From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): IED discovered near Sulu farm
An improvised explosive device (IED), consisting of two
electrically rigged 81 mm mortar rounds, was discovered near a farm in Patikul
town, Sulu Thursday afternoon.
Joint Task Group Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, in
a message to the Philippines News Agency, said the IED was found in a hole near
farm owned by a certain Hussein at Sitio Bulabog, Barangay Bonbon, Patikul at
3:30 p.m.
Confidential informants revealed the IED's location to the
military.
The farm is 200 meters away from an abandoned Army
detachment.
Upon arrival of government security troops, it was found out
that the IED consisted of two 81mm mortars tied together and 15 meters of
electrical cord.
Arrojado said the IED is now being secured by troops of the
32nd Infantry Battalion pending disarming and destruction of explosive ordnance
disposal units.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 3): CAB peace pact still intact despite non-passage of BBL
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) remains
a viable signed document that will sustain the momentum of the peace process in
Mindanao even without the passage of the
proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the Philippine government (GPH) peace
panel chair said on Wednesday.
In a statement, GPH peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer
assured that the BBL’s ill-fate under the 16th Congress will not dispel the
government’s peace agreement with MILF and waste away 17 years of peace
negotiations.
“The work many among us started and accomplished together
through 17 years of hard negotiations and vigorous efforts to jump start and
move the implementation of the road map cannot be taken away,” said Ferrer.
“The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) remains
a signed document that binds the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front to their respective obligations in order to seal the peace
through the legal and democratic processes and meaningful social and political
reforms laid out in the document,” she added.
Although the decommissioning of MILF weapons and combatants
will be scuttled without the BBL, the CAB still prescribes steps and mechanisms
for the transformation of conflict-affected areas and MILF camps into secure,
productive communities.
Further, Ferrer said that the “CAB also includes
transitional justice and reconciliation measures that will address historical
injustices and remove the biases and prejudices that have created the huge gap
in understanding and affection between the Filipino majority and minority
populations.”
Ferrer urged politicians and Filipino citizens alike to take
the time to study the history of the conflict and the peace process to clear
any misconception and gain a better understanding of the road map and efforts
made to see it through.
Even though the BBL did not make it out of the 16th
Congress, the GPH chief negotiator called for “sobriety and perseverance”
whilst ensuring that measures are made to smooth the transition of the peace
accord to the next administration.
”As members of the GPH negotiating panel, we will do
everything in the remaining time we have to ensure that the infrastructure for
implementing the peace accord are fully functional so that the next
administration will be in a good position to carry forward the full
implementation of the agreement,” said Ferrer.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): 3 troopers slain, 2 others wounded in Compostela Valley clashes
A lieutenant and two soldiers from the 46th Infantry
Battalion were killed while two others were wounded in two separate encounters
with New People's Army (NPA) bandits in Panutukan town, CompostelaValley
Wednesday.
Capt. Rhyan Batchar, 10th Infantry Division public affairs
office chief, said the first incident happened at Sitio Sapang Tin-aw, Barangay
Tibagon, Pantukan at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Government troops were on routine security patrol when they
encountered an estimated 60 NPAs belonging to the Pulang Bagani Command 3 of
the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.
The rebels retreated after a 30-minute firefight. However,
as 46th Infantry Battalion troops were conducting clearing operations, the NPAs
detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) which killed two troopers and
wounded two others.
Batchar identified the slain troopers as 1st Lt. Ralph
Pantonial and Pfc. Eulezys Bantulo and those wounded as Pfc. Sabido and Cpl.
Velunta.
The second encounter took place 6 p.m. at Sitio Biasong,
Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan when around 10 NPAs fired upon a platoon of
soldiers from Bravo Company, of the 46th Infantry Battalion.
After a five-minute firefight the rebels withdrew going
north and burned two houses at Purok 7 of the same area during their escape.
Killed in the second clash was Pfc. Moreno. Pursuit
operations are still ongoing as of this posting.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): UN undersecretary Dieng visits AFP headquarters
The United Nations Special Adviser of the Secretary-General
on the Prevention of Genocide, Undersecretary Adama Dieng, paid a visit to AFP
headquarters, CampAguinaldo, Quezon
City Wednesday afternoon.
Dieng met with AFP deputy chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Edgar
Fallorina at the Hall of Flags of CampAguinaldo’s GeneralHeadquartersBuilding at 2:30 p.m.
