Government Forces Clashed Fiercely Against Lawless Groups in Basilan

BY: LT COL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

ASG’s major stronghold falls

In compliance to the order of the Commander–in-Chief President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to rid Basilan (and Sulu) of terrorists and lawless elements, security forces of the 1^st Marine Brigade-led operations under the command of BGen Rustico Guerrero attacked known enemy lair at around 355AM 12Aug2009. The primary military objective is the terrorists’ nerve center-- training camp, and improvised explosive manufacturing base --located in Sitio Kurilem, Brgy. Silangkum,Tipo-tipo,Basilan Province. The Army’s Light Reaction Unit ferociously engaged around 50 lawless MILF groups-aided Abu Sayyaf terrorists believed to be under ASG leader Furuji Indama. Following the intense firefight that ensued, two air force UH-1H helicopters flew in around 5AM to evacuate wounded personnel. The attempt had to be aborted however when the aircrafts were met with heavy volleys of fire from the bandit groups. Air evacuation was successful conducted only at 820 AM and at 222 PM where casualties were flown to Zamboanga City.

At around 530 AM of the same day, Scout Rangers encountered more or less 150 heavily armed ASG & their cohorts at Hill 440 in the vicinity of Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-tipo. Fierce gun-battle raged between government forces & the bandit groups. Meanwhile, reinforcing Marines ferociously engaged more or less 70 combined ASGs & MILFs also in Baguindan, Tipo-tipo. The protracted firefights peaked at around 1130 in the morning and between 6 to 7 PM & subsided to sporadic engagements at around 830 in the evening. The field report reaching Headquarters Philippine Navy reveal that a total of 31 terrorists were killed in the clashes.

The lawless groups suffered heavy casualty –dead or wounded. Retrieval operations yesterday had to stop at nightfall. As of press time today 13 Aug 09, confirmed dead were ASG sub commanders Jony Poy, Abdullah Hud Limaya (son of Hud Limaya the commander of 2^nd Brigade of MILF’s 114 Base Command), and 114 MILF Base Command Commander Ashib Salim. We are validating intelligence reports received that there were other ASG commanders who died during the skirmishes namely: Nurhasan Jamiri, Abdul Hud, and Moton Indama (purported brother of ASG commander Furuji).

From the initial tally of recovered firearms yesterday, the latest figure: four light machine guns, four M-14 rifles, five M203 grenade launchers, two rocket-propelled grenades, five M-16 rifles (two of them fitted with scopes), a “Baby Armalite” with M203 grenade launcher, five Minimi Squad Automatic Weapons, four units of Cellular phones, and a sizeable number of improvised explosive devices, bomb-making equipment and components.

“In successfully seizing the terrorist’s major stronghold in Barangay Silangkum,Tipo-tipo, Basilan and thus depriving the lawless groups of a strategic advantage, government troops suffered casualty”, MGEN Ben Mohammad D Dolorfino Commanding General, Western Mindanao Command mournfully declares . Twenty Three (23) were Killed-In-Action (including 2 junior officers) while 21 were Wounded-In-Action. The operation had been surgical and deliberate employing reasonable force to minimize collateral damage to life and property of civilians residing near the ASG stronghold.

“The Philippine Navy mourns the death toll and the injuries sustained by our operating units in Basilan”, says Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy. “But more than enemy body counts and recovery of their war materiel, the soldiers’ gain in taking Sitio Kurilem, Barangay Silangkum, Tipo-tipo Basilan and depriving the bandits of its staging area of its kidnapping, bomb-production, and other nefarious activities, are both tactical and strategic victories that these fallen soldiers won with their lives and limbs.”

SECURITY FORCES ENCOUNTER WITH UNIDENTIFIED GROUP IN BASILAN; ONE DEAD

BY: LT COL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

A reported member of suspected criminal group operating in Basilan was killed during an encounter with the Marines led by 1Lt Ryan Lacuesta PN(M), and members of the PNP last Sunday night, 09 August 2009. Killed during the encounter was a certain Padjing Pasa when his group of about eight armed men engaged in a fire fight with the combined group of 29th Company of Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 9 and a platoon of PNP Special Action Force in Bohe Piyat, Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan Province.

Immediately, the 51st Company of the First Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT1) provided 81MM mortar indirect fire support. The enemy withdrew towards south direction after more or less 20 minutes exchange of fire.

After the encounter, the 51^st MC conducted clearing operations while Special Operations Platoon of 1^st Marine Battalion established blocking position together with one (1) Special Action Force Team from Pamatsaken Patrol Base.

he Marines and PNP will continue to strengthen its patrol operations to combat the proliferation of lawless elements in the South.

