Remembering 2000 Lanao Campaign (March 15, 2000)

[salbahis]

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March 15, 2006, was the sixth anniversary of the infamous invasion of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.


Even before that, there was already considerable saber rattling on both sides. After burning a Super 5 passenger bus and taking three employees hostages, Moro rebels strung together a series of attacks on passenger buses beginning on Feb. 25, 2000 in Ozamiz city, Bgy. Rizal, Tungawan, Zamboanga del Norte and Cagayan de Oro city, killing and wounding 36 people and wounding 42 others.


Unknown to the rebels, the 1st and 2nd battalion landing teams of the 1st Marine Brigade disembarked at Cagayan de Oro's Macabalan port on March 14, followed days later by the third battalion.


The stage was set for war in Mindanao.


On March 15, a combat patrol of the Phil. Army's 26th Infantry Battalion stumbled upon MILF guerrillas in Bgy. Inudaran, Lanao del Norte, killing two of the rebels. The following day, 700 rebels of the MILF 303rd Brigade led by Abdullah Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, swooped down on nine Army detachments in Linamon, Bacolod, Kauswagan and Maigo towns.


On March 17, the rebels occupied the Kauwagan town hall, taking more than 400 residents hostage.


The Phil. Army's 4th Infantry "Diamond" Division under the command of Brig. Gen. Roy Cimatu (now Phil. Ambassador to the Middle East) immediately launched a counter attack.


Cimatu mobilized Task Force Inudaran from the Army 402nd Infantry Brigade and the 1st Marine Brigade under Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio which recaptured Kauswagan on March 18. The task force also cleared the Iligan-Dipolog highway where rebels had set up several roadblocks, and set up covering forces to protect vulnerable town centers while far-flung detachments were forced to hold their own against the enemy attacks.


On March 21, 2000, then Philippine President Joseph Estrada personally visited Kauswagan and declared an "all-out war" against the MILF. Estrada tasked Cimatu to carry out the offensive against the MILF in the Lanao area.


From March 16 to June 12, 2000, the 4th Division captured 15 major MILF camps, 49 satellite camps, a training base and control tower at a cost of 38 soldiers killed and 196 wounded. MILF casualties totaled 589 killed and 916 wounded.


Cimatu outlined five major operations against the enemy. The first of these was Oplan SOVEREIGN which called for Task Force Diamond III under Col. Felipe Berroya to attack camps and staging areas of the MILF 303rd Brigade near the highway.


"I did not want the MILF to have time to regroup themselves," Cimatu said. "Time was very essential."


Marines overran the MILF camp in Bgy. Inudaran on March 19 and Camp John Mack, headquarters of the MILF 303rd Brigade at Bgy. Delabayen, Kauswagan on March 20.


The following day, Task Force Diamond III captured Camp Bilal, the largest MILF camp in Lanao del Norte, located in the municipality of Munai.


Meantime, the Army's 402nd Brigade under Col. Samuel Bagasin successfully cleared Bgy. Pacalundo after a day of fierce fighting. Apo Hill, the major MILF communications center in the outskirts of Baloi, finally fell to Task Force Diamond III after a month of heavy air and artillery attack on April 26.


Following the success of Oplan SOVEREIGN, Cimatu next moved on to Operation FREEWAY designed to clear the Narciso Ramos Highway of rebels. The 1st Marine Brigade moved on to Pualas, Lanao del Sur while Task Force Diamond moved up to Marawi city. In a classic pincer movement, Task Force Diamond was ordered to clear the hilly portions of the highway, the 1st Marine Brigade the immediate vicinity of the highway while the 6th Infantry Division moved up from the opposite direction in Matanog town.


As the northern end of the pincer closed in, the Army's 302nd Infantry Brigade under Col. Allan Cabalquinto arrived on May 10 to secure the rear areas cleared by Task Force Diamond. On May 15, the Narciso Ramos highway was finally cleared of MILF rebels, in spite of stiff resistance encountered by the 6th Division from rebels entrenched in bunkers and trenches along the highway.