The UN official is in the country as resource speaker in the
2nd International Meeting Against Mass Atrocity Crimes which started last Feb.
1 and will end on Feb. 5.
The Philippines
is hosting the event that is annually spearheaded by the Global Action Against
Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC), a global inclusive state-led initiative to
prevent mass atrocity crimes (genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, crimes
against humanity).
The GAAMAC provides a platform for exchange, dialogue, and
dissemination of learning and good practice on prevention among representatives
of UN Member States to build their capacities to prevent mass atrocity crimes
as well as to develop and implement national preventive strategies.
Also Wednesday, Amanda Gorely, Ambassador of Australia to
the Philippines,
paid a courtesy call to AFP chief Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri at 10 a.m. at the
Hall of Flags.
Gorely paid her first visit to Iriberri after recently
assuming her position. She replaced former Ambassador of Australia to the
Philippines Bill Twedell.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 3): Gov’t negotiators, MILF set meeting after Congress shelves BBL COTABATO CITY, Philippines – An emergency meeting has been set between Philippine government officials and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiators following Congress’ decision not to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the rebel group’s chief negotiator said Wednesday.
Mohagher Iqbal did not say when the meeting would take place but added that it would discuss the next move of the two panels after the non-passage of the proposed law.
Iqbal said the two panels would also come out with a joint declaration in the light of the new development. But he said the emergency meeting would not usher in a new round of negotiations.
“We are done with the negotiations with the government when we signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,” Iqbal said.
The CAB was the five-page 12-point agreement that was made the basis for the crafting of the BBL.
On the other hand, the FAB, signed Oct. 12, 2012, outlined the “political settlement” between the Philippine government and the MILF; and the process of transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the new Bangsamoro autonomous political entity.
Iqbal said the peace panels were supposed to meet over the issue of the delay in the BBL’s passage as early as December but the meeting was postponed. He did not say why it was postponed.
He said the MILF had already foreseen the non-passage of the proposed as early as 2015, and it wanted to discuss it with the government.
“The challenge now is how to manage the frustration of the people,” Iqbal said.
From the Free Malaysia Today (Feb 4): Six attack copters to boost ESSCOM security
The “Little Birds” will be deployed to support army operations in Sabah's east coast.
PETALING JAYA: Six MD530G light scout attack helicopters, known as “Little Birds”, are set to boost security in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).
In a statement, military helicopter manufacturer MD Helicopters Inc announced that it would supply six of the helicopters to the Malaysian Army’s aviation unit from the fourth quarter of 2016, with the full fleet delivered by the end of the first quarter of next year.
The MD530G helicopters are expected to be deployed in ESSCOM to perform attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and security missions in support of the army operations there.
Described as highly agile and capable scout attack helicopters, the “Little Birds” have a top speed of 130 knots (240kph) and can be configured to include advanced avionics, forward-looking infrared sensors, guided and unguided rockets, and onboard machine guns.
The six helicopters will have a customised weapons package, advanced communication capabilities and state-of-the-art detection devices to identify and engage a wide range of threats.
MD Helicopters chief executive officer Lynn Tilton said the company was committed to advancing the local capabilities in relation to long-term service, support and effective operations of the fleet.
ESSCOM covers 1,400km of the coastline, stretching from Kudat to Tawau. It was established after the 2013 intrusion by Suluks from the southern Philippines.
From Today (Feb 4): M’sia buys US copters in biggest arms deal since 1993
KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian government has ordered six advanced scout attack helicopters from an American aircraft maker, in what is believed to be the biggest arms contract between Washington and Kuala Lumpur in more than 20 years.
In a press release earlier this week, MD Helicopters (headquartered in Mesa, Arizona) said it is “pleased to announce that it has succeeded in its bid to supply six MD 530G scout attack helicopters to Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence”.
The company said that it will deliver the aircraft to Malaysian Army Aviation beginning the fourth quarter of this year, with the full fleet to be delivered by the end of the first quarter of 2017.
“Our legacy is firmly rooted in service of the warfighter; delivering fast, agile, highly-capable scout attack helicopters for the protection of the United States and our partner nations,” said Ms Lynn Tilton, said the firm’s chief executive officer in the press release.
“Perfectly suited for Malaysia’s operational environment, we are honoured that the MD 530G — our next-generation light scout attack helicopter — was selected by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Force to be the newest addition to the Malaysian Armed Forces.”
