Moro rebels attack marine post in Sulu, claim bombing in Cotabato

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / October 5, 2009) – Suspected Moro rebels attacked a marine post Monday in the southern Filipino province of Sulu where fighting had killed dozens of gunmen and soldiers in recent weeks.

A regional military commander, Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, said rebels fired mortar bombs into the post of the 311th Marine Company in the village of Bitan-ag in Panamao town.

“There were no casualties, but our operations are ongoing in Sulu against lawless elements,” Dolorfino said in an interview.

A rebel leader, Madarang Sali, deputy supreme commander of the shadowy group called Bangsamoro National Liberation Army, said the fighting erupted after military forces shelled the stronghold of the Moro National Liberation Front.

“The military started the offensive and fired cannons targeting MNLF forces in Sulu,” he said in a statement to the independent regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.

Sali warned of more bloodshed and renewed threats to bomb military and civilian targets in the country in retaliation to government offensive in Sulu, one of five provinces in the troubled Muslim autonomous region.

“We have special units in Mindanao and we will target you all,” he said, adding they have declared holy war against the Arroyo government and that they are fighting for the freedom of the Bangsamoro people, referring to the local Muslims.

“We need to make a sacrifice even with our own lives to regain the independence of the Bangsamoro people,” Sali said.

Fighting in Sulu the past weeks have already killed at least 34 rebels and a dozen soldiers, including two members of the US Special Forces who were helping the Philippine military in defeating terrorism.

Sali’s group had claimed responsibility for the September 29 roadside bombing that killed US soldiers Sergeant First Class Christopher D. Shaw of Markham, Illinois, 37; and Staff Sergeant Jack M. Martin III of Bethany, Oklahoma, 26, in Indanan town.

Sali said only 10 MNLF rebels were killed in the fighting in Sulu, denying military claims that 34 gunmen had died from the clashes, although security officials claimed only two bodies had been recovered by soldiers.

He also accused US forces of participating in military operations in Sulu and warned that attacks on American troops would continue.

Local authorities said they have stepped up security because of threats of attacks by rebel forces. Zamboanga City, which had been previously bombed by Abu Sayyaf militants, is currently celebrating the weeklong Hermosa Festival in honor of the Virgin Mary locally known as “Our Lady of the Pilar,” its patron saint.

A homemade bomb exploded on Monday in Cotabato City in Mindanao Island, although no casualties had been reported. Sali has claimed responsibility for the latest blast, saying, it was carried out by a special unit of the BNLA’s 1st Battalion.

Security officials said the bomb exploded at around 7.45 a.m. near downtown Cotabato.

“There were no reports of injuries or casualties and we are still investigating the motive and who was behind the bombing,” said Colonel Jonathan Ponce, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

“The bomber may have failed to sneak the improvised explosive device into downtown Cotabato because of the presence of troops guarding checkpoints around Cotabato and just left the bomb to explode at a vacant lot in the village called Rosary Heights,” Ponce said.

Ponce said the bomb was designed to kill. “The design of the IED was meant to kill,” he said, adding, soldiers have recovered nails and broken parts of a cellular phone believed used to trigger explosion from the blast site.

He said the explosive was similar to those being used by Moro rebels in previous attacks in Mindanao.

The bombing came a day after BNLA rebels warned of impending attacks in civilian targets. Sali said the bombing was only a warning of bigger attacks to come.

Sali’s claims cannot be independently confirmed.

The MNLF signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996, but many of its members were disgruntled with the accord and accused the government of failing to uplift their living standards or bring developments in Muslim areas. (With a report from Geo Solmerano)

4 killed in bombing outside Catholic church in Mindanao

Philippine National Police - Scenes of Crime Officers investigate the explosion Sunday, July 5, 2009 outside a Catholic church in Cotabato City. Four people are killed and over three dozens injured in the attack blamed by the military to Moro rebels. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano).

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 5, 2009) – At least 4 people were killed and about three dozens wounded in a bomb attack Sunday near a Catholic church in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines.

