However, an article written a few years ago by then-Command Sgt. Maj. William Eckert of the JSOTF-P, “Defeating the Idea: Unconventional Warfare in Southern Philippines”, hints that there is more to the task force’s work than training AFP troops and embarking on “humanitarian actions”. Wrote Eckert:
Working in close coordination with the US Embassy, JSOTF-P uses Special Forces, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations forces to conduct deliberate intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in very focused areas, and based on collection plans, to perform tasks to prepare the environment and obtain critical information requirements. The information is used to determine the capabilities, intentions and activities of threat groups that exist within the local population and to focus US forces – and the AFP – on providing security to the local populace. It is truly a joint operation, in which Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, and Land forces) and SOF (Special Operations Forces) aviators work with their AFP counterparts to enhance the AFP’s capacities.
The JSOTF-P was established by the US Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC). It began its work when SOCPAC deployed to the Philippines Joint Task Force (JTF) 510. Based on an item on the website GlobalSecurity.org, JTF 510 was deployed to the Philippines “to support Operation Enduring Freedom.”
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to the US government’s military response to the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001 in New York City. It entails a series of anti-“terrorism” activities in Afghanistan, the Philippines, the Horn of Africa, Trans-Sahara, and Pakinsi Gorge.
JTF 510 was deployed to Basilan in January 2002 purportedly to help in uprooting the ASG. Its mission was carried out under the auspices of Balikatan 02-1, supposedly a series of joint military exercises between US and Philippine troops.
Its mission ended in July 2002 and the task force has since transitioned into what is now the JSOTF-P, with its base located in Zamboanga City.
In 2004, the JSOTF-P deployed to Sulu and US military presence in the island-province has been continuous since then.
Kidnappings and jihad?
“Their Mindanao recruits included former MNLF fighters and military intelligence,” Lidasan said of the ASG. “Because they lack funding, they encouraged their members to engage in kidnapping activities which they justified as part of Islamic jihad. They also indulged in arms trade with errant generals of the Southern Command, and these generals as well as local government leaders took turns negotiating with them every time they kidnap civilians.”
Lidasan said many Moro youth are attracted to join the ASG for two reasons: because of the belief that the ASG is the vehicle for the continuation of the jihad, and because kidnapping is a good motivation for Moro men who want to make money.
Kidnap network
According to Lidasan, one of the factors that has enabled the ASG to survive and even thrive is the network of clans, families and groups in Mindanao who commit kidnapping. This includes those in the Christian areas, she said.
“Their network includes those in the government, some of them high-ranking officers in the military and the police, as well as those in the local government,” Lidasan said. “The network is so vast, and deep, that every family member who will help keep the secret or provide shelter is promised monetary gains.”
you are right, but who will dismantle the private armies of the Dimaaporo's Matalams, etc, etc, even muslim mayors of lanao del sur acts as if they are the king of the road when travelling in convoys ignoring traffic signs and lights. who can change their attitudes on the road? i dont know, i hope you have the answer to this..
War on mindanao is cause not by the difference in religion but the controliing of the bountiful land that mindanao have. Government says that the solution to end this war is to eliminate this terrorist group; but to give the mindanao people the right governance and support to their land… hehehehe… So kailangan natin makibaka para sa isang tunay na kalayaan dahil sa pamamagitan lamang ng pakikibaka makakalaya tayo sa mga taong oppurtunista at ganid…