The
GREENBASE EXPOSÉ
LTSG ANTONIO F.
TRILLANES IV PN
October 2003
“The prime duty of the
Government is to serve and protect the people.”
- 1987 Constitution of the Republic of
the
Philippines
THE OAKWOOD INCIDENT
On the early morning of July 27, 2003, a
group of soldiers occupied the Oakwood Hotel in
Makati
to conduct protest actions against the
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Administration. Among the grievances they voiced out
was GMA’s alleged responsibility for the
Davao
bombing incidents.
In the investigations that followed, the
soldiers admitted that the ultimate sources of their information are the
so-called Greenbase Documents. How true are these documents? What exactly is
OPLAN GREENBASE all about? Indeed, what did these documents contain that were
serious enough to drive these soldiers to rise against their very own
Commander-in-Chief? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions never came as
the investigations focused more on the peripheral issues such as armbands and
on whether the soldiers’ actions were spontaneous or not. Eventually, the
Greenbase issue was buried and forgotten.
Until now…
GMA’s PEACE POLICY
Upon assumption to power, GMA adopted an
all-out peace policy for all the different rebel and secessionist groups. This
was articulated in her own Executive Order #3 signed on 28 Feb 2001 entitled
“Defining Policy and Administrative Structure for Government’s Comprehensive
Peace Efforts” (see Annex A) where a comprehensive peace process provided a
holistic framework in addressing the long-running insurgency and secessionism
in the country.
Likewise, in her Medium-Term Philippine
Development Plan 2001-2004, she stressed that the vision for sustained peace
and development in
Mindanao
is the peaceful
coexistence of all stakeholders. “It
outlined the challenges to be addressed such as: preventing the recurrence of
armed conflict; addressing cultural inequity as manifested in the loss of
ancestral lands and non-consideration of cultural aspects in programs and projects,
and in addressing political inequity through the full implementation of
autonomy, increased representation in government of Muslims and lumads, and
improved conflict resolution and negotiation mechanisms.” (Relief, Rehab
efforts intensified in Mindanao, Manila Times, 19 June 01).
As regards peace efforts with the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), confidence-building measures complemented
these peace policy declarations. On 20 Feb 2001, GMA announced the suspension
of offensive military operations (SOMO) with the MILF. A few days later, then
Justice Secretary Perez said that the multiple murder and multiple frustrated
murder charges against the MILF leaders would be returned to the DOJ for
reinvestigation. (Raps vs MILF leaders dropped. Inquirer News Service.
24 Feb 01). Then on March 16, NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco announced that the
Rizal Day bombing was not the handiwork of the MILF. (Rizal Day attacks, NBI
clears MILF on bombings. PDI. 17 Mar 01).
On 24 March 2001, the Agreement on the
General Framework for the Resumption of Peace Talks is signed by the GRP and
MILF panels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2003
Technical Report). This paved the way for the MILF’s suspension of all
offensive military action in their areas of operation on 03 April 2001.
The first round of formal Peace Talks
were held in Tripoli, Libya on 22 June 2001 where both panels signed the
Agreement on Peace between the GRP and the MILF. The second round was held on
07 August 2001 that resulted to the signing of the Implementing Guidelines on
the Security Aspect of the GRP-MILF. Then on 18 October 2001, the third round
of Peace Talks was held in Kuala Lumpur where both panels signed the Manual of
Instruction for the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and
the local Monitoring Teams. (SONA 2003 Technical Report).
In the ensuing months, while there were
still some minor clashes between the AFP and the MILF, the peace talks seemed
to be holding. Which led GMA to say that “the sincerity of the MILF top command
to join the mainstream and let their people share whatever development there
can be is really very, very clear.” (Presidential News Desk News Release No. 7,
27 Feb 02). For a while it seemed that the ever-elusive peace in Mindanao is
finally at hand.
But in early February 2003, AFP
operations were stepped up in Central Mindanao incurring heavy losses on the
side of the MILF. The AFP said that the reason for the attack was to dismantle
two new MILF camps. (Abaya: MILF suffers heavy casualties in Mindanao
operations. Froilan Gallardo. inq7.net. 05 Feb 03). Then on Feb 11, the
Army’s 6th Infantry (K) Division launched a full-scale attack on the
Buliok Complex in the Liguasan Marsh Area in Pikit, North Cotabato. (The
Fall of Buliok Complex – 6ID. 03 Mar 03. Downloaded from www.army.mil.ph).
Suddenly, the government is again at war with the MILF.
BULIOK OFFENSIVE’S
RATIONALE
In justifying the renewed attacks,
Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said “the AFP units entered this area by
the Liguasan Marsh for only one purpose: to apprehend the criminal elements of
the notorious Pentagon Gang that had fled to the Buliok Complex, seeking
sanctuary in the MILF camps.” (Statement of Sec. Blas Ople in a briefing for
OIC Ambassador, DFA. 19 Feb 03). Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes meanwhile said
that the AFP was “in hot pursuit of certain lawless elements, principally the
kidnap-for-ransom groups and people responsible in the bombing last December
24.” (Tension up in North Cotabato ahead of troops-MILF clash. Froilan
Gallardo. inq7.net. 10 Feb 03).
Could these be the real reasons for
launching a full-scale war with the 10,000-strong MILF and negating all the
milestone achievements in the peace talks? Just so that a band of 100
kidnappers could be apprehended? Or, the hot pursuit of lawless elements who
committed a crime more than a month before?
But then again, Sec. Reyes himself
acknowledged before the Congressional Oversight Committee on the VFA, which was
studying the feasibility of holding RP-US war games in Sulu, that “he was
uncertain if those killed during the Buliok operations were Pentagon Gang
members or Muslim guerrillas.” Asked further if the mission was accomplished?
All Sec. Reyes could answer were “I don’t know” or “I cannot recall” responses,
which disappointed Senators Biazon, Pimentel and Angara. Sen. Biazon even
commented, “I think the Defense Secretary is trying to evade responsibility for
the Mindanao problem.” (Reyes comes under fire for ordering the Buliok
offensive. Joshua Dancel. Manila Times. 12 Mar 03)
Now, if the official reason for the
Buliok operations given by the government is not true, then what is? What could
have motivated GMA to turn her back on her own peace initiatives and plunge her
country and people into a war that would eventually kill hundreds of people,
injuring thousands more and displacing at least 300,000 civilians?
THE
GREENBASE DOCUMENTS
The Greenbase
Documents are actually photocopies of what appeared to be two official
Malacañang documents. The first is a Memorandum of Instructions dated 11 Feb
2003 addressed to then Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and purportedly signed by
GMA. (see Annex B). The second is purportedly signed by then Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita and is entitled “The President’s
Four-Point Policy Framework in Addressing the Southern Philippine
Secessionists/MILF Problem (Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum of
Instructions approved on 11 Feb 2003) (see Annex C). Both documents were leaked
sometime in February 2003 right after the start of the Buliok Complex
offensive.
The Memorandum of Instruction (MOI)
authorized the implementation of OPLAN GREENBASE, which is basically an action
plan to capture and occupy the Buliok Complex fronting the Liguasan Marsh Area.
