PNP-SAF Names of 44 Heroes mamasapano clash

 The government releases the names and faces of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force’s fallen heroes.

There are 44 honorable SAF. Comparatively to 47 Ronin which they bring the loyalty, honesty, bravery, and courage without question.

They were killed in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao last Sunday, January 25, 2015 during a clash of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), according to news report of GMA.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is issued a national televised address to the nation after the brutal killings of the members of the PNP-SAF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. However, the President also declared in January 30, 2015, as a day of national mourning, solidarity with the bereaved families of the slain members of the PNP’s elite forces.


 A Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman said at least four of its members and more than 40 cops were killed in the clash that happened near the remote town of Mamasapano before dawn.

The PNP in Mamasapano said it would still have to validate the information. But in a separate interview with the Associated Press, Mayor Tahirudin Benzar Ampatuan already confirmed that more than 30 cops were killed in the incident.

Interior and Government Secretary Mar Roxas earlier said 26 cops were killed in the incident, but later clarified that he is not certain with the numbers, as information continues to come in.

Deadly encounters

The clash in Mamasapano was only the second since two soldiers and 18 Muslim gunmen were killed in a clash in Basilan in April 2014.
Such incidents once broke out with much greater frequency prior to the signing of the treaty, during a rebellion that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

After the April fighting, the government accused the MILF of helping Islamic extremists under attack from security forces. The group acknowledged four of its members were killed.

Since the peace deal was struck, government forces have been going after the BIFF, a group of several hundred Muslim gunmen who last year pledged allegiance to Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.

The military, meanwhile, said in a statement that they have already sent members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), the Ceasefire Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) on ground to facilitate a peaceful resolution.

"The AFP helped the PNP in extricating police casualties of this morning's encounter while the PNP conducted operations against lawless elements and in carrying out a warrant of arrest.

"No military units were involved in the fighting. The IMT, AHJAG and CCCH are already in the ground to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the violent clash today. The PNP PIO will release the relevant info about the incident," the statement read.

Roxas said he hopes that peace in Mindanao will be achieved even after the incident.

"I trust that peace in Mindanao will be achieved when all sides, government and the MILF, as well as our people, will be steadfast in this resolve. Wala pong kapalit sa hustisya't kapayapaan. Hindi karahasan ang lunas," he said. —ABS-CBNnews.com with reports from Agence France-Presse and Arianne Apatan, ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao

The government releases the names and faces of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force’s fallen heroes.
There are 44 honorable SAF. Comparatively to 47 Ronin which they bring the loyalty, honesty, bravery, and courage without question.
They were killed in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao last Sunday, January 25, 2015 during a clash of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), according to news report of GMA.
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is issued a national televised address to the nation after the brutal killings of the members of the PNP-SAF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. However, the President also declared in January 30, 2015, as a day of national mourning, solidarity with the bereaved families of the slain members of the PNP’s elite forces.
- See more at: http://attracttour.com/2015/01/complete-names-faces-of-44-heroes-pnp-saf-mamasapano-clash-casualties/#sthash.obzg8VBm.dpuf

The government releases the names and faces of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force’s fallen heroes.
There are 44 honorable SAF. Comparatively to 47 Ronin which they bring the loyalty, honesty, bravery, and courage without question.
They were killed in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao last Sunday, January 25, 2015 during a clash of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), according to news report of GMA.
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is issued a national televised address to the nation after the brutal killings of the members of the PNP-SAF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. However, the President also declared in January 30, 2015, as a day of national mourning, solidarity with the bereaved families of the slain members of the PNP’s elite forces.
- See more at: http://attracttour.com/2015/01/complete-names-faces-of-44-heroes-pnp-saf-mamasapano-clash-casualties/#sthash.obzg8VBm.dpuf

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MILF names their dead in Mamasapano clash

Image : www.philstar.com

Iqbal says it was pure, simple misencounter
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal has released the names of 18 fighters killed and 14 others wounded in the January 25 "misencounter" between the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and the 105th Base Command of the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The dead MILF are:
Mahmod Saga Monib,
Salahudin Salindato,
Esmail Abid,
Abdorahim Abdila,
Daglala Kamed,
Ali Esmail,
Musib Hasim,
Omar Dagadas,
Rasul Zukarnin,
Mamarisa Omar,
Batrudin Langalen,
Gibinun Angkay,
Suweb Kemod,
Nasrudin Saptulla,
Salahudin Salindatu,
Mahmod Salah,
Kaharudin Baluno, and
Abdulrahim Abdullah.

