Attacks In The Philippines

[JasonJ]

Probably worth its own thread by now.

 

Islamic militants waving the IS flag attacked a city called Marawi, maybe trying to take over parts of it. Duterte declared Martial Law for 60 days for the main island of Mindanao.

 

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines (First published May 24, 2017, 12:04 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law for 60 days over Mindanao following the firefight between military forces and the ISIS-inspired Maute fighters on Tuesday.

Duterte's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was scheduled to happen on Thursday, has been brought forward to Tuesday evening to allow his hasty return to the Philippines. Duterte has cut short his official visit and is expected to return to the country by Wednesday to deal with the conflict.

Duterte told Putin that he is counting on Russia to supply weapons for the fight against terrorism in the Philippines as he cozies up with non-traditional ally Moscow and veers away from longtime partner the United States.


New: Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the death toll is now at 21: 13 militants, five soldiers, a security guard and two policemen. Meanwhile, 31 others were wounded.

New: Duterte, at a press conference shortly after arriving from Russia on Wednesday, said a police chief was stopped at a militant checkpoint and was beheaded. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos, meanwhile, said they have not received reports on the beheading of civilians.

New: 120 civilians used as human shields by militants holed up at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center were rescued, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

New: Duterte said that he might extend army rule to Visayas and Luzon. He also announced that he had ordered the Philippine Navy to set a blockade in the waters between Mindanao and Visayas.

New: Duterte said that the privilege of habeas corpus had been suspended. He added that government security forces may conduct searches and set up checkpoints on the Philippines' second largest island.

The Philippine National Police has been put on full alert status nationwide. All unit commanders were directed to strengthen security in all vital installations and public places. The Social Welfare department also activated its red alert status.

Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are on heightened alert. Cotabato City residents were told to take "extra-precautionary measures" as a triple red alert status was raised by the city government after sightings of alleged terrorists there. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, meanwhile, revised her "on lockdown" declaration over the city. Davao City is now under a "hold-and-secure situation," where travel to and from the city is discouraged.

The Western Mindanao Command says it is waiting for the written guidelines on how to implement the declared martial law

Conflicting statements by authorities causing confusion

107 inmates escaped from two Marawi City jails—Malabang District Jail 39 and Marawi City Jail—after Maute gunmen attack

Liberal Party president Sen. Francis Pangilinan says Congress will look into the basis of the martial law declaration

A constitutional expert and rights group expressed concern over the declaration of martial law

A priest, two church workers and 10 parishioners were taken hostage by the militants. A teacher was also reportedly taken as hostage.

Gunshots have so far halted, according to the Marawi City mayor. Some residents have evacuated while others opted to lock themselves indoors

READ: Mindanao martial law to be like Marcos', says Duterte | Drawing parallels with Marcos, Duterte says Martial Law period 'good'
Here's what we know so far:

The gunbattle began after government troops raided the hideout of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi City, a largely Muslim city with a population of over 200,000. The US Department of Justice has listed the Abu Sayyaf leader among the most-wanted terrorists worldwide, with a reward of up to $5 million for his capture. Hapilon's group called for reinforcement from its ally, the Maute. The Maute was blamed for the bomb attack in Duterte's hometown of Davao City last September which killed 15.

Hapilon, an Arabic-speaking preacher known for his expertise in commando assaults, has pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2014, according to security officials. He reportedly has been chosen to lead an ISIS branch in Southeast Asia. But Philippine and US security officials assert there is no formal IS presence in the Philippines, citing the "worldwide phenomenon" where existing terror groups affiliate themselves with ISIS.

 

Hapilon, who is still recovering from wounds sustained in a military airstrike in January, and more than a dozen of his men summoned reinforcements. Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año said nearly 50 gunmen entered the city. Meanwhile, Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra said in an interview with ANC's "Headstart" that he thinks the number may be from 100 to 200.

Gandamra said the attack caught them by surprise. He said they knew something will happen and are on alert but did not expect the number of Maute militants who entered the city. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there was no failure of intelligence in the Marawi situation but admitted there was "lack of appreciation" of information.

Some 20 gunmen took position in a hospital and raised a black ISIS flag. A photo shared on the Facebook page of the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network showed a Maute fighter mounting an ISIS flag on a police vehicle the terror group sequestered.

Lorenzana said dozens of gunmen occupied the city hall—a claim countered by the Marawi City mayor—hospital and jail and burned the St. Mary's Church, the city jail, the Ninoy Aquino school and Dansalan College as well as some houses. Power was also cut while Maute snipers were all around. Troops and police engaged in a firefight with 10 other militants who went near the jail.

The mayor advised residents to stay indoors during the height of the tension.

Troops sealed off major entry and exit points to prevent Hapilon from escaping. Military reinforcements are also coming in from Zamboanga City and Manila. The Marawi City mayor said on Wednesday early morning that he is waiting for their arrival.

A Marawi teacher named Noddy Summer said residents remain locked up indoors until Wednesday morning. She added that her colleague was taken as a hostage by the militants.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines also released a statement saying Father Chito Suganob and others who were in the Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians were also taken as hostage. The CBCP said the militants have threatened to kill the hostages "if the government forces unleashed against them are not recalled."