The reason for the clearing operations is to enable the NEDA to implement the
25-year Liguasan Marsh Development Framework Plan and the revival of the
Farm-In Agreement and Joint Operating Agreement between Philippine National Oil
Company-Exploration Corporation and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd. Another
objective of the plan according to the MOI is to capture MILF Chairman Salamat
Hashim dead or alive. Also, the MOI explicitly stated that all matters
pertinent to OPLAN GREENBASE should be coordinated with the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process and the Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns.
The Four-Point Policy Framework (FPPF)
meanwhile, detailed and expanded OPLAN GREENBASE into an action plan that would
operationalize the approved MOI of GMA. The action plan is broken down into a
four-point policy framework.
The first point provided the guidelines
for the capture and occupation of the Buliok Complex and the capture of MILF
Chairman Salamat Hashim.
The second point explicitly stated that
the Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities has been suspended
indefinitely. Moreover, the government will set up a monitoring team to absorb
the duties and functions of the yet to be formed, OIC monitoring team.
The third point is about the government’s
intention to invoke its right for the MILF to observe the May 6 joint
communiqué where the MILF agreed to interdict criminal elements taking refuge
in these controlled areas. It also states that once the Liguasan Marsh is
cleared of the MILF, the Liguasan Marsh Development Plan, the Farm-In Agreement
and Joint Operating Agreement between PNOC-EC and Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and
the Manila-Tripoli-Kuala Lumpur palm oil project could be implemented.
The fourth point, however, is the most
controversial part of the whole document. In its entirety it states:
“The
MILF must be held responsible for the AFP-backed spate of bombing in urban
areas and destruction of several Napocor transmission towers, power
sub-stations and barges, the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant, the Pulangi Power
Plant, and power plants of electric cooperatives and companies in Mindanao.
Appropriate charges of rebellion, sedition, multiple murder and multiple
frustrated murder will be filed against MILF leaders in various courts in order
to secure warrants of arrest against them and reduce them in estoppel.
“The
AFP’s plan to conduct comprehensive psywar operations over print and broadcast
media, and destabilizations in urban Christian areas, such as Davao International
Airport, Awang Airport, Gen Santos City International Standard Airport,
Zamboanga International Airport, Cagayan de Oro Airport, principal ports and
wharves, foreign embassies and consulates, hotels and restaurants, shopping
malls, hospitals, churches, public markets and terminals, radio and television
stations, factories, oil depots and gasoline stations, buses, cinemas, schools,
plazas and others must be intensified and thereafter put the blame on the MILF
so as to convince the Asean, the European Union, and the United States’ State
Department to formally declare the MILF as a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION and
Chairman Hashim Salamat as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist because of
the gravity and magnitude of threat he and the MILF pose on the national
security and territorial integrity of the Philippines and Asean Countries.
Hashim’s capture or death, and MILF’s designation as an FTO will ensure the
smooth conduct of Balikatan 03-1 in Central Mindanao and the US troops’ planned
basing in Sarangani-Gen. Santos City.”
PROPAGANDA or ACTION PLAN?
The assertions of the GMA Administration
against the Greenbase documents were articulated by Presidential Spokesperson
Ignacio Bunye when he said in a press briefing on 27 Feb 2003, “We’d like to
state that this document is spurious. It is not true. This document is fake and
it has been circulated probably to agitate the Muslim population in Mindanao.”
(Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph).
On the other hand, the claim of the protesting soldiers in Oakwood was that the
OPLAN GREENDBASE contained in the documents was an action plan authorized by
GMA herself and executed by different government agencies.
Since a spurious or propaganda material
is supposed to contain false information while an action plan is based on true
information, instructions or guidelines for action that will be acted upon,
then to authenticate the documents, or more specifically the contents thereof,
they would have to be subjected to a single evaluation criterion, FACTS. These
facts may come in the form of official pronouncements by government officials
or by GMA herself or actual events that occurred that would validate or
invalidate specific statements contained in the Greenbase Documents.
The following are the findings:
Memorandum of Instructions (MOI)
1. MOI -
In para 2 it states that “the AFP must CAPTURE AND OCCUPY
simultaneously within one week the Buliok Complex fronting the Liguasan Marsh
Area…”
Findings
- On Feb 12, GMA declared: “I
order the AFP to capture and occupy the Buliok Complex fronting the Liguasan
Marsh Area…” (PND News Release. 12 Feb 03). This statement is not only very
similar to what was written in the MOI but it also coincides with the date
written on the document, which is February 11, 2003.
- On Feb 11, the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry
(K) Division launched an offensive in the Liguasan Marsh Area, particularly the
Buliok Complex (The Fall of Buliok Complex – 6ID. Downloaded from www.army.mil.ph,
03 Mar 03).
2. MOI -
In para 1 it states, “I order that the OPLAN GREENBASE must be
totally implemented without prejudice to the GRP-MILF Tripoli Agreement of
Peace.”
Finding -
The GRP-MILF Agreement of Peace
was signed by both peace panels on 22 June 2001 in Tripoli, Libya. (SONA 2003
Technical Report)
3. MOI -
In para 2 it states, “the GRP-MILF Agreements on the General
Cessation of Hostilities is hereby suspended indefinitely.”
Finding -
The GRP-MILF Agreement on the
General Cessation of Hostilities was signed on 18 July 1997 with the Manual of
Instructions signed on 18 October 2001. (SONA 2003 Technical Report). This was
unilaterally suspended when the AFP launched a full-scale attack on the Buliok
Complex.
4. MOI -
In para 2 it states, “the Buliok Complex has been identified by
the Southcom as the base of operations and refuge area of the notorious
Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom group and other heavily armed criminal groups in
Mindanao.”
Finding -
On Feb 12, GMA said: “The Buliok
Complex has been identified as the base of operations and refuge area of the
notorious Pentagon kidnapping gang and other heavily armed criminal groups in
Mindanao.” (PND News Release, 12 Feb 03). This statement is almost identical to
what is stated in the MOI.
5. MOI -
In para 2 it states, “…Buliok Complex where Salamat Hashim’s
headquarters ‘Islamic Center’ is located.”
Finding -
The Islamic Center Mansion of
Salamat Hashim is located inside Buliok Complex, which was seized by government
troops on 16 Feb 2003. (Gov’t troops take over “Mansion” of TOP MILF leader.
PDI. 17 Feb 03)
6. MOI - In para 3 it states, “I have instructed the Department of Energy
Secretary to revive the Geophysical Survey and Exploration Contract (Cotabato
Basin Exploration Project) between Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and the Philippine
National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation as the draft Farm-In Agreement and
Joint Operating Agreement between the PNOC and Petronas are ready for signing.”
Finding - According to PNOC-EC records, the
PNOC-EC and the Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCOSB) entered into a joint
agreement to explore the 1,044,000-hectare Cotabato Basin on 29 April 1995. The
contract was pursuant to the Geophysical Survey and Exploration Contract and the
pre-negotiated service contract dated 10 May 1994 between the Department of
Energy and PNOC-EC. However, in 1997, this contract was pre-terminated by PCOSB
for security reasons since 5 PCOSB project team members were kidnapped.
