Rappler's latest stories on Cirilito Sobejana
Beware of that two-faced clause in the anti-terror law
The ‘flawed’ new Anti-Terrorism Law should delete a clause to clearly exclude protest and dissent from punishable acts, says a top terrorism analyst
Soldier killed, 9 others wounded in 'fierce firefight' with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
Bloodstains on the terror group's escape path indicate an 'undetermined number' of casualties among its members, says the military in Western Mindanao
Decapitated boatman found on Tawi-Tawi beach
Authorities suspect the dead man was Ruihan Yu, who tried to row across the Pacific Ocean by himself, and was last spotted in distress on November 27, 2019, near the Marshall Islands
At least 3 Abu Sayyaf members killed as Sulu clashes continue
Eight soldiers of the Philippine Army's 45th Infantry Battalion are wounded in the battle in Barangay Latih in Patikul, Sulu
Grandson of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron killed in Sulu
Officials say 'Vikram', the Abu Sayyaf chieftain's grandson, was involved in the Jolo Cathedral suicide bombing in 2019 and the recent clash with the military in Patikul that left 11 soldiers dead
Kidnapped doctor rescued from Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
Army troops rescue Daniel Moreno, who was abducted in Jolo, Sulu, on February 4
Military proposes island quarantine for Filipinos stranded in vessels from Sabah
More than 100 passengers remain on two vessels after they were turned away by some Mindanao ports for fear of the novel coronavirus
4 soldiers killed in Maguindanao clashes with pro-ISIS militants
Government troops recover the bodies of 5 militants, and are verifying reports of 9 other casualties from the terrorist Dawlah Islamiyah Torayfie Group
Doctor abducted in Jolo, Sulu – military
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command says pursuit operations are underway to rescue the victim
Families displaced by Maguindanao clashes cry for help
Traumatized by the sound of bombs and guns, at least 2,000 families caught in the battle between terrorists and the military are staying in makeshift booths in open spaces, a Moro community leader tells Rappler
Kidnapped couple Allan and Wilma Hyrons rescued from Abu Sayyaf
(UPDATED) Three days of clashes between the military and the bandit group leads to the rescue of the couple, who were kidnapped in Zamboanga del Sur on October 4
1 Filipino, 2 Egyptian ‘suicide bombers’ killed in army clash in Sulu – AFP
Philippine Army troops intercepted the 3 suspects, believed to be from the Abu Sayyaf Group, at a checkpoint in Indanan town on Tuesday afternoon
Q&A: Is General Sobejana the one to end the Abu Sayyaf?
In this wide-ranging interview, Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana talks to Rappler about foreign fighters in Mindanao, suicide bombers in Sulu, and the prospects for peace
Revenge attacks by pro-ISIS groups ‘very likely’ after Baghdadi killing – analyst
The death of ISIS' top leader in the Middle East may shift extremists' attention closer to home as they try to avenge his death and assert their influence, says leading terrorism analyst Rohan Gunaratna
Military supports 'selective martial law' in Mindanao
The Armed Forces of the Philippines says it supports Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's 'recommendation' that the city be exempted from martial law
Military scouring Zamboanga peninsula for kidnapped couple
The gunmen who abducted Allan and Wilma Hyrons from their resort in Zamboanga del Sur have yet to be identified, but the military is looking at the Abu Sayyaf Group because of its history of kidnappings
Military taps sardine fishing crews as 'reserve force' in Sulu Sea
Crews of two major canned sardine companies have been armed and trained as 'special CAFGU' to guard the waters off the Zamboanga Peninsula, says the military
Pro-ISIS BIFF faction behind Isulan bomb attack – military
The blast that wounded 8 people on September 7 was the group's way of gaining attention following setbacks from battles with government forces, says Western Mindanao's military commander
CA confirms Cirilito Sobejana as AFP Westmincom chief
Marawi-based 103rd Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Romeo Brawner Jr also gets the nod of the powerful Commission on Appointments
5 more Chinese warships spotted in Philippine waters in July, August
The military says this is in addition to the passage of 4 Chinese vessels earlier this year, all without permission from the Philippine government
AFP reports 7 'foreign terrorists' in Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao
The commander of the Armed Forces in Western Mindanao says the 7 suspects are grooming suicide bombers among local extremist groups
AFP: 'High possibility' Sulu blasts were suicide attacks
(UPDATED) Investigators have also yet to determine whether any of the attackers were Filipino
Suicide bombing? Attack on Sulu military camp similar to Jolo Cathedral blast
The military identifies Abu Sayyaf Group leader Hatib Sawadjaan as the mastermind of the attacks. He pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Battle-scarred Philippine general leads military command fighting terrorists
Major General Cirilito Sobejana assumes command of the military's Western Mindanao Command on Friday, June 28
Military destroys lair of ISIS-inspired terrorists in Maguindanao
The military says it is 'very determined' to defeat terrorist groups in Mindanao
6,000 Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces keep watch of plebiscite in Cotabato
AFP 6th Infantry Division commander Major General Cirilito Sobejana says the presence of MILF soldiers was not a threat to the Bangsamoro vote
Frightened residents flee military air strikes vs BIFF
(UPDATED) The military is conducting operations against a faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State
LOOK: Duterte meets rescued cops
Chief Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza fetches the two policewomen in Jolo and accompanies them to Davao City to meet the President
2 Scout Rangers killed in Sulu rescue mission
10 Abu Sayyaf bandits are believed to have been killed as the military steps up its offensive after the group kidnapped two female cops
Living heroes: 5 Filipino soldiers who won the Medal of Valor
Here are awe-inspiring stories of how 5 officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines risked their lives in the battlefield to save their missions from failure and their men from certain death
Abducted Jolo councilor freed
Councilor Ezeddin Tan is the nephew of former Sulu vice governor Abdusakur Tan
Vietnamese hostage killed in Philippine clash
He the Vietnamese was hit by a bullet Two things may have happened: he was hit during the encounter or he may have tried to take advantage of the situation to escape and then his abductors shot him Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana says
Abu Sayyaf beheads soldier in Sulu
UPDATED Kapareho nilang Tausug pero ginawa pa rin nila yung karumaldumal na pagpugot says Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana
Soldier in Sulu abducted by Abu Sayyaf – military
Staff Sergeant Anni Siraji is abducted by about 7 people at 9:30 am while on the road heading to Igasan Patikul Sulu
Abu Sayyaf beheads Filipino hostage on Holy Thursday
UPDATED The military says the victim Noel Besconde was reportedly very sick and apparently delay[ed] the movement of the local terrorist group
Rescue of Abu Sayyaf hostages continues amid beheading reports
Chief presidential peace adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza receives a report that the local terrorist group has beheaded its German hostage but he says this is still unverified information
