Insurgency: Tracker Dogs Awarded

The latest heroes in the fight against the insurgency have been recognized.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/16/2296695/two-tracker-dogs-awarded-fight-vs-insurgency

The military has conferred achievement medals on two canines who have been helping soldiers in the continuing fight against insurgency in the Visayas.

Philippine Army tracker dogs Mugi and Puti were honored for playing a major role during the conduct of a pursuit operation that led to the discovery of the body of a New People’s Army (NPA) member at Sitio Taleo, Barangay Milagrosa in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental on Aug. 26.

The two dogs also helped recover an M653 rifle, four anti-personnel mines and subversive documents.

No less than Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of the military’s Visayas Command (VISCOM), conferred the Military Working Dog Achievement Medals on the two canines during his recent visit to the headquarters of the 302nd Infantry Brigade in Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City in Negros Oriental.

“Mugie and Puti are not just dogs, they are soldiers. Like any other soldier, they too deserve to be recognized for their significant contributions,” he said.

“They manifest a high sense of loyalty and dedication to duty. When needed, they too would be willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country and people,” Arevalo added as he addressed the members of 302nd Infantry Brigade during the Talk to Troops.

They are very good boys.

Throughout this series about the insurgency I have written at length about the AFP's many declarations of victory over the NPA. I have shown how often times these declarations are often premature and contradictory. Now we see this same modus again but this time in Sulu as the AFP declares the province to be Abu Sayyaf free. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1829559/govt-body-declares-sulu-abu-sayyaf-free

The Sulu Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) led by Gov. Abdusakur Tan, with top military and police officials among its members, has declared the province free from the influence of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which officials said could open a new chapter for peace and development in the area.

Tan made the announcement during the third quarter PPOC meeting in Patikul town on Wednesday, as he released the declaration signed by him, the province’s 19 town mayors, the commander of the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Division, and the Joint Task Force Sulu, and the Sulu provincial police director.

But the declaration was mum about how many Abu Sayyaf members might still be in the province and how state forces were able to wipe out the terror group, which had used Sulu as its base for decades.

Instead, the provincial government said the declaration hoped to turn the image of the people of Sulu as peace-loving individuals and the image of the province from the perceived “terrorist’s haven” to a prime tourist and economic zone.

According to Tan, the terror group, “after decades of existence… has been defeated, thanks to the collaborative peace and development efforts exerted by the people of Sulu.”

He added: “Now, it’s time for us to seize the opportunities that lie ahead and harness the true potential of our province.”

The PPOC, in its resolution, stressed that the declaration of Sulu as Abu Sayyaf-free “marks a crucial step towards fostering a safe environment for the people of Sulu while allowing them to pursue their motivations without fear or intimidation.”

As a show of solidarity, the 19 towns of Sulu also passed their respective resolutions declaring their communities free from the ASG’s influence.

Security threats posed by the ASG have deterred tourists from exploring Sulu’s pristine landscape, rich culture and unique heritage for years.

Tan stressed the need for improved roads, transportation networks and tourist facilities to entice tourists to come.

“We have enormous untapped potential for tourism here in Sulu. Our stunning beaches, diverse marine life and vibrant cultural heritage are assets waiting to be discovered by the world,” he said.

Tan said the provincial government would soon “invest in infrastructure, ensuring that visitors have access to safe and comfortable accommodations, efficient transportation and captivating attractions.”

But the key to all these is to create an environment that is not only welcoming but also safe for tourists, he added.

Great. Sulu is not safe for tourists. Will tourists actually be flocking to Sulu Island now that it has been declared Abu Sayyaf-free? 

It turns out that Sulu was declared Abu Sayyaf free a month ago.

https://web.archive.org/web/20230802113610/https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/02/regions/sulu-is-abu-sayyaf-free-military/1903555

SULU, once considered the most dangerous province in the country, is now clear from the influence of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the most violent of the Islamic separatist groups operating in southern Philippines, the miitary said on Wednesday. 

BGen. Taharudin P. Ampatuan, assistant division commander of the 11th Infantry "Alakdan" Division, issued the statement following the declaration that four remaining villages in the province were free from the Al-Qaeda-linked extremist on July 27. 

The four villages were Barangay Kagay, Barangay Sawaki, Barangay Tumantangis and Bud Taran all in Indanan. 

Cpt. Omar Pamen, Civil-Military Officer of 1103rd Infantry "Kalis" Brigade who presented the result of the Community Support Program- Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (CSP-PCVE), said these villages were declared clear from ASG influence after a series of evaluations and validation.

The military said the surrender of the 21 followers of Radullan Sahiron in June signaled the fall of the terror group.  

The military is still trying to confirm reports that Sahiron had died of a lingering illness. 

Seven other Abu Sayyaf bandits, including suicide bomber Mudzrimar Mundi Sawadjaan, are in the military's order of battle. 

The Philippine Army said it can only declare total victory against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu once it has neutralized Mundi Sawadjaan, who was last monitored in Basilan after escaping from Sulu.

So, it's not that Sulu is Abu Sayyaf-free as much as it is ASG fled Sulu for Basilan. That is only shifting the problem. And who is to say they won't return?

5 ASG members in Basilan surrendered.

https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/10/5-asg-rebels-yield-in-basilan

Five Abu Sayyaf Group members surrendered to Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, at the 101st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan on Wednesday afternoon, September 6.

Two of the surrenderers, alias “Idol” and “Piping,” were part of the Bayali Splinters and had warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

The three other surrenderers were identified as Hussin, a supporter of slain ASG leader Furuji Indama, and alias “Rajim” and alias “Man.”

“The surrenders were made possible through the collaborative efforts of the intelligence units, 18th Infantry Battalion, Joint Peace and Security Team, and the local government units of Albarka and Sumisip,” Luzon said.

