Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANILA472
2006-02-02 09:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Manila
Cable title:
AFP SEPARATELY ENGAGES MILF, NPA IN WEEK OF
how-toVZCZCXRO9756 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHML #0472 0330954 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 020954Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANILA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8977 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//OSD/ISA/AP//
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
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
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