by Don Bendell
Capacity Building
The cornerstone of this operation is the successful training of the AFP and the Philippine National Police. Prior to 2002, lawlessness was the rule, rather than the exception, on Basilan. Kidnapping for ransom was commonplace, and villagers lived in fear. In order for the island to prosper, the rule of law had to be enforced, and that could happen only through expanding and developing the capacity and capability of the country’s security forces.
Additionally, to ensure the greatest return, getting the best possible information on the threat faced in the region is vital. Working in close coordination with the U.S. 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 U.S. forces—and the AFP—on providing security to the local populace. It is truly a joint operation, in which Navy SEALs and SOF aviators work with their AFP counterparts to enhance the AFP’s capacities.
Recently, intelligence collection on the island of Jolo has been used to track two JI leaders, Umar Patek and Dulmatin, and the Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani. The two JI members have been tied to the bombings of nightclubs in Bali, as well as to a bombing of the JW Marriott Hotel in Indonesia.
The information gathered early on, combined with the overall plans of the AFP leadership, allowed the JSOTF-P to prepare focused subject matter expert exchanges through which the AFP units acquire the skills needed to gain and maintain security within the joint operations area. During the time the JSOTF-P has focused on Sulu, the subject matter expert exchanges have been conducted with the AFP on an almost daily basis, including topics such as the combat lifesaver course, small-unit tactics, marksmanship, maritime interdiction operations, radio communications, night-vision goggle use, close air support and leadership development.
This increased capability for providing security is critical in contributing to the ability of the host-nation government to govern more effectively, and the improved security and effective governance also provides greater legitimacy to the host-nation government—a critical reason the AFP presence on Basilan has dropped so dramatically since 2002.
Civil-Military Operations
With support from U.S. SOF, the AFP didn’t just show up on Basilan or Sulu with guns, rather it brought the resources to rebuild schools and hospitals, and the engineers to dig wells to provide fresh water. But the CMO line of operation is more than social and infrastructure projects. In JSOTF-P, it encompasses the full range of support to the AFP and local civil authorities to increase their ability to address needs while managing the expectations of the local population. Further, the operations address the root causes that allow the idea of subjugation and intolerance to flourish.
While the JSOTF-P presence was initially regarded with suspicion by the local population, the humanitarian and development-oriented approach of Philippine and U.S. forces in the southern Philippines has proven to be even more effective than a direct military approach. As a result, U.S. and AFP forces have gained access to areas where they had previously been unwelcome. The people now see the government and the U.S. forces as a force for change and a way to better their lives.
For example, in November 2005, the AFP was not seen on Sulu as a trustworthy advocate. Access into barangays, or villages, and communities was met with suspicion by the local populace. One year later, after the AFP has engaged in extensive CMO and capacity-building work on schools, roads, wells, community centers and more, the civilian population is responding positively to the presence of the AFP—no longer a bully but rather a “big brother.” As a result, the people are refusing to harbor the terrorists and are instead turning to the AFP for protection from those “lawless” elements.
The people in the region need development, and the AFP has given them hope for development. Without exception, when given the choice, the population chooses development, peace and prosperity. That changing viewpoint has garnered the support of the local population and is now denying the terrorists the sanctuary and physical support they need to thrive.
Because resources are limited, JSOTF-P has formed a strong link to nongovernmental organizations such as 3P-USA, Knightsbridge International and the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation. The support of these organizations, as well as of the government of the Philippines, has greatly increased the scope and nature of the humanitarian projects on the islands. Projects like school construction; infrastructure development in the form of water lines and wells; and medical care are the lifeblood of the JSOTF-P’s mission in the southern Philippines.
There was an elderly woman in Jolo City who had been blind for 14 years as a result of cataracts. Her mistrust of the AFP was topped only by her suspicion of U.S. forces in her town and on the island. In June, her desire to see overcame her mistrust, and she allowed herself to try out the promises of the U.S. forces and to visit the USNS Mercy, a naval hospital ship, during its week-long stop off the shores of Jolo City. While there, she allowed AFP doctors and clinicians to operate on her cataracts.
The operation restored clear sight to her for the first time in 14 years. After her eyes adjusted and she recovered from the surgery, she wanted to personally meet and thank those U.S. and AFP personnel who gave her back the gift of sight. She graciously offered them her gratitude, and as a result of actions making her life better, this one-time opponent of the AFP and U.S. forces now supports them.
In many instances, CMO projects are undertaken with strong buy-in by the local population. The JSOTF’s goal is to ensure that the projects are not only needed but are also sustainable by the local population. Once complete, every project is turned over to the local barangay for maintenance. This buy-in and responsibility for the project by the local populace ensures that the project will continue beyond the stay of JSOTF-P.
