MILF: “We will drive away radical groups that will step on our controlled territories”: MILF Base Commanders

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Sep 22): “We will drive away radical groups that will step on our controlled territories”: MILF Base Commanders



IN PHOTO- Thousands of MILF Forces assembled somewhere in Maguindanao

CAMP DARAPANAN, SULTAN KUDARAT, MAGUINDANAO. (September 22, 2017)- In a gathering of BIAF-MILF Base Commanders and their deputies somewhere in Maguindanao, they categorically told this writer that, “They will drive away at all cost any individual or radical groups that will step on their identified and controlled territories.”
       
“We will never allow them to enter our controlled territories and entice young Moros to join their ranks. That is why there are ongoing firefights between us and we pursue them anywhere they go”, said one base commander who requested anonymity”.

“They are the enemy within”, he added.

Another base commander who also refused to be named said, “The group of Abu Toraifie has wrong interpretation of ‘jihad’ in the Noble Qur’an. They are radicalized, and we belong to a moderate group, the MILF.”

He cited a verse in the Noble Qur’an, “War may become necessary only to stop or prevent evil to triumph in a way would corrupt the earth (Qur'an 2 :251). For Muslims to participate in war there must be valid justifications and strict conditions that must be fulfilled.”

The Islamic relationship between individuals or groups is one of peace. War is a contingency that becomes necessary at certain times and under certain conditions. Muslims should learn from the Qur'an that God's objective in creating human race in different communities was that they should relate to each other peacefully (Qur'an 49: 13 ).

It is unfortunate that the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) is now fighting the enemy within, the ISIS inspired group of Abu Toraife " Jamaatul Muhajiren Wal Ansar, a breakaway group of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM).

The justifications on the part of MILF in fighting the ISIS-inspired extremist group is necessary to defend and protect its own people in the identified areas and communities from their violent ideologies by radicalizing the interpretation of the Qu’ran which is far from the true Islamic teachings and principles.

This contention is affirmed by religious ruling of Mufti Sheik Abu Huraira Udasan of Darul Ifta (House of Opinion) against violent extremism.

On the allegation that the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces have a joint combat operation with the government troops in Marawi and Maguindanao, Chairman Mohagher Iqbal of MILF Peace Implementing Panel denied the same and commented, " It is very sad and unfortunate that these things happened within us but we are under obligation to defend and protect any threat that may endanger the lives and property of our people and our ‘Deen’. Our enemy is not the military nor the government but oppression. "

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1012/---we-will-drive-away-radical-groups-that-will-step-on-our-controlled-territories-----milf-base-commanders

NDF/NDF-NCMR: 45th Commemoration of Marcos’ Martial Law, a resurrected zombie under US-Duterte Regime

NPA-North Central Mindanao Region propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Sep 21): 45th Commemoration of Marcos’ Martial Law, a resurrected zombie under US-Duterte Regime

PRESS STATEMENT
September 21, 2017

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines – North Central Mindanao Region (NDFP-NCMR) fervently condemns the US-Duterte’s martial law, which does not have a big difference of Marcos’ martial law, 45 years ago. However, the state’s fangs became sharper in implementing this, considering the massive killings which already victimized more or less 10,000 already.

Widespread human rights violations

 It could be recalled that under the horrifying martial law of Marcos, 3,240 were killed through salvage and summary executions, 70,000 were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 1,000 were desaparacedos. Marcos successfully implemented these through scrapping the writ of habeas corpus and through the predominance of military forces over all aspects of the society.

To manipulate public opinion, Marcos shut-downed all media stations and suppressed them from exposing the facts under his dictatorship. This resulted to extensive press freedom violations. The people were also deprived of their right to organization and assembly.

Up until now, thousands of the victims and families of those victims were still echoing for justice. Bunch of those who were abducted are not yet being surfaced.

Despite of the grave injustice of the previous martial law, US-Duterte Regime was still determined in imposing this in Mindanao and even threatened the public to implement this nationwide.

At present, not less than 200,000 families forcedly evacuated from their communities in Marawi City. Thousands of civilians were killed, including those who died in the evacuation center and those tagged as ‘Maute’ who were killed by the soldiers. 29,250 displaced students are also at the evacuation centers and forcedly stopped from going to school. Not less than 100 civilians are also missing until present.

Aside from Marawi City, the Lumad in the countryside are also experiencing human rights violations, under the concealed OPlan Kapayapaan of Duterte. Through his martial law, the soldiers, policemen, and its paramilitary groups are licensed to harass, kill, threat and violate the basic rights of the Lumad. Hence, up until now, the Lumad are still in their shanties in front of the Capitol Grounds in Bukidnon to demand the end of militarization in their communities.

On July 12, members of PNP Public Safety Company arbitrarily arrested a couple Ryan and Gretchen Espera, member of Kasama-Bukidnon, a peasant’s progressive organization in the province. Members of the 8th Infantry Battalion also arrested peasants Roel and Eric Calolot on June 23, in Purok 9, Kiburiao, Quezon, Bukidnon and were forced to claim the bombs which were taken by the soldiers. Troops of 58th IB also committed a frustrated killing to Roy Ibarat of Pangalasag, based in Opol, Misamis Oriental. Soldiers also indiscriminately fired the farmers in Purok 1, Magsaysay, Quezon, Bukidnon on September 9.

Duterte’s counter-insurgency program served to suppress the people’s basic rights. Checkpoints became rampant so they could investigate the innocent civilians. In our region alone, it is estimated that not less than 150 checkpoints have been installed. This will become worse through the National ID System which aims to make the state manipulate every individual’s information. If this would be fully implemented, Philippines will never be far to becoming a police state. On July 24 for example, during Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), military and policemen, through their mounted checkpoint, forcedly held 2,500 civilians from attending a protest action in Iligan City.

Of exceedingly idolizing Marcos, Duterte manipulated the AFP to dominate the information environment to suppress the people from knowing the incidents. He may not shut down media stations, yet there is the dictate and monopoly of whatever statement or news to spread. Hence, only the state could propagate in the news which are mostly fake or half true and half lies. This is implemented by his US puppet-to-the-bones accomplice Lorenzana, Esperon, Año and dela Rosa (LEAD).

