September 29, 2009

(Jolo Island, Southern Philippines) Early this morning on the island of Jolo (pic), two U.S. Navy Seabees (non-combatant construction team) were killed in a roadside IED explosion while riding in a Humvee.

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said one Filipino soldier was killed while two others were also wounded when the vehicle they were riding in struck an improvised landmine near Indanan town on the island of Jolo, a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf militants.

"At 8:30 a.m., September 29, there was an [improvised explosive device] attack in front of the Philippine Marines detachment which is based between Luamsing and Kagay barangays. As a result of this, two US servicemen were killed and one Philippine Marine was also killed and two other Philippine Marines [were] wounded," he told reporters.

Typically, IED attacks in the Philippines are infrequent and have been confined to the island of Mindanao. The IED attack on Jolo plus a January 2009 assassination attempt on the governor of Masbate Island indicate the deployment of IED tactics is widening.

Sadly, the two American Seabees were on Jolo to supervise construction of a medical clinic, an elementary school, and various other projects. They were a long way from home. Condolences to their families.

January 15, 2009

(Jolo Island, Philippines) Sen. Richard Gordon of the Philippine National Red Cross reported that three Red Cross workers have been kidnapped by the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.

The three are identified as Andreas Notter, a 38-year-old Swiss national; Eugenio Vagni, a 62-year-old Italian and Mary Jean Lacaba, a 37-year-old citizen of the Philippines.

Reportedly, while traveling in a Red Cross vehicle they were stopped by armed men on motorbikes and taken away. Three Filipinos riding with the Red Cross workers were robbed and released.

Brigadier General Eugene Clemen, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, said they believed an Abu Sayyaf group under Albader Parad is responsible for the kidnappings.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said all available military and police forces have been mobilized to go after the scum vermin and their victims.

November 20, 2008

MSNBC/AP PC "suspected Muslim militants".

MANILA, Philippines

American troops traveling in a Philippine army convoy came under fire earlier this week from suspected Muslim militants, officials said on Thursday. No casualties were reported.

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said the incident happened on Tuesday and that the U.S. military vehicle was part of the logistics mission.

Philippine police said a militant believed to be from the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group was killed in the clash on southern Jolo island. Police say six Abu Sayyaf militants ambushed the convoy in Indanan town.

At least one terrorist met his virgin goat.

November 10, 2008

(Manila, Philippines) It's arguably unwise to disrespect a geographically-strategic ally. Check out the views of Obama being expressed in Manila.

In the first blush of victory, US President-elect Barack Obama accepted congratulations from nine presidents and prime ministers and returned their calls. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, one of the numerous early callers, was not one of the chosen few.

The favored world leaders were Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Meanwhile, more than once, Philippines President Arroyo called to congratulate Obama and was told by Obama's team that her call was one of the first and he would call back. Inexplicably, no call was returned and the snub hasn't gone unnoticed.

The sidelining of the Arroyo call gave a glimpse of the importance of the Philippines to the United States at a moment of change of administration.

It is clear that the Philippines stands on the outer perimeter of US concerns in world affairs.

The first telephone conversations reveal the Philippines is not within the charmed circles of the Obama administration. It is a leper outside looking in.

It is imperative that Manila should rearrange its priorities vis-à-vis Washington. Obama is not our friend.

August 11, 2008

(Mindanao Island, Philippines) The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has attacked and occupied the North Cotabato Province of central Mindanao causing 130,000 majority Christian citizens to flee. Fifteen villages have been occupied.

The MILFs demand more land and cancellation of democratic elections.

Harsh criticism that the government doesn't protect Christians has prompted officials in Manila to respond swiftly with bombs from Philippine Air Force planes and artillery from ground brigades. Guerillas are reportedly putting up "heavy resistance." Fortunately, casualties reported thus far have been slight.

The Red Cross is sending food, water and medicine to aid the evacuees.

Note that the theft of real estate owned by others is apparently defined as liberation by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Interestingly, it's the same definition used by Castro in Cuba, Mugabe in Zimbabwe, Stalin in the Soviet Union and many other totalitarian despots.

June 26, 2008

Good news!

(Manila, Philippines) Due to persistent pressure from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has been reduced to "plain bandits" experiencing a leadership vacuum, says AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander B. Yano.

To be realistic, though, there are still many hiding places. The Philippines is mostly mountainous islands covered with jungle.

January 12, 2008

(Zamboanga City, Philippines) It appears that U.S. troops have irritated the Filipinos regarding a camp in the southern Philippines.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it would relocate a Marine camp put up near a government hospital in the southern province of Sulu after a scandal involving US troops.

US troops in Sulu ordered last month a hospital in Panamao town to close every night that prevented medical personnel from treating patients after sundown. American troops who put up their camp at a Marine base near the hospital even told doctors to treat their patients at the municipal hall.

