The AFP continues to go after IS in Mindanao. A recent encounter left 6 AFP soldiers dead.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1906500/six-soldiers-two-maute-fighters-killed-in-lanao-del-norte-clash |
Six Scout Rangers and three alleged fighters of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group were killed in an encounter in Barangay Ramain in Munai town, Lanao del Sur, Munai on Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., said in a statement issued on Monday.
Brawner said that four other soldiers were injured during its continuous pursuit operations against members of the DI-Maute Group, which perpetrated the bombing at Mindanao State University in December 2023, leaving four people dead and 50 others wounded.
“In continuation of this effort, an operation was launched last February 18, resulting in 2 more dead among the enemy and several others wounded based on intelligence information,” Brawner said.
“Six of our valiant soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice while another four were wounded,” Brawner said in a statement.
Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said that the total number of killed Maute fighters climbed to three after another body was recovered.
An earlier report from Lt. Col. Palawan Moindas, spokesperson of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, put the number of soldiers killed at five, but another was declared dead on arrival, bringing the total to six.
Moindas said the encounter took place at past 2 p.m. on Sunday in Barangay Ramain. It involved a platoon of soldiers and about 15 members of the DI-Maute Group.
The AFP spokesperson, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, said 12 Maute Group members were killed in separate pursuit operations after the bombing.
Previously, Padilla said that the DI-Maute Group was on the “brink of collapse.”
The AFP says the deaths of these six soldiers are attributable to mistakes made on the battlefield.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/21/6-military-fatalities-attributed-to-miscalculation-in-lanao-del-norte-encounter |
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) admitted there was a slight "miscalculation" on the part of their operating team during the encounter against the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group in Barangay Ramain, Munai, Lanao del Norte on Sunday, February 18, where six soldiers were killed.
Three fighters from the DI-MG were also killed.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. found out that there were techniques, tactics, and procedures that were not followed when he had a conversation with the commander of the 44th Infantry Battalion (IB), the operating unit where the slain soldiers were assigned.
The AFP chief would not elaborate when asked what these specific lapses were.
“We reminded our troops, our commanders, battalion commanders, our company commanders, and platoon leaders to always observe the right techniques, tactics, and procedures,” Brawner said during his visit to the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in this city on Wednesday, February 21.
The 44th IB and 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion clashed with the Islamic State-linked terrorist group believed to be behind the attack at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City last December in which four individuals were killed and injured at least 40 others.
Brawner recounted that the terrorist group almost vanished during the Marawi siege in 2017 and 45 members were left after the five-month-long battle. Their number was further reduced as the Army continued operations against them.
The DI-MG now has about 20 fighters, he added.
The AFP chief cited miscalculation as the possible cause of six fatalities during the encounter
He explained how they tend to miscalculate the movements of the enemy due to the unpredictability of the armed engagement.
“Because you know it’s hard in war. You cannot predict everything because the enemy is moving and they also have firearms,” Brawner said, stressing that they can confidently address the lapses in order to prevent a repeat of the incident.
In effect the Chief of the AFP is blaming the soldiers for their deaths rather than Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group. Interestingly enough he claims DI-MG only has "about 20 fighters" left.
An encounter in Bohol ended in the death of a top NPA leader.
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| https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/558204/top-npa-leader-four-others-killed-in-shootout-with-law-enforcers-in-bohol |
A top leader of the New People’s Army’s Bohol Party Committee (BPC) and 4 other NPA rebel fighters were killed during an armed encounter with law enforcement in the municipality of Bilar in Bohol province on Friday morning, February 23, 2024.
The armed encounter began at around 6:52 a.m. in Purok Matinan-ao Dos, Barangay Campagao, Bilar, Bohol.
This was according to Lieutenant Colonel Norman Nuiz, spokesperson of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), who spoke to reporters on Friday.
Nuiz said that military and police personnel were reportedly in the area at the time of the incident to serve a warrant of arrest.
The warrant of arrest was issued against the five alleged NPA members who were staying in the area.
The operation was conducted by combined elements of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) and 47th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
When they arrived in the area, however, the involved persons fought back against the law enforcers and the government soldiers refusing to back down.
This then lead to the two forces engaging in a violent shootout, leading to members from both sides being killed.
Consequently, residents of the barangay were alarmed when they heard the exchange of bullets near their houses.
According to Nuiz, one police officer was killed while another one was wounded during the encounter.
Police Corporal Gilbert Amper was shot on the head and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Police Corporal Gerard Rollon sustained a gunshot wound on his body and was rushed to the same hospital.
Furthermore, police personnel relayed that a total of 5 alleged members of the NPA were killed during the shoot-out.