The wounded MILF are:
Ali Surab,
Zainudin Lampak,
Salahudin Kunakon,
Zumaidi Untong,
Jomar Zailon,
Abdulgani Ramos,
Hamza Lampak,
Joel Guiman,
Abdulmaguid Pindi,
Norhak Sekak,
Saad Saya,
Ketay Muhammad,
Mustapa Pindi, and
Mahmod Lumbatan.
-
Iqbal released the names in a joint press conference of the MILF and Philippine government at the Palace of the Golden Horses in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia following the signing of the protocol for the terms of reference of the independent decommissioning body -- the rules governing the decommissioning of the MILF.
Iqbal expressed his condolences to the families of all those fallen in Mamasapano.
He also maintained their full commitment and determination to the facilitator for the successful conclusion of the peace process with the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
"Rest assured that no amount of obstacles along the way can stop us from pursuing the path of peace in Mindanao," he said.
Iqbal appealed to the media not to fan the emotions of hatred.
"Bangsamoro have also suffered a lot as a result of several massacres. The encounter in Mamasapano wasn't intended by either side -- from side of government and MILF. It was a pure and simple misencounter," he said.
He said the operation was intended for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which, he insisted, was the one coddling wanted suspected terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Basit Usman.
'UGLY TURN'
Government chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer described the January 25 incident as an ugly turn of events, grieving as well for the nameless civilians who were also killed.
Nevertheless, Ferrer urged everyone to press on with the peace process despite questions on the sincerity of both sides.
To address the issues of confidence building, she said the independent decommissioning body, coordinating committee for the cessation of hostilities, joint normalization committee, and joint peace and security teams will prepare for the turnover of the first batch of MILF weapons under Phase 1.
She reported that last January 22, MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim personally handed over the list of 75 weapons, including the make and serial number, to the IDB head ambassador Haydar Berk.
Ferrer also reported an initial batch of 145 MILF combatants will be decommissioned, the list of which will be handed to IDB this week.
In exchange, the combatants will be given a socio-economic package in March. The actual ceremony will be in March.
Aside from the first batch to be decommissioned, both panels also agreed to a joint security assessment of the situation to address criminality and terrorism in MILF areas.
Ferrer maintained there are standing protocols. They will have a joint security assessment workshop with high-ranking officials of both sides.
Ferrer also announced that investigations into the Mamasapano incident will continue, with members of the international monitoring team on a field verification mission in the areas concerned.
"We managed to come up with concrete solutions soberly. The results will not become immediately evident. We will remain under scrutiny. We will have to regain the people's trust. Let our actions then speak louder than our words in due time," she said.
Iqbal stressed that the decommissioning is a sacrifice on the part of the MILF.
Ferrer, meanwhile, maintained confidence that lawmakers who are now having second thoughts about passing the BBL will come around.
"When the emotions go down and we go back to concrete task that will provide answer to complex situation, they certainly would respond to challenge."
Iqbal is hoping the MILF will be vindicated.
IDB Chief Ambassador Haydar Berk, one of three foreigners sitting with four local experts in the IDB, appealed for more trust in the process.
"I believe the important message is to keep peace process on track. It goes on track on basis of mutual trust. It will continue on basis of trust from both sides," Berk said.

Source : http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

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Before making comments and throwing opinions about the Mamasapano please read this.

Note: Before making comments and throwing opinions about the Mamasapano ‘misencounter’ please read this.

 I used to ignore comments from raging keyboard warriors about the peace process; thinking that it won’t matter discussing with people who have so little time researching about facts but have so much time throwing opinions around. But seeing how some people I actually thought were smart and educated enough to understand the situation also fail to understand the context, then perhaps it is time to speak.

This is going to be lengthy. You are not required to read it.

WHAT HAPPENED? The PNP SAF is in pursuit of two wanted terrorists, each with million dollar bounty on their heads. Intelligence reports say that the terrorists are hiding in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. To which, the PNP sent its special action force to the area without prior coordination either with the AFP, local PNP, LGU, and MILF.

QUESTIONS: What is the context? What went wrong? Why does the PNP SAF need to coordinate with these people? Why can’t they go into the area when it is a given in our law that the PNP is the institution to go to when dealing with crimes? We are talking about criminals here, isn’t it the mandate of the PNP to go after them? What does this situation imply? Who should we blame?

As part of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF, coordination is important to prevent situations like this. SAF should have coordinated either with AFP, local PNP, LGU, and MILF so it wouldn’t have ended like this. Why do they need to coordinate? Because these are areas that are MILF-territories.

First off, be reminded that there are different armed groups in the Philippines. When you say MILF-territory, it does not mean that the MILF holds supreme control over the area. Davao Province is considered NPA-territory and ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-tawi) is MNLF-territory. Surely, you understand that this does not imply that every citizen of Davao Province is an NPA nor every person from ZamBaSulTa is an MNLF, right? When we speak of blahblah-territory, it means that the certain group which it was accredited to holds influence in that area. Hence, when you read newspaper outlets saying that terrorist A is in area B which is a C- territory, IT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN THAT C HOLDS THE SAID TERRORIST. Okay? Okay.

That being said, SO WHAT? So what if Mamasapano is MILF-territory? What does the Ceasefire Agreement has to do with this?

The ceasefire agreement was signed after the all-out war of 2001. The atrocities of said war must not have affected our very opinionated friends hence it was too easy for them to throw their opinions about the entire peace process.