Marines Engage Enemy in Basilan Firefight

BY: LT COL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Marines from two companies of Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 (MBLT-7) engaged enemies in a firefight on two separate occasions in Basilan Sunday evening, 09 August 2009. No casualties were reported on either side.
The 7^th Marine Company led by Sgt Jose Montano B Gonzales were conducting patrol at Brgy Bohelebung, Tipo- Tipo, Basilan at 8PM when they sighted an undetermined number of men suspected to be members of lawless and criminal group in the area. The Marines seized the initiative and firefight ensued. Two Marine teams from nearby detachments provided fire support prompting the enemies to withdraw into different directions.
In another incident, a detachment from the 27^th Marine Company under 2Lt Jojit Ofiaza was harassed around 10PM, same day by ten followers of a kidnap for ransom group of Pula Muntong and a certain Iklam. The team of 2Lt Ofiaza was manning their detachment at Tuburan when they were attacked. The firefight lasted for 45 minutes until the enemy withdrew to Sitio Marang Marang.
All Marine units in the area have been alerted for possible simultaneous attack by the enemy. The Marines have also intensified their intelligence monitoring to prevent similar incidents.

Marines with SAF, PNP Arrests Kidnapper of Micro-Finance Worker

BY: LT COL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Combined operating troops of MBLT-1 headed by LTC FERNANDO R GOMEZ PN(M)(GSC) under the 1st Marine Brigade under the command of BGEN RUSTICO GUERRERO AFP, and SAF Battalion of the PNP under P/Supt Nestor Salcedo arrested kidnap suspect Melvin Akalon@ Otoh Akalon-- a rouge former MILF Group member-- in an early morning raid of 11 August 2009, Tuesday in Brgy Libug, Sumisip, Basilan Province.

Suspect Akalon, a former MILF member under MILF Comdr Amil Mingkong, was with the group of rouge MILF Group sub-cmdr Abygao Bayali during the captivty of micro-financing worker Lea Laping Patris in the hinterlands of Brgy Baiwas, Sumisip Municipality. Lea Patris was recovered by MBLT-1 operatives and CVOs/municipal guards in June 7.

Akalon is also one of the suspects in the ambush of PNP personnel in Brgy Libug, Sumisip, Basilan Province in June 28. He admitted to have been involved in several encounters with CAA members in Baiwas in 2004 while he was still an active member of the MILF under said Amil Mingkong and one Bugao Bayali.

These unrelenting combat operations to rid the province of Basilan of terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group, rouge MILF members, and other criminal elements will continue amidst humanitarian and development projects that the Navy is employing. The Navy leadership under VADM Ferdinand S Golez, the Flag Officer in Command and MGEN Juancho Sabban, the Marine Corps Commandant pursues a more vigorous peaceful and confidence-building initiatives on the one hand and less of combat operations on the other. The Navy adopts a paradigm shift of holistic approach as it bats for attainment of lasting peace and development in southern Philippines.

661 Alicia, Bohol Residents Avail of Free Medical- Dental Services

BY: ENS JUDYLINE B CANONEO PN
Public Affairs Officer, Naval Forces Central

The Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) in coordination with the Association of Government Information Officers Region VII (AGIO-7) conducted a joint medical-dental mission at Barangay Poblacion, Alicia, Bohol last July 24, 2009.

The activity was a combined effort of the different government agencies with participation of volunteer doctors, nurses and dentists from Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Air Force and of the 51^st and 511^th Marine Reserve Battalions of the Philippine Marines in collaboration with the local government unit of Alicia, Bohol, and the Philippine Information Agency Region VII (PIA-7) along with the Members of 802^nd Brigade of 3ID, Philippine Army which provided security during the entire activity.

About 487 patients with medical cases and 174 dental patients benefited from the activity. Services include: medical consultation, blood pressure (BP) and vital signs check-up, circumcision, dental check-up, and tooth extraction. Aside from medical and dental activities, the residents also availed of the free haircut. Beneficiaries were also given free medicines and vitamins provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The joint activity was launched not only to deliver medical services to the indigent residents of Alicia, Bohol but likewise to bring the information caravan of the AGIO-7 to the local populace of the said municipality.