7. MOI - In para 4 it states, “I have further ordered the NEDA
Director-General to implement the much delayed 25-year Liguasan Marsh
Development Framework Plan…”
Finding - There is a NEDA project entitled
“LIGUASAN MARSH DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN 1999-2025.” As of the present, the
project implementation is delayed by 4 years.
8. MOI - In para 5 it states, “serve the warrants of arrest issued against
Samier Hashim, Ustaz Salamat Hashim, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Eid Kabalu by
various courts two years ago.”
Finding - There were warrants of arrest for top
MILF leaders for the charges of multiple murder, frustrated multiple murder and
these were given back to the DOJ two years ago for reinvestigation. (Raps
vs. MILF leaders dropped. Inquirer News Service, 24 Feb 01)
9. MOI - In para 6 it states, “In implementation of OPLAN GREENBASE, the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Anti-Poverty
Commission (NAPC), and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) must
ensure that all evacuees in the war-affected barangays of Cotabato, Maguindanao
and Sultan Kudarat provinces are orderly evacuated…”
Findings - On Feb 19, GMA, in a luncheon meeting
with members of the Malacañang Press Corps, said: “I order Social Welfare and
Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and National Anti-Poverty
Commission Secretary Teresita Deles to visit the area and make sure that the
needs of the residents of the area, especially the evacuees, are met.”
(Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph)
- The NDCC gave P5
million to Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol to fund a development plan for
displaced families. (GMA asks Pikit Folk: have faith in gov’t. 02 Jul
03. Downloaded from www.pia.gov.ph)
10.
MOI - In para 7 it states, “It
is desired that all matters pertinent hereto shall be fully coordinated with
the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Presidential Adviser for
Special Concerns.”
Findings - On Feb 19, in the State Dining Room
in Malacañang, GMA said: “I’ve appointed my Secretary for the Peace Process,
Secretary Ed Ermita, to be my action officer for my Administration’s
comprehensive peace and development efforts in the Liguasan Marsh Area.”
(Downloaded from www.ops.gov.ph)
- On Feb 19, GMA, in a luncheon meeting with members of the
Malacañang Press Corps said: “I also sent Presidential Adviser on Special
Concerns Norberto Gonzales to initiate talks regarding the peace process with
MILF peace panel in Kuala Lumpur.” (Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph)
The
Four-Point Policy Framework (FPPF)
1. FPPF - In para 1 it states, “the AFP must capture and occupy Buliok
Complex and environs within a week of continuous, massive aerial and infantry
attacks…”
Finding - On Feb 28, GMA, in an interview with
Malacañang reporters in Camp General Mateo Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal, said: “I
strongly believe in the capability of the military to follow deadlines that I
have been giving them. When I told them to capture Buliok Complex in three
days, the Armed Forces completed their mission before my deadline.” (Downloaded
from www.op.gov.ph)
- The AFP captured the whole Buliok Complex on 15 Feb 03. (Pikit
fighting subsides: Military captures MILF stronghold in Cotabato. Inquirer
News Service. 10 Feb 03)
2. FPPF - In para 1 it states, “The government’s high-value target in the
implementation of OPLAN Greenbase is to CAPTURE MILF HASHIM SALAMAT DEAD OR ALIVE.”
Finding - On August 5, MILF Chairman Hashim
Salamat was pronounced dead* by MILF Spokesperson Eid Kabalu. He said that
Salamat died of cardiac arrest last 13 July 2003. (OFFICIAL: DEATH of MILF
chair won’t stall peace talks. PDI. 06 Aug 03)
* It was not explained by Eid Kabalu why
the MILF delayed the announcement of Chairman Salamat’s death. Maybe they were
only forced to announce his death since the peace talks were about to resume
and they had earlier announced that Chairman Salamat was willing to act as
Chief Negotiator. Whether he actually died during the Buliok operations but was
kept secret at that time to avoid a breakdown in the MILF command structure as
well as the morale of their fighters, or he truly died of cardiac arrest as
officially pronounced, would never be known.
3. FPPF - In para 1 it states “With the capture of all MILF camps, the
Government, with the active participation of the Local government units in the
area, must establish an Area of Temporary Stay (ATS) where the MILF rebels and
their surviving leaders can be concentrated to avoid “mis-encounters” while
negotiations for their total capitulation are going on.”
Finding - One of the talking points during the
March 01 meeting of the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security
(COCIS) was to “establish an Area of Temporary Stay (ATS) for MILF rebels to
avoid ‘mis-encounters’ while negotiations are going on.” (Gov’t unveils 4-pt
plan for peace with MILF. Donna Pazzibugan. Inquirer News Service. 02 Mar
03)
4. FPPF - In para 2 it states, “the Government will set up an acceptable
monitoring team composed of PNP and AFP officials to monitor effectively any
ceasefire mechanism that could be devised by the Defense Department.”
Finding - One of the talking points during the March
01 meeting of the COCIS was “setting up an acceptable monitoring team to
monitor ceasefire mechanism on the ground.” (Gov’t unveils 4-pt plan for
peace with MILF. Donna Pazzibugan. Inquirer News Service. 02 Mar 03)
5. FPPF - In para 3 it states, “The Government invokes its right for the
MILF to fully observe the May 6, 2002 joint communiqué where the MILF agreed to
interdict criminal elements taking refuge in their remaining controlled areas…”
Finding - One of the talking points during the
March 01 meeting of the COCIS was “for both sides to observe their May 6, 2002
joint communiqué where the MILF agreed to interdict criminal elements taking
refuge in their controlled areas.” (Gov’t unveils 4-pt plan for peace with
MILF. Donna Pazzibugan. Inquirer News Service. 02 Mar 03)
6. FPPF - In para 3 it states, “the LGU’s of
Cotabato province and Pikit can now start implementing the Special Economic
Enhancement and Development Program for Pikit (Seed Pikit).”
Finding - On Feb 26, GMA, in a NAPC meeting in
Malacañang, said: “North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol has already drawn a
development program for Pikit. I already released P5 million from the National Government to assist in the
development plan.” (Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph)
7. FPPF - In para 3 it states, “the
Government through the National Development Co. will be in a better position to
fully implement the US $100 million joint venture Manila-Tripoli-Kuala Lumpur
palm oil and sugarcane plantations confidential deal being hammered out by the
President as a promissory concession once the two countries agreed to meddle in
a peace talk with the MILF.”
