Someone please tell the increasingly pompus and self-righteous Islamic busy-body known as Malaysia to take a hike. Why the Pinoys even waste their time "talking" to the MILF after all this time is a mystery. Just defeat them and be done with it.
Malaysia may pull peace monitors from Philippines
Malaysia has threatened to withdraw monitors overseeing a four-year ceasefire between the Philippine army and the country's biggest Muslim separatist guerrilla group because of delays in peace talks, sources said on Tuesday.
Tension has risen lately between the army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with both sides accusing the other of breaking the truce during a skirmish on the island of Basilan last week.
On Tuesday, at least four Navy commandos and six rebels died in another firefight on Basilan, as Philippine troops pursued the Abu Sayyaf group, which has close links with the MILF.
A resumption in peace talks, scheduled to take place in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur next month, is in doubt again after four postponements. The talks broke down a year ago amid disagreements over the size and wealth of a proposed ancestral homeland for Muslims on the southern island of Mindanao.
Government and rebel sources told Reuters the Malaysian government was getting impatient, and threatened during an informal meeting in Kuala Lumpur last week to recall its 60 monitors to pressure the sides to resume talks.
Mohaqher Iqbal, the rebels' chief negotiator, told Reuters in a phone interview from his hideout on Mindanao that any withdrawal of Malaysian soldiers would endanger the truce and harm implementation of development projects.
"If that happens, it would have a big impact on the peace process," Iqbal said.
Unarmed Malaysian soldiers have been in Mindanao since 2004 as part of an effort to end nearly 40 years of conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people and displaced 2 million. Libya and Brunei also have small contingents in the monitoring team.
Iqbar said last week's meeting in Kuala Lumpur had been "productive" but had failed to fix a date for formal talks.
"Our differences were not really poles apart, we've narrowed the gaps from where we started two years ago," Iqbar said.
"But our counterparts could not commit to anything without the approval of the political leadership in Manila," he said.
"The government must have political will to conclude the peace process."
Last week, the military accused MILF members of helping a band of Abu Sayyaf rebels during a firefight on Basilan island and threatened to file a protest to a ceasefire panel.
The MILF countered by saying Philippine troops had entered rebel territory without coordinating with the panel, and had attacked one of its camps.
There was no word on any MILF involvement in Tuesday's fighting, sparked by a pre-dawn raid on a suspected Abu Sayyaf hideout.
Mindanao has been a focus of international attention because Western governments believe it has been a training base for islamic militants with links to Al Qaeda and regional group Jemaah Islamiah.
Japan has been funding about $1 million worth of social and economic projects, including repairs of school buildings and installation of potable water systems.
The World Bank has a separate $3 million project helping set up cooperatives to start and manage small businesses, such as copra and rice production.
Canada, Sweden and the United States have also expressed keen interest in funding post-conflict livelihood projects and helping facilitate the negotiations brokered by Malaysia since 2001.
"I hope the government realises what it stands to lose if the peace process fails," Iqbal said.
Oh well then, we all should just surrender to Allah's Army of Halfwits and be done with it.
Showing posts with label MILF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MILF. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
MILF Pulls Back?
The MILF has aparently abandoned some areas and now is offering to "pull out" others. Is this a sign of success or a tactic? Only time will tell.
Military welcomes MILF pull-out offer
As far as the military is concerned, there are no recognized camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Basilan.
But the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nonetheless welcomes the MILF's offer to pull out of the province to enable the military to go after Abu Sayyaf extremists.
"It's up to them. But ever since, we do not recognize any MILF camp in Basilan," Marine Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, deputy commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), told reporters in a phone interview on Monday.
He said the MILF claimed to have a battalion, or some 500 men, in Basilan.
Sabban also heads Task Force Thunder, the military's offensive against the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in retaliation for the killing of 14 Marine soldiers, 10 of whom were beheaded, in Basilan last July.
Sabban said the MILF's offer would "definitely help" the military offensive.