No other interest: to dominate the economic power

 In Marcos’ martial law, the country suffered from the $28.3 billion foreign debt. This was due to his installation of different infrastructures, just like the farm-to-market roads, bridges and of cluttering corruptions under martial law. US monopolies were allowed to have permanent economic enclaves by the creation of free trade zones, where they are beyond the tax laws of the Philippine puppet government. Marcos and his cronies such as Rodolfo Cuenca, Herminio Disini, Roberto Benedicto, and Eduardo Cojuangco benefitted from the imposition of terror. With this, Marcos also secured an ill-gotten wealth range from $5-35 billion. Up until now, this was not returned to the people, the rightful owner of the wealth.

Duterte’s martial law is also the same. While there are a lot of civilians who were treated as “collateral damage” in the OPlan Tokhang, he also implemented his plans of installing different infrastructures, through his “Build, build, build.” He submitted Marawi to his businessmen/capitalists accomplice so they could “rehabilitate” this and enjoy the large amount of fund indebted from China which would eventually make the Philippines as “debt slave.”

To acquiesce the US’ “war on terror,” he bombed Marawi and its adjacent communities almost every day which abet the AFP another P1 billion additional budget for the purchase of bombs, ammos, and fuel. This would be another racket for corruption of the generals. He bluffs about exterminating the “terrorists” which is in fact, exterminating the people’s legitimate struggle. This war on terror is only a concealment to ultimately squeeze out the country’s remaining resources.

People’s struggle

 The two dictator’s basis of imposing martial law is common: the people’s struggle.

The Filipino people greatly struggle during the Marcos dictatorship. This could be seen with the founding of Kabataang Makabayan (KM) on 1964. On 1968, Communist Party of the Philippines was also reestablished and was followed on 1969 by the New People’s Army (NPA). The people’s discontentment became blatant. The fascist dictator Marcos then imposed martial law on 1972.

Also at present, the revolutionary movement strengthened. Mass bases of the revolutionary movement expanded, NPA fighters increased in numbers, the resistance of the Moro people and of the national minorities intensified, and the demands of the oppressed and exploited became widespread.

Hence, it could be remembered that instead of conducting peace talks with the NDFP, Duterte instead demanded to sign a bilateral ceasefire. Since US-Duterte regime failed to do so, he just implemented martial law.

But more than remembering the dark days of the Filipino people during Marcos’ martial law, we should also remember the heroic uprising of the people which decisively paved way to the end of martial law. Through EDSA People Power Uprising on 1986 and through the armed struggle, the repugnant martial law was scrapped and the fascist dictator was ousted. It could be remembered that thousands of activists, especially among the youth and students, held arms to ultimately fight the fascist dictator.

Hence, the NDF-NCMR call upon all the people to further strengthen our unity and resist martial law in Mindanao and its pending implementation nationwide. We will never allow the horror of martial law which was already at its wake 31 years had passed! #

For Reference,

Cesar Renerio
Spokesperson
National Democratic Front – NCMR

https://www.ndfp.org/45th-commemoration-marcos-martial-law-resurrected-zombie-us-duterte-regime/

NDF/NPA-Northern Samar: Martial Law not a tale of the past; transform remembering into revolutionary dissent

NPA-Northern Samar propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Sep 21): Martial Law not a tale of the past; transform remembering into revolutionary dissent

21 September 2017

NPA Northern Samar



NORTHERN SAMAR – In the occasion of the 45th anniversary commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law, the New People’s Army-Rodante Urdal Command (NPA-RUC) reminds the public of the valuable lessons of Martial Law, invokes people to denounce Duterte-Marcos tandem’s persistent efforts to revise history, calls for vigilance on the orchestrated scheme to railroad the implementation of Martial Law in the entire country and dares the Filipino people to transform resistance against Martial Law into revolutionary dissent.

“Martial Law is not a tale of the past long gone. Remnants of Martial Law are still existent, US-Duterte’s fascism is reminiscent of the horrors of the past and the conditions for revolutionary dissent are ripe more than ever,” Amado Pesante, RUC Spokeserson said.

Pesante said the semicolonial semifeudal system was the very condition that brought iron-hand rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos by declaring Martial Law in September 21, 1972. “The crisis of a semicolonial semifeudal system in the 70s rendered people’s dissent inevitable. US-Marcos found no other recourse but suppress the escalating anger through Martial Law. But instead of containing anger, state fascism has only exposed the rottenness of the system and aroused people to tread the revolutionary path,” Pesante noted.

“45 years thereafter, the crisis has intensified to extreme heights as the global capitalist system failed to recover since the global economic crisis of 2008. The problem of a semicolonial semifeudal system has only aggravated, state fascism under US-Duterte piled up human rights violations and the revolutionary strength remains undefeated and ever growing in the face of all-out, albeit pretentious, counter-insurgency programs such as the Development Support and Security Plan (DSSP) Kapayapaan,” he added.

“The case of Martial Law is not just a narrative of the strongman rule of Marcos. Neither is it just about our disgust against the ‘Imeldific’ lifestyle of the Marcoses from their ill-gotten wealth. Martial Law is an expression of a failed socioeconomic system and the people’s collective aspiration for an alternative social order.”

“This anniversary, lighted candles may no longer be enough. Our collective nostalgia in toppling a dictator should transcend into revolutionary dissent against the system represented by the US-Duterte regime which brings Martial Law very much alive to this day,” Pesante stressed.

Undeclared Martial Law in Northern Samar

Duterte’s idolatry of Marcos enables the rehabilitation of Marcos in ways more than one–from burying the dictator in the Pantheons of Heroes to efforts in providing immunity to the Marcoses. “Duterte’s revision of history is set to culminate in a declaration of Martial Law in the entire country,” Pesante noted.

While Martial Law has only been declared in Mindanao thus far, cases of rights violations in Northern Samar under DSSP Kapayapaan is akin to the implementation of military rule in the past.

Today, 20th Infantry Batallion has been violating accords signed and reaffirmed in the negotiating table including the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIL). They have camped within civilian villages of Las Navas and Lope de Vega, they have camped within schools and lured children into becoming spies, harassed barrio teachers, detained alleged NPA members, forced villagers to evacuate to safer grounds, committed extrajudicial killings and military surveillance in the guise of Oplan Tokhang here in Northern Samar.

