From the Daily Tribune (Jun 17): AFP bars IS allies’ escape
SOME BANDITS MAY HAVE SLIPPED OUT
The military said containment operations on Islamic State (IS)-inspired militants who had occupied parts of Marawi City for nearly four weeks have been initiated as an official raised the possibility that some of the extremists may have slipped out of a military cordon posing as evacuees and have transferred to nearby provinces.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. said security had been tightened in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro and authorities there were on the lookout for suspicious characters who might “attempt to sow some confusion or sow terror.”
“We’re not denying that there’s probably a few who may have slipped out along with the evacuees from Marawi going to Iligan and Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
The military said that up to 200 fighters, most of them from the Maute group that have pledged allegiance to IS with some foreign fighters, are holding out, using civilians as human shields and mosques as safe havens.
Padilla, however, said talk of the IS sympathizers planning attacks in neighboring towns was based on “misinformation that’s being spread by the enemies” and in fact their capacity was severely reduced. The military added those still in the town were also weakening.
“Enemy resistance continues to dwindle and enemy-held areas continues to get smaller as troops advance,” it said, but giving no indication of how long it might take to retake the town.
The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) also warned of more arrests in the coming days in connection to the implementation of martial law in Mindanao as operation against those included in the two arrests orders have intensified.
Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, spokesman of the Eastmincom for martial law, said the command has intensified security and tracking down operations to ensure that the conflict in Marawi City will not spill over to Eastern Mindanao.More arrests seen
So far, Gapay said that eight individuals, who were among the more than 300 persons ordered arrested by martial law administrator Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had been arrested by Eastmincom.
Among the arrested was the patriarch of the Maute clan –Cayamora Maute, who was nabbed, along with several family members, in a checkpoint in Toril District in Davao City last June 6.
Also arrested was former Marawi City Mayor Fajad Salic, who is tagged as among the supporters of the Maute group.
“As the implementation of Martial Law continues, it is expected that more arrests in the coming days as tracking and monitoring are intensified against the persons listed in the two orders of arrest issued by the Martial Law Administrator,” said Gapay.
Gapay, however, stressed that law abiding citizens should not worry with the martial law implementation –assuring that the military will put premium to human rights and the rule of law.
“EMC is assuring the law-abiding citizens that its actions will always be in accordance to the rule of law and these are being done for the benefit of everyone,” Gapay said.
“As it continues to conduct stringent security and law enforcement operations to shield its area of responsibility, EMC again asks for the continued cooperation and support as the command strives to make Eastern Mindanao safe and secure for everyone,” he added.
Gapay said that since the implementation of martial law, Eastmincom has conducted 9,480 checkpoint operations, including those that resulted in the arrest of the elder Maute and Salic, and 106 security operations –particularly to thwart attacks against vital installations in the region.
Maritime patrols were also intensified to prevent terrorists from entering Eastern Mindanao via the sea.
Currently, Gapay said that 58 towns in Eastern Mindanao are implementing curfew hours –resulting in the arrest of 53 individuals. Total gun ban is also in effect in the region. So far three gun ban violators were apprehended.
225 terrorists terminated
The death toll in the dragging Marawi City siege, now on its 26th day, continued to rise as government security forces struggled to penetrate the remaining strongholds of the Islamic State-inspired terrorists.
Based on data released yesterday by Joint Task Force Marawi, a total of 225 terrorists had been killed since May 23 when the IS-inspired terrorists, led by Isnilon Hapilon and brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute of the Maute group, launched massive atrocities in the Islamic city.
A total of 208 firearms, mostly high-powered, were recovered by government troops during clearing operations.
On the other hand, a total of 59 government troops were killed in action.
At least 26 innocent civilians also died in the ongoing conflict while hundreds of others are believed to still be trapped in Marawi City.
Maj. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, Joint Task Force Marawi commander, said that resistance from the terrorists continued to dwindle but the use of civilians as human shields and hostages is hampering military efforts.
“Enemy resistance continues to dwindle and enemy held areas continues to get smaller as troops advance,” said Bautista.
“Compounding development remains to be the use of civilians as human shields and mosques as staging areas and safe havens,” he added.
The military has vowed not to bomb mosques despite the jihadists use of them to gain advantage against government troops.
Bautista said that four out of the 96 barangays of Marawi City are still considered as “problematic areas” where there are ongoing focused military operations to flush out the terrorists.
However, the heavily built-up areas –where high rise buildings have been occupied by the terrorists and used them as machine gun and sniper nests, call for deliberate and careful conduct of military operations to avoid collateral damage.
The battle for the four remaining barangays has been going on now for several days.
“Our forces continue to execute military operations to ensure we save lives through judicious military action,” said Bautista.’
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año has been reminding operating troops to to put premium on civilian lives, respect for civilian properties during clearing operations and complete discipline among our men in uniform conducting military activities in the area.
Speedy inquest eyed vs bomb-maker
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II yesterday ordered a speedy inquest proceeding against Mohammad Noiam Maute, alias Abu Jadid, an alleged Maute group member and a suspected bomb-maker who was arrested in Cagayan de Oro City.
“I have instructed the panel of prosecutors to immediately conduct the inquest proceedings and to expedite their prosecution and hopefully, their conviction,” Aguirre said after he received a report from authorities confirming the suspected bomb-maker’s arrest.
Jadid, 22, a suspected maker of improvised explosive devices or IED, and also a cousin of Maute terrorist group leaders Omar and Abdullah Maute, was apprehended last Thursday in Cagayan de Oro City.
The alleged bomb-maker is included in the Arrest Order 1 issued by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, martial law administrator in Mindanao, against those suspected to be involved in the Marawi terror attacks.
He was captured by elements of the Martial Law Special Action Group (ML-SAG) during an operation in Sitio Sta. Cruz, Barangay Macasandig in Cagayan de Oro City at around 6:30 a.m.
“The arrest of Mohammad Noaim Maute is a very welcome development in our efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators behind the attacks on the people of Marawi City,” Aguirre said.
“Only by successfully prosecuting the responsible parties can we vindicate the people of Marawi City particularly the innocent victims,” the Justice chief said.
Meanwhile, Aguirre reiterated his request to the Supreme Court (SC) to transfer the proceedings of the criminal cases filed against suspected Maute members to the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
“On a related matter, the arrest of Mohammad Maute in Macasandig in Cagayan de Oro further justifies our request to the Supreme Court for the transfer of the hearing of these cases from Cagayan de Oro courts,” Aguirre said.
“Imagine, one of the personalities involved in the Marawi takeover already in Cagayan de Oro City,” the Justice chief insisted.
“This fact justifies the collective fear of our prosecutors and everyone who will be involved in the prosecution of these cases”, the Justice chief said.
Aguirre earlier sent two letters, on June 14 and 15, to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno asking that “the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Taguig City be designed as the court to try, and decide all cases and incidents arising from the Maute takeover of Marawi City.”
The SC assigned the Cagayan de Oro RTC to hear, try and decide all cases and incidents in connection with the Marawi attacks.
It also designated Camp Evangelista, headquarters of the Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division, as the detention center for Maute members who will be charged for rebellion.
Members of judiciary and national prosecution service have expressed fear for their safety in the conduct of inquest, preliminary investigation and trial of the cases involving the Maute group, Aguirre said.
He insisted that Camp Evangelista does not have proper facilities to detain Maute group members, while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) “does not have adequate training to provide proper jail management.”
The Justice chief also appealed to designate the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to serve as the Maute members’ detention facility.
Canada awaits assistance request
Affirming its readiness to help in the conflict-stricken Marawi City, the Canadian Embassy in Manila said it is waiting for the instruction and request of assistance from the Philippine government’s end.
In an interview, Canadian Ambassador to Manila John Holmes said Canada has different programs already operating in Mindanao, but in terms of assistance in the case of “person-made disasters”, they “await for intruction and request from the government of the Philippines.”
“We are providing assistance already but we do that through the Canadian Red Cross, International Red Cross and the Philippine Red Cross,” he said at the sidelines of EduCanada Seminar at Edsa Shangri-La.
“We have given assistance for dealing with different events so I’m sure some of that money are being used in Marawi City,” he added.
“Normally we would respond to a request from the government of the Philippines,” he said, adding no request from the country’s end has been made yet.
No additional request from Manila, he answered, “none”.
Over the years, the Canadian government has supported the Mindanao Trust Fund, a multi-donor grant facility established in 2005 to consolidate international development assistance for the socio-economic recovery of conflict-affected communities in Mindanao, Philippines.
“It will continue,” said Holmes. “In terms of our aid program, Mindanao has been our focus the last few years and continues to be our focus. We stand ready to help.”
