ICC Dispatch - Thursday, November 27, 2008

AFP: No definite time as yet to end their campaign against lawless rebel elements in Mindanao

ICC Cotabato City (27 November) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines has no definite timeline yet as to when it would end their campaign against the rogue Bangsamoro rebels in Mindanao especially so that politicians are in the midst of heated confrontation regarding sensitive political issues.

AFP Chief of Staff Alexander Yano admits that their operations against the rebel groups are somehow affected by political policies especially on developments regarding peace talks.

Yano however clarified that they not coordinating with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) regarding the scuttled peace negotiation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

It might be recalled that earlier, MILF chief negotiator Mohager Icqbal pointed out that the MILF is ready to go back to the negotiating table provided that government will sign the controversial Memo of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

The resumption of peace talks yet to be considered by both sides and for the meantime that the peace negotiation with the MILF still remains uncertain, the military will have to pursue their police action against the rogue elements of the MILF in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and the province of Maguindanao, Yano further said. (CLC/PIA Cotabato City)


Resumption of peace talks asked by multi-sectoral groups

ICC Cotabato City (27 November) – A multi-sectoral groups convened here today to ask both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to resume the stalled peace talks in Mindanao.

Representatives from the youths, women, academe, farmers, NGOs, religious, transport and other peace advocates lamented the deplorable condition of about 620, 000 evacuees composed of children, men, women and elderly scattered in various evacuation centers, especially in Central Mindanao and thereby call for the immediate stop to the on-going firefight between troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“In every arm encounter, those who suffered most are the hapless non-combatant civilians who are forced to flee from their homes, leaving behind their source of livelihood and hard-earned properties. What is worst is that there are times that these fleeing non-combatants are caught in the crossfire in the battles between the warring groups”, declared a member of the Mindanao Alliance for Peace.

“The youths strongly believe that without the GRP and MILF continuing the peace negotiation immediately, the gains of all peace and development initiatives done by them as well as other peace advocates which had been nurtured since the two protagousts started talking peace will ultimately go in vain to the detriment of the people that both the GRP and MILF ought to serve and represent,” expressed a youth participant.

The youths reiterate that the GRP and MILF should now listen to the cry of the people for peace even as it also calls on fellow peace advocates to exert more efforts in urging the government and the MILF to honor and implement the much- awaited peace agreement.

The Mindanao Alliance for Peace further calls on the government, MILF and international communities and other peace advocates to help for the immediate stop to the war in Mindanao and to resolve the problem in Mindanao in a very peaceful manner. (MCD/PIA Cotabato City)


Government troops recover hand-held radio, uniform and other items of LMG

ICC Cotabato City (27 November) - Elements of the 75th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, recovered a hand-held radio, antennae and other items belonging to LMGs under Umbra Kato of the 105th base command following an encounter with government troops on Monday, Nov. 24.

6th Infantry Division spokesperson LTC Julieto Ando positively identified said items left behind by the LMG during an encounter with the elements of the 75th IB at barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.

The MILF, Ando said, cannot deny these items belong to the LMG since these were recovered after the encounter.

Earlier, government troops have likewise recovered assorted high-power firearms, icom-base radio and other items in said area during manhunt operations against Umbra Kato.

The military believes that the series of recovery of valuable items of the LMG have negative implications to the MILF operations.

“We believe that these recovered items belong to the LMG and this has severely affected the control of the MILF leadership over their troops who have apparently splintered,” Ando said.

The pursuit operations against Kato will continue with some technical adjustments, he added. (PBC/PIA Cotabato City)


Bagsakan Center launched in Mamasapano

ICC Cotabato City (27 November) – The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF-ARMM) has conducted the training on the operations and management of Barangay Bagsakan Center in Manungkaling, Mamasapano, Maguindanao, yesterday November 27.

According to DAF-ARMM Director for Field Operations Dr. Salik Panalunsong, highlight of the activity was the turn over of post-harvest equipment for the said Bagsakan Center.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between Mamasapano Mayor Datu Akmad Ampatuan and the Golden Harvest Multi Purpose Cooperative, DAF-ARMM Regional Secretary Keise T. Usman and DA Maguindanao OIC Provincial Agricultural Officer Naison U. Baguindali, on the operation of the Bagsakan Center.

The training focused on the presentation and discussion of Management, Post-Harvest and Proper Handling and Preservation of the Barangay Bagsakan Center (BBC) through Project Development Officer Ms. Josephine Faustino, Baranagy Bagsakan Coordinator Ma. Nelia Madamba and Joseph Pangilinan of Department of Agriculture central office.

