The American Military is in Marawi!

[Mark Berkowitz]

How can this happen when Duterte has always spoken against the presence of the US military in the Philippines?

So far, there are reports of American spy planes, drones and advisors in (and around) Marawi.

(However) ”Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday he was not aware the U.S. government was providing assistance to government troops in its battle against Islamist militants in a southern city.”

“Duterte also said he "never approached America" for help.”

"I am not aware of that until they arrived," Duterte told a media briefing when asked about U.S. support to fight the pro-Islamic State militants in MarawiCity.

Can anyone figure this out?

Plus, who benefits from the American involvement in Mindanao?... the Philippines?... the USA?... or both?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-militants-duterte-idUSKBN1920FO

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/157864/us-spy-planes-helping-philippine-troops-marawi

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

We read about this, but I wonder if other countries also have military observers in the area.  Where are the Russians?  The Chinese?  Do they also have observers or advisers in the area but they have kept out of the news?  Duterte has been sucking up to anyone who may be able to help him.

[robert k]

Duterte told American troops on the ground to leave. The US and Philippines NEVER said they wouldn't still cooperate against terrorism, in fact Trump and Duterte have both mentioned collaborating against terrorism since the ground troops have left. The US Navy still makes port calls. That was a Navy P3 Orion. I think the Navy is just being a good neighbor and loaning the Philippines a cup of intel.

The OP almost sounds aggrieved that a US Navy plane is flying overhead lending a hand.

[Dave Hounddriver]

4 off topic posts hidden until admin reviews.  Gentlemen, while some wandering off topic is unavoidable. I hope you will do your best to confine you responses to the topic at hand.

[robert k]

39 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

4 off topic posts hidden until admin reviews.  Gentlemen, while some wandering off topic is unavoidable. I hope you will do your best to confine you responses to the topic at hand.

Dave, was not the first wandering post by the OP? Sorry, don't want to make more work for you but I'm curious if you are accusing the OP of hijacking his own thread?

Edited June 14, 2017 by robert k

[Jollygoodfellow]

Moved to here, http://www.philippines-expats.com/topic/27091-off-topic-posts/#comment-207497

 

 

[sonjack2847]

This is what I just read on AFPnews.

US troops are on the ground helping local soldiers battle Islamist militants in a Philippine city, a Filipino military spokesman said Wednesday, giving the most detailed account of their role.

The small number of US soldiers are providing vital surveillance assistance and, although they do not have a combat role, are allowed to open fire on the militants if attacked first, spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said.

"In a battle the most important item for the commander is to be able to determine what is happening," Padilla said as he confirmed that men in civilian clothes caught by a television camera flying drones from a pickup truck were US troops.

"It's called situational awareness and that is the sort of assistance being given."

The Philippine military has for over three weeks been engaged in fierce battles with hundreds of militants, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, in the southern city of Marawi on Mindanao island.

The fighting has left 202 gunmen dead, while 58 soldiers and 26 civilians have also been killed, according to the government.

The militants have withstood a relentless bombing campaign that has made parts of Marawi, the most important Islamic city in the mainly Catholic Philippines, resemble war-devastated cities in Iraq and Syria.

The Philippines and the United States are longtime allies and are bound by a mutual defence treaty.

American troops have since 2002 rotated on short-term deployments in the southern Philippines to provide intelligence and counter-terrorism training to Filipino troops.

There used to be about 600 American troops in the south at any one time but the operations were scaled down in 2014.

The issue of US troops in the Philippines has become extremely sensitive since Rodrigo Duterte became president last year and sought to downgrade his nation's military alliance with the United States in favour of China.

Duterte has repeatedly called for American troops to leave the Philippines.

Last weekend Duterte said he was not aware that US soldiers were helping in Marawi, while making a frank admission that his military favoured close ties with the United States.

"Our soldiers are pro-American, that I cannot deny," Duterte said.

Aside from the television footage of the American drone operators, cameramen in Marawi have regularly filmed a US spy plane over the city.

The US embassy announced at the weekend that special operations forces were providing assistance in Marawi, but gave no details.

[Mark Berkowitz]

16 hours ago, sonjack2847 said:

The US embassy announced at the weekend that special operations forces were providing assistance in Marawi, but gave no details.

[robert k]

It's not a big deal that Duterte didn't know the US was helping. Presumably Duterte has appointed someone to handle such things? Or maybe he knew but wouldn't confirm it because of operational security. Terrorists watch the news too.

[Gratefuled]

21 minutes ago, robert k said:

It's not a big deal that Duterte didn't know the US was helping. Presumably Duterte has appointed someone to handle such things? Or maybe he knew but wouldn't confirm it because of operational security. Terrorists watch the news too.

Yes, Duterte did know. So did the terrorists. Hence, the paint splattered hate signs on walls in Davao " US TROOPS GO HOME"