Abu Sayyaf had support from civilians in Bohol?

From Malaya Business Insight (Apr 18): Abu Sayyaf had support from civilians in Bohol?

AUTHORITIES are looking into the role played by an elderly couple in the operations of the Abu Sayyaf, particularly in Bohol where the bandit group clashed with government forces last week.

Constantino and Crisenta Petalco, who were in their mid-60s, were among the six civilians reported killed in the April 11 clash. They were residents of Bohol and owned the house were the criminals sought refuge upon arrival in the province on the eve of the clash.

The Abu Sayyaf, whose main activity is kidnapping for ransom, operates in Sulu and Basilan. A source last week said the criminals could be targeting foreign delegates attending an event of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, through acting spokesman Robespierre Bolivar, said the Asean-Hong Kong Free Trade meeting which will be held in Panglao Island in Bohol from today to April 22 will push through despite the clash, “unless any new information dictates otherwise.”

He said   measures are in place  to secure the gathering which will have about 200 confirmed participants.

Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto assured the Asean delegates the province is safe and that the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf group are contained in the northern part of the province, which is far from the venues for the event.

He said troops from Cebu will augment Bohol security forces to ensure of the safety of the delegates.

Capt. Jojo Mascarenas, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 302nd Brigade, said the investigation led by the PNP seeks to establish the Petalcos’ ties with the Abu Sayyaf and their participation in the encounter.

He said Crisenta is an aunt of Abu Sayyaf member Joselito Melloria, alias Abu Ali, who was also slain in the fighting.

Mascarenas said the couple could have served as the “contact” of the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol. “The Abu Sayyaf would not go to Bohol without a contact... They (couple) slept with the terrorists in the house,” he said.

The military earlier said the Abu Sayyaf members arrived in Bohol on the evening of April 10 to abduct foreign and Filipino tourists. The group was engaged by soldiers in a firefight early morning of April 11.

Officials have said six Abu Sayyaf men were killed, including sub-leader and spokesman Muammar Askali, alias Abu Rami, only to later clarify that two of the fatalities are civilians.
Three soldiers, including a 2Lt. Estelito Saldua, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2015, and a policeman were killed and another soldier and a policeman were wounded.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP public affairs office, said the military was “surprised” there were still civilians in the area at the time of the fighting.

“We believed that there are no longer civilians in the area because they already evacuated,” said Arevalo, adding that military operations should be surgical and should only focus on the targeted personalities.

“What is definite is that Abu Sayyaf members were inside, they stayed in that house where the fighting took place. There have been evacuations immediately following the encounter and the AFP is not in a position to know if there were civilians left at that time,” said Arevalo.

Arevalo also said it was too early to conclude if the two civilians were actually coddlers, or they had been held hostage, or they were killed by the Abu Sayyaf on suspicion they informed authorities of the presence of the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol.

Insp. Lyn Abella, public information officer of the Police Regional Office 7, said the Petalcos were among those evacuated before the firefight but returned home to attend to their farm animals.

Abella said they are also looking at other reports that the Petalcos were taken hostage.

She said government troops are still hunting down at least eight Abu Sayyf men who have taken refuge in the northern part of Bohol.
  

GOLD CROSS

President Duterte visited Saldua’s wake in San Jose, Batangas and awarded him a Gold Cross Medal.

Duterte also handed financial assistance to the family, and a cellular phone with his contact information.

“Kung may kailangan kayo, maski anong problema na hindi ninyo masolusyunan, tawagan ninyo lang ako (If you need anything, any problem that you cannot solve, just call me),” he told Saldua’s parents Gina and Estelito.

Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas also gave scholarships, up to the college level, to Saldua’s three siblings.
  

BEHEADING CONDEMNED

Malacañang condemned the Abu Sayyaf’s beheading of Filipino hostage Noel Besconde on April 13.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Malacañang has also sent its sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of the captain of the fishing vessel FB Ramona, who was seized in December last year.

“We strongly condemn this senseless and cold-blooded murder committed during the Holy Week. Local authorities and our security forces are exhausting all means to locate the captain’s remains, as our troops continue to pursue this bandit group and hold them accountable for their crimes,” Abella said.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said Besconde’s beheading has motivated soldiers more to deliver “lethal blow” to the lawless group.

Expressing his “extreme indignation” against the Abu Sayyaf for the beheading of Noel Besconde, Año vowed that the military establishment will not rest in the ongoing fight against the Abu Sayyaf.

“While the AFP condemns this gruesome murder of this hapless kidnap victim, it all the more drives our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines to deliver the lethal blow against this band of terrorists and rescue the remaining kidnap victims,” said Año who targets to defeat the Abu Sayyaf within the first half of this year.

Año reiterated his appeal to the people of Sulu, Basilan and other parts of Mindanao to help the military and other security forces “to put a stop to these criminal and evil acts of the ASG.”

