Govt eyes MILF fighters’ integration into PNP

The government plans to integrate members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) into the Philippine National Police under the framework agreement reached by their peace panels, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.

“A consultation will be held to map out the plan,” Gazmin told reporters at an award-giving ceremony for disaster response teams in Camp Aguinaldo, Wednesday.

The plan is part of reintegrating MILF fighters into the society after they disarm and de-mobilize, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, whose office supervises the police, said at the same event.

“‘Yung mga talagang mahuhusay at nagpapakita na marunong silang sumumod sa disciplines ng armed services ay maaring ma-integrate sa armed services din, whether that is in the AFP or in the PNP,” Roxas said.

Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo, PNP spokesman, said the force will respect any agreement between the government and MILF if it is deemed to pave the way for peace in Mindanao.

“Kung ito ang magiging susi, kung magkakaroon po tayo ng sinasabi nating genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao, ay supportive po kami sa ganitong klase ng idea,” Cerbo said in a phone interview.

Reminded that some MILF members are facing criminal charges and included in the PNP’s most wanted list, Cerbo said: “‘Yan naman ay mapapag-usapan, kaya depende na rin kung ano ang mapagkakayarian ng both parties… kami naman ay open, sa ganitong usapin.”

Once the plan materializes, it will be the second time for the government to integrate members of a rebel group into its security forces.

In October 1996, then President Fidel Ramos ordered the integration of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrillas into the Armed Forces of the Philippines after the government and MNLF reached a final peace agreement the previous month.

The agreement provided for the integration of 5,750 MNLF members into the AFP and auxiliary services.

Meanwhile, Gazmin assured that the government will address the MNLF’s concerns over the accord with the MILF.

“Magkakaroon din ng consultation sa kanila (MNLF), hindi naman basta isusubo sa kanila ‘yun, magkakaroon ng mga interactions,” the defense chief said.

Television and newspaper reports earlier quoted MNLF officials, including chairman Nur Misuari, as saying that the deal with the MILF violates the one with the MNLF.

“That is a remote possibility,” Gazmin said, when asked whether he thinks there will be hostilities with the MNLF. (John Roson)

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More residents flee as MNLF, MILF members clash anew in North Cotabato

The number of families displaced by fighting among members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front increased to almost 300 as the two groups clashed anew in Carmen, North Cotabato, on Friday, a military official said.

Colonel Prudencio Asto, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said 287 families from Brgy. Tonganon are presently taking refuge in Brgys. Lawili and New Panay in Aleosan.

Around 6 a.m. Friday, the groups of commander Teo Minanimbong of the MNLF and commander Karim Sagadan of the MILF’s 110th Base Command clashed in Sitio Misalan, one of Tonganon’s sub-villages.

Firefight lasted for almost 15 minutes and resulted in the wounding of Abubakar Ali, 35, one of the leaders of Minanimbong’s group, Asto said in a text message.

Ali suffered a bullet wound on his stomach and was brought to the Aleosan District Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, Asto said the volatile situation in Tonganon “worsened” when members of the village’s civilian volunteer organization joined the conflict.

However, the firefight subsided when a platoon of the 7th Infantry Battalion arrived for “peace enforcement,” he said, adding that the soldiers are still dispatched in the area and are monitoring the situation.

On Wednesday, Minanimbong’s group also figured in a skirmish with followers of Sagadan and commander Tarzan Dagadas in Sitio Misalan.

Three days earlier, Dagadas’ group reportedly “harassed” Minanimbong’s followers at the Katian Post.

The skirmishes between the MNLF and MILF members, which have been going on and off since late March, are said to be due to a long-standing family feud, not a war between the two Muslim rebel groups. (John Roson)

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Defense chief welcomes ‘light’ sanction for MILF commanders

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin welcomed the suspension that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) imposed on three of its commanders for the deadly encounter in Al Barkah, Basilan, despite finding the sanction “very light.”

“Kahit very light ‘yung punishment na binigay, at least gumalaw sila, in-acknowledge na nagkamali sila,” Gazmin told reporters in an interview Thursday.

The defense chief made the remark after MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal announced that the rebel group suspended three commanders of its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, for the Oct. 18 clash.

Among those suspended were BIAF 114th Base Command sub-commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi, whose men were involved in the fighting.

“We suspended three commanders… we suspended them for three months and then they are told to undertake education especially on the ceasefire agreement,” Iqbal said Wednesday.

“The fact that we punished our commanders is an indication that we also agree that the MILF had violated (the ceasefire),” Iqbal added.