The Diplomat, a foreign policy publication, reported that the contract for the six helicopters is the biggest US-Malaysia arms deal since Kuala Lumpur placed an order for eight F/A-18DS fighter aircraft in June 1993.
Last year, the US State Department reportedly approved a US$21 million (S$30 million) missile sale to Malaysia.
The MD 530G gunship was first revealed to the Malaysian public at the March 2015 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition. According to IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, the helicopter is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turbine engine, has a top cruising speed of 240kmh, and can carry a load of 862kg over a range of 519km.
MD Helicopters said the Malaysian Army’s fleet of MD 530G helicopters will include a custom weapons package, advanced communications capabilities, and state-of-the-art electro-optical/infrared tech to detect, identify, and engage various threats.
The new helicopters will be deployed to eastern Sabah, where they will perform attack, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and security missions.
From The Standard (Feb 4): PNP names MILF men in bombing
POLICE identified three suspects in Tuesday’s bomb attack in Tacurong City as being members of a faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The suspects were identified as Hairodin Abubakar, Lok Oteng and Daud Kansi, and were said to have had one other companion.
Police said the improvised bomb was brought from Matanog, Maguindanao to Tacurong City through Lambayong, Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao.
Girding for war. These are some of the soldiers belonging to five Army battalions and three Marine battalions deployed recently to Sulu province to go after an estimated 200 fighters of the Abu Sayyaf terror group. MARINES PHOTO
The military, on the other hand, said the blast, which injured several civilians, was the handiwork of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters rebels.
The bomb held concrete nails and metal fragments and was concealed in the bumper of a black Toyota car parked at a vacant lot near the city center.
Police and the military said they were tracking the assailants.
The blast, one security expert said, could be a prelude to wide-scale hostilities between the MILF and security forces after the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the lynchpin for a peace agreement between the government and the rebels, failed to pass in Congress.
The rival Moro National Liberation Front said it would not be dragged into a shooting war with government forces.
“We will not permit the war from spilling over to our areas,” MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza said amid signs that the MILF was preparing for war.
Reports said the Tacurong bombing was a unilateral action by Abdullah Macapar, alias Commander Bravo of the MILF, who was reportedly massing fighters in Central Mindanao following the collapse of the BBL.
Cerveza said the prospects for peace in Mindanao depends on how the military handles the situation.
“If the government will be stupid and go on a wanton assault, then widespread war could start,” Cerveza said.
Earlier, chief government peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer warned that failure to pass the BBL could spark violence.
“That’s the danger, that’s why we are taking steps, calling for sobriety,” she said.
Ferrer said indifference and chronic absenteeism in the House torpedoed the passage of the BBL.
“Let me state the fact: The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, in whatever shape or form, did not make it out of the 16th Congress,” said Ferrer.
“The sheer indifference and chronic absenteeism of majority of the legislators manifested in the lack of quorum almost on a daily basis in the House of Representatives, and the prolonged and repetitive interpellation of oppositors ate up the remaining sessions,” Ferrer said.
The 10,000-strong MILF signed a peace accord with the government in 2014 to end its struggle for independence, which began in the 1970s.
Under the accord, the rebels would have only given up their arms after the BBL was passed creating the autonomous homeland and a regional government was elected. The vote was meant to take place alongside the May general election.
After the collapse in 2008 of the last attempt to seal a peace deal with the MILF, hardline rebels raided Christian farming villages, triggering fighting that left more than 400 people dead and 600,000 displaced.
Chief MILF negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said Wednesday the rebel leadership was working hard to avoid a repeat, and vowed to continue working for peace with Aquino’s successor.
He told ABS-CBN television there could be a feeling of “repression” within the MILF ranks, but the leadership was countering with “massive engagement.”
“We just explain to them that here lies the problem in the peace process. We will never cease engaging in the peace process,” he told ABS-CBN television.
Most political analysts say Aquino lost lawmakers’ support for the autonomy bill after a police raid in MILF territory in Mamasapano last year killed a Malaysian bomb maker on the United States’ list of most-wanted terrorists.
However, the raid led to a day of intense fighting with the MILF and other rebels that left 44 police commandos dead.
US Ambassador Philip Goldberg said Wednesday the US did not carry out that operation.
