Five months battle with IS in Philippines City ends

  

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CLARK, Philippines - A five-month battle against Islamic State supporters in the southern Philippines that claimed more than 1,100 lives has ended following a final battle inside a mosque, defence chiefs said on Monday.

The conclusion of the conflict ended immediate fears that IS would establish a Southeast Asian base in the southern city of Marawi. But concerns remained about its longer-term intentions and capabilities for the region.

"We now announce the termination of all combat operations in Marawi," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on the sidelines of a regional security meeting in Clark, a northern Philippine city . "There are no more militants inside Marawi city ."

Hundreds of local and foreign gunmen who had pledged allegiance to IS rampaged through Marawi, the principal Islamic city in the mainly Catholic Philippines, on May 23. They then took over parts of the cityusing civilians as human shields.

An ensuing US-backed military campaign claimed the lives of at least 920 militants, 165 soldiers and 47 civilians, according to the military.

More than 400,000 residents were displaced as near-daily air strikes and intense ground combat left large parts of the city in ruins.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte travelled to Marawi on Tuesday last week and declared the city had been "liberated", a day after the Southeast Asian leader for IS, a Filipino militant named Isnilon Hapilon, was shot dead there.

However the continued fighting in subsequent days raised questions over whether the city was indeed free of militants.

"The presence of the Maute-ISIS was confined to two buildings: one of them a mosque," armed forces chief General Eduardo Ano told reporters on Monday as he explained the situation in Marawi following Duterte's liberation proclamation.

"That is where the last fighting occurred and that is the place where we rescued (an) additional 20 hostages. "In that fighting, we gave the chance for these militants and terrorists to surrender. But they fought to the last breath so we had no choice."

The bodies of 42 militants were recovered after the final battle , including two women and five foreigners, according to Ano, who spoke at the same briefing as Lorenzana in Clark.

Hapilon, who was on the US government's list of most wanted terrorists, was killed along with one of group's other leaders, Omarkhayam Maute, according to the military.

The militants had been able to defy the relentless bombing raids that destroyed entire neighbourhoods by sheltering in basements and travelling through tunnels, according to the military.

The military had also said its opponents hid inside mosques, and that soldiers had been ordered not to bomb or fire artillery at such buildings.

The Philippines' Muslim minority regards the southern Philippines as its ancestral homeland.

Muslim rebels have been battling in the south since the 1970s for independence or autonomy, with that conflict claiming at least 120,000 lives.

The nation's biggest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is in talks with the government to end the rebellion, and its leaders regularly denounce IS.

But there are more extreme groups with no interest in peace, some of which were originally part of the MILF. Hapilon and Maute led small armed groups that declared their allegiance to IS in recent years, and they formed an alliance aimed at taking over Marawi and establishing a regional caliphate for the Middle East-based jihadists.

Duterte imposed martial law across the southern third of the Philippines immediately after the Marawi fighting erupted, saying it was needed to contain IS's influence spreading throughout the region.

When asked on Monday whether marital law would be lifted, Lorenzana said a decision had not yet been made.

US Defence Secretary James Mattis on Monday praised the Philippines for its success.

"One of the first things I'm going to do when I get there is commend the Philippine military for liberating Marawi from the terrorists," Mattis told reporters on board a flight to the Philippines to attend the security meeting in Clark.

Mattis praises Philippines for IS battle

US Defence Secretary James Mattis on Monday praised the Philippines for its successes in battling Islamic State supporters, as he began an Asian trip aimed at reaffirming American support for regional allies.

Mattis echoed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's statement last week that Filipino forces had "liberated" the southern city of Marawi, after five months of bitter urban fighting that had claimed more than 1,000 lives, even though battles have continued.

"One of the first things I'm going to do when I get there is commend the Philippine military for liberating Marawi from the terrorists," Mattis told reporters on the flight to the Philippines, according to an official transcript.

"It was a very tough fight as you know in southern Mindanao (the local region). And I think the Philippine military sends a very strong message to the terrorists."