Next on the schedule was Operation SUPREME, aimed at capturing Camp Bushra in Butig, Lanao del Sur, the second largest camp and training center of the MILF. It is also the home of the Lanao Area Command headquarters under MILF Vice Chair Aleem Abdul Azziz Mimbantas and headquarters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces 3rd Field Division.


Task Force Diamond initially made a feint against MILF camps in Marogong, then moved right abreast of the 1st Marine Brigade which had moved overland from Balabagan. The 302nd Infantry Brigade and the newly arrived 802nd Infantry Brigade under Col. Nagamora Lomodag followed the two attacking brigades. On May 28, Camp Bushra finally fell to the combined air-artillery and infantry attacks of the four brigades.


This set the stage for Operation SWEEPER, aimed at reducing the MILF sphere of influence in Lanao del Sur, particularly in the Basak area around the eastern portion of Lake Lanao.


While the 1st Marine Brigade secured Camp Bushra and re-established government control in Butig, Cimatu ordered Task Force Diamond, the 302nd and 802nd Brigades to clear the municipality of Masiu and eastern side of Lake Lanao. This phase of the operation successfully defeated the rebels capability to wage in sustained a low-intensity conventional warfare in Northern and Central Mindanao.


Up next was Operation SUMMIT, which aimed to destroy all MILF camps north and west of Camp Abubakar. The 1st Marine Brigade and 302nd Infantry Brigade launched the attack on Camp Abubakar from the north while the 6th Infantry Division attacked from the south and west, with Task Force Diamond in reserve.


On July 12, 2000, the late MILF chairman Salamat Hashim called for a jihad against all government forces and installation but few of the Bangsamoro heeded his call. As the rebels forces broke up into smaller, disorganized units, MILF guerrillas went on a rampage against helpless civilians, killing 21 farmers in Bgy. Sumugot, Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur on July 16, 2001 and another 13 workers of the Maranao Plantation, Inc. in Matling, less than a week later.


With the fall of Camp Abubakar, the conventional warfare against the MILF came to an end and the process of reconstructing and rehabilitating the war-torn areas began.


High on the list of priorities was the plight of MILF guerrillas who were tired of fighting and had no camps left to report to. On October 5, 2000 the first massive surrender of 669 MILF mujahideen led by the renegade vice mayor of Marugong, Lanao del Sur Malupandi Cosandi Sarip and seven other battalion commanders, surrendered to former President Joseph Estrada at the 4th ID headquarters in Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Bgy. Patag, Cagayan de Oro city.


They were followed shortly by a second batch of 855 surrenderees led by MILF Commander Sayben Ampaso on Dec. 29, 2000.


The latest and biggest batch of surrenderees formally surrendered to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur on March 14, 2001, one day to the date from the start of the Mindanao war last March 15, 2000 in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.


The 931 surrenderees were led by Macabagol Paudak, brigade commander of the MILF Striking Force, 308th MILF Brigade, who also formally turned over some 506 firearms, plus 20 RPGs, three .50-cal. machineguns, three 60mm mortars and two pump boats.


Source: http://www.americanchronicle.com/art...articleID=8068


A good discussion between officers and soldiers present on that time - AFP-MILF 2000 War in Mindanao Remembered

[salbahis]

some quotes by Barber6 (fellow timawan), he was a senior officer during the campaign attached to one of the frontline units attacking camps of MILF:

Some groups took advantage of the situation and "defected" or should I say went back to the folds of the law. Their primary reason is: there is no more Command and Control in their organization...after the fall of their Main Camps they were left alone to themselves. Alot of them suffered from Ulcer and other ilnesses. They have nothing to eat but "Kopras". The only reason they survived out in the battlefield is because they were constantly moving so the government troops will not find them and avoid engagement. This made them very tired and hungry. They are no longer able to fight even if they are the Striking Force of one of the BMA Brigades. This was the time that they were thinking about the "Balik Baril" program of the Government. Each Weapon they surrender/turn over have an equivalent amount. The most "expensive" are of course GPMG's and HMG's but the most common one's that were surrendered were the M16 and/or the M14. Some local folks took advantage also of the program and surrendered their personal weapons even if they are not members of the MILF. This was coordinated through their Leaders or Chieftains. One Datu confided that the war in Mindanao would not end as long as there are guns in the hands of the people, it is better to turn over this weapons in exchage of farming exuipment. Aside from the cash they received, they will undergo Seminars and Training for livelihood projects.