Dr. Silak Lakkian, head of the hospital, has complained about how US troops meddled in their operations. US soldiers also threatened to shoot anybody in the hospital in case there is an attack by terrorists. American soldiers have been in Sulu since 2006 to train local forces to hunt members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

The meddling of US troops in local affairs drew widespread criticism and protests from provincial leaders and triggered calls from political activists in Manila for the House of Representatives and the Senate to hold an investigation into the incident.

US military commanders in Sulu apologized for the incident and the AFP ordered the soldiers away from the hospital. US soldiers insist a threat exist against them in the town from suspected Abu Sayyaf militants.

Responding to the incident, Army Maj. Gen. Ruben Rafael said the camp would be moved to another village.

November 29, 2007

(Manila, Philippines) About eight hours ago (11 AM Manila time), chaos erupted in a courtroom of the Makati City Hall after guards of Sen. Antonio Trillanes brandished guns at his court hearing and called for President Arroyo's resignation. Sen. Trillanes and a group of soldiers were on trial for an alleged 2003 coup plot.

Subsequently, ABS-CBN News reported the following sequence of events. Pretty exciting night, I'd say. All times are approximate.

11:30 AM - Brandishing guns, Sen. Trillanes, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and his soldiers walked out of court and proceeded to storm the luxury Manila Peninsula Hotel while calling for the ouster of President Arroyo.

11:50 AM - National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales denounced Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and his renegade group of soldiers.

12:10 PM - Philippine National Police (PNP) placed on full alert.

12:50 PM - Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz joins the rebellion in support of Trillanes.

2:00 PM - Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said the government will end the crisis before day's end. Philippine Senate calls for a peaceful resolution.

2:40 PM - President Arroyo ordered the PNP to arrest rebel soldiers.

2:45 PM - Philippine military rushes 1,500 troops to Manila. Guests start evacuating the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

3:00 PM - Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said President Arroyo will not declare a state of emergency.

3:15 PM - Security forces of the military and police set to storm the Manila Peninsula Hotel to arrest renegade soldiers.

3:35 PM - Rebel soldiers refuse to accept arrest warrants. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said he expects the worst to happen.

3:50 PM - Commanding General of the Philippine Army said his chain of command in intact and President Arroyo is the Armed Forces Commander in Chief.

3:58 PM - At least 50 Special Weapons and Tactics Commandos (SWAT) are poised to enter the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

4:06 PM - Warning shots fired by police in full-battle gear.

4:45 PM - United States reaffirms support for President Arroyo's government.

4:53 PM - Tear gas canisters fired into the Manila Peninsula Hotel lobby. Gunfire commences.

5:00 PM - Government troops scale hotel, lob tear gas.

5:05 PM - Full scale assault by government troops, volleys of gunfire heard.

5:11 PM - Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) rams through the main entrance to the hotel.

5:20 PM - Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danny Lim decide to surrender.

6:20 PM - Sen. Trillanes was dragged out of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in handcuffs (pic) after surrendering to government troops. He was put on a waiting bus of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

"I will face [the charges]," the senator said, adding that his group decided to surrender out of concern of the safety of civilians and mediamen trapped with them in the hotel.

"Like I said before we are going out for the sake of the safety .... for your sake," he said referring to members of the media, civilians and employees of the hotel.

After Trillanes, former vice-president Teofisto Guingona and Army Brig. Gen. Danny Lim were also hauled into the same bus.

Notably and it's not clear why, some members of the media were also arrested.

November 13, 2007

No official suspects now, but given that the Philippines has been engaged in a civil war against Islamists wishing to break away from the democratic republic and set up a sharia state in the South, I'd say that it's pretty clear who the likeliest candidates are.

AP:

A bomb exploded at an entrance of the Philippine House of Representatives late Tuesday, killing a congressman and a driver. Police and soldiers in the capital went on high alert after the explosion, which injured nine people.

Kyodo news agency adds that at least 11 others were injured.

UPDATE: Mike Pechar and I posted at the same time, so I'm merging the two posts into one. From Mike Pechar:

House Speaker Jose de Venecia said the blast was likely terrorists who wanted to threaten Congress. National Capital Regional Police chief Geary Barias said it's too early in the investigation to know the specific origin of the explosion. The bomb is believed to have detonated in a parking area outside the building's south wing.

A driver for Congresswoman Luz Ilagan, Melchor Talbo, was confirmed killed.

Metro Manila is now on full red alert.

National Capital Regional Police chief Geary Barias has ordered check points around the metropolis while the police are coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

From ABS-CBN:

Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar passed away following the blast that took place at the Batasan Pambansa Complex Tuesday night in Quezon City.

Negros Oriental Rep. Henry Teves, meanwhile, is in critical condition after sustaining severe blast injuries and burns following the explosion.

Those who were rushed to General Malvar Hospital on Commonwealth Avenue were identified as Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan, who sustained shrapnel wounds to the legs and back; Ismael Lim, driver of Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza; Kim Ar, bodyguard of Akbar and Maan Abustanilo, a staff of Teves.

