The first big challenge of martial law 2019 actually happened on the last day of 2018 when an unknown person or group bombed the Cotabato Mall.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1068621/isis-inspired-groups-eyed-in-cotabato-blast-pnp |
The police are eyeing the possible involvement of local terrorist groups inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the deadly blast in front of a mall in Cotabato City on Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said Tuesday.
According to Durana, the improvised explosive device used in the blast is similar to the signature composition of explosives being used by ISIS-inspired local terrorist groups.
“‘Yung modus operandi, ‘yung signature [composition of the IED], the way it was constructed, and the way it was deployed [show] ito po ay nanggaling lamang sa Daesh-inspired or ISIS-inspired terrorist groups doon sa Mindanao,” he told Radyo Inquirer.
(The modus operandi, the signature, the way it was constructed, and the way it was deployed show this was caused by Daesh-inspired or ISIS-inspired terrorist groups in Mindanao.)
Daesh is an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.
Durana, however, said the police are not ruling out the possibility that other terrorist groups may be involved in the fatal attack, but he said they are considering ISIS-inspired groups as the mastermind “on hindsight.”
What he means by "hindsight" is last year when bombs when off in Cotabato ISIS claimed responsibility, the PNP and AFP denied it was them, then they had to retract and admit it was ISIS and that ISIS is a bigger threat than previously disclosed. Whoever the group was the blast not only tore holes in the buildings and people but also in the fabric used to justify another year long extension in the whole of Mindanao as well as in the intelligence capabilities of the AFP and PNP.
Shortly after the bombing the UK, Australia, and the USA each issued travel warnings for Mindanao. The area is dangerous and unnecessary travel should be avoided to the entire region. But not so fast, says DILG Secretary and former AFP Chief General Año.
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| https://globalnation.inquirer.net/172293/dilg-chief-on-uk-advisory-not-right-to-generalize-threat-in-mindanao |
Año said the government admits the presence of terror groups and communist rebels in the region but said “they are isolated in certain areas of Mindanao only.”
“It is not right to generalize the existence of threat in the whole of Mindanao,” he said in a text message to reporters.
“We will intensify military and police operations in those concerned or affected areas of Mindanao. We assure the safety of tourists and travellers in Mindanao,” he said.
If it is not right to generalise the existence of the threat in the whole of Mindanao and if terror groups and rebels are in certain parts of Mindanao only then doesn't that mean martial law should be restricted to those areas? Imposing martial law on the whole region is to generalise the threat. Año has undercut and destroyed the reasoning for extending martial law over the whole island.
The PNP also weighed in being a bit reasonable in noting that issuing such warnings is standard operating procedure for those countries. But as usual they said something zany that went unnoticed.
“But as far as the PNP is concerned, everything is back to normal in Cotabato City. The security services of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP are on top of the situation,” he said.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1068868/uk-travel-advisory-for-mindanao-part-of-sop-pnp
Everything is back to normal? The city is under martial law, has seen several bombings since August, has been receiving threats for months, and yet the PNP says everything is back to normal. No wonder there are travel warnings being issued for Mindanao since even before martial law was declared in May 2017. And yes you read that right, the authorities were aware of threats in the area. The AFP admitted they had been receiving warnings for months and that security threats remain which cancels out any notion that things are back to normalcy.
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| http://cnnphilippines.com/resource/2019/01/02/Cotabato-blast-Mindanao-security.html |
"We have been receiving threats even before the blast last December 31. It has been there for several months now and it becomes a norm. But of course we are not lowering our guard. We remain vigilant," he told CNN Philippines.
Sobejana said they have new leads based on security camera footage. They already have names of suspects and a manhunt is ongoing to capture them, he added.
"We are monitoring any other hostile plans of terror goups. We don't want them to succeed in their hostile activities in Cotabato," he said.
The AFP claims constant threats is normalcy so it looks like I was wrong! In Cotabato everything is normal. Since the AFP has been receiving threats for months now and somehow missed this one there is only one thing to be done: increase intelligence operations.
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| https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/01/02/pnp-11-police-intensifies-security-intelligence-gathering/ |
Morales said the maximum number of foot and mobile patrols will be deployed in the region, particularly in highly-populated areas.
He said all chiefs of police need to coordinate with private security providers and security managers to establish and enhance joint security protocols, and to intensify intelligence monitoring and sharing of information with other units.
“We will surely help in providing whatever information we have to the Cotabato police, being an adjacent city, for fast identifications of the perpetrators of this inhumane act,” he said.
The region’s top cop said there will be a duty police official who will make the rounds in all of police assistance desks situated in places of convergence, such as malls, churches, transport terminals, airport and seaport, to ensure all security measures are properly implemented.
