Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MANILA2889
2005-06-24 07:46:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Manila
Cable title:  

MILF COVERTLY MOVING AGAINST HIGH VALUE TERRORIST

Tags:  PTER PINS PREL MOPS ID RP 
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S E C R E T MANILA 002889 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP
NSC FOR GREEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2015
TAGS: PTER PINS PREL MOPS ID RP
SUBJECT: MILF COVERTLY MOVING AGAINST HIGH VALUE TERRORIST
TARGETS?

REF: MANILA 2785

Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T MANILA 002889

SIPDIS

NOFORN

STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP
NSC FOR GREEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2015
TAGS: PTER PINS PREL MOPS ID RP
SUBJECT: MILF COVERTLY MOVING AGAINST HIGH VALUE TERRORIST
TARGETS?

REF: MANILA 2785

Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Ad Hoc Joint Action
Group (MILF-AHJAG) official (and International Visitor
Leadership Program nominee) Mike Pasigan (strictly protect)
told poloff June 24 that the MILF is covertly mobilizing its
forces in a "non-combat" effort to locate (and hopefully
capture) suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI) key targets in MILF areas. The operation
should take place over the next week, and has a 50-percent
chance of success, according to Pasigan. Pasigan clarified
that the operation comes at the direct order of MILF Chairman
Al Haj Ebrahim Murad and that the action required the "utmost
secrecy." Even MILF Base Commanders are out of the loop, due
to Murad's concern that some continue to hide and/or protect
these elements, he claimed. Pasigan said the primary
motivation for the mission was to demonstrate the importance
the MILF placed on its stated commitment against terrorism.


2. (S/NF) Comment. MILF officials have claimed for months
that they are willing to take positive steps to move against
terrorists in their zones, while often simultaneously
claiming that there are none. Any true efforts, especially
successful, will be important in stimulating momentum in the
peace process and in isolating individual MILF commanders who
may harbor such terrorists. We have indicated repeatedly and
forcefully that the time has long come for the MILF firmly
and decisively to move against terrorism, and to make the
choice toward peace and development, with action rather than
verbiage. While little in the MILF's track record so far
justifies much optimism, the faster pace and more
collaborative tone of the two most recent GRP/MILF
"exploratory" talks may indicate the possibility of a sea
change, or at least its beginning.
BELLARD