Thursday, April 14, 2016

Police mum over fate of sailors kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf

From the Star Online (Apr 15): Police mum over fate of sailors kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf

Sabah police remain tightlipped about the fate of four Malaysian sailors held by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Jolo island in spite of the disclosure by a relative of the captives that contact has been made.

State Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Awang Sahari EM Hadzeer declined to comment when asked about the latest development on the kidnapping case.

“We will notify the press if we have any information to release,” he said yesterday.

The four – siblings Wong Teck Kang, 31, Wong Teck Chii, 29, and Wong Hung Sing, 34, as well as Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21, were abducted from a tugboat off Pulau Ligitan near Semporna on April 1.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police were negotiating with the Philippine authorities in the effort to get the abductors to release them.

“I don’t want to comment further for the sake of their safety. But we are following developments and will continue with the negotiations and take the necessary steps to ensure their safety,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

In a related development, Lau’s mother was quoted by a local Sarawak newspaper in Sibu as saying that one of the Wong brothers managed to contact their father on Tuesday.

During the call, it was revealed that all four of them were safe.

The newspaper also reported that Lau’s mother did not reveal whether a ransom demand had been made to secure the release of the four.

It said that she came to know about the call as her family and that of the Wong siblings were neighbours.

Lau’s mother also made an appeal to the Malaysian Government to work with the Philippines in securing the safe return of the captives, it added.

The Foreign Ministry has reiterated its request for assistance in securing the release of the four Malaysians.

The reiteration was made to the Philippines Ambassador to Malaysia Jose Eduardo E. Malaya, according to Bernama.

“The ambassador assured Malay-sia that the government of the Philippines is undertaking all the necessary efforts to locate the four Malaysians,” Wisma Putra said in a statement.

On April 6, a similar request was made by the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila to the Philippine Depart-ment of Foreign Affairs.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/04/15/police-mum-over-fate-of-sailors-kidnapped-by-abu-sayyaf/

Abu Sayyaf posts pix of Malaysian hostages on Facebook

The Star Online (Apr 15): Abu Sayyaf posts pix of Malaysian hostages on Facebook



KOTA KINABALU: A picture of the four Malaysian hostages kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group has been posted on Facebook, presumably by the terrorist group themselves.

The four, all sailors, are all seen squatting, with one of them holding up a piece of paper with the name "Victor Troy" and the date "April 8, 2016" written on it.

The Facebook page is believed to have been set up recently by the Abu Sayyaf group.

The four Malaysians – Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Sing, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29, and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21, all from Sarawak – were grabbed from MV Masfive 6 tugboat off Pulau Ligatan on April 1 when returning to Tawau after delivering a timber cargo to Manila.
The kidnappers made contact with the hostages' family members on April 12 with demands for their release.

On April 14, the families met Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to ask for help.

It is still not clear which Abu Sayyaf group kidnapped the four, but it is believed they are being held by a certain sub-commander known as Sawajan.

People familiar with Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom operations say that the groups are linked and help each other to avoid Philippines military operations on the notorious southern Philippines island of Jolo.

They say the name used for the Facebook page was most likely fictitious, but it appeared to be an attempt at opening a mode of communication with victims' family members and others.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/04/15/abu-sayyaf-posts-pix-of-malaysian-hostages-on-facebook/

Soldiers, Abu Sayyaf bandits clash in Basilan anew

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 15): Soldiers, Abu Sayyaf bandits clash in Basilan anew
Soldiers and Abu Sayyaf bandits clashed anew in Tipo-tipo in Basilan, nearly a week after the military suffered heavy losses there, while a bomb also exploded in the province’s capital on Thursday evening, the military said Friday.

Major Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said a bandit was killed while four soldiers were injured in the clash that took place in Barangay Amaloy around 10 p.m.

The encounter took place shortly after still unidentified suspects set off an improvised explosive device near a gasoline station in Lamitan City but police authorities said it was not certain if the incidents were related.
READ: 18 soldiers killed in Sayyaf ambush

Tan also said the operation in Basilan was continuing and no soldier had been pulled out as of yet.

On Saturday last week, 18 soldiers were killed while over 50 others were injured in clashes in Tipo-tipo.

READ: Aquino says sorry to families of dead, wounded soldiers

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/779655/soldiers-abu-sayyaf-bandits-clash-in-basilan-anew

1 Abu Sayyaf terrorist killed, 4 troops hurt in fresh clash in Basilan

From GMA News (Apr 15): 1 Abu Sayyaf terrorist killed, 4 troops hurt in fresh clash in Basilan

A suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorist was killed while four government troops were wounded following a fresh encounter in Basilan Thursday night, a regional military spokesperson said Friday.

Citing initial reports, Maj. Filemon Tan of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command said the clash transpired around 9:30 p.m. in Amoloy, Tipo-Tipo town.
At present, troops are still conducting pursuit operations against the terrorists.

The clash came as government security forces continue to go after the terrorist group responsible for the deaths of 18 Army soldiers during a 10-hour firefight also in Tipo-Tipo on April 9.

The military claimed killing 31 Abu Sayyaf fighters during that firefight and succeeding clashes.

Earlier this week, the international terrorist group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the April 9 clash.

The Philippine military, however, has denied such claim, dismissing it as mere propaganda on the terrorist group's part.