Año has directed Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the military’s Joint Task Force Sulu, to locate the remains of Besconde. “I desire that his body be brought to his mournful family and be accorded a decent burial,” said Año.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/abu-sayyaf-had-support-civilians-bohol

Augmentation force

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 17): Augmentation force



Tourism in Bohol is expected to be affected by the encounter between government troops and Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Travel advisories were issued, the latest of which warns Koreans to avoid Bohol.
(CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

Security beefed up for Asean meetings in Bohol as Korean Consulate issues travel advisory

As the meetings of the trade ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) started in Bohol yesterday and in the face of the encounter between government forces and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a joint security augmentation force among the police, military and 21 other government agencies numbering around 4,000 was deployed to the province.

This also comes as the Korean Consulate in Cebu issued a special travel advisory urging its citizens to cancel or postpone their trips to Bohol.

Even tour operators have stopped offering island hopping and Bohol day tours since last week’s encounter in Barangay Napo, Inabanga, Bohol.

“That is, in effect, the meaning when we say specific tour services have been canceled,” said Alice Queblatin, president of the Cebu Association of Tour Operations Specialists (Catos).

She was, however, unfazed by the Korean travel advisory, saying now is a lean season for Korean and Japanese tourists.

Travel advisory

The Korean travel advisory read, “Judging that public insecurity caused by the infiltration of terrorist groups could continue for some time in the Island of Bohol, the venue of the Asean summit from April 18 until 22, the Foreign Ministry has made the move to protect nationals of the Republic of Korea there.”

The temporary special travel advisory is tantamount to a travel restriction, but the consulate clarified that it is only recommendatory in nature.

The advisory urges Korean nationals to cancel or postpone their plans to visit Bohol, or to leave the area “unless there are urgent matters to attend to.”

According to Consul and Police Attache Lee Yong-Sang, the number of Korean nationals visiting Bohol during the advisory period has considerably decreased as the consulate received more inquiries about it.

“According to some tourism agencies, Korean travelers (to Bohol) are tending to decrease. And for the Korean Consulate, inquiries regarding cancellation of the trip are coming to us,” Lee told Cebu Daily News.

For now, he said the consulate will continue monitoring the situation.

“The MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the Korean Consulate in Cebu will continue monitoring the security situation in the aforementioned area in the Philippines and then mull over whether the special travel advisory should remain in place,” the advisory further read

Augmentation

Bohol provincial police director Senior Supt. Felipe Natividad Jr. said the augmentation force will be deployed not only on Panglao Island where the Asean meetings are held, but will also be scattered throughout the province.

Some of the teams including the Special Action Force (SAF) will conduct checkpoints in the neighboring towns of Panglao.

“We don’t concentrate just in Panglao Island. Of course there are some delegates who will be visiting other places in Bohol,” Natividad said.

Last Sunday, there were still a lot of local and foreign tourists in Bohol despite the Inabanga encounter.

“Ito (Inabanga incident), only isolated (case). Tapos we were able to subdue,” Natividad added.  (It was an isolated case and we were able to subdue the threat.)

He assured residents and tourists that the government troops would ensure that the Asean meetings in the province would be safe.

Manhunt

Meanwhile, the hunt for the remaining ASG members who entered Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Napo in Inabanga continues.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police recently released a list of the suspected terrorists who remain at large.

They were identified by law enforcers as Joselito “Alih” Milloria, the person who guided the group from Mindanao; and those carrying the names Richard, Asis, Ubayda, Poy, Dah, Saad and Amra.

Four others were killed in the gunfight with government troopers last week.

They were Moumar “Abu Rami” Askali, the leader of the group; Abu Sufyan, the group’s alleged bomb expert; Edimar Isnain, and an unidentified person.

Posters of the alleged terror group members were posted by the Municipality of Inabanga on its Facebook page on Sunday.

“Stay alert and vigilant. Immediately inform authorities whenever you see these persons and other suspicious-looking men in your areas,” read the FB post in Cebuano.

Supt. Lorenzo Batuan, deputy director for operations of the Bohol Provincial Police Office, said government forces remain in the field to locate and arrest the remaining members of the group.

“We continue to look for them,” he said in a phone interview.

The police, Batuan said, are designated to monitor the coastal areas while the Philippine army penetrates the mountains and other areas.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the suspects are requested to contact the 302nd Brigade of the AFP hotline through 0905-455-1543.

Last week’s encounter led to the death of five alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, three soldiers, and a police officer.

The casualties on the part of the government were identified as 2nd Lt Estelito Saldua Jr.; Corporal Meljun Cajaban; Sergeant John Dexter Duero; and SPO2 Rey Anthony Nazareno, member of the Special Weapons and Tactics from Calape town.
Another soldier, Corporal Chris Jude Borlas, was wounded and is now at the Tubigon hospital.

Unconfirmed reports

Meanwhile, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director Senior Supt. Eric Noble said they received at least five calls coming from various parts of the province about suspicious people and activities over the weekend.


NOBLE

Noble said that most calls came from Southern Cebu, where there were reports that some members of ASG already landed there.

But none of the reports have been confirmed.