During 2006, the AFP and JSOTF-P have built 19 school-construction/renovation projects, dug 10 wells, begun five road projects, started work on five community centers and built five water distribution centers on Jolo Island. Additionally, more than 13,000 people have benefited from the medical, dental and veterinarian civic action projects. These projects have positively affected more than 25 communities on Jolo Island and provided the critical access into areas that were previously sanctuaries for terrorist groups.
At one medical civic action program, or MEDCAP, in particular, in the Indanan area of Jolo Island—a stronghold of the ASG at the time—an ASG operative was ordered to set off an improvised explosive device during the MEDCAP. The operative refused the assignment because his wife and children would be attending the program and receiving needed medical care.
Influencing Others
Everything that we do in the security, capacity-building and CMO arenas can go awry if we fail to communicate our plans and objectives to the local populace. Many Filipinos still view the U.S. with a wary eye from their days as a protectorate. They see the presence of the U.S. military in their country as a threat to their independence. JSOTF-P has to ensure that U.S. presence is seen as beneficial to the community by working with the media and other key communicators within the local communities. Throughout its tenure on the island, JSOTF-P has engaged in a powerful information campaign to ensure that the populace is informed. That campaign has created a positive atmosphere.
Rather than using the doctrinal definition of IO as “information operations,” the personnel of JSOTF-P define IO as “influencing others” in a positive and effective manner. Through public affairs efforts, the task force is constantly telling people what it is going to be doing, how it is going to do it and how it will benefit them. The goal is to ensure that people are not surprised or caught off guard by anything the teams are accomplishing.
An example of this acceptance occ
urred in the small town of Tiptipon on Jolo Island. An AFP commander and his U.S. counterpart entered a town to assess the work needed for a school and for a hospital improvement project. The Muslim town leader, a self-acknowledged former ASG member, speaking to the team in his native Tausug, assured the team of its safety in his town, stating, “We want your development, and we want you to help repair our school and hospital and help us improve the lives of our people. We know what you did in Basilan, and we want that, too.”
The mission of positively influencing others in the joint operations area is more than scheduling media and community relations events. Those are important, but the planned, focused use of PSYOP teams is just as critical.
The Soldiers assigned to the JSOTF-P PSYOP teams conduct assessments at each location and propose projects for each location by analyzing the various cultures and subcultures. With more than 7,100 islands making up the Philippines, the cultures of regions, provinces and neighboring communities can vary substantially. By reviewing the culture and history of the specific islands, clans and provinces, the team is better able to positively communicate its intentions and activities.
The teams assigned to the JSOTF-P have produced a multi-dimensional influencing operation on Jolo Island and throughout the joint operations area. Some of their activities have publicized the Department of Defense’s and Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program that supports the war on terrorism. Other activities have focused the thoughts of the local populace on the choices they can make to take control of their lives by no longer tolerating terrorists who operate in the midst of their communities. Each PSYOP campaign utilizes the media that will best get its message across.
One example of a product line that the JSOTF-P’s PSYOP team has worked hard to produce, aimed at giving hope and bringing awareness of the evil that terrorism brings to families and communities, is a unique, first-of-its-kind graphic novel series. The 10-part series, which is still in production, contains local culture and real-world correlations. The title, names, attire, scenery, dialect and historical subtleties are all designed to appeal to the targeted community.
Each book in the series is reviewed at multiple levels, including a focus group of local professionals, to ensure that any culturally offensive dialogue, gestures or activities are avoided. The reviews help to ensure that the product and others resonate with the island people.
Conclusion
There is no question that while the environment in the southern Philippines is improving, the Sulu Archipelago is still a volatile area. Bomb threats, kidnappings for ransom and detonations of improvised explosive devices are a daily occurrence. Only through the skill and professionalism of the Special Operations Forces and the support of the local population have JSOTF-P casualties been avoided so far.
For this unconventional mission, the U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Special Operations Command have the right force with the right skill sets in place for success. SOF will continue to develop and refine the mission as they achieve positive effects in the southern Philippines now and in other troubled spots in the future.
As the SOF role diminishes in the southern Philippines, the key for Philippine success over the long term will lie in sustaining the improvements thus far achieved. Perpetuating the peace will require continued involvement of the U.S. government; interagency efforts with other agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development; and most important, the collaboration and commitment of the Philippine government, nongovernmental organizations and private investors to work and prosper.
The SOF indirect role is proving itself in the southern Philippines, and with patience and persistence, the unconventional warfare tools used here, along with proven SOF methodologies, will continue to succeed and to provide a powerful new tool for our nation in fighting the global War on Terrorism.
After Major Trudel finished reading the entire article, everybody was given a ten-minute rest break, then reconvened to discuss the article and the Philippine operations. At the conclusion of this, General Perry dismissed everybody except those who were involved with the task force headed by Bobby. While cabinet members and other VIPs arrived, Bobby and Bo sat with the general talking.
