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5,000 troops ring Abu, MNLF forces in Sulu; 70 now dead, including 25 gov’t soldiers [Philippines]
Manila Bulletin Online ^ | February 11, 2005 | MIKE U. CRISMUNDO

Posted on 02/11/2005 8:10:26 PM PST by underlying

5,000 troops ring Abu, MNLF forces in Sulu; 70 now dead, including 25 gov’t soldiers

Some 5,000 troops backed by attack planes and gunship helicopters ringed the two groups of fully-armed fighters holed up in a mountain hideout in Southern Philippines as an estimated 70 fatalities were already reported, 25 of them government troops.

Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza, AFP Southern Command (Southcom) chief, deployed another Marine battalion in Jolo, Sulu, as a rebel camp was overrun by government troops in nearby Panamao area.

Three OV-10 aircraft dropped 250 lb. bombs while MG520 attack helicopters fired rockets at the rebel forces before the ground troops finally assaulted the rebel camp. "We heard sporadic gunfire from the militants who tried to shoot us down," one of the pilots said.

"We softened the enemy position first before our troops went in," a ground military commander said.

A Southcom spokesman said the government troops are battling some 800 fighters from the Al-Qaedalinked Abu Sayyaf and renegade members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) after the rebels ambushed a convoy of soldiers in Patikul town last Monday.

The rebel forces led by Habier Malik fired mortars on a contingent from the 53rd Infantry Battalion where the battalion commander and his aide were among the eight casualties in Siit area, Panamao town.

Task Force Comet under the command of Brig. Gen. Agustin Dimaala said that government troops are also trying to ring some 200 militants near Panamao.

The Southcom vowed to crush the rebels unless they surrender. However, the militant groups led by Malik rejected peace calls by the provincial government in Jolo.

"It’s either surrender or nothing. They should lay down their arms and surrender to me those who killed my soldiers there," said Braganza the other day.

The fighting since last Monday has forced thousands of people living in at least six towns in Jolo to flee for fear of being caught in the crossfire. Some officials of the US Agency for International Development have also left the island.

Troops all over the Zamboanga peninsula and in Central Mindanao have been put on alert while security has been tightened in key government and private installations and military and police headquarters.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Jose de Venecia sent Andurahman Jamasali, former secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and a former MNLF official, to talk to the rebel forces about a possible halt in the fighting.

Arroyo rejects appeal for ceasefire

President Arroyo yesterday ruled out a ceasefire in the military offensives against the breakaway Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces in Sulu, saying government is determined "to dismantle the terrorist lairs" in the area.

She rejected the appeals from various Muslim leaders, lawmakers and even civilian communities in the southern island to halt the armed hostilities and avert further bloodshed.

"As of now, there is no such order for a ceasefire," she said in a televised press conference in Malacañang, adding "our decisions are certainly taking into account the military on the ground and their assessment."

The President pledged anew to carry out punitive operations against the followers of jailed former Muslim separatist leader Nur Misuari and the Abu Sayyaf forces engaged in fighting with the Armed Forces of the Philippines unless they surrender.

"The peace of mind of the people is paramount even as we press on to dismantle the terrorist lairs."

Arroyo also extended her sympathy to the family of Army Lt. Col. Dennis Villanueva and the rest of the soldiers who were killed in the mortar attacks during as the fighting entered its fifth day.

"Their gallantry in combat brings deep pride and prestige to the command at a time that the Filipino soldier must be seen in his or her finest."

She also commiserated with the families who were displaced by the isolated conflict. "A humanitarian partnership between our national and local governments is working on the ground to care for those displaced by hostilities."

In the same press conference, AFP vice chief of staff Ariston delos Reyes, however, admitted that a local committee headed by Sulu Gov. Benjamin Loong has been formed to act as intermediaries to end the hostilities in the area.

He said government emissaries including Presidential assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza are "looking into ways for a ceasefire between the government troops and the breakaway group." (Genalyn D. Kabiling)

Slain battalion head cited for courage, dedication to duty

Gen. Efren Abu, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), yesterday cited Lt. Col. Dennis Villanueva, commander of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, who was among the three Army men killed in Panamao, Sulu, "for exemplary courage and steadfast dedication to duty as an officer of the Philippine Army."

In his speech during his visit to the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) in Lucena City, Abu also said that joint elements of the Army and the Marines are expected to overrun the satellite camps of the Misuari breakaway group after military forces took control of the rebels’ main camp at Kalingalang-Kaluang last Thursday.