“Okay lang naman yun na magtawag ng police kesa magpost sa social media which creates panic sa mga tao,” Noble said. (It’s okay that they call police about suspicious people or activities in their area instead posting it on social media which creates panic to the public)

Noble reiterated that Cebu is still safe and free from the rebel group

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/129874/augmentation-force

Cops want arrested kidnappers brought to Malaysia

From The Star (Apr 18): Cops want arrested kidnappers brought to Malaysia

Police are hoping their Filipino counterparts will help bring arrested Abu Sayyaf kidnappers to face charges in Malaysia.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police have received information that several of the wanted kidnappers had been arrested.

“I heard some of them have been arrested in southern Philippines. Now we are looking at whether we can extradite them back to Sabah to face kidnapping charges,” he said after a forum with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Asked if there were other Abu Sayyaf leaders apart from the elusive Al Habsi Misaya, who is high on the Malaysian police wanted list, he said there were a few more for whom warrants of arrest had been issued.

On whether the death of Muamar Askali @ Abu Rami and the surrender of Abu Sayyaf gunmen would end or reduce cross-border kidnappings, he said: “This is what we are hoping for. We hope that the aggressive military offensive (in southern Philippines) and pressure from our side will stop the kidnappings.”

He said that between 2000 and 2016, about 20 cross-border kidnappings and five attempted kidnappings had occurred, with 90% of the kidnappings carried out by the Muktadil brothers (five killed and one arrested last year) and the Abraham Hamid (who was killed in a shootout off Semporna late last year) group.

The kidnappings involved 33 Malaysians and 31 foreigners, he said. There are 24 hostages in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf but no Malaysians following the release of the five sailors last month.

On another matter, Khalid said 57 Malaysians, who joined the Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria, are planning to return home. He said eight had already come back while the rest were making plans to do so.

“Some of them whose husbands have been killed have married other IS militants. Their children are under the care of other IS militant families,” he told students at the forum.

Khalid said the groups were also using Sabah as a transit point to move to neighbouring countries. Students should be very cautious in accepting views on religion in social media and if approached by such groups, he added.

On the case of former Universiti Malaya student Siti Nor Aishah Atam who was re-arrested under the Security Offences (Special Mea­sures) Act last month, Khalid said she was still deemed as a threat and was constantly in contact with IS militants.

“She intended to go to Syria. Although many people claim she is innocent, we have done our investigations,” he added.

He said she had tried to contact an IS leader in Syria and had attempted to make a false MyKad to facilitate her travel to Syria.

The 29-year-old Siti Nor Aishah was a student of Universiti Malaya lecturer-turned-militant Dr Mahmud Ahmad, who has fled with four others to the southern Philippines.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/18/cops-want-arrested-kidnappers-brought-to-malaysia/

Philippines goes ahead with ASEAN meet in Bohol after foiling attack

From the Philippine Star (Apr 17): Philippines goes ahead with ASEAN meet in Bohol after foiling attack

More than 200 delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will proceed with a meeting in Bohol this week despite a foiled attack there by the Abu Sayyaf, officials said Monday.

 

Acting Interior Secretary Catalino Cuy said that Panglao Island in Bohol province could be considered "the most secure place in the country right now." The two-day ASEAN trade meeting on the island starts Wednesday.

 

Philippine forces, backed by airstrikes and rocket-firing helicopters, killed four of several extremists from the brutal Abu Sayyaf and other Islamic State group-linked groups who traveled far by boat from their jungle bases in southern Sulu province to stage ransom kidnappings and bombings, security officials said.

 

"Our objective is zero incident up to the final ASEAN meeting," said Cuy, who oversees security for more than 140 meetings that the Philippines will host as it leads the 10-nation regional bloc this year.

 

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said all foreign delegates to the meeting, which would focus on a free trade agreement between ASEAN and Hong Kong, have confirmed their attendance. ASEAN member states have not raised any concern over the meetings, Cuy said.

 

At least 52 meetings, including an annual gathering of ASEAN foreign ministers on Boracay Island in February, have been held without any incident, Cuy said. President Rodrigo Duterte will host nine of his ASEAN counterparts in an annual summit in Manila next week.

 

Troops and police were hunting down several militants who fled the fighting.

 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/04/17/1691169/philippines-goes-ahead-asean-meet-bohol-after-foiling-attack

MILF reminds police of need to coordinate on arrests of members

From the Philippine Star (Apr 17): MILF reminds police of need to coordinate on arrests of members



Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza (left) and Hadji Murad Ebrahim and Ghazali Jaafar of the MILF at a breakfast meeting in 2016. JOHN UNSON, file

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Monday urged Malacañang to investigate into allegedly unilateral police actions against rebels supposedly covered by agreed government-MILF security protocols.

 

Among the latest MILF members killed for reportedly resisting arrest is Mohaimen Abo, a younger brother of the group’s first vice chairman, Ghazali Jaafar. Jaafar is also chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

 

Abo, also known as Boy Bangsamoro and Ustadz Abo, was charged with kidnap for ransom, murder, frustrated murder and homicide in two courts in central Mindanao.

