Philippines Defence Forum

[Banglar Bir]

Philippines crisis ‘transmogrified into invasion by foreign terrorists’
Published time: 26 May, 2017 03:53 Edited time: 26 May, 2017 16:11

An armoured personnel carrier and government troops, Philippines May 25, 2017. © Romeo Ranoco / Reuters

The Maute group confronting the Philippine army in Marawi City is no longer considered a local terrorist organization as it has been reinforced by jihadists of Malaysian, Indonesian and “other nationalities,” the country’s authorities have announced.
“Before it was just a local terrorist group. But now they have subscribed to the ideology of ISIS. They want to make Mindanao as part of the caliphate,” Solicitor General Jose Calida told a news conference, according to Reuters.

READ MORE: Russia & Philippines sign defense cooperation agreement, reaffirm unity against terrorism

He added that Indonesians and Malaysians are among the Islamist radicals who are fighting the army. Meanwhile, an army spokesman said six foreigners were killed in Mindanao on Thursday, including militants of Malaysian, Indonesian and "other nationalities."

“What’s happening in Mindanao is no longer a rebellion of Filipino citizens” but “has transmogrified into an invasion by foreign terrorists who heeded the clarion call of the ISIS to go to the Philippines if they find difficulty in going to Iraq or Syria,” Calida added, as cited by InterAksyon news.

The terrorist group is aiming to create an Islamic State “province” in Mindanao and will target anyone to achieve their objective, Calida warned.
“People they consider as infidels, whether Christians or Muslims, are also targets of opportunity,” he said. “What it worrisome is that ISIS has radicalized a number of Filipino Muslim youth.”

Duterte deploys commandos, attack helicopters to retake Marawi from ISIS-linked fighters (VIDEO) https://on.rt.com/8cqd

2:02 AM - 26 May 2017

Duterte deploys commandos, attack helicopters to retake Marawi from ISIS-linked fighters (VIDEO) —...
Philippines special forces launched an attack on Islamist militant positions in Marawi City early Thursday morning in a bid to retake the city from the ISIS-affiliated Maute group. The operation...

On Thursday, Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) announced that, since Tuesday, at least 31 fighters of the IS-linked Maute group were killed in Marawi City.

Philippines 'Dirty' Duterte facing ‘same ISIS dynamic’ as Assad in Syria
“As of this report, 31 terrorists were already neutralized and 6 high-powered firearms were recovered by the troops,” said Brig. Gen. Rolly Bautista, head of Joint Task Force Zam PeLan.

At least 13 government troops and police officers lost their lives since Tuesday.

“Our troops are doing deliberate operations in areas we believe are still occupied or infested with the terrorists’ presence. I specifically ordered our soldiers to locate and destroy these terrorists as soon as possible,” Bautista added.

On Tuesday night, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law for 60 days after battles between government troops and the Maute in Marawi escalated. On Wednesday, Duterte warned that he will not hesitate to declare martial law throughout the entire country if terrorism spills beyond Mindanao.

The Philippines leader also promised to resign if extremists prove him incapable of maintaining peace in his country.

“As president, if I cannot confront them, I will resign,” Duterte said Wednesday. “If I am incompetent and incapable of keeping order in this country, let me step down and give the job to somebody else.”
https://www.rt.com/news/389770-philippines-marawi-foreign-terrorists/

 

[Ryuzaki]

ISIS ambushes the Philippine Army south of Marawi amid heavy clashes in the city

https://twitter.com/x/status/868063537679224832

https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/art...ne-army-south-marawi-amid-heavy-clashes-city/

 

[pr1v4t33r]

Battle intensifies in Marawi. Army' APC getting hit by RPG

 

[nufix]

Battle intensifies in Marawi. Army' APC getting hit by RPG

View attachment 400419
View attachment 400420

those are some serious individual battle gears actually

 

[MarveL]

those are some serious individual battle gears actually

Soldiers killed in military air strike in Marawi
(UPDATED) AFP chief General Eduardo Año is leading a probe into the incident. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana tells Rappler 'pilot error' is a possible cause.

BURNING. In this file photo, a Philippine Marines armored personnel carrier speeds away as black smoke billows from burning houses after military helicopters fired rockets at militant positions in Marawi City on May 30, 2017. File photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP



MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – At least 10 soldiers were killed in a military air strike during operations to rid Marawi City of members of the Maute Group, said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday, June 1.

Another 7 soldiers were wounded during the air strike on Wednesday, May 31, said Lorenzana in a text message to Rappler.

An investigation, headed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Eduardo Año, is underway. But Lorenzana told Rappler that "initial report says pilot error."

In a press briefing at Malacañang on Thursday, Lorenzana explained that two military planes had been flying at the time. The first plane hit its target accurately, while the second one missed its target by around 100 meters and instead hit the soldiers.