After the fall of thier camps, their warriors were scattered all over the place. Alot of them went to Luzon and the Visayas to live a simple life, away from the war. Some peddled diferrent kinds of stuff to sell to people,you probably noticed the influx of Maranaws in Luzon during this time. People as young as 12yrs old (son of their Commander) surrendered with his M16.He even showed a scar on his neck grazed by a Government Forces bullet while defending Camp Abu Bakar. This is a sad truth but the Boy, in front of his father, promised to go back to school and will never hold a weapon again.

This accomplishment was achieved by an Army Infantry Battalion in the Binidayan, Bayang, Lumbatan, Lumbayanague and Butig Area, south of Lanao Lake.

AFP at its best...this offensive is a combination of conventional and unconvetional warfare. Our troops displayed impeccable knowledge and skills with warfare. Our tankers, both PMC and PA, provided the support our infantry/foot soldiers needed in advancing toward the enemy's position.Out Artillery guys, even though their only practice was during Parades and Honor Guards, displayed mastery of their craft. Proof of which is when an Army Company Commander requested Fire Support, the coordinates were given and the rounds were released just seconds from the request. The rounds hit the target bull's eye (accuracy is within 1 meter) and never had the chance to say "Fire for Effect" . Our SIGINT guys intercepted a conversation among the MILF Fighters, they were disorganized and scared after that one round blasted their Commander into bits and pieces... This is also the only time that a 105mm Howitzer was used in a direct fire mode. After the capture of Camp Bushra, "Stragglers" (MILF Fighter in very small units) would harass the PA unit in the area at night. They would conduct sniping operations against our Soldiers who are exposed (relaxing). This BN Commander, irritated becasue they haven't slept for weeks, released a small unit (7 man team) to pinpoint the exact location of the Enemy Snipers...after they were able to determine the location, the FDC was ordered to fire at that direction...the target was within 250 meters and were out there like sitting ducks. The FA guys hesitated becasue they haven't fired in that manner...an NVG was given to one of the NCO and aligned the tube manually to the enemy's location and then WAGAM!

Camp Bushra, Upper Butig, Lanao Del Sur:

An MILF Camp that can be mistaken as a Resort at the foot of the hilly portion of Butig...as you aproach the Camp a gate/checkpoint will greet you right after the School (forgot the name). After around 300 meters you will see another "Guard House".This is the Main entrance to the resort...err...Camp.To the immediate right will be the Motorpool/Generator room. As you walk straight you will see a tower (2 o'clockfrom your position) about 30 feet high on the elevated ground of the camp with a 50cal HMG (at least). This tower doubles as the watch tower (sentinel) and Anti Aircraft Nest. Below it is an unfinished "bungalow" concrete house. Directly infront of you, about 250 meters on the depressed part of the area, you will see a structure that serves as the HQS of MILF Vice Chair Aleem Abdul Azziz Mimbantas. The structure was comparable to Mansions in prominent villages in MetroManila.

To the Left is a Mosque that was damage during the bombing runs of our Airforce. A new Mosque was built by our PA Corps of Engineers beside the old one. No, they did not hit it...a bomb was dropped and landed to the right of the mosque hitting the Rectangle man-made lagoon that has water running from a spring (potable and has a sweet taste). The HQs is equipped with Desk Top Computers and Laptops that are hooked to a wireless phone and satellite dishes. There were also several Solar Panels that provide electricity to the structure. The camp is abundant in Vegetables and some fruit bearing trees. There were also flowering plants around the area. The camp is fortified by several layers of trenches and a number of satellite camps scattered around it that serves as their forward security and listening posts. Locals claim that this is not the "real" Camp Bushra...they claim that the real Camp Bushra is on top of the Hills and is impenetrable(?) they say that what the AFP captured was Bushra II.

This one is quite touching story though...