Gunmen who had pledged allegiance to IS occupied parts of Marawi, the Islamic capital of the mainly Catholic Philippines, on May 23 in what Duterte said was a bid to establish a Southeast Asian caliphate there.

Hundreds of insurgents withstood a US-backed military campaign, including near daily air strikes and artillery fire, that displaced more than 400,000 people and left large parts of Marawi in ruins.

Duterte last week travelled to Marawi to declare it had been "liberated", a day after the Southeast Asian leader for IS, Isnilon Hapilon, was shot dead there.

However deadly fighting has continued, with the military reporting dozens of militants are still resisting in a small pocket of the city .

Mattis flew to the Philippines to attend a meeting hosted by Southeast Asian defence ministers at the former American military base of Clark, two hours' drive north of Manila.

The Philippines is a former American colony and the two nations are bound by a mutual defence treaty.

But relations have soured under Duterte as he has sought to build closer ties with China and Russia.

Defence ministers from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Russia are also scheduled to attend the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) event.

Mattis' Asia trip, which will also take him to Thailand and South Korea, comes ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Asia next month.

Some American allies in the region have become wary of Trump's interest in Asia.

Mattis sought to reassure allies. "The US remains unambiguously committed to supporting ASEAN," Mattis said.

Comval remains peaceful and normal

PNP, PA: Comval remains "peaceful, normal"

By Fe F Maestre

 Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province--- Comval Provincial Police Office (CVPPO) headed by P/SSupt Marvin Manuel Pepino bared Compostela Valley "remains relatively peaceful and normal despite the proclamation of Martial Law in Mindanao with crime situation in the area of responsibility manageable."   

The updates, along with the reports from other law enforcement agencies,  were given during the quarterly meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) chaired by Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy on October 24, 2017 at the provincial capitol.

Between July-September 2017, PSupt Jay Dema-ala reported a 44.25% crime solution efficiency (CSE) which is the percentage of solved cases out of the total number of crime incidents handled by the law enforcement agencies.  The same record shows that there is a significant decrease in the crime volume of 226 compared to the 334 crimes committed on the same period last year.

The crime statistics further showed a decline in the average monthly crime rate (AMCR) of covering the same period which now stood at 9.89% from 14.47% in 2016.

Further, the CVPPO also bared efforts on its illegal drugs operations. Covering the period of January-October 23, 2017, the CVPPO conducted a total of 154 operations with 170 individuals arrested. Of these operations, a total of 28.63 grams of Shabu and 188.3 grams of Marijuana were confiscated. 

Demaala, however added that the next updates will be reported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). This follows after a memorandum was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on October 10, 2017 tasking the PDEA “as sole agency” to lead the war on drugs, specifically on the conduct of anti-illegal drugs campaign and operations.

“Of course, this will not cover those ‘in flagrante delicto’ or those caught in the very act of committing a misdeed,” he added.

Meanwhile, Col. Erwin Bernard Neri, the  new Commander of the 1001st Brigade based in Maco, Compostela Valley, assured the council of their continued peace-keeping efforts as he also expressed his gratitude for the support of everyone.

"I would like to  assure the members of this council  that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Philippine Army, is doing its best to maintain peace and security...there are still some challenges...The security condition at this point of time is very manageable but again we still need your cooperation, your involvement, the cooperation of all other agencies just to secure the province against all forms of threat particularly the armed groups of CPP-NPA and the local terrorist groups," Neri said.

Gov. Uy, who recently delivered his 1st State of the Province Address last October 18, acknowledged the concept of peace as "elusive but possible through our collective efforts."

Stating the province's accomplishments in terms of peacekeeping efforts, he also recognized the importance of strong collaboration among different agencies and sectors.

