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Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
AFP cites Basilan local government’s peace, security efforts
Residents of Basilan province in the Bangsamoro region were elated over the grant it received from the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday......»»
Basilan welcomes more troops for polls
LAMITAN CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines has added a fresh company of soldiers coming from Bulacan to serve election duties in the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections slated on 30 October 2023. 101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Alvin V. Luzon on Monday welcomed the soldiers coming from the 18th Scout Ranger (Makamandag) Company coming from Bulacan upon their arrival at the Lamitan City Port in Basilan province. Top military officials joined Luzon in welcoming the soldiers which arrived on board a Philippine Navy ship 298 that docked at the local port about 7:30 a.m. on Monday. During a welcome program, Luzon outlined his guidance to the soldiers and informed them that they were in the province to render “election duties” and also serve as part of the security forces of the 101st IB internal security campaign in Basilan. The post Basilan welcomes more troops for polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ungkaya Pukan tensions intensify
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities on Monday revealed that tension continues to mount in Barangay Ulitan and in the adjacent villages of Ungkaya Pukan town in Basilan Province after a convoy of the Joint Peace and Security Team were ambushed by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group which left a soldier dead while nine others were injured. The JPST team — led by Ahmadin T. Barahim — was on its way to an area where a government outreach program will be held on Friday when they were ambushed by the ASG. The team was backed by troops of the 64th Infantry Battalion and policemen who are all members of the JPST. They were onboard two KM450 and two civilian vehicles when they were ambushed by at least 10 suspected ASG gunmen. Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido condemned the inhumane acts of terrorism perpetrated by suspected members of the ASG terrorists group against the JPST. “Our soldiers fought back, resulting in a firefight which lasted for five minutes. The firefight has killed one of our soldiers identified as Pvt. Marjohn Tenido and wounded seven others and one police personnel,” Galido said. Those injured were identified as Corporals Olismador Palomares and Elias Lomoljo; Privates Wowie Penista, Frances Capilitan, and Carlo Jimenez, Private First Class Nestor Tampos, S/Sgt. Rosario Bisara Jr. and Abdurafiq Gafor Akalun, a police officer. Akalun is the brother-in-law of Bangsamoro Member of Parliament Hadji Dan Asnawi, a former member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. “This act is a clear manifestation of disrespect to their local government officials and we will not stop until these heartless individuals are identified and neutralized,” Galido said. Meanwhile, some residents of Barangay Ulitan, Ungkaya Pukan have started to flee their homes in anticipation of a possible “armed showdown between the ASG and the military” in some identified villages where the ASG terrorists are holding camps. The boundaries of Ungkaya Pukan and Sumisip are considered the home of notorious ASG terrorists and the military is having difficulty in reaching the camps of these terrorists due to the treacherous terrain of the forested mountains. The post Ungkaya Pukan tensions intensify appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
JBMAF holds inaugural meeting
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Joint Body on the Management of Arms and Forces held an inaugural meeting at the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command which marked a pivotal step toward fostering stability and harmony as key stakeholders united to deliberate on critical matters. Government of the Philippines Peace and Security Sub-Committee co-chairperson Retired Brig. Gen. Buenaventura Pascual on Sunday disclosed that the meeting was held at the AFP-WMC conference room inside Camp Navarro in Calarian here last 8 August. The JBMAF has finalized the verification process for combatants and firearms, an initiative poised to streamline operations and enhance transparency, emphasizing the collective commitment of its members to achieving meaningful results. It also discussed the inclusion of the proposed assembly zones, processing sites dedicated to the verification process for combatants and firearms and the designated location for the Joint Verification Group training in Basilan Province. The meeting witnessed the active involvement of Maricon Sagayno, Focal for the Security Component of the Moro National Liberation Front Transformation Program, representing the MNLF Peace Process Office of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity. The MNLF contingent was led by retired Col. Abduhramman Jhovel who serves as the co-chairperson of the JBMAF. The remarkable convergence of its members underscored the spirit of collaboration and shared objectives as this monumental initiative gathers momentum, the JBMAF remains steadfastly committed to shaping a future defined by lasting peace and progress. The post JBMAF holds inaugural meeting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (6)