He said the MILF rebels could temporarily stay in Barangay (village) Ginanta in Al-Barka to avoid the military operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said over the weekend that their group would abandon strongholds in Basilan and Sulu to give way to a "big military offensive" against the Abu Sayyaf bandits and avoid "misencounters" with government troops.
The offer was also seen as a gesture of goodwill on the part of the MILF ahead of the resumption of the stalled peace talks between the rebel secessionist group and the government.
Military welcomes MILF pull-out offer
As far as the military is concerned, there are no recognized camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Basilan.
But the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nonetheless welcomes the MILF's offer to pull out of the province to enable the military to go after Abu Sayyaf extremists.
"It's up to them. But ever since, we do not recognize any MILF camp in Basilan," Marine Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, deputy commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), told reporters in a phone interview on Monday.
He said the MILF claimed to have a battalion, or some 500 men, in Basilan.
Sabban also heads Task Force Thunder, the military's offensive against the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in retaliation for the killing of 14 Marine soldiers, 10 of whom were beheaded, in Basilan last July.
Sabban said the MILF's offer would "definitely help" the military offensive.
He said the MILF rebels could temporarily stay in Barangay (village) Ginanta in Al-Barka to avoid the military operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said over the weekend that their group would abandon strongholds in Basilan and Sulu to give way to a "big military offensive" against the Abu Sayyaf bandits and avoid "misencounters" with government troops.
The offer was also seen as a gesture of goodwill on the part of the MILF ahead of the resumption of the stalled peace talks between the rebel secessionist group and the government.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Pinoy Duffy Claims Two Rebel Rebels
The fighting continues.
Two Muslim rebels killed in clash in southern Philippines: military
Two Muslim secessionist rebels were killed in a clash with government security forces in the southern Philippines, an army commander said Monday. Colonel Danilo Garcia said the fighting erupted Sunday when Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels entered a village in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province, 930 kilometres south of Manila, without coordinating with pro-government militiamen there.
Garcia said the rebels violated a provision of a three-year-old ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government, while the two sides are engaged inpeace negotiations.
"We filed a protest with our ceasefire committee," he said.
But guerrilla spokesman Eid Kabalu said it was actually the militiamen who attacked MILF forces while on their way back to their families in the village of Buayan.
Kabalu also belied the claim of the military that two MILF rebels were killed in the fighting. He, however, admitted that two guerrillas were wounded in the clash.
"It was the (pro-govenrment) militiamen who violated the ceasefire agreement, not us," he said. "We don't need to coordinate with the military when we enter Buayan because their (MILF guerrillas) families live there."
Peace talks between the MILF and the government have been stalled since September last year over disagreement on the scope of the territory to be included in a proposed Muslim homeland in the southern region of Mindanao.
Both sides, however, have agreed to resume the negotiations within the month.
The MILF has been fighting for an independent Islamic state in Mindanao since 1978.
Two Muslim rebels killed in clash in southern Philippines: military
Two Muslim secessionist rebels were killed in a clash with government security forces in the southern Philippines, an army commander said Monday. Colonel Danilo Garcia said the fighting erupted Sunday when Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels entered a village in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province, 930 kilometres south of Manila, without coordinating with pro-government militiamen there.
Garcia said the rebels violated a provision of a three-year-old ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the Philippine government, while the two sides are engaged inpeace negotiations.
"We filed a protest with our ceasefire committee," he said.
But guerrilla spokesman Eid Kabalu said it was actually the militiamen who attacked MILF forces while on their way back to their families in the village of Buayan.
Kabalu also belied the claim of the military that two MILF rebels were killed in the fighting. He, however, admitted that two guerrillas were wounded in the clash.
"It was the (pro-govenrment) militiamen who violated the ceasefire agreement, not us," he said. "We don't need to coordinate with the military when we enter Buayan because their (MILF guerrillas) families live there."
Peace talks between the MILF and the government have been stalled since September last year over disagreement on the scope of the territory to be included in a proposed Muslim homeland in the southern region of Mindanao.
Both sides, however, have agreed to resume the negotiations within the month.