Morales said he ordered all police personnel to thoroughly check their bags so that the incident in Cotabato City will be prevented here.
Increased foot patrols and bag searching. What threats do you think they will find? Lumpia wrappers and green peas maybe?
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1068911/cops-find-lumpia-wrappers-in-abandoned-box-in-qc |
Supt. Giovanni Hycenth Caliao, station commander of Cubao Police Station, told INQUIRER.net that the box was found past 3 p.m. as operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal of the Quezon City Police District were patrolling the area.
Police later found that the box only contained lumpia wrappers and a pack of green peas.
Caliao said the box cannot be considered a bomb scare and that it did not cause alarm among passersby and was immediately responded to by the police.
Perhaps the AFP should share information with the PNP. Are they doing that? Was every single one of those threats they claim to have been receiving for months followed up? If the AFP thinks constant threats and warnings are a norm then likely not. Never forget the sorry state of AFP and PNP intelligence which resulted in the Marawi siege happening.
Intelligence is for dummies. What's more effective and important for waging war against the insurgents is propaganda.
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| https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/01/02/ex-npas-celebrate-new-year-with-army-soldiers-in-agusan/ |
Formerly known as “Commander Boss and Mark” (surname withheld for his safety and security), former commanding officer of GF-3 and nine others of his command group and squad leaders happily joined soldiers of the 401st Brigade under the command of Brig. Gen. Andres C. Centino in welcoming the New Year.
Government soldiers welcomed their former foes and feasted on a joint “Media Noche” at the 401st Brigade headquarters here.
“This is really a very historic event,” observed Brig. Gen. Centino, as he disclosed that this was the very first time that they celebrated the New Year with the former enemies of the state.
“Despite several decades of fighting the CPP-NPA, I still believe that it is still best to choose the path to peace,” he said.
“To our brothers and sisters who just returned to the government last Christmas day, I am happy that you chose the path to peace just in time for this yuletide season. Let us work together for a peaceful 2019 by helping us convince your former comrades to follow suit in heeding the government’s call for peace. Let them know that we welcome former NPA members who returned to the folds of the law and that they are taken cared of just like what we are doing with you,” said the 401st Brigade commander in his New Year’s eve message during the program.
“I don’t know how to feel tonight. I can’t believe that just few days ago, the soldiers are our enemy but since Christmas day until now, you are the ones taking care of us including our dependents. This is the most memorable New Year I and my family have ever experienced because not only did we regain our freedom, we also celebrate this occasion with soldiers who are doing their best to help us. All I can say is thank you very much and happy new year to all,” said “Commander Boss.”
Does the media really think the NPA does not know who "Commander Boss Mark" is and that withholding his surname is going to make him any safer or that placing a tiny blue stripe over the eyes of those in the photo will actually conceal their identities from those who know them?
One of the reasons to annul the new year-long extension cited by the petitioners against marital law is that no rebels have been captured. No one who has been arrested under matrial law has been charged with rebellion therefore no rebellion exists.
How could either of those two forget the government's E-CLIP program? Millions are being spent not on prosecuting rebels for their crimes but at reintegrating them into society.
One of the reasons to annul the new year-long extension cited by the petitioners against marital law is that no rebels have been captured. No one who has been arrested under matrial law has been charged with rebellion therefore no rebellion exists.
“It is unmistakable that no one was apprehended or indicted for rebellion because in fact rebellion, which is an armed uprising against he government for the purpose of removing the country or a portion thereof from allegiance to the Republic, does not actually exist,” Lagman said in a statement.
“There are no rebels, only terrorists and lawless elements who can be subdued by an overwhelmingly mighty combined force of the AFP and the Philippine National Police, who do not need the extension of martial law to finish their job,” he added.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1069886/petition-at-sc-vs-martial-law-cites-afp-intel-reportPresidential Spokesman Panelo thinks this is faulty reasoning. He says the fact that no one has been charged with rebellion only proves the rebels are still out there waiting to be captured.
"If no arrest has been made on the rebels then with more reason martial law in Mindanao should continue because the rebellion continues. That should be common sense," presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
The spokesman did not say why no rebels were arrested.
"If substantial or all of the rebels have been arrested then the rebellion has been crushed. That’s another common sense. The argument of Lagman not only is faulty but intellectually challenged," he added.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/06/1882785/no-rebel-arrests-means-rebellion-mindanao-persists-palace-saysBoth Panelo and Lagman are overlooking the reason why no rebels were arrested last year in Mindanao. It is because they are surrendering to the government so they can reap all the economic benefits surrenderees have been promised. This Christmas party between the AFP and former NPA rebels is proof positive that rebels are being coddled rather than being arrested and charged with the crime of rebellion.