The Abu Sayyaf, a small but violent group known for extortion, kidnappings, beheadings and bombings, has posted videos on social media pledging allegiance to Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

The group has attracted foreign fighters from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa to the troubled south of the Philippines, home to a Muslim minority and several Moro rebel groups. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/562780/news/regions/1-abu-sayyaf-terrorist-killed-4-troops-hurt-in-fresh-clash-in-basilan

Defense chief Gazmin: No ‘formalized’ ISIS organization in PH

From Rappler (Apr 14): Defense chief Gazmin: No ‘formalized’ ISIS organization in PH

In the same press conference, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter cites 'instances' in other countries where extremist groups have sought to 'rebrand' themselves through affiliation with ISIS

JOINT BRIEFING. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter (left) and Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin field questions at a joint press conference in Malacañang on April 14, 2016. Photo from RTVM Twitter page







JOINT BRIEFING. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter (left) and Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin field questions at a joint press conference in Malacañang on April 14, 2016. Photo from RTVM Twitter page
 
On the same day the group claimed responsibility for the April 9 clash in Basilan that killed at least 19 soldiers, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin maintained on Thursday, April 13, that there is “no formalized” Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL or Da'esch) organization in the Philippines.
 
Gazmin made the statement in a joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter at the Premier Guest House in Malacañang. Both defense chiefs were asked if their governments had verified the ISIS claim, if this meant there was an ISIS base in the Philippines, and its impact on regional security.

“The [Abu Sayyaf] group in Basilan is trying to organize and be affiliated with ISIS but our information says that there is no ISIS [here] or formalized organization here in the Philippines," Gazmin said.

Carter did not directly respond to the question but cited "instances" in other countries where extremist groups have sough to "rebrand" themselves through affiliation with ISIS.

"Let me add to that not from a local perspective but around the world, you do see the phenomenon in several places, of groups that formerly existed and were conducting terrorist operations who affiliate with or rebrand in association with ISIL. So we see that in other places as well," he said.

"It is a worldwide phenomenon of others associating themselves with ISIL and that may be what we’re seeing here by groups in the Philippines. If so, that will be consistent with the pattern you see around the world, and just another reason why it’s important to defeat ISIL which we will do," Carter added.

Rappler reported that the Basilan incident was the first major attack of ISIS in the Philippines. Rohan Gunaratna, head of Singapore’s International Centre for Political Violence & Terrorism Research, told Rappler. “The group responsible is the Islamic State, led by Isnilon Hapilon in the Philippines,”

The Philippine military has consistently denied ISIS' presence here despite our previous reports on it. Military spokesmen have stressed the "difference between ISIS-directed and ISIS-inspired.”
 
It’s a distinction that many consider moot in the age of ISIS and lone wolf attacks, especially since the Filipino groups are following the steps outlined in ISIS manuals and publications, and their videos are shared by ISIS propaganda outlets, wrote Rappler Executive Editor Maria Ressa. (READ: ISIS’ global ambitions and plans for Southeast Asia)
 
Experts have said the same.
 
“Given the attack in Paris, the attacks in San Bernardino, the growth of Boko Haram, the growing strength of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and Basilan, the upcoming elections and the failure of the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law), I think people need to lean towards being alarmist and not complacent,” said Justin Richmond, a former US army special operations operative who later worked on stabilization projects for USAID and other international aid groups, in an earlier interview with Rappler.
 
Carter and Balikatan
 
In his opening statement at the joint news briefing, the US official conveyed Washington's condolences to the families of the soldiehttps://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4004111469161356591&pli=1#overviewstats/src=dashboardrs killed in the Basilan encounter.
 
"I’d like to my express condolences, on behalf of the United States States, for the combat losses suffered last week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and to the Philippine Armed Forces, and to the entire nation," he said.

Carter is in the country to observe the annual joint military exercises between the Philippines and the US – the first US defense official to do so since both governments started holding the annual war games.

His visit also coincides with the implementation of a new military agreement between the two countries, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

http://www.rappler.com/nation/129501-gazmin-no-formalized-isis-organization-ph

US: Daesh rebranding globally

From The Standard (Apr 15): US: Daesh rebranding globally

UNITED States Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said many extremist groups around the world, like the Abu Sayyaf, are trying to affiliate themselves with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Daesh, by staging attacks in the name of the Islamist group.

“It is a worldwide phenomenon,” Carter said of groups that are staging terror attacks in sympathy for ISIS. “That maybe what we are seeing here in the Philippines, that would be consistent with a pattern you’ve seen around the world.”

“That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important that ISIS be destroyed in Syria and Iraq, which I am confident we will do with our coalition partners. That will demonstrate that there is no such thing as an Islamic State based upon this hateful ideology,” Carter added.

The US official made the remark after ISIS claimed responsibility for clashes between Abu Sayyaf militants and government troops that led to the death of 23 people.
But the military dismissed the claim as “mere propaganda.”

“I’d like to say that this is not true,” military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said of Daesh’s claim that it detonated seven trucks filled with soldiers, leading to the death of 23 soldiers.

“This news that came out allegedly said that they blew up seven trucks, they killed 23 soldiers and the attack was initiated by the ASG. These are not true and inconsistent with the real events on the ground,” Padilla told reporters.

“This is very inconsistent with what is really happening on the ground and as such we are bent on finishing whatever operations we have ongoing,” Padilla emphasized.

One of the killed terrorists during the first salvo of ambush that resulted to a 10-hour firefight was Mohammad Khattab, who, defense and military officials said was in Basilan “to unify all Islamist groups.”