At a forum in Quezon City, Goldberg said while the US will continue to work closely with the Philippines in monitoring local terrorism linked to international jihadists, the Mamasapano raid was not a US-designed operation.
He said the US and the Philippines, along with the other countries, have been cooperating with one another to share information to fight terrorism.
At the same forum, he would not confirm nor deny the presence of some US soldiers during the rescue operation after 44 SAF members were killed in a clash with the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Although the US supports peace, Goldberg said, it would not comment on the BBL.
“We have said all along that the BBL is domestic legislation. It’s intended to carry out the comprehensive agreement on Bangsamoro. It is a domestic issue not for me to comment,” he said.
From the Straits Times (Feb 4): Philippine government's peace deal with Moro rebels under threat
Islamist militants sow discontent as autonomy did not materialize
In March 2014, with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as witness, the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a historic pact to end a decades-long secessionist war that had cost at least 120,000 lives.
Two years later, the cornerstone of that deal - the Bangsamoro Basic Law creating an autonomous Muslim region in the restive southern island of Mindanao - has run its full course in Congress.
"It did not make it out of the 16th Congress," Ms Miriam Ferrer, the government's chief negotiator, said in a statement yesterday as Congress held its last session, prior to the start of the campaign season for the May elections next Tuesday.
The peace deal started on strong legs. But a botched operation to arrest Malaysian extremist Zulkifli Hir, alias Marwan, in January last year provided opportunities for opposition lawmakers to stonewall the proposed Bangsamoro law.
More than 40 police commandos who fought hundreds of Muslim fighters, including some from the MILF, were killed in that operation, provoking public outrage and fuelling opposition to the Mindanao peace deal.
But for Ms Ferrer, it was the "sheer indifference and chronic absenteeism" among lawmakers that doomed the Bangsamoro law.
What happens now?
The MILF has said it is not the end of it all, that the next government is legally bound to honour its commitments. But a new administration fresh from securing a mandate from voters is unlikely to touch on such a polarising issue early in its term.
In its current form, the peace deal calls on MILF fighters to lay down their arms and transition into politicians who will lead Mindanao's independent region for Muslims: the Bangsamoro.
The region will have its own police force, a regional Parliament and power to levy taxes.
President Benigno Aquino's successor will have to decide whether to honour these terms or start from scratch. Then, any peace deal will again have to go through lengthy deliberations in Congress, which may take years.
Islamist militants are seizing this opening to sow seeds of discontent.
Ms Ferrer has called the Bangsamoro law a "containment measure against jihadists' extremism". Now, "some groups may head to a different direction, and that's the direction we are all afraid of", she has warned.
It is not even certain now if the 12,000-strong MILF itself will remain on board, as grumblings within its ranks become louder and those who have opposed the deal gain moral ascendancy.
The MILF has had to form a "task force" of Islamic preachers to prevent militant groups that have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from raiding its ranks.
The immediate threat is from extremist groups that have recently coalesced in an effort to declare a South-east Asia "wilayat", or province, of ISIS.
Then there is the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway faction of the MILF. It has been raiding remote villages in Mindanao, prompting hundreds of farmers there to arm themselves and form a militia they are calling "Red God's soldiers".
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), of former secessionist champion and now fugitive Nur Misuari, is also at play.
It still commands enough fighters to lay siege to an entire city. In September 2013, it attacked the southern port city of Zamboanga, sparking a three-week-long battle that left at least 244 people dead and 116,000 civilians displaced.
The MNLF has reportedly formed an alliance with the BIFF and the more brutal Abu Sayyaf, which has carried out abductions, beheadings and bombings in the past.
Mr Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF's spokesman, said "it is not the end of the world for us".
Congress' stonewalling of the proposed Bangsamoro law "is only a confirmation of what we have been foreseeing since December last year… We will continue pursuing a settlement", he said.
But for now, with peace again up in the air, the MILF is holding on to its guns.
From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): Army junior officer, 2 soldiers killed in ComVal clashes vs NPA An Army junior officer and two soldiers were killed in a series of clashes with communist rebels in Compostela Valley on Wednesday.
Captain Rhyan Batchar, public affairs officer of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID), said on Thursday that the first incident took place in Sitio (sub-village) Sapang Tin-aw in Barangay (village) Tibagon in Pantukan town around 1 p.m.
