Fierce Fighting Erupts In South RP, 4 Dead!

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 08 May) – Four Moro National Liberation Front rebels were killed in fierce battle Tuesday in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Marine Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, deputy chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said troops clashed with wanted MNLF leader Ustadz Khabir Malik. “It was Malik’s group,” he told the independent regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.

Maj. Eugene Batara, a regional army spokesman, said the fighting erupted before 6 a.m. in the village of Kambing in Kalingalan Caluang town in Jolo island after patrolling soldiers caught up with some 200 gunmen.

“The fighting is still going on. We have sent additional troops in the area. Four enemies are killed,” Batara said in a separate interview.

There were no immediate reports of military casualties, he said.

A Philippine court has ordered the arrest of Malik and ten others in connection with simultaneous attacks April 13 that killed three soldiers in the restive island, about 950 km south of Manila.

Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, Southern Philippines military commander, said the warrants include 3 counts for murder, two counts for frustrated murder and six counts for attempted murder.

Troops were battling Malik’s forces accused of attacking a marine base and the town hall of Panamao town, killing three soldiers and a civilian.

The military also accused Malik’s group of sheltering Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists on the island, about 950 km south of Manila.

“He is a fugitive man and we will help the police track down and arrest Malik and those who are involved in the attacks,” Cedo said.

Malik has denied military allegations that they were coddling terrorists.

Malik accused the military of attacking MNLF forces and killed civilians in the guise of pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya.

The military said it was targeting Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya hiding in the camp controlled by the MNLF. Last month, soldiers shelled a base of Khaid Ajibun, one of the most influential MNLF rebel leaders in Jolo island.

The MNLF, under Nur Misuari, signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996. But Misuari accused the Arroyo government of failing to honor the accord and his forces attacked a major army base in Jolo in 2000.

Misuari fled to Malaysia, but had been arrested and deported to the Philippines. He is now facing rebellion charges.

The military said it killed and wounded dozens of rebels since the fighting broke out in Jolo, a claim strongly denied by the MNLF.

Some 8,000 soldiers are involved in the operation against about a thousand MNLF rebels and Abu Sayyaf members and a dozen Jemaah Islamiya militants, including Dulmatin and Umar Patek, who were both implicated in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people. (Mindanao Examiner)

Arrest Warrant Out For MNLF Leader, 10 others

Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 05 May) – A Philippine court has ordered the arrest of a senior leader of the Moro National Liberation Front and ten others in connection with simultaneous attacks that killed three soldiers in the restive southern island of Jolo.

Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, a regional military commander, said the warrants include 3 counts for murder, two counts for frustrated murder and six counts for attempted murder.

Troops were battling Malik’s forces accused of attacking a marine base and the town hall of Panamao town on April 13, killing three soldiers and a civilian.

The military also accused Malik’s group of sheltering Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists on the island, about 950 km south of Manila.

“He is a fugitive man and we will help the police track down and arrest Malik and those who are involved in the attacks,” Cedo told the Mindanao Examiner on Saturday.

Malik has denied military allegations that they were coddling terrorists.

Malik accused the military of attacking MNLF forces and killed civilians in the guise of pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya.

The military said it was targeting Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya hiding in the camp controlled by the MNLF. Last month, soldiers shelled a base of Khaid Ajibun, one of the most influential MNLF rebel leaders in Jolo island.

The MNLF, under Nur Misuari, signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996. But Misuari accused the Arroyo government of failing to honor the accord and his forces attacked a major army base in Jolo in 2000.

Misuari fled to Malaysia, but had been arrested and deported to the Philippines. He is now facing rebellion charges.

The military said it killed and wounded dozens of rebels since the fighting broke out in Jolo, a claim strongly denied by the MNLF.

Some 8,000 soldiers are involved in the operation against about a thousand MNLF rebels and Abu Sayyaf members and a dozen Jemaah Islamiya militants, including Dulmatin and Umar Patek, who were both implicated in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people. (Mindanao Examiner)

MNLF On The War Path!

JOLO ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 28 Apr) – The Moro National Liberation Front rebels on Monday denied military allegations that it was sheltering members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and Jemaah Islamiya in the southern Filipino island of Jolo.

“We have no links whatsoever with the Jemaah Islamiya. We don’t even know who were behind this group. How can they link us with the Jemaah Islamiya or Abu Sayyaf?” said MNLF leader Ustadz Khabir Malik.

