LOOK: PH flag raised at Maute terror group's main camp | ABS-CBN
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LOOK: PH flag raised at Maute terror group's main camp
LOOK: PH flag raised at Maute terror group's main camp
Chiara Zambrano,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 01, 2016 07:41 PM PHT
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LANAO DEL SUR - As a sign of victory and the restoration of order, the Philippine flag was raised at the main camp of the Maute Terrorist Group in Barangay Poctan, Butig, Lanao del Sur.
LANAO DEL SUR - As a sign of victory and the restoration of order, the Philippine flag was raised at the main camp of the Maute Terrorist Group in Barangay Poctan, Butig, Lanao del Sur.
The main camp looks like a normal community but is actually designed for battle. There are foxholes and trenches around. The houses were made of solid concrete with small windows.
The main camp looks like a normal community but is actually designed for battle. There are foxholes and trenches around. The houses were made of solid concrete with small windows.
Recovered inside the camp and at the first line of defense were two Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), four M16 rifles, and a .50-caliber sniper rifle. There were also various paraphernalia which may be used to make illegal drugs, and ingredients for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Recovered inside the camp and at the first line of defense were two Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), four M16 rifles, and a .50-caliber sniper rifle. There were also various paraphernalia which may be used to make illegal drugs, and ingredients for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
There were also identification cards, photos of young fighters, documents that teach radicalization, and Islamic State (ISIS) headbands and armbands scattered among the debris.
There were also identification cards, photos of young fighters, documents that teach radicalization, and Islamic State (ISIS) headbands and armbands scattered among the debris.
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Also found inside the camp was the burnt house of the terrorist group's leader, Omar Maute, hit by rockets. The house of Abdullah Maute was there as well.
Also found inside the camp was the burnt house of the terrorist group's leader, Omar Maute, hit by rockets. The house of Abdullah Maute was there as well.
Omar and Abdullah Maute, alleged leaders of Maute Group that pledged allegiance and uses the symbol and name of ISIS pic.twitter.com/vppFzodfA7
— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) February 28, 2016
Omar and Abdullah Maute, alleged leaders of Maute Group that pledged allegiance and uses the symbol and name of ISIS pic.twitter.com/vppFzodfA7
— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) February 28, 2016
In Barangay Ragayan, where the first line of defense of the Maute group stood, there was an elementary school behind the group's watch tower. Troops who first went in said the ISIS flag was raised in the flagpole of that school.
In Barangay Ragayan, where the first line of defense of the Maute group stood, there was an elementary school behind the group's watch tower. Troops who first went in said the ISIS flag was raised in the flagpole of that school.
Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said the Maute group has been causing havoc in Lanao del Sur for some time now and is responsible for killings in as far as Marawi City.
Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said the Maute group has been causing havoc in Lanao del Sur for some time now and is responsible for killings in as far as Marawi City.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it will do its best to pursue and eliminate this group completely before it has the chance to regroup and recruit more youth.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it will do its best to pursue and eliminate this group completely before it has the chance to regroup and recruit more youth.
At least six soldiers were killed, one of them beheaded, and 11 others were injured in the clashes with the Maute terrorist group.
At least six soldiers were killed, one of them beheaded, and 11 others were injured in the clashes with the Maute terrorist group.
Around 50 to 60 from the terrorist group were also killed, the AFP said.
Around 50 to 60 from the terrorist group were also killed, the AFP said.
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More guns than people: Why tighter US firearms laws are unlikely
More guns than people: Why tighter US firearms laws are unlikely
Andy Sullivan,
Reuters
Published Apr 14, 2021 07:00 PM PHT
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WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden announced limited measures to tackle gun violence last week, but more ambitious steps will be harder to enact despite widespread public support.
WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden announced limited measures to tackle gun violence last week, but more ambitious steps will be harder to enact despite widespread public support.
Here are some facts about gun violence in the United States:
Here are some facts about gun violence in the United States:
HOW MANY AMERICANS OWN GUNS?
With about 121 firearms in circulation for every 100 residents, the United States is by far the most heavily armed society in the world, according to the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, a research group.
With about 121 firearms in circulation for every 100 residents, the United States is by far the most heavily armed society in the world, according to the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, a research group.
However, gun ownership is becoming less common across the country. One in three US households owned firearms in 2016, down from nearly half in 1990, according to the RAND Corp think tank. Ownership varies significantly by state: 66% of Montana households owned firearms, compared with just 8% in New Jersey.
However, gun ownership is becoming less common across the country. One in three US households owned firearms in 2016, down from nearly half in 1990, according to the RAND Corp think tank. Ownership varies significantly by state: 66% of Montana households owned firearms, compared with just 8% in New Jersey.
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WHAT SORT OF LAWS GOVERN FIREARMS?
The Second Amendment of the US Constitution enshrines the "right to bear arms," which the Supreme Court has interpreted to allow individuals to keep handguns at home for self-defense. The conservative-leaning court may soon decide whether gun owners can carry guns outside the home.
The Second Amendment of the US Constitution enshrines the "right to bear arms," which the Supreme Court has interpreted to allow individuals to keep handguns at home for self-defense. The conservative-leaning court may soon decide whether gun owners can carry guns outside the home.
The federal government requires most gun buyers to clear a criminal background check and tightly regulates ownership of machine guns, which are fully automatic, and silencers.
The federal government requires most gun buyers to clear a criminal background check and tightly regulates ownership of machine guns, which are fully automatic, and silencers.
Most other gun laws are set at the state level, where policies vary widely.
Most other gun laws are set at the state level, where policies vary widely.