A platoon of soldiers from the 46th Infantry Battalion encountered around 60 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) belonging to the Pulang Bagani Command 3 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee for 30 minutes. When the soldiers were clearing NPA positions, the withdrawing rebels set off improvised explosive devices, which killed two soldiers and wounded two others.
First Lieutenant Ralph Pantonial and Private First Class (PFC) Eulezys Bantulo were killed from the blast, while PFC Sabido and Corporal Velunta were injured.
Pantonial, 28, commanding officer of the Charlie Company, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2010.
Meanwhile, the second incident happened at Sitio Biasong in Barangay Napnapan, also in Pantukan around 6 p.m, Batchar said.
Around 10 rebels fired at a platoon of soldiers from the Bravo Company of the same battalion.
“After a five-minute firefight, the rebels withdrew and burned two houses at Purok 7 of the same sitio during their escape,” Batchar said.
PFC Moreno lost his life in the second incident.
“These incidents confirmed the assessment of the 10ID that large formations of NPAs are in Pantukan,” Batchar said.
The NPA is believed to be strongest in Davao region. The military estimated that there are still around 4,000 communist rebels in the whole country.
From GMA News (Feb 4): PDEA: Marcelino's denial, frame-up claim are 'weak defenses'
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday maintained that there was nothing illegal in the arrest of Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino inside a clandestine drug laboratory in Manila last month.
In a joint affidavit submitted at the resumption of the preliminary investigation on the case, the PDEA said Marcelino’s denial, alibi, and claim of a frame-up are inherently weak defenses.
"A perusal of the respective counter-affidavits of the respondent shows that the allegations contained therein are purely alibis that deserve scant consideration in law,” according to the PDEA, through its agents PO3 Adrian Galang and IO1 Ronald Gogoc.
The agents are among the complainants who filed charges against Marcelino.
Marcelino, who was arrested last January 21 in an anti-illegal drug raid in Manila, was charged with violating Sections 8 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
A former PDEA official, Marcelino claimed that he was performing surveillance work when arrested together with a Chinese national in the raid on a townhouse that turned out to be a shabu lab.
“The logical conclusion is that the respondents were validly arrested on January 21, 2016 in flagrant in full control and dominion of a clandestine laboratory for the manufacture of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu,” said the PDEA.
Both Marcelino and Yan Yi Shou, also known as Randy, were present during Wednesday’s preliminary investigation.
The PDEA described as “self-serving" Marcelino’s accusation that his arrest was linked to PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac’s personal grudge against him.
The PDEA said Marcelino failed to show any proof of ill-motive on the part of Cacdac.
The agency added that Marcelino’s alleged surveillance operations on illegal drug activities was not part of his job description as a commandant of the Philippine Navy Officer Candidate School in Zambales.
He is likewise not a member of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the PDEA, which is the lead agency in the enforcement of the provisions of Republic Act 9185.
“It is worth emphasizing that respondent LTC Marcelino is not duly authorized to conduct any anti-illegal drugs operation when he was arrested,” said the PDEA.
The agency also insisted that Randy, who was arrested along with Marcelino, is not documented and authorized as an action agent, confidential informant or asset of the PDEA.
The PDEA said that assuming Marcelino was indeed on a legitimate surveillance operation, he should have at least complied with the protocol and requirements on coordinating with the agency.
The DOJ set the next hearing for February 10. Randy's camp, meanwhile, asked for more time to file a counter-affidavit.
From the Manila Channel (Feb 3): Do you know this? Philippine Navy launches first SSV: BRP Tarlac
Surabaya, Indonesia- The Philippine Navy formally launched its first Strategic Sealift Vessel (SSV) in PT PAL Indonesia’s shipyard in Surabaya. Named the BRP Tarlac, the SSV will serve as the largest strategic vessel in the Philippines.
According to Navy Spokesperson Col. Edgardo Arevalo, the SSV is named after a city, similar to BRP-Dagupan (LCC-551) and BRP Bacolod City (LCC-550), which are both Logistics Support Vessels. This sets these vessels apart from frigates and other surface combatants under the Navy, as these are named after Filipino heroes and outstanding military personnel.
The BRP Tarlac is set to undergo sea trials and will be brought back to the shipyard for fine tuning. It is expected to arrive in the Philippines this coming May.
The country’s second SSV also went through a milestone ceremony around the same time as the launch of the BRP Tarlac, the Keel Laying Ceremony.