A Brigade was tasked to provide Route Security for the Main Effort of the Offensive. One night, a radio message was received informing the Army Brigade that the Marine Brigade would be harboring for the night in their location (a town south of Lanao Lake)…the Army guys prepared and secured a place for their Marine brothers to stay. Once they arrived the Marines started cooking their meals. The Army guys noticed that the Marines were very hungry and tired, so they tried helping them by providing water and firewood and some leftovers. Some assisted and lent their Gas Burners. Some struck conversations while waiting for the food to cook. A young Marine approached an Army Guy sitting alone wrapped in “Malong” and blanket (it gets cold in Lanao Sur at night) smoking a cigarette. The Marine asked for a cigarette and the Army guy willingly gave him one. A small conversation took place and they discussed things about the ongoing war...the Marine was a new recruit and haven’t been a year yet in the Armed Forces. He said he was scared since a lot of them died already especially in their platoon.

They are operating as a skeleton platoon (under manned platoon). The Army guy told him that he is scared too, if not only for one thing he would have broken down due to Fear and stress from the War. The Marine asked the Army what is that one thing that keeps you going. He said that he wants a peaceful place for everyone especially his family. He said he is doing this for his Family. That kept the Morale of the young Marine High…it’s like he was energized. He said that he would think that way from now on just to give him the drive and strength to go on. This conversation was taking place in front of a small gas lamp…the one that gives you black soot inside your nostrils. After a couple of cigarettes they agreed to contact each other after the war to have a round of beer somewhere where it is cold and peaceful. The following morning everyone was prepared early because the Main Effort (Marine Brigade) is advancing while the Army Brigade will provide security to their Flanks. All Officers (Army and Marines) were gathered and were introduced to everyone, then the briefing.

After the briefing, a young Marine approached one Army Officer (Company Commander) and gave him a snappy salute and apologized. The Army Officer asked him why? The Young Marine told him that he didn’t know that he was an Officer and he didn’t address him Sir during their conversation last night, and worse he asked a cigarette (well, it was actually 3 sticks). The Officer just smiled at him and reminded him why they were doing this. Both agreed to call (cellphones) each other after the war and meet for that cold beer. A few months passed by after the fall of the main MILF Camps, the Army Officer tried to get in touch with the young Marine…no response from the Marine. Later on he found out that he was one of those KIA. To the Young Marine, the Army Officer still owes you a Cold Beer…Semper Fi!

Close encounter with the third kind (CHR)

It’s the 4th quarter of 2000 and the area is getting quiet except for some small skirmishes by AFP troops to get rid of the remaining MILF “Stragglers”. It was a bright and sunny morning when the Army Officer received a Coded Radio Message to proceed to the BN HQs ASAP. The messages are usually coded to ensure safety of the transmission and so the Army Officer found nothing unusual with the message. Army Officer prepared and proceeded at once with a security team. Upon reaching the BN HQs at 1200 Hrs, the Army Officer was led to the Officers Mess for Lunch. The lunch was to be followed by a conference among Company Commanders and BN Staff. After the usual stuff the BN Commander handed out envelopes to the Army Officer and the Operations Officer. That was an awkward situation since the Officers were not sure what the envelopes contain. The envelopes were actually letters from the Commission on Human Rights and addressed to the specific Officers. The BN Commander said that he already received previous letters from them and he just ignored them but this time they were very specific already. CHR used specific names in their letters. The BN Commander tasked the Army Officer to proceed and meet with the CHR people and finally settle everything. There was a date scheduled for the meeting but the Army Officer would not want to go on that date for security purposes…so the day was kept secret even to other members of the unit.

D-Day, early in the morning, one team was formed with their basic loads. Mess Sgt. Asked the Army Officer how many days is the Operation. Since it is SOP to bring 7 days basic Load for them the Mess Sgt. Assumed 7 days of food too. Army Officer told him to just prepare 3 days. The trip will only take a few hours (1 hour by boat and 2 hours FX to the Marawi CHR Office) and the group should be back in the afternoon. Everyone was thinking of a Strike Operation because the food is only good for 3 days. The rest started volunteering because they realized that the small group might not be enough for the operation. When the Army Officer (Company Commander) assured them that it was enough they did not insist. The group went on, the men who were left behind in the Company TCP were puzzled because the group was moving towards Lanao Lake and not the usual route towards the enemy. The group boarded a “Lantsa” (motorized boat/banca) and crossed the Lake. The FX ride was not comfy because there are burst of Gunfire form time to time.