“The government of Canada extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of Marawi City who have been affected by (the) horrible tragedy,” he said.
Marawi City and the entire Mindanao has been under Martial Law since May 23 following the ongoing clash between Maute terror group and government forces.
As of latest, army said 290 people have been killed in the more than three weeks of fighting, including 206 militants, 58 soldiers and 26 civilians.
Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, a military spokesman cleared that they intend to finish the fight as soon as possible, sharing that the Philippine troops were advancing toward the commercial center of Marawi City, held by the local extremists who have sworn allegiance to Islamic State.
On efforts to combat terrorism, Holmes said Canada is also prepared to cooperate with the country, “normally, let’s be honest, we wouldn’t be sending troops or anything like that but we do capacity building and exchanging of information.”
Holmes said these initiatives are on ongoing.
Win seeks Marawi rehab plan
Even as government troops have yet to win its battle against the Maute group, Sen. Win Gatchalian pressed the need to come up with a rehabilitation plan for Marawi City.
“The people of Marawi are not yet confident in the government’s commitment to help them rebuild their lives when the fighting is over. We need to expedite the formulation of the rehabilitation plan so that we can restore their faith in the promise of a peaceful and prosperous future for their homeland,” he said.
The chairman of the Senate committee on economic affairs emphasized the need for the government in taking concrete action and begin carrying rehabilitation efforts even as the fire fight rages on in Marawi.
“When the government finally wins the battle against the Maute group, an even more challenging battle will begin: the fight to rebuild Marawi City. We have to start preparing for this formidable task as early as now,” he said.
“Beneath the rubble of this terrible tragedy lies a golden opportunity to build Marawi City into something greater than it ever was before. With this in mind, the government’s recovery and rehabilitation plan should aim to build superior infrastructure and increase access to and quality of basic social services, with the noble vision of eradicating poverty in the province as its end goal,” the senator said.
Senate Resolution 404, filed by Gatchalian last Thursday, urges the national government to get the ball rolling on the recovery plan by conducting an exhaustive assessment of the damage suffered by the city and its residents as a result of the conflict.
The resolution stresses that it “should be a unified mission by all concerned government agencies” to immediately launch “the most effective recovery and rehabilitation program to rebuild the city.”
Therefore, the comprehensive assessment is designed to touch on key sectors: agriculture, industry, tourism, education, health, housing, cultural heritage, and public utilities and sanitation, among others.
Based on this assessment, the government will be armed with the information it needs to provide immediate humanitarian relief to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and formulate long-term plans to rebuild infrastructure and revive key sectors.
Noting that Lanao del Sur is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines, with an alarming poverty incidence of 71.9 percent among the population (more than three times greater than the national average of 21.6 percent, according to the 2015 Family Income and Expenditure Survey), Gatchalian stressed that simply bringing Marawi City back to the status quo will not be enough.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/afp-bars-is-allies-escape
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Soldiers capture Maute sniper, machinegun nests
From Malaya Business Insight (Jun 15): Soldiers capture Maute sniper, machinegun nests
GOVERNMENT forces have gained control of eight high-rise buildings in Marawi City, where the Maute Group had set up machinegun and sniper nests.
Operations to clear the city of the terrorist group are in the “final stages,” said Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP public affairs office.
Arevalo said the recovery of the eight buildings is significant as the presence of enemy snipers is one of factors delaying the clearing operations.
He said the eight buildings, “their former strongholds,” were recovered by the military in operations yesterday and Tuesday.
One of the buildings is the “tallest in the area, overlooking the city where they’ve established a machinegun nest and sniper nest,” he said.
Arevalo said the Maute members are still occupying “many” buildings in the city but could not give exact figures.
The fighting broke out last May 23 when Maute members fought it out with government forces out to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria like the Maute. Hapilon has reportedly been anointed by the ISIS as its head in Southeast Asia.
The fighting has so far killed 206 Maute members, 58 soldiers and policemen, and 26 civilians. About 200 soldiers and policemen were also wounded in the conflict.
“We are nearing its ending, meaning we are nearing the conclusion (of the operations). We are in the final stage of our operations in Marawi... We’re getting close to it, we’re getting nearer (in accomplishing the job),” said Arevalo.
Arevalo also said enemy resistance continues to dwindle “but we are not going to take this lightly.”
“We cannot be imprudent. We have to very careful with our actions because there are still civilians in the area, they have hostages, trapped civilians... We’re very careful, we are inching our way forward in order to ensure the attainment of our three-fold objective,” he said.
The three objectives are to clear the city of Maute members and degrade their capability to launch more attacks, rescue civilians who are trapped and being held captive by the group, and set the condition for reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi.
“We are now looking at the third option because we see that we are nearing the conclusion of this conflict,” said Arevalo.
Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said military will no longer set any deadline for clearing Marawi City, and will instead focus on liberating the city at the soonest time possible.
Padilla urged the public to be patient, explaining there are challenges that confront the troops on the ground.
“So it will entail a bit of time before we clear every house of any armed element,” he said.
The AFP has set target dates or several deadlines, the last of which was on Independence Day, June 12.
“We will not set deadlines. We will ensure that we are able to clear it of any armed element that still exists and it may take some time,” Padilla said.
Padilla also said that the military is now monitoring close to 80 social media accounts that are allegedly being used by the Maute-Abu Sayyaf group and efforts are being taken to take down these accounts. He declined to provide more details but said it is possible that only one person or group is handling all the media accounts.
The Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT) on Tuesday said government forces were set to arrest at least one person for “cyber sedition” in connection with the attack in Marawi.
The military last week said that it has asked Facebook Philippines to take down 63 accounts being used by the Maute and the Abu Sayyaf and their sympathizers to spread propaganda.
Padilla appealed to the public to unite against terrorism and to condemn what has been happening in Marawi City which he said is no longer a simple matter but a “fight between good and evil.”
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella echoed Padilla’s call, saying Filipinos must set aside differences and make a united stand against terrorism.
“This is no longer intramurals within ourselves, but we need to be united against a common enemy. And in the words of the general (Padilla), it’s a fight between good and evil… Our sovereignty is being confronted and I believe it’s time to set aside petty politics and the things that separate us. It’s really high time and I believe it’s a call to the Filipino nation to be able to stand together as one. It’s high time we do that,” he said.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/soldiers-capture-maute-sniper-machinegun-nests
GOVERNMENT forces have gained control of eight high-rise buildings in Marawi City, where the Maute Group had set up machinegun and sniper nests.
Operations to clear the city of the terrorist group are in the “final stages,” said Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP public affairs office.
Arevalo said the recovery of the eight buildings is significant as the presence of enemy snipers is one of factors delaying the clearing operations.
He said the eight buildings, “their former strongholds,” were recovered by the military in operations yesterday and Tuesday.
One of the buildings is the “tallest in the area, overlooking the city where they’ve established a machinegun nest and sniper nest,” he said.
Arevalo said the Maute members are still occupying “many” buildings in the city but could not give exact figures.
The fighting broke out last May 23 when Maute members fought it out with government forces out to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria like the Maute. Hapilon has reportedly been anointed by the ISIS as its head in Southeast Asia.
The fighting has so far killed 206 Maute members, 58 soldiers and policemen, and 26 civilians. About 200 soldiers and policemen were also wounded in the conflict.
“We are nearing its ending, meaning we are nearing the conclusion (of the operations). We are in the final stage of our operations in Marawi... We’re getting close to it, we’re getting nearer (in accomplishing the job),” said Arevalo.
Arevalo also said enemy resistance continues to dwindle “but we are not going to take this lightly.”
“We cannot be imprudent. We have to very careful with our actions because there are still civilians in the area, they have hostages, trapped civilians... We’re very careful, we are inching our way forward in order to ensure the attainment of our three-fold objective,” he said.
The three objectives are to clear the city of Maute members and degrade their capability to launch more attacks, rescue civilians who are trapped and being held captive by the group, and set the condition for reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi.
“We are now looking at the third option because we see that we are nearing the conclusion of this conflict,” said Arevalo.
Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said military will no longer set any deadline for clearing Marawi City, and will instead focus on liberating the city at the soonest time possible.
Padilla urged the public to be patient, explaining there are challenges that confront the troops on the ground.
“So it will entail a bit of time before we clear every house of any armed element,” he said.
The AFP has set target dates or several deadlines, the last of which was on Independence Day, June 12.
“We will not set deadlines. We will ensure that we are able to clear it of any armed element that still exists and it may take some time,” Padilla said.