Khattab was with the group of known ASG sub-leader Isnilon Hapilon and Radzmil Jannatul, who, the military claimed was seriously wounded. Jannatul’s son, Amah, was also slain in the clash.

Meanwhile, Padilla said the number of slain Abu bandits has climbed from 31, but about half of the number is still being validated on site.

“Today, we received report that that number has increased to 31 and about half of that number is for further validation,” he said.

He said most of the dead bandits were seriously wounded during the first day of clash in Barangay Baguindan in Tipo-Tipo town. More troops were inserted into the war zone.

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/203626/us-daesh-rebranding-globally.html

PAF recommends permanent deployment of firefighting chopper in the region

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 13): PAF recommends permanent deployment of firefighting chopper in the region

The Tactical Operations Group XI of the Philippine Air Force has recommended the permanent assignment of a chopper in Davao Region that can be used in rescue operations and has firefighting capability.

Lt. Colonel Jose Ritchie Pabilona, commander of the TOG XI said a chopper with rescue and firefighting capability is crucial in saving lives and property especially now that fire occurs in both the urban communities and rural areas like the Mt. Apo National Park.

“We need a helicopter here that can be used in both rescue missions and firefighting,” he said.

Speaking in the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing conducted at the Davao City Police Office, Pabilona reported that based on the 77 sorties conducted in 83 flying hours since March 28 up to April 11, a total of 72 Bambi bucket operations had been conducted by the 505th Rescue Group using their helicopter to stop the fire.

He said the support two choppers dubbed as Super Delta Helicopters also conducted a total of 217 crushed ice operations.

Pabilona noted that the cloud seeding operation conducted by the Department of Agriculture with the support of the 900th Air Group of the Philippine Air Force also helped in putting out the fire.

“Now that the fire is totally out, we are awaiting the final declaration by the Bureau of Fire Protection,” he said.

Pabilona said the Super Huey chopper has been sent to Bukidnon Province to help put out the fire, this time in Mt. Kitanglad.

Captain Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said a total of 117 troops had been pulled out already from Mt. Apo Sunday, April 10 when the fire was finally controlled.

Major Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command said that the military is currently assessing the situation in Mt. Apo and on standby to respond to where their assistance is needed.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2381460531992/paf-recommends-permanent-deployment-of-firefighting-chopper-in-the-region

Army’s 1ID commander says due honors were given to slain soldiers

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 14): Army’s 1ID commander says due honors were given to slain soldiers

The commander of the 1st Infantry ”Tabak” Division has refuted reports that no tribute was paid to the slain soldiers in the recent skirmish between government troops and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan province.

MGen. Gerardo F. Barrientos, Jr., who joined the convoy of President Benigno Aquino III during his recent visit in the city, said the soldiers were given honors due to them.

“Kung honors lang, sobra sobra yong ibinigay natin sa ating mga namayapang sundalo. We have all documented these things. And all these documents are readily available sa ating public affairs office,” said Barrientos.

(We have given much tribute to the slain soldiers. We have documented these things. And all these documents are readily available in the Army’s public affairs office)

“Mayroon tayong ceremonial send-off ceremony, although we haven’t showed it on public. Ang appropriate honors nito lalong lalo na paglibing, pagdating doon sa kanilang mga areas binigyan din ng appropriate honors. Paglibing nito, yun yong full honors na ibibigay natin,” he further explained.

Soldiers who fought with the ASG in the Basilan clash belong to the 44th Infantry Battalion, the 4th Special Forces Battalion, and 14th Cavalry troops.

The encounter had cost 18 lives from the Army, recorded as the biggest death toll in a single military operation since 2011.

Barrientos said the families of the soldiers who were killed in action in the Basilan clash were given due support and assistance by the government and the Philippine Army (PA).

“Nakita namin kanina na medyo appeased naman sila dahil nakikita nila na hindi sila pinapabayaan ng pamunuan,” said Barrientos.

(We saw that the families of the soldiers felt appeased having been informed of the assistance of the government.)

President Aquino visited the wounded soldiers recuperating at Camp Navarro and Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) hospitals and met with the families of the slain government troops to personally inform them of the financial assistance of the government.

Barrientos said “una sa lahat nakikiramay ang ating Presidente. Pumunta siya rito personally nagbigay ng pugay sa mga naulilang asawa ng ating mga kasundaluhan. Pangalawa, ipinaaabot niya rin ang mga tulong pinansyal na gustong ipaabot ng Office of the President, maliban doon sa mga benefits na makukuha nila sa Philippine Army.”

(The President wants to extend his sympathies personally to the bereaved families and give honor to the slain soldiers. Second, he wanted to inform the wives of the financial assistance they will receive from the Office of the President, aside from that of the Philippine Army)

Meanwhile, Barrientos said they are continuously monitoring the presence of the ASG in Basilan and are still awaiting further reports from the operational forces in the area.

“Some of the information that reached us are still subject for verification, especially since most of the reports are still unclear,” he said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2831460599903/army-s-1id-commander-says-due-honors-were-given-to-slain-soldiers

Cops hunting down suspects in Maguindanao mayoral aspirant's slay try

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14): Cops hunting down suspects in Maguindanao mayoral aspirant's slay try

Police here are hunting down the men behind the roadside bombing in a remote village in Maguindanao that left three persons injured Wednesday afternoon.

Supt. Jibin Bongcayao, spokesperson for Maguindanao Police Office, said pursuit operations have been going on since Wednesday afternoon against the suspects last seen near the blast site.