Troops were battling Malik’s forces accused of attacking a marine base and the town hall of Panamao town on April 13, killing three soldiers and a civilian, said Philippine military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon.

The military said Malik’s group is sheltering Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists on the island, about 950 km south of Manila.

“We have ordered troops to pursue the terrorists and the fugitive Malik. Our operation is now called Oplan Ultimatum 2,” Esperon said.

But Malik accused the military of attacking MNLF forces and killed civilians in the guise of pursuing the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya.

The military said it was targeting Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya hiding in the camp controlled by the MNLF. Last week, soldiers shelled a base of Khaid Ajibun, one of the most influential rebel leader allied with jailed MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari.

Misuari is facing rebellion charges after his forces attacked a major army headquarters in Jolo island in 2000. The MNLF signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996, but Misuari accused the Arroyo government of failing to honor the accord.

Malik said the military violated the peace agreement. “Since they have not respected the MNLF and the September 1996 peace agreement and with all those unprovoked attacks against us, it is now better to have no cease-fire at all.”

“Those who want to attack should attack now. They have been attacking the MNLF. So it is now up to them. We will take care of ourselves.”

Esperon said it was Malik’s group started the hostilities in Jolo.

“Malik attacked military and civilian targets without provocation. Malik attacked the marine base with mortars and also attacked the Panamao town hall, which is 31 kilometers away,” he said.

“Malik remains the subject of our hot pursuit. It is very clear that he committed homicide. We now consider him as a fugitive,” Esperon said.

Malik said: “Do not believe what the military say about the MNLF, we have not done anything wrong. It is the civilians who are suffering from these attacks of the military. There is no peace at all here. The blame should fall on the military and the Arroyo government, not us.”

The military said it killed and wounded dozens of rebels since the fighting broke out in Jolo, a claim strongly denied by the MNLF.

Some 8,000 soldiers are involved in the operation against about a thousand MNLF rebels and Abu Sayyaf members and a dozen Jemaah Islamiya militants, including Dulmatin and Umar Patek, who were both implicated in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people. (Mindanao Examiner)

Oplan Ultimatum 2, Inilunsad Sa Sulu!

Mga bala ng .50-caliber machine gun, automatic rifles, radio transceivers at satellite phone na nabawi ng mga sundalo mula sa nakubkob na kampo ng Moro National Liberation Front sa lalawigan ng Sulu. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

SULU (Mindanao Examienr / 28 Apr) – Isinailalim na sa mahigpit na siguridad ang lalawigan ng Sulu matapos na maglunsad ang militar ng panibagong opensiba upang tugisin ang Abu Sayyaf at Moro National Liberation Front rebels.

Mismong si Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon ang nag-utos na habulin si MNLF leader Ustadz Khabir Malik, na siyang nasa likod ng atake sa isang marine base at municipal hall ng Panamao nuong Abril 13.

Binansagan ni Esperon na “Oplan: Ultimatum 2” ang nasabing opensiba kontra grupo ni Malik at Abu Sayyaf sa Sulu.

“We have ordered troops to pursue the terrorists and the fugitive Malik. Our operation is now called Oplan Ultimatum 2,” ani Esperon sa pahayagang Mindanao Examiner.

Nagtungo si Esperon kamakalawa sa Sulu at nakipagpulong sa mga commanders nito at binisita at pinarangalan ang mga tropang tumutugis sa mga armado.

“Malik remains the subject of our hot pursuit. It is very clear that he committed homicide. We now consider him as a fugitive,” dagdag pa ni Esperon.

Mahigit sa 8,000 sundalo ang naka-deploy ngayon sa Sulu, ngunit walang bagong ulat na nagkaroon ng sagupaan sa pagitan ng militar at grupo ni Malik o Abu Sayyaf.

Hinihinalang nasa bundok ng Mount Tumatangis si Malik. Wala na rin umanong suporta ito mula sa ibang mga MNLF commanders dahil sa ginawang atahe na ikinamatay ng 3 sundalo at isang teenager. (Mindanao Examiner)

MALIK, SALI, SUGATAN SA ENGKUWENTRO SA SULU

MANILA - NASUGATAN sa huling pakikipagsagupa sa militar si Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) breakaway group leader Ustadz Haber Malik kung kayat pansamantalang nanahimik ngayon sa mga pagsalakay sa Mindanao.