Findings - On Feb 19, GMA, in a luncheon meeting
with members of the Malacañang Press Corps said: “The establishment of a palm
oil plantation in Buliok is in order, to be bankrolled by the Khaddafi
Foundation. They have been looking for a consolidated area. The foundation’s
local partner is the National Development Corporation. Very soon, an investment
decision might be concluded.” (Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph)
- The Buliok offensive was implemented to prepare the
Liguasan Marsh for the Libyan Palm Oil Plantation Project. GMA allegedly had a
personal interest in the $100-million worth project. It was proposed to her by
Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns Norberto Gonzales in 2001 upon her
assumption to power. The joint Libyan-Malaysian deal involved the Al Ghaddafi
Foundation headed by the Libyan leader’s son, Sayf Al Islam. (GMA under fire
for Libya Palm Oil Deal. Philippine Headline News Online. 05 March 03)
- On Feb 26, GMA, in a NAPC meeting in Malacañang said:
“Part of the development fund will be used for planting corn and part of it
will be for planting palm oil. Malaysia, after my talks with Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamed in my last visit to Kuala Lumpur, will be providing the
planting materials for palm oil.” (Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph)
- On March 28, both GRP and MILF peace panels agreed to
involve Libya in the Peace Talks. (Gov’t, MILF agree to resume peace talks.
PDI. 31 Mar 03)
- On March 26, GMA said: “I am confident that Malaysia’s
support as third party facilitator in the peace talks between the Philippine
Government and the MILF will succeed.” (PND News Release, 26 Mar 03)
8. FPPF - In para 4 it states, “the MILF must be held responsible for the
AFP-backed spate of bombings in urban areas and destruction of several Napocor
transmission towers, power sub-stations and barges…”
Findings - One of the talking points during the
March 01 meeting of the COCIS was “pinpointing responsibility for the spate of
bombings in urban areas and destruction of several Napocor transmission
towers…” (Gov’t unveils 4-pt plan for peace with MILF. Donna Pazzibugan.
Inquirer News Service. 02 Mar 03)
- On Feb 15, two Napocor transmission towers in Carmen and
Pikit towns were bombed. The MILF was blamed by the AFP for the incident but
MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu denied MILF involvement. (2 more Napocor
transmission towers bombed. Froilan Gallardo. Mindanews. 15 Feb 03)
- On Feb 26, seven Napocor transmission towers were bombed.
(Power outages loom after Mindanao blackout. sunstar.com. 28 Feb 03)
- On Feb 27, AFP Southern Command Spokesman Lt. Col Daniel
Lucero said: “The MILF has earlier threatened to attack power stations and
steel towers, and we are blaming them for these attacks.” (MILF sabotage
blamed for Mindanao blackout. Edith Regalado, Roel Pareño, et.al. Philippine
Star. 28 Feb 03.). But Eid Kabalu denied involvement of the MILF in those
bombings. (Power outages loom after Mindanao blackout. sunstar.com. 28
Feb 03)
9. FPPF - In para 4 it states, “Appropriate charges of rebellion, sedition,
multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder will be filed against MILF
leaders in various courts in order to secure warrants of arrest against them
and reduce them in estoppel.”
Finding - On March 07, multiple murder and
multiple frustrated murder charges were filed against MILF leaders Salamat
Hashim, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Ghazali Jaafar and Eid Kabalu in connection with
the Davao Airport bombings. (Gov’t files bombing charges vs MILF head, 148
others. Inquirer News Service. 07 Mar 03)
10.
FPPF - In para 4 it states, “The
AFP’s plan to conduct comprehensive psywar operations over print and broadcast
media, and destabilizations in urban Christian areas, such as Davao
International Airport, Awang Airport, Gen Santos City International Standard
Airport, Zamboanga International Airport, Cagayan de Oro Airport, principal
ports and wharves, foreign embassies and consulates, hotels and restaurants,
shopping malls, hospitals, churches, public markets and terminals, radio and
television stations, factories, oil depots and gasoline stations, buses,
cinemas, schools, plazas and others must be intensified and thereafter put the
blame on the MILF…”
Findings - On Feb 20, a car bomb exploded at the
Awang Airport killing one person and injuring six others. While another bomb
exploded at a public market in Kabacan, Cotabato killing one person and
injuring ten others. The AFP put blame on the MILF as Lt. Col. Michael
Manquiquis said: “One of the possibilities that we could consider is that it
could be the MILF.” MILF Spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the charges. (16 dead
as fresh violence sweeps Mindanao. Agence France-Presse. 20 Feb 03)
- On Feb 21, car bombs exploded simultaneously outside a
shopping mall in Koronadal, South Cotabato. (3 hurt in bomb blast at South
Cotabato mall. Inq7.net with Agence France-Presse. 21 Feb 03.
- On March 04, a bomb exploded at the arrival area of the
Davao International Airport killing 19 persons. Minutes later, another bomb
exploded inside a health office in nearby Tagum City, Davao, which left two
people injured. (19 killed in Davao Blasts. Philippine Star. 05 Mar 03).
The AFP points the blame to the MILF despite admissions by the Abu Sayyaf
Group. (Malacañang, police junk Abu claim on Davao blast. Inq7.net. 05
Mar 03). The next day March 05, the MILF issued a statement condemning the
Davao Airport bombing. (see Annex D)
* In an article of the Philippine Graphic, Datu Lacs Dalidig
of the Muslim Multisectoral Movement for Peace and Development claimed that GMA
admitted to him that the MILF was not responsible for the Davao Airport
bombing. This admission, according to Dalidig, was made in the presence of
former Exec. Sec. Renato de Villa, Sec. Norberto Gonzales, DSWD Sec. Corazon
Soliman, and NAPC Sec. Ging Deles. The Graphic also got in touch with Sec. Gonzales
during the Oakwood Incident and he admitted, “there were leads that indicated the MILF did not do it.” (GMA
acknowledged Davao blast was work of ‘3rd Force’. Inday
Espina-Varona. Graphic Special Issue Vol. 14 No. 9. 28 July 03)
- On April 02, a bomb exploded through a row of crowded food
stalls outside the Sasa Wharf killing 16 persons and injuring 55 others. (Sasa
port blast suspect arrested. Rex C. Otero. Sunstar.com. 05 Apr 03)
* Then ISAFP chief Gen. Victor Corpuz was seen in the
morning of April 02 in Davao city by a key witness of the protesting soldiers
in Oakwood. His presence in Davao city on the same day of the Sasa wharf
bombing could only mean two things according to the protesting soldiers, either
he was there to personally supervise a major “special operation”, or he was so
incompetent that as head of the AFP’s Intelligence Service he never had a clue
that a major terrorist activity was about to take place under his very nose.
- On April 03, three Davao City Mosques were bombed. (3
Davao Mosques Bombed. Philippine Star. 04 Apr 03)
- On May 10, a bomb (made out of 81 mm mortar cartridge)
exploded in front of a public market in Koronadal, South Cotabato. (Over a
dozen dead in bomb blast in S. Mindanao. Agence France-Presse, 10 May 03)
- On July 10, a bomb exploded at a
crowded market in Koronadal, South Cotabato killing at least 6 people and
injuring 20 others. (AFP: 6 killed, 20 hurt in Koronadal blast.
Reuters/abs-cbnNEWS.com. 10 July 03)
11.