Bongcayao said the improvised explosive device set off at 2:30 p.m. was intended for Vice Mayor Remegio Sioson of South Upi, Maguindanao. He is running under PDP-Laban party against seven other aspirants for mayor of the said upland town.

Sioson was heading to Barangay Timanan from the village of Pandan on board his Mitsubishi vehicle when the IED, fashioned from 60 mm mortar, was set off by still unidentified suspects nearby, using a two-way radio as triggering device.

While Sioson miraculously survived the bombing, his three aids, including his cousin, were slightly injured.

Michael Bibaoco, Sioson’s private secretary, said the vice mayor and his unarmed escorts were heading to Timanan from the village of Pandan where he visited the Maguindanao medical team on outreach program.

Injured were Bibaoco, 30, Junito Venancio, 34, Sioson's escort and Rommel Sioson, 35, his cousin.

Despite the attempt on his life, Sioson declared he is not backing off from the race and let the police solve the case.

In Nov. 2013, Sioson also survived an ambush in the borders of Datu Odin Sinsuat town and South Upi, both in Maguindanao.

Informed of the incident, Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu immediately condemned the bombing and called for sobriety to all the candidates.

He also challenged the police to identify, arrest and prosecute the bombers.

He also called on all political aspirants in the province to raise the level of campaign and avoid using violence.

"Enough of violence, let us mature as political aspirants and leaders," he told partymates of the ruling Liberal Party and all other candidates.

Police could not say whether the bombing was politically motivated saying investigation is still going on.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=876255

AFP denies ISIS hand in Basilan clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14): AFP denies ISIS hand in Basilan clash

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday vehemently denied reports claiming that Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorists is responsible for the attack that killed 18 soldiers and wounded 53 others in Basilan last April 9.

"I would like to address the first issue on the announcement of the ISIS group, (coming from Cairo, Egypt) owing to the attack on Philippine forces in the island of Basilan. First of all I like to say that this is not true," AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

Reports claimed that ISIS terrorists they have blown seven military trucks, killing 23 soldiers in the process.

"The attack was initiated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and (reports claiming that ISIS have staged the ambush) are not true and inconsistent with real events on the ground and we assess that this is mere propaganda on the part of the larger group because they have taken notice of the events in this country," he added.

"As it is, we encourage everyone not to give this value because this is very inconsistent with what is really happening on the ground and as such we are bent on finishing whatever operations we have ongoing," Padilla stressed.

As this develops, the number of ASG bandits killed in ongoing operations in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan since last April 9 has now climbed to 31.

The AFP spokesperson said about half of this number are for validation even as military units continue to scour the grounds to ensure that all of the bandits are neutralized for the betterment of the country.

No government losses were sustained in these operations, he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=876626

No ISIS presence in PHL -- PNP

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14): No ISIS presence in PHL -- PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured the public that they have not monitored any presence of the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the country.

This was confirmed by PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor on Thursday.

According to Mayor, they are continuously validating the reports in social media that the group is behind the encounter in Basilan last April that killed 18 soldiers and injured 56 others.

Mayor further stressed that the PNP has not yet received any information on the is presence of ISIS members in the country, adding that the police continues its intelligence operations.

With this, he said the PNP strengthen its coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly in intelligence sharing.

Earlier, Mayor said that the Directorate for Operations (DO) has already directed all units to be alert and vigilant.

He also assured the public that the PNP is ready for response through intensified police visibility and strengthened operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=876458

American soldiers in Palawan barroom brawl immediately sent home -- US general

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14): American soldiers in Palawan barroom brawl immediately sent home -- US general

American military personnel who got involved in a barroom brawl with Palawan police officers last April 2 were sent home the next day.

This was disclosed by US "Balikatan" exercise director Lt. Gen. John Toolan in briefing Thursday.

"We have very strict rules, issued out to every (American) marine, sailor, soldier (involved) in 'Balikatan'. Those guys know they violated the rules and they were sent home immediately and they (going to be) in trouble when I get back," he added.

Video of the brawl became viral in the Internet.

Toolan said these erring American personnel will facing some kind of "uniform code of military justice."

"We are instilling our soldiers, sailors and marines the idea that (when they are) in somebody else's country that they need to behave, be on their best behavior," he added.

The brawl was started after one of the Americans approached and tapped the mouth of the beer bottle of one of the policemen who was then dozing off in one of the tables in the bar using the bottom of the beer he was holding, irking the companions of the latter.

A spat ensued until one of the policemen took a gun from a bag and pointed it at the Americans, prompting one of the latter to disarm the Filipino officer.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=876486

HIMARS readily deployable in PHL

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14): HIMARS readily deployable in PHL

The successful firing of the US HIMARS in Crow Valley Bombing and Gunnery Range Thursday proves that the weapon system can be readily deployable to any location the Philippines.

This was disclosed by Philippine "Balikatan" exercise director Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez in press briefing shortly after the live-fire exercise conducted by American and Filipino forces in Capas, Tarlac.

"Basically that's the main purpose of that, we can deploy the HIMARS in any part of the Philippines, (because it is) high mobile," he added.

HIMARS is short for "M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System", a US light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army medium tactical vehicle truck frame.

Around six HIMARS practice rockets were fired during Thursday's live-fire exercises which also demonstrated the American's M-777 towed 155mm howitzers.

