AFP ANTI-TERRORISM OPERATIONS ADVANCE ON JOLO

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 003401 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO JOINT STAFF J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS) OSD/ISA/AP (LAWLESS/TOOLAN/BAILEY) E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016 TAGS: PTER MOPS MCAP PREL RP SUBJECT: AFP ANTI-TERRORISM OPERATIONS ADVANCE ON JOLO REF: A. MANILA 3352 ¶B. MANILA 3299 ¶C. MANILA 3218 Classified By: (U) Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Paul W. Jones for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is continuing operations against Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders on the island of Jolo. AFP units now control the high ground around Mt. Tumatangis in western Jolo and have shrunk the no-fire area under the control of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Civilian organizations traditionally affiliated with the MNLF are actively helping in the search for the terrorists. U.S. forces embedded at battalion-level headquarters are providing advice, assistance, and intelligence support to AFP maneuver elements, while U.S. and Philippine naval forces are closely integrated in a maritime cordon around the island. Several members of the ASG's Urban Terrorist Group were killed in joint AFP/Philippine National Police raids on August 12-13. Although Khadaffy Janjalani, Abu Solaiman, Umar Patek, and Dulmatin continue to elude their pursuers, the AFP appears committed to sustained operations to capture or kill them. Charge is maintaining regular, close contact with senior GRP officials as the operation proceeds. If-asked press guidance is provided in paragraph 11. END SUMMARY. CONSOLIDATING GROUND AND MAINTAINING THE PURSUIT -------------- --- ¶2. (C) AFP units continue to consolidate their ground in an ongoing operation against high-value terrorists on the island of Jolo. Since the operation began in the early hours of August 1, the AFP has kept up its pursuit of the leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG),Khadaffy Janjalani, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) operatives Dulmatin and Umar Patek, and other terrorists who had been located in western Jolo. Artillery and helicopter gunships have pounded suspected JI/ASG positions on Mt. Tumatangis, and AFP Army and Marine units now control the high ground there to prevent the terrorists from re-infiltrating. ¶3. (S) Recent intelligence reports indicate that Khadaffy Janjalani, Abu Solaiman, Umar Patek, and Dulmatin may be with ASG commander Radullan Sahiron, who allegedly is in the region of Patikul, his traditional sanctuary in central Jolo. Janjalani, Dulmatin, and Patek may attempt to flee Jolo via small boat to Tongkil, a smuggler's island between Jolo and Basilan, where two high-powered speed boats are reportedly waiting to take them to another, still undetermined, location. ¶4. (S) The AFP intends to shift the majority of its combat forces, including Task Force Marine and the US-trained and equipped 2nd and 3rd Light Reaction Companies, from western to eastern Jolo to pursue the ASG and JI leaders. The remaining AFP forces in western Jolo will hunt down any ASG fugitives still hiding in the Mt. Tumatangis area. The Light Reaction Companies are conducting night combat patrols, with an additional quick reaction force standing by in Jolo City once the location of the terrorists is specifically identified. The Philippine Navy is moving its assets from off-shore western Jolo to cover the eastern and southern areas and prevent any escape attempt in those directions, and, with U.S. support, is maintaining an active security presence and tight maritime cordon around the island. ¶5. (SBU) AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) units killed at least four Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists and wounded an undetermined number of others in a joint operation in Jolo City on the evening of August 12. The Urban Terrorist Group (UTG) leader Iting Salani, wanted for the murder of several Philippine Marines, is among the four confirmed killed in the initial assault on an ASG safe house. One police officer also died in the fighting. An estimated 11 others shot their way out and seven attempted to escape via speed boat. The craft was taken under fire by helicopter-borne Light Reaction Company snipers, who inflicted multiple casualties and forced the fleeing ASG terrorists to abandon their escape craft near the town of Parang. Three wounded ASG were seen carried from the scene with blood trails, and one body was recovered from the water on August 13; the AFP has sent units to recover the bodies and hunt down the others. MANILA 00003401 002 OF 003 ¶6. (SBU) The AFP and PNP conducted a subsequent joint raid August 13 against another ASG safehouse near Jolo City, in which ASG-UTG assassination team member Suaiban was killed, while two others escaped; these three ASG terrorists are likely among those who had escaped the August 12 raid. Suaiban was