Gandamra said no more gunshots were heard in the area but they are still monitoring the situation. He said schools will remain closed until the government takes full control of the situation.

He said sightings of Maute fighters are still reported but assured the public that Marawi City is till under the control of the government.

Lorenzana also assured that the government remains in control of the situation in Marawi City.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the grounds for martial law, which covers the entire Mindanao island effective 10 p.m. Tuesday, is the "existence of rebellion."

The declaration will help government forces carry out searches and arrests and detain rebel suspects more quickly, Lorenzana said.

The military has supported the martial law declaration but Philippine Constitution expert Christian Monsod said what happened in Marawi City does not meet the definition of rebellion as cited in the Revised Penal Code:

"The crime of rebellion or insurrection is committed by rising publicly and taking arms against the government for the purpose of removing from the allegiance to said Government or its laws, the territory of the Republic of the Philippines or any part thereof, of any body of land, naval or other armed forces, or depriving the Chief Executive or the Legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives."

He said he thinks what happened was lawless violence as it does not involve the purpose of removing allegiance to the government or its laws any part of the territory of the Philippines.

Karapatan also warned that the declaration might aggravate insecurity in the area and lead to human rights violations. The Commission on Human Rights urged the government to uphold human rights amid the martial law declaration.

Police said Metro Manila is on full alert status meaning maximum attendance of cops is ensured. Police said no one is allowed to file a leave and those on leave will be recalled.

 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/05/25/1703153/marawi-crisis-what-we-know-so-far

 

[Simon Tan]

I have no confidence in the Phillipines Armed Forces in finishing anything. It is not at all difficult to squash out a rural insurgency. The Briggs Plan will still work but Filipino and Mindanaoan politics means there is no interest in doing so.

[JasonJ]

There might be limitations as to what the AFP can do because of legal related matters. The city Marawi is in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the only autonomous region in the Philippines. So the population at whole might be less willing to push back against radical Islamic elements than likely other areas in the Philippines which are catholic dominated would.

[Simon Tan]

The Autonomous Region is of course a haven for Abu Sayyaf which is little more than a bandit enterprise with Islamic branding. Everything breaks on tribal lines and can be squashed if one employs tried and tested methods.

 

The AFP itself is plagued by poor leadership and corruption as well as 'USitis'. That is trying to emulate hi-speed lo-drag methodologies that it simply does not have the resources or need for. Typically this is at the expense of general capabilities for less glamorous units.

 

It has also generally failed to inculcate and develop a disciplined and well ordered Home Guard that allows friendlies to self-protect, though this is a problem endemic in the Phillipines.

 

The raid against Hapsilon is the predictable goat-fuck it turned out to be thanks to piss poor staff work and contingency planning. The AFP remains abysmally ill equipped with many troops still carrying clapped out M16A1s (The M16A1 is an awesome rifle. It is a lot less awesome when it has been abused and poorly maintained for 30 years). They are also almost entirely without direct fire HE needed in an urban fight.

[JasonJ]

Those all look like fair points.

[Corinthian]

I have no confidence in the Phillipines Armed Forces in finishing anything. It is not at all difficult to squash out a rural insurgency. The Briggs Plan will still work but Filipino and Mindanaoan politics means there is no interest in doing so.

 

This is because it is profitable for the Army (mainly) that the war in Mindanao continues. It is the Army that gets the lion's share of the defense budget. As long as there is a counter-insurgency to do, the Army will get that bigger slice of the pie. And so the war continues....

[Dark_Falcon]

The Autonomous Region is of course a haven for Abu Sayyaf which is little more than a bandit enterprise with Islamic branding. Everything breaks on tribal lines and can be squashed if one employs tried and tested methods.

 

The AFP itself is plagued by poor leadership and corruption as well as 'USitis'. That is trying to emulate hi-speed lo-drag methodologies that it simply does not have the resources or need for. Typically this is at the expense of general capabilities for less glamorous units.

 

It has also generally failed to inculcate and develop a disciplined and well ordered Home Guard that allows friendlies to self-protect, though this is a problem endemic in the Phillipines.

 

The raid against Hapsilon is the predictable goat-fuck it turned out to be thanks to piss poor staff work and contingency planning. The AFP remains abysmally ill equipped with many troops still carrying clapped out M16A1s (The M16A1 is an awesome rifle. It is a lot less awesome when it has been abused and poorly maintained for 30 years). They are also almost entirely without direct fire HE needed in an urban fight.

 

The Philippine Army has reequipped with Remington R4 carbines, which are a trade name for the M4. 26,000 more were ordered for the National Police, only to have the State Department block the sale when Sen. Ben Cardin said he would oppose it on 'human rights' grounds. President Trump should declare the provision of R4s to be emergency aid to fight Daesh/IS and order any Remington has on hand into a C5M and fly them to Davao or Manila (whichever is preferred by the Philippine government). I'm aware many would call this a "lawless act", but they'll slam Pres. Trump for "lawless acts" no matter what he does. She Trump should fight Deash and mend fences with a key ally, and to blazes with what the Senate Democrats and human rights lawyers say. If they scream, Trump should slam them as "being willing to allow the same group that supports blowing up young girls in Manchester to take over a city in the Philippines."

