The AFP claim the perpetrators of the December, 2023 MSU bombing have been killed in a firefight.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217761 |
The Philippine Army (PA) reported Saturday the death of nine members of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group after a series of encounters in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur in the past two days.
In a statement, PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Dema-ala said the nine belonged to the group involved in the Mindanao State University - Marawi bombing on Dec. 3, 2023. Four were killed during the explosion at the gymnasium while a Catholic Mass was ongoing.
"The Army troops were able to neutralize nine local terrorist members and recovered eight high-powered firearms,” Dema-ala said.
The clashes between the heavily armed DI terrorists and troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion took place in Barangay Taporug on Thursday and Friday, triggered by internal security operations.
Four soldiers were hurt in the encounters and were transported to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center, also in Marawi.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the four soldiers who sustained injuries during the said operation," Dema-ala said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. lauded the Army troops for their successful operation, citing their “precision and unwavering dedication” that delivered justice for MSU victims, including the more than 50 who were wounded.
"This operation sets a clear precedent: The AFP will not tolerate those who endanger the lives and well-being of our people. The remaining few will face our full force and unshakeable resolve in bringing every single responsible individual to account," Brawner said in a statement.
He also called on those considering violence to rethink their choices as AFP remains an "indomitable force" in ensuring the safety of Filipinos.
It is not clear what exactly makes this particular operation precedent setting as the AFP has been going after terrorists for the past 50 years. The AFP says they are on heightened alert in case the Muslims launch a retaliatory attack.
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https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/28/troops-on-heightened-alert-vs-retaliatory-attack-by-islamist-militants |
Government forces in Mindanao were alerted by the military leadership for possible retaliatory attack by Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) - Maute Group (MG) following the death of nine alleged Islamist militants during a series of counter-terrorism operations in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur last week.
Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division (1ID), said troops were directed to be vigilant against potential ambuscades, bombings, and liquidation as the DI-MG is expected to get even with the military unit that killed nine of its fighters, including three who were implicated in a deadly bomb attack at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City last month.
"As of the moment, they [DI-MG] are in disarray and on the run. But we cannot discount the possibility of retaliatory attacks against our troops through liquidation and other terror actions. But as to bombings, it is very remote as of the moment," Viray said on Sunday, Jan. 28.
"We already alerted our troops plus pursuit operations are on going. We're currently on a heightened alert," he added.
Viray said security in Piagapo, Marawi City, and other nearby areas was tightened while the troops are tracking the escaped militants.
"It's just part of SOP [standard operating procedure]. It's better to be careful, right?" he noted.
Viray said the DI-MG under Mas'od's command has around 20 more remaining members, including two to four fighters who may have been involved in the MSU bomb attack
With these men on the loose and the AFP tightening security is it any wonder that Canada has issued a travel warning for Mindanao to its citizens? Needless to say the AFP is not happy about this warning.
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| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/10th-id-bashes-canadian-govt-for-travel-advisory-vs-mindanao |
THE 10th Infantry "Agila" Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) slammed the Canadian government for their surprise travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which affects their area of responsibility.
Expressing his sentiments, 10th ID spokesperson Major Mark Anthony Tito clarified that the four regions governed by their military agency are peaceful, which means there is the absence of threats from terrorism and violent forces contrary to what was announced by the Canadian embassy on their travel advisory dated January 10, 2024.
The division has operational responsibility in 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities of the Davao Region, parts of Sarangani and South Cotabato, Second District of Cotabato and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, Trento, Agusan del Sur, and Linging, Surigao del Sur.
"We do not know what is the basis behind that travel advisory. They do not know what is happening on the ground. We in the army, we can assure that the whole region is peaceful. It doesn't jive or that is not what is happening in our area of responsibility," the official said during the Davao Region’s 2023 Socioeconomic Performance and 2024 Development Council press conference on Tuesday morning, January 30.
Tito cited the situation of the whole Davao Region during 2023 and that according to him, no threats and major violence were recorded in the timeline.
"Just imagine, for the whole 2023, we do not have recorded any incidents in terms of terrorism and insurgency" he added.
The 10th ID is claims that the warning is based on wrong information because "the whole region is peaceful." That may be the case for the Davao Region but it is not only that region which is included in the warning.
Based on the travel advisory, the Canadian embassy warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao provinces following the ongoing presence of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high rates of violence, and encounters between the rebel forces and government security authorities.
In the advisory, Canada cited Northern Mindanao particularly in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental as places to possibly avoid any travel.
In Soccsksargen, citizens are told to exercise high caution in Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
On the other hand, it also advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travels in Eastern Mindanao especially in Caraga and Davao Region except for Davao City.
However, despite the exclusion of Davao City, Tito emphasized that the area will still experience the impact of the advisory as it is a part of the Davao Region.
If Mindanao is so peaceful and this warning does not reflect the situation on the ground then why is the AFP being reinforced by American counter-terrorism operators?
