Insurgency: Without Letup

Let's talk about ISIS because they still remain a threat in Mindanao. Abu Sayyaf was the group principally associated with ISIS but the AFP says they are on the way out. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1774248/abu-sayyafs-reign-of-terror-ends-in-sulu-after-major-blows

The “reign of terror” of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu has now ended following the several setbacks the group has experienced, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Wednesday.

The AFP spokesperson, Col. Medel Aguilar, made this pronouncement in a statement as he recounted the surrender last Jan. 8 of ASG leaders  Amah Patit and 20 others who composed the core group of the group’s leader Radullan Sahiron.

Aguilar said Patit and other members “surrendered to the government on the instruction of Sahiron himself.”

“At that time, Sahiron was already old and reportedly sick,” Aguilar said.

Sahiron, however, has allegedly died, but Aguilar said the AFP would have to verify it.

“Since then, no word was heard from the wanted ASG leader except for unverified information from several sources that he is already dead,” Aguilar said.

“We need to get first-hand information first from those who are close to him. We don’t want to disturb the ‘dead’,” he added.

The AFP cannot verify the ASG leaders death! What do they even mean that they don't "want to disturb the dead?" Either he is dead or not and the AFP cannot even verify it!

The PNP has sent in reinforcements to prevent ISIS from attacking.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/05/30/2270197/cops-soldiers-sent-lanao-del-sur-town-after-dawlah-islamiya-threatens-attack

The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region has deployed personnel to strategic spots in Marogong town in Lanao del Sur, which the outlawed Dawlah Islamiya has threatened to attack. 

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr. told reporters Tuesday he is thankful to Police Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, director of PRO-BAR, for personally supervising Monday's positioning of more police officers in Marogong. Thousands of residents have evacuated to other towns, fearing an attack by members of the DI terrorist group.

In an interview on Radyo Bangsamoro, Marogong disaster risk officer Ronaldin Damiano said at least 3,550 residents have gone to safer areas outside town, with some seeking shelter as far away as Iligan and Cotabato cities. He said classes are suspended and only around half of establishments are open as the town worries about a repeat of the Marawi Siege of 2017.

The outlawed Dawlah Islamiya, in text messages and Facebook posts last week, threatened to enter the town proper of Marogong last week following the the arrest of its members in a series of police operations in Lanao del Sur.

More than 20 Dawlah Islamiya members also fell in anti-narcotics operations in the province in recent months, now detained and are being prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. 

Nobleza said Tuesday a platoon from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and personnel of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Mobile Company are now positioned around the town proper of Marogong as part of their preparations for any Dawlah Islamiya incursion.

He said a company-size contingent from the Army’s 32nd Infanty Battalion had also been deployed in different barangays in the municipality.

“Contrary to what these terrorists are spreading around via text messages and social media, the PRO-BAR and counterparts in the Philippine Army and the administration of Gov. Adiong are on top of the situation. We are in full control,” Nobleza said.

“Our Provincial Peace and Order Council, the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office, the PRO-BAR and the 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army are cooperating in addressing the Marogong security issue,” Adiong said.

Despite the fact that the MILF, MNLF, NPA, and ISIS remain active threats in Mindanao the DOT, DILG, and DND are partnering up to promote Mindanao as a safe tourist destination. 

 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1778090/fwd-dot-signs-agreement-with-dilg-dnd-to-promote-mindanao-as-a-tourist-destination

The Department of Tourism (DOT) signed an agreement with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to build up Mindanao as a peaceful tourist destination for both domestic and international travelers.

In a statement, the DOT said the memorandum of agreement was signed on May 31 in Zamboanga City to ensure peace, security, and order as the national government prioritizes tourism development programs in Mindanao.

During the ceremonial signing, each department committed to promoting tourism, preserving Mindanao’s diverse cultural heritage, and creating an inclusive environment to foster growth in the region further.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, during the ceremony, stressed the DOT’s commitment to creating equal tourism opportunities, further stressing how it is high time for Mindanao to showcase the world its beauty.

“It is time to put to the fore the ethereal Mindanao beauty that has sometimes been relegated to the backburner, to highlight to the world its spectacular views, its wonderful and amazing culture as well as the warmth and love of the people of Mindanao. Time has come to fully promote your sites, your heritage, your culture, your people, and to reintroduce this region to the world,” said Frasco.

“So, we signed this agreement today with high hopes and a firm resolve for us in the national government, to be able to deliver the necessary support from agencies of government to Mindanao so that you will receive the opportunities for tourism development that you deserve,” she added.

She also bared the DOT’s plans to invite foreign ambassadors to witness the beauty of Mindanao.

 Meanwhile, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. stressed the DND’s commitment to assist DOT in boosting Mindanao as a tourist spot.

