ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The City Council of Zamboanga approved the request of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by Mayor Beng Climaco to declare Zamboanga City under a state of calamity due to the widespread destruction brought about by Typhoon Paolo to its agriculture and infrastructure. Climaco wrote a letter […]
Hapilon’s kin, two more Abus yield in Basilan
BASILAN CITY, Philippines —A relative of slain emir Isnilon Hapilon and two more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group under top leaders Furuji Indama and Nurhasan Jamir laid down their arms as combat operations are being intensified in Basilan. The nuetralization of the Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon is expected to lead to the surrender […]
Sayyaf abducts town councilor, cousin of Sulu guv
BASILAN CITY, Philippines — Members of the Abu Sayyaf bandits abducted Wednesday night a municipal councilor who is a cousin of Sulu Governor Abdusakur “Toto” A. Tan II. Brig. gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu identified the councilor as Ezeddin Tan of Jolo Municipality. Reports revealed Tan was abducted by members of […]
Mother gives birth inside a seacraft
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A mother gave birth to a beautiful baby boy while traversing the waters of Zamboanga Peninsula Sunday morning, September 17. Norsima Madain, 18, from the village of Bato, Lamitan City thought she was not due yet, a reason she traveled to Zamboanga City onboard MV Stephanie Marie. The crew of the […]
Abu Sayyaf member surrenders
LAMITAN CITY, Philippines — A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered to the government troops in Basilan on Tuesday, September 12. Military authorities identified the surrenderee Adzmin N. Sabala aka Ogong. The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) in a press statement said pressure due ongoing military operations in the area led to Sabala’s surrender. […]
Classes resume in 12 public schools in Marawi
MARAWI CITY, Philippines — Classes resumed in 12 public elementary schools in Marawi City, as clashes between security forces and Daesh-inspired fighters continue in the main battle area. On September 5, classes in Sultan Conding Elementary School, Sikap Elementary School, Cabingan Primary School, Banga Elementary School, Datu Tambak Elementary School, Rorogagus Elementary School, Bito Elementary […]
10 BIFF bandits slain in Maguindanao airstrike
Zamboanga City- -Ten members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were slain in a series of airstrikes launched by the Joint Task Force Central in Maguindanao. Elements of the 57th Infantry Battalion reinforced fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who were engaging factions of the Daesh-inspired group in Barangay Tee, Datu […]
Army tightens security in Basilan
LAMITAN CITY, Philippines — After the early morning attack in Tubigan, Maluso Basilan Monday, the Western Mindanao Command is now implementing tighter security in the area to avert any attack from terror groups. Villages in Basilan are vulnerable to attacks as geographically it is away from the municipal center. Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Commander […]
Rescued kidnap victim turned over to Vietnamese officials
Zamboanga City – The Western Mindanao Command officially turned-over the rescued Vietnamese kidnap victim to the Vietnamese officials in Zamboanga City today, August 23, 2017. Do Trung Huie was presented to the Vietnamese Assistant Defense and Armed Forces Attache (Dafa) to the Philippines Senior Captain Pham Than Tra and Vietnamese Embassy Third Secretary Ngo Tuan […]
Government operatives rescue Vietnamese sailor
LAMITAN CITY, Philippines— A Vietnamese Kidnap Victim was rescued by the forces of Philippines Navy Monday morning, August 20 in Mataja Island, Basilan. Vietnamese sailor Do Trung Huige, 33, a crew member of MV Royal 16 is now undergoing medical examination and will soon be turned over to the Vietnam Embassy. Huige was abducted along […]
Army killed 2 local terrorists slain at Lake Lanao
BASILAN CITY, Philippines — Military troops killed two suspected members of the Maute terror group while patrolling at Lake Lanao on Tuesday, August 15. The Western Mindanao Command in a press statement said the military led by Lt. Junior Grade Sincero were patrolling lake Lanao they spotted a banca boarded by two individuals speedily heading […]
Army rescues ASG hostage in Basilan
LAMITAN CITY, Philippines — Operatives of the Philippine Navy rescued Abu Sayyaf Group hostage in Basilan Tuesday dawn, August 15. Edmundo Ramos, a.k.a. Moymoy, was rescued by elements of the Joint Task Force Basilan, through the Naval Task Group Basilan in Tapiantana, Basilan at around 1am Tuesday. Ramos’ along with Jason Pon Vailoces, Joel de […]
Five armed men, two navy officers killed in Sulu encounter
Zamboanga City, Philippines — Five armed men were killed while the government forces suffered two casualties in a four-hour fight between the Naval Forces Western Mindanao early morning Thursday, August 10 at vicinity of Sitio Langhub, Brgy Pang, Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu. The firefight resulted to the death of two navy officers namely; SSgt Pedro H […]