Abu expressed disgust over the killing of Villanueva, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1986, and his two officers during a mortar attack in barangay Bitan-ag, Kalingalang-Kaluang.

"He loved soldiery and he gave his life for the good of us."

Villanueva was personally leading his men in assaulting the main camp of the enemiesg when they were subjected to heavy mortar fire.

The Army battalion commander sustained bullet wounds in the chest and different parts of the body. He died while undergoing treatment in a hospital due to severe loss of blood, reports said.

According to Col. Ireneo Espino, who was a former chief of Villanueva in Southcom Intelligence Division, Villanueva was "a very good intelligence officer who was instrumental in the rescue of American Gracia Burnham from the custody of the Abu Sayyaf a few years ago."

Villanueva was recipient of two Gold Cross Medals, 20 Bronze Cross Medals, 16 Military Merit Medals and a United Nations Service Medal. (Aris R. Ilagan)

Muslim leaders asks GMA to act decisively

More Muslim leaders yesterday joined the strong clamor to stop the raging hostilities in Sulu as the Bangsa Moro Party (BMP) led by Sultan Firdausi I.Y. Abbas and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) officials appealed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to take a decisive positive action.

In a statement read in a press conference in Quezon City, Abbas said the military approach has never succeeded and will never succeed in resolving the Mindanao problem. He said dialogue must start with leaders of the MNLF fighters through Sulu political leaders while a ceasefire is declared.

The BMP asked for the creation of a task force to get to the bottom of the conflict, with members from the Departments of Justice, Defense, Interior and Local Government, Commission on Human Rights, Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Muslim Bar Association of the Philippines.

"The Bangsa Moro Party calls on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose leadership and presidency it acknowledges, respects, and supports, to immediately take decisive and positive action to prevent the armed clashes between the AFP and the MNLF fighters from escalating and engulfing the whole Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Mindanao," said Abbas.

"Firstly, the President must emphasize that military action is not the solution which the government has adopted to resolve the Southern Philippines conflict, because such an approach to the Mindanao problem has never been successful and effective and will never succeed."

In Jolo, Sulu, ARMM Gov. Parouk Hussin met with Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza, Secretary Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on Mindanao, provincial and local officials, religious leaders and MNLF officials to find ways to stop the hostilities.

"It is understandable that the military and the MNLF were not considering a ceasefire due to casualties on both sides." (Edd K. Usman)

Resolution of Misuari case is key to stop Sulu fighting

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. (PDP-Laban) yesterday appealed to the executive branch and the judiciary to take steps to hasten the resolution of the rebellion case against Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari pending with the courts for more than two years.

Pimentel said efforts of government to persuade fighters of the MNLF-Misuari faction to stop the armed hostilities in Sulu may not succeed without a guarantee that Misuari will be fairly treated and the case against him given the due attention.

He noted the admission of the followers of Misuari that the renewed fighting between their groups and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) broke out due to their disenchantment with the way the rebellion case against him is being handled in the judiciary. They have demanded that Misuari be transferred from the Fort Sto. Domingo jail in Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Sulu, and that his court trial be held there.

Pimentel also expressed fears that hostilities in Sulu may escalate unless an immediate ceasefire is forged between the AFP and MNLF-Misuari group.

He said this may not only imperil the implementation of the 1996 government-MNLF peace agreement but also have adverse consequences on the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"The MNLF and the MILF are fighting essentially for the same purpose, which is a better treatment for the Muslim people. I think it is important that the government should address the issues now before they become more complicated."

Appeal to suspend hostilities draws solons’ mixed reactions

Congressmen yesterday aired mixed reactions to the appeal of Mindanao leaders for a suspension of hostilities between the military and the so-called Misuari-breakaway faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Sulu.

Majority Leader Prospero Nograles, together with Reps. Antonino Roman (LP, Bataan) and Rufino Biazon (LP, Muntinlupa City) said the proposed ceasefire should be left to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to decide.

Muslim lawmakers led by Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin and Reps. Benasing Macarambon (NPC, Lanao del Sur) and Mujiv Hataman (Anak Mindanao) warned that continued fighting would cause more civilian casualties and might jeopardize the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Constantino Jaraula said a ceasefire should be called to determine the reasons behind the raging hostilities in Mindanao.

Roman said government should consider the ceasefire with extreme caution. He urged Malacañang to listen to the recommendation of the military.