“As we all know, Mindanao has a long history of being associated with violence, danger, and chaos. Terrorism has sought its ugly head and armed conflicts, not to mention the prevalence of crime, had sullied this promising area’s reputation, but that is no longer the case,” said Galvez.

“Through the National Tourism Development Plan 2023 to 2028, and pursuant to the guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DOT is set to establish Philippine tourism anchored on Filipino  culture, heritage and identity, which aims to be sustainable, resilient and competitive in order to transform the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia,” he added.

Galvez is being disingenuous. Mindanao is not simply "associated with violence, danger, and chaos." It is violent, dangerous, and chaotic! In North Cotobato teachers now need military escorts. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1202619

Following the recent killing of a teacher and wounding of another in Pikit, North Cotabato, the military has started providing security escorts to public school teachers in critical villages of the municipality.

Lt. Col. Rowel Gavilanes, the Army's 90th Infantry Battalion commander, said Wednesday that his unit also deployed motorcycle-riding soldiers "in full battle gear” to protect public school teachers as they travel to their respective schools and on the way home.

“The Department of Education has been alarmed by the attacks against teachers in Pikit, so we are here providing them security,” Gavilanes said in a radio interview.

Good luck convincing embassies to revoke their travel warnings to Mindanao and also in getting travel insurance companies cover travel to Mindanao. 

In the Visayas the war against the NPA continues without letup. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1202223

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Andres Centino, instructed Army commanders in Negros Island on Thursday to intensify operations against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) "without letup."

This came as Centino lauded the Philippine Army in Negros Island for the series of encounters this past weekend that dealt a big blow to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

In his message, Centino told battalion commanders on the island to conduct "relentless combat operations" against the remaining NPA rebels in Negros.

“I am reminding our soldiers that we should have that sense of urgency now that the enemy has weakened. They are now lacking in resources, losing their mass base, and they no longer have their leaders,” he said.

Following a closed-door meeting with the Army commanders, Centino told reporters that he directed the troops to "end the insurgency in Negros at the soonest possible time."

“We don’t have to count the numbers, but what is important is that we have addressed the problem here in Negros, as we still have remaining insurgents that continue to fight the government,” Centino said

The insurgency continues to weaken in Negros and Samar. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1202490

The New People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) has suffered a big blow with the recent arrest of one of its leaders and the deaths of four fighters, the Philippine Army said on Tuesday.

Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the arrest of Rosita Solayao Taboy alias Laling, secretary of the NPA Regional Organization Department and member of the rebel’s executive committee in Eastern Visayas, is a victory to the government’s efforts to end the insurgency.

Taboy and her husband, alias Beto, were arrested by police and soldiers in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan last May 26. Beto was a demolition expert of the NPA’s national operations command.

The couple was also said to be responsible for numerous atrocities committed in the Eastern Visayas region, including the burning of the Smart Communication tower in Catbalogan City in 2000, the assassination of Cafgu Active Auxillary Danilo Nuguit in 2006, and the ambush of military personnel that resulted in the death of 10 soldiers and a 9-year-old civilian in 2010.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ligayo said the NPA’s downfall is now more evident as its top leaders are either captured, surrendered or killed.

“The arrest of the couple is another victory for the combined efforts of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines in pursuit of peace and security. This is a great development in attaining justice in honor of the victims of violence perpetrated by the communist terrorist group in Eastern Visayas,” Ligayo said.

The military has been monitoring the movement of two remaining guerilla fronts in Eastern Visayas, all operating in Northern Samar.

They are reportedly hiding in the upland villages of Catubig, Las Navas, Silvino Lobos, Palapag, Mapanas and Gamay towns.

Several upland communities in the province are considered the hotbed of the communist terrorist group due to thick forests and poor road networks.

Is the AFP really going to let "thick forests and poor road networks" hamper them from defeating those two remaining fronts? 

Now to end with one of the most hilarious pieces of propaganda I have ever seen. See if you can spot it. 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/27/nine-ex-npa-rebels-surrender-to-authorities-in-negros

The Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) announced on Saturday, May 27, that nine former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Barangay Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Thursday, May 25.

Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94th IB commander, presented the returning rebels to Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd IBde commander, and Wendell John Vallejera, executive assistant of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Friday, May 26.

They were former members of Central Negros 2 Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor (CN2-KR NCBS), according to the Army.

The Army said that the former rebels allegedly served as informants, relaying information about the presence and movements of government forces in their respective barangays, and providing logistical support to the NPA, aside from being involved in the armed movement.

The former NPA members also turned over some war materiel to the 94th IB, including an M4 rifle, three homemade shotguns, and one .38 caliber revolver.

Do you see it? It's the t-shirts! 94IB LOVES YOU. Sure they do. How much taxpayer money was wasted printing those t-shirts?