"The multisectoral coordination among our people is the first step that has opened doors for sincere dialogues, strong collaboration, understanding and more progressive ways to involve the public in the deliberative efforts of the government especially in Peace and Order Programs," the governor said. (Fe F Maestre/ Info Division, Comval)

Photo captions:

1. (sopa)

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy together with the heads of the national agencies, Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police during the "1st State of the Province Address (SOPA)" on October 18, 2017 at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol.(Photo by m. lasaca/PS Comval)

2. (PPOC)

The conduct of quarterly meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) chaired by Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy on October 24, 2017 at the social hall, provincial capitol, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Comval. (Photo by m. lasaca/PS Comval)

3. (PMCC) 

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy attended the Program Monitoring Coordination Center (PMCC) meeting held on October 23, 2017 at DENR Office-XI, Davao City.(Photo by G. Getubig, Info-Division Comval)

Lessons from history: Towards Democracy

German Embassy Manila shared UP Deutscher Verein's album.

Yesterday at 9:00am · 

Last October 12, Mr. Thorsten Gottfried, First Secretary for Culture of the German Embassy Manila, presented at the Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) event organized by the UP Deutscher Verein. Mr. Gottfried talked about the eventful "Fall of the Berlin Wall" which ultimately changed the fate of the German nation towards a country of where values of democracy, freedom and human rights are strongly held.

Presenting on the Philippine experience of the 1986 EDSA Revolution was Prof. Josephine Dionisio of the UP Department of Sociology. Both events marked historical turning points in Germany and the Philippines respectively.

UP Deutscher Verein added 26 new photos to the album: ACLE 2017: Fall der Diktatur — at University of the Philippines.

October 14 at 7:35pm · 

Am 12. Oktober 2017 haben wir einen ACLE über den Fall der Berliner Mauer und die 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution veranstaltet. Herr Thorsten Gottfried (First Secretary for Cultural Affairs) der deutschen Botschaft und Frau Prof. Josephine Dionisio von dem UPD Sociology Department halten ihre Vorträge über die zwei unvergesslichen historischen Ereignisse. Mit der Hilfe von Herrn Prof.Danilo Manarpaac als Moderator hatten die TeilnehmerInnen und unsere Gäste eine erhellende und eingehende Diskussion über die Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede der zwei Geschehen.

Wir möchten noch mal alle TeilnehmerInnen und Gäste für einen erfolgreichen ACLE herzlich bedanken.

Bis nächstes Mal!

—

Last Thursday, 12 October, UPDV held an ACLE about the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. Herr Thorsten Gottfried, First Secretary for Cultural Affairs of the German Embassy, and Prof. Josephine Dionisio of the UP Department of Sociology talked about the two unforgettable historical events. With the help of our moderator, Herr Danilo Manarpaac, the attendees and the guests had an enlightening and interesting discussion about the similarities and differences of the two events.

Once again, we would like to thank all the participants and guests for making our ACLE a massive success.

'Til next time!

Germany Legacy in Davao City (IV)

Saint Arnold Jannsen, founder of the religious SVD congregation

By: Antonio V. Figueroa

In recent times, German legacy has extended to Education with the opening of an institute offering German language (among others) at a local state-funded industry.

In trade, Germany was one of the export markets of Davao logs during the logging boom in the 1950's. These raw materials were returned to the country s finished products.

In recent years, abaca, then one of the region's global products, has found its niche in some of German-made automobiles and upholsteries.

Born on September 20, 1891, in Hessen, Germany, Captain Henry (Heinrich) Gilsheuser (spelled popularly, though erroneously, as Gilhouser in books and newspaper accounts) was educated in the public schools of Germany and New York City. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1898 and served in the Spanish-American War. On March 9, 1903, he was appointed third lieutenant in the PC, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He was a district secretary of Cotabato and after reappointed to the same post. He was also governor of the province of Lanao twice (1910-12, 1915-17) where he left a legacy of civil and industrial development before retiring. In 1910, Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the military and governor of the Department for Mindanao and Sulu, appointed him governor for Davao City (Jan.1, 1910 - Jan. 31, 1912).

Gilsheuser's qualities were recognized by Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison, the American colonial administrator in the country (October 1913 - February 1921), who appointed him chief lieutenant "in the work of civilization and organized government." The recognition was largely inspired by the achievements he accomplished as a civil service official.

In his official functions, Gilsheuser was ably assisted by district secretary Robert A. Gillmore, a first lieutenant in the Philippine Scout who joined the civil service on May 17, 1910; and district governors George C. Charlton, a captain the Philippine Scout, who was appointed on June 6, 1910, and Levi E. Case, a PC captain, who was appointed January 12, 1903.

