The MNLF,or Moro National Liberation Front,is the granddaddy of Modern Islamic Insurgency here in the Southern Philippines.Though the organisation is most often linked to former Professor Nur Misuari,a Tausug Tribesman from Jolo Island in Sulu,the actual story is alot more complex.Like all insurgent organisations here it is a story well deserving of its own time and attention.With that in mind I will use this current entry to simply outline goings on within the organisation during 2010,with the hope and intent to focus on that history and backstory in an upcoming entry.
First however,I do need to point out that the organisation is currently made up of 5 factions,3 of which are very distinct:
1) MNLF-Misuari Faction,still loyal to Nur Misuari
2) MNLF-Committee of 15 (MNLF-EC15),sometimes referred to as the MNLF-Sema.This faction is loyal to a former underling of Misuari,Muslimin Sema who is also currently the Vice Mayor of Cotabato City in North Cotabato Province (having moved to that slot from the Mayoral seat after reaching his term limit)
3) MNLF-Mainland Mindanao State Committee (MNLF-MMSC),under Kumander Datu Faizal"Randy"Karon,of whom I have been posting so much about lately due to his ongoing sub-conflict with Kumander Jud Caludtiag of the BIAF (Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces,the military wing of the MILF,or Moro Islamic Liberation Front) 104 Base Command on the borders of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat Provinces.MNLF-MMSC is very closely allied with the MNLF-EC15.
The other 2:
1) MNLF-Reformist Group (MNLG-RG)
2) MNLF-Islamic Command (MNLF-IC)
are nearly extinct and no longer even field armed components. I will have to discuss these factionalisations and shifting alliances in that aforementioned"upcoming"entry.I need to add for clarity that there is the MNLF-Habir Malik (MNLF-HM) which can actually be considered a part of the Misuari organisation.
On to the "happenings"...On Janurary 23,2010 in Barangay Bato-Bato, Indanan, Sulu (Jolo Island), a rogue faction of the MNLF-Misuari Faction centered on Jolo Island,the largest island in the Sulu Archipelago,blew up the Talaktak Bridge.The faction,under Kumander Ustadz Habir Malik operates in a close alliance with the largest Abu Sayyaf faction on Jolo Island.
6 MNLF guerillas led by sub-Kumander Tahil Sali were seen approaching the bridge and carefully laying the charges (C4 explosives, A.K.A. "Plastique").After the guerillas withdrew local residents notified the authorities and MBLT-6 (Marine Battalion Landing Team #6) was deployed to the scene.As the detachment was en route the charges detonated , knocking out the bridge.
MBLT-6 was them immediately re-deployed for a Pursuit Operation in hopes of cutting off the MNLF team who in addition to THAT bridge had also attempted to bomb another one on Janurary 21,two days prior.That earlier bridge, Lampaking-Dayuan,also in the municipality of Indanan was only partially damaged but still usable.
Kumander Malik and his faction are in heavy opposition to the Infrastructural Improvement Projects ("Hearts and Minds") spearheaded by US Forces ensconced at the island's Camp Bautista,the Headquarters for AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Marines.They were behind the IED (Improvised Explosive Devices,as in"bombs") that killed an AFP Marine and 2 US personnel,incorrectly identified as US SEABEES (Naval Construction personnel),but in reality 2 Special Forces soldiers.That incident took place on an access road near Camp Bautista in September of 2009,an incident I will flesh out in more detail in an upcoming entry (I know,I know,alot of"upcoming entries"but time being what it is...).