Allegations that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has evaded transparency do not have a leg to stand on based on his stand on issues, as reported by Daily Tribune. During his stint as a senator, Marcos demanded from the Armed Forces of the Philippines the disclosure of the details of an encounter in Basilan in 2016, amid reports that the military had imposed a news blackout. A clash in Basilan between soldiers and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group left at least 18 soldiers dead and some 80 others wounded. The incident happened a year after the Mamasapano debacle, in which 44 Special Action Force troopers were massacred. The AFP, Marcos said, had to make public who led the operation and the exact purpose of the mission in an area controlled by the armed group. “Who was in charge of the operation? What was the exact objective of the operation? We need answers because this is something that strikes a chord with every Filipino because of the Mamasapano incident a year ago,” he had said. “Here we go again. We are again in the dark about what happened,” Marcos said, referring to the confusion that followed the tragic Oplan Exodus that neutralized Malaysian terrorist Marwan. Marcos expressed concern over the silence of the AFP, and noted a similarity to the ill-fated Mamasapano operation. It took a series of Senate investigations before the public got details of the operation and the officials involved. Then Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP Chief of Staff Hernando Iriberri were found to have flown to Zamboanga City and Basilan province to meet with ground commanders regarding the disclosure of details of the encounter. A 10-hour firefight erupted a day after Italian hostage, former missionary Rolando del Torchio, was released by the ASG. Transparency as a practice Marcos said the entire nation and the families of the slain soldiers deserved full transparency on the military operation against the international terrorist group. “We need a full picture of the encounter. We should not hide these details. The Filipino people and most especially the families of the soldiers killed and wounded deserve to know the whole truth,” he said. Reports said government forces were deployed to hunt down ASG commander Isnilon Hapilon who was involved in several terrorist attacks. About 100 ASG bandits were involved in the clash with the government troops. Four soldiers were decapitated. The ASG had launched a kidnapping spree then, snatching 10 Indonesian fishermen, followed quickly by four more hostages. The four were Dutch Ewold Hurn, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad. Marcos and the other senators honored the slain soldiers, citing their bravery. (To be continued) The post Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (6) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM Governors Caucus, for what?
As this column had predicted, it was bound to happen. There is no stopping the confrontation between the leadership of the Bangsamoro Regional Government, dominated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the incumbent governors in the region. It’s a clash between status quo and change. The emerging Moro leaders in the region were personified by the governors advocating reforms versus the well-entrenched dynasties. Everything pointed to it happening. They can swear to high heavens that no such thing will happen, but their actions betray their intentions. This column sees them as being civil to each other only for public consumption. But below the sea of calm is a raging current with each side preparing to unleash their powers. Their body language says it all. A political showdown is imminent for what Moro political opinionist, Sultan Pangnal Datu Ramos, describes as a Battle Royale. In a move that was nothing but an alignment and consolidation of political forces, the five elected governors in the BARMM convened what they conveniently called the “BARMM Governors Caucus (BGC)” in Cagayan de Oro City on 6 June. Present were Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. (Lanao del Sur) who played host, Abdusakur Tan (Sulu), Bai Mariam Mangudadatu (Maguindanao del Sur), Ysmael Sali (Tawi-Tawi), and Malusso Mayor Hanie Bud, president of the Basilan League of Municipalities, representing Governor Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman. This was not the first time they met. In fact, after every major political development in the region that they saw as a threat to their political sway over their turf, they met and made known their position which was not always in sync with that of the BARMM leadership. In a press statement heavy with motherhood phrases meant for public consumption, they claimed that the BGC is “a platform that will advocate and promote the issues our constituents have identified as critical. The Caucus will engage in dialogue toward greater cooperation and collaboration with the national and regional governments and multisectoral groups.” If their intention is honest and true, why did they not involve the BARMM as the immediate tier in the governance set-up in addressing critical issues? Why sideline the regional government which could help them promote the interest of their public? Why was the newly appointed governor of Maguindanao del Norte not invited to the caucus? Is it because he is identified with the leadership of the BARMM having been a senior minister before his appointment by the President? If they wanted a dialogue, why didn’t they involve national and regional officials or their representatives in the forum? The manifesto likewise said that “the Caucus is committed to supporting the peace process and the BARMM. But of course, who would want unpeace? A disruption of the peace will adversely affect their decades-old dynasties. Their actions belie their claim of support for the BARMM. They look at BARMM as nothing but a threat to their political grip on their individual fiefdoms. The BGC is the sum of past dialogues and meetings of these governors with the agenda manifestly not in tandem with the interest of the BARMM leadership. When BARMM was being conceptualized and was later submitted for legislation, Gov. Tan challenged the move before the Supreme Court and when the BARMM officials lobbied for the postponement of the parliamentary election which led to the extension of their terms of office, most governors opposed it. And they likewise opposed certain provisions of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code which was passed by the regional parliament over their objection. The recent ambush of Gov. Adiong alerted these governors to a serious threat to their leadership and they decided to band closer together to protect their political interests. They raised concerns about the non-completion of the decommissioning process, which has allowed the armed MILF to continue carrying their firearms in public with impunity. How can you face and win over an enemy whose followers are allowed by the government to pack six shooters? This scenario could definitely put the MILF’s Bangsamoro Justice Party at a huge advantage. These factors and many more gave birth to the Caucus. More on this in my next column. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post BARMM Governors Caucus, for what? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Basilan ASG members killed