Padilla also said that the military is now monitoring close to 80 social media accounts that are allegedly being used by the Maute-Abu Sayyaf group and efforts are being taken to take down these accounts. He declined to provide more details but said it is possible that only one person or group is handling all the media accounts.
The Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT) on Tuesday said government forces were set to arrest at least one person for “cyber sedition” in connection with the attack in Marawi.
The military last week said that it has asked Facebook Philippines to take down 63 accounts being used by the Maute and the Abu Sayyaf and their sympathizers to spread propaganda.
Padilla appealed to the public to unite against terrorism and to condemn what has been happening in Marawi City which he said is no longer a simple matter but a “fight between good and evil.”
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella echoed Padilla’s call, saying Filipinos must set aside differences and make a united stand against terrorism.
“This is no longer intramurals within ourselves, but we need to be united against a common enemy. And in the words of the general (Padilla), it’s a fight between good and evil… Our sovereignty is being confronted and I believe it’s time to set aside petty politics and the things that separate us. It’s really high time and I believe it’s a call to the Filipino nation to be able to stand together as one. It’s high time we do that,” he said.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/soldiers-capture-maute-sniper-machinegun-nests
Maute bomb-maker nabbed
From Malaya Business Insight (Jun 16): Maute bomb-maker nabbed
A BOMB-MAKER of the local terrorist Maute Group was arrested yesterday in a safehouse in Cagayan de Oro City.
Mohammad Noaim Maute alias Abu Jadid, who was nabbed by soldiers and policemen at around 7 a.m. in Barangay Macasandig, is a cousin of Maute Group leaders Abdullah and Omarkhayam Maute who led the attack on Marawi City last month.
The May 23 attack led to clashes that prompted President to place Mindanao under martial law. Operations to clear the city of Maute men are ongoing. Almost 300 people have been killed in the more than three weeks of fighting, including 206 Maute men, 58 soldiers and 26 civilians.
Noaim Maute was earlier identified as a brother of Abdullah and Omar.
Most of the seven Maute brothers, including Abdullah and Omarkhayam, are believed to be in Marawi City which is about 100 km south of Cagayan de Oro. Their parents were recently arrested.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Noaim Maute was among those who attacked Marawi City on May 23 but he later fled, joining civilians who evacuated.
Maute was also involved in the beheading of two sawmill workers in Butig town in Lanao del Sur in May 2016, Padilla said.
“He is part of the network of terrorists that have been wreaking havoc in Mindanao so it (arrest) is a plus for our troops, for our police and the people of Mindanao that they have one less terrorist roaming in their midst, who may inflict harm in the communities,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command and martial law spokesman in Eastern Mindanao, said Noaim Maute was arrested by virtue of Arrest Order No. 1 issued by Defense Secretary and martial law administrator Delfin Lorenzana.
Gapay said Maute is an Arabic teacher in Marawi. He said Maute initially tried to conceal his identity, using a fake student ID of the Mindanao State University under the name of Alfaiz P. Mamintal.
During investigation, Maute admitted he is Mohammad Maute and cousin of the Maute Group leaders. Maute is in the custody of the Cagayan de Oro City police.
Gapay said the Eastmincom is “expecting more arrests in the coming days as tracking and monitoring are intensified against the persons listed in the two orders of arrest issued by the martial law administrator.”
The Maute patriarch, Cayamora, was arrested at a checkpoint in Davao City on June 6, and his wife Ominta Romato “Farhana” Maute, in Lanao del Sur on June 10.
Padilla said government forces are making “headway” as they are moving to the inner areas of four Marawi barangays, portions of which are controlled by the Maute.
“Our troops are moving progressively into the interiors of enemy-held areas and this is confined to four barangays. Of 96 barangays in the city of Marawi, four remain to be problematic,” he said.
Padilla clarified that the four barangays are not under the complete control of the Maute. He said the group is holding “portions” of the barangay but could not immediately say how big.
“Our troops are making headway into the inner areas of these barangays where they continue to hole up or retreat to. The reason for these barangays being problematic areas is because of the presence of built-up buildings that are made of strong materials that can resist any kind of assault by our troops,” he said.
Padilla stressed that the military establishment is no longer setting a deadline for clearing the city of Maute members “because of the urban terrain which is becoming more complicated.”
“This has to be done in a very careful and deliberate manner so as to avoid the loss of innocent lives as well as not put in danger the lives of potential hostages that may still be in the hands of these criminals,” said Padilla.
Asked how the Maute members are able to sustain the more than three weeks of fighting, Padilla said, “They planned for this for a long time and may have laid caches of arms in certain areas that will sustain them as they move into the interiors when they make a retreat or consolidation.”
Padilla also said the Maute members were able to get hold of arms and ammunition from a jail and police installations that they raided.
“The sum of all these items is a sizeable cache that may have been sustaining them for sometime,” said Padilla.
AUSSIE JOURNALIST HIT BY STRAY BULLET
Padilla reported that an Australian journalist, Adam Harvey, a correspondent of the Australian Broadcasting Network, was hit by a stray bullet from the enemy while covering the conflict near the provincial capitol yesterday morning.
“Thank God he is out danger and it’s not life threatening. He was just grazed by a stray bullet coming from the other side of the capitol where the area is still a battlefield, and he has been attended to and has been released from the clinic,” said Padilla.
In his twitter account, Harvey said: “Lucky.” He posted a picture of his x-ray showing a bullet stuck in the neck area. “Thanks everyone - I’m okay. Bullet is still in my neck but it missed everything important.”
Padilla said the stray bullet may have come from an enemy sniper.
“In the course of the fight at the other side of the capitol, there have been sniper bullets that may have strayed in the area and accidentally hit the journalist... Hopefully, we will push (the Maute) into the inner areas a little bit more and keep the battlefield further from the capitol,” said Padilla.
Padilla said the city, particularly in the four problematic areas, remains a “dangerous place” because of the presence of enemy snipers. He asked journalists covering the conflict to remain in the “safe zones.”
“Please do not violate it for your own safety and you know the reason why, as what happened this morning. Even if it was a safe zone, there are possibilities of stray bullets getting into your areas and potentially causing harm to any member of the media and we would like to avoid that,” said Padilla.
UNRECOVERED BODIES
The bodies of persons killed in the Marawi conflict have yet to be recovered due because intense fighting between government forces and Maute continues.
Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the regional assembly of ARRM representing the first district of Lanao del Sur, said the report came from witnesses and trapped residents rescued from the conflict areas.
Adiong, also a spokeswoman man for the provincial crisis committee, said government and civilian volunteers could not recover the cadavers due to the continuing fighting.
“This is based on the accounts of witnesses and residents. The estimate of the bodies they saw is at least a hundred. Some of them (cadavers) are already under a state of decomposition,” said Adiong.
Adiong said there is no information if the bodies are from civilians, Maute members, or government security forces.
Adiong also said at least 233,000 persons have been displaced by the armed conflict. She said the evacuees, who are from Marawi City and nearby towns, are staying in evacuation centers or in the homes of their relatives and friends.
He said majority of the displaced residents are from Marawi City which has a population of about 200,000.
“They (evacuees from nearby towns) have nowhere to buy provisions because Marawi is the capital city of Lanao del Sur. This is where supplies come from. Because of the crisis, security measures like checkpoints have been set up, there is an economic crisis in other towns so they started to move out also,” he said.
TENT CITY
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said government may set up a tent city if the number of displaced individuals in Marawi City and surrounding areas continues to increase.
NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said there are some 66,700 displaced families (about 324,400 individuals) from Marawi City and Marantao town in Lanao del Sur.
He said 5 percent of the internally displaced persons are staying in the 79 evacuation centers while the rest are staying with friends and relatives.
He also said government has provided the evacuees some P84 million worth of assistance.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/maute-bomb-maker-nabbed
A BOMB-MAKER of the local terrorist Maute Group was arrested yesterday in a safehouse in Cagayan de Oro City.
Mohammad Noaim Maute alias Abu Jadid, who was nabbed by soldiers and policemen at around 7 a.m. in Barangay Macasandig, is a cousin of Maute Group leaders Abdullah and Omarkhayam Maute who led the attack on Marawi City last month.
The May 23 attack led to clashes that prompted President to place Mindanao under martial law. Operations to clear the city of Maute men are ongoing. Almost 300 people have been killed in the more than three weeks of fighting, including 206 Maute men, 58 soldiers and 26 civilians.
Noaim Maute was earlier identified as a brother of Abdullah and Omar.
Most of the seven Maute brothers, including Abdullah and Omarkhayam, are believed to be in Marawi City which is about 100 km south of Cagayan de Oro. Their parents were recently arrested.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Noaim Maute was among those who attacked Marawi City on May 23 but he later fled, joining civilians who evacuated.