He said, “We have got to determine what is going down as far as the rumored al Qaeda attack on the West Coast. We have learned nothing yet from the camp commander, but we have learned from other prisoners that the al Qaeda is planning some kind of event or attack, and it is called ‘Akrahuka, Amerikka!’ ”
“What does that mean, sir?” Bo asked.
Bobby immediately answered, “I hate you, America!”
“We have been watching Senator Weatherford for some time now and have photographs and video of him meeting several times with Muhammad Yahyaa and with Nguyen Van Tran of the SRV,” the general continued. “But we do not have much audio.”
“Sir, could we look at the tapes and photos we have?” Bo asked.
“Absolutely,” Perry replied. “This is your task force. The president wants you to do the same thing you two did in Miami and the Big Apple. Stop the al Qaeda.”
Bobby said, “Sir, we haven’t figured out where we will live. If one of us is moving into the other’s place. If it would be okay, could we check out some of the evidence and take it home with us, let our batteries recharge, and see what we can sort out?”
“As soon as we finish here, check out the evidence you want, but I want your place swept for bugs and anything visual by the FBI,” General Perry said.
“Thank you, sir,” Bo replied.
Bobby and Bo went out in the hallway and started talking while others were showing up.
“You know,” she said, “we haven’t figured out if we are going to stay in one place or the other. It does not matter to me at all, honey.”
Bobby said, “Do you own your condo?”
She said, “Yes.”
He said, “I own mine, too. It is paid for. How about yours?”
“Mine is, too,” she replied. “Yours seems to have more room and more storage. Why don’t we move into yours and rent out mine?”
Bobby said, “That was easy enough. Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
“I have to go to AA meetings,” he said. “You understand that, don’t you?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” she answered. “I have been going to Al-Anon meetings for months.”
“You have?” he said. “Even before I admitted I was an alcoholic, and we weren’t married then. Why did you start going to meetings?”
Bo said, “I knew you were an alcoholic, after I got out of my own denial about you. I started going because I was madly in love with you and wanted to understand.”
He smiled at her, saying, “I love you.”
Bo said, “I love you, too. You don’t know how long I have been wanting to say that all the time.”
Bobby said, “I wish the MPs would go away. I want to tear off all your clothes, throw you against that wall, and make mad, passionate love to you, right here, right now in the Pentagon.”
Smiling brightly, Bo walked past him and slapped him in the lower stomach, saying, “Male!”
He bent over, grabbing his stomach, and reached out, pinching her butt right before she got close to the MPs. She turned, grinning, and slapped his hand.
They went back into the briefing and assignments were made to various individuals. Bobby said he and Bo were going to the Philippines to see what they could learn about Weatherford’s ties there and poke around to learn what they could about Akrahuka, Amerikka.
Riding in the crazy speeding taxi was quite a thrill for Bobby and Bo and driving around Manila seemed to be quite a challenge. The seemingly millions of motorists did not respect the rules of the road, read the road signs, or even look at them, and their own taxi driver seemed like he was aiming at tourists. There was way too much congestion, smoke pollution, and very bad road conditions to suit the two investigators. They at least saw a wide variety of life and even vehicles, very co
lorful jeepneys, fancy cars, junky cars, assembled cars that are put together out of many items, large tricycles, bicycles, motorcycles, and putt-putt motor scooters.
Bobby and Bo were depressed driving through the long stretch of squatters’ shacks along the pier area all the way to Roxas Boulevard. They had been everywhere but had trouble imagining how people could live and survive, and some thrive, in such misery.
However, they saw a completely different look to Manila by the time they reached the financial district of Makati, and it was like any other advanced country metropolis. Skyscrapers and high-rises were everywhere and the roads were much cleaner and wider.
In that long drive to the corporate headquarters, Bobby and Bo basically saw what Manila was about, two worlds, the haves and the have-nots. When they got out of the taxi, Bobby pointed out to the driver that he had taken a nice scenic route through some of the city’s slums, but had he simply driven east on the road they started out on, they would have ended up in the same place, without five extra miles being added to the meter. There was a little arguing, but the driver had no leg to stand on, and ended up without the generous tip he might have had.
They walked toward the towering skyscraper and stopped briefly. Bobby gave Bo’s hand a little squeeze, and they entered.
He whispered, “Keep your beautiful eyes wide open, sweetheart.”
The place was impressive. The skyscraper was a very impressive thirty-story office tower situated in the heart of Makati, in metro Manila, where a great number of institutional and corporate headquarters are located. The tower had obviously been carefully designed to provide clients with a first-class corporate environment. Inside there were a number of modern-looking facilities including an international business center, broadband internet connectivity, function rooms, a health and fitness center, banks, restaurants, and even a large corporate dining room, where lunch bags could be carried in or meals from the restaurant served.