Since this is YET ANOTHER CONTINUATION, it is still Friday, December 26th, 2008 and it is now 8:51 PM here in the Philippines.
Well...Blood and Gore it is then (even though I am probably the ONLY BLer to give a damn one way or the other about dangers on Mindanao hahaha...).
The NPA has kept its word and despite goading by the Army has not launched hide nor hair of a single operation anywhere in the country since 12/23.
The Unilateral NPA Cease Fire is only for 12/24, 12/25, and today 12/26 which is the anniversarry of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines, the political arm pf the NPA, or rather NDF which is National Democratic Front of which both the CPP and NPA are both separate arms. Got it so far?).
They will have a Unilateral Cease Fire again on 12/31 and 1/01 in honour of New Years. Perhaps that one will not see politicos and army officers in MANILA thumbing their nose at the NPA.
The Army also unilateraly declared their own Cease Fire but only for 12/24 and 12/25 and again for 1/01. Today though, and 12/31 there is none.
When asked by certain media sources about the NPA's Cease Fire certain people whom I will leave nameless so as to avoid Name Sniffers (Soft Ware that latches onto names mentioned online and then pulls the entry for scrutiny) belittled the NPA, made fun of their Cease Fire offer, called them nothing but propagandists and thugs who violate human rights, civil rights, and and a couple of other similar things. Funny though, the media did not ask about the Army's record on these things but then that is only being intelligent, right?
So, it ends in 3 hours and back to the game of Chess , Mindaowan (sic) style.
Before the Cease Fire went into effect though, on 12/23 (Tuesday), at around 9 AM in Barangay Binoongan in Arakan village in N. Cotabato Province The NPA attacked a banana plantation and kidnapped 4 workers to use as human shields and let them go after escaping the village, while simaltaenously on the predicted escape route in Barangay Mantangkil the NPA launched an ambush on the 57th Infatry who rushed to the plantation in an attempt to engage the guerillas. 1 Army officer and 1 soldier were badly wounded but no other casualties.
On the same day in Bukidnon Province the 29th infantry engaged the NPA and killed 2 guerillas in a fire fight.
Sadly, things were not quiet for the people in Muslim areas.
There was no ceasefire between the Army OR the Muslim guerilla armies and frightenly it seems as Abu Sayyaf is back with some stregnth. It seems that the organisation has factionalised and now has 4 factions, 3 of whom still hold Islamic objectives while the 4th, still expressing those ideals is all about the Peso (local currency).
In a join operation between 2 Sayyaf factions on Jolo together with JI (as in the Indonesian organisation that is active in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and also Philippines and did the Bali Bombings) blew up a govt. elementary school and then engaged the army, in Barangay Taglibi in Patikul village.
No word on casualties but these are the same 2 Sayyaf factions holding a Chinese businessman (Chinese national, not Filipino-Chinese or "Chinoy" as they are called) Xili Wu hostage. Later they engaged the Marine's 5th Brigade in a firefight in Barangay Danag in that same village.
On Basilan Island the 4th faction, the ones not really aiming for Islamic Revolution, are holding 11 people including a 9 year old local girl hostage. Sayyaf is prone to decapitate those who anger them or whose ransoms are not paid forthright.
Abu Sayyaf also took part in the daring prison breakout on Basilan at 9 AM on Tuesday (12/23) during which 2 of their guerillas and 5 others broke out of Tipo Tipo village's Provincial Prison. 4 of the men were immediately caught(although "immediate" is a relative term in the Philippines and can mean anytime that day) with the 2 Abu Sayyaf of course making their way to freedom along with one other (who must have joined AS).
The 2 AS men were part of the force that decapitated 9 Marines on Basilan in 2007. They were also of the faction that kidnapped Italian priest Father Bossi who has sincemade his way to freedom.
Also that day, again on Basilan, Jollibee (the local equivalent of McDonalds) was hosting an outdoor concert for the Xmas Season and AS detonated a bomb that badly hurt 22 although no word on deaths, in the Basilan capital of Isabela.
AS was discovered to have left an IED aboard a bus heading from Pagadian to Zamboanga on Mindanao, made from two 60 MM mortar shells left inside a canvas gym bag.
On 12/24 an 18 year old male nursing student from Zamboanga was released in Tipo Tipo village in Basilan, by AS to the Basilan Governor, after the Gov. ferried a 2 Million Pesos ransom (about 40,000 US which is 2 lifetimes literally for most Filipinos) from the boy's family to the Abu Sayyaf faction holding him. He had been kidnapped in Zamboanaga here on Mindanao this past October.