On Feburary 27th and 28th,2010 at (MNLF) Camp Datu Lumambas in the town of Kabacan in North Cotabato,the main camp of the MNLF-Committee of 15,a 2 day gathering of roughly 400 MNLF leaders officialised the newest MNLF faction, MNLF-Mainland Mindanao State Committee (MNLF-MMSC) under Kumander Datu Faizal"Randy"Karon" of Sultan Kudarat Province. This newest faction is comprised mostly of Maranowan (Maranaon) Tribesmen (the chief ethnicity in Lanao del Sur Province and around Lake Lanao and Ligusan Marsh) despite Datu Faizal,better known by the moniker"Randy Karon"being a Maguindanowan,whereas the Committee of 15 Faction is dominated by Maguindanowan Tribesmen,the main ethnicity in Maguindano and Cotabato
Provinces.
The new faction coalesced out of Maranaowans who were present at an important MNLF gathering on Janurary 13,2010 where 400 leaders of the organisation had gathered to forge a new direction in light of the then rapidly progressing GHP-MILF Peace Talks (negotiations between the Government and the MILF),and the possible conflict that these talks represented in light of the existing Agreement between the government and the MNLF,the 1996 Agreement,"Jakarta 1996."Chairman Misuari failed to show up for that all important meeting and much worse,didnt even bother calling to tell the organisers of that gathering that he wouldnt be able to make it.
Alot of dissent had been building up until that point because of Misuari's warm welcome for Norberto Manero Jr., icon of the Ilaga Movement.The Ilaga,very briefly because they too are deserving of at least a couple of entries of their own,were an organisation formed in the very early 1970s to counter the Barakuda,an Islamic paramilitary formed by Moro (Muslims) politicians here on Mindanao.The Ilaga very early on were simply concerned with battling Moros though they veered into anti-Communist Operations from the early 1980s onward before finally losing steam in the early 1990s.There was a briefly re-constituted version of the group from 2005 until 2009,concentrating on countering the rogue MILF/BIAF factions terrorising Bisayan and Ilonggo communities in Central and Nortern Mindanao,but they seem to have faded into obscurity after the move by Misuari,towards Manero.
Norberto"Kumander Bucay"Manero Jr.became famous in the Philippines for the killing of a pro-Communist priest in North Cotabato Province,an incident that gained infamy when Manero and others ate the priest's entrails,a claim which Manero himself disputes but for which he was convicted and ended up serving nearly 3 decades in prison. Towards the end of his sentence Misuari made contact with him and to the suprise of many Manero converted to Islam, at which point Misuari welcomed him into the MNLF as a"brother."
This move by Misuari,perhaps astute in that it neutralised Manero at a time when the Ilaga was enjoying a moderate resurgence,alienated the Chairman to a great many Moros,both within and without the MNLF.
Additionaly,voices of dissent within the MNLF noted that while Misuari couldn't find time to even notify organisers that he wouldnt appear at the Feburary meeting,he had been able to campaign vigirously for the Governorship of Sulu Province,1 of 3 non-contigious provinces in Mindanao. To add insult to injury, this was also seen as further proof that Misuari had fully engaged the government at the expence of the MNLF's vital principles.While indpendance had been given up as unobtainable under Libyan pressure,the organisation is still very much committed to a form of autonomy not much removed from the vision of the MILF.That is to say an autonomy that borders on actual independance in all but name.
The February meeting at which this new faction officially took shape also served a dual purpose in that it was an enthronement ceremony for the Sultanate of Buayan,as well as for Kumander Karon who became a full fledged"Datu." Though the term Datu is often used loosely these days it holds considerable meaning and prestige for Moros as well as for some non-Islamicised tribes on Mindanao (i.e. "Lumad").Often mis-understood to mean"Chief,"while all chiefs ARE Datus,not all Datus are chiefs.It is an honourific given to the most esteemed men in the community.Buayan is 1 of 2 Maguindanowan Sultunates,and though Karon leaders a force of mostly Maranowans he himself is Maguindanowan.