Days after the clash, the military relieved from their posts four ranking Army officials for allegedly failing to coordinate a manhunt operation with the MILF. The four are now facing possible court martial proceedings.

“Lack of coordination” between both sides was blamed for the clash, which left 19 government soldiers and five rebel fighters dead amid their ongoing ceasefire.

“Kahit papaano, light man o heavy, at least nagre-react sila (MILF). In other words gumagalaw ang hustisya, kahit sa kanila,” Gazmin said of the MILF’s sanction on its men. (John Roson)

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Kidnappers free North Cotabato mayor’s kin

Kidnappers freed a relative of Mayor Loreto Cabaya of Aleosan, North Cotabato, in Maguindanao Wednesday night, two months after holding the victim in captivity, police said.

Romy Cabaya was released past 10 p.m. in Brgy. Makir, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Senior Supt. Cornelio Salinas, North Cotabato provincial police director, said.

No money was paid in exchange for the release, Salinas said.

“He (Cabaya) was released after the negotiation between his sister and the abductors… mahirap lang itong pamilya nila, farmers lang, so wala talagang makukuha na anuman from them,” the police official said.

Mayor Cabaya, along with policemen and soldiers, fetched the victim in Brgy. Dalican around 11:15 p.m., according to a report from the Central Mindanao regional police.

The victim, a “distant relative” who works as a househelp of the mayor, was abducted in Brgy. Dualing, Aleosan, last November 19 while he was going home on a “habal-habal” from Midsayap.

Initial investigation showed that the abductors were “rouge” members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front led by commanders Kuyo and Taurus, Salinas said.

“Maayos naman ‘yung naging pagtrato sa kanya (Cabaya), he’s in good health,” the police official added. (John Roson)

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Suspected Moro rebels attack govt equipment in N. Cotabato

Suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members fired rocket-propelled grenades in Tulunan, North Cotabato, Tuesday night, damaging a government-owned heavy equipment, military and police officials said.

Colonel Leopoldo Galon, Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, said about 10 armed men fired two RPG rounds in Brgy. Tambac around 8:30 p.m.

One of the RPGs exploded near a backhoe, shattering the equipment’s front and left glass windows, while the other went off 25 meters away, Galon said.

Senior Supt. Cornelio Salinas, North Cotabato PNP director, said the backhoe is owned by the provincial government, which is conducting desilting operations along the Malasila River.

The explosions occurred inside the banana plantation owned by RNF Industries Corp., he said.

The armed men, led by commander Jabidi Abdul, were positioned 50 meters north of the target which is on the “fringes” of the Liguasan Marsh, Galon said.

Abdul, who is also known by the alias Beds, is a commander of the MILF “special operations group,” said a military source, who requested anonymity because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.

“Commander Beds is opposed to investors’ development of lands near the marsh,” the source added.

Galon and Salinas both declined to comment on the source’s information, but admitted that the area is a known “MILF territory.” (John Roson)

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Kidnappers free Zambo trader

Kidnappers freed a businesswoman in Zamboanga City on Friday after a month of negotiations with the victim’s uncle, who is a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a police official said.

Monalisa Capa, of Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur, was recovered by her relatives along Varela st. around 6:30 p.m., Dir. Felicisimo Khu, head of the PNP Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao, said.

Capa’s uncle Alimuddin Danganan Bual, a representative of the MILF Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, “negotiated for a month for her release. Allegedly, no ransom was paid,” Khu said in a text message.

Bual and Capa’s husband brought the victim to the Army 102nd Brigade headquarters in Ipil around 10:40 p.m. for debriefing.

The 34-year-old Capa, who is involved in fish trading, was abducted by armed men in Brgy. Poblacion, Pitogo, on October 9. (John Roson)

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Suspected Moro rebels pillage homes in North Cotabato

Suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members destroyed and pillaged civilian homes in M’lang, North Cotabato, early Wednesday, a military spokesman said.

About 70 armed “lawless elements” under commander Gani Saligan reportedly pillaged houses owned by Usman Calimpo, Dalot Daong, a certain Daser, and one Kayog in Brgy. Dugong around 6 a.m., Col. Leopoldo Galon, AFP Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman, said.

The materials acquired from the destroyed houses will be used in building hutments for Gani’s group in the tri-boundary of Brgys. Dugong, Buayan, and Gaunan, Galon said, citing information from the Army 6th Infantry Division.

The armed group also reportedly harvested half a hectare of rice in the area, according to the regional military spokesman.

