“As we fought together to stay above the enemy, then so we should help each other to address the threats that confront our societies, our region and our world,” said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte referring to America in an early April “Day of Bravery” commemoration speech.
That speech, at the time out of step with the tough-talking leader’s frequent scathing criticism of the US’ military role in the region, now looks prescient as the Philippines looks towards its long-time treaty ally to combat Islamic State (IS) linked rebels entrenched on its southern island of Mindanao.
Months before the IS-led siege of Marawi City, Duterte had downgraded annual Balikatan US-Philippine joint military exercises, restricting the traditional war games to less provocative humanitarian and disaster-relief operations. He also nixed bilateral military exercises such as the PHIBLEX amphibious joint exercise and CARAT naval maneuvers, both of which carried veiled threats towards China.
The rising imperative of counterterrorism, however, has now forced the hand of the president, who earlier expressed his strong preference for downgrading, if not totally severing, strategic ties with Washington in favor of stronger military relations with Beijing and Moscow.
Duterte’s decision to cancel plans for joint patrols with the US in the South China Sea, including a ban on American warships from using Philippine bases for conducting freedom of navigation operations, stood in stark contrast with his pro-American predecessor, Benigno Aquino, who sought maximum military cooperation with the US to counter China’s assertiveness in disputed waters.
In his April speech, Duterte expressed how pragmatic considerations and shared concerns over the “menace of terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crimes such as the illegal drug trade” would continue to undergird security cooperation between Manila and Washington.
Over a month later, US Special Forces are once again providing ground support to Philippine soldiers to combat a local Islamic terrorist outfit, though this time the battle is against an internationalized IS-affiliated contingent led by the local Maute Group.
According to the Philippine constitution, foreign troops are barred against directly participating in combat operations against local armed groups. Nor are foreign forces legally allowed to establish permanent military bases on Philippine soil, forcing the US military to operate on a revolving basis in the country.
Foreign forces can, however, provide training, real-time intelligence and logistical support side-by-side with Philippine troops during combat operations, as long as they are not directly involved on the battlefield.
Since 2002, a year after the 9/11 terror attacks on America, a large contingent of US Special Forces under the Special Operations Command Pacific has provided training, equipment and intelligence to Philippine troops fighting local Islamic extremist groups on the southern island of Mindanao and adjoining areas.
Over the subsequent decade, the Philippine army, with US assistance, managed to eliminate much of the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group’s (ASG) leadership while severely restricting its geographic area of operation. By 2014, ASG was broadly viewed, though prematurely, as contained and nearly decimated until it regrouped under an IS flag.
Under a decade-long US$150 million grant program, Washington has provided large caches of grenade launchers, cutting-edge machine guns and automatic rifles to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The latest delivery under the program was made on June 5, coincident with the ongoing battle in Marawi City.
The Philippine military has been largely removed from Duterte’s controversial police-led war on drugs, where thousands have been killed in extrajudicial fashion, so there is no rights-related legal impediment to deliveries of US weaponry to the AFP.
According to the US Embassy in Manila, the weapons will “enhance the [AFP’s] counterterrorism capabilities, and help protect [those] actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in [Marawi].”
After three weeks of fighting, Philippine security forces still face stiff resistance from IS-affiliate fighters who are spread across the sprawling city, which now lies in ruins. The battle of Marawi has rapidly devolved into tortuous urban warfare that has severely challenged the capabilities of Philippine soldiers.
Government troops have suffered heavy casualties due to improvised explosive devises (IEDs) and snipers, echoing the harrowing experience of coalition forces fighting Islamic militants in Iraq.
The latest official death toll from Marawi stands at 202, with state security force losses of around 60. Duterte has set several unmet deadlines to retake the city, including one for Monday, the country’s national independence day.
“It’s going to be a difficult and challenging task on account of [the] reported presence of snipers and improvised explosive devices that were laid on the roads,” admitted military spokesperson Edgard Arevalo just days into the armed clashes.
The AFP, which is largely trained in open-field and jungle warfare, is clearly struggling with the protracted street-to-street battles in Marawi. Friendly fire has killed at least 11 soldiers and civilian casualties have gone hand-in-hand with sporadic air raids across urban neighborhoods.
For the Philippines, the US will be an increasingly indispensable ally for counterterrorism operations in such urban settings. The US is the only nation that can seamlessly provide high-grade intelligence, large volumes of advanced equipment and boast a long history of inter-operability with the AFP.
Most crucially, as the Philippines’ only treaty ally, Washington has the necessary legal mechanisms, namely the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), in place to provide lethal equipment and direct military assistance.
In contrast, the Philippines is yet — and unlikely to anytime soon — sign a defense treaty or comparable legal arrangements with other major powers such as China and Russia, both of which comparatively lack robust counterterrorism pedigrees.