Through the decades since the Philippines and Germany signed an agreement of cooperation on April 25, 1955, German assistance to the Filipinos, including relief and disaster assistance, has been in the millions of deutschmarks (DM), the then German currency.

Historically, a year before Davao was conquered by Basque judge Don Jose Oyanguren y Cruz, the first German consular office was established in Manila in 1849.

(To be continued!)

Philippines and European Union 'compromise language' on grants

By Genalyn D. Kabiling

The European Union (EU) is reportedly planning to give another development aid worth 70 million euros to the Philippines despite the recent tirade by President Duterte.

Former Senator Edgardo Angara, currently President Duterte’s special envoy to the EU, said this would be on top of the 250 million euros recently extended by the  EU for peace and development efforts in Mindanao.

Former Senator Edgardo Angara

“I think they will give us an additional 70 million euros,” Angara told reporters at the sidelines of a regional forum in Pasay City. “I think for Mindanao pa rin,” he added.

Following the President’s complaint against foreign aid that comes with conditions, Angara said the Philippines and EU have already reached a “compromise language” on the issue of grants and other development aid.

“We agreed on a formula that the project to be funded by their grant will be our choice through NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). If they want to revoke or cancel it, it will only be upon mutual consultation. That’s acceptable to us,” he said.

“Because the President was right, why would you give aid that has conditionality,” he added.

Prior to the new arrangement, Angara said the EU had the authority to cancel the aid if “we are violating labor rights, environmental rights and human rights.”

“Now before they do that, we will consult with each other. That’s democratic,” he said.

Angara claimed that reports that the government was rejecting EU aid were already “stale news” following the new arrangement negotiated by the two parties.

“Let’s not revive the warfare. That’s over. That’s stale news,” he said.

The President recently said he was not inclined to accept foreign development aid that comes with conditions that could harm the country’s sovereignty.

In his tirade against the European Union for allegedly meddling with local affairs, the President said the country may be poor but could survive without foreign assistance.

“Kaya ganun na lang ang tingin ko diyan sa EU. Kaya ko ‘yan sila minumura kasi they do not know how to respect sovereignty [That’s why I look the EU that way. That’s why I am cursing them because they do not know how to respect sovereignty],” he said.

“Kailangan natin aid pero kung ganun lang naman, tuturan ka kung paano gawin tapos ‘yung they begin to sukit-sukit — ‘yung try to examine the papers, ‘yung pedantry [We need aid but if that’s the way it’s given, they will teach you how to spend it, they try to examine the papers, the pedantry],” he added.

He said the country cannot be “forever depending on aid.” “That’s very stupid of some public officials to talk of aid as if it is a matter of survival of our country if we do not accept it,” he added.

Damp more rain in the Philippines

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) — Rains still prevail over the Visayas and parts of Luzon on Friday as typhoon Paolo and a low pressure area (LPA) continue to hover over Philippine territory.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said moderate to occasionally heavy rains will prevail over the Visayas, Mimaropa, and Bicol in Luzon.

Residents in these areas are warned against possible flash floods and landslides.

Cebu and Bohol are experiencing light to moderate rains which may continue until the afternoon, PAGASA said at 11 a.m.

An orange rainfall warning is raised over Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar and Biliran. This warns residents of flooding and landslides.

PAGASA also said sea travel will be risky off the coasts of Northern Luzon, Palawan, eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, western and eastern seaboards of the Visayas, and western, northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao.

The inclement weather is caused by two weather disturbances affecting the country: Typhoon Paolo, which was spotted 860 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, and an LPA 105 km south of Occidental Mindoro.

Paolo has slightly accelerated Thursday morning. It is now moving at 16 kph, and is expected to leave Philippine territory by Sunday morning

It has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and a gustiness of up to 160 kph.

Rain has poured over parts of the Philippines the past week due to the two weather systems. On Thursday, Zamboanga City declared a state of calamity after heavy rains earlier this week left five dead, one missing, and forced the evacuation of thousands of families from their homes.