Maute was also involved in the beheading of two sawmill workers in Butig town in Lanao del Sur in May 2016, Padilla said.
“He is part of the network of terrorists that have been wreaking havoc in Mindanao so it (arrest) is a plus for our troops, for our police and the people of Mindanao that they have one less terrorist roaming in their midst, who may inflict harm in the communities,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command and martial law spokesman in Eastern Mindanao, said Noaim Maute was arrested by virtue of Arrest Order No. 1 issued by Defense Secretary and martial law administrator Delfin Lorenzana.
Gapay said Maute is an Arabic teacher in Marawi. He said Maute initially tried to conceal his identity, using a fake student ID of the Mindanao State University under the name of Alfaiz P. Mamintal.
During investigation, Maute admitted he is Mohammad Maute and cousin of the Maute Group leaders. Maute is in the custody of the Cagayan de Oro City police.
Gapay said the Eastmincom is “expecting more arrests in the coming days as tracking and monitoring are intensified against the persons listed in the two orders of arrest issued by the martial law administrator.”
The Maute patriarch, Cayamora, was arrested at a checkpoint in Davao City on June 6, and his wife Ominta Romato “Farhana” Maute, in Lanao del Sur on June 10.
Padilla said government forces are making “headway” as they are moving to the inner areas of four Marawi barangays, portions of which are controlled by the Maute.
“Our troops are moving progressively into the interiors of enemy-held areas and this is confined to four barangays. Of 96 barangays in the city of Marawi, four remain to be problematic,” he said.
Padilla clarified that the four barangays are not under the complete control of the Maute. He said the group is holding “portions” of the barangay but could not immediately say how big.
“Our troops are making headway into the inner areas of these barangays where they continue to hole up or retreat to. The reason for these barangays being problematic areas is because of the presence of built-up buildings that are made of strong materials that can resist any kind of assault by our troops,” he said.
Padilla stressed that the military establishment is no longer setting a deadline for clearing the city of Maute members “because of the urban terrain which is becoming more complicated.”
“This has to be done in a very careful and deliberate manner so as to avoid the loss of innocent lives as well as not put in danger the lives of potential hostages that may still be in the hands of these criminals,” said Padilla.
Asked how the Maute members are able to sustain the more than three weeks of fighting, Padilla said, “They planned for this for a long time and may have laid caches of arms in certain areas that will sustain them as they move into the interiors when they make a retreat or consolidation.”
Padilla also said the Maute members were able to get hold of arms and ammunition from a jail and police installations that they raided.
“The sum of all these items is a sizeable cache that may have been sustaining them for sometime,” said Padilla.
AUSSIE JOURNALIST HIT BY STRAY BULLET
Padilla reported that an Australian journalist, Adam Harvey, a correspondent of the Australian Broadcasting Network, was hit by a stray bullet from the enemy while covering the conflict near the provincial capitol yesterday morning.
“Thank God he is out danger and it’s not life threatening. He was just grazed by a stray bullet coming from the other side of the capitol where the area is still a battlefield, and he has been attended to and has been released from the clinic,” said Padilla.
In his twitter account, Harvey said: “Lucky.” He posted a picture of his x-ray showing a bullet stuck in the neck area. “Thanks everyone - I’m okay. Bullet is still in my neck but it missed everything important.”
Padilla said the stray bullet may have come from an enemy sniper.
“In the course of the fight at the other side of the capitol, there have been sniper bullets that may have strayed in the area and accidentally hit the journalist... Hopefully, we will push (the Maute) into the inner areas a little bit more and keep the battlefield further from the capitol,” said Padilla.
Padilla said the city, particularly in the four problematic areas, remains a “dangerous place” because of the presence of enemy snipers. He asked journalists covering the conflict to remain in the “safe zones.”
“Please do not violate it for your own safety and you know the reason why, as what happened this morning. Even if it was a safe zone, there are possibilities of stray bullets getting into your areas and potentially causing harm to any member of the media and we would like to avoid that,” said Padilla.
UNRECOVERED BODIES
The bodies of persons killed in the Marawi conflict have yet to be recovered due because intense fighting between government forces and Maute continues.
Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the regional assembly of ARRM representing the first district of Lanao del Sur, said the report came from witnesses and trapped residents rescued from the conflict areas.
Adiong, also a spokeswoman man for the provincial crisis committee, said government and civilian volunteers could not recover the cadavers due to the continuing fighting.
“This is based on the accounts of witnesses and residents. The estimate of the bodies they saw is at least a hundred. Some of them (cadavers) are already under a state of decomposition,” said Adiong.
Adiong said there is no information if the bodies are from civilians, Maute members, or government security forces.
Adiong also said at least 233,000 persons have been displaced by the armed conflict. She said the evacuees, who are from Marawi City and nearby towns, are staying in evacuation centers or in the homes of their relatives and friends.
He said majority of the displaced residents are from Marawi City which has a population of about 200,000.
“They (evacuees from nearby towns) have nowhere to buy provisions because Marawi is the capital city of Lanao del Sur. This is where supplies come from. Because of the crisis, security measures like checkpoints have been set up, there is an economic crisis in other towns so they started to move out also,” he said.
TENT CITY
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said government may set up a tent city if the number of displaced individuals in Marawi City and surrounding areas continues to increase.
NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said there are some 66,700 displaced families (about 324,400 individuals) from Marawi City and Marantao town in Lanao del Sur.
He said 5 percent of the internally displaced persons are staying in the 79 evacuation centers while the rest are staying with friends and relatives.
He also said government has provided the evacuees some P84 million worth of assistance.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/maute-bomb-maker-nabbed
AFP to youth: Join ROTC if you really want to help
From Update Philippines (Jun 16): AFP to youth: Join ROTC if you really want to help
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. urged young Flipinos to join the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) for them to develop love for the country and understand military tactics amid Marawi siege.
“Alam niyo po kasi ang ating kabataan ay mahilig sa mga mabibilis at instant na mga pangyayari. Doon ho gumagana ‘yung adrenaline nila. Eh sa mga bagay na ito, buhay po ang nakataya talaga,” told reporters during the June 14 Mindanao Hour press briefing in Malacañang.
“So kaunting pasensya lang at kailangan maintindihan niyo na kung ganito ang mga pangyayari ay kinakailangan maging maingat,” he added.
He then challenged the you to join the ROTC if they really want to help the country.
“Ang amin pong challenge, kung kayo po ay gusto talagang tumulong sa bansa, sumali kayo, mag-ROTC kayo nang ganap na maintindihan niyo at ma-develop ‘yung pagmamahal sa bansa at maging kasama sa Armed Forces sa future para nang sa ganon, ganap niyong maintindihan kung ano ‘yung nangyayari ngayon dito,” he said.
https://www.update.ph/2017/06/afp-to-youth-join-rotc-if-you-really-want-to-help/18233
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. urged young Flipinos to join the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) for them to develop love for the country and understand military tactics amid Marawi siege.
“Alam niyo po kasi ang ating kabataan ay mahilig sa mga mabibilis at instant na mga pangyayari. Doon ho gumagana ‘yung adrenaline nila. Eh sa mga bagay na ito, buhay po ang nakataya talaga,” told reporters during the June 14 Mindanao Hour press briefing in Malacañang.
“So kaunting pasensya lang at kailangan maintindihan niyo na kung ganito ang mga pangyayari ay kinakailangan maging maingat,” he added.
He then challenged the you to join the ROTC if they really want to help the country.
“Ang amin pong challenge, kung kayo po ay gusto talagang tumulong sa bansa, sumali kayo, mag-ROTC kayo nang ganap na maintindihan niyo at ma-develop ‘yung pagmamahal sa bansa at maging kasama sa Armed Forces sa future para nang sa ganon, ganap niyong maintindihan kung ano ‘yung nangyayari ngayon dito,” he said.
https://www.update.ph/2017/06/afp-to-youth-join-rotc-if-you-really-want-to-help/18233
Negros, Panay soldiers leaving for Marawi war
From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 17): Negros, Panay soldiers leaving for Marawi war
An infantry battalion unit of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division is joining other government forces in the fight against Maute terror group in Marawi City.
Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 3ID commander, said yesterday that the 82nd Infantry Battalion is leaving Iloilo today, for assignment in Marawi City.
An Army battalion-size unit is composed of about 500 soldiers.
They are expected to be airlifted early morning today from the Iloilo airport by an Air Force C-130 cargo plane.
Aying called on families of the 82IB soldiers, majority of them from Negros, Iloilo and Capiz, to pray for their safety.