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two individuals believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed in a fresh encounter with government forces in Basilan province, military officials said Thursday. Joint Task Force Basilan acting commander Col. Frederick Sales disclosed that the clash transpired around 6 a.m. Tuesday in Sitio Talisay, Barangay Upper Benembengan, Sumisip town. The slain extremists were identified only as a certain “Dodong,” a follower of Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, a known bomber and Sulu-based ASG sub-leader, while the other, a certain “Boy,” is a follower of Basilan-based ASG leader Pasil Bayali. Sales said the troops recovered the remains of the two bandits in Barangay Pamatsaken, although the clash occurred in the adjacent village of Upper Benembengan. Their remains were turned over to the village chief of Upper Benembengan and Sumisip police for proper burial. The clash broke out when the troops chanced upon the ASG bandits while they were tracking down the group of Sawadjaan and Bayali. The government did not suffer any casualty or wounded soldier, according to Sales. To recall, the military was able to locate the harboring position of Mundi Sawadjaan on Saturday. The operation resulted in the rescue of an Indonesian teenager Abbang Rullie, the son of the Jolo Cathedral suicide bomber Rullie Rian Zeke. “Your armed forces will not stop its military operations until the terror groups are completely crushed,” said Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Western Mindanao Command. The post Basilan ASG members killed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM eyes Basilan core shelters
LAMITAN CITY, Basilan province — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through the Ministry of Public Works has allotted P550 million for the construction of about 1,000 core shelters for the victims of armed conflicts here under Kapayapaan sa Pamayanan or KAPYANAN program. BARMM-MPWH Basilan district engineer Engr. Kasim A Hasanin on Tuesday said that his office has already started the construction of the 1,000 housing units spread in the 11 towns of the province and Lamitan City. Hasanin emphasized that the housing units they are constructing are for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front mujahedeen in the province who does not have a house of their own. Mujahedeen is a term used for Muslims who fight in behalf of the faith or the Muslim community (ummah). The post BARMM eyes Basilan core shelters appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Reviewing Ramadan
By the time this piece sees print today, either Eid el Fitr which marks the end of the fasting month of Holy Ramadan was celebrated yesterday or the celebration is today. It is a guessing game. Even with the advances in modern science and technology — which predetermine like clockwork the setting and rising of the new moon, believers are still bound to follow the Islamic injunction to be guided by the personal sighting of the moon, with two witnesses attesting. True, the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos had recommended, and this was adopted by Malacañang, the declaration of 21 April as the Eid el Fitr national holiday. Still, many ulamas and Muslim scholars were asking for a fatwa or religious declaration to back the position of the NCMF. An archaic practice? No way, claim the ultra-conservative Muslims. They have to follow to the letter the religious ritual. As a consequence, there appears to be a dichotomy in Islam — a continuing tug of war between uncompromising stern fundamentalists and those who want to break away from past tradition towards forward-looking progressive ideas without desecrating the basic principles of Islam. In fact, this defines the great divide between the adherents of fundamentalist Islamic States of Abobakar Al-Bagdadhi advocating violence to establish a Caliphate in the mold of prophet Muhammad’s PBUH of yore, and moderate Islam. That is a contentious issue better left to Muslim theologians. But this piece is written to review international and local events that happened during the observance of the just-concluded Ramadan that impacted Muslims. These were mostly discussed in my recent columns. The historic breakthrough in the sour relationship between the two leading countries of Muslims — Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran — was a welcome development. After a long period of backdoor negotiations, unlikely peacemaker China brokered the restoration of diplomatic and political ties between the erstwhile contenders for political dominance in the Middle East, to the embarrassment of the superpower United States which was sidelined. This is good for Islam. A fly in the ointment, however, in the solemn observance of Ramadan was the willful desecration of Islam’s third Holiest Mosque, the Al Aqsa. Devotees in the middle of their prayer rituals were attacked and dispersed with stun grenades and rubber bullets by Israeli armed forces — a serious affront to the solemnity of the Holy Month. In the dying days of Ramadan, another blow was dealt