Recently, 8th Infantry Division Major General Raul Farnacio declared Northern Samar as the top ‘insurgency hotbed’ in Eastern Visayas. “Such declaration is both a source of pride and threat. On one hand, the declaration is a recognition of our undefeated revolutionary strength and a concession of their counter-insurgency programs’ utter failure. On the other hand, it poses threat that state fascism is set to trample upon civilian rights of farmers in the countrysides,” Pesante noted.

“There are killings both in the countrysides and in urban centers in compliance to US-Duterte’s marching orders. State forces go scot-free as Duterte pledged to back police forces and declared all-out war against the revolutionary movement instead of renegotiating peace. Impunity has become a culture of its own not just in Mindanao where writ of habeas corpus has been suspended but all corners of the country where Duterte’s mercenary minions play around.”

‘Few gold bars’ a spit on the grave

 Last September 15, NPA-RUC joined the bereaved families of Sag-od massacre victims in their 36th anniversary commemoration. To recall, in September 15, 1981, 18 armed men mercilessly killed 44 men, women and children living in the peaceful village of Barangay Sag-od in Las Navas, Northern Samar. The armed men were identified as the Special Forces—Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces (SF-ICHDF) employed to protect the San Jose Timber Corporation, a logging concessionaire of Juan Ponce Enrile in the same municipality.

“We support the people’s call for justice. But justice does not end in meager compensation given out by the government to families of the victims from the Marcoses’ few gold bars. Ultimately, it is about toppling the semicolonial semifeudal system that perpetuates heinous massacres and a killing spree of poverty and economic inequality,” Pesante noted.

“We call on everyone to end Martial Law in Mindanao, oppose the foredoomed implementation of Martial Law in the country, oppose Duterte’s rehabilitation of the Marcoses and render Oplan Kapayapaan impotent in quelling the revolutionary struggle. What Martial Law taught us is that history has always been in the hands of the masses. We call on the people to unite against the despotic rule of US-Duterte by winning the revolutionary war,” Pesante ended.

REFERENCE:

Amado Pesante,
NPA-Northern Samar (Rodante Urtal Command)
21 September 2017

https://www.ndfp.org/martial-law-not-tale-past-transform-remembering-revolutionary-dissent/

CPP/NPA-SM: NPA Prisoner of War Catalan appeals for halt in military operations

NPA-Southern Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 20): NPA Prisoner of War Catalan appeals for halt in military operations
Rigoberto F. Sanchez, Spokesperson
NPA-Southern Mindanao (Merardo Arce Command)

20 September 2017
Press Release

The Mt. Apo Sub-Regional Command of the New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao today released a video footage of NPA Prisoner of War PO1 Bristol B. Catalan, Jr., who was arrested on August 16 in Kidapawan City.

In the video, POW Catalan (serial no. 132048) revealed that his perception about the Red Army was proven false by the Red fighters’ lenient and humane treatment of him.

“Ever since I have not seen a Red fighter… That’s why (when I was caught) I thought they would ill-treat me. But what I found out, it’s far from the truth. I did not receive even a single flick. They treated me well,” he said during one of his conversations with the Red fighters.

POW Catalan’s positive pronouncements about the NPA come in the heels of the release of another NPA prisoner of war SPO2 George Rupinta last September 15.

POW Catalan, who was assigned at Makilala Police Station, was arrested at around 7:10 am on August 16 in Brgy. Katipunan, Kidapawan City. A 9mm Gloc pistol was seized from him. He was promptly accorded the status prisoner of war.

In the video, POW Catalan assured his family of his well-being under the custody of the NPA. He appealed to the local government in Makilala town and in North Cotabato to help in his speedy release. He likewise called on the AFP and the PNP to halt their operations.

Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the Regional Operations Command of the NPA in Southern Mindanao, revealed that the relentless operations of the AFP and the PNP have hampered the judicial process concerning POW Catalan being undertaken by authorities of the People’s Democratic Government.

“First and foremost, the NPA ensures the welfare of POW Catalan in the midst of these offensive but ultimately futile operations. Negotiations with regards to his possible release are being sabotaged by these operations in the name of the Duterte’s fascist martial law.”

“As an army that adheres to international protocols and conventions, along with its own revolutionary discipline, the NPA in the region has consistently accorded lenient treatment to its prisoners. Meanwhile, the US-Duterte regime continues to subject political prisoners in dismal and inhumane conditions in cramped jails around the country,” pointed Sanchez.

He likewise divulged that NPA units around the region continue to launch offensive strikes against troops of the AFP and PNP, including paramilitaries such as the Alamara, and frustrate the brutal implementation of martial law in Mindanao.

“In allowing his US-indoctrinated reactionary armed forces to sow terror in Mindanao under martial law, Duterte has not only severed ties with the revolutionary movement but also made an enemy of the entire Filipino people. By his own doing, he is sure to push a swell of masses to take up arms against his murderous regime. The NPA welcomes all anti-imperialist, anti-feudal and anti-bureaucrat capitalist forces in its ranks,” Sanchez concluded.

View his video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldHKvbL_Yvk

Below is the transcript of his video:

English:

Ever since I have not seen a Red fighter… That’s why (when I was caught) I thought they would ill-treat me. But what I found out, it wasn’t true, it’s far from the truth. I did not receive even a single flick. They treated me well. When I had rheumatism, they gave me medicine for it.

I am PO1 Bristol Catalan, of the Makilala Police Station. My serial no. is 132048. I was arrested on August 16 in Brgy. Katipunan, Kidapawan City. They brought me to an NPA camp and did not harm me while under their custody. They gave me adequate food, and ensured I was comfortable. And to my family, please do not worry because I am well here in an NPA camp. Also, I am appealing to the local government to help in my immediate release. And to the AFP, I am also appealing for suspension of their operations, and to the PNP as well, to hasten my release from the custody of the NPA.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170920-npa-prisoner-of-war-catalan-appeals-for-halt-in-military-operations

CPP/NDF-NCMR: 45th Commemoration of Marcos’ Martial Law, a resurrected zombie under US-Duterte Regime

NDF-North Central Mindanao Region propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 20): 45th Commemoration of Marcos’ Martial Law, a resurrected zombie under US-Duterte Regime

Ka Cesar Renerio, Spokesperson
NDFP North Central Mindanao

20 September 2017
           

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines – North Central Mindanao Region (NDFP-NCMR) fervently condemns the US-Duterte’s martial law, which does not have a big difference of Marcos’ martial law, 45 years ago. However, the state’s fangs became sharper in implementing this, considering the massive killings which already victimized more or less 10,000 already.