The surrenderers handed over two 5.56mm M16 rifles, one 40mm grenade launcher, one M1 Garand rifle, and one Colt AR-15.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command commander Major Gen. Steve Crespillo commended JTF Basilan for this accomplishment.

“Rest assured that we will continue to strengthen our collaboration with our partners and stakeholders to sustain peace in Basilan and its neighboring provinces,” Crespillo said.

The police say the MILF and ASG were behind an ambush in Basilan. 

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/08/24/regions/police-say-milf-asg-behind-basilan-ambush/1906695

Police in the Muslim autonomous region have linked both the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in a deadly attack against a convoy of security forces escorting a town vice mayor in the southern province of Basilan.

The revelation came out days after the MILF surrendered, on August 17, two of its fighters who were involved in the August 12 ambush of Vice Mayor Ahmadin Barahim in Unkaya Pukan town's Ulitan village. Barahim was unhurt in the attack, but two security personnel were killed and seven other soldiers were wounded in the attack.

"The victims from 64th Infantry Battalion and Joint Peace Security Team Sumisip, who are on board an AFP KM (military truck) and white Toyota Hilux vehicle (pickup truck), were ambushed by the identified seven MILF-BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces) and ASG members using assorted high-powered firearms," the regional police, under BGen. Allan Nobleza, said.

The MILF and ASG working together? Seeing as ASG is a spin off from the MILF it's not so odd. But the MILF clashing with DI does seem rather odd since ASG is called with DI which is ISIS.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209680

A fierce firefight erupted between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the outlawed Dawlah Islamiya (DI) in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town, Maguindanao del Sur province on Monday, leaving two DI terrorists dead.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the clashes between MILF commander Saga Malandag of 118th base command, and the DI Group under commander Abdulnasser Guianid occurred in the outskirts of Barangay Mother Tuayan.

“The fighting erupted at about 5 a.m. in the mountains of Datu Hoffer and lasted for about an hour,” Pangcog said in a radio interview Tuesday, adding that it took several hours for government forces to reach the clash site.

“When our troops arrived at the clash site in the afternoon, they found two dead bodies of DI armed men,” he said.

Pangcog said a long-standing “rido” (family feud) between Guianid and Malandag triggered the skirmishes.

It turns out it was just a family feud.

Despite the AFP claiming a strategic victory against the NPA they continue to clash. 

https://www.panaynews.net/army-reds-clash-anew-in-leon/

Philippine Army troops exchanged fire with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Camandag, Leon, Iloilo yesterday.

Personnel of the 61st Infant Battalion (61IB) were having an offensive operation and checked the information sent to them by concerned citizens, according to Brigadier General Michael Samson, commander of the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade.

Samson said the exchange of fire erupted at 12:12 p.m. in a mountainous area near Antique province where the NPA’s Southern Front Committee under Rebecca Alfaro was operating.

Government troops recovered 12 backpacks with personal belongings at the encounter site.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1831823/alleged-npa-killed-in-surigao-del-sur-clash

A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in an encounter with government troops on Monday in Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Army said on Thursday.

The Philippine Army said at least 20 suspected NPA rebels figured in a 10-minute firefight with elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Lumbayagan, Brgy Maticdum in Tandag City on September 11.

“Residents of Sitio Lumbayagan were very wary of the presence of the aforementioned armed group in their area prior to the incident, so they promptly informed the authorities,” the Army said in a statement.

“The troops then responded right away and launched a clearing operation,” the Army added.

 Government forces recovered one M-16 rifle from the suspected rebels.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209867

A member of the New People's Army (NPA) was killed in a clash with soldiers on the outskirts of Catubig, Northern Samar, Thursday.

The unidentified armed rebel belonged to a band of 10 insurgents that engaged in a 10-minute gun battle with members of the Philippine Army's 20th Infantry Battalion in upland Anongo village in Catubig town.

Lt. Col. Joemar Buban, Army's 20th IB commander, said soldiers were deployed to carry out the mobile community support and sustainment program operations in the village when they encountered remnants of the Front Committee-15, sub-regional committee, Eastern Visayas regional party committee.

"They were known for their involvement in intimidating, making grave threats, and extorting from the local populace and small businesses in Northern Samar communities," Buban said in a statement.

After the brief clash, the rebels retreated, leaving behind their slain comrade and war materiels, including four backpacks, two hammocks, one 30-round magazine assembly, an M203 empty shell, ammunition, slippers, a cauldron, a water container, a pair of rainboots, and subversive documents.

As can be seen the NPA remains as active as ever.

On Panay and Negros Islands the AFP is looking for seven top NPA leaders before the elections.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209900

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) targets to arrest seven top leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Panay and Negros islands before the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls to ensure peace during the voting exercise.

In an interview on Thursday, Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, chief of the 3rd Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO), said while on the loose, the rebel leaders will be a threat to the election because they can still provide direction to their group,

“If we capture them, there could be a leadership breakdown. If there is no leader, their people could not move due to lack of direction,” said.

He added they are trying to dismantle all remaining guerrilla fronts by Sept. 30, but President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has given them until the end of this year to end insurgency so they can already focus on territorial defense.

“We are given the timeline to end the local armed conflict. Their capture would help end the insurgency problem in Panay and Negros,” Javines said.

The Army official also asked for the public's help with any information leading to the arrest of the seven CPP-NPA leaders whose heads carry a total bounty of PHP11.25 million.

Javines said the top leaders are not hiding, but with the armed group in the mountains.

“With the bounty, maybe they would be willing to provide us information leading to their arrest,” he added.

Instead of offering a bounty why doesn't the AFP simply go into the mountains and blast them out? Are they too scared?