The MILF has been fighting for an independent Islamic state in Mindanao since 1978.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
AFP Not Taking Break During Ramadanadingdong
Why should they stop during the Musim holy month? The MILF and Abu Sayuuf certainly haven't stopped their terror attacks during any Christian holidays.
Defense chief says offensive to continue during Ramadan
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Friday the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not stop its offensive against the terrorists in Western Mindanao during the observance of the Muslim’s holy period Ramadan.
“We cannot stop the operations,” Teodoro told reporters in Camp Auginaldo after the graduation of students of the National Defense College of the Philippines who took up their master's degree on national security administration.
Teodoro made the declaration following appeals by some sectors, including Muslim religious groups, to temporarily halt the operations against the Abu Sayyaf during the duration of the month-long Ramadan which begins September 12.
“On when and where the operations will be conducted are up to the (military) commanders but we (defense department) cannot go above their heads and stop it,” he added.
The government has stepped up operations against the Abu Sayyaf, specifically in Basilan and Sulu provinces, following bloody fightings that have left over a hundred soldiers and Abu Sayyaf men dead.
The bandit group members in Sulu are said to be in the company of at least two leaders of the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah – Dulmatin and Umar Patek – who are responsible for the 2002 attack in Bali, Indonesia that killed some 202 people.
The group, which has about 300 to 400 members throughout the country, is responsible for a number of high-profile kidnappings and bombings in the country, among them the attack on a passenger ferry off Manila Bay in 2004 that left 200 people dead.
There has been a lull in the fighting after last Monday’s brief fighting in the outskirts of Tipo-tipo town in Basilan between patrolling Marine soldiers and the Abu Sayyaf terrorists that left two soldiers wounded.
Asked on the lull in the offensive, Teodoro said: “That’s up to the commanders.
"I cannot speak for the commanders. They exercise their own independent judgment as to when and where to conduct the operations.”
Defense chief says offensive to continue during Ramadan
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Friday the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not stop its offensive against the terrorists in Western Mindanao during the observance of the Muslim’s holy period Ramadan.
“We cannot stop the operations,” Teodoro told reporters in Camp Auginaldo after the graduation of students of the National Defense College of the Philippines who took up their master's degree on national security administration.
Teodoro made the declaration following appeals by some sectors, including Muslim religious groups, to temporarily halt the operations against the Abu Sayyaf during the duration of the month-long Ramadan which begins September 12.
“On when and where the operations will be conducted are up to the (military) commanders but we (defense department) cannot go above their heads and stop it,” he added.
The government has stepped up operations against the Abu Sayyaf, specifically in Basilan and Sulu provinces, following bloody fightings that have left over a hundred soldiers and Abu Sayyaf men dead.
The bandit group members in Sulu are said to be in the company of at least two leaders of the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah – Dulmatin and Umar Patek – who are responsible for the 2002 attack in Bali, Indonesia that killed some 202 people.
The group, which has about 300 to 400 members throughout the country, is responsible for a number of high-profile kidnappings and bombings in the country, among them the attack on a passenger ferry off Manila Bay in 2004 that left 200 people dead.
There has been a lull in the fighting after last Monday’s brief fighting in the outskirts of Tipo-tipo town in Basilan between patrolling Marine soldiers and the Abu Sayyaf terrorists that left two soldiers wounded.
Asked on the lull in the offensive, Teodoro said: “That’s up to the commanders.
"I cannot speak for the commanders. They exercise their own independent judgment as to when and where to conduct the operations.”
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Pinoys For Super Champ and Total War
I don't mean to make light of what may result if the gloves finally come off between the Philippines and the troublesome Restive types in their south but... Giving peace a chance hasn't exactly worked out so well. Perhaps another strategy should be employed. Like winning.