Karon took the tile"Datu Wata"(Young Datu),an important step in what may be a telegraphing of Karon's intentions to become more than just a petty warlord.Congressman Datu
Pax Mangadadatu,who is a sub-chief of the Maguindanowan Tribe for most of Sultan Kudarat Province (Karon's home province) was in attendance,as was Cotabato City Mayor (soon to be"Vice Mayor') Muslamin Sema who is Chairman of the MNLF-Committee of 15 faction.Mayor Sema was also enthroned as Crown Prince (Rajamuda) of the Buayan Sultanate. This move also works to solidify the alliance between these 2 factions of the MNLF,against the Misuari faction.
Kumanders under Karon, Datu Dima Ambil and Datu Mentokan Sunsona were also in attendance at that ceremony and organisational meeting as well.
Not to be undone,the Misuari faction moved to solidify its position as the faction with which the government does business.Until about 2007 there was a 4 year period in which the Committee of 15 was the"official"MNLF.This changed as the Government found Misuari much more conducive to doing business after his release from Home Arrest for his rebellion after being unseated as Governor of ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao).Misuari of course being the man whom the OIC (International Islamic umbrealla group which has been very involved in the Mindnowan Peace Process since the mid-1970s) considers to be the true representative of the MNLF.
On April 20,2010,the Misuari Faction was in Tripoli,Libya for the signing of a 2 page MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the government.Misuari himself signed on behalf of the MNLF while the Government was represented by attorney Camilo Miguel M.Montessa,a sign of how unimportant the Governor now considers the MNLF in the overall scheme of things for Mindanao.The Government brass was in Kuala Lampur,Malaysia trying to make progress with the MILF. In terms of organisational accumen and recent military movements the MILF certainly takes precedence but by no means should anyone count the MNLF out for the count,especially its newer and more ambitious factions.Representing the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries),which has been the long term mediator between the GHP (Government of the Philippines) and the MNLF,H.E.Rezlan I.Jenie,signing on behalf of the OIC-PCSP.
This MoU has 3 main points,which I will paraphrase here in condensed form:
I)Re: 3rd Tripartite Meeting,it will concentrate on the transformation of Common Proposals into Legal Form.Both parties,GHP and the MNLF have reviewed the work of the JLP (Joint Legal Panel,a panel combined of attorneys from both the GRP and MNLF) and have given their assent to the list of Common Proposals to be concentrated on.This list is given as"Annex A."
Any other remaining contentious issues that need to be resolved towards this end,such as additional Common Proposals not represented in"Annex A,"will be listed on"Annex B."
Work is to be done as soon as humanly possible after which it will be transmitted jointly to the President,and there after to Congress as a"Certified Administration Bill."A copy of this Bill will then be forwarded to the OIC-PCSP.
II) Re: Fund Mechanism,Both parties recognise the most pressing need for development of the Southern Philippines and both appreciate the work towards that end undertaken thus far by the OIC which has been working on this since the "1996 Jakarta Agreement."
With the OIC's further support both sides agree to implement a Fund Mechanism to support the afore mentioned development,with exact details to be concluded via discussion with both sides,mediated by the OIC.
III) Re: Tripartite Implementation and Monitoring,the 3 parties agree to implement a monitoring entity to oversee the implementation of the "1996 Jakarta Agreement."
Aside from that important development,on May 10,2010 the Election was held and Chairman Misuari lost his bid to assume Governorship of Sulu Province.Co-incidentally,Mayor Muslamin Sema of Cotabato City in North Cotabato Province and Chairman of the Central Committee of the faction now popularly holding his name but officially known as the MNLF-Executive Committee of 15 (EC15) won election as Vice Mayor of that city after having reached his 9 year term limit as mayor.Meanwhile,his wife Bai Sandra Sema won the 1st District Congressional Seat for North Cotabato Province.
On May 21,2010,Jolo City Court issued Warrant #1119-4 with no provision for bail,against 20 MNLF-Misuari Faction members under Kumander Habir Malik,the kumander mentioned at the begininning of my entry.The warrant relates to the IED that killed 2 US Special Forces soldiers and 1 AFP Marine on September 29,2009 in Barangay Kagay in the town of Indanan on Jolo Island in Sulu Province.20 MNLF guerillas led by sub-Kumander Khaid Ajibon were involved in the setting of an IED on the gravel access road leading to a forward AFP Marine post.An unarmoured US Hummer carrying AFP Marines and 2 US personnel was flipped,killing the 2 US personnel and 1 AFP Marine.