The 82IB is joining the other 3ID units, including the 15IB and 11IB, assigned in Mindanao. Three soldiers of the 15IB have been killed since last month, in Marawi.
Aying, however, said that none of the Army infantry units will be pulled out from Negros.
Two Army geographical battalions have been organized by the 3ID to support the non traditional activities of the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Island Region.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/June/17/topstory6.htm
An infantry battalion unit of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division is joining other government forces in the fight against Maute terror group in Marawi City.
Maj. Gen. Jon Aying, 3ID commander, said yesterday that the 82nd Infantry Battalion is leaving Iloilo today, for assignment in Marawi City.
An Army battalion-size unit is composed of about 500 soldiers.
They are expected to be airlifted early morning today from the Iloilo airport by an Air Force C-130 cargo plane.
Aying called on families of the 82IB soldiers, majority of them from Negros, Iloilo and Capiz, to pray for their safety.
The 82IB is joining the other 3ID units, including the 15IB and 11IB, assigned in Mindanao. Three soldiers of the 15IB have been killed since last month, in Marawi.
Aying, however, said that none of the Army infantry units will be pulled out from Negros.
Two Army geographical battalions have been organized by the 3ID to support the non traditional activities of the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Island Region.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/June/17/topstory6.htm
Friday, June 16, 2017
AFP spox maintains relief mission to Marawi was prevented based on safety grounds
From InterAksyon (Jun 16): AFP spox maintains relief mission to Marawi was prevented based on safety grounds
A motor convoy carrying volunteers and supplies for a relief operation are stalled at a checkpoint on the approach to Marawi City proper. Photograph from Teddy Casiño.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla on Friday maintained that the military did not “block” the convoy of a relief mission intended for evacuees in Marawi City on Thursday morning.
Rather, Padilla clarified, the military just prevented the Kalinaw Mindanao National Interfaith Humanitarian Mission from entering Marawi City for their own safety.
“The roadblock that they were referring to is the checkpoint between Iligan City and Marawi. And we have not been allowing anyone else other than local government and other officials to come into Marawi because of the conflict that is ongoing,” Padilla explained at a press conference Friday.
Former Congressman Teddy Casiño, who was part of the relief mission along with Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate and Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas, said they had coordinated accordingly with the local government and the military about the mission.
Padilla replied, however, that the local government did not coordinate with the military about the mission, and even if the local government had done so, the military would not have recommended that the mission be allowed to push through.
“We have also requested all those who have been giving relief goods to channel the relief goods through the local government, which can then distribute it in the evacuation centers without the donors going to the danger zone,” Padilla added.
He reminded reporters at the press conference that an Australian journalist had been hit by a stray bullet Thursday inside the Marawi capitol, and the military did not want similar incidents to occur.
“So in the interest of safety, we’ve been working closely with local government and its social welfare arm and health arm to provide the services needed by the evacuees without having other people from the outside unnecessarily exposed to danger,” Padilla said.
“Your being Good Samaritans is well acknowledged, and your help will definitely get where it is intended. And that is guaranteed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kalinaw Mindanao said in a press release that a driver of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, which was part of the mission, was “held” by the military at a checkpoint in Iligan City after dropping off volunteers in Linamon, Lanao del Norte.
Kalinaw Mindanao said the vehicle was checked by the military, and the driver was questioned about why he had several posters with him containing messages against martial law and aerial bombings.
http://www.interaksyon.com/afp-spox-maintains-relief-mission-to-marawi-was-prevented-based-on-safety-grounds/
A motor convoy carrying volunteers and supplies for a relief operation are stalled at a checkpoint on the approach to Marawi City proper. Photograph from Teddy Casiño.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla on Friday maintained that the military did not “block” the convoy of a relief mission intended for evacuees in Marawi City on Thursday morning.
Rather, Padilla clarified, the military just prevented the Kalinaw Mindanao National Interfaith Humanitarian Mission from entering Marawi City for their own safety.
“The roadblock that they were referring to is the checkpoint between Iligan City and Marawi. And we have not been allowing anyone else other than local government and other officials to come into Marawi because of the conflict that is ongoing,” Padilla explained at a press conference Friday.
Former Congressman Teddy Casiño, who was part of the relief mission along with Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate and Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas, said they had coordinated accordingly with the local government and the military about the mission.
Padilla replied, however, that the local government did not coordinate with the military about the mission, and even if the local government had done so, the military would not have recommended that the mission be allowed to push through.
“We have also requested all those who have been giving relief goods to channel the relief goods through the local government, which can then distribute it in the evacuation centers without the donors going to the danger zone,” Padilla added.
He reminded reporters at the press conference that an Australian journalist had been hit by a stray bullet Thursday inside the Marawi capitol, and the military did not want similar incidents to occur.
“So in the interest of safety, we’ve been working closely with local government and its social welfare arm and health arm to provide the services needed by the evacuees without having other people from the outside unnecessarily exposed to danger,” Padilla said.
“Your being Good Samaritans is well acknowledged, and your help will definitely get where it is intended. And that is guaranteed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kalinaw Mindanao said in a press release that a driver of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, which was part of the mission, was “held” by the military at a checkpoint in Iligan City after dropping off volunteers in Linamon, Lanao del Norte.
Kalinaw Mindanao said the vehicle was checked by the military, and the driver was questioned about why he had several posters with him containing messages against martial law and aerial bombings.
http://www.interaksyon.com/afp-spox-maintains-relief-mission-to-marawi-was-prevented-based-on-safety-grounds/
Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law signed; ready for submission to President Duterte
From MindaNews (Jun 17): Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law signed; ready for submission to President Duterte
The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) has completed its task to draft a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and is ready to submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte as soon as he is avaiable to receive it.
“Tapos na and ready for submission,” BTC chair Ghazali Jaafar told MindaNews in a text message Friday.
The Bangsamoro Transition Commission completed on Friday, 16 June 2017, its draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, and is now ready to submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo courtesy of BTC Facebook
The BTC, originally composed of 11 nominees from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and 10 from the Philippine government (GPH), affixed their signatures on the draft BBL on Friday at the A.Venue Hotel in Makati. Commissioner Samira Gutoc of Marawi City, a government nominee, tendered her resignation in late May while the Marawi Crisis was unfolding, citing personal reasons and policy questions.
The BTC had scheduled a June 13 to June 16 meeting in the Makati hotel to finalize the draft BBL with the intention to submit it to President Duterte on Thursday, June 15 but BTC Executive Director Mike Pasigan told MindaNews they received no confirmation from Malacanang.
President Duterte’s appointments, however, were canceled this week. He failed to attend the Independence Day rites at the Luneta on Monday, June 12, and has not made any public appearance since. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Wednesday night said Duterte is “well” and was “just getting needed rest after 23 intense days of supervising the Marawi situation.”
“We are waiting for the fixed schedule of our submission of the BBL to the President,” BTC chair Ghazali Jaafar told MindaNews Wednesday.
The new draft BBL consists of 114 pages and18 articles. The draft BBL submitted to the Office of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on April 21, 2014 was a 97-page, 19-article document.
TWO CHAIRS. Ghazali Jaafar (in black suit), chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and former BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal (in gray suit) hug each other after the completion of the new draft BBL on Friday, 16 June 2017 at the A. Venue hotel in Makati City. Photo courtesy of BTC Facebook
Asked how different the draft is from the draft BBL under the Aquino administration, Jaafar, who is also 1st Vice Chair of the MILF, told MindaNews:
“This new (draft) Bangsamoro law now accommodates all stakeholders in the areas of Bangsamoro — indigenous people, settlers or Christians, traditional leaders or sultans, women, youth and Ulama. Lahat sila meron (All of them will have) reserved seats sa Bangsamoro Parliament.”
Lawyer Raissa Jajurie, BTC Commissioner in the Aquino and Duterte administrations, told MindaNews Friday that the major changes include accommodating more “sectoral” concerns of “the youth, settlers, etc..” and accommodating the unimplemented provisions of the Moro National Liberation Font’s (MNLF) 1976 and 1996 peace agreements into the new draft BBL.
Commissioner Omar Yasser Crisostomo Sema describes the draft BBL as a “converged BBL” that will implement not only the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the Philippine government (GPH) and the MILF, but will also be “implementing all peace agreements, resolving all contentious issues in the MNLF-GPH peace process.”
The passage of the BBL is expected to pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro, a new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as agreed upon by the GPH and MILF under the CAB.