Philippines teeters on brink of total war
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have launched a new military campaign against radical Muslim insurgents in its southern regions, an offensive nominally aimed at finishing off the hobbled 300-member Abu Sayyaf terror group, but one that also threatens to widen the conflict with two ceasefire groups, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Manila recently ramped up its military deployment to the restive region, where estimates of soldiers on the ground ranging widely
from 5,000-12,000. Army chief General Romeo Tolentino recently announced that he had temporary moved army headquarters from Manila to Zamboanga City on the southern island of Mindanao while the campaign is conducted. Fighting on the southern island of Jolo this month saw 50 people - including 25 army soldiers - killed in armed exchanges, and thousands of civilians have since evacuated the area.
Significantly, the MNLF has claimed responsibility for certain recent attacks. The Philippine military first launched Operation Endgame against the radical group back in 2002, but failed to live up to its billing without foreign assistance. Since the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, Washington has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of military assistance to the Philippine Army specifically to combat the Abu Sayyaf, which Manila claims is responsible for more than 400 civilian deaths since 2000, including the bombing of a passenger ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that killed 116 people. The US has accused Abu Sayyaf of having links to global terror group al-Qaeda and Indonesia-based radical group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) - but until now has remained mum on the MNLF while negotiations with Manila were ongoing.
Nonetheless, the new assault on the MNLF, which stands accused of harboring Abu Sayyaf and JI operatives, would appear to jibe with broad US counter-terrorism objectives in the region. In an effort to win Filipino hearts and minds, the US Agency for International Development has pumped more than US$230 million in development and humanitarian assistance into Mindanao since 2002.
While American soldiers are prohibited from engaging in military operations, an unknown number of American military advisers provide tactical and operational advice. With that support, the Philippine Army has scored some important military successes against the rebel group over the past 18 months, including the apparent killing last September of the group's leader Khadafy Janjalani and, in January, of his apparent successor Abu Sulaiman (Jainal Antel Sali Jr).
I hate this sort of "reporting". Clearly who ever wrote this has never had to listen to a shoot out between the Abu Sayyaf and the Army down the street from his apartment.
Philippines teeters on brink of total war
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have launched a new military campaign against radical Muslim insurgents in its southern regions, an offensive nominally aimed at finishing off the hobbled 300-member Abu Sayyaf terror group, but one that also threatens to widen the conflict with two ceasefire groups, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Manila recently ramped up its military deployment to the restive region, where estimates of soldiers on the ground ranging widely
from 5,000-12,000. Army chief General Romeo Tolentino recently announced that he had temporary moved army headquarters from Manila to Zamboanga City on the southern island of Mindanao while the campaign is conducted. Fighting on the southern island of Jolo this month saw 50 people - including 25 army soldiers - killed in armed exchanges, and thousands of civilians have since evacuated the area.
Significantly, the MNLF has claimed responsibility for certain recent attacks. The Philippine military first launched Operation Endgame against the radical group back in 2002, but failed to live up to its billing without foreign assistance. Since the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, Washington has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of military assistance to the Philippine Army specifically to combat the Abu Sayyaf, which Manila claims is responsible for more than 400 civilian deaths since 2000, including the bombing of a passenger ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that killed 116 people. The US has accused Abu Sayyaf of having links to global terror group al-Qaeda and Indonesia-based radical group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) - but until now has remained mum on the MNLF while negotiations with Manila were ongoing.
Nonetheless, the new assault on the MNLF, which stands accused of harboring Abu Sayyaf and JI operatives, would appear to jibe with broad US counter-terrorism objectives in the region. In an effort to win Filipino hearts and minds, the US Agency for International Development has pumped more than US$230 million in development and humanitarian assistance into Mindanao since 2002.
While American soldiers are prohibited from engaging in military operations, an unknown number of American military advisers provide tactical and operational advice. With that support, the Philippine Army has scored some important military successes against the rebel group over the past 18 months, including the apparent killing last September of the group's leader Khadafy Janjalani and, in January, of his apparent successor Abu Sulaiman (Jainal Antel Sali Jr).
I hate this sort of "reporting". Clearly who ever wrote this has never had to listen to a shoot out between the Abu Sayyaf and the Army down the street from his apartment.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Philippines Battle
57 Killed in Clash With Al Qaeda-Linked Militants in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — Clashes between troops and suspected Al Qaeda-linked militants have killed at least 57 people and wounded 42 others on volatile southern Jolo island this week, the Philippine military said Friday.
