High Stakes in the Philippines: ‘The Village’

Some of the Navy folks talked about bringing out a veterinarian.

08 July 2009

(Filed from Afghanistan)

The fight in the southern Philippines varies in intensity and technique. Commanders in the AFP (Armed Forces Philippines) will say that the fight consists of about 80% carrot and 20% stick. The relationship between U.S. and AFP forces seems good but there are differences of opinion. Our folks fully understand the 80% part, but on the 20% we often know the whereabouts of the enemy and would like to see faster action. Nevertheless, my gut instinct after having a tour about the place is that progress is being made. A guerrilla commander told me that he had been fighting since 1976, but came out of the jungles with 34 fighters on 20 April this year. Publicly it’s called a “surrender,” but on the ground it seemed more like a mutual agreement to stop fighting and do something constructive. (more…)

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Tags: "no pants day”, Adrian Berghamer, Afghanistan, AFP (Armed Forces Philippines), Boodlefights
Posted Jul 9th 2009 at 12:53 pm in Michael Yon Dispatches, Military, Politics | 18002618 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/myon/2009/07/09/philippines/High+Stakes+in+the+Philippines%3A+%27The+Village%272009-07-09+19%3A53%3A27Michael+Yon

Heavy Fighting in the Philippines: Another Forgotten War

06 June 2009
Filed From Chaghcharan, Afghanistan

Overview

Until recently, Afghanistan was called “The Forgotten War.” The dramatic domestic, regional, and international politics of the Iraq war largely eclipsed the fact that our people were fighting just as hard in Afghanistan. Although we’re paying attention to AfPak now, off the radar screen an important and related fight has been unfolding in the Philippines.

At the invitation of the Philippine government, the U.S. maintains about 600 troops, including Army Green Berets, Civil Affairs, and Military Information Support teams, Navy SEALS and Seabees, along with Air Force personnel and Marines.  Our military forces are deployed in six locations: Zamboanga, Mindanao, Jolo, Basilan, Tawi Tawi, and a small number of liaison staff on Luzon. Their mission is to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines eliminate terrorist groups like Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group and to prevent them from establishing safe havens from which to train other terrorists, both internal and external. (more…)

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Tags: Admiral Timothy Keating, Afghanistan, AFP (Armed Forces Philippines), AfPak, Blackhawk Down
Posted Jul 6th 2009 at 8:58 pm in Featured Story, Michael Yon Dispatches | 17822245 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/myon/2009/07/06/philippines-some-notes-thoughts-and-observations/Heavy+Fighting+in+the+Philippines%3A+Another+Forgotten+War2009-07-07+03%3A58%3A24Michael+Yon