 

Widespread human rights violations

 

It could be recalled that under the horrifying martial law of Marcos, 3,240 were killed through salvage and summary executions, 70,000 were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 1,000 were desaparacedos. Marcos successfully implemented these through scrapping the writ of habeas corpus and through the predominance of military forces over all aspects of the society.

To manipulate public opinion, Marcos shut-downed all media stations and suppressed them from exposing the facts under his dictatorship. This resulted to extensive press freedom violations. The people were also deprived of their right to organization and assembly.

Up until now, thousands of the victims and families of those victims were still echoing for justice. Bunch of those who were abducted are not yet being surfaced.

Despite of the grave injustice of the previous martial law, US-Duterte Regime was still determined in imposing this in Mindanao and even threatened the public to implement this nationwide.

At present, not less than 200,000 families forcedly evacuated from their communities in Marawi City. Thousands of civilians were killed, including those who died in the evacuation center and those tagged as ‘Maute’ who were killed by the soldiers. 29,250 displaced students are also at the evacuation centers and forcedly stopped from going to school. Not less than 100 civilians are also missing until present.

Aside from Marawi City, the Lumad in the countryside are also experiencing human rights violations, under the concealed OPlan Kapayapaan of Duterte. Through his martial law, the soldiers, policemen, and its paramilitary groups are licensed to harass, kill, threat and violate the basic rights of the Lumad. Hence, up until now, the Lumad are still in their shanties in front of the Capitol Grounds in Bukidnon to demand the end of militarization in their communities.

On July 12, members of PNP Public Safety Company arbitrarily arrested a couple Ryan and Gretchen Espera, member of Kasama-Bukidnon, a peasant’s progressive organization in the province. Members of the 8th Infantry Battalion also arrested peasants Roel and Eric Calolot on June 23, in Purok 9, Kiburiao, Quezon, Bukidnon and were forced to claim the bombs which were taken by the soldiers. Troops of 58th IB also committed a frustrated killing to Roy Ibarat of Pangalasag, based in Opol, Misamis Oriental. Soldiers also indiscriminately fired the farmers in Purok 1, Magsaysay, Quezon, Bukidnon on September 9.

Duterte’s counter-insurgency program served to suppress the people’s basic rights. Checkpoints became rampant so they could investigate the innocent civilians. In our region alone, it is estimated that not less than 150 checkpoints have been installed. This will become worse through the National ID System which aims to make the state manipulate every individual’s information. If this would be fully implemented, Philippines will never be far to becoming a police state. On July 24 for example, during Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), military and policemen, through their mounted checkpoint, forcedly held 2,500 civilians from attending a protest action in Iligan City.

Of exceedingly idolizing Marcos, Duterte manipulated the AFP to dominate the information environment to suppress the people from knowing the incidents. He may not shut down media stations, yet there is the dictate and monopoly of whatever statement or news to spread. Hence, only the state could propagate in the news which are mostly fake or half true and half lies. This is implemented by his US puppet-to-the-bones accomplice Lorenzana, Esperon, Año and dela Rosa (LEAD).

 

No other interest: to dominate the economic power

In Marcos’ martial law, the country suffered from the $28.3 billion foreign debt. This was due to his installation of different infrastructures, just like the farm-to-market roads, bridges and of cluttering corruptions under martial law. US monopolies were allowed to have permanent economic enclaves by the creation of free trade zones, where they are beyond the tax laws of the Philippine puppet government. Marcos and his cronies such as Rodolfo Cuenca, Herminio Disini, Roberto Benedicto, and Eduardo Cojuangco benefitted from the imposition of terror. With this, Marcos also secured an ill-gotten wealth range from $5-35 billion. Up until now, this was not returned to the people, the rightful owner of the wealth.

Duterte’s martial law is also the same. While there are a lot of civilians who were treated as “collateral damage” in the OPlan Tokhang, he also implemented his plans of installing different infrastructures, through his “Build, build, build.” He submitted Marawi to his businessmen/capitalists accomplice so they could “rehabilitate” this and enjoy the large amount of fund indebted from China which would eventually make the Philippines as “debt slave.”

To acquiesce the US’ “war on terror,” he bombed Marawi and its adjacent communities almost every day which abet the AFP another P1 billion additional budget for the purchase of bombs, ammos, and fuel. This would be another racket for corruption of the generals. He bluffs about exterminating the “terrorists” which is in fact, exterminating the people’s legitimate struggle. This war on terror is only a concealment to ultimately squeeze out the country’s remaining resources.

 

People’s struggle

 

The two dictator’s basis of imposing martial law is common: the people’s struggle.

The Filipino people greatly struggle during the Marcos dictatorship. This could be seen with the founding of Kabataang Makabayan (KM) on 1964. On 1968, Communist Party of the Philippines was also reestablished and was followed on 1969 by the New People’s Army (NPA). The people’s discontentment became blatant. The fascist dictator Marcos then imposed martial law on 1972.

Also at present, the revolutionary movement strengthened. Mass bases of the revolutionary movement expanded, NPA fighters increased in numbers, the resistance of the Moro people and of the national minorities intensified, and the demands of the oppressed and exploited became widespread.

Hence, it could be remembered that instead of conducting peace talks with the NDFP, Duterte instead demanded to sign a bilateral ceasefire. Since US-Duterte regime failed to do so, he just implemented martial law.

But more than remembering the dark days of the Filipino people during Marcos’ martial law, we should also remember the heroic uprising of the people which decisively paved way to the end of martial law. Through EDSA People Power Uprising on 1986 and through the armed struggle, the repugnant martial law was scrapped and the fascist dictator was ousted. It could be remembered that thousands of activists, especially among the youth and students, held arms to ultimately fight the fascist dictator.

Hence, the NDF-NCMR call upon all the people to further strengthen our unity and resist martial law in Mindanao and its pending implementation nationwide. We will never allow the horror of martial law which was already at its wake 31 years had passed!