The Catholic Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation said the bomb exploded at around 8.20 a.m. near restaurants and stalls selling roasted pigs outside the church in downtown Cotabato, also home to minority Muslims.

An army vehicle passing near the church was also hit by shrapnel from the explosion largely blamed by the military to Muslim separatist rebels.

“The Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s special operations group is behind this attack and this is terrorism,” Colonel Jonathan Ponce, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Ponce said the casualties in the bombing were civilians. “The bomb was detonated just as the people are coming out of the church,” he said.

Ponce said the MILF was also behind a roadside bombing late Saturday in Maguindanao’s Datu Piang town that wounded 3 people.

The MILF has denied it was behind the latest blast and condemned the attack, saying, it was against Islamic principle.

“We condemned this attack against innocent civilians, against the Church. This is against Islamic principle and against humanity,” said Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader.

Kabalu also assailed the 6th Infantry Division for quickly linking the MILF to the attack.

“This (accusation) is clearly aimed at maligning the MILF and portraying the MILF as a terrorist organization. The army has already blamed the MILF even if the police is yet to investigate the bombing. This could also be the handiwork of the military to create fear and chaos in Mindanao,” he said in a separate interview.

The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting the past three decades for self-determination.

The blast occurred after the MILF ordered its forces to further improve combat skills as fighting continues in the troubled region.

The secluded Murad Ebrahim, chieftain of the 12,000-strong MILF rebels, gave the order during a meeting with his commanders on a mountain hideout in central Mindanao where fighting since last year had forced tens of thousands of Muslims to flee their homes.

”It is only by sincere evaluation of these encounters that the MILF would be able to improve its fighting skills and capabilities and hope to lick the enemy in the next confrontation,” Murad said.

The MILF peace talks with Manila collapsed last year after rebels accused President Gloria Arroyo of reneging on a homeland deal that would have granted territories to about four million Muslims across 700 villages in Mindanao.

Murad said he always preferred peace negotiation over war in the resolution of the conflict in Mindanao, but continued government offensive forced the rebels to defend themselves. He called on rebel commanders to be steadfast and patient in the face of the “brutalities” of the military.

Murad also accused government troops of burning some 3,000 houses owned by Muslims and indiscriminate bombing, shelling, and arrests of civilians.

He said the military also imposed a food blockade from reaching tens of thousands of hungry refugees and prevented humanitarian groups and journalists from inspecting refugee shelters in Maguindanao.

Murad assailed the military for saying that the MILF infiltrated refugee shelters and rebels were using evacuation centers as base for reserved forces.

“The prevention of media to visit the war-torn areas by the AFP contributed to their bad image and the declaration of the military that the internally-displaced persons are reserved forces of the MILF is a blunder in the war for propaganda,” Murad said.

The military claimed more than a thousand rebels were killed in the fighting since last year. But Murad denied the report and said MILF forces killed about 500 soldiers and captured their weapons, including two unmanned aerial vehicles shot down in Maguindanao.

One of them was a US military spy plane and the other was believed to be owned by the Philippine Army. US troops are deployed in Maguindanao and helping the local military fight terrorism. (With a report from Geo Solmerano)

Toys For The Big Boys: Cotabato Boys Grab Top Motor Show Award

MOTOR SHOW CHAMPIONS. Two Cotabateños grabbed the champion’s trophies in two divisions in the recently held “Furious Toys” Car and Motor Show held at the Cotabato City Mega-Square as part of the 50th Araw ng Kutabato celebaration. Mark Navales (right) bested the scooter’s category with his black Fury 125 as the “Best Modified Scooter”. Rebonito Padlan (left) bested the dirt bike division with his Super XR 250 Motard. The motor show was hosted by El Cobra Big Biker Club headed by Police Senior Superintendent Asha-Mee Maguid, Al-Hadj and the Cotabato Auto Club. Phoenix and Castrol oil are the main sponsors of the motor show. (Photo by Stephen Padlan)

Sectarian tensions simmer over a pig in Cotabato City

"In this majority-Muslim Filipino city, a fight over roast pig sheds light on bigger hurdles Christians and Muslims here navigate."