It is the second time HIMARS was fired in Crow Valley, with the first being on April 4 where six reduced-range practice rockets were fired.

Should the Philippines acquired HIMARS in the near future, it can be used to neutralized any threat, Lopez added.

HIMARS has a range of 300 kilometers and can fire six rockets or one MGM-140 ATACMS missile on the US Army's new family of medium tactical vehicles five-ton truck, and can launch the entire multiple launch rocket system family of munitions.

It is interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1, carrying half the rocket load. The launcher is C-130 transportable.

Each HIMARS platform is worth over USD5 million.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=876466

HIMARS to be tested shipboard -- US 'Balikatan' exercise director

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14): HIMARS to be tested shipboard -- US 'Balikatan' exercise director

The American military is planning to test its HIMARS weapons platform aboard ship.

This was disclosed by US "Balikatan" exercise director Lt. Gen. John Toolan Thursday shortly after the successful live-fire exercises involving American and Filipino military units in Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac Thursday.

"We (going) to test it off the deck of a ship," he added.

Toolan said HIMARS has good range as its rockets can reach targets up to 300 kilometers.

HIMARS is short for "M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System", a US light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army medium tactical vehicle truck frame.

Around six HIMARS practice rockets were fired during Thursday's live-fire exercises which also demonstrated the American's M-777 towed 155mm howitzers.

It is the second time HIMARS was fired in Crow Valley with the first being on April 4. Six reduced-range practice rockets were also fired during that date.

HIMARS can fire six rockets or one MGM-140 ATACMS missile on the US Army's new family of medium tactical vehicles five-ton truck, and can launch the entire multiple launch rocket system family of munitions.

It is interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1, carrying half the rocket load. The launcher is C-130 transportable.

Each HIMARS platform is worth over USD5 million.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=876476

'Balikatan' 2016 more focused in command-and-control

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14): 'Balikatan' 2016 more focused in command-and-control

This year's "Balikatan" exercises are different from the others as both American and Filipino units have focused a lot of efforts in providing higher level of command-and-control, a ranking US military announced Thursday.

"(The) 'Balikatan' this year was a little bit unique and that we focused a lot of efforts at the higher level of command-and-control so what you saw here today are small unit leaders are working very closely together," US "Balikatan" exercise director Lt. Gen. John Toolan said.

He was referring to Thursday's live-fire exercises at Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac which demonstrated "combined-arms" operations between the two militaries.

Toolan also said both the Philippines and the US are also working to try and tie the command-and-control of forces throughout the entire country.

"And I think we made a lot of progress there," he added.

Toolan stressed that this year's "Balikatan" exercise is a sort of a graduation exercise as a lot of interesting things were done during the two-week maneuvers which started last April 4 and will end on Friday.

"This year we have done a lot of interesting things, we have operated in a distributed method with forces, small forces with capabilities to bring lethal fires to bear, on the target, we have actually worked very closely with the headquarters, at the command-and-control level so that we've built in command-and-control and I think that the coordination mechanism (will allow to work) in a combined fashion," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=876506

US willing to share military equipment with PHL --- American general

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 14): US willing to share military equipment with PHL --- American general

Since the US and the Philippines are key military allies in the Pacific Region, a ranking American military official expressed willingness to share his country's sophisticated weapons.

"You know the truth to the matter is that we are allies and so you know as allies we need to work together and i think that we'll be more happy than happy to share," US "Balikatan" exercise director Lt. Gen. John Toolan said.

However, he did not disclosed what weapons the US military is willing to share with its Filipino allies.

In Thursday's live-fire exercise at Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac, Philippine "Balikatan" exercise director Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez expressed his admiration of the US HIMARS weapons system.

HIMARS is short for the "M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System".

It is a US light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army medium tactical vehicle truck frame.

Around six HIMARS practice rockets were fired during Thursday's live-fire exercises which also demonstrated the American's M-777 towed 155mm howitzers.

It is the second time HIMARS was fired in Crow Valley, with the first being on April 4 where six reduced-range practice rockets were fired.

"Well you have seen the capability of the HIMARS, we need this kind of capability you know so that we can raise the skills and the respect for your Armed Forces, not only for the Philippines but within our region," Lopez said.

HIMARS can engage targets up to 300 kilometers and estimated to cost around USD5 million per platform.

"Now because we have seen it I know the military (authorities) would like to have a good look at it and maybe a better consideration coming up with one, we have seen the capability, highly mobile, lethal so I think that's one of the capability that we want to have," Lopez concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=876520

ISIS Is Making Inroads in the Southern Philippines and the Implications for Asia Are Alarming

From Time (Apr 14): ISIS Is Making Inroads in the Southern Philippines and the Implications for Asia Are Alarming

Counter-terrorism operation in Philippines

Islamist extremism is growing in Mindanao, with serious security implications for the region and beyond

Musa Muhammad stands at the site where 400 Islamist militants launched an invasion of the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga little over two years ago, sparking 20 days of heavy fighting with security forces. The ruins of his old house can be found there, amid several hundred other razed homes. Since then his family has lived in a sports stadium, refusing to move to a newly built house in another part of town.

“This has been our home for 50 years,” he says. “We’re afraid, but we’ll never leave.”