 

“We strongly request the Government of the Philippines, particularly the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, to look seriously and urgently into these alarming actions of the Philippine National Police. These police operations might negatively affect the peace process,” said Sammy Al-Mansour, chief of the MILF’s self-styled Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

 

Jaafar had earlier told reporters his brother, shot dead for refusing to yield to policemen who tried to peacefully serve him warrants for his arrest, was a regular member of the MILF.

 

Senior Superintendent Agustin Tello, director of the Maguindanao provincial police, said the agents who tried to arrest Abo in Sultan Kudarat town last week were forced to neutralize him when he resisted and tried to shoot them with a pistol.

 

“As in the present alarming situation, the raids of the PNP against BIAF members, if left unabated, may escalate tension and spark violent armed encounters,” Al-Mansour said in a written statement distributed to journalists.

 

He said law enforcement operations in recognized rebel communities are supposedly a mutual joint initiative of the government and the MILF, based on all security agreements crafted by both sides.

 

Al-Mansour said efforts to address security issues in areas covered by their 1997 Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities are governed by bilateral coordination protocols.

 

“As a matter of record, when the coordination mechanisms were faithfully observed, peace and order was maintained on the ground. If not, as in the case of the Mamasapano encounter, armed clashes eventually happened and put at risk the gains of the peace process,” he said.

 

The MILF has blamed lack of coordination by the PNP for the January 25, 2015 “Mamasapano incident” that left 44 personnel of the police’s elite Special Action Force, 17 MILF guerrillas and five villagers dead.

 

The SAF commandos were killed when they were attacked by armed men, including MILF members, while moving out of Inog-og area in Barangay Pidsandawan in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao after killing wanted Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, most known as Marwan.

 

A third group, the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which also operates in areas where there are MILF forces, was also involved in the gunfights that lasted for more than 10 hours.

 

The MILF said the bloodshed could have been avoided had the PNP coordinated its mission to arrest Marwan right in his hideout, a conflict flashpoint area covered by its interim ceasefire accord with Malacañang.

 

Al-Mansour asked Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza to look into the issue to forestall adverse implications to the current government-MILF peace process.

 

Peace talks between the government and the MILF started on January 7, 1997 and, after 17 years of negotiation, reached a deal, the March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.

 

Jaafar leads the BTC — comprised of representatives from the MILF, the Moro National Liberation Front and the government — now drafting a law needed to legitimize the implementation of the accord.

 

The output of the commission, however, shall be subject to approval by Congress.

 

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2017/04/17/1691167/milf-reminds-police-need-coordinate-arrests-members

AFP yields CPP gave accurate Bohol clash data

From the Daily Tribunen (Apr 18): AFP yields CPP gave accurate Bohol clash data























It turned out that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has more updated intelligence data than the military when it claimed that civilians were among those slain and counted as members of the Abu Sayyaf group during a fierce firefight in Bohol that thwarted a raid of the bandits on a holiday resort.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday admitted two of those killed in the Bohol clash last week were a local couple, both senior citizens, who own one of the houses where the Abu Sayyaf terrorists were engaged by government forces in Inabanga town.

The CPP was the first to identify the couple as Constancio and Crisente Petalco, residents of Barangay Napo, Inabanga town where the clash between government troops and Abu Sayyaf terrorists erupted last April 11.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said investigations are now ongoing to determine why the couple remained in the conflict area during the firefight as he claimed the military ordered an evacuation. “It’s too early for us to conclude…if they are members, if they are coddlers, they were held hostaged, or they were actually killed by the Abu Sayyaf on suspicion that they have tipped off their presence to the military and the Philippine National Police (PNP) (these are) the subjects of the ongoing investigation,” Arevalo said.

He stressed that the operation in Inabanga town was “surgical” and focused only on certain areas and targeted personalities.

“It is our belief in the AFP that when we conducted the operation, there were no more civilians left in that area because they have already evacuated,” said Arevalo.

Arevalo, however, admitted that of the six slain in Inabanga, who were tagged earlier as Abu Sayyaf terrorists, only three were positively identified by the military as Abu Sayyaf members.

Capt. Jojo Mascarenas, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 302nd Brigade, said Crisente is an aunt of Joselito Melloria, alias Abu Ali, who allegedly served as guide to the group of ASG sub-leader Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami.

Askali was among the four positively-identified Abu Sayyaf killed –the two others were a certain Abu Sufyan, one Edimar Isnain, alias Guruh Eddie.

“Accordingly, Cresinta was a relative (aunt) of Joselito Melloria alias Abu Ali who is believed to be the one who guided the other ASG members to the said place,” said Mascarenas.

“Investigation is currently ongoing to determine the involvement of the couple with the terrorist group and their participation during the encounter,” he added.

At the time of the encounter, Mascarenas said that the troops found the Abu Sayyaf terrorists swinging right inside the Petalco’s house while the couple were inside.

