US still crucial to our military

When the Abu Sayyaf terrorists kidnapped US missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham along with several hostages in May 2001, then president Gloria Arroyo requested for assistance from the United States. And without hesitation, the US provided the satellite equipment as well as spy planes that helped pinpoint the location of the hostages. The cellular GPS (global satellite positioning) system, which was a relatively new technology of the US at the time, was also instrumental in the capture of ASG leader Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot, whose cell phone calls pinpointed his position.

Over the years, the American military has been developing sophisticated surveillance technology and equipment in the fight against terrorism, among them the Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft that was spotted flying above Marawi last Friday. While the Armed Forces of the Philippines has gained control of most of the city of Marawi, several terrorists belonging to the Maute group as well as Isnilon Hapilon — the designated Philippine head of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) — are still holed up in one of the villages in the city.

There is no doubt that the ISIS is already here, giving credence to the intelligence information we have been receiving that the terrorist group has set its eyes on Asia — specifically the Philippines as its new province or “wilayat.”  Mindanao certainly suits the ISIS agenda because the vast expanse of jungles make it a good training ground and provide a safe haven for foreign terrorists. Add to that the fact that porous borders can serve as backdoors for all kinds of criminal activities.

Last Sunday evening, I met with the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Navy Admiral Scott Swift (extreme right in the photo) — and he says that the Philippines needs to be very vigilant because of what is happening in Mindanao. The admiral is hoping the situation in Marawi will be contained, adding that there are a lot of critical elements at play in the area. According to Admiral Swift, criminal groups will not allow ISIS to take control of Mindanao and establish a stronghold in key provinces and cities such as Marawi because the terror group’s political agenda will certainly clash with the objectives of the criminal elements. Admiral Swift confirmed that US is, and will continue, assisting our Philippine Armed Forces in containing the spread of ISIS in our country.

In his remarks during the 2016 Maritime Security Challenges in Victoria, British Columbia, Admiral Swift — who was a recipient of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal — also expressed concern about the potential return of ISIS fighters to Southwest Asia and whether they will take their brand of terrorism from land to sea.

As Palace spokesperson Ernie Abella admitted, the fight against terrorism is a global concern. And as such, the Philippines can use all the help it can get from other nations whose citizens are also threatened by the terrorist menace. Being our closest ally, the United States has been providing assistance to the Philippines in efforts to combat terrorist activities in the last two decades, sharing intelligence information and coordinating with our armed forces as far as training and non-combat operations is concerned.

President Duterte himself admits our troops have been so attuned with their American counterparts owing to the long-standing alliance and cooperation between the Philippines and the US, our troops practicing with their American counterparts during Balikatan exercises that enhance their response capabilities not only during warfare but also humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. The manuals that the AFP is using are mostly based on American military guidebooks, and even many of our protocols and systems are in tune with the US Armed Forces.

Let’s face it, our troops recognize the crucial support that comes from the US on many aspects, among them the gathering of highly classified information that could only be obtained with the use of sophisticated intelligence gathering technology utilized by the Americans. Early this year, the US military delivered equipment to help government troops in the fight against terrorists, among them M-203 grenade launchers, sniper rifles, and a Raven unmanned aerial vehicle system composed of three drones.

As one Philippine intelligence official who wishes to remain anonymous privately admitted to me  — “Maski ano ang sabihin nila, kailangan at importante pa rin  sa atin ang mga ‘kano” (Regardless of what people say, the Americans are still important and needed by our Armed Forces).”

As the US Embassy statement said, “The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines,” and the Americans will continue to work with us to “address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries, including on counterterrorism issues.”

The bottom line is — the US will remain a true ally that is here to stay regardless of any administration.

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As of this writing, 58 soldiers have already sacrificed their lives in the crucial war in Marawi City, a lot of them young men like Dhan Ryan Bayot —  the last man standing at a 51st Infantry Battalion detachment — who asked his commanding officer to “just bomb (his) location” and take as many terrorists as he could.

Many of us often take the service and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform for granted. Let us always remember them in our prayers. 

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