Duterte had repeatedly said he would wait for the daft BBL to study it. He is expected to certify the draft Bangsamoro law as “urgent” when he delivers his second State of the Nation Address on July 24.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2017/06/draft-bangsamoro-basic-law-signed-ready-for-submission-to-president-duterte/
The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) has completed its task to draft a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and is ready to submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte as soon as he is avaiable to receive it.
“Tapos na and ready for submission,” BTC chair Ghazali Jaafar told MindaNews in a text message Friday.
The Bangsamoro Transition Commission completed on Friday, 16 June 2017, its draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, and is now ready to submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte. Photo courtesy of BTC Facebook
The BTC, originally composed of 11 nominees from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and 10 from the Philippine government (GPH), affixed their signatures on the draft BBL on Friday at the A.Venue Hotel in Makati. Commissioner Samira Gutoc of Marawi City, a government nominee, tendered her resignation in late May while the Marawi Crisis was unfolding, citing personal reasons and policy questions.
The BTC had scheduled a June 13 to June 16 meeting in the Makati hotel to finalize the draft BBL with the intention to submit it to President Duterte on Thursday, June 15 but BTC Executive Director Mike Pasigan told MindaNews they received no confirmation from Malacanang.
President Duterte’s appointments, however, were canceled this week. He failed to attend the Independence Day rites at the Luneta on Monday, June 12, and has not made any public appearance since. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Wednesday night said Duterte is “well” and was “just getting needed rest after 23 intense days of supervising the Marawi situation.”
“We are waiting for the fixed schedule of our submission of the BBL to the President,” BTC chair Ghazali Jaafar told MindaNews Wednesday.
The new draft BBL consists of 114 pages and18 articles. The draft BBL submitted to the Office of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on April 21, 2014 was a 97-page, 19-article document.
TWO CHAIRS. Ghazali Jaafar (in black suit), chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and former BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal (in gray suit) hug each other after the completion of the new draft BBL on Friday, 16 June 2017 at the A. Venue hotel in Makati City. Photo courtesy of BTC Facebook
Asked how different the draft is from the draft BBL under the Aquino administration, Jaafar, who is also 1st Vice Chair of the MILF, told MindaNews:
“This new (draft) Bangsamoro law now accommodates all stakeholders in the areas of Bangsamoro — indigenous people, settlers or Christians, traditional leaders or sultans, women, youth and Ulama. Lahat sila meron (All of them will have) reserved seats sa Bangsamoro Parliament.”
Lawyer Raissa Jajurie, BTC Commissioner in the Aquino and Duterte administrations, told MindaNews Friday that the major changes include accommodating more “sectoral” concerns of “the youth, settlers, etc..” and accommodating the unimplemented provisions of the Moro National Liberation Font’s (MNLF) 1976 and 1996 peace agreements into the new draft BBL.
Commissioner Omar Yasser Crisostomo Sema describes the draft BBL as a “converged BBL” that will implement not only the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the Philippine government (GPH) and the MILF, but will also be “implementing all peace agreements, resolving all contentious issues in the MNLF-GPH peace process.”
The passage of the BBL is expected to pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro, a new autonomous political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as agreed upon by the GPH and MILF under the CAB.
Duterte had repeatedly said he would wait for the daft BBL to study it. He is expected to certify the draft Bangsamoro law as “urgent” when he delivers his second State of the Nation Address on July 24.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2017/06/draft-bangsamoro-basic-law-signed-ready-for-submission-to-president-duterte/
U.S. Pacific Fleet commander reaffirms commitment to PH, strong defense ties
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 16): U.S. Pacific Fleet commander reaffirms commitment to PH, strong defense ties
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift in discussion at the Taguig City Satellite Office in Bonifacio Global City. (Photo from U.S. Embassy)
The commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift, reaffirmed the U.S. Navy’s strong partnership and ties with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
During his recent visit in the country, Swift met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año, and Philippine Navy Flag Officer in-Command Vice Adm. Ronald J.S. Mercado.
Swift stressed the U.S. Pacific Fleet's commitment to addressing shared regional security concerns including counterterrorism and piracy, while highlighting the strong defense ties between the U.S. and the Philippines.
“The Philippine Navy is a valued and enduring ally of the U.S. Navy and a close partner of the Pacific Fleet,” said Swift. “I'm very pleased to have had the opportunity to visit with senior government and military leaders here in Manila. We continue to build on the strong relationship we have and to reaffirm our commitment to working together to face shared challenges,” he added.
The long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the United States has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region for more than 70 years. As part of the security partnership, the United States supports the Philippines in its efforts to strengthen national defense, and improve its ability to respond to natural disasters, terror threats, piracy, and other transnational crimes.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241497519637/u-s-pacific-fleet-commander-reaffirms-commitment-to-ph-strong-defense-ties
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift in discussion at the Taguig City Satellite Office in Bonifacio Global City. (Photo from U.S. Embassy)
The commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift, reaffirmed the U.S. Navy’s strong partnership and ties with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
During his recent visit in the country, Swift met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año, and Philippine Navy Flag Officer in-Command Vice Adm. Ronald J.S. Mercado.
Swift stressed the U.S. Pacific Fleet's commitment to addressing shared regional security concerns including counterterrorism and piracy, while highlighting the strong defense ties between the U.S. and the Philippines.
“The Philippine Navy is a valued and enduring ally of the U.S. Navy and a close partner of the Pacific Fleet,” said Swift. “I'm very pleased to have had the opportunity to visit with senior government and military leaders here in Manila. We continue to build on the strong relationship we have and to reaffirm our commitment to working together to face shared challenges,” he added.
The long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the United States has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region for more than 70 years. As part of the security partnership, the United States supports the Philippines in its efforts to strengthen national defense, and improve its ability to respond to natural disasters, terror threats, piracy, and other transnational crimes.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241497519637/u-s-pacific-fleet-commander-reaffirms-commitment-to-ph-strong-defense-ties
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to visit 4ID Advance Command Post in Butuan City
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 17): Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to visit 4ID Advance Command Post in Butuan City
In his third official visit in Caraga region, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will meet the uniformed men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during a traditional “Talk to Troops” to be held at the 4th Infantry Division Advance Command Post (4IDACP) in Brgy. Bancasi at 3:00 p.m. today.
Upon his arrival, he will be ushered to the 4IDACP's Kalayaan Pastoral House for and shall pass the static display of recovered firearms from the New Peoples Army (NPA).
The President will then personally accord the Military Merit Medals with Bronze Spearhead Device to the soldiers with notable accomplishments on the aggressive fight against the local rebels.
He will be assisted by 4ID commander MGen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. and Col. Cristobal N. Zaragoza.
Also, PRRD will administer the donning of rank to Col. Zaragoza as he will be promoted from colonel to brigadier general. Afterwhich, PRRD will also join the troops in a boodle fight dinner.
In line also with the celebration of the 50th Founding Anniversary of Agusan del Norte, the president is expected to visit the Caraga State University in Cabadbaran City on the same day.
He will be received by Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba. Some 1,500 Agusanons will be attending where the People’s Day celebration is also held and various government services will be availed.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2761497671457/pres-rodrigo-duterte-to-visit-4id-advance-command-post-in-butuan-city
In his third official visit in Caraga region, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will meet the uniformed men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during a traditional “Talk to Troops” to be held at the 4th Infantry Division Advance Command Post (4IDACP) in Brgy. Bancasi at 3:00 p.m. today.
Upon his arrival, he will be ushered to the 4IDACP's Kalayaan Pastoral House for and shall pass the static display of recovered firearms from the New Peoples Army (NPA).
The President will then personally accord the Military Merit Medals with Bronze Spearhead Device to the soldiers with notable accomplishments on the aggressive fight against the local rebels.
He will be assisted by 4ID commander MGen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. and Col. Cristobal N. Zaragoza.
Also, PRRD will administer the donning of rank to Col. Zaragoza as he will be promoted from colonel to brigadier general. Afterwhich, PRRD will also join the troops in a boodle fight dinner.
In line also with the celebration of the 50th Founding Anniversary of Agusan del Norte, the president is expected to visit the Caraga State University in Cabadbaran City on the same day.
He will be received by Agusan del Norte Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba. Some 1,500 Agusanons will be attending where the People’s Day celebration is also held and various government services will be availed.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2761497671457/pres-rodrigo-duterte-to-visit-4id-advance-command-post-in-butuan-city
PRRD to give merit awards to best performing soldiers
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 17): PRRD to give merit awards to best performing soldiers
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is set to give awards to the four Philippine Army personnel during his visit at the 4th Infantry Division Advance Command Post (4IDACP) in Brgy. Bancasi at 3:00 p.m. today.
