MILF has investigated renegade commanders who burned villages, set off bombs and murdered civilians

The MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) has investigated terrorist activity by it's own commanders after the last Peace Talks and the Memorandum Of Agreement on Ancestral Domain broke down with no Peace Agreement. Both Muslim and Christian communities were ravaged with houses burned, multiple IED's and Bombs and innocents (including children) shot or hacked to death or badly wounded. 500,000 civilians have been evacuated since August 2008.

The MILF, one side of the PEACE negotiations with the Philippine Government, has refused to disclose the details of their own probe into the lawless rebels in the MILF. If the MILF were to bring these lawless elements out into the light of day for all to see their own judgment then it would speak highly of the MILF sincerity in working toward PEACE in the Southern Philippines. The MILF previously indicated (probably true as reported by many) that these rogue lawless MILF leaders would be tried in their own MILF military court and held responsible.

Many have stated that it is important to decommmission high-powered firearms and to begin the dismantling of non-authorized armies so that only the PNP (Police) , the Armed Forces of the Philippines and authorized civilians (CAFGU) are providing protection of peace and order in the area. The well-organized MILF army can be rehabilitated in the generous rehabilitation program in the conflict affected areas. Is this possible?

It is hard to imagine that a real PEACE Agreement can be reached with secrets kept by the MILF about the leaders of terrorist activity in the MILF and a continuation or even escalation of MILF rebellion and harm to civilians (Recent on Basilan) at the same time as agreement is being worked on by legitimate PEACE seekers of the MILF and the Philippine government.

Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Police Commission instituted Institute New Directive

The PNP and the National Police Commission instituted a new Directorate Of Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) for Western Mindanao. This body will ensure support and mutual co-operation among law enforcement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other government and non-government (NGO) organizations in Western Mindanao to counter Terrorists, insurgents and other lawless groups. The worthwhile goal is to promote peace and development.

Mayor Celso Lobregat, the Mayor of beautiful Zamboanga City and a strong advocate of Peace that is good for all citizens, welcomes DIPO as a way of stopping the kidnapping for ransom and other terrorist activity.

Mayor Lobregat stated recently (Daily Zamboanga Times, November 28): "We have cited the need for the creation of a special police anti-kidnapping group whose area of jurisdiction is wider than that of the existing Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response Unit"...

The Program will develop a coherent approach to fight terrorists, kidnap for ransom and human trafficking. DIPO would combat these crimes within all of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The Mayor of Zamboanga indicated that the kidnapping terrorists have become bolder and they take victims to neighboring provinces (Basilan, where I am) . They are held in the jungle where many other regional (Such as Zamboanga City Police) police operatives have had no jurisdiction.

This DIPO-Western Mindanao would become the answer to this problem. This (hopefully) will lead to an area command for PNP (Philippine National Police) covering all areas in the region similar to the Philippine Military Western Mindanao Command. This will give a centralized cooperative effort to the police to pursue criminals and terrorists all throughout the area including Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi. Perhaps, in this way, the escalating kidnappings and dangerous activity can be limited if not stopped.

DISCUSSION: As I understand this Program, police from DIPO-WESTERN MINDANAO could pursue these illegal activities in areas, such as Basilan, where kidnap victims are taken and other terrorist activity take place. This sounds like a rational approach to an escalating law enforcement problem. We will watch for events to unfold. The PNP and National Police Commission are to be congratulated for this effort.

A Healing House New Year's Wish!

The Healing House Wishes For PEACE in the Southern Philippines and hopes

To Continue To Make Some Small Contribution to This Peace Process.



The Peace Loving civilians deserve the freedom to pursue their dreams for themselves and their families. This is true for all no matter the religion or belief.

May 2009 see PEACE and Law and Order in these areas so that individuals can utilize their potential.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

UN Reports That MILF Is Stopping Using Children As Warriors

The United Nations said December 12 that the MILF has agreed to stop recruiting children as soldiers in combat. The Philippine Government is trying to protect children from this practice. The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-Generral for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, said "the MILF will enter into an action plan with UNICEF to stop" this use of children in war. ((STAR NEWS, December 13)

This UN Representative had just returned from Central Mindanao where she had observed first-hand measures to protect children in war zones. "The primary purpose of the UN visit was to discuss ways and means of securing the release of children being recruited by the MILF and The New People's Army (Communist NPA). She strongly recommended child protection as part of the PEACE PROCESS so needed in Southern Philippines.

