Author Archives: B A Patty

Republic of the Philippines’ Marine Force Recon and Navy Special Warfare killed an Abu Sayyaf leader, Radi Upao. Dulmatin, the JI leader wanted for the 2002 Bali bombing, is reported to have escaped the strike.

MILF leadership figures appealed to MNLF factions to protect Malik, under increasing pressure from AFP troops. MindaNews claims that a new peace deal would give the MILF control over the Bangsamoro ancestral domain.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines revealed that they were tipped by one of the mutiny leaders of the upcoming coup plot. AFP Marines seized a camp held jointly by the Abu Sayyaf Group and the MNLF.

The MILF predicted a peace pact by 2008, and urged international groups to back the process. The RP government considered merging the MILF and MNLF treaties.

Details emerged on the MILF/GRP peace plan. The investigation into the bombing of the House of Representatives continues.

There was a breakthrough in peace negotiations between the government and the MNLF, held in Saudia Arabia. The host nation promised to support the agreement with additional aid. The agreement came despite the absence of MNLF leader Nur Misuari, earlier promised release from prison to attend.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines consider ‘peace training’ as a means of conflict resolution in Mindanao. The AFP also announced purchase of Vietnam-vintage Hueys from the US. The government is reconsidering the 1996 peace pact with the Moro National Liberation Front.

Troops killed five Abu Sayyaf fighters in Basilan, including commander Abdul Karim Jamjali. The US government announced it was conditioning some aid on solving unsolved political killings. A bank director from Jeddah vanished in Sulu.

A Philippine Special Forces Company killed an Abu Sayyaf operative in Basilan. Investigators of the Manila mall blast requested a week to finish their work, while negligence remained high on the list of suspected causes. Efforts to reform madrassas in the Philippines continue. USAID is providing computer courses in Mindanao.

The government launched a new “humanitarian offensive” in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The United States vowed to increase its contribution to such programs as part of a $60 million budget for aid to the Philippines. The amount was $14 million higher than that requested by the US State Department. Meanwhile, a new book […]