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| https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2024/01/us-deploys-counter-terrorism-operators.html |
The Pentagon has deployed U.S. Marines in the southern Philippines to train and assist Filipino soldiers in counter terrorism.
The American soldiers replaced another batch from the Special Operations Task Force 511.2 (SOTF 5112) under the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) based in the Western Mindanao Command here.
The Western Mindanao Command confirmed the arrival of the U.S. Marines but it did not say how many have arrived.
Brig. Gen. Aldrin Annani, the Deputy Commander of Western Mindanao Command, lauded the departing U.S. troops led by Maj. Jeffry Schuele and awarded his group the Military Civic Action Medal and plaques for their valuable contributions.
Shuele's group was deployed here in July 15, 2023 and would return to their unit on January 31 after six months tour in southern Philippines.
Schuele expressed his gratitude to his Filipino counterpart for making their six-month mission a success. He also encouraged the Western Mindanao Command to give the same support to the new group of U.S. Marines.
Annani welcomed the new batch of American soldiers who will be part of the SOTF 511.2 in the next six months.
He lauded the SOTF 511.2 for supporting the endeavors of the Western Mindanao Command.
The actions of the AFP, from battling NPA and Islamists terrorists to employing the assistance of the American military, belies their claims that Mindanao is peaceful.
The anger from the security sector is that the warning will put a damper on tourism to Mindanao but seeing as that island is only recently being touted as a tourist destination it shouldn't hurt much if at all. Other areas once home to major security threats are also looking to become tourist destinations.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1896096/with-rebels-gone-samar-town-aims-to-develop-tourism-sites |
The municipal government of Matuguinao in Samar province is now seeking funding to develop its cold spring and pristine cave as an ecotourism site in a bid to transform the image of the town that used to be a haven of communist rebels into a safe and relaxing place for visitors.
Matuguinao Mayor Aran Boller said he asked P45 million in financial support from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism tasked to construct tourism-related infrastructures.
The amount, he said, would be used to develop the Salpan Cave and cold spring in Barangay Barruz, located about 3 kilometers from the town proper.
“We want to develop the Salpan Cave and cold spring and make it a tourist destination so we can generate income for our municipality and at the same time help provide livelihood for our people,” Boller said.
As part of the development plan, the town mayor said they intended to construct a path bridge, pathway, storage area and grouted riprap leading the cave area; and install solar lights and other amenities in the area.
“I want Matuguinao to be known, not as a terrorism-infested area, but as a tourist destination,” he said.
In previous years, the town was known to be among the lairs of the New People’s Army (NPA), with all of its 20 barangays under the influence and control of the rebels.
At present, all villages are free from the influence of the NPA, although four villages are under monitoring due to attempts of the rebels to regain control over these areas, the mayor said.
“Now, I am happy that our people have realized the evils of the NPA and are very cooperative with the local government,” Boller said.
The town is "free from the influence of the NPA" but four barangays "are under monitoring due to attempts of the rebels to regain control over these areas." That means the NPA is not totally gone from this town.
Elsewhere in Samar it appears criminal groups are receiving support from the NPA.
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| https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/895975/3-cops-killed-4-hurt-in-samar-clash-with-armed-men/story/ |
Three policemen were killed in Sta. Margarita, Samar, on Tuesday morning when the serving of arrest warrants led to an encounter with armed men.
According to the police, members of the Samar Provincial Mobile Force and Regional Mobile Force went to Barangay Mahayag to serve arrest warrants to members of Ampoan Criminal Gang.
Aside from the three fatalities, four policemen were also wounded in the encounter.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo identified the subjects of the arrest warrants as Jojo Altarejos, Edito Ampoan, and one Macurol. The three were able to elude the policemen, she said.
"When your troop [of the police] was there, they were shot," Fajardo said, adding seven suspects were arrested in the operation.The group, according to the police, is involved in gun-for-hire activities and responsible for the killing of several barangay officials and businessmen in the area.
"It is not only operating in Santa Margarita, even extending to Calbayog City, Gandara and the whole province of Samar. It is so notorious that a large force came to the area," Fajardo said of the group.The PNP official also said the group may be receiving support from New People's Army (NPA) rebels.
Fajardo said hot pursuit operations are ongoing against the members of the group, who are believed to be hiding in adjacent villages.
"Possibly they have escaped from the area, so we are now checking the nearby barangays and establishing checkpoints and border control," she said.Fajardo said policemen are receiving help from the military in pursuing the suspects. She said they are also verifying reports that some of the suspects were wounded in the gun battle.
Despite the violence, Fajardo said the regional police director did not recommend raising the alert level in the area.
There is an armed criminal group operating in the whole province of Samar which is possibly receiving support from the NPA. They likely escape from the area and yet the regional police director does "not recommend raising the alert level in the area."
How is that keeping people safe? It will only serve to keep them complacent. But there is the tourism money to think of!
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