500,000 Displaced Civilians Due To Terrorism and War

Approximately 500,000 individuals, including approximately 300,000 children, are still displaced and living in Centers after evacuation on Mindanao currently and in recent months. There are thousands more recently evacuated due to fighting and terrorism on the island of Basilan. Tipo-Tipo has been particularly an area of evacuation repeatedly. It is reported that after fleeing most endure poor health services and unsanitary conditions. The children lose days or weeks, or even months of school. It is reported, possibly true, that ASG Terrorists and MILF hide in these evacuation Centers to avoid being located by Government Troops.The Evacuations began in Central Mindanao in August and continue until today.

Nine Labuan Kidnapped and Released On Basilan

According to the Zamboanga Times (December 10) all 9 kidnapped victims from Labuan were released by the Abu Sayyaf. Seven sand and gravel company workers and two children were taken by the Abu Sayyaf last week in Tuburan, Basilan. The relatives of the kidnapped sought help from the city government in their release.

The 9 year old girl and the Nursing Student are still held on Basilan by the ASG.(Abu Sayyaf, the Islamic Terrorists in the Philippines) Large amounts of ransom money have been demanded for their return.

UPDATE

Fighting has been intense near me on Basilan as well as on the Island of Sulu. Many soldiers have been wounded or killed. This is fact for I have visited these soldiers in the Hospital at WestMinCom where The Healing House has a Treatment Program for traumatized military and their families. (I am glad to report that we now have approximately 10 new volunteers to help at WestMinCom Camp Navarro Hospital who are Psychology Graduate Students) The WestMinCom (Western Military Command) Healing House has a new office which is decorated in the colors of the Philippine flag with Philippine and American flags painted on the wall. Hopefully, many soldiers and families will be helped.

(Back to the issue of the Terrorists)
The Abu Sayyaf faction near me on Basilan is headed by Puruji Indama and Nur Hassan Jamiri. (ASG) Commander Long is the MILF Commander and a major leader of the Terrorists in the area. (Remember the common saying of folks on Mindanao) "MILF during the day but Abu Sayyaf at night." They are largely blamed for kidnapping and terrorist acts along with other leaders that I will not name here. There is a TERRORIST LETTER on this BLOG from these two that my bodyguard received. Please click on prior entries to view this demand letter to become Muslim or pay money or pay the price of great danger

There are several earlier reports here, on this blog, that have misinformation. I am now trying to be very careful and report accurate info or at least to say if info is given by a credible or fairly reliable source or if it may be rumor. There is no doubt that (as the only Westerner here) , at times I am given misinformation. Also, I receive info from the Marines that is over the radio from Marines in different Operations and sometimes this fresh, just happening, info is incorrect or incomplete. My goal here is to be as truthful with honest reporting of what is happening at the time in an area where there are no reporters. I wish I had a cameraman to join me in this endeavor.

An example of a mistake (which was reported incorrectly to me at the time by the Marines) is that the ambushed priest did not die in October. Claretian Priest Felimon Libot was ambushed and wounded on his way to celebrate Mass in Sumisip, Basilan. Thankfully, he did not die. The reported information on this Blog mistakenly indicated his demise.

Suspected Pakistani Bomb Maker Caught In Mindanao.

THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT ARRESTED A PAKISTANI WHO WAS RUNNING A "FRONT' WATCH SHOP IN Shariff KABUNSUAN TOWN IN MINDANAO. MUHAMMAD ALFARIZ WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON TUESDAY.

There were mortar shells, wires and other bomb making materials found.The bomber was being interrogated in connection with plots to bomb targets in Mindanao where al Qaeda linked suspects hide. Police believe that the bomber may have connections to the Indonesian based JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH.(JI)

Philippine Security has stated that about 39 Indonesian recruits of the JI and 28 other extremist international islamic terrorists are on the run in Mindanao. Foreign militants who are reportedly hiding in Mindanao include Dulmatin (Indonesian) and Umar Patek. Both are thought to have been involved in the Bali Bombings by the JI. In the late 1990s the JI set up Terrorist Training Camps in the mountains of Mindanao. Reportedly, these camps were destroyed by the government. This report was mainly told in Zamboanga Today ,the local Zamboanga Newspaper.

This report is likely to be true but facts may be questioned over time.

9 year old kidnap victim moved from Libe Brgy

Nine year old Nicole Rabeche was reportedly moved from this home in Libe Brgy.(address given in the last blog entry.) It was reported by some observers that the child was seen with bruising on her arms and legs. This report has not been confirmed. She was taken on Nov. 26,th from her home in Lamitan and reportedly snatched from her mothers arms. The safety and well-being of this 9 year old is of the greatest importance. Her whereabouts at this time is not known by this writer.Usually victims are taken to Tipo-Tipo or Tuburan or other camps in the mountains on Basilan close to Lamitan.

This information is likely true and the information reported, to me is usually reliable. If incorrect, updates will be made.