JI is becoming more of a factor clearly, with one of their main bombmakers having been caught in Cotabato last week.
Speaking of Cotabato again, at the Cotabato City bus terminal in Barangay Tamontaka, 2 men on a motorcycle threw at least 2 MK2 Frag Grenades into the station and blew up 6 buses belonging to Husky Lines. Authorities are trying to play it off as a "disgruntled security guard who was fired" which COULD be true but that is pretty laughable to most locals.
All the more so when what the govt is calling an "unrelated attack" took place at the hands of...you guessed it...2 men on a motorcycle throwing grenades at a roadside cafe in Tacurong City also in Cotabato Province, wounding 2 men. Go figure. Maybe another "SECURITY GUARD?"
Meanwhile, the MILF is very busy this holiday season with an operation on 12/23 against the Army in Salvador village, a Bisaya village in Lanao del Norte Province here. No word on the toll there.
On 12/24 11 civilians died in fierce firefights between Ilaga (Bisaya Paramilitary) and MILF in Lanao del Norte, in a different part from Salvador village. The 11 could or could not mean guerillas/paramilitary soldiers.
Also on 12/24 the MILF attacked a police station and Army positions (FOB) in 3 Provinces here: N. Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Shariff Kubunsuan.
In Pickawayan village in N. Cotabato 3 civilians have been kidnapped from a Bisaya Barangay which means although it is being blamed on MILF that the Abu Sayyaf have expanded their campaign. closer to us, since only AS and JI kidnap.
In Aleosan village AS used RPGs in N. Cotabato against Ilaga, and 1 AS guerilla was killed in the firefight.
Definitely have to track their movements north.
On Xmas, yesterday, an MILF IED was discovered and unarmed prior to detonation on a busy bridge in Dat Unsay village in Maguindano Province here.
Also on XMAS...In Quirino village, in Sultan Kudarat Province here, a Bisaya family had a festive Xmas Eve when 2 men on a motocycle fragged them with yet another two MK2 Grenades. Maybe it was..."SECURITY GUARDS?"
Also on Xmas, as all others will be until otherwise stated...Ilaga paramilitary and the 40th Infantry engaged the MILF in Barangay Dunguan in Aleosan village yet again, in N. Cotabato. they have been fighting for 4 days there, and again today so that makes 5 straight bloody days.
Also in Aleosan village, in Barangay Baliki the CAFGU paramilitary and Army engaged the MILF with 1 MILF dead and 7 soldiers. No word on CAFGU dead.
Also in N. Cotabato, in Alamada village, the 40th Infantry fought the MILF and large bore mortars and artillery were used. 6 soldiers were killed, as well as 3 civilians, no word on MILF dead.
In Barangays Lapok and Tapikan in Shariff Aguak village in Maguindanao here, the govt used 105 MM Howitzers while the MILF used mortars , large and small bore, in a prolonged engagement but no word on how many dead yet.
At Salbu Crossing in Datu Saudi village, on the border of Ampatuan village in Maguindanao the MILF employed mortars against Infantry although , while probably the 40th Brigade, I do not know for sure since there are now 4 brigades up there.
Also Xmas, in Barangay Sumbakil, Polomolok village in S. Cotabato Province, the MILF engaged a force of police (at times the police employ mobile units to battle guerillas as well). No word on casualties yet.
Also in Polomolok village but in Barangay Sangay, the MILF engaged the Army in a half hour firefight but no casulaties.
Also on Xmas, on the borders of Columbio and Datu Paglas villages on the borders of the provinces of Sultan Kudarat abd Maguindanao a heavy engagment took place late last night.
Then, in last night's last engagement before midnite, trying to get a last shot in of course, the MILF and Army duked it out in Barangay Napnapan in Pantukan village in Davao del Norte Province. 3 soldiers and 1 MILF killed. Now, the disturbing thing about that last one is that for the first time in more than a year the MILF is fighting north of Davao City which means, we have to watch them carefully now as well.
Today, in Ninoy Aquino village in Sultan Kudarat Province, the entire village was ethnically cleansed by the MILF, who also killed a newborn and 6 adults. the village is Lumad, Manobo which is a large appellation that covers related tribes (for example the tribe closest to me is the Agusan Manobo). That one bothers me most of all. What was their reason? Because the Manobo are animist? Fucking assholes.
Finally, while almost all citizens will not hear of these battles, do you know what was all over the news yesterday and today? A "carabao "(water buffalo) was born Xmas Day with only 2 legs. The farmer says that it is "lucky." What the fuck is luck about an animal being born with half its limbs?