FPPF - In para 4 it states, “…thereafter put the blame on the
MILF so as to convince that Asean, the European Union, and the United States’
State Department to formally declare the MILF as a FOREIGN TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION…”
Findings - On April 22, GMA, in a speech in the
University of Mindanao, Davao City, said: “The confession of captured Abu
Sayyaf member Noor Muhammad Umug establishing the link of the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) to the arrested bombing suspects has strengthened
evidence against the MILF as a terrorist group. (Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph)
- On May 11, the Department of National Defense pushed for
the inclusion of the MILF in the United States’ terror list. (DND eyes
terror tag on MILF. Philippine Star. 12 May 03)
- On May 13, Sec.
Bunye, in a press briefing, said: “there is a possibility of foreclosing the
(Government-MILF) peace talks, if the MILF is eventually declared as a
terrorist organization…” (Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph)
- On May 13, GMA said: “The government is nearing a decision
point on whether to declare the MILF a terrorist organization, and to take the
necessary operational and diplomatic measures to strengthen this prospective
policy.” (President: MILF has until June 1 to cut terror links. Jose
Guinto. Inq7.net with Agence France-Presse. 13 May 03)
12.
FPPF - In para 4 it states “…the MILF’s designation as an FTO
will ensure the smooth conduct of Balikatan 03-1 in Central Mindanao…”
Findings - The Balikatan 03-1 was originally
slated in Sulu. (Sec. Bunye in a statement, PND News Release. 17 Feb 03). But
on March 04, Sec. Bunye said: “We are not married to the idea of holding the
Balikatan 03-1 in Sulu. The search is for other possible venues for Balikatan 03-1…”
(PND News Release. 04 Mar 03)
- On March 12, GMA said: “I would not mind holding the
Balikatan exercises in North Cotabato.” (PND News Release. 12 Mar 03)
- On March 17, GMA, in a radio interview, said: “It was the
local government of (North) Cotabato, under Governor Emmanuel Piñol, that
volunteered and asked that the Balikatan be conducted in their area.”
(Downloaded from www.op.gov.ph)
On
the Objectives of OPLAN GREENBASE
Based
on the two documents, the objectives of OPLAN GREENBASE have been deduced to
the following:
1. To
capture and occupy Buliok Complex and environs within one week.
2. To
clear the Liguasan Marsh Area so that development projects can be implemented
as concessions to the Libyan and Malaysian participation in the GRP-MILF peace
talks.
3. To
capture MILF Chair Salamat Hashim dead or alive.
4. To
file criminal charges against MILF leaders.
5. To
bomb Napocor transmission towers and power sub-stations, and blame the MILF.
6. To
conduct comprehensive psywar operations and destabilizations in Urban Christian
Areas and blame the MILF.
7. To
convince the Asean, the European Union, and the United States to declare the
MILF as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (because of the terrorist activities
to be blamed on them as stated in 5 and 6 above)
8. To
transfer the venue for the conduct of the Balikatan 03-1 to Central Mindanao.
9. To
resume formal Peace Talks once the objectives were achieved.
Findings - Based on the data gathered,
objectives 1 to 6 were achieved. Objectives 7 and 8, while they have yet to be
achieved, were attempted to by GMA and her officials to dangle as leverages or
threats against the MILF. These were apparently grave enough to have the MILF
capitulate and call for a 10-day unilateral ceasefire on June 02. (MILF
declares 10-day unilateral ceasefire. Joel Guinto. inq7.net. 28 May 03)
As for
Objective 9, both the GRP and MILF have declared a mutual ceasefire and the
negotiations for the resumption of peace talks are now underway. (Philippine
Government, MILF work out for renewed ceasefire. 20 July 03. downloaded
from www.luwaran.com)
ANALYSIS
In view of the above findings, the
Greenbase Documents are not spurious as their contents were based on either
true information or actual events. At the same time, almost all the objectives
set forth in OPLAN GREENBASE were found to have been directly or indirectly
achieved. Therefore, the documents could not have been propaganda materials.
Still, the findings above are not enough
to conclude that the documents or more specifically OPLAN GREENBASE is an
action plan. The element needed to conclude it as such, is the time the
documents were made. If the documents were made prior to the occurrence of
events or the official pronouncements, then OPLAN GREENBASE is, indeed, an
action plan. Otherwise, if the documents were made after, then it merely
becomes a white paper.
To this, a reference would be made on the
date when Sec. Bunye made a statement that the Greenbase Document is spurious
and that is—27 February 2003 (see Bunye’s full statement in page 6 above). This
statement placed the time the documents were made at not later than the said
date. On the assumption that it took at least two weeks before Sec. Bunye was
able to get hold of a leaked copy, then it placed the time it was made at about
the same date indicated in the document, which is 11 February 2003. At that
point in time, no one except those in the upper echelons of power could have
had access to all the technical and classified information contained in the
Greenbase Documents. Neither could anyone have accurately predicted the actions
and pronouncements of the government nor the future events.
It is clear, therefore, that the contents
of the Greenbase Documents are true and that OPLAN GREENBASE is a secret action
plan authorized by GMA and executed by the DND, OPAPP and other government
agencies.
CONCLUSION
With the revelation that the Greenbase
Documents are true, comes a very frightening implication – that GMA and her
administration can and will sacrifice the lives of innocent people she had
sworn to serve and protect, in the pursuit of political, economic and personal
interests.
The comprehensive peace policy of her
Administration had been very promising while the signing of the Agreement on
the Cessation of Hostilities had been hoped by many as the first step to
lasting peace in Mindanao that all Filipinos longed for. But just like how she
reneged on her Dec 30 vow not to run for President in 2004 and how she reneged
on the Oakwood Agreements, she—full of deceit and betrayal—also reneged on this
very sacred agreement and ordered an all-out war to the unsuspecting MILF
secessionists. The difference from the first two however is that, in the
latter, hundreds of people died or were wounded—civilians, soldiers, and rebels
alike; hundreds of thousands of families were displaced with the children left
forever traumatized and deprived of education that would eventually force them
to join the next generation of rebels; and billions were lost in damaged
property and on relief and rehabilitation costs. All these enormous costs for a
war that never should have been.
Finally, the Greenbase Documents validate
the fear that state-sponsored terrorism had become a policy option in the GMA
Administration. The Davao bombings and other bombings in Mindanao, which left
hundreds of innocent civilians dead, are mass murders and works of evil minds
and heartless individuals. At the very least, these horrible incidents
shattered all the pretensions of democracy under the GMA Administration and
effectively removed its very reason for existence.
ANNEX A
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 3
DEFINING POLICY
AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
FOR GOVERNMENT’S COMPREHENSIVE PEACE EFFORTS
WHEREAS,
a primary objective of the government is the attainment of a just,
comprehensive and enduring peace under the rule of law and in accordance with
constitutional processes, which is the basic foundation for sustainable
economic and human development and national prosperity;
WHEREAS, a just comprehensive
and enduring peace requires not merely the end of internal armed conflicts, but
just as importantly the resolution of root causes of the armed conflicts and
social unrest, transformation of Philippine society to one characterized by
justice, equity, tolerance, harmonious pluralism, and full respect for human
rights;
WHEREAS, the nationwide public
consultations of the National Unification Commission recommended a
comprehensive, integrated and holistic peace process comprising “Three
Principles and Six Paths to Peace” as necessary for the attainment of a just
and enduring peace;
WHEREAS, this comprehensive,
integrated and holistic peace process was adopted as government policy under
Executive Order No. 125, s. 1993, which created the Office of the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process;
WHEREAS, there is a desire to
reaffirm the government’s continuing commitment to this comprehensive peace
process and to consolidate its gains;
WHEREAS, in line with the Administration’s policy to reconstruct
the peace process, there is a need to strengthen and streamline processes and
rationalize structures towards an effective and integrated approach to the
pursuit of peace, responsive to the changing situation of conflict in the
country and lessons learned from the past implementation;
WHEREAS, there is a need to further enhance the
contribution of civil society to comprehensive peace process by
institutionalizing the people’s participation;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the
Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do
hereby order;
Section 1. Scope. The government’s policy framework for peace, including the
systematic approach and the administrative structure for carrying out the
comprehensive peace process, shall be governed by this Executive Order.
