AFP SEPARATELY ENGAGES MILF, NPA IN WEEK OF

UNCLAS MANILA 000472 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, AND S/CT SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP FOR ALLEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PINS MOPS MARR MCAP RP SUBJECT: AFP SEPARATELY ENGAGES MILF, NPA IN WEEK OF FIGHTING ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (U) On January 29, sporadic fighting broke out between elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and local Civilian Army Geographical Armed Forces (CAFGU) in Maguindinao province, Mindanao. At least nine people were killed on both sides. The fighting was reportedly triggered by a land dispute involving a local MILF commander who led his men in the takeover of a village under the control of local CAFGU militia members. Fighting spilled over into surrounding towns, and local press is reporting that there may be some displaced persons. USAID has advised is Maguindanao-based staff to take precautions. ¶3. (SBU) The Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) immediately deployed to try to quell the fighting. MILF leaders and the GRP also reacted quickly to prevent the violence from spreading. Both sides, with an eye on peace talks scheduled to resume in Kuala Lumpur next week, have asked their forces to stand down. ¶4. (U) Separately on January 31, elements of the 71st Infantry Battalion of the AFP Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted a joint combat operation in the towns of Santa Ignacia and San Jose, Tarlac province, against a large band of New People's Army (NPA) rebels belonging to the "Kilusang Larangan Gerilya." Approximately 18 NPA rebels (possibly fewer) and one government soldier were reportedly killed and four other government troops were reportedly wounded in the clash. The military claims it recovered the bodies of 10 suspected NPA rebels at the site of the encounter. The military is still conducting clearing operations of the site to ensure the safety of the civilians. Jones