Macarambon warned that fighting could spill over to mainland Mindanao as a result of the heavy civilian casualties. A former MNLF commander, Macarambon said the MILF peace talks might be jeopardized should fighting escalate in other areas in Muslim Mindanao.

Salapuddin, another former MNLF military commander, said that the "use of extensive force" is not a solution to the recurring Muslim problem.

Jaraula supported a ceasefire only to determine whether there are valid reasons behind the military action in Sulu.

Hataman said both the government and the MNLF should consider the "long-term effects of war. (Ben R. Rosario)


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: islam; muslims; philippines; southeastasia

1 posted on 02/11/2005 8:10:26 PM PST by underlying
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To: underlying

Maybe they should have let us keep the air force and navy base we shut down.


2 posted on 02/11/2005 8:11:38 PM PST by GeronL (Quarantine LEVEL-2: Remember nobody reply to gimmebackmyconstitution, we all know he has cooties!!)
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To: underlying

Oops... change tagline... it was meant for another thread


3 posted on 02/11/2005 8:12:24 PM PST by GeronL (--I'm thinking, I'm thinking!)
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To: underlying
Three OV-10 aircraft

Neat little aircraft.

4 posted on 02/11/2005 8:22:48 PM PST by csvset
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To: underlying
President Arroyo yesterday ruled out a ceasefire in the military offensives against the breakaway Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces in Sulu, saying government is determined "to dismantle the terrorist lairs" in the area.

Maybe Arroyo is finally developing some guts. Appeasement certainly hasn't worked. I hope they finish the job.

5 posted on 02/11/2005 8:31:57 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: csvset

The only operational Phil AF fixed-wing combat aircraft I believe, are about 8-10 OV-10's.

They are giving it all they've got, but they are very short of everything.

This is the nastiest fighting there since the mid-1970's.


6 posted on 02/11/2005 8:47:45 PM PST by buwaya
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To: underlying
President Arroyo yesterday ruled out a ceasefire in the military offensives against the breakaway Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) forces in Sulu, saying government is determined "to dismantle the terrorist lairs" in the area. <.P She rejected the appeals from various Muslim leaders, lawmakers and even civilian communities in the southern island to halt the armed hostilities and avert further bloodshed.

I home she has the moxey to stay the course. The Idea that govern with a army the size that thexe rebels have right in your midst is foolishness. They should have been whiped out long ago.

The Phillipene army is now paying the price for the week kneed polititions of the past.

If I were GWB I'd offer them some Naval Gunfire support even if they DID kick out of the country. A few 6 inch rounds could save a lot of army lives.

7 posted on 02/11/2005 8:52:15 PM PST by konaice
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To: csvset

Yeah, everybody else's spotter plane, they use for bombers.


8 posted on 02/11/2005 8:52:51 PM PST by konaice
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To: underlying

Napalm the savages!


9 posted on 02/11/2005 9:29:15 PM PST by Fast1
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To: GeronL

I'm thinking, I'm thinking

I tried that once. It's not for me, I got the most terrible headache.


10 posted on 02/11/2005 9:29:46 PM PST by Valin (DARE to be average!)
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To: GeronL

Actually after pinatobo blew up staying at clark was not an option.
It is their country after all, and they can do stupid things with it if they want.


11 posted on 02/11/2005 9:32:12 PM PST by Valin (DARE to be average!)
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To: GeronL

The airbase was destroyed by a volcano. The Navy base was desired by a majority of Filipinos, but the Filipino senate was dead set against it. I would suggest that Arroyo's pulling her force out of Iraq when the terrorists said "boo" hasn't helped the military situation in the Philippines very much.


12 posted on 02/11/2005 9:36:03 PM PST by Frumious Bandersnatch
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To: csvset

OV-10... called the Bronco?


13 posted on 02/11/2005 10:20:09 PM PST by GeronL (--I'm thinking, I'm thinking!)
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To: GeronL
OV-10... called the Bronco?

Yes, that's it.

14 posted on 02/11/2005 10:48:21 PM PST by csvset
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To: csvset

The Philippines even use the plane to drop bombs.


15 posted on 02/11/2005 10:53:04 PM PST by GeronL (--I'm thinking, I'm thinking!)
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To: underlying

Well when the dead reach 800, plus the government troops there will be peace. Muslims always sue for peace talks when people get tired of their shi'ite.


16 posted on 02/12/2005 9:07:40 AM PST by American in Israel (A wise man's heart directs him to the right, but the foolish mans heart directs him toward the left.)
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