READ: Zamboanga City in state of calamity as thousands evacuate due to heavy rains

German Legacy in Davao City (III)

Berthold Stein

By: Antonio V. Figueroa


Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Berthold Stein (1847-1899) was a renowned German botanist (orchid specialist), lichen expert, and mycologist (a scientist who studies fungus and its genetic and biochemical properties) who contributions in the field of taxonomy are recognized in numerous international publications. He never visited the Philippines.

In Davao, where he is an unknown, his contribution lives on after a small tree, the Rhododendron apoanum Stein, was named after the Mount Apo.The specimen was discovered  at Todaya, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. A rhododendron is described as "a shrub or small tree of the health family, with large clusters of bell-shaped flowers and typically with large evergreen leaves, widely grown as an ornamental."

(In 1905, distinguished American botanist Elmer D. Merrill [1876-1956] named a new Mount Apo shrub as Rhododendron mindanaense, after the island of Mindanao, and in 1929, American botanist Herbert Copeland classified another tree species in the same genus as Rhododendron bagobonum, in honor of the Bagobo tribe.)

Other inheritances

It is uncommon knowledge that a German, who enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippine Constabulary, once governed Davao, serving the bureaucracy with dedication, expertise and excellence.

German legacy in Davao region dates back to over 100 years, and this included missionary activities, financial grants, commodities and foods that bear indisputable German trademarks.

In the field of technical assistance granted through financial cooperation signed by the German Filipino governments, these were spent for port development and building of medical institutions, to name just a few.

(To be continued!)

Come on, give me a smile!

WED, OCTOBER 18, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

I am writing columns for several papers from all over the world since the early 1980's. Sometimes, while writing, I am indeed not in a good mood. I rewrite and rewrite – and then the moment comes, I am asking myself: “Do the readers of this publication really like to read my columns?”

Anyway, I try my best. It’s actually a sweet day today, so sunny, so calm, so bright, it’s like the bridal of earth and heaven.  The grandeur  of  God flames out like shining from shook foil. I feel like as the waves make towards the pebbled  shore.

I observed again a multinational couple somewhere in my neighborhood fighting each other. Gosh. Stupid people have an uncanny way of hitting the right nail on the head with the wrong hammer!

Maybe, you are angry also right now, while reading this. You are angry for others even it’s a beautiful day. You are angry? It’s okay. We are all battling against one of the most powerful emotions known to man – anger! Anger. A day rarely goes by without us feeling angry. Or,  maybe seldom a days goes by without feeling anger….

Anger is the main part of our daily life. That’s why it’s really important to talk about this phenomenon. What is anger, what does it do and how does it affect our lives? Where does it come from and how can we learn to handle it in a constructive instead of destructive way? Only, if the roots of our anger exposed and explained, we can defuse its explosive and dangerous potentials.

As I said earlier, anger is one of the most basic emotions. Everyone can get angry. You and me? Now, later, tomorrow…! It’s a feeling of being against something or someone.

Anger is a hostile emotion that sets people against one another, or even themselves. By its nature, anger involves opposition, hostility, hatred and dislike. It happened between Filipinos, and between Filipinos and foreigners as well, living here in the Philippines. It even happened at political level right nowadays.

Anger, however, is simpler to define than to identify. Emotions of antagonism can take a wide variety of faces. Expressions of anger range from the overt, in-your-face brand of open hospitality to the cold indifference of a silent individual. At times, anger can be felt like an inner fire….

Millions of defense, not a damned penny for tribute, as Charles Pinkney stated…. Anger between people: the one side remains cold as ice while the opposite plays meek as a lamb. Sige, burn the midnight oil! And what the result at the end? A shadow of doubts remains after each fight getting its origin out of anger.

The silent withdrawal and lack of understanding  and innumerable shortcomings of one or both partners are often an indication that one is angrily punishing the other for not doing things his or her way.

We are all selfish! Yes, me too! That’s why we see the cause of anger as something outside of ourselves. Life is unfair! Life is hard!