Section 2. The Systematic Approach to Peace. The government shall continue to pursue a comprehensive,
integrated and holistic approach to peace that is guided by the principles and
processes laid down in this Executive Order. These shall provide the framework for the implementation, coordination,
monitoring and integration of all government peace initiatives, and guide its
partnership with civil society in the pursuit of a just and enduring peace.
Section 3. The Three Principles of the Comprehensive Peace Process. The comprehensive peace
process shall continue to be governed by the following underlying principles:
a. A
comprehensive peace process should be community-based, reflecting the
sentiments, values and principles important to all Filipino. Thus, it shall be
defined not by the government alone, nor by the different contending groups
only, but by all Filipinos as one community.
b. A comprehensive peace process aims to forge a new social compact
for a just, equitable, humane and pluralistic society. It seeks to establish a genuinely pluralistic
society, where all individuals and groups are free to engage in peaceful
competition for predominance of their political programs without fear, through
the exercise of rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, and where
they may compete for political power through an electoral system that is free,
fair and honest.
c. A comprehensive peace process seeks a principled and peaceful
resolution to the internal armed conflicts, with neither blame nor surrender,
but with dignity for all concerned.
Section 4. The Six Paths to
Peace. The components of the
comprehensive peace process comprise the processes known as the “Paths to
Peace”. These component processes are
interrelated and not mutually exclusive, and must therefore be pursued
simultaneously in a coordinated and integrated fashion. They shall include, but may not be limited
to, the following:
a. PURSUIT
OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORMS. This component involves the vigorous implementation of various policies,
reforms, programs and projects aimed at addressing the root causes of internal
armed conflicts and social unrest. This
may require administrative action, new legislation, or even constitutional
amendments.
b. CONSENSUS-BUILDING
AND EMPOWERMENT FOR PEACE. This component includes continuing consultations
on both national and local levels to build consensus for a peace agenda and
process, and the mobilization and facilitation of people’s participation in the
peace process.
c. PEACEFUL,
NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT WITH THE DIFFERENT REBEL GROUPS. This component involves the conduct of
face-to-face negotiations to reach peaceful settlement with the different rebel
groups. It also involves the effective implementation of peace agreements.
d. Program
for reconciliation, reintegration into mainstream society and rehabilitation.
This component includes programs to address the legal status and security of
former rebels, as well as community-based assistance programs to address the
economic, social and psychological rehabilitation needs of former rebels,
demobilized combatants and civilian victims of the internal armed conflict.
e. ADDRESSING
CONCERNS ARISING FORM CONTINUING ARMED HOSTILITIES. This component involves the strict
implementation of laws and policy guidelines, and the institution of programs
to ensure the protection of non-combatants and reduce the impact of the armed
conflict on communities found in conflict areas.
f. BUILDING
AND NURTURING A CLIMATE CONDUCIVE TO PEACE. This component includes peace advocacy and peace education programs, and
the implementation of various confidence- building measures.
Section 5. Administrative Structure. The administrative
Structure for carrying out the comprehensive peace process shall be as follows:
a. THE
PRESIDENCY. The President shall
exercise active and focused leadership that is essential for the effective
pursuit of the comprehensive peace process.
b. PRESIDENTIAL
ADVISER ON THE PEACE PROCESS. The
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (PAPP) shall be charged with the
management and supervision of the comprehensive peace process. The PAPP shall be appointed by the President
and shall have the rank and remuneration of a Cabinet Member. He shall
have the authority to coordinate and integrate, in behalf of the President, all
existing peace efforts. As such, the
PAPP shall have direct supervision and control over the specific structures and
programs designed for the implementation of the comprehensive peace
process. He shall have the following
functions and responsibilities:
1) Advise and assist the President in the
management, direction and supervision of the comprehensive peace process;
2) Recommend to the President policies, programs
and actions to implement the
comprehensive peace process;
3) Report to
the President on the progress of implementation of the comprehensive peace process;
4) Supervise
the government agencies and instrumentalities, to include their program
and activities, purposely created for the implementation of various
components of the comprehensive peace process, such as the Government Peace
Negotiating Panels and the National Program for Unification and Development;
5) Coordinate with the other government agencies
involved in the implementation of the comprehensive peace process, including
the National Amnesty Commission and the National Anti-Poverty Commission, as
well as the various departments and instrumentalities which should participate
or provide support to the overall effort;
6) Conduct regular dialogues with the National
Peace Forum and other peace partners to seek relevant information, comments and
recommendations as well as to render appropriate and timely reports on the
progress of the comprehensive peace process.
7) Perform such other functions as directed by the
President.
c. GOVERNMENT PEACE NEGOTIATING PANELS.
There shall be established
Government Peace Negotiating Panels (GPNPs) for negotiations with different
rebel groups, to be composed of a Chairman and four (4) members who shall
be appointed by the President as her official emissaries to conduct
negotiations, dialogues, and face-to-face discussions with rebel groups. They
shall report to the President, through the PAPP, on the conduct and progress of
their negotiations.
The GPNPs shall each be provided technical support by a Panel Secretariat under
the direct control and supervision of the respective Panel Chairmen. They shall
be authorized to hire consultants and to organize their own Technical
Committees to assist in the technical requirements for the negotiations.
Upon conclusion of a final peace agreement with any of the rebel groups, the
concerned GPNP shall be dissolved. Its Panel Secretariat shall be retained in
the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) for the
purpose of providing support for the monitoring of the implementation of the peace
agreement.
d. PANEL
OF ADVISERS. There shall be Panel of Advisers for each of the
GPNPs, composed of representatives from the Senate, House of Representatives,
members of the Cabinet and representatives of civil society and other advisers
as may be designated by the President upon recommendation of the PAPP, which
shall function as an advisory body to their respective GPNPs on the conduct of
their negotiations.
Section 6. National Program for Unification and Development Council. The National Program for
Unification and Development Council
(NPUDC) shall be charged with the implementation of programs for the
reconciliation and reintegration into mainstream society of former rebels,
through area-based projects and activities to address their economic, social
and psychological rehabilitation needs.
Section 7. The National Amnesty Commission. The National
Amnesty Commission (NAC) shall take charge of the government’s amnesty program
to address the legal status and security of former combatants. The PAPP shall
be in active coordination with the NAC in ensuring the appropriate response of
government to the needs of former combatants.
