

"I went to Marawi. To the main battle area this time. I went here to inspire you. But were the ones who inspired me instead," the AFP chief stressed upon arrival in Manila late Wednesday.

"Seeing for myself but a glimpse of the hardships you endure, the innumerable perils you face daily, and the immeasurable sacrifices you selfishly offer, I can help but be awed by your valor, heroism, and patriotism," he added.

As of this posting, an estimated 502 Maute Group terrorists have been killed along with 114 government troops and 45 civilians.

Also seized were 592 firearms. Rescued were 1,723 civilians. An estimated 900 soldiers were also wounded in the bitter house-to-house fighting, the deadlist feature of urban warfare.

Sniping, use of improvised explosive devices and bombs are the cause of most the casualties sustained by government troops in the almost three month conflict.

Fighting in the area has been raging since May 23 when government forces made a botched attempt to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS "emir" Isnilon Hapilon.

As this develops, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Año was given a comprehensive update on the situation in Marawi City.

"The presentation was very good, the AFP chief was very satisfied, his queries were properly addressed and explained to him with satisfaction," Arevalo stressed.

After the briefing, the AFP chief commended the troops for their bravery, especially those who have fallen in battle and those wounded in the fight and yet are raring to return to the front-lines to continue the clearing operations.

"They are part of history unfolding (troops participating in the Battle for Marawi) as not everyone can have an opportunity to (help in the ongoing fight against) terrorism (which is now a huge problem in the world)," Arevalo stressed.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1004455