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170920-45th-commemoration-of-marcos-martial-law-a-resurrected-zombie-under-us-duterte-regime

CPP/NPA-NCMR: NPA-NCMR: lauds disarmament of a usurer; condemns AFP’s fake news

NPA-North Central Mindanao Region propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 20): NPA-NCMR: lauds disarmament of a usurer; condemns AFP’s fake news

Ka Malem Mabini, Spokesperson
NPA-North Central Mindanao

20 September 2017

The New People’s Army – North Central Mindanao lauds the Mt. Kitanglad Sub-Regional Command – New People’s Army in their successful disarmament against LitoyMarabe, a usurer in Bukidnon and on the other hand, condemns the fake news promulgated by the 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.

On September 9, 2017, 8:30 AM, Red fighters dis-armed Marabe, with his private security guards, in Barangay Tugaya, Valencia city, Bukidnon. This operation was coinciding to Marabe doing his lending activities to the workers of SUMIFRU Company. Seized from the said action were an M16 rifle (M4), a .45 caliber pistol, a VHF radio and a handcuff.

According to reports from the NPA in Mt. Kitanglad, Marabe is a big-time usurer and the owner of Asian Hills Bank. Marabe have had been afflicting small businessmen, workers and farmers through his Micro-finance loan, a lending scheme. He pretended that he had been helpful to those who were lending from him, through a low interest rate per month, yet with countless deductions and beguile calculations. Hence, this action answers the demand of the masses and serves as a warning, not only to the Marabe family, but as well as to the oppressive businessmen and usurers who’s afflicting the people.

On the same day, around 6:00 AM, the 8th IB PA, under the supervision of 2nd Lt. Patricio and 1st Lt. Hernandez, once again promulgated their fake news that there was an encounter between them and the NPA in Purok 1, Magsaysay, Quezon, Bukidnon and they “seized three long firearms after the 10-minutes encounter.” But according to the NPA unit in South Central Bukidnon Sub-Regional Command, there were no NPA fighters operating in the said place on that day, but only residents and farmers who were in their farmlands. The NPA even warned the soldiers not to fire their guns indiscriminately since there are several women in the community who just gave birth.

Prior to this incident, August 23, 2017, 6:00 AM, this similar AFP unit conducted a combat operation in Purok 9, Kiburiao, Quezon, Bukidnon and fired indiscriminately to the farmers who were planting that time. As their usual deed, the AFP immediately propagated this incident as an encounter between the NPA. After the incident, they then arrested two farmers, Ruel and Erick Callot, and forced them to claim the bombs which were taken by the soldiers in a hut, 200 meters from the house of the captive.

These situations further intensified the anger of the people and of the revolutionary movement, for the felonious military seemingly used US-Duterte’s martial law as license to their roughshod military operations in the countryside which gravely affect the livelihood and violate the people’s rights of the people.

Hence, we reiterate our demand to the people to be open-minded and discern the events in our society, if the propaganda of those whom we identify as leaders of the country are truly serving the interest of the people. More than ever, we must oppose the devious intention of the US-Duterte regime of prolonging the imposition of martial law and of the possibility of extending this to the entire country so he could flawlessly implement his OPlanKapayapaan, which is a counter-insurgency program that targets to exterminate the legitimate people’s struggle against the oppressive and exploitative system, yet has no plans for continuing the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP); OPlanTokhang, which only aims against small and ordinary drug-users, yet has no concrete programs for rehabilitation and livelihood to the victims; and his war-against terror, which whipped-up a Maute-ISIS scare to justify the direct intervention of foreign countries, especially US, in the country’s internal contradictions yet has not given any consideration to the legitimate demands of the Moro people’s right to self-determination.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170920-npa-ncmr-lauds-disarmament-of-a-usurer-condemns-afps-fake-news

CPP/NDF-SM: More NPA recruits, Red forces to struggle vs. Duterte’s Martial law

NDF-Southern Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 21): More NPA recruits, Red forces to struggle vs. Duterte’s Martial law

Rubi del Mundo, Spokesperson
NDFP Southern Mindanao

21 September 2017

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Southern Mindanao joins the Filipino masses in commemorating the 45th anniversary of the US-Marcos regime’s martial law with firm resolve to fight and defeat its fascist heir—the US-Duterte regime.

Four months into its implementation, the evils of martial law declared by the GRP Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, are pushing the masses in the region to fight in the face of escalating toll of human rights violations perpetrated by the AFP, the PNP and paramilitary forces. In Southern Mindanao alone since May, AFP, PNP and their paramilitary troops have committed at least 68 cases of human rights violations against peasants, Lumad, Moro and other sectors. Sixteen (16) civilians were victims of extra-judicial killings for either being a Lumad, a peasant or actively opposing the anti-people policies of the reactionary government.

High in the list of the US-Duterte war machinery in the region are the peasants, Lumad and the Moro people, whom Duterte himself has repeatedly chastised, bullied and threatened with wanton bombing and cold-murder. The regime’s latest victim, 18-year old Obello L. Bay-ao, was a Lumad student in one of the schools that the Duterte regime falsely accuses of being illegal or subversive.

Nationwide, the Duterte regime kowtows the US imperialist solution of killing the poor and helpless to solve the problem of illegal drug trade. His atrocious war on drugs has claimed more than 8,000 lives of poor Filipinos while the rich and powerful drug syndicates continue to escape his selective justice, save for a few of his political opponents.

In the midst of this haunting fascism reminiscent of Marcosian rule, the dominant ruling class presently headed by Duterte is adamant in whitewashing the crimes of martial law. He continues to mock the millions of victims of this dark past—thousands of whom were from Davao City and around Southern Mindanao—by frequently declaring that Marcos’ martial law “was very good” and conspiring to reestablish the Marcos clan in position and strengthen their hold in national politics.

Obviously reeling from the backlash of the people’s condemnation against his drug war, all-out war and martial law, the US-Duterte regime intermittently has the gall to claim a “Mindanao faction” within the underground national democratic movement that supposedly supports his dictatorial rule. The claims are preposterous and clear vain machinations to polarize the revolutionary forces. Duterte is already exposed as a devious tyrant and a chief puppet of US imperialism in the country.