How could either of those two forget the government's E-CLIP program? Millions are being spent not on prosecuting rebels for their crimes but at reintegrating them into society.
At least 217 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels received benefits worth P15.6 million from the government, the Department of National Defense (DND) announced yesterday.
Reynaldo Mapagu, defense undersecretary for civil, veterans and retiree affairs and chairman of the Task Force Balik Loob, welcomed the rebel returnees in a ceremony recently held in Agusan del Sur.
“We must work harder to implement the E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) and bring more of our fellow Filipinos who were recruited by the NPA... back to their families,” Mapagu said.
Earlier this week, the DND announced the surrender of 134 NPA rebels in Bicol. Each surrenderee received livelihood assistance worth P65,000 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Agusan del Sur is the same place where 2 AFP troops and 12 militiaman were taken captive by the NPA in December. While their comrades are rotting away as prisoners these soldiers are partaking in a propaganda meal of peace to convince the thousands of remaining NPA rebels to surrender. Maybe the AFP did not get the news but the CPP-NPA is not about to surrender in 2019.
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| http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/01/02/Sison-oust-Duterte-CPP-NPA.html |
Even though they are bent on ousting Duterte they are still up for peace talks as is Duterte.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1069715/reds-open-to-resumption-of-peace-talks |
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1069656/duterte-govt-not-closing-doors-on-peace-talks-with-reds |
Will they, won't they? Ultimately it does not matter. There will be bombs and blood from the communists and the Muslims and the most important way to handle that is to counter the negative image such violence brings to Mindanao in order to ensure tourists visit.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/05/1882521/dot-must-implement-measures-counter-travel-advisories |
The Department of Tourism (DOT) should immediately implement measures that will counter the possible negative effects of the advisories issued by the United Kingdom and Australia warning their nationals against traveling to Mindanao, Sen. Nancy Binay said yesterday.
Binay, who chairs the Senate committee on tourism, said the DOT should update Philippine travel guides to correct the negative impression of local destinations in Mindanao.
A New Year’s Eve bombing in Cotabato City that killed two persons and wounded 34 others prompted the travel warning.
“DOT must work double time to counter the negative publicity as a result of the travel advisories,” Binay said in Filipino.
She also urged the police and military to help ensure that accurate reports on the security situation in localities are provided to the embassies of other countries.
“Of course, we have to respect these countries’ prerogatives in issuing advisories out of concern for their citizens. There are times, though, that these advisories are unnecessary and sometimes exaggerated,” the senator said.
She said the burden of convincing tourists that the country has a safe environment and that their welfare is a top priority lies with the Philippine government.
Close coordination with embassies, particularly in rectifying inaccurate reports and updating peace and order measures, among others, should be undertaken, Binay said.
“We must have constant dialogue with different countries. If we can, maybe let’s use mediators, their own nationals who are happy and satisfied tourists in our country to help dispel their misconceptions,” she added.
These mediators could also be tapped for social media, where issues could easily snowball and become unmanageable, Binay said.
Dear readers the above is not a joke. A Senator of the Philippines, Nancy Binay, who did not even bother to vote yay or nay on the martial law extension, because she "had to leave" but apparently does not agree with the martial law extension yet was too cowardly to put her name on record, wants the DOT to lie about the situation in Mindanao. Not only that but she is advising them to recruit foreigners, "satisfied tourists," to lie about the situation on social media! She is obviously unaware that there are plenty of deluded foreigners doing this already. Some of these people are safe and snug in Europe having only visited Luzon many years ago when they met their bride-to-be for the first time and then booked on back to the West with her or their name is Kyle Jennermann and they are doing stunts for the internet ad money.
As if the terrorism problem is a public relations campaign and not an actual campaign of terror! Tell it to this Indonesian fisherman who was minding his own business when he was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf.
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| https://globalnation.inquirer.net/172345/indonesian-kidnapped-by-abu-sayyaf-seen-crying-and-pleading-for-help-in-video |
The man, who has been identified as Samsul Sangunim, is seen in a freshly dug hole, crying and pleading for help in the video that apparently made its rounds on social media.
He was heard saying, “tolong saya boss, tolong saya boss, tolong… (please help boss, please help boss, please help).”
Nancy Binay is not just an idiot and a moron she is a danger to the Philippines. When she actively tells the DOT to cover-up the truth about terrorism in the name of tourism she is a threat to the stability of this nation and those who would visit it. May the horrifying pleas of this man haunt her sleeping and waking hours.
Is anyone actually running this country?
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