One of the conditions for establishing the BARMM was that the MILF would decommission. That means totally dismantling their terrorist army. Governors of several provinces who joined the BARMM say the process is not fast enough. They also claim crime is rising in areas where there are MILF camps.
Four provincial governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) sent on Thursday to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. an “urgent appeal” for the immediate decommissioning of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces and postponement of the barangay elections until the decommissioning is fully implemented.
The appeal, signed by Governors Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, Abdusakur Tan of Sulu, Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman of Basilan and Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi, also called for a “swift investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators” of the ambush on Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. and other violent incidents in BARMM.
The governors’ appeal linked the “climate of lawlessness” in the region, including the ambush on Adiong in Maguing, Lanao del Sur to the presence of MILF base commands.
“In these areas, LGUs (local government units), PNP (Philippine National Police) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are severely restrained from enforcing law and order by the ‘peace process mechanisms’ that bar entry of law enforcement agencies in the so-called ‘MILF territories’,” the appeal said.
It cited the incident on Feb. 7 where 39 Special Forces soldiers were held overnight by the MILF in Maguing, “on the pretext that their movement and operations were not coordinated with the MILF.”
The four governors also called for the postponement of the barangay elections scheduled on Oct. 30 this year until the decommissioning is completed.
The decommissioning of the MILF forces is provided for in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) specifically in the Annex on Normalization.
Its implementation is guided by a roadmap, which says that the MILF shall undergo a graduated and gradual decommissioning in four phases by percentage: ceremonial in Phase 1, 30% in Phase 2, 35% in Phase 3, and remaining MILF forces in Phase 4.
“We are seriously concerned that law enforcement in the BARMM will continue to be handicapped leading to the barangay elections on October 30, 2023 unless effective decommissioning of MILF combatants and firearms is completed.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim has denied these allegations.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) remains committed to the peace deal it signed with the national government, including the decommissioning of its combatants, a top Bangsamoro region official said Wednesday.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim issued the remarks after four of five BARMM provincial governors urged for the suspension of this year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls in the area pending the completion of the decommissioning process.
“Like them, we also wanted to speed up the decommissioning process but remember we are doing our part and the government is also doing its part,” Ebrahim said over a radio interview here.
Ebrahim said blaming the MILF for the rising criminality in Mindanao is unfair. He did not elaborate.
Nevertheless, the MILF leader said cases of violence in the BARMM dropped after the national government and MILF signed a peace deal in 2014.
Ebrahim also called on the national government for the disbandment of private armed groups (PAGs), which he said is allegedly controlled by politicians in BARMM.
It was common knowledge, he said, that BARMM that politicians maintain PAGs to protect their interests. Ebrahim did not name names.
Mohaqher Iqbal, BARMM education minister and former chief MILF negotiator, said private armed groups of "traditional politicians should be disbanded and demobilized."
“As stated in the agreement, the government’s deliverables, among others, is the disbandment of politicians’ private armies,” Iqbal said, adding that the MILF expects the disbandment of PAGs as soon as possible.
He also rejected claims that crimes are rising in areas near MILF camps
Remember the leader of the MILF Ebrahim Murad is on record saying decommissioning does not mean surrender.
“We have not given up on our struggle.”
“We are not surrendering. Decommissioning is not tantamount to surrendering,” said Ebrahim, who is also Chief Minister of the interim Bangsamoro government.
“I would like to emphasize that the decommissioning doesn’t mean we have given up on what we used to fight for,” Ebrahim emphasized.
So, they are still fighting for an independent Mindanao which has always been their goal. In the meantime BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim puts the blame for crime on private armed groups. The DILG has given the order to crack down on PAGs.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify the crackdown on Private Armed Groups (PAGs) and illegal firearms.
Abalos said in a statement Monday that the PNP should bolster efforts to end “senseless violence” targeting local government officials and preventing criminality in the country.
Abalos’ order came after the recent gun attacks on three local government officials, resulting in the death of a vice mayor and nine aides.
(We need to identify and dismantle these PAGs and confiscate the loose firearms in their possession which they might be using in illegal operations.)
The DILG chief also instructed increased police visibility and tightened security across the country to allay public fears and discourage illegally armed individuals or groups from committing violence.
“I also expect the PNP to stay true to its mission to serve and protect the citizenry by exerting sustained, deliberate and committed efforts to stop this senseless violence against local officials and prevent criminal activities,” Abalos said.