Members of the Army 68th Infantry Battalion have been alerted for a possible clash between the groups of Saligan and one Manwang Zabel in the area. (John Roson)

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Village officials fired upon in North Cotabato

A barangay chairman and tanod were injured as armed men fired at a group of North Cotabato village officials in Tulunan town, near the province’s boundary with Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao early Thursday, police said.

Hermogenes Obrique, chairman of Brgy. Bunawan, suffered a bullet wound on the leg while Teng Laman, a tanod and member of the B’laan tribe, suffered a bullet wound on the chest, Senior Supt. Cornelio Salinas, North Cotabato Provincial Police director, said.

The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. while Obrique and other officials, along with tanods, were visiting farmers at Sitio Barko Barko, near the boundary of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, and Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.

“Harvest time ngayon doon sa area and usually pag ganitong time hina-harass ng armed men ‘yung farmers, mayroon ding land conflict among Muslim families in the area kaya nagpapatrol yung village officials,” Salinas said.

A police source, who declined to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, said the assailants are believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Salinas said his investigators are still trying to identify the attackers. (John Roson)

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More troops sent to Basilan; Army chief checks soldiers’ morale

The Army sent additional troops to Basilan after the clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members that left 19 soldiers killed, a military spokesman confirmed Saturday.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, meanwhile, visited the troops in the island-province to check on their “morale.”

Lieutenant Col. Randolph Cabangbang, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said some 100 members of the Army Special Forces arrived in Zamboanga City “last week” en route to Basilan.

“Regular deployment ‘yun, galing Manila, sakay ng C-130… ‘yung dumating last week nandun na sa Basilan,” Cabangbang said in a phone interview.

“(There is) no let up against lawless elements even in Basilan,” Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said for his part.

Meanwhile, Ortiz flew to Basilan Saturday after arriving from Indonesia. It was his first visit to the province after Col. Ramon Yogyog was installed as commander of Special Operations Task Force Basilan last Saturday, replacing Col. Alexander Macario.

“Bibisita siya (Ortiz) doon to assess the situation, hear the sentiments of the soldiers… to hear feedbacks from the soldiers,” Cabunoc said. (John Roson)

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Zambo Sibugay bandits escaped?

Only freshly-dug pits and guns were found in the lair of Waning Abdusalam in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay, on Thursday, fueling speculation that the bandit leader and his men were dead, or may have escaped.

“Mukhang nakatakas sila, kasi itong paligid ay punung-puno ng mga bakawan, so kung babaybay siguro sila sa bakawan at andun lang sila sa mababaw na lugar, ay hindi sila mapapansin ng mga nagbabantay sa may dagat,” Chief Supt. Elpidio de Asis, Zamboanga Peninsula regional police director, said in a phone interview.

De Asis, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, and Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander VAdm. Armando Guzman, visited the overthrown camp in Sitio Talaib, Brgy. Labatan, on Thursday to inspect what has been described as a “stronghold” of kidnap-for-ransom groups.

“Wala ang grupo ng Waning Abdusalam pero nakuha na uli namin itong lugar… wala na silang kampo, wala na silang pagtataguan, naghiwa-hiwalay na sila, ‘yun naman ang hahabulin namin ngayon,” De Asis said.

Possible areas of escape are Alicia and Olutanga Island, he said.

De Asis, however, pointed out that it was also possible that not all of the bandits escaped because freshly-dug pits were found in the camp.

Ferrer, in a statement sent to the media, said troops found more than 15 “freshly dug graves” in an empty fishing village at Talaib Point.

“I gave instructions to our soldiers not to disturb the graves anymore. The fishing village is actually the south side strongpoint of the criminals,” he said.

“There is also a small mosque. Blood is everywhere. I guess this is where they brought their wounded and dying comrades. Gun emplacements were found at the northern part of Sitio Talaib,” Ferrer added.

In a text message to reporters Wednesday night, Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said he recieved reports that Abdusalam was seriously wounded in the police-military assault.

“Overran ‘yung camp ni commander Waning na reported na di makalakad due to injuries sustained at kasama at least 40 na sugatang tao nya,” the Army chief said.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Thursday, AFP public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos said the military has so far recovered only four bodies of suspects, all of whom died on October 24, the first day of the assault.

Another 12 suspects are believed to have perished in on the second day of the assault, when OV-10 military planes dropped bombs, he said.

Burgos said the troops also recovered from the camp on Thursday a caliber-.50 machine gun and more than 10 improvised explosive devices. (John Roson)

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