Tag: Mindanao

Philippine assault on extremists sends 24,000 fleeing

  MANILA, Philippines (AFP) – More than 24,000 people fled their homes as the Philippine military used airstrikes and artillery against Muslim extremists who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, authorities said Thursday. Almost a week of attacks on members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the strife-torn southern island of Mindanao has displaced residents of six towns, said Jofelle Delicana, spokeswoman for the civil defence office. About 24,300 villagers were forced to […]

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AFP plans all-Muslim units amid insurgency

(Agence France Presse) — The Philippine military announced plans to create all-Muslim fighting units on Saturday as it looks to bolster efforts to tackle Islamic insurgents. Five percent of all new applications will be allocated for Muslims under the new order, military spokespeson Colonel Edgard Arevalo said in a statement, adding the eventual aim was to have a dedicated brigade or division to be deployed in the country’s troubled south. The country is battling Muslim […]

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President Duterte leaves for Middle East; closer relations sought with Saudi, Bahrain and Qatar

    (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte departed on Monday, April 10, for state visits to three Middle East countries — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar — saying it was important to “reinforce” ties with the Gulf states where the largest group of Filipinos are working. In his departure speech, President Duterte said this would be first meeting with the “esteemed leaders” in the Gulf, stressing how this is important as “there is much […]

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Lider ng isang bandidong grupo arestado; 36 na matataas na kalibre ng baril narekober ng militar

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Eagle News) – Isang leader ng bandidong grupo ang naaresto sa Sulu, samantalang napatay naman ang isang tauhan nito sa pinagsamang operasyon ng Task Force Sulu noong Miyerkules, March 29 bandang 5:00 ng umaga. Ito ay pinangungunahan ni Col. Cirilito Sobejana at ng PNP. Nakumpiska at narekober ng mga operatiba ang ilang matataas na kalibre ng baril mula sa suspek. Nagkaroon ng engkwentro ang mga elemento ng Task Force Panther sa ilalim ni […]

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President Duterte asks local officials’ help to fight terrorism, drugs in Mindanao

QUEZON City, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the cooperation of local officials in Mindanao in his war against terrorism and drugs, saying he might be forced to declare martial law there if they do not help the government. “I am asking you because I don’t want the trouble in Mindanao to spin out of control because then as president, I will be forced, I will be compelled to exercise extraordinary powers,” the President said. […]

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Philippines, Germany condemn murder after confirmation of hostage beheading by Abu Sayyaf

  Manila, Philippines (AFP) — Islamic militants in the Philippines have beheaded a 70-year-old German hostage they were holding for ransom, Manila officials said Monday, as Berlin condemned the murder as “unscrupulous and inhumane.” The Abu Sayyaf group, blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippine history, had demanded that a ransom of P30 million  ($600,000) be paid by Sunday to spare Jurgen Kantner. After the expiration of the deadline, the jihadists, who were monitored […]

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President Duterte “earnestly asks” Moro rebels: Do not provide sanctuary to terrorists

  (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte “earnestly asked” members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) not to provide “sanctuary” to the ISIS-connected Maute group, and other terrorist groups. In a speech during his visit to the wounded soldiers in Camp Siongco Station Hospital in Maguindanao, the President said that he wants to pursue peace with the Moro rebels as well as with the communist insurgents, but […]

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Duterte says he is ready to leave, pushes Congress on federal gov’t shift

  (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte said that he is ready to step down in two or three years’ time if Congress would be able to lay the groundwork for a federal system of government. As a matter of fact, he said, he is even ready to leave office anytime if the people truly would not want him to continue as President. In his speech during the awarding ceremonies for the Ten Outstanding Young […]

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Duterte to Congress: Speed up efforts on federalism

(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte has asked both chambers of Congress to speed up its work regarding the government’s planned shift to federalism. The Chief Executive stressed his vow to sacrifice his current post just to give way to a federal form of government. “Ako, I am offering my term. Sabi ko nga, ma-craft lang iyan. Wala kayong problema sa akin,” Duterte said in a speech delivered at the third Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao […]

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“Let us talk,” Duterte tells Abu Sayyaf; says war devastating civilians embedded in Abu lair

  ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte raised the prospect Friday of holding peace talks with Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group which has abducted dozens of foreign sailors in recent months, offering federalism as a possible solution. In an apparent about-face, Duterte appealed to the Abu Sayyaf, who are also blamed for the country’s deadliest terror attacks, to come to the negotiating table. “We cannot be forever treating human beings here, seriously […]

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The Bangsamoro Transition Committee – Achieving peace in Mindanao

QUEZON City, Philippines (November 14) – Even before attaining the presidency, President Rodrigo Duterte already mentioned about achieving long-lasting peace in the southern Philippines as one of his priorities. Now, peace may be finally within reach as he signed an Executive Order for the establishment of a new Bangsamoro Transition Commission. The EO expanded the number of members composing the commission from 15 to 21. The aim of the expansion is to  give more representation in drafting the […]

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