The official release claims that the 2 Americans were Navy SEABEES,construction workers,overseeing the reonvation of school classrooms in Sitio Laum Siang in Barangay Kagay where the bombing took place.In reality though they were Special Forces soldiers training the Marines in COIN (Counterinsurgency Warfare):
1) 1stSgt.Christopher D.Shaw,37,of Markham,Illinois
2) Staff Sgt.Jack Martin III,26,of Bethany, California
were both attached to the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Special Forces Group.Politics being what it is,especially with the latest brouhaha out of Basilan with American forces (I will get to it in a subsequent post),the 2 men deserve to be recognised for the very difficult job that they were sent to do and that job was NOT to renovate school rooms (though in terms of COIN,Counterinsurgency,that IS an important role as well).The MNLF denies any and all involvement in their deaths.
That was the 1st killing of US personnel on the Philippine mission since 2002 when an IED attached to an unoccupied motorcycle detonated outside a videoke bar close to Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City killing a Special Forces soldier deployed on Basilan.That IED was an Abu Sayyaf operation.
2 hours after the IED detonation that killed the 2 soldiers (and 1 AFP Marine) on Jolo Island a 2nd detonated in Barangay Kasanyangan in Jolo City at a PNP RMG (PNP Regional Mobile Group,used to supplement security shortcomings, primarily police,as needed) command post.It is believed to have been set in retaliation for a PNP engagement in which 1 Abu Sayyaf guerilla,Karim Juldani,was killed on Sunday,September 26.That engagement also resulted in the capture of a 2nd Abu Sayyaf member,Albashir Adjili.The incident took place as the 2 guerillas were interdicted at a PNP checkpoint in an outer barangay of Jolo City,as they tried to infiltrate the city.This 2nd IED caused no casualties.
Later in the day in Sitio Dauyan in Barangay Bunot in the town of Indanan a bridge was targetted with yet another IED.
On June 20,2010 the MNLF-Misuari faction signed yet another Unity Agreement with the MILF.This Agreement however was noteworthy due to its broker being the Secretary General of the OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference).The signing, by both Misuari and MILF Chairman,al Haj Murad Ebrahim,took place in the OIC Secretary General's office on the sidelines of the OIC Annual Conference in Dashnube,Tajikastan.
June 22,2010 at 10AM in Barangay Mahala in the town of Talipao on Jolo Island in Sulu Province,MNLF-Misuari Kumander Habir Malik was again letting his displeasure over"Hearts and Minds"projects be seen.In this case it was a road connecting an outlying barangay,Tuyang,to Barangay Poblacion so as to speed up transport to market of farm goods. Malik's sub-Kumanders Nidzmi Jabar,Maas Ejan and Jahid Susukan joined with an Abu Sayyaf faction under Kumander Yasser Igasan to attack MBLT-3 (Marine Battalion Landing Team #3).2 Abu Sayyaf guerillas were killed and 4 AFP Marines were wounded.
After the firefight MBLT-3 entered Barangay Tuyan and captured a main MNLF camp belonging to Malik.At the same time, MBLT-1 was able to capture a satellite camp in Barangay Poblacion,also in the municipality of Talipao.