This same exact order was given by the DILG two years ago in 2021!
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday ordered an intensive crackdown on private armed groups (PAGs) in Western Mindanao.
Speaking during a press conference here, Año said PAGs should be dismantled as they are most likely to become active as the election nears since candidates might use them to advance their own interests.
“The best way to prevent violence is to ensure the neutralization of these PAGs,” he said after meeting with top DILG, military, and police officials at the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters in Campo Navarro.
He said there are 22 active and more than 100 potential PAGs in the Westmincom areas of operation that extend from Western Mindanao to Central Mindanao.
Nothing changes in the Philippines!
VISCOM says they are making headway against the NPA in the Visayas.
The Visayas Command (VISCOM) said it continues to gain ground in its fight against the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) after it reported neutralizing four alleged rebels during an armed encounter in Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental last March 1, 2023.
Lieutenant General Benedict Arevalo, VISCOM commander, said that the armed encounter was between the 94th Infantry Battalion and the alleged terrorists. This encounter resulted to the death of four alleged rebels and recovery of six firearms, which includes two M16 rifles; two M203 grenade launchers attached to the M16 rifles, and two AK47 assault rifles.
Aside from these firearms, Arevalo said that the government troops also allegedly recovered several ‘war materials,’ including nine backpacks containing personal belongings and subversive documents.
For the month of February, Arevalo said that a total of 28 alleged rebels were already neutralized during their operations against insurgency in Visayas. Of the 28 individuals, five were killed, one was apprehended, while 22 others surrendered.
At least 22 firearms were also confiscated within the same period.
Arevalo appeals to those a few remaining alleged rebels to surrender.
“Heed the call of our government for genuine peace and reconciliation. Lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law while you still can, for we will never stop and we will never back down in our efforts in pursuing those who threaten the safety and well-being of our people,” Arevalo said.
This is completely inline with what I have written before about the Visayas being the new battleground versus the NPA. The AFP thinks the job can be done in 3 to 6 months but we shall see.
Let's compare the fate of 8 different NPA fighters.
The Philippine Army has declared another victory in its anti-insurgency operation in central Negros with the death of four Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) rebels during an encounter in Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.
In a statement on Thursday, the 3rd Infantry Division headed by Brig. Gen. Marion Sison said the NPA "suffered a huge debacle" in the latest clash, which came five months after a series of encounters took place in the same village.
"We will not allow you to continue harming our people. Expect relentless and intensified military operations in the coming days and weeks," said Sison, stressing that government forces are determined to protect Negrenses from the atrocities of the NPA.
On Wednesday morning, troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) engaged around 20 communist rebels in a 20-minute firefight, which injured a soldier and claimed the lives of four NPA fighters, who were not yet identified as of Thursday afternoon.
The troops responded to the reported presence of armed men who were asking for food and supplies from the villagers.
During the clearing operation, the troops recovered two M16 rifles attached to M203 grenade launchers, two AK47 assault rifles, a hand grenade, four rounds of M203 grenade launcher ammunition, four M16 magazines, seven AK47 magazines, and assorted ammunition.
Other items included backpacks, a compass, two flashlights, food items, personal belongings, subversive documents and a stack of extortion letters.
Oops they are dead! And now the AFP has their backpacks.
Now check out these four former NPA fighters.
Former members of the New People’s Army in Negros Oriental province who have reintegrated into mainstream society are now embracing a new life as entrepreneurs.
The former rebels received Tuesday night their livelihood kits – layering chicken packages – from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) during a small ceremony at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) in Barangay Salag, Siaton town.
The livelihood package, worth around PHP30,000 each, consists of 24 heads of ready-to-lay chickens, chicken feed, and a mechanical egg collection unit, according to DOLE-Negros Oriental provincial chief, Ma. Theresa Tanquiamco.
The chickens that were delivered are ready to lay eggs already, and in a few weeks, the beneficiaries can begin collecting and selling them.
The egg production business is expected to boost the income of the former rebels who were reunited with their families after they surrendered last year to the 11th IB.
Lt. Col. Roderick Salayo, 11IB commanding officer, told the Philippine News Agency, that the livelihood assistance is a concrete example of the government’s sincerity to help rebel returnees start a new life.
What a difference huh? From fighting against the government to raising chickens. That's one way to end the insurgency. Turn everyone into chicken farmers!
