Tag: Mindanao
PHL to add more elite troops as gov’t readies final assault in Marawi
(Eagle News) — The Philippine military is adding more elite troops for what they called the “final push” in Marawi City to rid this southern Philippine city of Islamic militants. The siege in Marawi City by Islamic State-linked Maute group has killed 819 people, mostly rebels, since the battle started on May 23. Major General Carlito Galvez Jr., the Western Mindanao Command chief, said that the government forces may take another three weeks for […]
Gov’t troops retake “critical” Banggolo bridge in Marawi; Military official says war “to take only a few weeks”
(Eagle News) — Government forces retook on Thursday a strategic bridge in Marawi, prompting them to announce that the war in the city was expected to draw to a close in a few weeks. But Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez, commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said that the recovery of Banggolo Bridge — two of three “critical bridges” in the city—did not come without a price, as three soldiers were killed and 52 […]
Ten pro-IS militants slain sneaking into Marawi warzone
MARAWI, Philippines (AFP) — Ten suspected militants were killed in the Philippines on Monday as they attempted to infiltrate a southern city partly occupied by gunmen loyal to the Islamic State group, officials said. Government forces have been besieging the militants in the city of Marawi for almost 100 days. But the gunmen, flying the IS black flag, have defied military assaults including airstrikes and artillery barrages. Before dawn Monday 10 militants aboard two […]
Gov’t forces recover Marawi’s Grand Mosque from Maute terrorists
(Eagle News) –Government forces have retaken Marawi City’s Islamic Center mosque or Grand Mosque which had been used by Islamist extremists, particularly the Maute Group, to position their snipers and to hide their hostages. The mosque was retaken before the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Marawi for the third time on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 24) For the soldiers and the policemen fighting the Islamist extremists, this is a big win as they predict […]
Siargao, nasa ika-limang puwesto bilang “best surfing spots in the world”
SIARGAO, Surigao del Norte (Eagle News) – Nasa ika-limang puwesto ang Siargao Island sa listahan ng “Best surfing spots in the world” ng Conde Nast Traveler. Ayon sa nasabing international travel magazine, ito ay dahil sa makakapal na alon na nakaka-akit sa surfers mula pa noong 1980’s. Nasa unang pwesto naman ng listahan ang Mavericks Beach sa California, Estados Unidos. Tiniyak naman ng mga opisyal sa Surigao del Norte na ligtas puntahan ang Siargao sa kabila ng […]
President Duterte reiterates need to change unitary type of gov’t; bats for con-com, con-ass for Charter change
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday reiterated what he said was the need to change the unitary type of government, saying there would be “no peace” in Mindanao if this was not done. In his speech before the Philippine Development Forum: Sulong Pilipinas 2017 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, Duterte, however, thumbed down a constitutional convention (con-con) to make the needed amendments in the 1987 Constitution, or Charter Change (Cha-Cha), for […]
Pentagon may boost support to PHL counterterrorism ops: official
The United States is weighing additional support to the Philippine military as it fights an Islamist insurgency in the south, a US defense official said Tuesday. Discussions are “pretty advanced” and would see the US provide increased surveillance drone capabilities and training for local forces, the official told AFP on condition on anonymity. “Those (drones) are there for ISR and support,” the official said, using an abbreviation for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Philippine President Rodrigo […]
President Duterte reveals to senators terrorists’ plan to attack three provinces in Mindanao
QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte revealed alleged plans of terrorists to attack three provinces of Mindanao in a meeting with senators on Tuesday, August 1. This was bared by Senator Vicente”Tito” Sotto on Wednesday, August 2, a day after the meeting in Malacanang with the President. He said the President informed the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, including the opposition of the situation in Mindanao. “Meron discovered […]
Bodies of seven loggers abducted, beheaded by Abu Sayyaf recovered in Basilan
The bodies of seven loggers who were beheaded by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group have been found in Basilan. Local police chief John Cundo told AFP Nestor Divinagracia, 50; his son Ily, 25; Berto Lacastesantos, 48; Hernando Sally, 53; Renato Casiple Jr., 36; Rene Sanson, 28; and Mamerto Falcasantos, 55; who were abducted last July 20 at Lower Mahayahay, Maluso town, were found over the weekend in a mountainous village, in Barangay Switch Yakal, Lantawan. […]
Pacquiao visits troops in Marawi
Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao lifted the spirits of troops in a visit on Saturday Marawi, where soldiers have been battling pro-Islamic State militants for over two months. The boxer-turned-senator, dressed in a military camouflage uniform, joked that he would join the fight in the city of Marawi where militants have been on a rampage, holding hostages and burning buildings while flying the black IS flag. “You are the real heroes, not Manny Pacquiao. I am […]
Indonesia, Australia host counter-terrorism meeting; PHL delegates among attendees
MANADO, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia and Australia on Saturday co-hosted a counter-terrorism meeting to address the rising threat of foreign fighters, as the Philippines battles pro-Islamic State militants. The one-day gathering in North Sulawesi brings together six countries including Malaysia, Philippines and New Zealand. Ministers are due to discuss the challenges posed by growing terrorism in Southeast Asia as well as concerns that IS is trying establish a regional caliphate in the Philippines, where government forces are pitted against Islamist […]