to Islam. As we go to press, fighting rages in Sudan whose populace are devout practicing Muslims. The protagonists are two generals vying for power during the transition from the dictatorial regime of President Omar al-Bashir to civil government. Muslims are the victims in the armed intramural. Locally, tragedy struck with the fire that hit a vessel in the sea off Basilan where most of the victims were Muslims. A Congressional inquiry was called to determine the cause. This was sad for Islam. In the newly created provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, the political and legal imbroglio in the latter has simmered down a bit. But while the political and administrative conundrum was addressed with the appointment of a senior minister of the BARMM as officer-in-charge governor, it has created a new problem for Maguindanao del Sur. The re-elected governor was fuming with contempt and indignation after being designated merely as OIC, a move that many observers saw as a gaffe by the Office of the President. This column empathizes with the governor. She was the governor of the mother Maguindanao province and was elected governor of the new Maguindanao del Sur. Why in hell should she be treated the same as the OIC governor of Maguindanao del Norte? This column suggests that the good governor file a special court action for Declaratory Relief to rectify the error. Meantime, the successful hurdling of the recent Bar exam by Muslim takers was welcomed by the Muslim minority. Muslims pray that the teachings of Ramadan for piety, rectitude, self-discipline, forgiveness, and altruism observed by devotees will outlast the end of Ramadan. To my readers: Eid Mubarak! amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Reviewing Ramadan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASG strikes Basilan police post
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group attacked a newly-constructed barracks and outpost which wounded a policeman on duty. Tipo-Tipo Municipal Police Station on Thursday disclosed that the policeman was wounded after the newly-constructed police barracks came under attack by suspected ASG gunmen in Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan Wednesday night. Authorities identified the wounded policeman as P/Cpl. Naser I. Jain, who was assigned to the 3rd Mobile Platoon of the 1st Basilan Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Tipo-Tipo town proper. The report disclosed that shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, a group of armed men believed to be members of the ASG swooped down on Tipo-Tipo town proper and opened fire at the PNP outpost, hitting Jain in the head. Jain was rushed to Lamitan District Hospital for medical treatment as hot pursuit operations were launched immediately against the attackers who fled towards the inner forested areas of the town. Meanwhile, in Sarangani Province, a member of the New People’s Army surrendered to soldiers of the 38th Infantry Battalion as he openly withdrew his support to the front on Tuesday. Lt. Col. Michael Angelo Candole commander of the 38th Infantry Battalion yesterday identified the former NPA as a certain Takla, a member of the Guerilla Front Musa, Far South Mindanao Region. Takla surrendered and submitted himself to the military at the 38th IB headquarters located in Sitio Tampuan, Barangay Kamanga, Maasin town in the Province of Sarangani about 5 p.m. on Tuesday. He also turned over to the soldiers his M14 rifle with magazine and eight rounds of 7.62mm balls. The post ASG strikes Basilan police post appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Basilan PNP outpost attacked; cop wounded
A policeman was wounded when unidentified armed men attacked a police outpost in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan on Wednesday night......»»
MILF decommissioning process may butas – Rep. Hataman
MANILA, Philippines- Hinimok ni Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman ang Marcos administration na unahin ang armed combatants sa ginagawang decomissioning sa ilalim ng Normalization Process sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Ang pahayag ay ginawa ni Hataman matapos nitong mapuna ang malaking pagkakaiba sa bilang ng mga combatants na isasailalim sa decommissioning at sa […] The post MILF decommissioning process may butas – Rep. Hataman appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
Basilan mayor, vice mayor’s followers clash; 2 dead
Two persons were killed when armed followers of the mayor and vice mayor of Al-Barka, Basilan clashed on Tuesday night......»»
Kaspersky Shares Cybersecurity Tips for a Peaceful Getaway during the holy week
As the holiday season approaches, the urge to unwind and kick back is natural. And it’s all too common for people to let their guard down completely when connecting to the Internet too– but shouldn’t. Recently, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group shared its findings on identity theft cases in the country. Between November […].....»»
NBI nabs 8 bogus DBM officials
Eight people allegedly posing as officials of the Department of Budget and Management were apprehended by the National Bureau of Investigation in Mandaluyong on Tuesday......»»
Six presumed dead after ship destroys major US bridge
Authorities on Tuesday suspended their search for six people missing after a packed cargo ship slammed into a Baltimore bridge, causing it to collapse and blocking one of the busiest US commercial harbors......»»
Pause
Like the biblical exodus, the Holy Week period has always ushered in so much travel of people going out of town, or trips abroad for the rich ones......»»
Mr. Nice Guy
There is a reason why the public and most people like Ralph Recto as a person, as the partner of Ate Vi, as a politician and as a government official......»»
Moira’s advice to people on weight loss journey: ‘Don’t be too hard on yourself’
Moira dela Torre disclosed that she became bulimic at one point during her weight loss journey......»»