"Terrorist leader killed in Philippine raid" New York Times, February 03, 2012
MANILA - Philippine military officials said yesterday that an early-morning raid had killed one of the top leaders of a regional terrorist network with links to Al Qaeda, as well as other senior terrorism suspects wanted by the United States.
The officials said government forces killed Zulkifli bin Hir, considered to be a senior leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorism network. The United States had posted a $5 million reward for his capture or killing.
The FBI lists Zulkifli, a Malaysian who also uses the name Marwan, among its most wanted terrorists, identifying him as a member of Jemaah Islamiyah’s central command. Zulkifli, who trained as an engineer in the United States, was accused of conducting bomb-making training for terrorist organizations, including the Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines.
He was "Al-CIA-Duh!"
Philippine officials said the strikes also killed Abdullah Ali, a Singaporean who goes by Muawiyah. Ali carried a $50,000 US reward and was also considered a leader of Jemaah Islamiyah. An Abu Sayyaf leader, Umbra Jumdail, and more than a dozen other militants, were also said to have died.
He was "Al-CIA-Duh!"
Philippine officials said the strikes also killed Abdullah Ali, a Singaporean who goes by Muawiyah. Ali carried a $50,000 US reward and was also considered a leader of Jemaah Islamiyah. An Abu Sayyaf leader, Umbra Jumdail, and more than a dozen other militants, were also said to have died.
--more--"
"Filipinos try to confirm terrorist’s death" Associated Press, February 04, 2012
MANILA - A day after proclaiming the death of a top regional terrorist suspect in a US-backed airstrike, the Philippine military acknowledged yesterday that his remains still have not been found.
(Sigh)
Troops were searching the jungle camp that was hit Thursday for the body of Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, said regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang.
Military officials said at least 15 people were killed in the dawn strike on a militant camp on remote southern Jolo Island, including two other high-level leaders. A national military spokesman, Colonel Marcelo Burgos, initially reported that Marwan was among them.
But if the initial report proves incorrect, it would turn a largely successful strike into a partial embarrassment for the Philippine military, while burnishing the reputation of the elusive terrorist....
--more--"
Anything else going on in the Philippines?
"Landslide in Philippine village kills 25" associated press, January 06, 2012
MANILA - A landslide tore through a tiny gold-mining village in the southern Philippines yesterday, killing 25 people and burying dozens more, months after the government warned residents the mountain was certain to crumble.
The mountainside in Napnapan village in Pantukan township collapsed around 3 a.m., when most residents were asleep, sweeping away about 50 houses, shanties, and other buildings, officials said. A fissure in the mountain discovered last year likely was aggravated by heavy rains and continuous mining in the saturated ground.
Thousands of poor Filipinos dig and pan for gold in the area, hoping to strike it rich despite the dangers of largely unregulated mining. The tunnels are often unstable, and landslides and accidents are common.
Aside from those confirmed dead, more than 100 people were believed buried in the earth rubble, said Compostela Valley provincial Governor Arturo Uy.
Scores of soldiers and volunteers were helping villagers dig for survivors and bodies, regional military spokesman Colonel Leopoldo Galon said. The bodies of two girls aged 6 and 14 were among those retrieved.
At least 16 people were taken to a hospital, with six in critical condition, Galon said.
Ramon Paje, Environment and Natural Resources secretary, said he had warned residents and local officials last year of a fissure on a ridge of the mountain that geologists said was highly susceptible to landslides that could occur anytime.
“We were absolute that it will give in,’’ he said. “It was a 100 percent warning. We told them it’s just a matter of time. . . . This is what happened this morning.’’
--more--"
"SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT -- Crews worked yesterday in an effort to find survivors at a landslide site on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao. At least 27 people were killed and many more were reported missing (Boston Globe January 7 2012)."
On to more important matters:
"US, Philippines hold talks on military ties" New York Times, January 27, 2012
WASHINGTON - The United States and the Philippines are exploring increasing joint military exercises and other military cooperation that would not entail a major buildup or reopening permanent bases, officials in both capitals said yesterday.
Foreign affairs and defense officials from the Philippines are visiting Washington for preliminary talks, and in Manila last week, leaders told a visiting US Senate delegation that the government would welcome closer military ties. The United States has about 600 service members in the Philippines, mostly trainers assisting in countering terrorist groups in the south.
In Manila, the Philippine defense secretary, Voltaire Gazmin, said the talks in Washington would cover intensifying joint military exercises within the limits of a 1999 accord that lets ships and US troops visit temporarily.
“We always welcome the broadening of relations with our allies, but this is a sensitive area of negotiations because we are constrained by our constitution from certain agreements,’’ Galvez said. “US bases in the Philippines would be out of the question.’’
Pentagon officials confirmed that the discussions with the Philippines covered more joint military exercises and more frequent US naval visits to Philippine ports.
“This is not about looking for US bases in the Philippines,’’ said Captain John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman. “This is simply about trying to move our relationship with the Philippine military forward.’’
The talks are the latest attempt to bolster the US presence in the Asia-Pacific region to counter a rising China....
Subic Bay in the Philippines, the site of a US Navy facility that closed in 1991, is now a civilian special economic zone. Although US ships can visit the area, it is unclear how the United States could operate there within the restrictions imposed by the Philippine Constitution.
--more--"