Earlier on Friday, the CPP scored the AFP and the PNP for the Bohol encounter, citing the killing of the Petalco couple.

The CPP claimed that the Philippine Air Force dropped nine bombs in Barangays Napo, Calenti and Banahao in Inabanga, forcing at least 1,200 local residents people to evacuate.

“The CPP joins the Filipino people in condemning the overkill military operations conducted by the AFP in Inabanga town which have endangered the lives of civilians,” it said.

The CPP accused the AFP of “spinning fake news stories” after claiming that Abu Sayyaf terrorists traveled 300 kilometers by boat from Sulu to Bohol, unhampered by the whole AFP establishment, then upstream to a place unknown to them with only a general plan to target tourists.

“This story is a typical of the tall tales spun by the US Central Intelligence Agency and their conspirators within the Philippine defense and security establishment,” the CPP said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana lashed back at the CPP, accusing the communist group of being a fake organization for spreading false information regarding the Bohol clash.

AFP vows anew to wipe out Abus

The AFP added it will not be cowed by the brutal act against innocent people but instead will only motivate the soldiers to destroy the terrorists in reference to the Abu Sayyaf beheading of another captive.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said the beheading of Noel Besconde has only driven government troops to deliver the “lethal blow” against the Abu Sayyaf.

“While the AFP condemns this gruesome murder of this hapless kidnap victim, it all the more drives our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines to deliver the lethal blow against this band of terrorists and rescue the remaining kidnap victims,” vowed Año.

“This terrorist group is all the more, by its recent barbarism, fueling the desire of the AFP to crush its beastly practice, stop its kidnap-for-ransom activities, and restore peace in Western Mindanao,” he added.

Besconde was beheaded on Maundy Thursday –apparently in retaliation for the killing of four Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Bohol, including sub-leader Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami.

But Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the AFP’s Joint Task Force Sulu, expressed belief that the ASG beheaded Besconde because he was already sickly and impeded the movement of the Abu Sayyaf.

Sobejana also said that the Abu Sayyaf wanted to get P3 million ransom from the victim’s family but failed.

Besconde was the captain of FB Ramona 2 which was intercepted off Celebes Sea last December. He is the second Abu Sayyaf hostage to be beheaded under the Duterte administration –after German Juergen Gustav Kantner.

Año said that the 125,000-strong AFP will tirelessly pursue the Abu Sayyaf terrorists until they are destroyed as ordered by President Duterte.

“We will never falter. We will not rest even a bit in our conduct of combat, intelligence, and civil-military operations to protect our people. We will exhaust all means-legal and moral— to bring this war against terrorists to conclusion,” said Año.

The AFP chief said he also instructed Sobejana to locate the remains of Besconde for the family to accord him decent burial.

At the same time, Año called on the peace-loving people of Western Mindanao to assit the AFP and stopping the evil ways of the ASG.

“We continue to call on every God-fearing resident of Sulu, Basilan, and other parts of Western Mindanao to help your AFP and other security forces to put a stop to this criminal and evil act of the ASG. They have no place in our civilized society,” said Año.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/afp-yields-cpp-gave-accurate-bohol-clash-data

Relief team in Surigao strafed with bullets

From Tempo (Apr 16): Relief team in Surigao strafed with bullets

A relief team escorted by soldiers was strafed with bullets while on their way to earthquake-ravaged Surigao City.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., disclosed that a platoon under 1st Lt. Ryan Layug, the Civil-Military Operations Officer of the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion were accompanying the relief team of ABS-CBN Foundation where fired upon by suspected rebels while traversing Barangay Linunggaman, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte Tuesday night.
The attack was in contrast to what the rebels initially announced regarding their proposed ceasefire in Surigao to make relief efforts in the area unhampered.

Major General Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., the commander of the 4th Infantry Division condemned the latest action by the rebels.

“There is no way we can really trust these terrorists. They have deceived the entire Nation when they fired upon the team that is composed of Army and civilian volunteers who have just delivered relief goods to the earthquake-stricken communities,” Madrigal said.

Madrigal however assured their focus on providing assistance in terms of helping those affected by the strong tremor.

“While we are in the area helping our people to rise up again after they were badly hit by the recent earthquake, the NPA terrorists are also busy in making our people’s lives miserable,” Madrigal said “The NPA’s attack will not deter us to continue our efforts in helping the LGUs to bring back the normal situation in the entire province.”

http://tempo.com.ph/2017/02/16/relief-team-in-surigao-strafed-with-bullets/

2nd IBPA, MICO float bogus encounter to give way eco-tourism projects in Masbate

Posted to the periodically pro-CPP Bicol Today (Apr 12): 2nd IBPA, MICO float bogus encounter to give way eco-tourism projects in Masbate




The 2nd IB, PA floated a bogus encounter in So. Bantolinao, Brgy. Amutag, Aroroy, Masbate to get rid residents in the area for eco-tourism projects and casino according to NPA-Jose Rapsing Command (JRC).