Well...Blood and Gore it is then (even though I am probably the ONLY BLer to give a damn one way or the other about dangers on Mindanao hahaha...).
The NPA has kept its word and despite goading by the Army has not launched hide nor hair of a single operation anywhere in the country since 12/23.
The Unilateral NPA Cease Fire is only for 12/24, 12/25, and today 12/26 which is the anniversarry of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines, the political arm pf the NPA, or rather NDF which is National Democratic Front of which both the CPP and NPA are both separate arms. Got it so far?).
They will have a Unilateral Cease Fire again on 12/31 and 1/01 in honour of New Years. Perhaps that one will not see politicos and army officers in MANILA thumbing their nose at the NPA.
The Army also unilateraly declared their own Cease Fire but only for 12/24 and 12/25 and again for 1/01. Today though, and 12/31 there is none.
When asked by certain media sources about the NPA's Cease Fire certain people whom I will leave nameless so as to avoid Name Sniffers (Soft Ware that latches onto names mentioned online and then pulls the entry for scrutiny) belittled the NPA, made fun of their Cease Fire offer, called them nothing but propagandists and thugs who violate human rights, civil rights, and and a couple of other similar things. Funny though, the media did not ask about the Army's record on these things but then that is only being intelligent, right?
So, it ends in 3 hours and back to the game of Chess , Mindaowan (sic) style.
Before the Cease Fire went into effect though, on 12/23 (Tuesday), at around 9 AM in Barangay Binoongan in Arakan village in N. Cotabato Province The NPA attacked a banana plantation and kidnapped 4 workers to use as human shields and let them go after escaping the village, while simaltaenously on the predicted escape route in Barangay Mantangkil the NPA launched an ambush on the 57th Infatry who rushed to the plantation in an attempt to engage the guerillas. 1 Army officer and 1 soldier were badly wounded but no other casualties.
On the same day in Bukidnon Province the 29th infantry engaged the NPA and killed 2 guerillas in a fire fight.
Sadly, things were not quiet for the people in Muslim areas.
There was no ceasefire between the Army OR the Muslim guerilla armies and frightenly it seems as Abu Sayyaf is back with some stregnth. It seems that the organisation has factionalised and now has 4 factions, 3 of whom still hold Islamic objectives while the 4th, still expressing those ideals is all about the Peso (local currency).
In a join operation between 2 Sayyaf factions on Jolo together with JI (as in the Indonesian organisation that is active in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and also Philippines and did the Bali Bombings) blew up a govt. elementary school and then engaged the army, in Barangay Taglibi in Patikul village.
No word on casualties but these are the same 2 Sayyaf factions holding a Chinese businessman (Chinese national, not Filipino-Chinese or "Chinoy" as they are called) Xili Wu hostage. Later they engaged the Marine's 5th Brigade in a firefight in Barangay Danag in that same village.
On Basilan Island the 4th faction, the ones not really aiming for Islamic Revolution, are holding 11 people including a 9 year old local girl hostage. Sayyaf is prone to decapitate those who anger them or whose ransoms are not paid forthright.
Abu Sayyaf also took part in the daring prison breakout on Basilan at 9 AM on Tuesday (12/23) during which 2 of their guerillas and 5 others broke out of Tipo Tipo village's Provincial Prison. 4 of the men were immediately caught(although "immediate" is a relative term in the Philippines and can mean anytime that day) with the 2 Abu Sayyaf of course making their way to freedom along with one other (who must have joined AS).
The 2 AS men were part of the force that decapitated 9 Marines on Basilan in 2007. They were also of the faction that kidnapped Italian priest Father Bossi who has sincemade his way to freedom.
Also that day, again on Basilan, Jollibee (the local equivalent of McDonalds) was hosting an outdoor concert for the Xmas Season and AS detonated a bomb that badly hurt 22 although no word on deaths, in the Basilan capital of Isabela.
AS was discovered to have left an IED aboard a bus heading from Pagadian to Zamboanga on Mindanao, made from two 60 MM mortar shells left inside a canvas gym bag.
On 12/24 an 18 year old male nursing student from Zamboanga was released in Tipo Tipo village in Basilan, by AS to the Basilan Governor, after the Gov. ferried a 2 Million Pesos ransom (about 40,000 US which is 2 lifetimes literally for most Filipinos) from the boy's family to the Abu Sayyaf faction holding him. He had been kidnapped in Zamboanaga here on Mindanao this past October.