UPDATE: Here's a pic of Akbar.

UPDATE: Via LGF, it looks like Akbar was the target of the attack. He had been an Islamist rebel, but was party to a peace agreement with the government. AP:

Rep. Wahab Akbar’s chief of staff said the congressman, a former member of a Muslim rebel group that signed a peace accord with the government in 1996, died at the hospital. Metropolitan Manila police chief Geary Barias said a lawmaker’s driver also was killed in the explosion, which went off as the House ended its session.....

“It looks like Congressman Akbar was the target,” Barias said. Police and soldiers in the capital went on high alert.

Akbar, a former governor of southern Basilan province, had been targeted by the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremist group in the past for launching offensives against them.

May 31, 2007

This is such a needed effort, I'm surprised it wasn't implemented earlier.

From ABC News Online:

Prime Minister John Howard and Philippines President Gloria Arroyo have signed an agreement allowing the two countries to do joint counter-terrorism exercises.

The "status of forces" agreement paves the way for joint military exercises and means Australia will help develop a fleet of high-speed gunboats to combat terrorists in the southern Philippines.

April 27, 2007

Updating a previous report, the suspecteded killer of murdered Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell has surrendered, Campbell's remains have been cremated and flown back to the U.S., and Campbell is being decorated by the Philippine government.

The House of Representatives will honor martyred US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell with the Congressional Medal of Achievement, its highest decoration, in recognition of her invaluable services and personal sacrifices for the Filipino people, especially the poor.

Speaker Jose de Venecia initiated the tribute to Campbell and said the Award for the well-loved volunteer teacher cum social worker was "accepted with gratitude" by the US government and the US Peace Corps.

De Venecia said the Award -- the highest decoration from the House -- will be presented in June to the US Peace Corps, represented by its director, Ronald Tschetter in Washington, and a representative of Campbell's family, in ceremonies expected to be graced by the top Philippine and American officials and leaders of civil society in Manila.

Honoring Julia Campbell with a Philippine Congressional citation is significant. It indicates that not only was Campbell well-liked and effective in her capacity as a Peace Corps volunteer, but also that the Filipino government wants to make sure that her murder doesn't aggravate relations with the Peace Corps nor the United States.

Understandably, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Peace Corps are concerned about the adequacy of existing security measures. Almost 140 Peace Corps volunteers are currently in the Philippines and their safety requirements are being reviewed. Note that the PNP has not completed its investigation into Campbell's murder. There continue to be unanswered questions.

To conclude:

The Congressional Medal of Achievement citation honored Campbell for having "brought light and joy into the lives" of many Filipinos.

"She epitomized the ideals of the Peace Corps and of the American people," the citation read.

February 02, 2007

"Separatists" my ass. They're terrorists. What else to expect from MargaReuterVille.

MANILA (Reuters) - Muslim separatists in the southern Philippines are holding Manila's military chief, the head of the government's truce panel, a colonel and an undetermined number of soldiers hostage, senior military sources said on Saturday.

Members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were refusing to let Brigadier-General Ben Dolorfino, commander of military forces in the capital, and Ramon Santos, an undersecretary of the peace process with the MNLF, leave their camp on Jolo island, 950 km south of Manila, until their jailed founder was released.

Dolorfino, who had flown to Jolo for talks with the MNLF, told reporters via a text message that he was safe. A military spokesman declined to comment.

Those on the left who think that we can just sit down and "dialog" with these types, and all of our problems will be solved, should take heed. This is what happens when you try to negotiate with Islamofascist terrorists.

Eh, they'll find a way to blame Bush, conveniently ignoring the fact that Muslim aggression in the Philippines goes back hundreds of years.

January 25, 2007

(Manila, Philippines) President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines announced spot promotions for troops involved in last September's firefight death of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani. Also, receiving spot promotions were troops involved with the killing of No. 2 Abu Sayyaf leader, Abu Solaiman, aka Sulaiman. Both men were wanted for planning and conducting terrorist bombings and kidnappings throughout the Philippines. Thankfully, both are history.

Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf leader Janjalani was first reported dead in December 2006 on tips from captured members. Remains were located and taken for DNA testing which last week confirmed Janjalani's demise.

No. 2 Abu Sayyaf leader Solaiman was killed on January 16 on the island of Sulu. It's reported that S/Sgt. Raul Suacillo found Solaiman squatting in the woods, relieving himself.

"I waited for him (Solaiman) to finish (relieving himself). So that we will not be compromised, I called him because I want to apprehend him. We even had an eye contact. I told him 'don't make a noise'," said Suacillo.

Suacillo said instead of surrendering, Solaiman ran and chanted "Allahu Akbar (God is great)."

He said he opened fire at Solaiman to stop him from shouting that could warn other Abu Sayyaf members.

In summary, two leaders of Abu Sayyaf are dead and two tipsters will each be collecting $5 million reward money. All the while, the Filipino government continues its ramped up assault on the terrorist group with notable successes.