Nabatid kay AFP National Capital Region Command Chief Major General Mohammad Dolorfino na nagtamo ng sugat sa paa si Malik, base na rin sa impormasyon sa kanya ng isa ring MNLF member.

Mahigpit na tinutugis ngayon si Malik matapos ang inilunsad na terorismo sa ilang komunidad sa Sulu.

Isa pang lider ng MNLF ang malubhang nasugatan rin sa hiwalay na engkuwentro ng militar sa Parang, Sulu na nakilalang si Tahil Sali, vice chairman for military affairs ng rebeldeng grupo.

Samantala, hinamon ni Dolorfino si Malik na mapayapang resolbahin ang anumang hinanakit nito sa gobyerno kung kayat nagsagawa ng mga pag-atake.

Hindi naman aniya kailangang daanin sa dahas ang solusyon na lalo lamang makapagpapalala ng sitwasyon. “I think kung may peaceful way, why resort to force? Kung may hinanakit man siya sa gobyerno kung ano man ang dahilan n kanyang ginagawa ngayon, the best way to resolve that is to do it peacefully," ani Dolorfino.

Inamin ni Dolorfino na sinubok nitong makausap si Malik at ang iba pang lider ng MNLF subalit nabigo siya. Ayaw naman umanong makialam ni MNLF chairman Nur Misuari sa pakikipagpagnegosasyon kay Malik upang makumbinsing sumuko dahil maaaring makaapekto ito sa kanyang kinakaharap na kaso.

Sa halip, ayon kay Dolorfino, sinabi ni Misuari na may kinakausap na itong opisyal ng gobyerno at sa Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) upang pumagitna sa usapin. (Juley Reyes)

RP Military Intensifies Hunt For Rebels In Jolo Island

Soldiers recover ATM card of rebel leader Ustadz Khabir Malik from a Moro National Liberation Front camp in Jolo island; and Southern Philippines military chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo and regional army commander Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito inspect seized MNLF weapons. Also Philippine military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon speaks to soldiers in Jolo island and visits a soldier wounded in a clash with Malik's group. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

JOLO ISLAND – The Philippine military has ordered a massive manhunt against Moro National Liberation Front rebels and Abu Sayyaf militants on the island of Jolo, as troops continue their offensive for two weeks now.

Government soldiers shelled Wednesday an MNLF mountain hideout after Abu Sayyaf militants sought refuge there.

Troops were battling the MNLF forces under Ustadz Khabir Malik also known as Habier Malik, and members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group and the Jemaah Islamiya on the island’s Indanan town, about 950 km from Manila.

“We have ordered troops to pursue the terrorists and the fugitive Malik. Our operation is now called Oplan Ultimatum 2,” said Philippine military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon.

Esperon flew to Jolo island on Thursday and met with his commanders before inspecting troops sent to pursue Malik’s group, accused of attacking a marine base in Panamao town on April 13.

“Malik remains the subject of our hot pursuit. It is very clear that he committed homicide. We now consider him as a fugitive,” he said.

Troops also seized 600 kilos of ammonium nitrate this week from a mini-bus in Panamao town near where security forces were pursuing Malik’s group.

The chemical is widely used in the manufacture of homemade explosives in the troubled southern Philippine region. The bus driver and passengers denied knowledge of the cargo and there were no arrest made.

It was the second time that troops seized such chemical. In Zamboanga City, soldiers manning a checkpoint also recovered 25 kilos of ammonium nitrate from a passenger bus during a security check.

There were no reports of frech casualties, but the military said it was targeting Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya hiding in the camp controlled by Khaid Ajibun, one of the most influential rebel leader allied with jailed MNLF chieftain Nur Misuari.

Misuari is facing rebellion charges after his forces attacked a major military base in Jolo island in 2000. The MNLF signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996, but accused the Arroyo government of failing to honor the accord.

The military said three of its soldiers were killed and dozens more injured in the clashes. It also said the dozens of rebels were killed in the fighting, but the claims had been denied by the MNLF.

Some 8,000 soldiers are involved in the operation against about a thousand rebels and Abu Sayyaf members and a dozen Jemaah Islamiya militants, including Dulmatin and Umar Patek, who were both implicated in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people. (Mindanao Examiner)