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| WikiLeaks: Moro rebels hunted down; 'high-value' terrorists | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 3 2011, 07:39 AM (2,069 Views) | |
| arvcab | Sep 3 2011, 07:39 AM Post #1 |
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http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/...alue-terrorists MANILA, Philippines - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim gave the go-ahead in 2005 for the rebel forces to hunt down 'high-value' terrorists belonging to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in Mindanao, a US embassy cable published by WikiLeaks Friday said. The cable, which was classified "Secret," said an MILF-Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (MILF-AHJAG) official talked to US embassy Political Officer Joseph Saus June 24, 2006 to tell him that "the MILF is covertly mobilizing its forces in a "non-combat" effort to locate and capture suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) "key targets." "The operation should take place over the next week, and has a 50-percent chance of success, according to the embassy contact, whose identity the cable asked be "strictly protected." The MILF-AHJAG official told Saus "that the operation comes at the direct order of MILF Chairman Al Haj Ebrahim Murad and that the action required the 'utmost secrecy.'" "Even MILF Base Commanders are out of the loop, due to Murad's concern that some continue to hide and/or protect these elements," the embassy said, quoting its contact person. It is not known if the MILF operation was a success or if the Moro rebels were given cash under the US government's reward program. The MILF-AHJAG official said the primary motivation for the mission was to demonstrate the importance that the rebel group placed on its commitment against terrorism. "MILF officials have claimed for months that they are willing to take positive steps to move against terrorists in their zones, while often simultaneously claiming that there are none. Any true efforts, especially successful, will be important in stimulating momentum in the peace process and in isolating individual MILF commanders who may harbor such terrorists," the cable said. "We have indicated repeatedly and forcefully that the time has long come for the MILF firmly and decisively to move against terrorism, and to make the choice toward peace and development, with action rather than verbiage," it added. "While little in the MILF's track record so far justifies much optimism, the faster pace and more collaborative tone of the two most recent [Philippine government-MILF] 'exploratory' talks may indicate the possibility of a sea change, or at least its beginning," the memo said. MILF looks up to Washington Another US embassy cable had revealed that the separatist group looks up to Washington to help end the decades-long fighting in Mindanao. The second cable, 09MANILA2198 dated October 19, 2009, said then US chargé d'affaires Leslie Bassett and other US embassy officials met Ebrahim, vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, other high-ranking officials, and commanders of the rebel group at the heavily-guarded Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao last February 19, 2009. Bassett was accompanied by US Agency for International Development (USAID) acting mission director Elzadia Washington, defense attaché Col. Tony Senci, and political officer Michael Pignatello, according to the confidential cable sent by then US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenny. Kenney quoted Ebrahim as having said that "the US is the only country we feel can push peaceful resolution of the (Mindanao) conflict." "We look for a more active role of the U.S. in order to push the peace process," Ebrahim added. "You are aware of the background of the problem. The influence of America in the Philippines (is one that) no other country can match." Rebels wants more from US He also expressed concern that the development of poor communities in the region could mean an end to the MILF. "In a surprisingly frank and revealing comment, Murad expressed concern that development assistance alone, absent political advances, could 'purge the insurgency' of its momentum, further demonstrating the need for development and political progress to go hand-in-hand," the cable said. "In a 90-minute meeting attended by top MILF Central Committee members and MILF armed forces commanders, Chairman Murad encouraged the US to move beyond its substantial development assistance to provide more political support to the peace process," it added. US officials then told the rebel group that they support a peaceful solution to the conflict. "[Basett] also reminded Chairman Murad of the need for the MILF to take action against terrorism in Mindanao and urged him to support efforts to rescue a recently kidnapped Irish Catholic priest," the cable stated. 2km-long honor guard for US officials MILF rebels met the US embassy officials with an honor guard in the military camp, which can only be reached through a poorly maintained dirt trail off a main road just north of Cotabato City, the report said. "Men young and old in Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) camouflage uniforms stood at intervals in formation on the two kilometer stretch from the main road to the camp's Bangsamoro Development Agency office, with guns and rocket launchers at their sides," the cable added. Murad called the Americans the "friends of the Bangsamoro," and thanked them for supporting the peace process, "embodied in exchanges of letters during the past six years with US officials." |
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| ni84 | Sep 3 2011, 01:44 PM Post #2 |
 
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What a load of crap. 