Section 8. The National Peace Forum. To crystallize the
partnership between the government and civil society in the pursuit of a just
and enduring peace, there shall be a National Peace Forum (NPF) which shall
function as an advisory body to the PAPP. It shall be the principal forum for
the PAPP to consult with and seek advise from the peace advocates, peace
partners and concerned sectors of society on both national and local levels, on
the implementation of the comprehensive peace process, as well as for
government-civil society dialogue and consensus-building on peace agenda and
initiatives.
Section 9. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) shall
provide technical and administrative support to the PAPP in the discharge of
his functions for the coordination and implementation of all components of the
comprehensive peace process.
The secretariat of the National Peace Forum (NPF) established under EO 115, s.
1999 shall be integrated into and function as a component unit of the OPAPP.
Administrative support services for the GPNP’s shall be provided by the OPAPP.
Section 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Subject to the
approval of the Office of the President, the PAPP shall promulgate the necessary
implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this
Executive Order.
Section 11. Funding. The approved budgets of the OPAPP,
the National Program for Unification and Development Council and the National
Peace Forum for the current year shall be the source of funds for the
implementation of the comprehensive peace process for the year 2001.
Appropriations for succeeding years shall be incorporated in the budget of the
OPAPP and other agencies concerned.
Section 12. Repealing Clause. All Executive Orders, rules and regulations and
other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive
Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 13. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect
immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 28th day of February in the year of
our Lord, Two Thousand One.
By the President:
RENATO S. DE VILLA
Executive Secretary
ANNEX B
MALACAÑANG
MANILA
February 11, 2003
MEMORANDUM OF
INSTRUCTIONS
TO : THE SECRETARY
Department of National Defense
Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
QUEZON CITY
This Memorandum prescribes the Constitutional obligation of the Government to
preserve its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to prevent the
Southern Philippines Secessionists (SPS), particularly the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF), from dismembering the Republic.
As President of
the Republic of the Philippines and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP), I do hereby order the following:
1. Effective 121400H
FEB 2003, I order that the OPLAN
GREENBASE must be totally implemented without prejudice to the GRP-MILF
Tripoli Agreement of Peace. The GRP-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of
Hostilities is hereby suspended indefinitely. The formal talks with the MILF
may resume provided the objective of OPLAN GREENBASE is completely accomplished
in order that the Government can impose its will upon the MILF to accept
“Enhanced Autonomy” or face total pacification in the hands of the AFP.
2. The AFP must
CAPTURE AND OCCUPY
simultaneously within one week the Buliok Complex fronting the
Liguasan Marsh area comprising: (a) Kabasalan Island Complex, (b) Rajamuda
Complex, and (c) Buliok Complex where Salamat Hashim’s headquarteres “Islamic
Center” is located. To achieve this objective, the entire forces and war assets
of Southern Command with the air support of the Philippine Air Force must be
fully utilized.
The Buliok
Complex has been identified by the SouthCom as the base of operations and
refuge area of the notorious Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom group and other heavily
armed criminal groups in Mindanao.
Once the objective of the plan is achieved, the AFP must clear the Liguasan
Marsh of all MILF structures – military, political and social – and lawless
elements, and relocate the civilians living in the marsh.
3. I have
instructed the Department of Energy Secretary to revive the Geophysical Survey
and Exploration Contract (Cotabato Basin Exploration Project) between Petronas
Carigali Sdn Bhd and the Philippine National Oil Corporation Exploration
Corporation as the draft Farm-in Agreement and Joint Operating Agreement
between the PNOC and Petronas are ready for signing. The joint exploration of
the oil fields of marsh will ensure national economic recovery in anticipation
of peso devaluation against the US dollar, and the oil price increase in the
world market resulting from the impending US-Iraq war. Proper coordination with
the Energy Department is vital to the success of the exploration.
4. I have further ordered the NEDA Director-General to implement the
much-delayed 25-year Liguasan Marsh Development Framework Plan and to
reconstitute the Liguasan Marsh Development Task Force as soon as the AFP takes
full control of the marsh from the MILF.
5. Serve the warrants of arrest issued against Samier Hashim, Ustaz Salamat
Hashim, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Eid Kabalu by various Courts two years ago.
The AFP must bear in mind that the HIGH-VALUE
TARGET of the plan is TO CAPTURE
SALAMAT HASHIM DEAD OR ALIVE.
The neutralization of Tahir Alonto will only be effected after the MILF leaders
above-mentioned are arrested, jailed or killed.
6. In implementation of OPLAN GREENBASE, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and the
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) must ensure that all evacuees in
the war-affected barangays of Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat
provinces are orderly evacuated to different schools or government center in
the nearest town poblacions. The Office of the President – Mindanao and the 6th
Infantry (K) Division, Philippine Army shall strictly supervise the
implementation of the Special Economic
Enhancement and Development Program for Pikit as well as the relief and
rehabilitation of the affected civilians and ensure that their needs are
well-attended to prevent the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the
United Nations agencies, such as Decolonization Commission, UN High Commission
for Refugees, UN Human Rights Commission, International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) and the Red Crescent Society from deeply looking into the present
war against the MILF and the Moros.
7. It is desired that all matters pertinent hereto shall be fully coordinated
with the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process and the Presidential
Adviser for Special Concerns.
Copy furnished:
OPAPP
Sgd
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
*Author’s note: This document was
re-typed so that its full text could be viewed as reference since to scan and
include the actual photocopied Greenbase documents in this MS Word file would
require more space and would be more difficult to spread through email.
However, should you want to view the photocopied document, it could be emailed
to you.
ANNEX C
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REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the President
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON THE
PEACE PROCESS
THE PRESIDENT’S
FOUR-POINT
POLICY FRAMEWORK IN ADDRESSING THE
SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES SECESSIONISTS/MILF
PROBLEM
(Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum of
Instructions
Approved on 11 February 2003)
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1. The Government’s high-value target in the implementation of OPLAN GREENBASE is to CAPTURE MILF CHAIRMAN HASHIM
SALAMAT DEAD OR ALIVE. To this effect, the AFP must CAPTURE AND OCCUPY Buliok
Complex and environs within a week of continuous, massive aerial
and infantry attacks to permanently deprive the MILF and its leadership of
setting up future guerilla bases in the marsh and elsewhere in Mindanao.
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With the capture of all MILF camps, the
Government, with the active participation of the local government units in
the area, must establish an Area of Temporary Stay (ATS) where the MILF
rebels and their surviving leaders can be concentrated to avoid
“mis-encounters” while negotiations for their total capitulation are going
on. Member-countries of the OIC Committee of Eight may be allowed to visit
members of the MILF peace panel in an ATS provided officials designated by
the National Security Council and/or the Cabinet Oversight Committee on
Internal Security are privy to every minute details of their talks. No
private or closed-door conversations shall be allowed during the visit.