The death toll included 25 soldiers and 27 militants killed Thursday when suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists ambushed a truck carrying troops headed to get supplies, then fought a running gunbattle with soldiers in pursuit, said Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, the military's spokesman.
"As far as I can remember, this is our biggest casualty in a day," Bacarro told reporters. Ten soldiers and 25 militants were wounded in Thursday's clashes, he added.
Early Thursday, the insurgents ambushed members of the army's 33rd Infantry Battalion who were on their way to get supplies in Indanan township, killing 10 soldiers and wounding another, Bacarro said.
Late in the afternoon, troops from the same battalion encountered about 120 Abu Sayyaf militants and rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front, a rebel group that signed a peace agreement with the government 11 years ago, Bacarro said.
"Rogue members" my ass.
MANILA, Philippines — Clashes between troops and suspected Al Qaeda-linked militants have killed at least 57 people and wounded 42 others on volatile southern Jolo island this week, the Philippine military said Friday.
The death toll included 25 soldiers and 27 militants killed Thursday when suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists ambushed a truck carrying troops headed to get supplies, then fought a running gunbattle with soldiers in pursuit, said Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, the military's spokesman.
"As far as I can remember, this is our biggest casualty in a day," Bacarro told reporters. Ten soldiers and 25 militants were wounded in Thursday's clashes, he added.
Early Thursday, the insurgents ambushed members of the army's 33rd Infantry Battalion who were on their way to get supplies in Indanan township, killing 10 soldiers and wounding another, Bacarro said.
Late in the afternoon, troops from the same battalion encountered about 120 Abu Sayyaf militants and rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front, a rebel group that signed a peace agreement with the government 11 years ago, Bacarro said.
"Rogue members" my ass.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
9 Pinoy Troops Killed
Restiveness in the Phils too?
Nine soldiers killed in Philippines ambush
Muslim extremists killed nine soldiers, and wounded two others, in an ambush on their convoy on Thursday in the southern Philippines, the military said.
The attack took place outside Maimbung town on the island of Jolo as the soldiers headed to the market for provisions, said local military spokesman Major Eugene Batara.
"We have reports that the Abu Sayyaf were the ones who attacked them," he added, saying the gunmen also took six M-16 rifles.
The attack is the latest in an escalation of violence in the restive south where troops have been massing since July 10 when 14 Marines were killed on Basilan. Ten of the Marines were beheaded.
At least three Abu Sayyaf extremists and a soldier were killed Wednesday and two Marines wounded Tuesday in clashes in Jolo island.
The Abu Sayyaf group, which the US and Philippine governments have linked to the Al-Qaida terror network, has been responsible for numerous attacks on Christians and foreigners throughout the Philippines in recent years.
The Abu Sayyaf and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were behind the July 10 attack, the military and government have said.
The MILF, which is suppose to be observing a three year-old ceasefire, has admitted killing the Marines but denied beheading them.
More than 23,000 villagers residing near MILF camps in the southern Philippines have fled their homes for fear of getting caught up in any possible government attack.
Despite the heightening of tensions, government peace negotiators have said they expect to reopen peace talks with the MILF in Malaysia before the end of this month.
Escalation in violence that started well over ten years ago and hasn't subsided despite all sorts of peace talks and ass-kissing. Someone somewhere please take the gloves off.
Nine soldiers killed in Philippines ambush
Muslim extremists killed nine soldiers, and wounded two others, in an ambush on their convoy on Thursday in the southern Philippines, the military said.
The attack took place outside Maimbung town on the island of Jolo as the soldiers headed to the market for provisions, said local military spokesman Major Eugene Batara.
"We have reports that the Abu Sayyaf were the ones who attacked them," he added, saying the gunmen also took six M-16 rifles.
The attack is the latest in an escalation of violence in the restive south where troops have been massing since July 10 when 14 Marines were killed on Basilan. Ten of the Marines were beheaded.