Though he supports Nur Misuari,Malik has been on his own since rejecting the 1996 Jakarta Accord in November,2001. since that time he has been attacking the AFP though his actions ebb and flow.A major player,he commanded an entire front (Sulu has 2 MNLF fronts,East and West),he also operates almost openly in tandem with ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group). He currently has a P1 Million Bounty on his head (20,000 Euros).Some might remember his name from the audacious Operation he pulled off in Feburary,2007.General Ben Dolorfino and then Under Secretary of Defense Ramon Santos along with 12 AFP officers were trying to negotiate with Malik over his actions (he was trying to get Misuari released from House Arrest in Manila at the time).Malik took the party hostage.The goal was to get Misuari released to attend the OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference) Conference in Jeddah.Though nominally independent he is counted as part of the Misuari faction due to his diehard support of his old friend and former Commander.
On June 27,2010 officials in and around Valencia City in Bukidnon Province expressed alarm that the MNLF was moving into this partof the island.Bukidnon is not home to many Muslims but the organisation has been actively recruiting in the towns of Pangantucan,Kalilangan and as I mentioned,Valencia City.The recruiters have been promising P15,000 a month (almost US400),practically a fortune in that depressed area,though with a hitch.Applicants need to pay up to P3,000 (US75) for the application,ID card,etc.This same scheme has also been taking place in ComVal Province (Compostela Valley),Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental Provinces which are other non-Muslim provinces and another area where LGUs (Local Government Units,i.e."towns") officials are up in arms and asking the AFP to boost its presence over the course of the last 12 months.
In Valencia City's westside,in Sitio Kibalaog,Barangay Lilingayon the MNLF have established a provincial HQ in a place they are calling Camp Datu Matoos.Actually this development took place almost 2 years ago unbeknownst to most local officials and in fact created quite a stir locally when Chairman Misuari himself arrived in a 7 vehichle convoy,with 18 well armed bodyguards brought with him from ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao).The event was an Induction Ceremony for local recruits,but that took place after they were first converted to Islam.
Misuari has long made a point of trying to include non-Muslims in the MNLF,even going so far as to state that a "Moro"is anyone who lives in Mindanao and accepts the label (I think I'll pass).Earlier this year,2010,he appeared at a Lumad (Hill Tribe) festival in Agusan del Sur Province as a guest of honor.Agusan del Sur is tied with Surigao del Sur as the 2 provinces in Mindanao having the least number of Muslim residents,both barely registering more than 1,000 each.
The 2008 ceremony in Bukidnon,which took place on December 1st,was organised in conjunction with Barangay Councilwoman Julie Zulita,a non-Muslim.
On July 2nd,2010 in the town of Datu Blah Sinsuat in Maguindano Province the MNLF-MMSC faction,under its leader Datu Faizal"Randy"Karon and the BIAF 104 Base Command under Kumander Jud Caludtiag once again locked horns over that piece of contentious provincial borderland.On June 13th the AFP's 6IB (Infantry Battalion) managed to pull both sides apart and occupy the border,creating a mini-DMZ (Demiliatarised Zone) of sorts.It was able to get warring parties out of Barangay Meti in Datu Blah Sinsuat as well as out of Barangays Tran and Kalamonogg in the adjoining town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat Province.
The BIAF withdrew and re-positioned in upper sectors of Barangay Laguitan in the town of Datu Blah Sinsuat but over the last week of June there were sporadic clashes.On June 30th the AFP which here-to-fore had claimed it had no manpower to re-deploy from adjoining barangays lest more flare-ups occur there suddenly re-positioned forces in Barangay Sinepak whic adjoins Barangay Laguitan.On the morning of July 2nd,2010 the MNLF-MMSC attacked the BIAF's positions in Barangays Dunpilas and Tran over the border in Lebak,Sultan Kudarat Province.
July 3rd,at 7PM in Barangay Sinepak in the town of Datu Blah Sinsuat,the AFP launched five 105MM rounds from a gunboat situated off the coast of Laguitan as ground forces launched a fussilade of 81MM mortar shells into BIAF held sectors.
The next morning,July 4th,at 7AM,ground forces attacked the BIAF in Barangay Meti.Of course the MILF/BIAF brass, while denying any culpability at all for the actions undertaken by Kumander Caludtiag have cried foul and accused the AFP of supporting the MNLF.