known to have participated in the torture and murder of two hostages, the bombing of a military convoy in May 2004, and the assassination of at least three AFP intelligence officers since June of this year. POSITIONED FOR EXTENDED OPERATIONS -------------- ¶7. (C) The AFP leadership appears to be positioning itself for extended operations. Forces are being regularly resupplied and rotated in the field, as are ships in the naval task force off-shore. Fleet-Officer-in-Command Admiral Mayuga has pledged that logistical support "is not an issue," and said he intends to keep his ships on station as long as necessary. The AFP Chief of Staff, General Esperon, arrived on Jolo August 14 to get a first-hand report of operations, and specifically asked to meet with JSOTF-P while he is there. CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS WITH MNLF -------------- ¶8. (C) The AFP has negotiated with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to shrink the no-fire area, north of Mt. Tumatangis, controlled by MNLF from a six to a four square kilometer box, and is continuing talks to obtain access to the area. Thus far, there have been no clashes between the MNLF and AFP. Discussions continue between BG Dolorfino, the SOUTHCOM Deputy Commander for Operations, and MNLF leaders about MNLF assistance to apprehend the JI and ASG leaders. Dolorfino appears to have succeeded in persuading civilian organizations traditionally affiliated with the MNLF to help in the search. The Mayors of Jolo and Indanan and AFP senior officers say the local populace is sympathetic to the need for pursuit operations and appreciates the AFP/PNP effort to minimize collateral damage. In contrast to similar previous AFP operations on Jolo, we have heard no complaints by the populace. U.S. FORCES CLOSELY ENGAGED IN PROVIDING SUPPORT -------------- --- ¶9. (C) U.S. forces remain closely engaged in support of the operations. The USNS Joint Venture and Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) MK-V's and Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) are fully integrated into the Philippine Navy task force, and have provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to the 87-plus maritime interdictions around the island that have taken place since August 1. JSOTF-P elements are present at the battalion headquarters of all the maneuver elements, as well as at the headquarters of the combat command for Jolo, Task Force Comet, and SOUTHCOM headquarters. ONGOING EMBASSY CONTACTS WITH SENIOR GRP OFFICIALS -------------- -------------- ¶10. (C) Charge continues to maintain regular, close contact with senior Philippine Government officials as the operation proceeds, including President Arroyo, Defense Secretary Cruz, National Security Advisor Gonzales, and Chief SIPDIS Negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Afable. Afable indicated the GRP is engaged in ongoing contacts with imprisoned MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari about MNLF cooperation to capture the JI and ASG leaders (ref A). IF-ASKED PRESS GUIDANCE -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Philippine press reporting on the offensive has been largely factual, and has highlighted that the U.S. has evacuated AFP casualties and is providing intelligence and other support. There has been no noticeable criticism of the operations or U.S. support. Should questions arise regarding the Jolo operations, we recommend using the following if-asked guidance: Q: What is your reaction to the AFP offensive against terrorists on Jolo? MANILA 00003401 003 OF 003 -- The Government of the Philippines is taking action to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries on the island of Jolo. The United States is a staunch ally of the Philippines in its fight against terrorism, and supports its objective to bring peace, stability, and development to this region. -- U.S. forces are not directly involved in this operation, but are providing support. Our forces, in a support role, advise, train, and share information with AFP forces. -- The recently signed "Kapit Bisig" framework between the U.S. and the Philippines provides a mechanism by which U.S. forces can provide this support when requested by the Philippine Government. -- We are working with the Philippine Government to bring development to the people of Jolo and to help Philippine security forces to become more effective. We look forward to continuing this assistance in partnership with the Government and people of the Philippines. -- The U.S. is a strong partner of the Philippines. We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with it in confronting terrorism and building a better future. Q: Can you comment on reports that the United States is providing intelligence support, specifically signals intelligence, to the Philippine Government? -- As I said, U.S. forces share information with AFP forces. We do not publicly discuss details of this cooperation. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm Jones