Radios, Helicopters for the Philippines
Jun 12, 2007 10:03 UTC
On June 8/07, DID covered some construction support for US SOCOM’s operations in the Philippines, and pointed out that these kinds of contracts fit into a larger doctrine. They also fit into a larger set of efforts against an Islamist group known as Abu Sayyaf, which has been responsible for a number of terrorist acts in the Philippines, cooperates with other terrorist groups in the region like Jemaah Islamiyah, and was part of the 1995 effort to execute Operation Bojinka involving the assassination of the Pope during his visit to the country, the highjacking and destruction of 11-12 jumbo jets, and an attack on CIA Headquarters in Langley, VA by crashing a plane into it. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed never was the type to think small, as subsequent events would once again demonstrate.
The security situation in the Philippines has been serious at times, but the process of fighting this battle has involved a somewhat cooperative and functioning government – and hence a different approach to the conflict. In addition to SOCOM’s efforts, the US Embassy in Manilla’s details recent activities that include payouts of $10 million in rewards to Philippine citizens, the posting of additional reward offers, road-building in Cotabato on Mindanao, a joint US Navy/Philippine Navy operation to provide cataract surgery to locals in Zamboanga, et. al. Recent news includes a DSCA request for a large shipment of tactical radios, and delivery of 10 out of 20 modernized UH-1H Huey helicopters to the Philippines’ armed forces…