At least three Abu Sayyaf extremists and a soldier were killed Wednesday and two Marines wounded Tuesday in clashes in Jolo island.
The Abu Sayyaf group, which the US and Philippine governments have linked to the Al-Qaida terror network, has been responsible for numerous attacks on Christians and foreigners throughout the Philippines in recent years.
The Abu Sayyaf and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were behind the July 10 attack, the military and government have said.
The MILF, which is suppose to be observing a three year-old ceasefire, has admitted killing the Marines but denied beheading them.
More than 23,000 villagers residing near MILF camps in the southern Philippines have fled their homes for fear of getting caught up in any possible government attack.
Despite the heightening of tensions, government peace negotiators have said they expect to reopen peace talks with the MILF in Malaysia before the end of this month.
Escalation in violence that started well over ten years ago and hasn't subsided despite all sorts of peace talks and ass-kissing. Someone somewhere please take the gloves off.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Pinoy Duffy Kills 4 Islamics
Philippine troops kill four rebels
Philippine security forces killed at least four Islamic militants in a series of gunbattles on a southern island, an army general said, as soldiers began collecting unlicensed guns from civilians in the area.
Major-General Ruben Rafael said fighting between soldiers and the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group with suspected ties to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah, broke out first on Tuesday on the island of Jolo.
Fighting continued on Wednesday.
"We lost one soldier and seven were wounded, including two marines," Rafael told reporters. "We recovered the bodies of four dead Abu Sayyaf. Our troops believed they had inflicted heavy casualties on the rebel side."
Rafael said the fighting on Jolo island was not connected to punitive action launched by the marines against Muslim rebels suspected to have a role in the beheading of 10 soldiers during a nine-hour gun battle on nearby Basilan island on July 10.
He said the soldiers on Jolo were trying to collect weapons from civilians when they were engaged by the Abu Sayyaf.
On Basilan, troops pounded known positions of the Abu Sayyaf with howitzer and mortar shells after the rebels fired at a marine base on Monday night.
There were no casualties reported in the shelling, but the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) warned the soldiers that it would be forced to retaliate because some of the artillery rounds fell close to its positions.
The MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, is engaged in a peace process with the government.
The MILF has been in peace processes with the Philippine government since the late 1990s for all the good its done. And here's demographic tid-bit for you. The southern part of the Philippines may be home to the majority of Muslims BUT they are not the percentage majority of that area. No matter, they demand an Islamic State anyways. I'm sure they'll take care of the demographic imbalance afterwards.
Philippine security forces killed at least four Islamic militants in a series of gunbattles on a southern island, an army general said, as soldiers began collecting unlicensed guns from civilians in the area.
Major-General Ruben Rafael said fighting between soldiers and the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group with suspected ties to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah, broke out first on Tuesday on the island of Jolo.
Fighting continued on Wednesday.
"We lost one soldier and seven were wounded, including two marines," Rafael told reporters. "We recovered the bodies of four dead Abu Sayyaf. Our troops believed they had inflicted heavy casualties on the rebel side."
Rafael said the fighting on Jolo island was not connected to punitive action launched by the marines against Muslim rebels suspected to have a role in the beheading of 10 soldiers during a nine-hour gun battle on nearby Basilan island on July 10.
He said the soldiers on Jolo were trying to collect weapons from civilians when they were engaged by the Abu Sayyaf.
On Basilan, troops pounded known positions of the Abu Sayyaf with howitzer and mortar shells after the rebels fired at a marine base on Monday night.
There were no casualties reported in the shelling, but the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) warned the soldiers that it would be forced to retaliate because some of the artillery rounds fell close to its positions.
The MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group in the country, is engaged in a peace process with the government.
The MILF has been in peace processes with the Philippine government since the late 1990s for all the good its done. And here's demographic tid-bit for you. The southern part of the Philippines may be home to the majority of Muslims BUT they are not the percentage majority of that area. No matter, they demand an Islamic State anyways. I'm sure they'll take care of the demographic imbalance afterwards.
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