Several information consultations along with other related government services were being addressed by the Public Information Officers (PIOs) of the different government agencies, namely: processing of housing loans and other services thru PAG-IBIG fund, tax processes of the BIR, SSS members benefits, services rendered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), procedures in joining the military and the proper procedures in correcting deficiencies of personal records at the Civil Registrar’s Office and at the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Goodwill visit of USS George Washington to Manila, Philippines

Monday, 10 August 2009

BY: LTCOl EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

The Philippine Navy is all set to meet with their American counterparts as USS George Washington arrives tomorrow 11 August 2009 in Manila for a 5-day goodwill visit to the Philippines. The officers and crew of the US Navy aircraft carrier headed by CAPT DAVID LAUSMAN USN will participate in community development projects, a 10-brgy outreach program, sports events, and various other humanitarian pursuits.
"We are eager to embark on the many worthwhile endeavors lined-up for this visit," says Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, the Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command. "This is one of those opportunities that your navy goes in partnership with brother navies from around the world in civic and community relations projects."
After a traditional courtesy call by the head of the entire delegation and Commander, Task Force 70--Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan USN--with Vice Admiral Golez on 11 August 2009, Tuesday, the activity kicks off with the professional exchange between the officers of the two navies. The days following shall see both navies busy with Filipino veterans and elementary school children's welfare projects, among others endeavors.
USS Washington leaves 15 August 2009, Saturday.

Photos taken from the following sites

http://www.japanfocus.org/-Ch__goku_Shinbun/2861
http://bbs.tiexue.net/post_3338361_1.html

Navy Stops Illegal Fishing, Transport of Logs at Quezon Province

BY: LT DARWIN F NIEVA PN
Director, NFSL Public Affairs Office

ON THIS PHOTO:

Approximately 600 pieces of illegally cut logs floating in the riverbanks in Infanta, Quezon are secured by a rope after the Navy successfully intercepted its transport to an unknown location. The logs were recovered after the boat towing it abandoned the logs when Navy vessel DF-321 that was conducting maritime patrol off Dinahican Pt, Infanta on 9 July 2009 chased the unidentified boat.

(CAPTIONS BY: NPAO)



LEGAZPI CITY, JULY 09, 2009 – PHILIPPINE NAVY SHIP STATIONED AT PUERTO REAL, QUEZON APPREHENDED FISHING BOAT ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL FISHING AND STOPS TRANSPORT OF LOGS BELIEVED TO BE ILLEGAL CUT DURING A SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF MARITIME PATROL OFF THE COAST OF POLILIO AND INFANTA ON JULY 09, 2009.

THE OPERATION WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM A CONCERNED CITIZEN ON JUL 09, 2009 AT 8 AM THAT TWO (2) MOTOR BANCAS TOWING VOLUMES OF ROUND LOGS WERE SIGHTED AT VIC 7 NM SE OF AGTA PT, POLILIO ISL, QUEZON AOUND 5 AM OF THE SAME DATE.

UPON NOTICE, DF321 DEPARTED REAL PIER TO VERIFY SAID REPORT. WHILE UNDERWAY ON OR ABOUT 1105AM, SAID CRAFT SPOTTED A FISHING BOAT CONDUCTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AT VIC 5 NM NE OF LITTLE ROCK, BGY PANDAN, REAL, QZN. DF321 APPROACHED AND CONDUCTED BOARD AND SEARCH OF THE SAID FISHING BOAT WHICH YIELDED FOLLOWING INFORMATION: NAME OF FISCHING BOAT - F/B GOD’S WILL, OWNED AND OPERATED BY ARMINDA RAMOS AND SKIPPERED BY ROLANDO QUINTANA BOTH RESIDENTS OF ATIMONAN, QUEZON WITH SEVENTEEN (17) CREW ON BOARD. SAID BOAT WAS LOADED WITH FOURTEEN (14) STYROFOAMB BOX OF ASSORTED FISH CAUGHT USING FINE MESH NET WHICH IS CLEAR VIOLATION OF SECTION 89 CHAPTER 6 OF RA 8550. APPREHENDED BOAT WAS ISSUED WITH INSPECTION AND APPREHENSION REPORT (IAR), BOARDING CERTIFICATE AND TURNED OVER TO IFARMC, REAL QUEZON FOR PROPER DISPOSITION

THEREAFTER, DF321 CONTINUED MARITIME OPERATION ALONG WATERS OFF POLILIO, QUEZON. ON OR ABOUT 1:30 PM OF THE SAME DAY, SAID NAVAL VESSEL SPOTTED THE TWO (2) REPORTED MOTOR BANCAS TOWING UNDET VOLUME OF ROUND LOGS AT VIC 8 NM NE OFF DINAHICAN PT, INFANTA, QZN. DF321 IMMEDIATELY MANEUVERED TO CHASE THE MOTOR BANCAS HOWEVER THE LATTER VEERED AWAY TOWARDS NORTHWEST DIRECTION AND ABANDONED THE LOGS.

DF321 RETRIEVED APPROX 600 PCS LOGS THENCE DEPARTED SAID AREA ENROUTE TO REAL PIER, QZN TO TURN OVER SAID LOGS TO CENRO REAL, QZN FOR PROPER DISPOSITION.