ARMED FORCES CHIEF DISCUSSES MINDANAO CLASHES,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001940 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2018 TAGS: MARR MAS MCAP PGOV PREL PTER RP SUBJECT: ARMED FORCES CHIEF DISCUSSES MINDANAO CLASHES, PEACE PROCESS WITH AMBASSADOR REF: A. MANILA 1929 (PHILIPPINE MILITARY IN CONTROL IN CENTRAL MINDANAO) ¶B. MANILA 1922 (PHILIPPINE FORCES SEEK TO ENFORCE RULE OF LAW) ¶C. MANILA 1875 (PHILIPPINE FORCES PREPARED BUT RESTRAINED IN FACE OF VIOLENCE) Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano told the Ambassador August 13 that Philippine military forces had largely expelled rogue Muslim insurgent units from villages they had occupied in central Mindanao, and forecast that thousands of displaced villagers would soon be returning to their homes as major military operations wound down. Yano praised the performance of Philippine military units in the fighting, and stressed that the armed forces had achieved two key goals: forcing a quick resolution to the illegal occupations, while not widening the conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Yano suggested the recent clashes might actually have aided the peace process by underscoring to Muslim leaders that they could not achieve their goals on the battlefield, thus reinforcing the importance of a negotiated settlement. He voiced appreciation for U.S. military forces keeping a low profile in central Mindanao in recent days, to avoid being drawn into the fray, and voiced confidence that he would now be able to attend annual high-level bilateral military talks next week in Hawaii. The Ambassador reiterated U.S. support for Philippine efforts to craft a durable peace agreement that could build a peaceful Mindanao that contributes to a unified and prosperous Philippines. END SUMMARY. MAJOR MILITARY OPERATIONS OVER -------------- ¶2. (C) In a private breakfast with the Ambassador August 13, General Yano stated flatly that the Philippine military had achieved rapid success in its efforts to quickly expel rogue elements of the Muslim-separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from villages they had seized in recent weeks in North Cotabato Province in Central Mindanao. Yano pronounced operations in North Cotabato essentially complete, and estimated that some 130,000 displaced residents could soon return to their villages, following the AFP's dismantling of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) left behind by retreating MILF guerrillas. ¶3. (C) Yano described the Army's initial hesitation, in view of sensitive ongoing peace negotiations, to take action against rogue elements of the MILF who had earlier seized control of a dozen predominantly-Christian villages in North Cotabato Province, in central Mindanao. However, the increasingly aggressive stance of the rebels finally forced the government to set an August 8 deadline for the MILF's withdrawal. Gen. Yano recounted how, bearing in mind the MILF's disjointed organization and communication, he had opted to extend the deadline in the field, in order to allow the insurgents every possible opportunity to withdraw without further violence. The armed forces chief outlined discussions he had held with mayors and the governor of the affected area, during which he emphasized the importance of not allowing the violence in North Cotabato to broaden into a larger conflict between Muslims and Christians. Yano also described meetings with mainstream MILF leaders, who finally had to concede that they were unable to control the renegade MILF fighters. ¶4. (C) Turning to the tactical details of the operation, Yano described how he had deployed heavy mechanized vehicles already in place in Davao in southern Mindanao, mobilized troops from both eastern and western Mindanao commands, and placed in charge his deputy, Gen. Cardozo Luna. Yano said that from the outset, the AFP's strategy had been to project overwhelming force, in order to avoid a protracted engagement that would allow the MILF to move in reinforcements, and likely entail additional casualties among both civilians and the military. Yano cited the operation's excellent logistics, noting how soldiers from Quezon and Samar provinces and the Visayas had been airlifted to the battlefield in less than a day via Air Force C-130 aircraft. Yano expressed pride in the performance of his troops, who were already well-acquainted with the battleground, and who were carefully apprised of the limited nature of the operation and instructed not to pursue MILF forces once liberation of the affected villages was complete. He underscored that the MILF rogue command, taken aback by the robust firepower the AFP brought to bear, suffered heavy casualties. MANILA 00001940 002 OF 002 MOVING FORWARD WITH PEACE PROCESS -------------- ¶5. (C) Gen. Yano expressed optimism that the peace process would move ahead despite the fighting. He opined that, rather than posing a setback, government forces' rapid victory over rogue MILF elements might actually help matters, in that it reinforced the primacy of peaceful negotiations by clearly demonstrating to the MILF that it could not achieve its aims on the battlefield. Yano noted that the AFP's rapid success in North Cotabato might even permit his participation -- if perhaps a day late -- in upcoming August 18-22 meetings of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Board - Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) in Hawaii. The Ambassador reiterated U.S. support for Philippine efforts to craft a durable peace agreement that can create a peaceful Mindanao that contributes to a unified and prosperous Philippines. KNOCKOUT BLOW FOR TERRORISTS -------------- ¶6. (C) Turning to continuing joint counterterrorism efforts, the armed forces chief expressed his view that the time was at hand to "deal a knockout blow" to al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jema'ah Islamiyah terrorists at large in remote areas of Jolo island. While acknowledging the key importance of cooperation with U.S. military advisers on the ground, he expressed confidence in his troops' ability to carry out such an operation. The Ambassador welcomed Yano's commitment to this key counterterrorism goal and lauded the ever-improving capabilities of the Philippine armed forces. Yano closed by indicating that he looked forward to participating in groundbreaking ceremonies for USG-funded improvements to the Jolo City Airport, which he opined will further enhance security in the Sulu Archipelago. KENNEY