In recogition to the meritorious perfomances of valiant military men in service, the President, to be assisted by MGen. Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr. and Col. Cristobal N. Zaragoza, shall lead the awarding of Military Merit Medals to the following soldiers: 1Lt. Melvin Allan T. Medrano and 1Lt. Chenly Pasanting (3rd Special Forces Battalion); 1Lt. Gerald F. Gaston (29th IB); SSgt. Narding N. Pascual (26IB); and 1Lt. Aldim T. Viernes (26IB).
Also, PRRD will administer the donning of rank to Col. Cristobal N. Zaragoza as he will be promoted one rank higher from colonel to brigadier general.
The traditional "Talk to Troops" will then follow. Right after his message, he is expected to join a long table boodle fight, a military manner of eating, with soldiers and other guests.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2761497665838/prrd-to-give-merit-awards-to-best-performing-soldiers
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is set to give awards to the four Philippine Army personnel during his visit at the 4th Infantry Division Advance Command Post (4IDACP) in Brgy. Bancasi at 3:00 p.m. today.
In recogition to the meritorious perfomances of valiant military men in service, the President, to be assisted by MGen. Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr. and Col. Cristobal N. Zaragoza, shall lead the awarding of Military Merit Medals to the following soldiers: 1Lt. Melvin Allan T. Medrano and 1Lt. Chenly Pasanting (3rd Special Forces Battalion); 1Lt. Gerald F. Gaston (29th IB); SSgt. Narding N. Pascual (26IB); and 1Lt. Aldim T. Viernes (26IB).
Also, PRRD will administer the donning of rank to Col. Cristobal N. Zaragoza as he will be promoted one rank higher from colonel to brigadier general.
The traditional "Talk to Troops" will then follow. Right after his message, he is expected to join a long table boodle fight, a military manner of eating, with soldiers and other guests.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2761497665838/prrd-to-give-merit-awards-to-best-performing-soldiers
525 soldiers from 82nd IB to augment forces in Marawi
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): 525 soldiers from 82nd IB to augment forces in Marawi
A total of 525 soldiers from the Philippine Army's 82nd Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Miagao, Iloilo will fly to Marawi City on Saturday to augment government forces in fighting the Maute group.
This was confirmed by 82nd IB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Venel Morga in an interview on Friday. He stressed that this would be the first time for troops from his battalion would be deployed to Mindanao.
Morga said the Armed Forces of the Philippines was aiming to "clear all the remaining packets of resistance and they are pushing the units forward".
The troops will fly to Marawi City via C-130 plane from the Iloilo International Airport at 6:00 a.m. Saturday.
Morga advised his men to be safe in their battle.
"Whatever training they received when they were still recruits, the tactics, techniques and procedures, they should recall and they should apply them because these training was done to ensure that their life will prolong and nothing will happen to them there," he said.
The troops are also advised to "limit unnecessary movements" once they are in the area.
Morga said that he did not allow his troops to bring their motorcycles with them to further assure their safety. According to him, motorcycle is one of the reasons why a lot of soldiers of the Philippine Army were ambushed or killed.
"So, to avoid this, their motorcycles will be left here so that unnecessary movement will be controlled," he said.
While the family of these soldiers cannot avoid apprehensions because of the recorded deaths of some soldiers in Marawi City since the clash started, Morga advised them to "keep praying that everything will be fine."
Meanwhile, Morga recalled that they were ordered to deploy troops in January last year when the conflict in Marawi City started.
But due to the big events in Western Visayas, especially the hosting of Boracay Island in Aklan and Iloilo City of some meetings of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Palarong Pambansa hosting of the province Antique, among others, Morga said that they hold in abeyance the deployment of his troops.
"Now, because of the present development, 82nd IB was identified as national ready deployable battalion. When the need arises, we will be deployed anywhere in the country," he further said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995861
A total of 525 soldiers from the Philippine Army's 82nd Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Miagao, Iloilo will fly to Marawi City on Saturday to augment government forces in fighting the Maute group.
This was confirmed by 82nd IB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Venel Morga in an interview on Friday. He stressed that this would be the first time for troops from his battalion would be deployed to Mindanao.
Morga said the Armed Forces of the Philippines was aiming to "clear all the remaining packets of resistance and they are pushing the units forward".
The troops will fly to Marawi City via C-130 plane from the Iloilo International Airport at 6:00 a.m. Saturday.
Morga advised his men to be safe in their battle.
"Whatever training they received when they were still recruits, the tactics, techniques and procedures, they should recall and they should apply them because these training was done to ensure that their life will prolong and nothing will happen to them there," he said.
The troops are also advised to "limit unnecessary movements" once they are in the area.
Morga said that he did not allow his troops to bring their motorcycles with them to further assure their safety. According to him, motorcycle is one of the reasons why a lot of soldiers of the Philippine Army were ambushed or killed.
"So, to avoid this, their motorcycles will be left here so that unnecessary movement will be controlled," he said.
While the family of these soldiers cannot avoid apprehensions because of the recorded deaths of some soldiers in Marawi City since the clash started, Morga advised them to "keep praying that everything will be fine."
Meanwhile, Morga recalled that they were ordered to deploy troops in January last year when the conflict in Marawi City started.
But due to the big events in Western Visayas, especially the hosting of Boracay Island in Aklan and Iloilo City of some meetings of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Palarong Pambansa hosting of the province Antique, among others, Morga said that they hold in abeyance the deployment of his troops.
"Now, because of the present development, 82nd IB was identified as national ready deployable battalion. When the need arises, we will be deployed anywhere in the country," he further said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995861
Abducted Vietnamese escapes from Abu Sayyaf
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Abducted Vietnamese escapes from Abu Sayyaf
A kidnapped Vietnamese sailor grabbed the opportunity and dashed to freedom on Friday as the government troops pounded the lair of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan province.
Col. Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, identified the Vietnamese sailor as Hoang Vo, the second mate of the Vietnam-registered bulk carrier Royal 16.
Uy said Vo was able to escape when government troops raided the lair of the ASG at around 8:30 a.m. Friday in the boundaries of Sumisip and Ungkaya Pukan towns in Basilan.
“The kidnapped victim was airlifted by an air ambulance and is now in Zamboanga City,” Uy said, citing Vo sustained bruises as a result of his daring escape.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits kidnapped Vo along with five other Vietnamese sailors when they hijacked the Royal 16 bulk carrier at 8.3 nautical miles southeast of Coco Island in Basilan province on November 11, 2016.
The Royal 16 bulk carrier, manned by 19 crewmen, was en route to Davao from Hai Phong in Vietnam when the Abu Sayyaf bandits, aboard on a speed boat, intercepted the vessel.
The other 13 crewmen who were left aboard the Royal 16 reported the incident to the authorities.
Vo’s five companions who remain in captivity included the Royal 16’s master, chief mate, third officer, bosun and assistant bosun.
Hijacking incidents involving foreign-owned vessels have spiked in the last quarter of 2016, prompting the Philippine military and that of Malaysia and Indonesia to initiate joint anti-piracy campaign.
On Monday, June 19, the Navies of the three countries are set to launch a tripartite maritime patrol in the Sulu Sea.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, has said earlier that the joint patrol will also deter possible terrorists atrocities in the Sulu sea.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995847
A kidnapped Vietnamese sailor grabbed the opportunity and dashed to freedom on Friday as the government troops pounded the lair of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan province.
Col. Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, identified the Vietnamese sailor as Hoang Vo, the second mate of the Vietnam-registered bulk carrier Royal 16.
Uy said Vo was able to escape when government troops raided the lair of the ASG at around 8:30 a.m. Friday in the boundaries of Sumisip and Ungkaya Pukan towns in Basilan.
“The kidnapped victim was airlifted by an air ambulance and is now in Zamboanga City,” Uy said, citing Vo sustained bruises as a result of his daring escape.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits kidnapped Vo along with five other Vietnamese sailors when they hijacked the Royal 16 bulk carrier at 8.3 nautical miles southeast of Coco Island in Basilan province on November 11, 2016.
The Royal 16 bulk carrier, manned by 19 crewmen, was en route to Davao from Hai Phong in Vietnam when the Abu Sayyaf bandits, aboard on a speed boat, intercepted the vessel.
The other 13 crewmen who were left aboard the Royal 16 reported the incident to the authorities.
Vo’s five companions who remain in captivity included the Royal 16’s master, chief mate, third officer, bosun and assistant bosun.
Hijacking incidents involving foreign-owned vessels have spiked in the last quarter of 2016, prompting the Philippine military and that of Malaysia and Indonesia to initiate joint anti-piracy campaign.