The said Center is one of the five (5) to be established in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to help local farmers and fisher folks in the region market their products. (Joven Mark T. MApait/PIA Cot City)


DAR 12 Provincial Women’s Desk Office, launched

ICC Cotabato City (27 November) – The Department of Agrarian Reform Region 12 (DAR 12), in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched its Provincial Women’s Desk Office last November 10, 2008 at the Celema’s Place, Koronadal City.

The DAR 12 women’s desk provides service to the female employees of DAR and their children who are victims of violence and crimes as provided under Republic Act 9262 otherwise known as the anti – violence against women and their children; R.A. 8353 otherwise known as the anti – rape law; R.A. 8505 otherwise known as rape victim assistance and protection; R.A. 9208 otherwise known as anti – trafficking of persons and R.A. 7877 otherwise known as anti – sexual harassment.

The women’s desk personnel will provide counseling to the victims while the DSWD will adopt the victim especially the children for counseling.

PNP’s role include the investigation of the complaint, gathering of evidences, conduct physical examination and financial assistance for the victim’s hospitalization in rape cases.

According to Mr. Angelito Cabacungan, Information Officer of DAR 12, the complainants may file cases against the perpetrators to the DAR office. (Michelle Angelique H. Barcelonia/PIA)

Two IEDs planted in Christian churches in North Cotabato

ICC General Santos City (27 November) - Renegade members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are being eyed as prime suspects in the attempted bombing of two Christian churches belonging to two religious groups in Central Mindanao.

Major Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command said the first bomb exploded 9:40 p.m. Wednesday in front of the Jehovah’s Witness church at Matalam Street in Kabacan town, North Cotabato.

At about 6:35 the next morning, the team from Military’s Explosives Ordnance Division defused another improvised bomb lodged at the gate of the Iglesia ni Cristo at Segundo village, also in Kabacan.

Cabangbang told media that EOD team rushed to the area after they were informed by residents regarding the explosive.

He added the team “recovered the IED using remote removal through hook and line.”

The explosives, according to the team were comprised of nine volts battery, an alarm clock, an 81mm round without fuse, and an improvised blasting cap.

Cabangbang also observed that the IEDs were akin to those recovered during a recent raid in a bomb-making facility of fugitive MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao.

He also opined that the incidents could be part of the diversionary tactics of the rebels saying further that this could be related since these happened in the same town.

But Cabangbang likewise lauded civilians for being alert paving the way for the second bomb to be recovered in time.

The military spokesman chided the lawless MILF groups (LMGs) stressing that they can never distract the military “if that is their purpose.” (PIA SarGen)


Undetermined number of LMG killed in Central Mindanao clash

ICC General Santos City (27 November)--- – Undetermined number of rogue members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed or wounded when it attacked a road security Wednesday in Central Mindanao.

But the military has yet to determine the number of lawless MILF Group (LMG) killed or wounded, Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a spokesman for the Army's 6th Infantry Division said.

Ando said the attack triggered a heavy exchange of gunfire that left four soldiers badly hurt.

He also lamented that one of them died before reaching the hospital.

Ando said the soldiers were securing a highway in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Shariff Kabunsuan province when they came under fire near a village called Makir.

Ando said the MILF rebels made the first attack by firing automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades prompting soldiers to retaliate.

Sporadic fighting continues in central Mindanao between government and rebel forces since August after the Supreme Court stopped the government from signing the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

The deal would have given more than four million Muslims their own separate homeland across Mindanao’s 700 villages.

In October, the High Court finally ruled that the MOA-AD was a violation of the Philippine Constitution and therefore unconstitutional.

Report from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) revealed that the atrocities in Mindanao have already displaced over half a million people.

The DSWD also said that the government had already spent almost Php70 million to address the needs of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are mostly in evacuation centers. (PIA SarGen)


Seven lawless MILF members surrender

ICC Iligan City – The government’s on-going law enforcement operations in Lanao del Norte has gained another headway with the voluntary surrender of at least seven active members of the Lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Group (LMG), recently.

Thus disclosed Lt Col Agane Adiratico, Civil Military Operations (CMO) Chief, G7, First Infantry Division (1ID), Philippine Army, during the surrender rites which took place at the 65th Infantry Battalion (65IB) main command post in Barangay Gadungan, Madalum, Lanao del Sur (LDS).

Adriatico said 65IB belongs to the 9th Infantry Division (9IB), Philippine Army that provides augmentation force to the 1ID in the province.

