Maniolas

The Philippine National Police-Special Action Force was not only after Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman when it carried out Oplan Exodus in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on Jan. 25. They were also after a third target: Malaysian bomb maker Amin Baco alias Jihad.  The third target was mentioned in the exchange of text messages between President Benigno Aquino III and resigned PNP chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima.  When Purisima told Aquino about SAF’s status in Mamasapano, the President replied, “Are they still in contact with the two other targets? If not and the opposing force has escaped, are we now back in square one?”  Oplan Exodus included a profile or a target analysis of Baco. It said that he was also an expert bomb-maker and a member of Southeast Asian militant terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah. He was wanted for kidnapping two people in Sabah, Malaysia.  Security expert Rommel Banlaoi also explained that in the organizational structure of Mindanao-based terrorist group Khilafa Islamiya, Usman is under Marwan, leading a group in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao. Meanwhile, Baco is also under Marwan, leading a group in Metro Manila.    Retaliation Former PNP intelligence officer retired Chief Supt. Rodolfo “Boogie” Mendoza also revealed that he once received reports that Baco was in Manila last year.  “Itong si Amin Baco kasi meron nga tayong na-monitor last year na nandito ‘yan. Siyempre cause for concern ‘yan kasi hindi naman natin alam kung ano ang misyon Read More …

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, officer in charge of the Philippine National Police, has submitted his affidavit on the Mamasapano clash to the PNP Board of Inquiry investigating it. According to a report on GMA’s “24-Oras” aired Saturday, Espina said his affidavit mostly contained details on how the PNP asked for support for the beleaguered Special Action Force commandos during the said incident.  The Board of Inquiry is composed of police officials and is also looking into tactical lapses that may have led to the bloody firefight.  The report added that the acting PNP chief will attend the senate hearing of the Mamasapano clash scheduled on Monday. Espina also attended the recent Philippine Military Academy homecoming celebration in Baguio City, his last time as an active official since he will be retiring next year. Espina, who replaced then suspended and now resigned PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Alan Purisima is also known for his emotional outburst during a Senate hearing of the Mamasapano clash. At that hearing, he asked the representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front why they had to kill his men even if when they were already defenseless. On Jan. 25, the government launched a massive law enforcement operation against two notorious international terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, an area considered under the control of the MILF. Some 400 elite lawmen from the PNP’s SAF branch conducted the operation but at 44 were killed and 12 were injured after a support unit was allegedly flanked by armed rebels. — Read More …

Passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law is the “rightful answer” to conflict in parts of Mindanao, Sulu Rep. Habib Tupay Loong said Saturday. Loong told GMA News Online that he believes the BBL will finally bring lasting peace to the Bangsamoro people of Mindanao. He added that the BBL will benefit everyone including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a peace agreement with the government last year. Deliberations on the BBL, which is meant to create a new political entity with greater powers but that will remain part of the Philippines, were put on hold after a bloody clash between police and Moro rebels last month. Police troopers had been on a mission to serve arrest warrants on two terrorists in the area. “Without the BBL, war will continue and the disadvantage is always on the government side since everyone — including the AFP, PNP and MILF — are all Filipinos,” he said. Loong also said he understood that work on the bill had to be suspended as a sign of respect for the families of the 44 PNP Special Action Force troopers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in the Jan. 25 firefight.  “I think the delay of the deliberation of the BBL is called for so the government can share the same condolences and the sorrow for the families of the Mamasapano clash,” he said. The Malacañang earlier said it was already resigned to the delay of the passage Read More …

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday dedicated its 24th founding anniversary ceremonies to the 44 Special Action Force commandos who were killed in the January 25 Mamasapano encounter with Moro guerillas, a TV report said. According to GMA News’ Saleema Refran, while there was a slight improvement in the police force’s morale following the incident, the overall mood during the event was somber and dignified. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas led the ceremonies held Monday morning, where he highlighted the “ultimate sacrifice” made by the PNP-SAF members. Roxas turned emotional when he asked that the Philippine National Anthem be sang for a second time as a tribute to the fallen officers, the report said. “Hindi matatawaran ang kalakihan ng kadakilaan, ang katapangan, ang sakripisyo na pinagkaloob nila sa atin, na kung saan ‘yung banta ng terorismo sa ating bansa — lalo na sa ka-Mindanao-an, ay nabawasan dahil nakuha nila ang kanilang target na si Marwan,” he said during his remarks, referring to Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, who was killed during the operation. “All of you who wear the uniform take an oath. All of you who wear a uniform every day, pagsuot niyo ng uniporme, alam ninyo na maaari kayong malagay sa peligro,” Roxas added. The PNP, through its Board of Inquiry, is already looking into the incident, which started when SAF members entered an area in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, considered as bailiwick of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The TV report said Monday’s ceremonies began at around 7:30 Read More …