On Monday, June 19, the Navies of the three countries are set to launch a tripartite maritime patrol in the Sulu Sea.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, has said earlier that the joint patrol will also deter possible terrorists atrocities in the Sulu sea.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995847
2 Abu Sayyaf bandits die in Tawi-Tawi clash
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): 2 Abu Sayyaf bandits die in Tawi-Tawi clash
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) on Friday announced two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in a law enforcement operation in the province of Tawi-Tawi.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, identified the slain ASG members as Hamid Mohammad and Altasil Lakbaoin, both followers of the late Abu Sayyaf leader Abraham Hamid.
Galvez said they were killed in a brief firefight that ensued when they resisted the joint military and police team during a law enforcement operation around 9 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Tubig Tanah, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
Galvez said the law enforcement support operations are continuously being launched by the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi headed by Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon Jr., in coordination with the police and the local government to pre-empt illegal activities in the province.
“We believe that this operational accomplishment will leave no other option but to force remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Tawi-Tawi to return to the folds of the law and join the cause of the government against terrorism,” Galvez said.
A total of 83 members of the ASG were killed in the all-out military offensive since January 1, this year, here in Western Mindanao.
Of the total number, 14 were killed in Basilan; 62 in Sulu; and, seven in Tawi-Tawi.
“I take great pride in their (troops) dedication as our fight against these terror groups continue to reap positive results,” Galvez said as he congratulated troops Westmincom troops.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995877
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) on Friday announced two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed in a law enforcement operation in the province of Tawi-Tawi.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, identified the slain ASG members as Hamid Mohammad and Altasil Lakbaoin, both followers of the late Abu Sayyaf leader Abraham Hamid.
Galvez said they were killed in a brief firefight that ensued when they resisted the joint military and police team during a law enforcement operation around 9 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Tubig Tanah, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
Galvez said the law enforcement support operations are continuously being launched by the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi headed by Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon Jr., in coordination with the police and the local government to pre-empt illegal activities in the province.
“We believe that this operational accomplishment will leave no other option but to force remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Tawi-Tawi to return to the folds of the law and join the cause of the government against terrorism,” Galvez said.
A total of 83 members of the ASG were killed in the all-out military offensive since January 1, this year, here in Western Mindanao.
Of the total number, 14 were killed in Basilan; 62 in Sulu; and, seven in Tawi-Tawi.
“I take great pride in their (troops) dedication as our fight against these terror groups continue to reap positive results,” Galvez said as he congratulated troops Westmincom troops.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995877
BIFF tries, but fails, to raise ISIS flag in Maguindanao
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): BIFF tries, but fails, to raise ISIS flag in Maguindanao
Three suspected extremists were killed and five soldiers were injured in a series of clashes between government forces and extremists taking advantage of the hostilities in Marawi City to hoist the Islamic State flag on strategic spots in Maguindanao.
It was the fourth attempt of Maute Group-affiliated group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Sitio Nanas, Barangay Pamalian, Sharif Saydona, Maguindanao on June 14.
The ISIS-inspired group, led by Commander Salah, whose real name is Salahudin Hassan, first attempted to film the ISIS flag raising in Shariff Saydona but it failed after the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion engaged them in a fire fight.
Acting on tips from residents, personnel of the Army’s 19th IB backed by armored personnel carriers proceeded to the village where the armed men were gathering.
Another band of BIFF, under Nasrullah Omar, also traded shots with government forces but were driven away deep into the Maguindanao marshland.
Responding government troops also recovered ISIS flag tied to a bamboo pole the bandits left behind.
Another attempt by the BIFF to raise ISIS flag was reported in Barangay Kuloy, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao but elements of 57th Infantry Battalion drive them away.
Another Army unit, the 23rd Mechanized Company, a unit of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, clashed several hours later with gunmen, one of them carrying an ISIS flag, at Sitio Maibunga in Barangay Malangog in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
Captain Arvin Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said recent operations against the BIFF were carried out based on reports of sightings by barangay officials.
”We laud the vigilance of village officials who vowed to prevent Marawi City like atrocities,” Encinas said
Encinas said another band of BIFF tried to raise black flag in Barangay Meta in Datu Unsay, also in Maguindanao. Moro farmers sighted the gunmen brandishing high powered guns in Sitio Batingao in Barangay Meta. The quickly alerted the Army nearby.
Encinas said the roles played by village officials prevented publicity by the terrorists. He urged the residents to continue cooperating with government forces to save lives and properties.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995936
Three suspected extremists were killed and five soldiers were injured in a series of clashes between government forces and extremists taking advantage of the hostilities in Marawi City to hoist the Islamic State flag on strategic spots in Maguindanao.
It was the fourth attempt of Maute Group-affiliated group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Sitio Nanas, Barangay Pamalian, Sharif Saydona, Maguindanao on June 14.
The ISIS-inspired group, led by Commander Salah, whose real name is Salahudin Hassan, first attempted to film the ISIS flag raising in Shariff Saydona but it failed after the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion engaged them in a fire fight.
Acting on tips from residents, personnel of the Army’s 19th IB backed by armored personnel carriers proceeded to the village where the armed men were gathering.
Another band of BIFF, under Nasrullah Omar, also traded shots with government forces but were driven away deep into the Maguindanao marshland.
Responding government troops also recovered ISIS flag tied to a bamboo pole the bandits left behind.
Another attempt by the BIFF to raise ISIS flag was reported in Barangay Kuloy, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao but elements of 57th Infantry Battalion drive them away.
Another Army unit, the 23rd Mechanized Company, a unit of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, clashed several hours later with gunmen, one of them carrying an ISIS flag, at Sitio Maibunga in Barangay Malangog in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
Captain Arvin Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said recent operations against the BIFF were carried out based on reports of sightings by barangay officials.
”We laud the vigilance of village officials who vowed to prevent Marawi City like atrocities,” Encinas said
Encinas said another band of BIFF tried to raise black flag in Barangay Meta in Datu Unsay, also in Maguindanao. Moro farmers sighted the gunmen brandishing high powered guns in Sitio Batingao in Barangay Meta. The quickly alerted the Army nearby.
Encinas said the roles played by village officials prevented publicity by the terrorists. He urged the residents to continue cooperating with government forces to save lives and properties.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995936
Misamis governor lauds military, police for arrest of ‘bomber’ in CDO
From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 16): Misamis governor lauds military, police for arrest of ‘bomber’ in CDO
Provincial Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano on Friday lauded the military and the police for the arrest of a suspected bomb expert of the Maute terror group in Cagayan De Oro City last Thursday.
Emano said that the arrest of Mohammad Noaim Maute, 22, a.k.a. “Abu Jadid,” in a boarding house in Cagayan De Oro City, has foiled the Maute group’s plan to sow terror in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan De Oro City.
A combined operatives of the Martial Law Special Action Group (ML-SAG) arrested the young Maute, a suspected bomb expert and relative of the Maute brothers who were leading the siege of Marawi City.
Emano expressed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for placing the entire Mindanao island under Martial Law as the necessary means to address the rebellion and terrorist activities in Mindanao, the country’s second largest island.
“I am optimistic that the incessant drive of the military and the police in the crackdown on terrorists in this embattled island, we will again reclaim peace and order in Mindanao. I am with you (military and police),” Emano said.
He said the provincial government would be willing to share its part while urging the public to support the authorities in pursuing lasting peace in Mindanao.
Emano also cautioned the public against making unfounded information through social media and other networking sites, in order to avoid confusion and conflict against credible report and information.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995851
Provincial Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano on Friday lauded the military and the police for the arrest of a suspected bomb expert of the Maute terror group in Cagayan De Oro City last Thursday.
Emano said that the arrest of Mohammad Noaim Maute, 22, a.k.a. “Abu Jadid,” in a boarding house in Cagayan De Oro City, has foiled the Maute group’s plan to sow terror in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan De Oro City.
A combined operatives of the Martial Law Special Action Group (ML-SAG) arrested the young Maute, a suspected bomb expert and relative of the Maute brothers who were leading the siege of Marawi City.
Emano expressed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for placing the entire Mindanao island under Martial Law as the necessary means to address the rebellion and terrorist activities in Mindanao, the country’s second largest island.
“I am optimistic that the incessant drive of the military and the police in the crackdown on terrorists in this embattled island, we will again reclaim peace and order in Mindanao. I am with you (military and police),” Emano said.
He said the provincial government would be willing to share its part while urging the public to support the authorities in pursuing lasting peace in Mindanao.
Emano also cautioned the public against making unfounded information through social media and other networking sites, in order to avoid confusion and conflict against credible report and information.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/995851
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