MILF spokesman counters Napeñas’ claim of 250 rebels killed in Mamasapano clash

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front stood firm on its earlier statement that fewer than 20 of its members were killed on the January 25 operation of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.

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Lacson open to running for national position in 2016

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson is giving himself until later this year to decide on running in the national elections in 2016, saying he has yet to reach that fork in the road.

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Palace: Nothing wrong with PNoy conferring with suspended PNP chief

Malacañang sees nothing wrong with President Benigno Aquino's meeting with then-suspended Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima in early January on the Mamasapano operation, which left 44 police commandos dead.

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Biazon wants contingency plan in case BBL ‘fails’

There is a need for a contingency plan in case the Bangsamoro Basic Law “fails” as a result of the January 25 Mamasapano clash, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon said Monday.

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Ex-SAF chief blames military for bungled operations vs. Marwan in the past

Relieved police Special Action Force chief Director Getulio Napeñas on Monday blamed the military for several unsuccessful operations to arrest Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan in the past.

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Lack of coordination led to bloody Mamasapano clash, Lacson says

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson, also a former national police chief, on Monday said the bloody clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao was caused by lack of coordination among security forces.

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Deliberations on Bangsamoro law will resume, House panel head promises

The ad hoc panel deliberating on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law will convene again after the House of Representatives wraps up its own investigation on the covert police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that ended in the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members.

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Appeals court junks PNP official’s plea vs. suspension

The Court of Appeals has junked a petition filed by a ranking police official contesting his preventive suspension over the missing high-powered AK-47 and Armalite rifles that were allegedly sold to the New People’s Army (NPA).

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Indonesian President Widodo pays courtesy call on PNoy

Indonesian President Joko Widodo paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III on Monday afternoon, as the Philippines seeks a review of the case of a Filipina convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia.

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House panel OKs proposal to build senior high schools nationwide

The House committee on appropriations has approved a proposal to establish a senior high school for each of the country’s legislative districts in pursuance of the implementation of the government's K-12 Enhanced Basic Education program.

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Palace downplays info on Marwan’s plot vs. Pope Francis

Malacañang on Monday downplayed the intelligence information that suspected terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan planned to bomb Pope Francis' convoy in Manila on Jan. 25.

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Appeals court clears 2 more cops in PNP chopper mess

The Court of Appeals has cleared two more ranking officials of the Philippine National Police implicated in the allegedly anomalous P105-million purchase of second-hand helicopters.

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Marwan killed in BIFF area, not MILF territory —MILF

Suspected terrorist Zulkfli bin Hir alias Marwan was killed in an area controlled by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, an official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front told a Senate inquiry on the Mamasapano clash on Monday.

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Purisima: I did not order Mamasapano operations

Embattled former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima on Monday reiterated that he did not give the go-signal for the Mamasapano operations that left 44 elite policemen dead.

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250 MILF, BIFF dead in Mamasapano clash —Napeñas

At least 250 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and private armed groups were killed by the Special Action Force commandos who went to Mamasapano, Maguindanao to arrest terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman, suspended SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas said Monday.

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Purisima asked AFP for support during Mamasapano clash – general

Former Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima sent texts to a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines seeking reinforcements for the PNP Special Action Force members who clashed with rebels in a heavy firefight in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last month.

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MILF leaders skip Senate probe on Mamasapano clash

No ranking official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attended Monday's Senate hearing on the January 25 Mamasapano clash.

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FULL TEXT: Ex-SAF chief Napeñas' prepared statement at Senate hearing on Mamasapano clash

Below is the prepared statement read by former Philippine National Police-Special Action Force head police director Getulio Napeñas Jr. during the Senate hearing on the Mamasapano clash on Monday.

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Ex-SAF chief blames late reinforcement for deaths of PNP-SAF 44

Relieved PNP-SAF head Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. on Monday blamed late reinforcement for the deaths of 44 elite police officers during the Mamasapano clash last month.

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Full Presentation: PNP Board of Inquiry fact file on Mamasapano killings

The PNP's Board of Inquiry has released its compilation of facts on the Mamasapano incident, in which 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force were killed last January 25.

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Napeñas: Marwan planned to bomb Pope Francis’ convoy

Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan had planned to bomb the convoy of Pope Francis during the pontiff's visit to the Philippines last month, a police official said Monday.

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‘Marwan was killed around 4:15 a.m.’ —PNP director Magalong

Wanted terrorist Jemaah Islamiyah member Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan was killed around 4:15 a.m. on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Philippine National Police Director Benjamin Magalong, chair of the PNP Board of Inquiry, told a Senate committee hearing on Monday.

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Senators express concern on security of Mamasapano clash survivors

Senators on Monday expressed concern on the security of the survivors in the Mamasapamo clash and their families over what they would be disclosing during the Senate probe on the bloody encounter that left 44 PNP-Special Action Force personnel dead.

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MILF tells fighters to go after Usman, other terrorists

In line with its agreement with the government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has reminded its base commanders to arrest terrorists and criminals who will enter their territory, including suspected bomber Basit Usman.