The national democratic forces must rise up to the challenge of leading the Filipino masses in resisting and defeating the fascism of the US-Duterte regime. Already, the Duterte regime is conjuring up scenarios as pretext for the declaration of nationwide martial law. As the ruling class resurrects the brutality of martial rule, the Filipino people must likewise unite and mobilize by the millions in all forms of resistance to defeat the US-Duterte regime. We call on all advocates of human rights, peace advocates and other anti-fascist individuals and organizations to unite with the billowing wave of resistance against tyranny.

Democratic struggle and armed revolution flourished during the 14 years of Marcosian martial rule. Duterte’s copycat dictatorial rule will trigger the massive recruitment of young idealistic peasants, workers and petty-bourgeois into the NPA and the underground revolutionary movement and fight the hated regime.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170921-more-npa-recruits-red-forces-to-struggle-vs-dutertes-martial-law

CPP/Ang Bayan: Editorial - Marcos dictatorship yesterday, rising Duterte dictatorship today

Ang Bayan propaganda editorial posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Sep 21):
Marcos dictatorship yesterday, rising Duterte dictatorship today

Communist Party of the Philippines

21 September 2017

Editorial of Ang Bayan

What better day to unite the Filipino people against threats of a fascist dictatorship by Rodrigo Duterte than today when 45 years ago Marcos imposed martial law and founded his dictatorship?

Today, tens of thousands are set to converge in the streets of the national capital and other parts of the country to manifest the Filipino people’s growing unity against political persecution, armed suppression and fascist crimes under the ruling Duterte regime.

On this occasion, the Filipino people are united in demanding justice for all the fascist crimes, corruption and puppetry under the 14-year martial law of the US-Marcos dictatorship. They want Marcos and all his cohorts and cronies to pay for the crimes they have yet to account for. They are determined to stop the Marcoses from returning to Malacañang.

After 45 years, the Filipino people have not forgotten the bloody record, corruption and rottenness of Marcos’ martial law. This collective memory has been passed on to the Filipino youth who are now one in declaring “Never Again!”. They are determined to fight the Duterte regime’s threats to impose nationwide martial law and the six-month Mindanao martial law.

Today’s rally shows the determination of the Filipino people to oppose Duterte’s plan to replicate his idol Marcos, install himself as a fascist dictator and use absolute power to control the entire state machinery and resources for himself and his clique.

The victims of Duterte’s triple fascist war are set to join the rallies. In just a year, hundreds of thousands have been directly victimized by the Oplan Tokhang “war against drugs”, the all-out war under Oplan Kapayapaan and the AFP siege of Marawi and the war to suppress the armed Moro uprising.

Duterte’s victims are now the most determined to hinder the vile fascist plot to put the entire country under martial law and intensify the campaigns of death and destruction. They are set to be joined by broad sections of Philippine society, by various political parties and groups, churches, communities and so on.

Serving as backbone of the wide range of forces rising up against fascism, corruption and puppetry of the Duterte regime are the national democratic forces. The broad masses of workers, peasants, youth and students, urban poor and other oppressed sectors are all determined to resist Duterte’s tyranny and hold him accountable for all the crimes, blood debt and oppression against the people.

Duterte trembles in fear at the prospect of street demonstrations snowballing into a broad movement demanding his ouster from power. The anticipated large demonstrations today will surely inspire more demonstrations in the coming weeks and months. Duterte’s hundreds of thousands of victims demand their grievances be heard. Assemblies must be mounted from barangay halls to coliseums to indict Duterte and express their collective anger.

Duterte threatens to use armed force to suppress the demonstrations and impede the growth of a movement demanding an end to his fascist rule. He concocts scenarios of “turmoil in the streets” to dissuade people from joining rallies. He manufactures fake stories of the “NPA joining rallies” to justify a nationwide martial law declaration.

Duterte is in a frenzy to monopolize political power and silence all those opposing his programs and policies. Through bribery and threats, he now has complete control of the AFP, PNP and the lower house of congress. He wants the Supreme Court, the Comelec and all barangays to bow to his will. He threatens anyone who refuses to march to his beat.

Duterte is pushing to establish a fascist dictatorship in the face of his political isolation, desperation to accelerate all-out liberalization of the economy and implement infrastructure projects worth hundreds of billions of pesos which his company of bureaucrat capitalists and bourgeois compradors are drooling over. He is rushing the approval of his 2018 war chest and corruption budget as well as new tax packages promised to foreign creditor banks.

Duterte has, in fact, less than five years to satiate the military officials, the bureaucrat capitalists and bourgeois compradors. Unless, of course, he succeeds in his plan to extend his term by at least eight more years by amending the constitution in the guise of “federalism.”

In relentlessly pursuing his triple war, fascist repression, corruption and anti-people and pro-imperialist programs and policies, Duterte is inciting the people to strengthen and broaden their resistance with maximum energy.

[Ang Bayan is the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Ang Bayan is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Hiligaynon, Waray and English. It can be downloaded from the Philippine Revolution Web Central at www.philippinerevolution.info. Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170921-marcos-dictatorship-yesterday-rising-duterte-dictatorship-today

NPA Kalinga blames GRP for death of ailing pol prisoner

From the pro-CPP Northern Dispatch Weekly (Sep 17): NPA Kalinga blames GRP for death of ailing pol prisoner

The Lejo Cawilan Command (LCC) of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Kalinga pays tribute to Marcos Aggalao, the 74-year old political detainee who recently died while in hospital arrest at the same time condemns the Government of the Philippines (GRP) for his death.

Aggalao died at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Kalinga Provincial Hospital at 8:32 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13. He was confined there due to another stroke.

In a press statement, Ka Tipon Gil-ayab, spokesperson of the LCC balmed the GRP for its failure to keep its promise to release Aggalao. He said that Aggalao was among the aged and ailing political detainees who were supposed to be released as agreed upon during the peace negotiations.

“He died while battling the complications of a heart attack, he has been bed ridden since the last week of August but the GRP deprived him of his basic human rights disregarding his poor health condition,” Cawilan said.

In a July 26 letter to Judge Emmanuel Cacho Rasing of the RTC Branch 3, Jail Senior Insp. Rey Lopez, Tabuk warden, said Aggalao “cannot anymore attend to all his personal necessities alone.”