According to Ka Del Mar, the intention of the AFP is to get rid the people in the area to give way to the capitalists Stanley Ho, gambling financier, and it’s business partner former senator Bongbong Marcos.

There is a plan to convert the agricultural lands in Bantolinao and Napayawan island in the municipality of Aroroy, Masbate into eco-tourism projects and casino that will result to the loss of farmers’ and fishers’ livelihood and houses.

JRC denied the statement on April 8 of 9th ID, Philippine Army that there was an encounter between the joined forces of 2nd Scout Platoon, 2nd IB,PA and Military Intelligence Company(MICO) against JRC that resulted to the possession of shotgun and KG9.

“That was a false statement of the military officials to cover their real objective on going in the area,” Ka Luz Del Mar said.

JRC stated that the joined forces of 2nd IB, PA and MICO arrived in So. Bantolinao on April 7 at 6:30 am.

The next day, April 8, the armies fired in So. Bantolino and near the island of Napayawan that resulted to terror among the residents.

This was the basis of the 9th ID’s spokesperson in its bogus encounter according to Ka Del Mar.

Aroroy municipality, it’s nearby municipalities and its people have long been under militarization.

Meanwhile, Filmenera Mining Corporation located here is being faced with protests from hundreds of farmers and small-scale miners.

NPA-JRC calls all Masbateños to oust Filmenera Mining Corp and mercenary 2nd IB,PA that are protectors in destroying the environment and livelihood of the Masbateños.

http://bicoltoday.com/2017/04/12/2nd-ibpa-mico-float-bogus-encounter-to-give-way-eco-tourism-projects-in-masbate/

MILF: IMT-Mission 12 pays courtesy call to MILF Leadership

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Apr 17): IMT-Mission 12 pays courtesy call to MILF Leadership



Maj.Gen. Datuk Masrani bin Paiman, Head of Mission of the International Monitoring Team (IMT)-Mission 12, together with his contingent paid a courtesy call to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Leaders, at Camp Darapanan, Sultan kudarat, Maguindanao, April 13, 2017.

Other members of the group  were the, Captain Roslan bin Mohd Yunus RMN-Deputy HoM,  Col. Ayub Khan bin Mohammad Khan RMAF- Chief of Staff,  Supt Abd Latif bin Ibrahim- Chief Operations Officer,  LT Cdr Noorulzaki bin Abdul Rahman RMN- SO Admin/Logistics,  Capt (Dr.) Wan Nuruddin Shah bin Wan Johan- Medical Officer, SSgnt Omar Ali bin Hassan – Close Escort,  Lt Col Abidin bin Timbang – Team Site Leader -1,  Maj. Mhd Nooryasdie bin Yahya – SO2 Ops  IMT HW. 

The visiting contingent was warmly received by MILF Central Committee headed by Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, 1st Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar, 2nd Vice Chairman Ali Solaiman ,  Heads of different committees of the Front and Officers of the General Staff, BIAF, MILF.

The welcome address of Chief of Staff Sammy Al Mansour was read for him by his proxy, General Staff Administrative Officer Toks Ebrahim .

Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim gratefully thanked the Malaysian Government and its people for their continued support to the peace process.

“International Monitoring Team is a factor of peace process that plays very important role in sustaining peace in the ground”, Chairman Ebrahim said.

“Before the establishment of the IMT, the peace process was in a very difficult situation, hostilities continue while the negotiation goes on and even in the midst of signing agreement.  But after establishing the IMT in 2003, number of incidents gradually decreased and there were  zero incidents at times, thus spared the distraction from the ground and negotiation went on smoothly until we were able to sign the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) with the facilitation of the government of Malaysia”, he added.

Chairman Ebrahim, assured the peace keepers of MILF’s utmost cooperation for them to be able to do their role as peace makers.  He mentioned though that some incidents happen.  “In particular, one incident poses challenge that occurred just few days ago, the brother of BTC Chairman Ghazali Jaafar was martyred. The victim was suspected by police for criminal activities.  The raid transpired in a nearby area of Lamsan  factory. Reports say the said operation was executed by elements of RSOG (Regional Special Operations Group). The operation was a violation of the coordination mechanism, of both AHJAG and CCCH.  Any member of the MILF suspected by Government for criminal activities, coordination has to be made with AHJAG and CCCH.”

In his final message, Chairman Alhaj Murad Ebrahim expressed gratitude to the IMT. He admitted however that although there are agreements already signed, still more challenges are foreseen in its implementation.  He also mentioned about the BTC’s effort in working hard for the crafting of inclusive law and coping up for the time table of submitting it within the month of May 2017.

In his message MajGen. Bin Paiman considered their visit as a great honor and privilege, and most importantly with the presence of MILF Chair Al Haj Murad.

Addressing the MILF officials at the presidential table as well as his audience,  MajGen. Bin Paiman considered them as great leaders of the Bangsamoro people. His personal view, he said is that the Bangsamoro people require the MILF leadership, a leadership who have the wisdom, vision, the will and the capacity to make things happen, the political solutions that will bring honor to Islam and to the people especially during this critical time whereby peace is in a real sense is just around the corner.