At this juncture, there is little legislative support for signing a VFA or comparable arrangement which would allow other regional powers to be as intimately involved as American Special Forces are in the counterterrorism operations underway in Mindanao.
Russia and China also have relatively poor track records in tackling insurgency and terrorism threats in their own territories, respectively in Chechnya and Xinjiang.
Nor have either had any meaningful level of interoperability training with the Philippine military, which despite Duterte’s overtures remains largely suspicious of the two Eastern powers’ wider ambitions for the region.
That said, a newly signed intelligence-sharing agreement with Moscow should provide useful information on foreign fighters, including those from the Russian Caucasus, who have reportedly joined Maute Group and ASG in the fight for Marawi City.
Duterte’s earlier request for advanced weaponries such as precision-guided munitions from Russia is yet to be negotiated or processed. Meanwhile, there are also deep concerns over the reliability of weapons from alternative suppliers, particularly China, according to defense officials.
After months of diplomatic tensions and public spats with Duterte, top US security officials are confident again in the long-term trajectory of America’s alliance with the Philippines.
“I believe that we are in a very good place with regard to military to military activities in the Philippines,” Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command, told this writer on the sidelines of this month’s Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore when queried about the status of bilateral strategic cooperation.
“We are involved in activities in Mindanao to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines take the fight to [Islamic State] in the Philippines. I think that is a recognition of how important our relationship with the Philippines is,” the US commander said, referring to the joint operations underway in Marawi.
After months of deliberately reorienting Philippine foreign policy away from the US towards China, and to a lesser degree Russia, the Duterte administration has been forced to beat a certain diplomatic retreat and depend once again on its tried-and-tested ally to combat and contain a new age of Islamic terrorism that has dangerously arrived on its shores.
The only person happy that Mindanao is having problems seems to be Harry Harris, how ironic, or may be not.
Philippines did not reach for America; US special-op forces already have boots on the ground in Mindanao in the first place.
Philippines’ Duterte says didn’t seek U.S. support in city siege
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-militants-idUSKBN1920MI
Under operation enduring freedom, the US anti-terrorist special-op forces has been in the Philippines since 2009.
Philippines President Duterte Says U.S. Special Forces Should GTFO
http://www.thedailybeast.com/philippines-president-duterte-says-us-special-forces-should-gtfo
With foreign troops operating in one’s own country, there is always a danger of regime change.
Great and interesting article. The war on ISIS terrorism in the Philippines, was neglected by President Arroyo and President Aquino. This despite of numerous reports and warnings from terrorism experts such as Rohan Gunatatne, one of the foremost experts on terrorism in Asia.
There has been an astounding number of visit on ISIS websites from IP addresses in the Philippines, we have been aware of ISIS recruitment drives in prisons and in poverty stricken neighborhoods. We have seen a lot of activities in Internet chatrooms promoting terrorism in the Philippines. ISIS leader Al-Baghdadi said to his followers if they are not able to go to ISIS in Iraq/Syria then go to The Philippines, but President Aquino did NOTHING.
During the Presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, there has been a lot of improvements in just a few months. The war on drugs has reduced the funding of terrorist organizations. The Philippine military (AFP) and police (PNP) has done a great job fighting the terrorists. President Dutere has become friends with the Muslim rebels and to have support and goodwill among the rebel group is essential in a war on terrorism. The communists (NPA), has been sitting on the fence, and in my opinion, this is a tragedy, finally the communist gets a Filipino President that they can “do business with” and they have several objectives in common.
To be President of the Philippines is not an easy job. There is a lot of issues that must be addressed. Corruption, crime, and terrorism is one part of the job. Building foreign relations to increase cooperation, security, investments, and trade is very important for President Duterte’s goal to eradicate poverty in the Philippines. So far, despite obstacles and protests from the USA, President Duterte has been successful. Russia, China, and ASEAN relations has improved significantly and this foreign policy strategy to get more friends will be very important in the years to come.
The US is fuming the Philippines did agree to disagree with China on the South China Sea issue. The US State Department started to plan their covert action to reduce President Duterte popularity and “unseat” him started long before Duterte was elected President. The US have seen President Duterte as a threat to US geopolitical strategical interests. The novices in the US State Department and Pentagon has failed to reduce President Duterte popularity and a coup today would be a disaster for the USA reputation in the region. The Philippines has been a US allied, and will always be a friend of the USA, if the US respect the sovereignty of the Philippines. The improved relations with China is important for President Duterte quest to eradicate poverty and to defuse the South China Sea conflicts. A brilliant maneuver from President Duterte.
Admiral Harry Harris, a known war hawk, is unhappy with the Philippines-China, "agree to disagree deal"because this might end up in reduced budgets for NAVY. Fortunately, for Admiral Harris he has President Kim in North Korea, who is THE perfect scarecrow to get the US congress to allocate more funds to Admiral Harry Harris, US Pacific Command.