To understand the culture clash wracking the southern Philippines, consider the lechon.
That's the name for the roast pig that's a Philippines' signature dish. Sold by the kilo in public markets, it's a must-have at any Filipino celebration.

But pork is taboo for Muslims, now a majority in this city (about 60 percent, compared with 40 percent Christian), and who see this part of the southern Philippines island of Mindanao as their ancestral homeland.

Eating pork is a no-no, and even smelling or seeing it is offensive to some.
So what to do about the street lechon sellers?

In Cotabato City last year, shop-owners were ordered to cover their lechon, says Flordeliza Cavite. I found her selling her swine at a stall downtown. Vendors had to use curtains, paint over windows, or move their pork inside to avoid offending passersby and to comply with the ordinance.

This year, rules were relaxed, she said – possibly the result of a power struggle between the Muslim mayor and the city council (mostly Christians).

In a region that's seen bloody, on-and-off warfare between the Philippines military and Muslim rebels, the lechon problem may seem trivial. But it highlights the tricky compromises needed in order for Christians and Muslims to live here in peace as neighbors.

For the fundamental question now is how to expand and enhance an already-existing, nearby, Muslim autonomous region, while respecting the Christian neighbors' rights and way of life.

The stakes are higher than dead pig displays. Get the balance right, and peace could finally come to Mindanao. Get it wrong, and the insurgency that's racked the island for some 40 years will grind on.

That conflict has drained Manila's coffers, killed thousands, displaced more, and caused a refugee problem in Malaysia. It's also created a lawless haven in this area for gunrunners, arms smugglers, kidnappers, and terrorists – including some involved in the murderous Bali bombings.

In early August, the government and Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), were on the verge of signing a preliminary peace deal. If signed, Cotabato City and some nearby, Muslim-majority communities would have become part of an expanded Muslim autonomous region. And not only a bigger region, but one with greatly expanded powers – to run its own courts, and security force, and control much more of its own resources.

Only an 11th-hour Supreme Court injunction stopped the deal. That outcome sparked renewed skirmishes between the MILF and the Philippines military, stalling the peace process.

But many of the area's Christians were relieved. Ms. Cavite worries that if the city becomes part of the Muslim autonomous area, Muslim leaders will ban the public sale of lechon. Her feelings are raw. "Muslims are very bad," she says. "They will control us Christians."
Other Christian locals say they'll move if it becomes a Muslim autonomous area.

Their fears are misplaced, says MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu. "Mindanao is totally different than in other parts of the Muslim world – here we are living side by side with Christians. So we will be liberal on [these] issues," he says.

Such talk is unlikely to allay anxieties, but there's cause for optimism. Muslims and Christians have long been neighbors here, and some things unite them. Take Pac-Man – Manny Pacquiao, the boxer and local pride of Mindanao. He'll take on Oscar de la Hoya in Las Vegas Saturday, and across Mindanao, Muslim and Christians alike will be glued to their televisions, rooting for their local boy.

That means a de facto cease-fire this weekend between the Philippines military and the MILF during the fight. "If there was a Pacquiao fight every day, there could be peace in Mindanao," said Mr. Kabalu, joking.

But behind the humor, there's hope: that the commonalities of Muslims and Christians here will prevail over seemingly irreconcilable differences. (Jonathan Adams - The Christian Science Monitor)

Bombing Kills 1, Injures 7 In Southern Philippines

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 03, 2008) – A homemade bomb explosion ripped through a night club late Thursday and killed at least one person in the southern Philippines, police and military reports said.

At least seven people, mostly women, were also wounded in the 8.30 p.m. blast believed triggered by a bomb left in the bar called “Pama” in Cotabato City in Maguindanao, one of five provinces in the strife-torn Muslim autonomous region.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack, but the city, the seat of the regional government, has been previously bombed many times. “We are awaiting reports,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a regional army spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Last month, government agents arrested an Egyptian cleric, Mohammad Al-Sayed and seized from his hideout in Cotabato City assorted explosives. The foreigner was freed two days later after the Egyptian Embassy interceded for his release. (With reports from Juan Magtanggol and Mark Navales)