He also said that the IMT-Mission 12 that he heads now including all his subordinates and staff are fully committed to the peace process and play their role as outlined in the IMT’s mandate.

“We are willing to walk extra miles, together with the Bangsamoro people especially the MILF, in order to allow the peace process to be implemented smoothly and subsequently achieve the desired end state, in shaa Allah”, he stressed.

http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/1154-imt-mission-12-pays-courtesy-call-to-milf-leadership

NDF: Bilateral meetings on CASER, not formal talks

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Apr 16): Bilateral meetings on CASER, not formal talks  

“NO FORMAL negotiations between the Negotiating Panels or of the Reciprocal Working Committees on Social and Economic Reforms (RWC-SER) shall be held in the Philippines.”

This was the clarification made by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) RWC-SER member Alan Jazmines after the article “Peace Talks in the Philippines” published in the Manila Bulletin on April 13, 2017, reported that formal peace negotiations between the Philippine Government and the National Democratic Front would be held in the Philippines on April 20, 2017.

Jazmines declared that any formal negotiations between the Negotiating Panels in the country is contrary to the letter and spirit of The Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) with regard to the holding of peace negotiations in a foreign neutral venue.

Jazmines continued. “What will be held in Manila are meetings of bilateral teams to assist the RWC-SER of both parties in clarifying and reconciling certain contentious issues in the NDFP and GRP CASER drafts. Their output will still be submitted to their respective RWCs-SER for approval. It bears stressing that these meetings are not “formal negotiations.”

The Hague Joint Declaration and the Agreement on the Formation, Operationalization and Sequencing of the RWCs mandates the RWCs-SER to draft the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) which would be then submitted to their respective Negotiating Panels for formal negotiations, approval and signing. Another agreement with regard to the ground rules on the formal meetings of the RWC-SER signed during the third round of talks held last January in Rome stipulates that the formal meetings of the RWC-SER shall be held “simultaneous with, and in the same venue as the formal meetings of the negotiating panels.

“We share in the optimism that peace can be achieved once the much-needed social and economic reforms that squarely address the root causes of the armed conflict are genuinely undertaken,” Jazmines concluded.

The 5th round of talks will be held on May 26- June 2, 2017 in Noorwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands and will focus on CASER as the main agenda. ###

REFERENCES:
Alan Jazmines, Randal Echanes
Members of the NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Socio-Economic Reforms
Contact Number: + 63 949 137 7260

https://www.ndfp.org/bilateral-meetings-caser-not-formal-talks/

2 kidnapping group members nabbed in Zamboanga Sibugay

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Apr 17): 2 kidnapping group members nabbed in Zamboanga Sibugay

COMBINED police and military operatives have arrested in a law enforcement operation two suspected members of a kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) Spokesperson Rogelio Alabata identified the arrested KFRG suspects as Abdurahman Sakilan alias Bobong Sakilan, 28 and Pujik Ismael alias Pujik Sarahento, 21, both residents of Sitio Gangit in the village of Mamagon, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Alabata said they were arrested in a law enforcement operation by way of serving warrant of arrest around 12 noon Sunday, April 16 in the village of Tiayon, Ipil town.

Alabata said Sakilan has standing warrant of arrest for murder while Sarahento was caught in possession of explosive.

He said Sakilan is listed as high value target drug personality, being a member under Ging-Ging Calon Drug Group that distributes illegal drugs in the towns of Kabasalan and Naga.

He said both Sakilan and Sarahento were also involved in kidnappings, highway robberies, carnapping, extortion and piracy in Zamboanga Sibugay and in this province.

He said they were also involved in the killing of a soldier in Kabasalan town and in the clash against policemen in April last year in Naga town.

He said the arresting team confiscated from the suspects’ possessions a caliber .45 pistol, a hand grenade, 10 heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or locally known as "shabu" with an estimate market value of P5,000.

Alabata said the arrest of the two suspects is a result of the intensified operation against most wanted persons and lawless elements in Zamboanga Peninsula.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2017/04/17/2-kidnapping-group-members-nabbed-zamboanga-sibugay-536869

8 hurt in Tacurong twin explosions

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 17): 8 hurt in Tacurong twin explosions


Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat (Google maps)

At least eight persons, mostly police officers, were injured in separate bombing incidents here at about 7 p.m. Monday, police said.

Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, Sultan Kudarat provincial police director, said the first explosion occurred inside the rest room of Dragon Gasoline Station located at the corner of national highway and New Isabela Street.

Another improvised bomb planted near the gas station’s signage went off while scene of the crime operatives were conducting an investigation.

“While police and bomb experts were investigating, another explosion occurred that injured police officers and soldiers as well as civilians,” he said.

Another improvised explosive device was found near St. John Learning Center in Barangay New Isabela, about 100 meters away.