The shots are probably from clashing AFP Troops with MILFs or feuding Clans trying to settle their differences by “Rido”. After several Military Check Points the group is nearing the City of Marawi…(after many months in the area the Army Officer can not still decipher how Marawi became a City). Finally, the Office of the Commission on Human Rights. The group went inside and the Army Officer introduced himself. The only 2 person in the Office was a bit shocked to have Military Visitors in their Office. When they realized that they invited the Army Officer they asked him why is he there when the invitation was to come next week. The Army Officer just told them that he will be out on that day and so he decided to pass by since he is on his way to Iligan. The CHR started by taking pictures of the group even the ones that stayed outside the office to secure the place. This irked the Army Officer and told him why do they have to do that, the CHR Officer said it was for documentation of the visit in the Office. Because of this, The Army Officer called for one of his men, a PFC, and told him to start taking pictures too. The Soldier hesitated but the Army Officer told him to just Click away and take close up shots. The CHR Officer is getting nervous because of the close up shots that the PFC was taking and asked them if that is necessary. The Army Officer said that he has to write a report about the meeting and submit it to their HQs. The meeting started, the CHR inquired about an incident in the outskirts of Butig where there were many people killed (Another Story in the Future). The Army Officer told them that it was a legitimate Encounter with the MILF. The CHR disagreed and stated that those were not MILF Fighters but civilians.

The Army Officer told them that the encounter site was one of those satellite camps manned by MILF Fighters and that it was a properly coordinated and implemented Military Operations. He further said that we have all documentations of the Operations and that we recovered documents from the site that prove it was indeed an MILF Camp. The Army Officer then told them that if they were civilians then why do they have firearms in the middle of nowhere knowing that there is a Military Operations in the area. The CHR Officer still insisted that those were not MILF Fighters but bodyguards of the Mayor in X (sorry can’t say the town’s name) town. Now the Army Officer noticed why the civilians became bodyguards now of the Mayor. The CHR Officer denied saying they were civilians but insisted that a case would be filed against the Army Officer. Ok then, said the Army Officer, we will also counter sue because we lost one men in that encounter. The CHR Officer was shocked upon hearing that, he did not know that there was 1 casualty in the AFP side. They keep on insisting that someone tipped off the location because they want to get even with the family they are in feud with. The Army Officer said that it would never happen, the Army can not be used by someone’s dirty agenda. They still insist and keep on pressing that they will sue due to the number of casualties which they claim is a massacre. The Army Officer, who is getting tired and irritated, told them that they recovered a list of all the supporters of the MILF in the area including people from the local government. The CHR dared the Army Officer produce that list and show it to him. The Army Officer again called for the PFC and asked were is the list. “akina yung listahan na binigay say o ni SGT X”, the Army Officer told him.

The PFC then pulled out something wrapped in a plastic bag (Soldiers usually put important things in plastic bags to prevent it from getting wet, things like wallet, cigarettes and money). The PFC handed out the bag and the Army Officer took the yellow pad paper inside and told the CHR Officer that this is the list of all supporters in the Marawi Area. The CHR requested for the list but the Army Officer was wise enough to not give them the list. All he said is that they will have a copy after the Intelligence Unit is done with it. The tide turned around because the CHR Officer said that they will not pursue with the case against the Army Officer because it seems that it was a legitimate encounter. The Army Officer now know why the sudden change. In short, the meeting was adjourned with a handshake and an assurance that the case would not be pursued. The group left the building and the team leader informed the Army Officer that there were several suspicious men around the building. The Army Officer then regrouped the team and they headed for the Market.