So anyway, after the war, both sides came into an agreement that they have to stop fighting and cease exchange of fire. The entire agreement is more than a hundred pages but the gist of it is basically these:

1. Creation of CCCH (Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities) and AHJAG (Ad Hoc Joint Action Group). These are two committees comprised of people both from GPH and the MILF to ensure abidance on the Agreement provisions
2. No MILF or GPH combatant/s is to trespass an MILF or AFP area WITHOUT prior coordination with AHJAG or the GPH or MILF command post in the said area
3. No GPH or MILF combatant/s is to blatantly carry firearms on a GPH or MILF-determined camp/territory
4. No MILF or GPH combatant/s is to usurp, threaten, or attack any GPH or MILF base

Basically, the gist can be summed up in one word: COORDINATION. Like the peace agreement itself to which it is pegged, COORDINATION between the two parties is of utmost importance. Violation of such is a breach to the entire agreement and if the agreement is broken, well, we know what will come next. (To those who do not get it, WAR comes next.)

When we speak of coordination, it doesn’t mean you coordinate with MILF. You coordinate BOTH with the AFP and MILF through AHJAG. For YEARS, combat operations in the areas of Maguindanao and North Cotabato are done in coordination with AHJAG. Do you remember the MOA-AD war of 2008? Do you know what caused it? Breach of the ceasefire agreement. A group of MILF combatants trespassed GPH territory when they found out that the MOA-AD was rejected by the Supreme Court. This is why after 2008, both the GPH and the MILF are very careful when it comes to this matter.

It might seem like a lot of hassle to some. Because, seriously, we just need to get that criminal, why do we need to coordinate? Everyone, even NGO workers who do not even carry firearms, need to coordinate to ensure their safety when they go to these areas. You need to coordinate because if you do not, you will risk your security and you will die. These areas are technically considered conflict-zones. It does not mean that it rains bullets every day there but chances are, it will do so, at any given time if threat happens.

Be reminded that these areas are not easily accessible so you cannot reason out that you just happened to pass by that area. If you did not coordinate and you entered the area, the GPH or the MILF will automatically see you as a threat and you will die.

Imagine yourself (whether a GPH soldier or an MILF combatant, it’s up to you) sitting on your post, drinking coffee at 3am in the morning because it is your turn on guard and you have to be awake. Imagine seeing more than fifty figures from the distance, slowly treading their way to your camp. You immediately pick up your walkie-talkie (IDK what’s the military term for this) and ring up CCCH and AHJAG to ask if these guys were allowed to be at your area at this time of the night. CCCH and AHJAG answers that they do not know and that they were not informed of any operation happening around that time. As a person trained in combat, whether by a national institution like the AFP or an armed group like the MILF, what will come to your mind?

Surely these are not a bunch of prankster teenagers who thought sneaking up a military base is a good way to pass time, right? And then you also realize that in that area, there are other armed groups residing too (such as your not-so-friendly-neighborhood BIFF guys and other criminal groups).

THIS IS WHY COORDINATION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Oh, okay, Bam. So, does this mean that the PNP cannot go to an area and arrest criminals just because it is an MILF-territory? We are talking about criminals here, isn’t it the mandate of the PNP to go after them?

YES, it is the mandate of the PNP to go after them and NO, I did not say that the PNP cannot go to an area and arrest criminals. They can surely go there ANYTIME as long as they coordinate. In fact, the commander of the MILF command SAF clashed with got arrested by the CIDG themselves a few years back right at his camp. It’s because CIDG properly coordinated with everyone. What if PNP SAF did not want to risk coordinating with MILF because this is a top rank terrorist they’re after? Well, that’s okay. But why is it that even the provincial PNP in the area does not even know about the operation? They are both from the same institution, are they not?

So, what does this situation imply?

For one, it implies that there are people sabotaging the peace agreement. How curious is it that for years even before the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed, no clashes like these transpired between the GPH and MILF but it is only now that people are waiting for the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that all these violence suddenly ensue? What benefit does this incident give to the MILF when now, hearings about the BBL are postponed and people, with the help of the media, will take a hostile stand against them?

I used to be very cynical of the entire peace agreement, and to be honest, I still am. But after being able to work on the ground and understanding the layers and complexities and all that has been compromised to keep the peace, I have learned when to shut my mouth.

I am very sad and disturbed about what had happened. Personally, I believe the SAF police officers were brought there for slaughter. Whoever commanded them to go there, given the context and situation of the said area, without prior notice to the AFP and even the municipal PNP itself knows that he is risking the lives of his men. How come the intelligence report they received is so sure that the terrorist is in that area but have missed the fact that said area has two MILF-base camps? How convenient is it that most of the SAF officers were from Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga which is why they are not aware of the terrain, and thus, easily killed? Were they even aware that the risk they were facing was much heavier than that $5,000,000? Or probably some of them are aware but, of course, how can they disobey a command? What would be of their families, of the waiting wives and excited kids, when they find out that daddy will not go home anymore?

Dozens of lives are lost in just one night. For what reason?

Whoever it may be who planned all these to happen, they won. It may seem that the MILF was the victor in this battle but, in actuality, they lost. Because now, this incident has smeared that peace both the GPH and their side had been protecting.

Years of struggle and hard work of the different stakeholders (the civilians, CSOs, even the academe) to keep that peace… all lost.

And now, we wait for the media to blow things out of proportion and the raging opinionated canons to wage their online wars.












SOURCE : www.juan.com.ph

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