The gasoline station was filled with people as a convenience store and resto bar are located beside it.

Supiter identified the injured as bomb disposal team members S/Sgt. Ipil Presaldo, S/Sgt. Menzo Salsalito Manoy, SPO2 Jasper Garcia, PO1 Martin San Pedro, PO1 Eleazar Sustiguer and three civilians identified only as Bobong Bamo, Michael Pon and an unidentified man.

Earlier Monday, text messages circulated warning about alleged plot by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) to set off bombs in Tacurong City, Koronadal City, Gen. Santos City, Cotabato City, Midsayap, North Cotabato and Davao City to avenge the death of Abu Sayyaf Group in Bohol.

Monday’s blasts came about two weeks after an IED explosion injured eight persons when two men lobbed the bomb in front of Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative Office along the national highway here, about 800 meters away from Dragon Gas Station.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/889856/8-hurt-in-tacurong-twin-explosions

Troops search Sulu jungles to retrieve hostage remains

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Apr 17): Troops search Sulu jungles to retrieve hostage remains

THE Joint Task Force Sulu has deployed troops to locate and retrieve the remains of the Filipino hostage that was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf bandits last April 13.

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Jr., Joint Task Forces Sulu commander, said search and retrieval operations are ongoing to recover the remains of Noel Besconde.

READ: Abu Sayyaf bandits behead Filipino hostage

Besconde, the skipper of F/B Ramona, was executed by the Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan on Thursday, April 13, in the village of Tugas, Patikul town.

Sobejana said they received report the bandits killed Besconde since he was sick and his condition impedes the group’s movement in evading advancing government forces.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits seized Besconde and three other crew of F/B Ramona in December 2016 in the Celebes Sea.

The other hostages were identified as Reyjim Rocabo, F/B Ramona’s mechanic, and crewmen Roy Ramos and Roel Liones, all residents of Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.

Besconde was the second hostage the Abu Sayyaf bandits executed this year. The first was a German national who was executed on February after the authorities did not heed to their ransom demand.

General Eduardo Año, Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said on Monday, April 17, that the execution of hostages will not deter them in pursuing the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

"This terrorist group are all the more, by their recent barbarism, fueling the desire of the AFP to crush their beastly practice, stop their kidnap-for-ransom activities, and restore peace in Western Mindanao,” Año said in a statement through the Western Mindanao Command.

 "We will never falter. We will not rest even a bit in our conduct of combat, intelligence, and civil-military operations to protect our people. We will exhaust all means-legal and moral--to bring this war against terrorists to conclusion,” he added.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2017/04/17/troops-search-sulu-jungles-retrieve-hostage-remains-536870

End to rebels’ harassment, corruption of govt men sought

From the Manila Times (Apr 17): End to rebels’ harassment, corruption of govt men sought

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan: The local Catholic Church and the provincial government leadership here appealed to rebel groups to stop “burning” construction equipment and “harassing” businessmen while at the same time calling on government officials and private firms to stop their “corrupt practices.”

Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg and Gov. Manuel Mamba, issued a joint statement after the recent burning of a private contractor’s equipment being used for a government road project in Alcala and Baggao towns.


On March 26, at least four road building equipment were burned by about 15 gunmen who attacked a motor pool owned by Pulsar Construction Company (PCC) in Barangay Calantac, Alcala.

The gunmen who claimed to be members of the New People’s Army also took with them communication equipment.

As a result, the PCC pulled out several of its equipment and personnel from the project, delaying its completion.

The joint statement was read over the local radio station by Father Garry Agcaoili, vicar general of Tuguegarao Archdiocese.

“We ask the Henry Abraham Command under the Fortunato Camus Command of the CPP-NPA [Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army]-Cagayan Valley to refrain from harassing construction personnel and burning construction equipment,” it said.

“We also ask construction firms, the local politicians and government functionaries especially the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] to stop their corrupt practices in relation to the construction of roads and bridges,” the statement added.
http://www.manilatimes.net/end-rebels-harassment-corruption-govt-men-sought/322645/

Duterte confers Gold Cross Medal on soldier slain in Bohol clash

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 17): Duterte confers Gold Cross Medal on soldier slain in Bohol clash

[Video report]

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday posthumously conferred a Gold Cross Medal on 2nd Lt. Estelito Saldua Jr., one of the soldiers who died during a firefight with the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol last week.

The Gold Cross Medal is the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ third highest award for bravery.

Saldua was among the soldiers who responded to an attack by the Abu Sayyaf last April 11 at Inabanga, Bohol.

Duterte went straight to the wake of Saldua in San Jose, Batangas, after he arrived in Manila from the Middle East.

A video from RTVM showed Duterte talking to Saldua’s family.

RTVM reported that Duterte conferred the Gold Cross Medal on Saldua and gave his family financial assistance. He also asked them to contact him if they have problems.

Earlier, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas offered scholarships for the three siblings of Saldua.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/889710/duterte-confers-gold-cross-medal-to-soldier-slain-in-bohol-clash