On July 16 the MNLF-MMSC blew a small boat out of the water as it ferried IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons,i.e. "Refugees"),as the BIAF was landing in similar boats down the beach,using the IDP exodus as cover for troop re-positioning.Roughly 50 BIAF guerillas landed and an intense firefight broke out as IDPs fled in all directions.
That same day Datu Blah Sinsuat's ex-mayor Datu Ibrahim Manot"Manaut"Sinsuat who also serves in the MNLF-MMSC was en route to a mosque in another border town of Maguindano Province,the municipality of Buluan,when he was waylaid in Barangay Poblacion in the town of President Roxas in Sultan Kudarat Province.Trucks boxed in his minivan as gunmen on foot strafed the vehicle badly with M16s.Shaken but alive the MNLF Kumander was able to escape with everything intact.
Datu Sinsuat,while still mayor (he was voted out this past election,May 10th,2010) is believed to have had his nephew Errol Sinsuat murdered.Errol was a Barangay Captain/Chairman in the town and had just passed a Resolution condemning the Mayor for maintaining a paramilitary (actually it was his MNLF element),a hot political issue since the"Maguindanao Massacre."The Resolution however stemmed from Errol's support of a 2nd uncle,Vice Mayor Marcial Sinsuat in his bid to unseat the Mayor.The murder took place on Cotabato City's Don Ramon Rebago Street in Barangay Mother in the city's fashionable Rosary Heights section on Wednesday,February 17th,2010.
As the 2 murderers were riding tandem on a single motorcycle while leaving the scene they had the very bad luck to run across a rookie PNP officer.Unlike a more seasoned officer who tries to avoid life threatening,or even physically challenging situations whenever possible this young man took it upon himself to actually try and catch the shooters and a short but violent firefight ensued.When the noise stopped one of the men on the motorcycle was wounded and though he still managed to escape the firefight caused him to leave his backpack on scene.
The backpack,military issue,had the owner's name stenciled on it,PFC.(Private First Class) Norodin Sinsuat (another nephew of the former Mayor) deployed with the 10ID (Infantry Division).The operator of the motorcycle,PFC.Esmael Mama,deployed with the 6ID was charged along with Norodin,who is the alleged shooter.
On July 18th the fighting between the BIAF and MNLF-MMSC continued heavily,unabated from the 16th but with it having expanded into the town of Datu Blah Sinsuat's Barangay Sadam as well,and back over the border into Barangay Tran in the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat Province.As the 6IB struggled to stay out of the way some 40 civilians were killed along with an unknown number of guerillas on both sides.
On July 29th,2010 in Cotabato City in North Cotabato Province,MNLF member Jonel Pandalat was caught fleeing the scene of a murder.PNP says he had just killed 50 year old Roger Aragon after buying charcoal from the man.He refused to answer anything under interrogation but is being looked at for involvement in earlier murders in the city and outlying areas.
That same week the long simmering conflict between Kumander Datu Faisal"Randy"Karon,the paramount leader of the MNLF's newest faction,the MNLF-MMSC (Mainland Mindanao State Committee) and the BIAF 104 Base Command's Kumander Jud Caludtiag saw the MILF/BIAF hierarchy trying to float a peace plan of sorts.The conflict between these 2 men, because it is not an organisational conflict,but rather a personal feud (as opposed to "Rido," or "Clan Feud"),has been flaring up as I explained in my aforementioned entry for about 4 years now.Sadly,the civilians on the border of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat Provinces are the ones who suffer the most,this time is no exception.
The MILF/BIAF"Plan"has received approval from Kumander Jud Caludtiag,commanding the BIAFF 104 Base Command,as well as the MNLF-Misuari and MNLF-Sema (Executive Committee of 15) factions.Though Kumander Karon's faction, Mainland Mindanao State Committee is allied with Sema,ithasn't agreed to abide by the"plan,"and of course THAT is the MNLF faction doing the actual fighting...He has been very receptive,but has always found a major issue to contest and so the fighting continues.