Accordingly, the Government shall assert and uphold its
authority and solemn duty under the Constitution - preserve our territorial
integrity as one nation, maintain law and order, and protect the civilian
population through effective military and police actions against terrorism
and other forms of lawless violence perpetrated y the MILF and other rebel
groups to which it has established alliance, i.e. CPP-NPA-NDF, MNLF-Misuari
Renegade Group, MNLF Executive Council of 15, and MNLF-Alvarez Isnaji Wing.
This will ensure the Government’s authority to correct past mistakes done
by the GRP peace panels in every agreement reached with the MILF. Under
this disadvantageous situation, the MILF can now freely accept the
Government-offered "Enhanced Autonomy" while garrisoned in their
ATS.
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2. Without prejudice to the GRP-MILF Tripoli
Agreement of Peace of 2001, the Government has indefinitely suspended the
Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities. To this end, the Government
will set up an acceptable monitoring team composed of PNP and AFP officials
to monitor effectively any cease-fire mechanism that could be devised by the
Defense Department. The duties and functions of an OIC Monitoring Team that
should have been composed under the existing agreement are hereby vested to
this Government-sponsored monitoring team.
3.
The Government invokes its right for the MILF to fully observe the May 6,
2002 joint communique where the MILF agreed to interdict criminal elements
taking refuge in their remaining controlled areas, particularly the
petroleum-rich Liguasan Marsh where Hashim Salamat’s P7.5 million worth
“Islamic Center Mansion” is situated.
Once
the MILF is driven away from the marsh, NEDA can now take off after a few
years of a halt to the 25-year Liguasan Marsh Development Framework Plan. The
draft Farm-In Agreement and Joint Operating Agreement between PNOC-EC and
Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd can now be assigned in due time for the exploration
of the Marsh’s huge oil deposits. Likewise the LGUs of Cotabato province and
Pikit can now start implemenitnfg the Special Economic Ehancenment and
Development Program for Pikit (Seed Pikit).
Following the projected defeat of MILF in the Liguasan war, the Government
through the National Development Co. will be in a better position to fully
implement the US$ 100 million joint venture Manila-Tripoli-Kuala Lumpur palm
oil and sugarcane plantations confidential deal being hammered out by the
President as a promissory concession once the two countries agreed to
actively meddle in a peace talk with the MILF. It will be pushed through
without prejudice to any unlikely diplomatic reaction of Washington since
both countries antagonize the US Government due to its war mongering against
Iraq and Libya.
4. The MILF must be held responsible for the AFP-backed spate of
bombings in urban areas and destruction of several Napocor transmission
towers, power sub-station and barges, the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant, the
Pulangi Power Plant and power plants of electric cooperatives and companies
in Mindanao. Appropriate charges of rebellion, sedition, multiple murder and
multiple frustrated murder will be filed against MILF leaders in various courts
in order to secure warrants of arrest against them and reduce them in
estoppel.
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The AFP’s plan to conduct comprehensive psywar operations over
print and broadcast media, and destabilization in urban Christian areas,
such as Davao International Airport, Awang Airport, Gen, Santos City
International Standard Airport, Zamboanga International, Cagayan de Oro
Airport, principal ports and wharves, foreign embassies and consulates,
hotels and restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals, churches, public markets
and terminals, radio and television stations, factories, oil depots and
gasoline stations, busses, cinemas, schools, plazas and then must be
intensified and thereafter put the blame on the MILF so as to convince the
Asean, the European Union, and the United States’ State Department to
formally declare the MILF as a FOREIGN
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, and Chairman
Hashim Salamat as a Specially Designated
Global Terrorist because of the
gravity and magnitude of threat he and the MILF pose on the national
security and territorial integrity of the Philippines and Asean countries.
Hashim’s’capture or death, and MILF’s designation as an FTO will ensure the
smooth conduct of Balikatan 03-1 in Central Mindanao and the US troops’
planned basing in Sarangani-Gen. Santos City.
Sgd:
Eduardo Ermita
/30
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*Author’s note: This document was
re-typed so that its full text could be viewed as reference since to scan and
include the actual photocopied Greenbase documents in this MS Word file would
require more space and would be more difficult to spread through email.
However, should you want to view the photocopied document, it could be emailed
to you.
|
annex D
MILF PRESS RELEASE
March 5, 2003
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MILF
STRONGLY CONDEMNS LATEST BOMB BLASTS AT THE
DAVAO CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON MARCH 4,
2003 AT 5:30 PM, LEAVING MANY CASUALTIES, AT LEAST 18 PERSONS DEAD AND 98
WOUNDED, AND DAMAGES TO PROPERTIES AT THE AIRPORT.
THE LEADERSHIP OF THE MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT (MILF), PARTICULARLY
BROTHER SALAMAT HASHIM, CHAIRMAN OF THE MILF CENTRAL COMMITTEE, STRONGLY
CONDEMNS THE LATEST BOMB BLASTS AT THE DAVAO CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THAT
OCCURRED TODAY, MARCH 4, 2003 AT 5:30 P.M., WHICH LEFT AT LEAST 18 DEAD AND
98 WOUNDED, INCLUDING THE SUBSEQUENT BOMB BLASTS IN TAGUM CITY WHICH ALSO
VICTIMIZED CIVILIANS.
THE
MILF BELIEVES THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE HORRIBLE AND DASTARDLY ACT
HAVE NO SENSE OF CARE ON, OR DO NOT VALUE HUMAN LIVES, EVEN AS THEY COMMITTED
THIS BARBARIC AND COWARD ACT IRREGARDLESS OF THE PLACE THEY CHOSE TO COMMIT
THE CRIME. MANY PEOPLE WERE THEN AT THE WAITING SHADE OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL
BUILDING WAITING FOR THE PLANE PASSENGERS WHO JUST ARRIVED.
MEANWHILE,
THE MILF HEREBY SUGGESTS TO THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT THAT THESE INCIDENTS
MUST BE IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED AND NO STONE TO BE LEFT UNTURNED UNTIL THE
PERPETRATORS ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE TO ANSWER FOR THE HEINOUS CRIME THEY HAVE
COMMITTED AGAINST HUMANITY. THE MILF, AS ITS DUTY IN ISLAM, IS WILLING TO
ASSIST THE INVESTIGATION OF THESE TWO BOMBING INCIDENTS BY THE AUTHORITIES.
BE
IT REMEMBERED THAT A SIMILAR BOMB ATTACH ALSO TOOK PLACE AT THE AWANG AIRPORT
IN DATU ODIN SINSUAT, MAGUINDANAO LAST FEBRUARY 20, 2002, WHICH RAZED TO THE
GROUND SEVERAL BUILDINGS, AND ALSO LEFT MANY CASUALTIES. THE INCIDENT WAS
READILY ADMITTED BY THE ABU SAYYAF GROUP THOUGH.
APPROVED
FOR RELEASE
(March 4, 2003)
AL HAJ MURAD EBRAHIM
Vice Chairman
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*Author’s note: This document was
re-typed so that its full text could be viewed as reference since to scan and
include the actual photocopied Greenbase documents in this MS Word file would
require more space and would be more difficult to spread through email.
However, should you want to view the photocopied document, it could be emailed
to you.