"We are trying to ascertain how the first plane hit the target, 'yung second ang layo (the second one completely missed)," he said.

"Ang sasakupin niyan (The investigation will cover) what happened really – was there a failure to communicate? ... We will find out."

The bodies of the dead soldiers have been retrieved, and their families have already been informed.

"Sometimes mistakes happen," said Lorenzana. "We hope they don't happen but all we can do is to see to it that they don't happen again."

The defense chief also raised the possibility of limiting air strikes by using only precision-guided aircraft, but said the final decision lies with ground commanders. He said the bomb that hit the soldiers was a conventional one, not a precision-guided missile.

Lorenzana added that there may be no need for as many air strikes if more ground troops converge on areas in Marawi City still held by the Maute Group.

President Rodrigo Duterte has been informed of the incident. – with reports from Carmela Fonbuena and Pia Ranada / Rappler.com

http://www.rappler.com/nation/17160...l&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer


_________

https://www.facebook.com/

quoted as it is:
"Heroes in Uniform. DISCLAIMER: The theme expressed in this photo is purely coincidental with the current situation in Mindanao, Philippines. This photo was taken on May 19, 2017; five days before the Marawi siege."

 

[Satria Manggala]

Gunman on loose at casino in Philippine capital, but nobody shot

AFP / NOEL CELIS
Philippines' police officers stand guard by the Resorts World Hotel in Manila on June 2, 2017

A gunman was on the loose at a casino complex in the Philippine capital on Friday after firing an assault rifle in a gambling room, but nobody has been reported shot or taken hostage, the national police chief said.

People ran screaming out of Resorts World Manila, which is across a road from one of the main terminals of the Philippines' international airport, after the man fired what police chief Ronald dela Rosa said was an M4 assault rifle.

"There hasn't been anyone shot... there are only injuries from people who tried to escape in a stampede or from smoke," Dela Rosa said on DZMM radio.

Dela Rosa said he could not say if it was terrorist attack, but emphasised the gunman did not shoot anyone and there had been no reports of hostages being taken.

However the gunmen had not been found, Dela Rosa said at 4:30 am on Friday, (2030 GMT Thursday, more than four hours after the shooting occurred.

AFP / Kun TIAN
Gunfire at casino complex in Philippine capital

Dela Rosa said the man, who appeared to be acting alone, walked into one of the gambling rooms and fired the rifle at a large television screen then poured gasoline onto a gambling table and set it alight.

He said the man then fired again at a stock room containing gambling chips and filled a backpack with them.

The man then left the room and went upstairs to a hotel section of the complex, according to dela Rosa.

"We have cleared the rooms (on the floor of the hotel the gunman was last seen) but we don't see where he is," dela Rosa said.

The Islamic State group immediately claimed responsibility.

IS said "lonewolf soldiers" from its group carried out the attack, according to the SITE Intelligence Group that monitors terrorist organisations.

But dela Rosa said: "We cannot attribute this to terrorism."

He said it may have just have been an attempted robbery, pointing out the gunman tried to steal the gambling chips.

- Terrified -

AFP / NOEL CELIS
A man fired what police chief Ronald dela Rosa said was an M4 assault rifle inside Resorts World Manila

People inside the casino recounted feelings of terror when the shooting occurred.

"I was about to return to the second floor from my break when I saw people running. Some hotel guests said someone yelled 'ISIS'," Maricel Navaro, an employee of Resorts World, told DZMM radio.

ISIS is another acronym for the Islamic State group.

"Guests were screaming. We went to the basement locker room and hid there. People were screaming, guests and employees were in panic," Navaro said.

"When we smelled smoke, we decided to go for the exit in the carpark. That's where we got out. Before we exited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor."

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law last week across the southern region of Mindanao to crush what he said was a rising threat of Islamic State there.

He declared martial law shortly after militants went on a rampage through the southern city of Marawi, which is about 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of Manila.

Security forces are still battling the militants in Marawi, and the clashes there have left at least 171 people dead.

AFP / TED ALJIBE
Military tanks maneouver through a village as they advance towards a position of Islamist militants in Marawi, on the southern island of Mindanao on June 1, 2017

Duterte said last week he may need to declare martial law across the rest of the country if the terrorism threat spread.

A Muslim separatist rebellion in the southern Philippines has killed more than 120,000 people since the 1970s.

The main Muslim rebel groups have signed accords with the government aimed at forging lasting peace, giving up their separatist ambitions in return for autonomy.