Meanwhile, Lt Col Motus, Battalion Commander of 65IB has identified the LMG surrenderees as follows: Ansary Diambangan, Nager Angni, Abdullah Solaiman, Mutilan Angni, Alamoden Angni, Camel Ismael and Macatoman Angni , all of the 212th Brigade, 102nd MILF Base Command in LDS.

The rebel returnees also surrendered to the military authorities their heavy firearms with the corresponding serial numbers (SN):

One (1) unit each of 5.56mm M653 (Elisco) with SN 249328, 7.62mm J1 (FAL), SN 1771, US rifle caliber .30 M1 (Garand), SN 1348039, US rifle caliber .30M1 (Garand Springfield), SN 142357, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Launcher SN 770051, Shot gun (Winchester) SN 1151974 and improvised M79 Grenade Launcher with deface SN.

The rebels decided to surrender because they had realized that doing terroristic activities is against the tenets of Islam and they are also tired of running and evading the government troops operating in the area, Adriatico said. (RTD/PIA Marawi)


Lanao Norte now generally peaceful – Col. De Leon

ICC Iligan City – It is time for us to rebuild and consolidate our efforts so that we can proceed with development and progress for the people of Lanao del Norte.

Thus declared Col. Benito de Leon, Commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (104th Bde), Philippine Army, who said that the situation in the province has now become generally peaceful.

“After three (3) months of the armed conflict, the internally displaced persons (IDP) must now have to return back to their places of origin,” he said.

He said that the province is now undergoing an early recovery program to attend to the needs of the IDP’s in areas affected by the said conflict.

This is one of the components of their rehabilitation considering the primary objective of the government to extend services that would alleviate their living conditions, De Leon said.

It can be recalled that several municipalities in the province were directly affected of the atrocities made by the lawless MILF group (LMG) led by the Terrorist Bravo last Aug. 18 resulting to almost 200 thousands of displaced civilian who sought shelter inside the evacuation centers.

As of presstime, however, only the IDP's of the town of Munai have not yet returned to their places of origin, despite the assurance of the military in the area that it is already safe for them to do so. (OSM-Radyo ng Bayan)


Iligan’s Rehab Center ground breaking ceremony set on Nov 28

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 26 -- The Iligan Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation will soon rise at the 2-hectare lot area located at Sitio Fatima, Barangay Abuno, this city.

Unveiling of the Project Profile will be executed by City Councilor Bayani C. Areola - City Council’s Committee Chairman on Drug Abuse. He will be assisted by ICADAC action officer Suzette Redondo, and all ICADAC members. The blessing of the site will be officiated by Msgr. Jemar Veracruz of the St. Michael’s Cathedral.

No less than the chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Secretary Vicente C. Sotto, lll will grace the ground breaking ceremony and the burying of the time capsule on November 28, 2008, 10:00 o’clock in the morning.

ICADAC Action Officer Suzette P. Redondo said Secretary Sotto will be received by the city’s local leaders headed by Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz- ICADAC chairman, Vice Mayor Henry C. Dy, the city councilors and officials of Barangay Abuno and the rest from the city’s 44 barangays.

Redondo said with the Php 15 million funding from the DDB, the city’s dream of putting up a rehabilitation center will be realized to cater drug dependents here in our city and the neighboring areas.

The release of funds shall be in three (3) tranches, and ICADAC received an initial amount of Php 5million in preparation for the construction of the said center.

A short program will follow at Barangay Abuno gymnasium where Sec. Sotto delivers his message and handing over of Plaque of Appreciation to be awarded to Mr. Elpedio Kwan- the lot donor.

Sec. Sotto will then meet the press for a conference in the afternoon and shall join the Torch Rally Parade which will converge at the Rizal Park, this city. The Torch Rally will highlight the culminating activity in this year’s celebration of the Dangerous Drug Prevention Month this November. (LVG/PIA Iligan)


DTI Iligan conducts twin price monitoring activities

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 26 - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Iligan City/Lanao del Norte Provincial Office, in coordination with the Local Price Coordinating Council of Iligan (LPCC) conducted a simultaneous monitoring on Price Tag compliance and the new ICC Markings for Christmas Lights.

Linda O. Boniao, Assistant Regional Director of DTI-10 said the group has inspected 408 public market stalls from the city’s two big markets.

Stores which did not comply with the Price Tag Law were issued notice of violation by the market superintendents’ office.

While there were 19 establishments inspected for compliance to the new Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) markings on Christmas lights, 12 were found to be selling uncertified and mislabeled products. These stores will be subjected to further verification as to their ICC Certificates and the possible correction of the mislabeled items, otherwise penalties will be imposed to erring establishments as mandated by law, Boniao underscored. (LVG/PIA Iligan)