The Moros (“Moors”), as the Muslims of the southern Philippine region of Mindanao are called, are known for their intransigence. For centuries, they fought the Spanish, Americans and Japanese for their independence. Today, they are fighting Manila too. Some 120,000 people have died, and millions have been displaced, in the past 40 years of insurgency. (Muddying the picture, a separate communist insurgency is also sporadically waged in parts of Mindanao by the New People’s Army, which is thought to consist of some 3,200 fighters.)
Yet many Moros, like Musa, are not victims of a heavy-handed central government but the casualties of infighting among their own kin. The battle at Zamboanga, which led to the destruction of Musa’s home, started off when factions of one rebel group, the Moro National Liberation Front, wanted to signal their displeasure with the peace negotiations with Manila then being carried out by another rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It took 3,000 troops to end the rebel occupation of several districts of the city, in an operation that saw 51 insurgents killed and drove 70,000 people from their homes.
 
Now those talks have stalled and, in the frustrated void that has followed their collapse, extremism has taken root. Several Moro outfits have pledged allegiance to terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) and carried out attacks in its name.

One of those groups is the Abu Sayyaf militia, whose head Isnilon Hapilon — now styled Sheik Mujahid Abu Abdullah al-Filipini — has been appointed ISIS’s leader in the Philippines. Presently, the Philippine army is attempting to strike at the group’s jungle stronghold on the island of Basilan.

In one of the bloodiest days for the armed forces in years, 18 soldiers were killed and over 50 wounded on April 9. ISIS claimed responsibility for the killings. Shortly after, Abu Sayyaf beheaded two Filipino hostages. (The group is also holding 10 Indonesians, two Canadians and a Norwegian captive.)

“It’s very likely that [Abu Sayyaf] will declare a satellite of the caliphate in the coming year,” says Rohan Gunaratna, an international terrorism expert at S. Rajaratnam School of Security Studies in Singapore. “Once that is done, it will be much more difficult to dismantle these groups.”

Already, up to 1,200 Southeast Asians have joined ISIS in the Middle East. Experts now worry that an ISIS stronghold in the southern Philippines will act as a regional lure, providing extremists from across Asia with a place to gain combat experience, before they set act to attack Asian targets or even targets further afield. The Jakarta attack in January that killed four civilians is just a taste of what could come, says Greg Barton, chair in global Islamic politics at Deakin University in Melbourne.

“Next time they won’t mess around with pistols but bring assault rifles,” says Barton. “That’s all it takes to turn amateurs into a lethal bunch of killers.”

Some claim that the biggest threat currently is that competing, ISIS-inspired groups would seek to upstage each other with small-scale attacks. However, organized, international networks still exist, even if the influence of al-Qaeda, which once funded training camps in the southern Philippines, has waned, along with that of its affiliates.

Indonesian operatives are already trading Syria-hardened tutors for weapons and training grounds in Mindanao, reports the ISIS Study Group, an intelligence collective run by the Washington, D.C., think tank Center for a New American Security. The area is evidently attracting insurgents from further afield too. Mohammad Khattab, an alleged bombmaking instructor from Morocco, was reportedly among the five killed militants on Basilan earlier in April. There have been rumors of Muslim Uighurs from China in the area. And in January last year, Zulkifli bin Hir — a Malaysian described as a key facilitator between Indonesian and Filipino extremist groups — was cornered and killed in Mamasapano in central Mindanao, but at the cost of 44 deaths among the Philippine army’s Special Action Force. Five civilians also lost their lives in an operation that turned the tide of support against President Benigno Aquino III’s peace negotiations with the Moro separatists.

“Before the Mamasapano tragedy, it looked really promising,” says Richard Javad Heydarian, a security expert at De La Salle University in Manila. “There were even rumors that Aquino would be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Unfortunately a lot of journalists sensationalized the story, fanning anti-Muslim sentiment. Politicians running for office have then been trying to score political points on this.”

Further talk of a new, autonomous province within the Philippines for the Moro — it would be called Bangsamoro — has now been suspended until the general elections in May. In the meantime, says terrorism expert Gunaratna, intolerance is putting down deeper roots. As an example, he points to the March 1 assassination attempt on a Saudi cleric, Aaidh al-Qarni. The preacher, who has been on ISIS hit lists, was shot while visiting Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga for a two-day symposium.

“Recent arrests in Malaysia and Indonesia clearly show that a new terror attack from ISIS in the region is imminent,” Gunaratna warns. “And the next one will be bloodier.”

http://time.com/4293395/isis-zamboanga-mindanao-moro-islamist-terrorist-asia-philippines-abu-sayyaf/

AFP confirms it coordinated with the MILF on Basilan operations

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 14): AFP confirms it coordinated with the MILF on Basilan operations

General confirms that 'Abu Sayyaf suspect' is an MILF man; Probe underway on why suspect was where he should not be

SURVIVOR’S STORY AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin listen to the story of Capt. Kiblas Mauricio, who survived the clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan on Saturday. JULIE S. ALIPALA / INQUIRER MINDANAO


SURVIVOR’S STORY: AFP Chief of Staff Hernando Iriberri and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin listen to the story of Capt. Kiblas Mauricio, who survived the clash with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan on Saturday, Apr. 9, 2016. JULIE S. ALIPALA / INQUIRER MINDANAO

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) coordinated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) prior to its operation in the village of Baguindan in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan on April 9 that left 18 soldiers dead and 56 others wounded.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said the coordination, made through the Joint Coordination Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH), was “part of the mechanism” to maintain the ceasefire between the MILF and the Philippine government and prevent miscommunication that could lead to fatal encounters.