However a range of hardline militants groups have rejected the peace process and in recent years have sought to unite behind IS.

https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/gunman-loose-casino-philippine-capital-nobody-shot

 

[MarveL]

Gunman on loose at casino in Philippine capital, but nobody shot

 

[skyhigh88]

Duterte welcomes BRP Davao del Sur
President Rodrigo Duterte promises 'more acquisitions of vessels and equipment' for the AFP at the 119th anniversary of the Philippine Navy

Rappler.com
Published 3:59 PM, June 01, 2017
Updated 3:59 PM, June 01, 2017

NAVY ANNIVERSARY. President Rodrigo Duterte troops the line at the Philippine Navy anniversary in Sasa Wharf, Davao City, on May 31, 2017. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

MAN AT THE HELM. President Rodrigo Duterte takes a seat at the ship's bridge. Photo from Presidential Photo

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the country’s newest military ship, the BRP Davao del Sur during the Philippine Navy’s 119th anniversary in Davao City on May 31, 2017.

The BRP Davao del Sur is 123 meters long and is the navy’s second amphibious landing dock vessel. On June 1, 2016, its twin ship, BRP Tarlac, was commissioned into the Navy. The two are the biggest ships in the navy's inventory.

"I have 5 years. I will acquire more jets, air assets and boats. And I will make the Philippine Armed Forces a little bit stronger by the time, InShaAllah, I go out as President,” he added, amid applause from the crowd composed mostly of Navy men and women, and other top military officials.

Duterte promised “more acquisitions of vessels and equipment” for maritime law enforcement, counterterrorism, and disaster relief operations.

Duterte vowed to improve the AFP's capability as government troops battle members of the terrorist Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

Terror groups attempted to take control of the city on May 23 after soldiers and police launched an operation against Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf member who allegedly has direct ties to ISIS.

Duterte later toured the ship with other officials, including Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/171622-brp-davao-del-sur-duterte-military-modernization

 

[pr1v4t33r]

What a grim story with maute attack and now this.. is this the time for living dangerously in Philippines...

 

[nufix]

What a grim story with maute attack and now this.. is this the time for living dangerously in Philippines...

maybe we can say the same for our country.

 

[Satria Manggala]

Duterte Eyes 12 More Fighter Jets for Military

PAF F/A-50PH (photo : Lester Tanggo)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte vowed Friday to acquire more brand new military equipment, including 12 more fighter jets.

Duterte told the soldiers from the 102nd Infantry Brigade in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, that his administration would not accept second hand equipment.

"Kung buhayin pa ako ng Panginoon Diyos, you will have about 24 jet planes. Mag-acquire pa ako ng 12. Subukan ko. You have the best equipment, ‘yung --- ang sources natin sa baril ninyo is just two nations. I will not mention the names," he said.

"During my time, wala na akong second-hand mga barko, barko. It has to be brand new. Hindi na ako tatanggap ng mga equipment ng military na second-hand. Iyong ibinibigay ng Amerikano, ayaw ko na ‘yan. Even I have to spend double the money," the President added.

Duterte also expressed confidence that the government would win on its fight against the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City.

"Dito naman sa extremism, mananalo tayo. But we will have losses, ganon lang talaga ang buhay. That is how life is governed in this universe. You would never know when," he said.

He said it has been taking long for the government forces to finally defeat the terrorists because of the civilians who could be affected.

"But no we are a government and we are bound by rules and even treaties, ‘yung mga Geneva Convention. That’s their favorite sanctuary. They also refer the Geneva Convention ‘pag pabor nila. ‘Pag nadehado sila, wala silang ingay sa Geneva Convention. And that is always the problem because the government can never ignore treaties and the laws of the land," he said.

"Kung terorista lang din tayo, madali na natapos ‘yan. Bombahan mo lang lahat, tapos na isang araw. Eh marami na akong jet planes ngayon, sampu na ‘yan," Duterte added.

The military has been conducting offensive operations against the Maute members since May 23 when the militants attacked Marawi.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said earlier the military could completely clear Marawi of terrorists by June 2.

But in a news briefing on Friday, Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, military spokesman, said that it was not possible anymore.

"It was a deadline that was set forth and provided by the Secretary of National Defense so we can aim for it. But the final decision actually rests on the ground commander. And based on the report that we’re getting I don’t think we can meet that deadline today to completely --- I’d like to qualify that --- to completely free Marawi of every single armed element in every street," he said.

But he added that the government forces were working and doing their best to immediately complete the mission.

(SunStar)

 

[pr1v4t33r]

 

[Satria Manggala]

^^^it's that protection ... really useful?

 

[pr1v4t33r]

^^^it's that protection ... really useful?

They'll have to find out the answer... the hard way...
i do notice that the cardboard armor looks partly destroyed, so it took some hit and survived.

This one not so fortunate...

 

[cnleio]

It seems China start to arm Philippine Police ... no surprise weapons from China later will arm Philippine military force to against local terrorists/separatists, just like ten years ago China ever helped the government in Sri Lanka.

Many weapons from BeiJing to Manila