US embassy cable - 05MANILA463

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000463 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SES-O, EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP, USIP - SOLOMON 
NSC FOR GREEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2015 
TAGS: PTER, PINS, PREL, MOPS, MY, RP 
SUBJECT: MASSIVE STRIKES AGAINST HIGH VALUE TERRORISTS IN 
MINDANAO 
 
REF: A. MANILA 281 
     B. 04 MANILA 5625 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus 
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary.  A January 27 Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) massive aerial and artillery attack against 
several high value terrorist suspects (including ASG leader 
Janjalani and key JI operatives linked to the Bali bombing) 
killed as many as five terrorists and wounded three. 
Confirmation and identification of the killed and wounded 
await an examination of the assault site.  GRP/MILF talks 
slated for early February in Kuala Lumpur appear on track, 
with the cease-fire still technically in place.  End Summary. 
 
Attacks On a "Who,s Who" Of Suspected High Value Terrorists 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
2.  (C) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Moro 
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) contacts on January 28 
confirmed to poloff that a massive artillery and aerial 
bombardment operation took place around Datu Piang, 
Maguindanao on January 27.  The attacks reportedly targeted a 
spectrum of wanted terrorist leaders, including Abu Sayyaf 
Group (ASG) leader Khadafi Janjalani, ASG commanders Abu 
Solaiman and Isnilon Hapilon, as many as three Jemmah 
Islamiyah operatives (including Dulmatin, the bomb maker for 
the Bali bombing), and MILF commander Abdul Wahid Tondok -- 
wanted by GRP authorities in connection with a January 9 raid 
(ref a) against a local AFP detachment that left seven 
soldiers dead.  (Note: The three ASG members are on the USG's 
Rewards for Justice Program list. end note) 
 
3.  (SBU) The specific target area was in the Liguasan Marsh, 
the same general area as the November 19 attack against a 
suspected hideout of Janjalani (ref B).  The marsh is a 
popular refuge for rebels and terrorists because its swampy 
terrain severely hampers (if not prohibits completely) 
concealed ground maneuvers. 
 
4.  (S) The AFP used four OV-10 aircraft with 500 pound 
bombs, six artillery guns firing air-burst rounds, two MG-520 
helicopters with rockets, two forward air controllers, and an 
AFP military intelligence fusion unit.  US assistance in the 
operation included operations and intelligence fusion at the 
6th Infantry Division Headquarters and at the brigade level, 
satellite imagery of the target area, and Unmanned Aerial 
Vehicle (UAV) flights and video footage.  Each OV-10 dropped 
two or three bombs on the target areas, followed by 
artillery.  Individuals were seen departing the area on foot 
and by boat during the operation. 
 
5.  (C) According to AFP officials, five suspected terrorists 
were killed and three wounded, although so far without 
identification and recovery of remains or injured.  (Comment: 
Emboffs believe that the AFP likely has inflated the number 
of true casualties.  End Comment.)  Major General Zulkifeli, 
chief of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team 
(IMT), told poloff that he was still unclear about the exact 
extent of the bomb damage, but promised to inspect the scene 
of the assault on January 28, as well as visit with evacuees. 
 
Tentative Talks Not Affected 
---------------------------- 
 
6.  (C) The MILF has not responded militarily to this attack, 
although the MILF on its website accused the GRP of 
"scuttling the cease-fire."  According to MILF contacts, the 
MILF will formally protest the attack at the next joint 
meeting of the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of 
Hostilities (CCCH) but nonetheless consider the cease-fire 
still in effect.  The CCCH and representatives from at least 
one cease-fire monitoring NGO along with the IMT will examine 
the site of the attack.  Privately, MILF officials told 
poloff they "knew" that the MILF was "not the target" and 
that the attack was away from "MILF areas."  GRP officials 
close to the peace negotiations predicted to poloff that the 
attack will not adversely affect GRP-MILF talks slated for 
early February in Kuala Lumpur, claiming that the AFP 
operation was coordinated with the MILF in advance. 
 
Comment: MILF Not That Miffed 
----------------------------- 
 
7.  (C) The MILF has so far responded with restraint, similar 
to its reaction after the November and January AFP attacks. 
In those instances, the MILF mildly protested AFP attacks 
against MILF elements or activities considered unsanctioned 
or outside the command and control of the MILF's Central 
Committee, without allowing cooperation within the CCCH and 
with the IMT to suffer.  Public disapproval in MILF areas 
appears surprisingly tempered so far, enabling this measured 
MILF response.  Even more encouraging, private statements by 
MILF officials are supportive of goals to rid Mindanao of 
suspected terrorists.  All indications continue to point to a 
resumption of talks in the next two weeks. 
Ricciardone