JI is becoming more of a factor clearly, with one of their main bombmakers having been caught in Cotabato last week.
Speaking of Cotabato again, at the Cotabato City bus terminal in Barangay Tamontaka, 2 men on a motorcycle threw at least 2 MK2 Frag Grenades into the station and blew up 6 buses belonging to Husky Lines. Authorities are trying to play it off as a "disgruntled security guard who was fired" which COULD be true but that is pretty laughable to most locals.
All the more so when what the govt is calling an "unrelated attack" took place at the hands of...you guessed it...2 men on a motorcycle throwing grenades at a roadside cafe in Tacurong City also in Cotabato Province, wounding 2 men. Go figure. Maybe another "SECURITY GUARD?"
Meanwhile, the MILF is very busy this holiday season with an operation on 12/23 against the Army in Salvador village, a Bisaya village in Lanao del Norte Province here. No word on the toll there.
On 12/24 11 civilians died in fierce firefights between Ilaga (Bisaya Paramilitary) and MILF in Lanao del Norte, in a different part from Salvador village. The 11 could or could not mean guerillas/paramilitary soldiers.
Also on 12/24 the MILF attacked a police station and Army positions (FOB) in 3 Provinces here: N. Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Shariff Kubunsuan.
In Pickawayan village in N. Cotabato 3 civilians have been kidnapped from a Bisaya Barangay which means although it is being blamed on MILF that the Abu Sayyaf have expanded their campaign. closer to us, since only AS and JI kidnap.
In Aleosan village AS used RPGs in N. Cotabato against Ilaga, and 1 AS guerilla was killed in the firefight.
Definitely have to track their movements north.
On Xmas, yesterday, an MILF IED was discovered and unarmed prior to detonation on a busy bridge in Dat Unsay village in Maguindano Province here.
Also on XMAS...In Quirino village, in Sultan Kudarat Province here, a Bisaya family had a festive Xmas Eve when 2 men on a motocycle fragged them with yet another two MK2 Grenades. Maybe it was..."SECURITY GUARDS?"
Also on Xmas, as all others will be until otherwise stated...Ilaga paramilitary and the 40th Infantry engaged the MILF in Barangay Dunguan in Aleosan village yet again, in N. Cotabato. they have been fighting for 4 days there, and again today so that makes 5 straight bloody days.
Also in Aleosan village, in Barangay Baliki the CAFGU paramilitary and Army engaged the MILF with 1 MILF dead and 7 soldiers. No word on CAFGU dead.
Also in N. Cotabato, in Alamada village, the 40th Infantry fought the MILF and large bore mortars and artillery were used. 6 soldiers were killed, as well as 3 civilians, no word on MILF dead.
In Barangays Lapok and Tapikan in Shariff Aguak village in Maguindanao here, the govt used 105 MM Howitzers while the MILF used mortars , large and small bore, in a prolonged engagement but no word on how many dead yet.
At Salbu Crossing in Datu Saudi village, on the border of Ampatuan village in Maguindanao the MILF employed mortars against Infantry although , while probably the 40th Brigade, I do not know for sure since there are now 4 brigades up there.
Also Xmas, in Barangay Sumbakil, Polomolok village in S. Cotabato Province, the MILF engaged a force of police (at times the police employ mobile units to battle guerillas as well). No word on casualties yet.
Also in Polomolok village but in Barangay Sangay, the MILF engaged the Army in a half hour firefight but no casulaties.
Also on Xmas, on the borders of Columbio and Datu Paglas villages on the borders of the provinces of Sultan Kudarat abd Maguindanao a heavy engagment took place late last night.
Then, in last night's last engagement before midnite, trying to get a last shot in of course, the MILF and Army duked it out in Barangay Napnapan in Pantukan village in Davao del Norte Province. 3 soldiers and 1 MILF killed. Now, the disturbing thing about that last one is that for the first time in more than a year the MILF is fighting north of Davao City which means, we have to watch them carefully now as well.
Today, in Ninoy Aquino village in Sultan Kudarat Province, the entire village was ethnically cleansed by the MILF, who also killed a newborn and 6 adults. the village is Lumad, Manobo which is a large appellation that covers related tribes (for example the tribe closest to me is the Agusan Manobo). That one bothers me most of all. What was their reason? Because the Manobo are animist? Fucking assholes.
Finally, while almost all citizens will not hear of these battles, do you know what was all over the news yesterday and today? A "carabao "(water buffalo) was born Xmas Day with only 2 legs. The farmer says that it is "lucky." What the fuck is luck about an animal being born with half its limbs?