TERRORIST BOMBINGS STRIKE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001441 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2019 TAGS: PARM PGOV PREL PTER RP SUBJECT: TERRORIST BOMBINGS STRIKE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Beginning Saturday, July 4, widely dispersed bombings in the southern Philippines have claimed the lives of at least 8 persons, and wounded nearly 100 more. As the investigation continues, initial analysis suggests the recent bombings in Central Mindanao and Jolo Island may be separate acts of violence carried out by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Special Operations Group (MILF-SOG) and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG),in retaliation for a series of successful recent military operations by the Philippine military against rogue MILF elements and the ASG. However, at least one bombing may have been a criminal act related to an extortion attempt. The Philippine government has been robust but measured in its response; President Arroyo convened a July 7 command conference of her cabinet ministers, including Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and senior military and police advisors, and placed Philippine security forces on full alert. The Ambassador has spoken with Malacanang Palace as well as local officials, offering condolences while urging caution. The Mission is cooperating closely with Philippine authorities on post-blast investigation, and believes that its existing strongly worded travel advisory to U.S. citizens for the southern Philippines remains appropriate in the face of recent violence. END SUMMARY. Blast in Cotabato Targets Sunday Mass -------------- ¶2. (S) The attacks began July 4, when a bomb exploded at the house of the mayor of Datu Piang city, Maguindanao Province, wounding three civilians. According to local authorities, the nighttime blast was caused by a bomb fashioned from a 60 mm mortar round attached to a battery-operated detonator. Later that evening, a second bomb was found near the mayor's home by the Philippine military and safely defused. Rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been blamed for this incident. On July 5, shortly after the end of a Sunday morning mass celebrated by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, a bomb outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Cotabato City, Maguindanao Province, detonated as parishioners departed worship, killing six and wounding at least 30 others. Philippine military and government intelligence sources posited that recent graduates from a Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)/MILF bomb class carried out this. Additional intelligence reports indicate that rogue MILF Commander Kato specially targeted non-Muslim areas for bombing attacks in Maguindanao Province in retaliation for recent successful military operations against the MILF. Attacks Continue July 7 -------------- ¶3. (C) On July 7, two more bombs exploded on the island of Jolo in what Philippine authorities characterized as a "coordinated attack." The first bombing occurred in Jolo City, killing two civilians and wounding 50 more. The bombing occurred in a crowded commercial center less than 100 yards away from the local Catholic church. Police reported receiving a bomb-threat warning of an attack on the church, and dispatched searchers; as they approached an abandoned motorcycle near a hardware store, a bomb in its saddlebag detonated. The PNP believes the call was made to draw security forces and first responders to the area, in order to maximize casualties. The PNP discovered two additional explosive devices in the same area. Most of the wounded were students on their way to class. In a separate incident in Central Mindanao, a bomb hidden beneath a vehicle outside a pawnshop exploded in Iligan City in Lanao Del Norte Province, wounding an estimated 20 people. The initial investigation indicates that an 81mm mortar round was used, and detonated by cellphone. Condolences -- And Robust Response -------------- ¶4. (C) Ambassador spoke July 8 with Malacanang Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, expressing condolences for the victims and their loved ones. Ermita thanked the Ambassador, and outlined how Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, appalled at the bombings, had immediately convened a command conference. Ermita added that it remained unclear who had carried out the bombings. The Ambassador later spoke with Cotabato Mayor Muslimin Sema, who reported that the city was still reeling from shock at the brutal attack; Sema expressed concern that the bombing might exacerbate religious tensions. He indicated that he had been in communication with MILF spokesman Eid Kabbalu, and believed the MILF might soon issue a strong condemnation of the bombings. The Ambassador underscored the importance of undertaking a MANILA 00001441 002 OF 002 careful investigation and avoiding any premature conclusions regarding those responsible. She added that any MILF condemnation would resonate well with all who seek an early return to peace negotiations, and reassured Mayor Sema that the United States remained a committed partner in the effort to achieve lasting peace. ¶5. (C) Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy on July 7 condemned the bombings in the strongest terms, while pointing to the violence as additional motivation for an early resumption of stalled peace talks between the government and Muslim insurgents. Enrile observed that, "We will not achieve economic prosperity unless we find peace in Mindanao." The National Ulama Conference of the Philippines, which represents several thousand Muslim clerics, echoed the sentiments, condemning the attack against Cotabato's cathedral. Straying from its usual avoidance of public involvement in such matters, the Ulama said, "Islam is a religion of peace and condemns unjustified use of violence even in the name of religion." The Ulama also joined the Catholic Bishops Conference in calling for restraint in the face of widespread calls for retribution. ¶6. (C) The Mission is working actively to assist Philippine authorities in investigating the bombings and identify possible suspects. U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines (JSOTF) explosive ordnance disposal teams are working with police in Jolo, and post-blast investigation efforts by Philippine authorities have been facilitated by USG-provided training. Ambassador and senior Country Team members discussed the Embassy's current security posture for both Mission members and American civilians, and believe that it remains appropriate in the face of recent violence. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Although information available so far does not indicate that the bombings on Mindanao are directly linked to those in the Sulu Archipelago, both bear disturbing new elements. The construction, location, and timing of the explosive devices appear to have been engineered to ensure maximum personnel casualties. The placement of the bombs near churches is an unusual element; although most terrorist acts in these areas have been associated with extremists among the Muslim minority, Christian churches have heretofore not been specifically targeted. Ironically, the names of those killed and wounded would appear to indicate that most victims of the bombings were Muslim. KENNEY