But what exactly is an SSV?
The BRP Tarlac Specification:
An SSV is a class of sealift vessels under the Philippine Navy, and is composed of four vessels that are intended to be the largest in the country. These ships are meant for amphibious operations and special transport duties in service to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but can likewise be used for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations of the military.
The BRP Tarlac, also known as the SSV-1, was constructed to an overall length of 123.0 m, with a length waterline of 114.6 m, and a length between perpendiculars at 107.5 m. It has a breadth of 21.8m, depth of 11.3m, and a draft of 5.0 m.
The SSV-1 has an endurance of 30 days straight operation, and has an operating range of 9360 NM, with power required 2 x 2920 kW. It can accommodate a total of 621 persons, or troops of 500 persons. It likewise has a helipad and a VIP cabin for 121 persons, and displacement of 7,200 tons.
The SSV-1 can run up to 16 knots max, and cruising speed of 13 knots max.
From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 3): Defense chief visits Eastmincom
As part of his unified command visits and to assess the
security in the region. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin visited the
headquarters of the Eastern Mindanao Command yesterday (February 2).
The Eastmincom headquarters is located inside the sprawling Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City the home of the Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao.
Gazmin highlighted the current updates of the Armed Forces’ modernization program and emphasized the role of the military in the coming 2016 national and local elections. “You have to remain apolitical and not get involved in any partisan political activity.” The DND chief said.
The Secretary also commended Eastmincom under the leadership of Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero for taking the right direction in winning the peace, he also congratulated the command for its accomplishments in the previous year.
After the talk, Sec. Gazmin had boodle lunch with field commanders, soldiers and civilian personnel of Eastmincom.
The unified command covers the regions of Southeastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao and parts of Central Mindanao.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 3): Tension between Army troops, MILF defused in Lanao del Norte
Commander Bravo and men agreed to cancel visit to old MILF camp in Kauswagan town -- MILF COTABATO CITY – The tension between soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces in Lanao del Norte has been defused and the situation has gone back to normal, an MILF official said Wednesday.
Toks Ibrahim, head of the MILF’s normalization secretariat, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone that the tension subsided when Commander Abdullah Macapaar, also known as Bravo, agreed to pull out from Kauswagan town following negotiations.
Ibrahim said the tension started when Bravo wanted to visit his old camp in Kauswagan after attending an event in connection with the normalization process on Monday.
The event was properly coordinated with the government but not Macapaar’s visit.
Since the planned visit was not coordinated, soldiers from the 15th Infantry Battalion and 2nd Mechanized Brigade based in Kauswagan positioned themselves on Macapaar’s route to the old MILF camp in Barangay Delabayan.
“This caused tension. It (the planned visit to old camp) was not covered by the prior coordination made with the military,” Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim said Macapaar eventually agreed to move out of Kauswagan and to coordinate any visit to the old MILF camp in the future.
Von Al Haq, MILF spokesperson, said members of the MILF’s ceasefire committee talked with Macapaar and made him understand he had to back out unless he properly coordinated any visit.
Macapaar was among MILF commanders, who led a string of deadly attacks in Mindanao when the government dilly-dallied on the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain in 2008.
Fears about renewed attacks by his group largely fueled Monday’s tension in Kauswagan as his presence in the town came after Congress refused to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Feb 3): US keeping an eye on ISIS threat in PH, SE Asia
The US is closely monitoring the threat of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the Philippines and in the entire Southeast Asian
US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said in a forum on Wednesday that they are on guard against groups that have claimed links with the ISIS. READ: Regional leaders warn of IS expansion in SE Asia
“We all have to be on guard against groups that pledge allegiance to ISIS, that say they want involvement in the kinds of activities and ideology represented by the ISIS,” he said.
Among the local groups that have pledged allegiance to the ISIS are Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Ansar al-Khalifa.
Videos of such groups have been posted online, taking an oath and announcing their support to ISIS.
“We are watching that, as is the Philippines very closely, and we need to do so to make sure that whatever rhetorical support, or whatever happening behind the scenes, is not something that becomes a danger to the Philippines or the region,” Goldberg said.
He also acknowledged that social media is one of the tools where ISIS can expand beyond its borders.
“What we can tell you is that the groups that pledge allegiance will be in the sights of all of us,” Goldberg said.
He justified that the Philippines and US cooperate on counterterrorism and share information because of threats like these.