Lopez added that his cellmates have taken turns assisting him eat, helped him go to the comfort room and to take baths.

Cawilan said the AFP fabricated charges against Aggalao. He accused that the AFP capitalized on the personal interests of Pfc. Brendon Bugia and Pfc. Dondon Bagsao to facilitate Aggalao’s arrest. Bugio and Bagsao are Aggalao’s relatives.

The rebel spokes said Aggalao’s case is an example of the AFP’s IP-centri approach in its counter insurgency program. He said the AFP twist indigenous and tribal cultural practices and destroy the unity among indigenous peoples.

Cawilan called on members of the AFP and police froce who are also indigenous peoples not to allow themselves to be used against their fellow indigenous people. He said that revolutionary justice will be given to those who have commited crimes against the people.

Aggalao was arrested on September 10, 2016 by composite teams of the Kalinga police and Philippine Army’s 503rd brigade amid protests of community leaders. He was already ailing and weak at the time of his arrest.

Aggalao was detained even after a medical doctor certified that he suffered from dementia, pneumonia and hypertension on the day of his arrest.

Cawilan further called for the release of all political detainees.

http://www.nordis.net/2017/09/npa-kalinga-blames-grp-for-death-of-ailing-pol-prisoner/

AFP chief: No new armed group formed in Marawi City

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 20): AFP chief: No new armed group formed in Marawi City



AFP chief General Eduardo Año visits his troops in the main battle zone Marawi City. File Photo by SN1 Donald Viluan PN / PAOAFP

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año denied reports that a new armed group in Marawi City has been formed.

“There is no such group existing. Anyone can write and publish anything but we will not allow formation of any armed group,” he told reporters.

The Meranaw Victims Movement, a group allegedly composed of armed evacuees from Marawi City, is calling for the Maute Group to leave the city and free their hostages.

The group also wants its local leaders, past and present, accountable for failing to prevent the Maute Group from carrying out their plan to take over the city.

The fighting started on May 23 when terrorists tried to evade the arrest of their leader Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

The new group is also calling for the government to allow civilians to return to their homes, particularly in areas that have been already cleared.

They are also asking for easier access to roads in Marawi City, as well as financial support to dead and wounded civilian victims.

The group is also seeking compensation for damaged properties and establishments, including structures that represent the city’s culture and heritage.

But if their demands won’t be met, the group said it would face the terrorist group and jihad will become their “legitimate recourse.”

The AFP chief said they will continue to enforce the law and won’t let any group get in the way of their tasks.

He said that most of the demands of the group “are within the agenda or programs of Task Force Bangon Marawi in rehabilitating and reconstructing the besieged city.” 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/932125/afp-marawi-armed-group-military-army-ano-maute

DBM wants cops, soldiers to fund their own retirement

From Rappler (Sep 20): DBM wants cops, soldiers to fund their own retirement

Taxpayers, like you and me, are the ones paying every year for the retirement fund of the military and police, budget chief Benjamin Diokno says

Q&A. DBM Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno talks with media during "Breakfast with Ben" at the DBM Executive Lounge in Manila. Photo from the DBM

Every year, the government allocates P90 billion in the national budget for the retirement fund of soldiers and policemen.

But that's just part of the story. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno told reporters on Wednesday, September 20, that "(T)he unfortunate part right now is that (uniformed personnel) are not paying and not contributing anything to the pension fund."

That is why Diokno said the Department of Budget and Management is drafting a law to address the ballooning funds needed for the pension of the military and the police to make it "sustainable."

Diokno said this means taxpayers are the ones paying for the uniformed personnels' pension.

 

"If they (policemen and soldiers) are not contributing anything right now, it means that you pay something like P90 billion a year for their retirement. You pay for this," he said.

He also said that if measures will not be set up, 50% to 60% of the future budget of the military will go to pension. He proposes new recruits of the military and the police to contribute to the pension fund.

With the looming increase in salaries for cops and soldiers, Diokno said that the amendments should be done as soon as possible.

"It will require legislation. We are drafting a legislation... We intend to file the bill before the end of the year," he said.

Proposed measures

Among the reforms eyed is the removal of the automatic indexation feature and the transferring of military pension to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

 

The automatic indexation system is the feature that automatically adjusts a retiree's pension to match the prevailing salary of an incumbent personnel of similar rank.

However, Diokno said that the GSIS "might not want to take over the military pension fund" as P7-trillion additional funding is needed for the program.

"We have to identify the assets of the military to fund the P7 trillion (and) pledge it to GSIS. A big part of it will come from the budget but some parts you can pledge assets so (GSIS) will take over the responsibility of military pension fund," he said.

Diokno attributes this problem during the administration of former President Fidel V. Ramos as the Armed Forces of the Philippines invested in properties that did not yield high returns. (READ: AFP yet to recover P105M paid to dead pensioners – COA)

The pension fund collapsed as an aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and since then has been directly sourced from the national budget. The problem was also ignored by other administrations, Diokno said.

In 1973, then President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 361 creating the Armed Forces of the Philippines - Retirement and Separation Benefits System.

It was later deactivated in 2007 during the term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as it failed to deliver its mandate to take care of retirement benefits of its members.

 

https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/budget-watch/182785-dbm-military-pension-reform

US, Philippines Launch New Terror Drills

From The Diplomat (Sep 21): US, Philippines Launch New Terror Drills

A fresh counterterrorism exercise is yet another sign of the progress being made in defense ties in the Duterte era.


DOD Photo

Last Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Manila disclosed that the United States and the Philippines would be embarking on a new counterterrorism drill in mid-September. The drill is another indicator of the ongoing effort by the two treaty allies to continue boosting their defense cooperation in spite of challenges faced under the leadership of Rodrigo Duterte (See: “Why the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte Hates America”).

As I have noted before, despite all the focus on Duterte’s fierce anti-American rhetoric, the reality is that U.S.-Philippine defense ties has seen more of a downgrading than a full-blown severing (See: “Will Duterte End the US-Philippine Military Alliance?”).

Indeed, those who paying close attention to the relationship will note that in fact, in addition to some refocusing and renaming in terms of exercises, there have also been some new forms of cooperation advanced as well in response to ongoing challenges, be it in on maritime security amid transnational crimes in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas or on counterterrorism following the Marawi crisis that erupted in May (See: “US Terror Aid to Philippines Signals Enduring Defense Ties Under Duterte”).