Brig. Gen. Glenn Macasero of the government’s CCCH confirmed to the Philippine Daily Inquirer that prior coordination was made with Hadji Dan Asnawi, commander of the MILF’s 114th Base Command, and Hamsa Sapanton, commander of the MILF’s Provincial Police Force.

“We have implemented this to avoid confrontation between the military and the MILF,” Macasero said.

“We have talked to the base commander, then the MILF CCCH to establish and relay the general area of operations, and the men of Hamsa Sapanton of the provincial police force were re-positioned, they were relocated from Baguindan to Bohe Piyang,” Macasero said.

Almost 200 MILF members were also relocated and they gave way to the troops for the conduct of operations, he added.

Macasero said details of the operation “were not made known to the MILF, except for the general area of operation.”

Also included in the agreed ground rules was the relocation of civilians and the MILF out of Baguindan.

“If there is anyone from the MILF or civilians (who violate this ground rules), they can be considered aiding the lawless elements that are subject of this operation,” Macasero said.

The MILF in Basilan confirmed that prior coordination was made by the military.

An MILF source told the Inquirer that Asnawi and other MILF commanders regularly met for the gradual relocation of its people to safer areas.

“The group of Asnawi has been helping the soldiers. They have been securing some areas as blocking force, day and night. We know the people are getting tired, some are hungry and we cannot move a lot, but we respect this because we want peace here,” the source said.

The MILF source also confirmed that the MILF has started investigating what happened in the morning of April 9, “just to be sure that no MILF was involved.”

Macasero also admitted that one of the three arrested Abu Sayyaf suspects in Baguindan was Jong Aujal, a member of the local ceasefire monitoring force, who has been hospitalized after being allegedly tortured by soldiers from the Philippine Marines.

“This is under investigation right now. The MILF knows the ground rules and we are wondering why he was there in the area,” Macasero said, adding that they have asked the International Monitoring Team to investigate the case.

Aside from Aujal, a certain Rakim Maruan is in critical condition, after his fingernails, toenails and teeth were allegedly extracted during torture. Another alleged torture victim, identified only as Ibno, a member of the MILF Police Force, was killed.

The MILF source said Aujul was not from Baguindan, but from the village of Linuan.

“The MILF is puzzled why Linuan people got inside Baguindan despite the ground rules,” the source said.

More than 100 Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Isnilon Hapilon were the targets of the April 9 operation, Tan, the Wesmincom spokesperson, said.

Government troops were able to overrun a 25-bunker camp on Tuesday.

“Fifty-nine sacks of rice, dried goods, detonating cords for the improvised explosive devices and medical paraphernalia were recovered in the camp,” Tan said. 
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/779583/afp-confirms-it-coordinated-with-the-milf-on-basilan-operations
 
 

Daesh-affiliates claim role in Philippine army deaths

From the Anadolu Agency (Apr 14): Daesh-affiliates claim role in Philippine army deaths

Jund al-Khilafah claims 3 of its 'martyrs' killed in bloody encounter in south, many other members wounded

Daesh-affiliates claim role in Philippine army deaths

Local and foreign militants identifying themselves as members of a one-time al-Qaeda splinter group have claimed involvement in the deaths of 20 army soldiers in a bloody battle in a conflict-wracked island province in the Philippines' south over the weekend.
 
The group -- Jund al-Khilafah -- was previously a faction of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the al-Qaeda affiliate in North and West Africa. It is reported to have broken allegiance from al-Qaeda and pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Daesh.
 
On Thursday, the Manila Times quoted the group as saying that three of its "martyrs" were killed in the bloody encounter.
 
The Philippines army has been referring to all the dead militants as Abu Sayyaf members, although several were pictured wearing Daesh insignia.
 
The Daesh-affiliated al-Furat Media Foundation website has reported Jund al-Khilafah as saying that many of those wounded were also members, including a commander who sustained a slight wound to his forehead.
 
They also claimed to have recovered one dozen M4 rifles and a 90mm recoilless rifle from the dead soldiers.
 
Saturday's encounter took place in the village of Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo town, in Basilan province. A nine-hour firefight between the army and the militants lasted until about 4 p.m. (0800GMT) with the militants eventually withdrawing in 10 different directions.
 
The soldiers -- belonging to the Philippine army's 44th Infantry Battalion, the 4th Special Forces Battalion and 14 Cavalry units -- were attacked while conducting military operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
 
The army is reported to have recovered the body of the Jund al-Khilafah-claimed members.
On Thursday, the army denied a report from the Daesh-affiliated Amaq Agency that claimed around 100 Filipino soldiers had died in the incident.
 
The military has said around 20 soldiers were killed along with 28 Abu Sayyaf members.
 
"There is no truth to the report [by Amaq). It is a mere propaganda by sympathizers of this terrorist group," Major Filemon Tan told Anadolu Agency in an interview Thursday.
 
He declined to comment further on the issue, but downplayed another Daesh claim that it had detonated explosives on seven trucks carrying soldiers in Basilan.
 
In videos uploaded to the internet, Jund al-Khilafah has claimed that the Abu Sayyaf has been divided into two factions – Harakatul Islamiyah controlling the Abu Sayyaf strongholds in Basilan, and Jundul Tawhid the group's areas in Sulu.

The militants in Basilan are reported to be headed by Isnilon Hapilon, while the Sulu militants are being led by Malaysian national Mohd Amin Baco.
 
