US embassy cable - 05MANILA630

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000630 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP, USIP-SOLOMON 
NSC FOR GREEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2015 
TAGS: PTER, PINS, PINR, PREL, MOPS, RP 
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: JOLO FIGHTING LEAVES OVER 50 DEAD 
 
REF: A. MANILA 621 
     B. MANILA 5943 
     C. MANILA 5628 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus 
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (U)  This is a corrected copy of Manila 621.  The Summary 
reported incorrectly that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front 
(MILF) was involved in the recent clashes.  The Summary 
should read that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) 
was involved, as is indicated below.  The body of Manila 621 
correctly reported the involvement of MNLF forces. 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
2.  (C) Scattered armed clashes between armed gunmen (a 
combined force of Nur Misuari loyalists, Abu Sayyaf Group, 
and Moro National Liberation Front fighters) and the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) over the past two days killed 
at least 30 militants and 21 government troops on Jolo Island 
in the southern Philippine Province of Sulu.  Despite calls 
for calm from Sulu,s governor, fighting continues in several 
locations on Jolo Island, with the AFP calling for troop 
reinforcements and utilizing air and artillery strikes 
against rebel formations.  As many as 2,900 AFP troops are 
currently in Sulu Province.  Given the significant losses on 
the military side, the AFP is determined to finish off the 
rebels, although such search and destroy operations rarely 
are successful in the thick, forested mountains of Jolo.  End 
Summary. 
 
State of Play 
------------- 
 
3.  (SBU) Armed clashes escalated since February 7 in several 
small towns on Jolo Island, resulting in significant 
casualties for both the AFP and a combined force of gunmen. 
Various press reports suggest at many as 30 gunmen and 21 
government troops were killed.  According to Don Loong, the 
provincial administrator and nephew of Governor Benjamin 
Loong, the provincial capital, Jolo Town, is calm.  Most of 
the fighting is in the smaller and scattered hamlets of 
Parang, Panamao, Patikul, and Maimbung.  (Note: Sulu Province 
consists of several islands, Jolo being the largest.  The 
province is about 590 miles south of Manila.  End Note.) 
 
3.  (C) Media reports and Embassy contacts assert that 
loyalists of Nur Misuari -- known as the Misuari Renegade 
Group (MRG) -- undertook the offensive to gain his release. 
(Note: Nur Misuari is the former Moro National Liberation 
Front (MNLF) leader and Governor of the Autonomous Region In 
Muslim Mindanao.  He is in detention near Manila awaiting 
trial for inciting his followers to attack Jolo Town in 2001 
leaving over 100 soldiers, rebels, and locals dead.  End 
Note.)  Don Loong provided Poloff further context February 8, 
stating the incident grew from an AFP operation last week to 
confiscate firearms at a house between Parang and Maimbung. 
An ensuing firefight (cause unknown) left the home owner, his 
wife, and daughter dead.  Loong said the death of the woman 
and child infuriated locals in Sulu and brought several armed 
rebel elements together in a loosely-banded-together tactical 
alliance.  According to military contacts, on February 7, 500 
members of the MRG, the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group, and MNLF 
remnants attacked units of the 35th Infantry Battalion near 
Panamao, and later attacked a reinforcing platoon near 
Patikul. 
 
GRP Downplaying The Damage 
-------------------------- 
 
4.  (C) At a February 9 meeting with President Gloria 
Macapagal-Arroyo, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, and 
visiting Commander, US Pacific Command ADM Thomas Fargo, AFP 
Chief General Efren Abu told POLCOUNS the operations in Jolo 
are going smoothly.  President Arroyo considered the incident 
a marginal issue, providing the AFP an opportunity to further 
degrade the MRG and ASG. 
 
What,s Next 
----------- 
 
5.  (SBU) Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza, Chief of AFP Southern 
Command, ordered artillery and air strikes on February 8 
using OV-10s and MG-520 helicopter gunships against enemy 
units.  As of February 8, a Marine Battalion Landing Team 
(300-600 troops) was enroute to Jolo Island from Zamboanga 
City.  According to military contacts there are two Army 
Battalions and two Marine Battalions, totaling around 2,900 
troops, currently deployed to Sulu Province.  Governor Loong 
is working to maintain calm and provide for civilians 
displaced by the fighting.  On February 9, he convened the 
Provincial Peace and Order Council with the mayor of Jolo and 
other affected towns to discuss the prospects of an 
immediate, mutual cease-fire.  (Note: Once AFP reinforcements 
arrive, the pitched gun battles in semi-populated areas will 
likely end, allowing the AFP to bombard suspected enemy 
positions or pursue enemy forces with ground units.  End 
Note.) 
 
Comment: Mountain Fighting A Tough Slog 
--------------------------------------- 
 
6.  (C) The AFP lost a sizeable number of troops in these 
incidents.  Braganza commented publicly, &They (the 
militants) have asked for it and we,ll give it to them,8 
indicating his serious intent to pursue them.  The militants, 
taking advantage of their familiarity with the local terrain, 
have a well-developed track record of successfully evading 
AFP pursuit and bombing operations.  We do not expect 
Braganza,s pursuit of around &500 armed men holding out in 
the mountains8 will end either quickly or cleanly.  End 
Comment. 
Ricciardone