Basically there are 3 components of this"Plan":
I) Deploy uninvolved elements of both the MILF/BIAF and the MNLF to the provincial border where the fighting is taking place.
II) Let IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons,i.e."Refugees") return to their villages and both sides will then work towards rehabilitation and development of the area so as to benefit those IDPs.
III) After the 1st two components have been implemented talks will begin between the 2 sides so as to reach an acceptable and permanent accord.
It seems simple enough,and yet it hasn't been accepted although Kumander Karon has agreed to allow non-local PNP (Philippine National Police) officers to be deployed to the area so as to bring at least the semblance of law and order (looting and other lawlessness is always an issue in these types of sub-conflicts).It is a start anyway.
Interestingly the 2 men have along history together and it wasn't always acrimonius.Both started off as combatants in the MNLF (when there was only one MNLF,under Misuari),based in Barangay Tran in the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat,1 of the 2 communities currently embroiled in this violence.A specific battle there was christened"Battle of Hell's Little Acre"by the AFP who had an incredibly difficult time against this particular MNLF element who amazingly were able to hold the barangay for 6 months as the AFP threw its best men and equipment at them (the AFP has a penchant for using American military terminology,in this case the battle's name).If only the same elan and finesse had been present at Camp Abubakar in the"2000 War"perhaps Mindanao would be a much different place right now.
The battle took place from Feburary 23rd,1973 until mid-August of that year and claimed the lives of Karon's 3 elder brothers as well as serious wounding Kumander Karon himself.Also worth noting,Senator Gregorio"Gringo"Honasan, leader of a famous coup attempt while still in the AFP,was also wounded in that famous battle.Kumander Jud Caludtiag wasn't wounded but did fight well by all accounts and so both men have positive common ground on which to build a lasting agreement should they ever truly be serious about it.
As of August 2nd,2010,there are a total of 17,000 IDPs suffering during the height of Monsoon.That should be the most pressing issue.17,000 men,women and children...So what is causing this latest round of violence?The MILF/BIAF says Karon kidnapped a woman from the BIAF 104 Base Command AOR (Area of Responsibility"i.e."Turf") in 2009.More neutral voices say it is over control of a patch of beach straddling both towns (Lebak,Sultan Kudarat and Datu Blah Sinsuat,Maguindanao) directly on the border that holds immense strategical value,as well as possibly commercial value should the conflict ever end and development ever truly come to the region.Karon,for his own 2 cents says it is because of an MILF/BIAF attack after the failure of the MoA-AD (Memorandum of Understanding on Ancestral Domain) in August of 2008.
Most will remember that when the Supreme Court issued a Restraining Order against the signing of this Memorandum by the GPH (Government) and the MILF/BIAF,that 3 BIAF Base Commands went off the reservation.It began with Kumander Kato and his 105 Base Command occupying PALMA,a strategic patch of land holding 5 municipalities in North Cotabato Province close to the Maguindano Province Border.These villages and towns were almost entirely Bisaya and Ilonggo (i.e. "Christian") and so what has been called a"Police Action"against 3"Lost Commands" (term first used by Philippine Constalbury Col.Carlos"Charlie" Palabrica Lademora,later known as"Kumander Brown,"borrowed from American lingo used in the Vietnam War),but without a doubt was actually a war.
Many Crimes Against Humanity,atrocities took place during this war but Kumander Karon is angered over a particular act.What act you ask?The 104 Base Command under Kumander Caludtiag attacked a power generator located on a barge off of the town of Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat Province.The barge provided power to the area and left residents without power for several weeks.As the barge was being attacked an element also attacked the town of Lebak as a diversionary move.That diversionary move is the jist of it,though in honesty Karon seems to have a case of selective memory since that attack took place 2 years AFTER his problems with the 104 Base Command began.
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