Last month, Baco appeared in an al-Furat video released online pledging allegiance to the Daesh's self-proclaimed caliphate along with dozens of young Filipino militants.
 
The Philippines government is involved in a peace process with the region's one-time largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation front (MILF), however a final agreement has been shelved during the country's presidential election.
 
Both the government and the MILF have warned that while the agreement is on hold "terrorist" groups may try and take advantage of local frustrations.

http://aa.com.tr/en/world/daesh-affiliates-claim-role-in-philippine-army-deaths/554890

Malaysia closes Sabah border to southern Philippines

From Update.Ph (Apr 14): Malaysia closes Sabah border to southern Philippines

Sabah

The Malaysian government has closed its Sabah border to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in a protest to the recent kidnapping of Malaysian nationals by the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group operating between the waters of Sabah and ARMM island- provinces in southern Philippines.

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said Malaysian authorities implemented a blockade since last week to Tawi-tawi, an ARMM province component nearest to Sabah, which halted the centuries – old barter trading activity in the area between Malaysia and the Philippines.

“The ASG kidnapping activity is now a national issue that is why (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman is currently in Manila talking to Malacañang about this,” she told newsmen Thursday during a press briefing regarding updates on the region.

On April 2, armed ASG militants onboard a speedboat snatched four Malaysian nationals from a ship off the east coast of Sabah and sped-off towards the direction of the Philippine territory after the incident.

Five other crew members of the ship from Myanmar and Indonesia were not harmed and left behind by the ASG abductors.

Malaysia has strongly condemned the abduction, pressing it to close its border to ARMM over an indefinite period of time.

“The nagging security problem in the region’s island-provinces remain foremost in the agenda of the government’s peace efforts in the south,” Alamia stressed.

She said negotiations between ARMM and Malaysian government are underway to reopen Sabah to Tawi-tawi and resume the customary barter trade in the region.

http://www.update.ph/2016/04/malaysia-closes-sabah-border-to-southern-philippines/4326

AFP denies ISIS hand in Basilan clash

From Update.Ph (Apr 14): AFP denies ISIS hand in Basilan clash  

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday vehemently denied reports claiming that Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorists is responsible for the attack that killed 18 soldiers and wounded 53 others in Basilan last April 9.

“I would like to address the first issue on the announcement of the ISIS group, (coming from Cairo, Egypt) owing to the attack on Philippine forces in the island of Basilan. First of all I like to say that this is not true,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

Reports claimed that ISIS terrorists they have blown seven military trucks, killing 23 soldiers in the process.

“The attack was initiated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and (reports claiming that ISIS have staged the ambush) are not true and inconsistent with real events on the ground and we assess that this is mere propaganda on the part of the larger group because they have taken notice of the events in this country,” he added.

“As it is, we encourage everyone not to give this value because this is very inconsistent with what is really happening on the ground and as such we are bent on finishing whatever operations we have ongoing,” Padilla stressed.

As this develops, the number of ASG bandits killed in ongoing operations in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan since last April 9 has now climbed to 31.

The AFP spokesperson said about half of this number are for validation even as military units continue to scour the grounds to ensure that all of the bandits are neutralized for the betterment of the country.

No government losses were sustained in these operations, he added.

http://www.update.ph/2016/04/afp-denies-isis-hand-in-basilan-clash/4329

3 suspected Abu Sayyaf men captured; reports of torture by soldiers surface

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 13): 3 suspected Abu Sayyaf men captured; reports of torture by soldiers surface

2 civilians allegedly mauled by soldiers; 15-year-old reportedly killed

Soldiers prepare to jump from an Army truck during operations. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Soldiers prepare to jump from an Army truck during operations. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Military forces captured three suspected Abu Sayyaf members during an operation in Basilan, a military spokesperson said Wednesday.

But Major Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, did not provide details of the arrest, except that the three suspects were captured in Tipo-tipo town.

Major General Gerardo Barrientos, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said the report was still “hazy” and what he knew was that the identities of the suspects were still being verified as of Wednesday.

“These three ASG suspects were still being subjected to appropriate inquiry and the report was still hazy. We leave that to the operational forces in Basilan to ascertain if they were indeed members of ASG,” Barrientos said.

The report on the arrest of the three suspected bandits came in the wake of claims of some civilians and a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Force that they were arrested in the course of the military operation, which came after the bloody clashes in Tipo-tipo that led to the killing of 18 soldiers.

The MILF man, Jong Aujal, said he went back to his home in Barangay Baguindan on Tuesday after having been granted permission by village officials so he could get his family’s belongings.

Aujal said that while he was gathering the things they left behind when they fled in haste, Marine soldiers suddenly barged in and dragged him out of his house.

“They took turns in kicking and hitting me until I could barely walk,” he said.

A civilian, Hakim Maruan, a son of an overseas Filipino worker, is now in critical condition after he was beaten black and blue by alleged soldiers when he returned to Baguindan to gather personal belongings. A 15-year old boy, identified only as Ibno, was reportedly killed.

Members of the International Monitoring Team, who have been securing Aujal and Maruan at a hospital declined to issue any comment.

Tan denied knowledge of any manhandling of suspects by soldiers in Basilan.

As this developed, Tan said more troops were sent to Basilan.

Barrientos said no soldier had been missing following Saturday’s bloody clash that also left 58 soldiers wounded.

“We have totally accounted for all of our forces,” he said.  
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/779401/3-suspected-abu-sayyaf-men-captured-reports-of-torture-by-soldiers-surface