5 BIFF reported killed in Army bombardment

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Continuing bombardment of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters lairs in swampy areas of Maguindanao have resulted in the deaths of five militants, security forces said.

The air and artillery strikes by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division against BIFF bandits in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao began last March 09..

The operation was launched after residents reported to Army units in the province that they saw BIFF gunmen converging in the Pinditen and Inaladan areas in Shariff Saydona, located in the second district of Maguindanao.

Members of the municipal peace and order councils in Shariff Saidona Mustapha and nearby municipalities said five BIFF gunmen, Karim Binua, Munir Masdal, Ganih Lantih, Bukhari Samad and Sanday Musib, all followers of the radical BIFF leader Abu Toraife, were killed aerial sorties the past two days.

Reports reaching the 6th ID and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also indicated that a large number of BIFF bandits from the faction led by Imam Karialan fled to Pinditen and Inaladan after the military pounded their hideouts in Salibo town in Maguindanao with mortars last week.

Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana of the 6th ID told reporters Monday he has been receiving feedback from local officials that five BIFF gunmen were killed in their operations the past two days.

“But the reports being fed to us by people on the ground, among them vigilant barangay residents, indicate that there were indeed BIFF fatalities who were immediately buried by their companions,” Sobejana said.

Talk has been spreading since Sunday night that at least four followers of Abu Toraife, among them a relative named Tatak, were injured by an artillery round that landed and exploded near them.

Abu Toraife is leader of one of three factions in the BIFF, the group blamed for recent deadly bombings in central Mindanao.

The BIFF, which uses the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is a separate group from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which the government has signed a peace deal with. (CONTRIBUTOR – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

NGO, Soldiers care for less fortunate children

CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao --- A joint outreach program was initiated by 90th Infantry Battalion and  Taga Cotabato Ka Kung (TCKK), Inc. in the towns of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Talitay all of  Maguindanao last March 04, 2019.

As an active partner in human development programs, the 603rd Infantry Brigade through 90th IB under LTC Crizaldo A. Fernandez, commanding officer and TCKK President Ms. Cathleya Diocolano shared their outmost dedication to deliver basic services in the just concluded distribution of slippers and feeding program at Mompong Primary School in Brgy. Mompong, Datu Odin Sinsuat and in Brgy. Kuden, Talitay.

Moreover, a lecture on anti-violence against Women and Children, Child Protection Rights and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) was also presented to the parents and other participants.

A total of seventy five day-care and grade one pupils of the said barangays benefited the activity.

“We will continue to support community focused development programs to the less fortunate children,” said Col Wilbur C. Mamawag, 603rd Brigade Officer-In-Charge.

“Our successes made possible through a committed team of military personnel from 6ID who devoted their time, talents and resources to serve children from the most conflict affected areas,” said Ms. Diocolano.

“Our outreach program prioritized in the most vulnerable, so the people we are working with have the sensitivity to reach out in the most affective areas,” said Major General Cirilito E. Sobejana, Commander, 6th Infantry Division. (6ID – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Kidapawan City considers closure of Mount Apo

Mount Apo

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines — Mount Apo may be closed to mountaineers to prevent brush fires on the mountain's grasslands, which have not felt rain since February.

Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista said in a recent statement that members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council are evaluating potential fire hazards amid forecasts of a prolonged dry spell in Mindanao because of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

El Niño is felt in the Philippines through a delayed onset of the rainy season and weak monsoon activity, according to weather bureau Pagasa.

Thousands of mountaineers from across the country and from abroad climb Mount Apo during the dry season.

Kidapawan City is the gateway to Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak with an elevation of 2,956 meters above sea level.

Thousands of mountaineers from across the country and from abroad climb Mount Apo during the dry season.

Kidapawan City is the gateway to Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak with an elevation of 2,956 meters above sea level.

The mountain ranges surrounding Apo are forested watersheds from where spring dozens of rivers and creeks that flow downstream to Kidapawan City and neighboring towns.

Large patches of forests and grasslands around Mount Apo were ravaged by fire in 2016.

Evangelista said they are now coordinating their efforts to protect the mountain from bush fires with the Protected Areas Management Board and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In January 2018, a brushfire on Mount Pulag in Benguet damaged more than five hectares of grassland on the second-highest mountain in the Philippines. Some areas of Pulag were closed to tourists for months to allow the vegetation to grow back. (CONTRIBUTOR – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

10 NPA members surrender anew

SURRENDER --- Around 10 insurgents have decided to return to the folds of the law last March 5, 2019 in Upi, Maguindanao. (6th ID – MINDANAO EXPOSE’) 

CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao --- Exhausted in the soldiers relentless pursuit operations against the communist terrorists, at least 10 insurgents finally decided to return to the folds of the law last March 5, 2019.

The former rebels voluntarily surrendered to LTC Oliver Baylon, Commanding Officer, 1st Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 (MBLT-7) affirming the resentful system of the New People’s Army that are merely propagating lies to the Teduray community in the town of Upi province of Maguindanao.

Accordingly, with the help of barangay officials of Brgy. Rifao, 10 members of the NPA surrendered to MBLT-7 who belonged to the squad Primera led by Cesar Marcos Manguda Commander Amina/Alas of the Cherry Mobile Platoon, GF73 operating in the municipalities of Lebak and Kalamansig all of Sultan Kudarat Province.

The surrenderees were presented to Brigadier General Eugenio V. Hernandez, Commander, 1st Marine Brigade with North Upi Mayor Ramon Piang and Mayor Reynalbert Insular of South Upi held at headquarters MBLT-7 Sitio Plateau, Brgy Mirab, Upi, Maguindanao along with their high powered firearms.

Surrendered firearms were two AK47 rifles, one M16 rifle, one hand grenade and assorted ammunitions. “We are tired of hiding, experienced hunger and hardship and dissatisfied of NPA ideology,” said Jerome.

Last February 22, five former NPA rebels of Dulangan-Manobo Tribe surrendered to MBLT-2 who initially received immediate assistance under the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Former rebels are currently undergoing custodial debriefing, and if found to be eligible, they will be given assistance through the E-CLIP

The LGUs of North and South Upi provided the initial financial assistance to the surrenderees and also by including them to the municipal payroll as casual employees with a monthly compensation amounting of 5,000.00 pesos to support their families.

Joint Task Force Central Commander Major General Cirilito E. Sobejana welcomes the former rebels as they return to the fold of law. He indicated that if they are eligible, they may avail the E-CLIP of the government in order for them to start a new life and live peacefully with their families.

“Our intensified efforts through combat operations and information disseminations against terrorist group with the support of all local chief executives and other stakeholders encouraged more the rebels to surrender,” Major General Sobejana said. (6th ID – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)