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Military helps MILF men besieged by Abu Sayyaf – AFP

Soldiers rescued members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from an attack by the Abu Sayyaf despite frayed ties over the killing of 44 policemen last month, a military report said Sunday.

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Lacson: No plans to file case vs Mancao

Reiterating that all is forgiven, former Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said that he will not be filing charges against former policeman Cezar Mancao II for implicating him in the deaths of a publicist and his driver in 2000.

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Widodo in PHL as fate of Filipina on death row lingers

New Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived on his first state visit to the Philippines Sunday, as the fate of a Filipina facing execution for drug smuggling in his country hovers over planned talks.

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Bangsamoro bill needs better guidelines on law enforcement, House panel chair says

There should be clearer guidelines on law enforcement in the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the chairman of the House panel tackling the bill said Sunday in light of the bloody Mamasapano clash.

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Indonesian President Widodo now in PHL for state visit

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday afternoon for a three-day visit to the Philippines.

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LOOK: Binay, family visit wounded SAF men at Camp Crame

Vice President Jejomar Binay and members of his family on Sunday afternoon visited some of the Special Action Force members wounded in an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

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Lacson advises Napeñas: Just tell the truth

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday revealed that sacked PNP Special Action Force head P/Dir. Getulio Napeñas Jr.turned to him for advice in the aftermath of the deadly Mamasapano clash in which 44 elite policemen were killed.

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House ad hoc panel indefinitely suspends discussions on BBL

The ad hoc panel of the House of Representatives tackling the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law bill has decided to suspend its deliberations starting Monday, until the results of the various investigations on the tragic anti-terror operation in Maguindanao shall have been evaluated by its members.

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Palace: Govt enhancing projects, programs for quality education

With over P367-billion budget for 2015, the government is continuously enhancing projects and programs to improve the quality of education in the country, Malacañang said Sunday.

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DOLE reminds employers on pay rules for Chinese New Year

The Department of Labor and Employment on Saturday reminded employers in the private sector to observe pay rules for Feb. 19, Chinese New Year.

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Palace seeks prayers for PNoy on his 55th birthday

Malacañang has asked the public to pray for President Benigno Aquino III as he turned 55 on Sunday.

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Arroyo camp denies forcing Mancao to implicate Lacson, others in Dacer-Corbito case

The camp of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo denied that they forced ex-cop Cezar Mancao II to implicate influential personalities in the Dacer-Corbito murder case.

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AFP on coup rumors: We will not participate in political exercises

Both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense dismissed rumors of a coup d'etat that have been spreading through text messages.

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Lacson forgives Mancao but hits ‘weak character’

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday said he forgives ex-Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II for linking him to the murder of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

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De Lima sets terms for Mancao surrender

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Saturday set terms for the surrender of former police Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II, nearly two years after he bolted the detention facility of an agency under her department.

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Deliberate on BBL but don’t forestall it, Palace asks lawmakers

Take time to deliberate on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, but don't forestall it.

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PNoy, Roxas may meet next week to select new PNP chief

Following the resignation of suspended Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima, President Benigno Aquino III may meet with Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II this coming week to choose a permanent chief for the police force.

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Indonesian President Widodo to visit PHL

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will be in the country for a state visit aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation, defense, investment and trade cooperation with the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday.

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Erap forgives Mancao but advises him to face the music

Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Saturday said he forgives former Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II for linking him to the murder of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

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Cezar Mancao to surrender, apologizes to Lacson, Estrada

After being in hiding for two years, former police Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II on Saturday hinted he will finally surface and face the music in the double murder of PR man Salvador "Bubby" Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

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DOLE: Job fairs in store for Q1 of 2015

Jobseekers can avail of job fairs lined up until the end of March, the Department of Labor and Employment said over the weekend.

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EU condoles with SAF 44's kin, backs impartial probe

The European Union on Friday extended its sympathies to the kin of the 44 Special Action Force police officers slain in the January 25 Mamasapano clash.

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The Fallen 44 fought for 9 hours; reinforcements came 4 hours later – Mamasapano BoI probe

Nine hours. From just before 4 a.m. to shortly after 1 p.m. 44 police commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) fought for their lives against several armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, according to the police officer who was the radio operator at the tactical command post for Oplan Wolverine.

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PNoy: SAF commander had 3 chances to stop Mamasapano mission

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday said relieved PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) chief Director Getulio Napeñas Jr. had at least three chances to abort the deadly operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which left 44 of police commandos dead.

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FULL TEXT (English Translation): PNoy’s speech on Marwan’s death, Purisima’s resignation and the Mamasapano clash

"On January 24, our Special Action Force conducted an operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Their targets were two notorious terrorists: Primarily, Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Abu Marwan, a Malaysian, and Basit Usman. The operation against Marwan was successful."

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BIFF member admits selling firearms taken from slain SAF men

A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) has admitted that they took the firearms and some of the personal items of the 44 elite policemen killed in the infamous January 25 Mamasapano clash.

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