The Army Officer gave the Yellow Pad Paper to the Team Leader and told him to buy those things. The list turned out to be the list from the Mess SGT. Then the PFC told the Army Officer that he was not able to get those pictures…the Army Officer said, “alam ko, bumili ka na ng film, apat”. The Army Officer is fond of doing several things simultaneously to conserve money and time. This time he planned on getting Films for the camera (he brought it because he does not know the size of the film, it’s an old one) and doing the marketing for the Mess SGT. It was all a bluff that went well but the Army Officer now know that the CHR Officer was a supporter of the MILF. After buying all the stuff in the Market the group hailed an FX and inquired how much for Iligan. The group boarded the FX after they agreed on the fare amount but the Army Officer told the driver to turn around after a few kilometers. They were then proceeding to the dock were they can get a lantsa and head to their TCP.

some side notes

Q by darthnbs: Sir Barber 6, I have one interesting inquiry, do you have any accounts where former MNLF integrees fought during the offensive, their fate, successes, and setbacks? Its nice to hear if you have some.

A by B6: The word "Integrees" is no longer uttered in our Army...this is no longer encouraged. Although, there was hesitation on the "Regulars" at first, the "Integrees" were able to prove themselves during the 2000 Campaign especially when they stood their ground and repelled the MNLF Forces who attacked the 104th Brigade in Busbus, Sulu.

According to my source, during the 2000 Campaign the troops had a hard time getting the "usual" food. They rely what is being sold by our Maranao Brothers or they have to wait until the unit sends someone to Marawi to buy the food. But even in Marawi City you can not find pork, which is the common "Ulam" aside from Canned Sardines, Tuyo and "Bulad" for the troops. Because of this, our Maranao Brothers took advantage of the situation and started hunting/trapping wild pigs. They bring their catch to the only place where there are non-Muslims - Army Patrol Bases. Of course, the troops would want to buy it (it's been several months already and they haven't had pork for a while). The price is outrageous: P500 for a small one. Still they bought it and it fed one Infantry Company (115 in strength). I don't know how they did it but they said everyone had a taste of the Baboy Damo. This went on every week but the price gets higher everytime. The second time it was already P600.00 and then P700.00. The CO of the Company didn't like it anymore, so one day when they brought 2 big ass Boars which they priced at P950.00 each (Bakit butal pa?) the Army guys didn't buy it. Of course, there was nothing else to do for our Maranao Brothers but to go to the next place where there are non-muslims - the next Army Patrol Base. But our CO have it all planned, he called the next Company from a different Battalion and relayed his plan in code to the other CO. (see, our old and vintage PRC's are still useful). The plan was not to buy and he will try to bargain and share the prize with the other unit. In short, the "traders" have no more selling power so they agreed to sell it at P50.00 each to the CO. Good buy eh? One was sent to the conniving unit as a reward for cooperating...

After a few days the traders came back with another of their catch, it is smaller compared to the last ones but is priced P1000.00. The Army guys bought it!!! The reason: our traders included 1 box of Tanduay (24 lapad bottles) if the Army guys will get the Wild Boar for P1000.00. The CO was not around during that time, it was the First SGT who paid for it and he did not bother asking anyone to repay him. His reason, it's been a while since he had a drink...it was his gift to the company.

Moral of the Story: All is fare in Love and business...and if you can't beat 'em, buy it!!!

Yeah I still remember...I was pinned down for 20 mins. The longest 20 mins of my life. I can't move but I have to yell out commands giving away my position to the enemy shooter. He knows I was in command, he/they tried several times to put me out. The men taught I was hit many times because they can see splash on the ground where I am lying. The only thing that assured them that I was still breathing is my voice barking oders to provide suppressive fire on a hill 150 meters to the south of our target MILF satellite camp.

One of my seasoned men was able to crawl a couple of meters from me and provided cover fire while I tried to get out of my position. From lying position I was able to roll to my belly and made a forward roll to the slope. I then reorganized my men to assault the enemy position. After the smoke cleared, several rebels lay dead still holding to their firearms. An accomplishment by my unit but suffering to the family left behind.

Some quotes by ka nognog (fellow timawan), also a Jr officer at that time and also deployed on the frontline

Sigh... buhay na naman pala ang thread na 'to courtesy of B6 having midlife crisis thru flashbacks....