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We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire...Give us the tools and we will finish the job. Sir Winston Churchill, BBC radio broadcast, 1941 We'll settle this the old navy way: first guy to die, loses. President Thomas 'Tug' Benson, Hot Shots! Part Deux  Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii 15,000 nukes and enough for another 40,000 | |
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| nonong | Sep 4 2011, 06:27 PM Post #3 |
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That little wikileaks secret deal shows Murad waltzing with the Americans. I wonder if our psychwar people released the details to the MILF warlord group(committee).... Will this piece of evidence cause a power play split in the MILF warlord hierarchy? Will it cause infighting among the jihadists and pro-Murad group? Remember that the Americans are hated by the jihadists. Divide and conquer! On the other hand, Murad may have been playing along.... What do you guys think? |
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"In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected." -Sun Tzu "Try and try until you die!" - Anonymous | |
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| ni84 | Sep 4 2011, 06:44 PM Post #4 |
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Why are the American's talking to these people who burn house, decapitate our soldiers and kidnap innocent people to get money? This is very disturbing and a bit insulting in our part. |
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We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire...Give us the tools and we will finish the job. Sir Winston Churchill, BBC radio broadcast, 1941 We'll settle this the old navy way: first guy to die, loses. President Thomas 'Tug' Benson, Hot Shots! Part Deux Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii 15,000 nukes and enough for another 40,000 | |
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| nonong | Sep 4 2011, 06:56 PM Post #5 |
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I too am puzzled.... You see I am pro American too. Most of my relatives are immigrants. The answer is too deep to read between the lines in the wikileaks disclosure to the press. The cloak and dagger world works both ways at times. Spy vs. Spy? I don't know if Murad is a turned spy who was bought. The report does not give any details of his association or the outcome of the deal. |
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"In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected." -Sun Tzu "Try and try until you die!" - Anonymous | |
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| ni84 | Sep 4 2011, 07:07 PM Post #6 |
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The US is playing with fire in this situation as this might create a major 'blowback" in our relationship with them. |
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We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire...Give us the tools and we will finish the job. Sir Winston Churchill, BBC radio broadcast, 1941 We'll settle this the old navy way: first guy to die, loses. President Thomas 'Tug' Benson, Hot Shots! Part Deux Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii 15,000 nukes and enough for another 40,000 | |
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| nonong | Sep 4 2011, 07:45 PM Post #7 |
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The jihadist animals of the Al Quaeda, J.I. and abu sayaff will really target Murad if it is true that he was turned and bought. This might cause a split in the ranks of the MILF and their allies. Guys I wonder.... Was the wikileaks article published in the major NCR dailies or newspapers in Mindanao? Sana nabasa ng mga animal ang ginawa ng Murad. |
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"In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected." -Sun Tzu "Try and try until you die!" - Anonymous | |
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| nonong | Sep 4 2011, 08:19 PM Post #8 |
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The revelations in the wikileaks US-MILF deal article will cause ripples in the diplomatic and counter-terrorist community. The Philippine government should investigate the unholy alliance between Murad and U.S. officials named in the report. A secret deal to promote the interests of the MILF warlords and their militia is an intervention into the sovereignty of the country in dealing with islamic guerillas. |
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"In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected." -Sun Tzu "Try and try until you die!" - Anonymous | |
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| ni84 | Sep 4 2011, 08:27 PM Post #9 |
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I smell a conspiracy! |
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We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire...Give us the tools and we will finish the job. Sir Winston Churchill, BBC radio broadcast, 1941 We'll settle this the old navy way: first guy to die, loses. President Thomas 'Tug' Benson, Hot Shots! Part Deux Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii 15,000 nukes and enough for another 40,000 | |
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| ni84 | Sep 4 2011, 08:35 PM Post #10 |
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We should demand an explanation from the US State Department, NOW! If the US does not explain itself we should kick out their ambassador out and start inquiring to the UN about the US talking to the enemies of the state. |
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We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire...Give us the tools and we will finish the job. Sir Winston Churchill, BBC radio broadcast, 1941 We'll settle this the old navy way: first guy to die, loses. President Thomas 'Tug' Benson, Hot Shots! Part Deux Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii 15,000 nukes and enough for another 40,000 | |
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