Many Democratic-dominated states have tightened their laws in recent years.
Many Democratic-dominated states have tightened their laws in recent years.
California, for example, has banned military-style semi-automatic "assault weapons" and large-capacity magazines and has the most robust "red flag" system, which allows authorities to take firearms away from people determined to be dangerous.
California, for example, has banned military-style semi-automatic "assault weapons" and large-capacity magazines and has the most robust "red flag" system, which allows authorities to take firearms away from people determined to be dangerous.
The state also prohibits people from carrying loaded firearms in public -- a practice known as "open carry" -- and gun owners must get a permit before carrying a concealed loaded weapon.
The state also prohibits people from carrying loaded firearms in public -- a practice known as "open carry" -- and gun owners must get a permit before carrying a concealed loaded weapon.
Gun laws are much more permissive in rural states, including Idaho, Kentucky and Wyoming.
Gun laws are much more permissive in rural states, including Idaho, Kentucky and Wyoming.
Mississippi has the most permissive US laws, according to the Giffords Law Center, a gun-control group. Residents of that state do not need a permit to carry loaded weapons, whether openly or concealed, and sales of "assault weapons" and large-capacity magazines are legal. Buyers do not face waiting periods and the state does not have a red-flag law.
Mississippi has the most permissive US laws, according to the Giffords Law Center, a gun-control group. Residents of that state do not need a permit to carry loaded weapons, whether openly or concealed, and sales of "assault weapons" and large-capacity magazines are legal. Buyers do not face waiting periods and the state does not have a red-flag law.
Mississippi and 28 other states also have enacted "Stand Your Ground" laws that allow people to use deadly force when they feel threatened.
Mississippi and 28 other states also have enacted "Stand Your Ground" laws that allow people to use deadly force when they feel threatened.
WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS HAVE?
Americans aren't necessarily more violent than other cultures - but their disputes are more likely to turn deadly, expert say.
Americans aren't necessarily more violent than other cultures - but their disputes are more likely to turn deadly, expert say.
University of Iowa criminology professor Mark Berg found the rates of assault in the United States are similar to other countries, but homicide rates are higher due to the prevalence of guns.
University of Iowa criminology professor Mark Berg found the rates of assault in the United States are similar to other countries, but homicide rates are higher due to the prevalence of guns.
Firearms were a factor in 39,740 US deaths in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), similar to the number caused by motor-vehicle accidents. Suicides account for six out of 10 gun deaths.
Firearms were a factor in 39,740 US deaths in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), similar to the number caused by motor-vehicle accidents. Suicides account for six out of 10 gun deaths.
WILL GUN LAWS CHANGE?
Gun rights are one of the most divisive issues in American politics. Supporters see firearms as an important tool for self-defense, target shooting and hunting, as well as a powerful symbol of individual rights. Critics say America's permissive approach leads to tens of thousands of deaths each year.
Gun rights are one of the most divisive issues in American politics. Supporters see firearms as an important tool for self-defense, target shooting and hunting, as well as a powerful symbol of individual rights. Critics say America's permissive approach leads to tens of thousands of deaths each year.
High-profile mass shootings have increased public pressure to tighten regulations. Most Americans support tougher gun laws, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, but Washington has done little to address the problem in recent years.
High-profile mass shootings have increased public pressure to tighten regulations. Most Americans support tougher gun laws, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, but Washington has done little to address the problem in recent years.
One reason: Small, rural states where gun ownership is widespread have disproportionate influence in the US Senate, where a supermajority of 60 votes is needed to advance most legislation in the 100-seat chamber.
One reason: Small, rural states where gun ownership is widespread have disproportionate influence in the US Senate, where a supermajority of 60 votes is needed to advance most legislation in the 100-seat chamber.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed legislation expanding background checks last month, but it faces long odds in the Senate, which is split 50-50 between the two parties.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed legislation expanding background checks last month, but it faces long odds in the Senate, which is split 50-50 between the two parties.
With Congress deadlocked, presidents have acted on their own.
With Congress deadlocked, presidents have acted on their own.
After a 2018 mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people, then-President Donald Trump banned "bump stocks" that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire at a rate similar to automatic ones.
After a 2018 mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people, then-President Donald Trump banned "bump stocks" that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire at a rate similar to automatic ones.
But Trump, a Republican, also made it easier for people with mental illness to buy guns.
But Trump, a Republican, also made it easier for people with mental illness to buy guns.
Biden, a Democrat, aims to tighten regulations on self-assembled "ghost guns" that currently can be sold without serial numbers or background checks and to make it easier for states to adopt red-flag laws.
Biden, a Democrat, aims to tighten regulations on self-assembled "ghost guns" that currently can be sold without serial numbers or background checks and to make it easier for states to adopt red-flag laws.
CHANGING POLITICS?
The political landscape may be changing. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been one of the most influential gun rights lobbying groups in Washington for decades, but has been hobbled in recent years by infighting. The group recently filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to stave off a legal challenge in New York.
The political landscape may be changing. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been one of the most influential gun rights lobbying groups in Washington for decades, but has been hobbled in recent years by infighting. The group recently filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to stave off a legal challenge in New York.
The NRA gave $30 million to candidates in the 2020 presidential and congressional elections, down from $55 million in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The NRA gave $30 million to candidates in the 2020 presidential and congressional elections, down from $55 million in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action that back stronger restrictions have stepped up lobbying expenses over the past decade, though they still trail gun-rights groups as a whole.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups like Moms Demand Action that back stronger restrictions have stepped up lobbying expenses over the past decade, though they still trail gun-rights groups as a whole.
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