President Duterte has given the AFP, power of attorney to cooperate with whoever that can be of assistance in the war on ISIS in the Philippines. The modern weapons is important in the war against ISIS.
Is the US help needed? No, it is not needed, but it is helpful.if there is no hidden agenda. ISIS does not pose an existential threat to the Philippines, it is an expensive nuisance that must be eliminated. The US cooperation in the war against ISIS, might mend the some of the tension between the US and the Philippines.
President Duterte and President Trump get along just fine it seems, they are both pragmatic and result focused. Let us hope President Trump can get US “Deep State” to hold their horses. There is no doubt the US regime changing war hawks poses a risk for the Philippine democracy, ISIS is just a nuisance that should be eliminated.
IMHO, a slanted article. Ironic that ISIL should push so heavily in the Philippines just now – they have even sent in fighters from other theaters. This costs money. Who is paying?
Help sincerely, without any hint of ulterior motives, and generously extended is good. Its deserves of applause. Only problem with American/British aid or help, whether economically, financially or militarily, has based on their past performance been attached with strangling conditions, and often ended up with them taking over that country (e.g in the Latin American coutries, the Middle East, etc).
Duterte, for whatever others may criticise him for his "cowboy" behaviour, has been very clear of this danger of being "taken over‘’ or for his countrymen continued to be "tied hands, feet and even more seriously, mentally" to the US machinations. Duterte may condemn the 50 years of cruel US colonial rule and what they did to the Filipinos during that time when they were fighting for independence. But he also knows very well that the Filipino people still have not shaken off the mental shackles of the US domination, that they have ever since been always living under the shadow of the US.
Of course, there will be some Filipinos who would want the Americans to be back, especially the so called “elites", those who have been groomed by the US, and those who have been in advantageous positions to benefit the most in the past.
I would advise the Filipinos to think very carefully and not to fall into that trap again. You threw them out before. Its no shame to ask for help, again I must emaphasize that such help must be given without any strings attached, absolutely NO CONDITIONS！！！And such help can be sought from neighboring countries too, although the author of this article is quick to point out that the US’ help should be considered as God’s gift to the Filipinos, and if given e.g. by China or Russia, its not effective, they have no experience, their weapons are not as good as the US’ etc, etc,.
Can’t help reading between the lines that the author again is writing the article under the aegis of the CIA？
The whole question of whether Duterte asked US military to help fight terror is irrelevant… The previous president Aquino invited the devil back.. So asking is neither necessary, required nor wanted.
If US is still a phillipines ally maybe can ask US to truthfully disclose where are all those "moderate rebels" US’s been busy training in the Middle East for the past 6 years.
I’m sure that will be a very, very, very good start on ending terrorism in Phillippines.
President Duterte declared that he had never requested or asked the Americans to help. So, like in Syria, the Americans are invading the Philippines by inviting themselves to fight terrorism in the Philippines. Very soon, American bombers will be bombing and killing Filipino soldiers like they are bombing and killing Syrian soldiers. This will be followed by the unilateral setting of deconfliction zones in Philippines, which will be in fact zones occupied by American soldiers. The Americans will then have carved for themselves a country within Philippines like they have carved for themselves a country within Korea, which they call South Korea.
Yes, is it not amazing how helpful the US and the other US friendly nations are? They helped to get rid of Saddam Hussein, Gadhafi and they try to get Al-Assad too. All these countries have been bombed back to the stone-age. The three stooges; Israel, Saudis, and the US want to help the Yemenis, through bombing and starving the to death! President Trump it creates thousands of jobs!
The Philippines is next. More troops needed to help in the war against terrorism and to safeguard the 300.000 US Citizens residing in the Philippines.
What a wonderful world this could be, if we had not these “good Samaritans” around!
Let it be a warning to all ill intentioned folks.. Once terror takes hold.. US military will soon follow.. Or is it vice versa?
Muslim people, culture and kingdoms have been in parts of the Philippines since at least the 1400’s. The Spanish did not conquer them all during there 400 years of colonization and the Americans never defeated them all during their colonization after the war with Spain ended around 1900. They had their own kingdoms before the Christian conquest and that is what they want now. Just leave them alone, stick to the treaties and all will be fine. See this: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_conflict
The Uncle could easily finance a IS assault using his many Islamic charities and NGOs allied to its Wahhabi friends in the Gulf to divert attention Duterte from his other more important fight.
safsddg
It is too much a coincidence that this problem appears exactly now after decades of conflict freezing.
I suspect that US is involved in this escalation to justify their presence there and to teach the filipinos a lesson.
The socalled Islamic state terrorists are creation and financed by US CIA organition to enhance her foreign policy adventure.In case of Philipine it is possible that US planted terorists now active in some regions to put pressure on host Country"s Govt to extract some concessoion to benrfit US imperialist ambition!