I remember one junior officer then assigned to a battalion outside of Mindanao. Last week of April 2000, he was on Paternity Leave because his wife just gave birth. While at home and still on leave washing soiled baby clothes and taking care of the wife, a courrier from the battalion arrived at his home with a message from the Bn Ex-O informing him that his battalion was given 72hrs to move from their present location and transfer to Cotabato and he was given the choice whether to return and be with his unit or finish his leave and follow the unit later. His first reaction was excitement, and then dread because he didn't know how to break to the wife the news that he does not only have to cut short his leave by 1 week but return to his unit and go to war, what with all the daily news in the TV then showing mounting cassualties on both sides. But he decided that he would not miss the fun (young people are really fools), and besides, he was concerned that if he miss the movement, his men may think he got yellow. So... after much thought, he told his wife the he have to return to the battalion for an emergency conference and will be back to finish his leave as soon as those concerns were taken care of. The truth is he was too yellow to face his wife and tell the truth.

So there he was back to his battalion many hours later and started packing his things. He then tasked one personnel who would be staying behind with the liaison to take a letter to his wife saying that he need to be where he needed to be. And later the following day, he called his wife to break the news. No need to mention that it was received by the wife badly, having just given birth and all. That officer was just too much of a coward to tell the wife personnaly...

So... after a couple of days, they were in Cotabato airport and off they went to occupy their unit's assigned position... Several weeks later, facing the enemy at the perimeter of Camp Abubakar (the assault haven't started yet), he was exchanging small talks with some of his men about families and kids, his people were wistfully asking when can they go home... Pointing to the hills of Camp abubakar in the distance, the officer told them: "Kung dyan ang daan para makauwi tayo, tara, sagasaan natin yan..." One week later, he got his wish. The assault against that camp started.

Anyway, to cut the story short, the officer finally got the chance to see again his new born child when the baby was already more than 4 months old....

You could contact this guys in timawa.net

[aenigma143]

usa jud na sa akong gi ampo na maundang na ang gubot sa Mindanao

[crossramz]

nice read sir.. haven't thought to dig on this...

[psyman12]

dghana oi. wala nlng naku gbasa ang tnan. pro nganung mseparate mn gyd cla sa luzon ug visayas?

[balipseyev]

I will never forget seeing bombs dropping from a plane, and the shaking of the ground afterwards... The screams of wounded Army/Marines offloaded from a helicopter... Helicopters carrying wounded soldiers always landed in our school, since our city got the nearest hospital...

105mm Howitzer fire were our alarm clock in the morning... MILF Camp Rajamuda is only a few kilometers away from our barangay...

[JAINI]

sa ozamis daghan muslim civilian naangin sa kalagot sa mga tawo.naay uban nabirahan. luoy kayo amo silingan naapil tawon sa bombing sa barge.

[mudskipper77]

Following the success of Oplan SOVEREIGN, Cimatu next moved on to Operation FREEWAY designed to clear the Narciso Ramos Highway of rebels. The 1st Marine Brigade moved on to Pualas, Lanao del Sur while Task Force Diamond moved up to Marawi city. In a classic pincer movement, Task Force Diamond was ordered to clear the hilly portions of the highway, the 1st Marine Brigade the immediate vicinity of the highway while the 6th Infantry Division moved up from the opposite direction in Matanog town.[/url]

THIS IS LIKE A BLAST FROM THE PAST...I was in third year high school when this happened. I grew up in the town of Malabang along the Narciso Ramos Highway.

big thanks ts.

[salbahis]

my post was centered only on the army operation since the two officer who told this are from the army, naa pud toy story sa marine it was even on the book... Narciso Ramos highway is one of the costly operation on that conflict.... naay usa ka unit sa afp was wipeout and was recovered 2 weeks later... sa NRH to... try ninyo check if naa pabay available sa national kini nga libro, this time sa marines



my wife's uncle a retired marine from Negros also there at that event... the last time asked him nag ka flashback siya and some horros on his experienced.. so i didnt insisted... he was an NCO at that time... he said while on patrol a marine in front of him was hit by a sniper... nahilamos gud niya ang utok sa iya kauban... the horor of that experience is unforgetful, i was supposed to give him that book since ang ilaha unit ang naa sa frontline at that time... kaso wala naman sa national bookstore... ill try to include some photos... i used to have them sa ako PC pero wala naman to... ill try to look for them sa timawa

[balipseyev]