One of the persons who was killed was alias “Silong,” described as a squad leader of remnants of BPC and the former commanding officer of Sandatahang Yunit Pangpropaganda (SYP) Platoon.
“Silong” had a bounty of P2.6 million and was wanted for several cases including rebellion, homicide, attempted homicide, multiple murder, frustrated murder, and robbery.
Also killed were the assistant squad leader alias “Aldrin” and squad members: “Darwin,” “Maya,” and “Juaning.”
According to Cahucom, there is a possibility that the NPA members have been hiding in the barangay because it is a mountainous area.
Bohol is an interesting case because it was previously declared insurgency free even when the AFP clashed with the NPA in 2021. But then lost its status. In 2022 the local police declared the local CTG dismantled.
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| https://mirror.pia.gov.ph/news/2023/01/27/3-more-rebels-send-surrender-feelers-in-bohol |
For his part, Bohol police provincial director Col. Osmundo Salibo said that the insurgency situation in Bohol is that the CTG here has been “dismantled”.
He said the CTG is no longer a threat to Boholanos, Salibo said during the same press conference.
He added there is no barangay in Bohol where government is having difficulty implementing projects or programs.
Thus, the CTG’s ability to cause trouble is no longer a concern among the state security forces.
“Is there a single barangay in the province of Bohol that the services of government has been hampered? Wala na!” Salibo quipped.
Bohol is in the Central Visayas and the AFP says they hope to end the insurgency in the Visayas by the end of the year.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1219403 |
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. directed the Visayas Command (Viscom) to continue with their operations to eliminate the threat of communist insurgency.
Brawner made the directive after visiting the Viscom headquarters in Cebu and the 301st Infantry Brigade in Iloilo on Thursday, the AFP said in a news release Thursday night.
"And we are very hopeful and optimistic that by the end of the year 2024, ay talagang ma-achieve natin ang (we can really achieve) total victory and we can defeat the communists here in Viscom,” he said.
Brawner also lauded Viscom's officers and enlisted personnel for their accomplishments.
These accomplishments, he said, are aligned with the AFP's overall campaign strategy, which is focused on defeating the NPA remnants.
Bataan has recently been declared peaceful and stable.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/21/bataan-achieves-stable-internal-peace-and-security |
The province of Bataan has been placed under a state of stable internal peace and security following the ceremonial signing of the declaration led by Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III at the provincial capitol in Balanga City, Bataan on Wednesday, February 21.
Bataan is the third province under the jurisdiction of the Army 702nd Infantry Brigade led by Brig. Gen. Gulliver L. Señires put under SIPS. The two other provinces are Tarlac and Zambales.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan supported the declaration initiated by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) through the issuance of Resolution No. 4, Series of 2024.
Major Gen. Andrew D. Costelo, commander of the 7th Infantry Division, said that the declaration was a testament to the unwavering commitment and sacrifice of men and women in uniform, as well as the collaborative efforts of the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and local government units.
“To the brave soldiers and police officers who have demonstrated exceptional courage and determination, I commend every one of you for your unwavering commitment to protecting our communities,” Costelo said.
Garcia said that the declaration was timely as it was in line with their strategic plan to be a highly livable province by 2030.
He thanked law enforcement agencies led by the Army for their unwavering commitment to sustain peace and security in his province that will lead to more progress and development.
Zambales is also set to be declared as SIPS on March 1.
Again we see that the declaration of being peaceful is less about there being no insurgents and more about a "strategic plan" to develop the province.
Meanwhile in Escalante the AFP has launched airstrikes against the NPA.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/23/airstrikes-launched-vs-npa-remnants-in-escalante-city |
The 79th Infantry Battalion launched precision airstrikes on Thursday night, February 22, against remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front (NNF)-D, following a series of clashes with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID), said that they used two Augusta Westland-109 Nighthawk Attack Helicopters (AW-109AH) from the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
A video of the air strike has been circulating on social media.
Javines said that they adhered to strict guidelines, emphasizing careful risk assessment to mitigate collateral damage, when they launched the airstrike.
He added that various factors, such as the proximity of residential zones, utilities, and livestock, underwent a thorough evaluation.
Javines said that this method underscores the importance of safeguarding civilian lives and limiting property damage, adding that such measures are integral to ensuring responsible and effective military operations while minimizing adverse impacts on communities.
Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, said the Army would remain steadfast in its commitment to completely eradicate armed groups in Negros and assured the public that no residents were harmed during the airstrike.
“This effort reflects our commitment to decisively confront and neutralize the remnants of the insurgent forces, thereby safeguarding communities and promoting stable internal peace and security in Negros Island,” he added.
It is a wonder the AFP does not launch airstrikes more often especially when they know where the NPA is located.
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