 

The US can and should aid its ally in this fight, and if we don't others will.

[mattblack]

Remington is about to go out of business,they are currently unable to meet payroll. The glut of guns on the market and failures of their last 2 pistol designs have hurt. If they could suddenly have an order for 25,000 guns it might keep them afloat a bit longer.

[Corinthian]

The Philippine Army has R4s and these have been delivered.

I reckon the older M16s went to the commie insurgents and jihadis....

[Chris Werb]

Remington is about to go out of business,they are currently unable to meet payroll. The glut of guns on the market and failures of their last 2 pistol designs have hurt. If they could suddenly have an order for 25,000 guns it might keep them afloat a bit longer.

 

Remington had two recent pistol designs?

[Dark_Falcon]

 

Remington is about to go out of business,they are currently unable to meet payroll. The glut of guns on the market and failures of their last 2 pistol designs have hurt. If they could suddenly have an order for 25,000 guns it might keep them afloat a bit longer.

 

Remington had two recent pistol designs?

 

 

One of them is the R51, which was the subject of a safety recall. Remington made the needed modifications and the pistol is back on the market but recalls are often death for a new product.

[Dark_Falcon]

The Twitter account is Philippine reporter currently working on Mindanao is a good one to follow on this conflict: @chiarazambrano

[Simon Tan]

Remington is 'Freedom Group', a bunch of investment idiots who wanted in on the gun boom. They wrecked it and all the other brands they bought. YAY!

[JasonJ]

The Twitter account is Philippine reporter currently working on Mindanao is a good one to follow on this conflict: @chiarazambrano

Good link, thanks.

[Simon Tan]

At least 2 Malaysian jihadis killed in the fighting. Unfortunately Gulf money and race politics has driven many to the solace of religion and into the arms of the recruiters. There are many madrassas where they inculcate children and young people with Wahhabism.

[sunday]

At least 2 Malaysian jihadis killed in the fighting. Unfortunately Gulf money and race politics has driven many to the solace of religion and into the arms of the recruiters. There are many madrassas where they inculcate children and young people with Wahhabism.

 

From East Malaysia?

[Simon Tan]

Nope.Peninsular.

[Corinthian]

There is a masjid walking distance from home that seems to take its lessons from Peace TV founded by Zakir Naik. It looks suspicious and I wonder if the NBI has eyes on it.

[sunday]

Nope.Peninsular.

 

Johor probably

[chino]

wrong thread

Edited May 28, 2017 by chino

[Simon Tan]

YOu are buying the same POS we did. Is POS. Flying on a waiver.

[Dark_Falcon]

Philippine government forces sent to put down the Daesh assault do seem to have varying uniforms, and with them varying levels of equipment. These next photos are from a Daily Mail article which had a good many useful photos:

 

What appear to be Federal Police frisk a Muslim man. The photo provides a view of both the older M16 rifle on the left and the new M4-type carbine on the right:

 

 

This net photo shows Philippine Army soldiers, all with modern helmets, if not the newest type and several with visible plate carrier for front-and-back body armor. Most of the weapons are M4 along with two M249 (FN Minimi) SAWs.. At least 1 older M16 is visible, but the real surprise is the soldier in front of the man with the M16; He is carrying the M16's predecessor, the 7.62x51mm M14.

 

 

A newer AR-15 type rifle, fitted with a railed handguard, M203 grenade launcher, and an adjustable buttstock. Note also that it is being used with the original-type 20-round magazine (although the mag itself seems to be newer production):

 

 

This last photo comes from @chiarazambrano's Twitter feed. It shows a group of Philippine Marines doing a house-to-house sweep. Note that like their American counterparts, the Marines wear a different camouflage pattern than that used by the Army as a way to differentiate themselves. Note also the MG on the ground is an upgraded M60 GPMG:

 

Edited June 10, 2017 by Dark_Falcon

[Dark_Falcon]

Older vehicles that have received automotive upgrades remain Philippine Army mainstays:

 

Upgraded V-150 Commando:

 

 

UH-1 Huey:

 

 

M113A2 or A3:

[Simon Tan]

Not Commando. GKN Simba.

 

The construction in Marawi is much lighter than Damascus or Aleppo. ZU-23 will just shoot through buildings.

 

ETA:- They need to stop carrying belts a la Rambo and leave them in ammo holders or ammo cans.

Edited May 31, 2017 by Simon Tan

[Roman Alymov]

ETA:- They need to stop carrying belts a la Rambo and leave them in ammo holders or ammo cans.

Usually people carrying belts like this (it started long before Rambo) are not members of MG team but regular soldiers loaded with extra ammunition for their platoon \company MGs when there is little hope of proper supply. So they do not have ammo holders, and ammo cans would prevent them doing their main tasks.

Note part of ammunition missing for some reason in belt carried by Asian-looking Marine