LIBERATION OF KAUSWAGAN

On March 16,2000, elements of the 1st Marine Brigade under the helm of BGEN EMMANUEL TEODOSIO AFP arrived at Cagayan de Oro City on board two (2) LST's. Fresh from Palawan, the Marines of this unit were bound to secure the coastal areas of Lanao del Sur. Unknowingly, while the welcome ceremonies filled the festive atmosphere at Cagayan de Oro City, 300 heavily armed Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) mujaheedin fighters of the 303rd Brigade, BIAF stormed the municipality of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte. The rebels took hostage about 400 civilians residents, occupied the town hall, and set up defensive positions along the way that cut off the national highway from all traffic. These dreadful developments prompted the 1st Marine Brigade to retake Kauswagan "before sundown". In a classic lightning movement, the Marines motored from Cagayan de Oro to Iligan, then maneuvered via a mechanized-infantry assault to Kauswagan. By mid-afternoon, the first encounter between the Marines of MBLT-4 under MAJ ASSIDAO PN(M) and the MILF ensued. This sparked the bloody and decisive Positional War that eventually dragged on for five months. Meanwhile, as the firefight raged in Kauswagan, reinforcing elements of MBLT-1 with its armor assets linked up with MBLT-4, MILF rebels lay siege on the town hall and employed snipers to repel the attacking Marines. Under the hail of gunfire, a platoon of Marines dauntlessly breached through the enemy lines and caught up with the hostages. One by one, the hostages were plucked out of harm's way and were led to safety. By 1900H, as darkness embraced the scared municipality, Kauswagan was completely liberated from the MILF rebels without a single civilian casualty. The Marines have landed. Backed by a column of V-300 and V-150 Armored Personnel Carriers, elements of MBLT-1 led by LTCOL QUERUBIN PN(M) with his EX-O MAJ OCSAN PN(M), trudged their way towards Camp John Mack, headquarters of 303rd Brigade of MILF. The Marines immediately met stiff resistance. The fierce encounter lasted overnight and soon enough, elements of MBLT-4 reinforced MBLT-1, taking on reverse roles. Artillery fires from the 18th Marine Company and close air support from MG-520 helicopter gunships were called in. This combined arms assault eventually crushed the rebels' stronghold with devastating effect that led to its successful seizure. The first MILF camp in this campaign had fallen. By sunrise, Marines were ready again to pursue the MILF terrorist up to Camp Bilal in the Municipality of Munai. Maintaining the momentum of the offensive, the 1st Marine Brigade, conducted scouring operations towards the Brgys. Of Delabayan and Tambo, all of Munai. The Marines continued to face heavy resistance along the 10-kilometer treacherous corridor. By this time, the enemy had improved their defenses by constructing kilometer-long reinforced trenches positioned along ridges of critical approaches. Poised to defend their positions from the pursuing Marines, the mujaheedin fighters stubbornly held their ground, resulting in a series of savage firefights heavy losses and casualties. On April 03, 2000, force recon Marines with MBLT's 1 and 4 engaged the enemy in a fierce close quarter battle that eventually force the latter's complete withdrawal from the area. After seven (7) solid days of combat, Munai declared liberated by the Chief of Staff, AFP. The raising of the Philippine flag highlighted the triumphant victory. Before they even had time to savor their victory, the 1st Marine Brigade was immediately pulled out and committed by 4ID as shock troops to reinforce the 402nd Brigade of the Philippine Army in Baloi, Lanao del Norte. Once again, the MILF's headstrong resistance along the 45meter long Baloi bridge hauled up operating Army troopers in the area. While the brigade concentrated its forces to attack Apo Hill, a critical terrain in the vicinity, Force Recon Marine snipers and wheeled 106MM recoilless rifles grappled head-on with the enemy at the bridge. In two day's time, Baloi was cleared and Apo Hill, the MILF relay station for the entire Lanao Province, had fallen to the Marines. Subsequently, the maneuvering elements of the 1st Marine battalion led by MAJ BALUTAN PN(M) spearheaded the assault at Brgy Pak-pangkat and Balut Island, which eventually led to the campaign's first clash ever to erupt in Lanao del Sur. The spill-over of the conflict thus became imminent.

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