Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MANILA572
2009-03-16 08:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Manila
Cable title:
MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST SUSPECTED ICRC HOSTAGE
how-toVZCZCXRO0277 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHML #0572 0750854 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 160854Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY MANILA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3516 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 000572
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2019
TAGS: MARR MCAP PREL PTER RP MASS
SUBJECT: MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST SUSPECTED ICRC HOSTAGE
TAKERS
REF: MANILA 247-KIDNAPPED RED CROSS WORKERS BEGIN
FOURTH WEEK WITH TERRORIST GROUP
Classified By: Political Counselor Thomas B. Gibons, reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 000572
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2019
TAGS: MARR MCAP PREL PTER RP MASS
SUBJECT: MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST SUSPECTED ICRC HOSTAGE
TAKERS
REF: MANILA 247-KIDNAPPED RED CROSS WORKERS BEGIN
FOURTH WEEK WITH TERRORIST GROUP
Classified By: Political Counselor Thomas B. Gibons, reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
1. (C) On March 16, Philippine forces launched a combined
operation on Jolo island in the southern Philippines against
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists suspected of kidnapping
three members of the International Committee for the Red
Cross (ICRC) on January 15 . The Swiss, Italian, and
Filipino nationals were kidnapped after an ICRC prison visit
in Jolo City and taken into the nearby jungle (reftel). The
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been attempting to
locate the position of Albader Parad, a top ASG leader
thought to have masterminded the kidnappings, for the last
two months. U.S. and Philippine reports suggest that the
hostages may have been separated into two groups, with Parad
maintaining control over the Swiss and Italian nationals, but
the Philippine media reported that all three hostages were in
the vicinity of the Parad camp when the operation started.
2. (C) Elements of the Philippine Army's U.S.-trained Light
Reaction Company (LRC) conducted surveillance on the camp of
Albader Parad, a top ASG leader, for several hours on March
15 and 16 and determined the hostages were located in the
camp. Combined units of the Philippine Armed Forces
initiated a raid against the compound in the late morning,
led by infantry and supported by artillery. Preliminary
reports are that an LRC sniper team may have wounded or
killed Parad prior to the start of the rescue operation, and
AFP units are attempting to confirm Parad's status. Post
will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and report
appropriately.
Visit EMBASSY Manila's Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm
You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/
KENNEY
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2019
TAGS: MARR MCAP PREL PTER RP MASS
SUBJECT: MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST SUSPECTED ICRC HOSTAGE
TAKERS
REF: MANILA 247-KIDNAPPED RED CROSS WORKERS BEGIN
FOURTH WEEK WITH TERRORIST GROUP
Classified By: Political Counselor Thomas B. Gibons, reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
1. (C) On March 16, Philippine forces launched a combined
operation on Jolo island in the southern Philippines against
Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists suspected of kidnapping
three members of the International Committee for the Red
Cross (ICRC) on January 15 . The Swiss, Italian, and
Filipino nationals were kidnapped after an ICRC prison visit
in Jolo City and taken into the nearby jungle (reftel). The
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been attempting to
locate the position of Albader Parad, a top ASG leader
thought to have masterminded the kidnappings, for the last
two months. U.S. and Philippine reports suggest that the
hostages may have been separated into two groups, with Parad
maintaining control over the Swiss and Italian nationals, but
the Philippine media reported that all three hostages were in
the vicinity of the Parad camp when the operation started.
2. (C) Elements of the Philippine Army's U.S.-trained Light
Reaction Company (LRC) conducted surveillance on the camp of
Albader Parad, a top ASG leader, for several hours on March
15 and 16 and determined the hostages were located in the
camp. Combined units of the Philippine Armed Forces
initiated a raid against the compound in the late morning,
led by infantry and supported by artillery. Preliminary
reports are that an LRC sniper team may have wounded or
killed Parad prior to the start of the rescue operation, and
AFP units are attempting to confirm Parad's status. Post
will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and report
appropriately.
Visit EMBASSY Manila's Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm
You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/
KENNEY