ConflictBarometer_2015

ASIA AND OCEANIA
tanks, anti-tank rockets, mortars, and other artillery. In total,
151 BIFF members died, 64 were injured, and twelve captured.
Twelve soldiers died and 31 were injured. During this
offensive, the army seized four BIFF camps in Mamasapano
and regained control over several towns in Pikit, North Cotabato,
SOCCSKARGEN. During at least 26 skirmishes, between
120,000 to 130,000 people fled their homes. Government
troops killed high-profile militants, such as Yusoph Abisali
alias Bisaya and the Indong siblings, and captured Imam
Mohammad Tambako who had founded a new BIFF splinter
group called Justice Islamic Movement in December 2014.
After the leader and founder of BIFF, Umbra Kato, had died
of natural causes on April 14, Sheik Esmael Abubakar alias
Bongos assumed leadership. Abdul Basit Usman, head of the
BIFF special operation group, was allegedly killed by MILF on
May 3.
BIFF continued to target state forces, killing a total of 16
soldiers and policemen between March and October. For
example, on April 17, BIFF launched an attack in Maguindanao
injuring six soldiers. On June 19, BIFF killed two
soldiers in Maguindanao and another two soldiers three days
later. Following a clash between government forces and BIFF
militants in Talayan town, Maguindanao, on July 24, dozens
of villagers fled the area. On October 24, the BIFF attacked an
army detachment in Mamasapano, injuring three soldiers. On
December 24, AFP killed four and injured three BIFF members
in an attack in Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao. On
the same day, BIFF members killed one local councilman in
Pigcawayan town, North Cotabato, and eight civilians in three
separate attacks in SOCCSKSARGEN, one of which resulted in
a confrontation with AFP in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat. More
than 1,000 families fled their homes due to the fighting. prü
SOCCSKSARGEN, leaving nine infantry troops and four NPA
members dead and causing at least 200 people to flee. On
June 28, infantry troops killed NPA leader Leoncio Pitao and
another group member in Davao City, Davao region.
The AFP declared the provinces of Camarines Norte, Iloilo,
and Lanao del Norte as well as several towns nationwide
pacified, with the NPA expelled or significantly weakened in
the areas. Human rights groups criticized the army regarding
the treatment of indigenous peoples and the killing of
civilians claimed to be NPA members. Throughout the year,
at least twelve civilians were reportedly killed in firefights
between AFP and NPA members.
The NPA also continued their extortion activities, destroying
equipment of companies refusing to pay. In the run-up to the
local and national elections in May 2016, the NPA reportedly
demanded a ''permit to campaign'' fee from candidates. AFP
Public Affairs Chief Colonel Noel Detoyato advised the campaigners
not to pay and to report these demands instead.
Government officials and AFP personnel expressed their will
to resume peace talks with the CPP on multiple occasions,
for instance during the ceasefire in relation to the holiday
season and the visit of Pope Francis that began on 12/19/14
and lasted until January 20. On July 10, CPP founder José
María Sison and the speaker of the House of Representatives,
Feliciano Belmonte, met in the Netherlands for exploratory
talks regarding a peace agreement. On December 15, the CPP
and NPA declared a unilateral ceasefire from December 23
until 01/03/16. Three days later, President Benigno Aquino
approved a suspension of military operations against the
NPA during the same period.
psc
PHILIPPINES (CPP, NPA)
Intensity: 3 | Change: | Start: 1968
PHILIPPINES (MILF)
Intensity: 4 | Change: | Start: 1977
Conflict parties:
Conflict items:
CPP, NPA vs. government
system/ideology
Conflict parties:
Conflict items:
MILF vs. government
autonomy, system/ideology, resources
The conflict over the orientation of the political system between
the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its
armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), on the one hand,
and the government, on the other, remained violent. The NPA
aimed to overthrow the government by an armed revolution.
Peace talks between the two parties had stalled in 2004 and
broken down again in 2013.
Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the
NPA clashed throughout the year, leaving at least 190 people
dead, 300 injured, and several thousand internally displaced.
NPA members were also suspected to have launched numerous
IED attacks, killing and injuring government forces
as well as civilians. In January, infantry troops killed five
NPA members during clashes in Caraga region, resulting in at
least 1,500 IDPs. On February 15, approx. 30 NPA members
attacked a police station in Mati City, Davao region, leaving
one NPA member dead. An IED explosion killed four AFP
troops of a reinforcement convoy. The next day, a firefight
between NPA members and AFP troops involving two attack
helicopters on the AFP side left six NPA members dead in Alabel,
SOCCSKSARGEN region. An IED exploded on March 24,
injuring two civilians in Monkayo, Davao region. Following
the explosion, infantry troopers clashed with NPA personnel,
resulting in 518 IDPs. In April and May, NPA members and
AFP troops clashed in the regions of Northern Mindanao and
The conflict between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
and the government over autonomy of the Bangsamoro
republic encompassing the Philippine islands of Basilan,
Mindanao, Palawan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as over the
orientation of the political system and resources such as
gold, copper, and rubber escalated to a limited war.
During an operation on January 25, the police Special Action
Force (SAF) clashed with Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom
Fighters (BIFF) [→ Philippines (BIFM, BIFF MILF, government)],
resulting in the death of Malaysian militant Zulkifli
bin Hir alias Marwan in Barangay Pidsandawan, Maguindanao
province, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
After the clash, SAF withdrew into MILF-controlled territory,
disregarding the former agreement to notify their presence
beforehand. MILF then killed 44 members of SAF in Mamasapano,
ARMM. The clash also left 17 militants and five
civilians dead. The encounter between approx. 300 militants
and 392 policemen lasted for eleven hours and included the
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