As further evidence to reinforce this point, on September 15, the U.S. Embassy in Manila publicly announced that the two governments would embark on a new bilateral, interagency counterterrorism drill called Tempest Wind in mid-September.

Tempest Wind, it said, had been approved by the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) back in November 2016. That comes as no surprise. As I had indicated previously, the MDB-SEB meeting, which was held in late November at the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, was where U.S. and Philippine defense officials had finalized changes to their exercises, some of which had been cut, downgraded, or refocused after a review by Duterte (See: “Where are US-Philippine Defense Relations Under Duterte?”).

The purpose of the whole-of-government drill, the Embassy said, was to “test and improve the ability of both nations to rapidly plan, coordinate, and conduct counterterrorism operations.” The drill will be augmented by additional military assessments, national level engagement, and subject matter expert exchanges taking place in both the Philippines and Hawaii, which is where the U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) is located.

The combination of activities, the Embassy said, is designed to create a realistic environment to exercise counterterrorism strategy, focus future bilateral training efforts, enhance crisis response capabilities, and deepen the bilateral partnership.

http://thediplomat.com/2017/09/us-philippines-launch-new-terror-drills/

Duterte spends National Day of Protest with Marawi troops

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 22): Duterte spends National Day of Protest with Marawi troops


President Rodrigo Duterte (seated in light fatigue uniform) meets with military officials in Marawi on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. (Photo courtesy of CHRISTOHPER GO, special assistant to the president)

As his critics came out in droves on the streets on Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to spend the day in Marawi, where government forces are said to be in the final stages of battle with Islamic State-allied militants.

Mr. Duterte was accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Eduardo Año and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go, as he motored to Marawi from the 2nd Mechanized Brigade headquarters in Iligan City past 5 p.m.

It was his fifth visit to the city and the second this month.

In the city, the President reiterated his earlier statement that no celebration would take place when the military finally liberated the city.

Instead, he said soldiers would quietly leave the city after clearing it of the enemies and improvised explosive devices.

Mr. Duterte also said the end of fighting in Marawi would signal the lifting of martial law, which he declared on May 23.

He explained that he put Mindanao under martial law after terrorists invaded Marawi.

The President said the authorities were looking for the source of the funds of the fighters in Marawi.

He wondered how the militants had been able to stockpile so much ammunition, as the fighting has lasted for more than three months.

He once more vowed to press his controversial war on drugs despite what he described as “unnecessary deaths,” for which he said those responsible would be prosecuted.

“The war on drugs will continue. There will be no letup,” he said.

When police arrest a suspect for committing a crime, it is the suspect’s duty to surrender because otherwise, the police will have to use force to place him under custody, the President said.



In this photo, taken Sept. 15, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte checks firearms recovered by government troops from militants in Marawi City during his fourth visit there. On Thursday, Sept. 21, Duterte went back to the besieged city for his fifth visit. (Photo from the Presidential Photographers Division)

 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/932483/marawi-siege-rodrigo-duterte-fifth-visit-mindanao-martial-law

Troops push forward vs Marawi terrorists

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Sep 22): Troops push forward vs Marawi terrorists

Under cover of unrelenting howitzer and mortar fire, soldiers braved heavy rains here on Wednesday to inch forward in areas still under the control of the remaining Maute terrorists and their allies.

The military said less than 20 hectares of the city, with about 200 buildings, were yet to be cleared as of Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Rolando Bautista, the Task Force Marawi commander, had said in a statement in August that the remaining battle area had been reduced to about 500 square meters. The military later said the correct figure was 25 hectares.

Asked to make a more detailed description of the remaining battle area, Col. Romeo Brawner, the Joint Task Force Marawi deputy commander, said at least 200 structures had not been cleared by troops.

“We have expected to experience more firefights as we try to regain more ground,” Brawner said.

Since the fighting broke out in the Muslim-majority city on May 23, 151 soldiers and policemen, as well as 47 civilians have been killed. The number includes government troops killed in “friendly fire” incidents.

The Maute group, the Abu Sayyaf faction of Isnilon Hapilon and their allies have lost 680 fighters, according to the military.

Brawner said the military would press its attack to dislodge the Islamic State-inspired gunmen from the city.

“We are ready for that [assault]. The AFP will press on relentlessly until [this battle’s] conclusion,” he said.

However, Brawner said the presence of the hostages held by the Maute, numbering between 40 and 45, had slowed the troops’ advance.

On Saturday, soldiers captured two terrorist strongholds and rescued Marawi parish priest, Fr. Teresito Soganub, and another hostage during a major offensive.
Brawner said the terrorists had used the Bato Ali Mosque and the Jamiatu Marawi Al-Islamia Foundation as their command center.

The Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Eduardo Año, said the retaking of the two structures was “an enormous gain,” but it was not easy as soldiers had to fight the gunmen for about five hours.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/932229/troops-push-forward-vs-marawi-terrorists

‘End’ to Marawi clashes seen

From the Manila Times (Sep 21): ‘End’ to Marawi clashes seen

MARAWI CITY: Diminishing exchanges of gunfire in this city on Thursday between government forces and the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute Group seem to indicate that the end of clashes between the two sides is nearing.

Locals residing a few kilometers away from the fighting zone have noticed “the volume of gunfire and explosions is declining compared to the previous days.”

The military had launched its “final push” to finally retake the city from the terrorist Maute Group that had pledged allegiance to the IS and wanted to gain a foothold in the country.

It said it has retaken two key sites in the city – the Islamic center and the Bato mosques – from the group that was holing up there..

Other operations resulted in a successful rescue of two hostages several days ago, including the priest Chito Soganub, who were among more than a hundred people held by the Maute bandits for almost four months.

Soganub was recovered by government troops near the Bato mosque together with another hostage – a teacher – on Saturday evening, officials said.

The plight of the remaining hostages is still unknown.

Reports received by The Manila Times said there were “105 hostages” being held by the Maute Group, although the military claims there are only about 60.

The military said it will clear first about 10 hectares still being occupied by the terrorists.

http://www.manilatimes.net/end-marawi-clashes-seen/351954/