View source for Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines

{{Expert-subject|Military history|date=December 2009}}
{{update|date=December 2009}}
{{linkrot|date=December 2009}}

{{Infobox Military Conflict
| conflict=[[Operation Enduring Freedom]] – Philippines
| partof=[[Insurgency in the Philippines]], [[War on Terrorism]]
| image= [[Image:PMC BAlikatan Exercise.jpg|300px]]
| caption=Philippine and US Marines
| date=January 15, 2002 - ongoing
| place= [[Mindanao]], [[Philippines]]
| notes= '''Causes:'''<br>[[Islamic insurgency in the Philippines]],<br> [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]
| territory= 
| result=Conflict ongoing
| combatant1={{Flag|Philippines}}<br> {{flag|United States}} {{small|(advisors)}}
| combatant2= [[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Jemaah Islamiyah]]<br>[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Abu Sayyaf]]<br>[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Rajah Sulaiman Movement]]<br>[[File:Flag of al-Qaeda.svg|22px]] [[al-Qaeda]]
| commander1=
| commander2=
| strength1='''Philippines:''' 18,000{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}<br>'''CAFGU Militias:''' unknown{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}<br>'''United States:''' 600<ref name="GMA&others"/>
| strength2='''MILF:''' 13,000 <ref>http://202.84.17.73/english/htm/20010222/376940.htm</ref><br> '''Abu Sayyaf:''' 2,000{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}<br>'''Jemaah Islamiyah:''' 200-300<ref name="TimeAsiaReturn">{{cite news|title=The Return of Abu Sayyaf |date=2004-08-30 |publisher=Time Asia Magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501040830-686107,00.html}}</ref>
| casualties1=17 U.S. soldiers killed<br>(3 killed in action)<ref>http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/Nationality.aspx?hndQry=US</ref><br>2 Filipino soldiers killed (while assisting U.S. troops)<ref name="abc.net.au">http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200210/s691934.htm</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/02/washington.soldiers.killed/ | work=CNN | title=2 U.S. soldiers killed in Philippines bomb blast - CNN.com | accessdate=2010-05-20 | date=2009-10-03}}</ref>
| notes= '''Causes:'''<br>[[Islamic insurgency in the Philippines]],<br> [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]
| casualties2= 100+ killed in one battle <ref>http://resources.bnet.com/topic/philippines+and+security.html</ref>
}} 
'''Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines''' ('''OEF-P''') or '''Operation Freedom Eagle''' is part of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] and the [[United States|U.S.]] Global [[War on Terrorism]].<ref>{{Citation
|url=http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2007/09/2926516
|title=Flashpoint, No bungle in the jungle
|publisher=armedforcesjournal.com
|accessdate=2007-11-01}}</ref> About 600 U.S. military personnel are advising and assisting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Southern Philippines.<ref name="GMA&others"/> In addition,  the CIA has sent its elite paramilitary officers from their [[Special Activities Division]] to hunt down and kill or capture key terrorist leaders.<ref name=times/> This group has had the most success in combating and capturing Al-Qaeda leaders and the leaders of associated groups like [[Abu Sayyaf]].<ref name=times>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article826047.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1 Al-Qaeda stalked by the Predator]</ref>

Special Operations Command-Pacific (SOCPAC) troops are the core of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines (OEF-P), an operation which supports the Government of the [[Republic of the Philippines]] counterterrorism efforts. With U.S. advice and training, the AFP and civilian authorities have improved their ability to coordinate and sustain counterterrorism operations. U.S. and Philippine forces have also worked together under the new Security Engagement Board framework – the primary mechanism for consultation and planning
regarding non-traditional security threats – to complete humanitarian and civil assistance projects and improve living conditions in the southern Philippines. As a result of their combined efforts, support for terrorists has waned markedly.

Deployment first began January 2002 and involved more than 1,200 members of [[United States Special Operations Command|United States Special Operations Command, Pacific]] (SOCPAC), headed by Brig. Gen. [[Donald C. Wurster]]. SOCPAC's deployable joint task force HQ, Joint Task Force 510 (JTF 510), directed  and carried out the operation.<ref>[http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7672 LIEUTENANT GENERAL DONALD C. WURSTER]</ref>

The mission was to advise the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] in combating [[terrorism]] in the [[Philippines]].<ref>{{Citation
|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/enduring-freedom-philippines.htm
|title=Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines
|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org
|accessdate=2007-07-11}}</ref>
Much of the mission (Exercise Balikatan 02-1) took place on the island of [[Basilan]], a stronghold of [[Abu Sayyaf]].

==Mission==
The mission of the Joint Special Operations Task Force in the Philippines (JSOTF-P) is
{{quote|[T]o support the comprehensive approach of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their fight against terrorism in the southern Philippines. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, JSOTF-P works alongside the AFP to defeat terrorists and create the conditions necessary for peace, stability and prosperity.<ref>[http://jsotf-p.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html JSOTF-P web site]</ref>}}

==Combatants==
=== Armed Forces of the Philippines ===
{{main|Armed Forces of the Philippines}}
Elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are deployed in Mindanao to deal with Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah. This deployment is controversial because of the presence of U.S trainers.<ref name=gis/>

=== United States Armed Forces ===
{{main|United States Armed Forces}}
The United States has provided the Philippine government with advisors, equipment and financial support to counter Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah.<ref>[http://www.groups.sfahq.com/1st/02_01_11_military_advisors_in_ph.htm Military Advisors in Philippines]</ref>

====Timeline of American Casualties====
On February 21, 2002, the largest loss of life for U.S. forces occurred when 10 soldiers were killed after their [[CH-47 Chinook|MH-47]] crashed at sea in the southern [[Philippines]].<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/02/24/phil.us.crash/index.html 'No survivors' in U.S. chopper crash - CNN.com]</ref>

On October 2, 2002, a bombing at an open-air market outside the gate of Camp Enrile Malagutay in [[Zamboanga City|Zamboanga]] killed a U.S. special forces soldier.<ref>[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/dates/2002/oct/02/mark-wayne-jackson/ Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wayne Jackson]</ref> One Filipino soldier and one civilian were also killed, and 21 people were wounded including one U.S. and two Filipino soldiers.<ref name="abc.net.au"/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/10/02/philippines.blast/ | work=CNN | title=Philippine blast 'suicide attack' | date=2002-10-02 | accessdate=2010-05-20}}</ref>

On June 30, 2004, a U.S. special forces soldier was killed in a non-hostile incident in Manila.<ref>http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=8109</ref>

On October 14, 2005, a U.S. special operation forces soldier was killed in a non-hostile incident in Makati City.<ref>http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=8960</ref>

On February 15, 2007, a U.S. Marine was killed in a non-hostile incident in Jolo.<ref>http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=10540</ref>

On October 27, 2007, a U.S. special forces soldier was killed in an accidental drowning incident at Lake Seit in the southern Philippines.<ref>http://news.soc.mil/Memorial%20Wall/Bios/Curreri_bio_USASFC.pdf</ref><ref>http://zamboangajournal.blogspot.com/2007/10/us-army-finally-names-dead-soldier-in.html</ref>

On September 29, 2009, a [[roadside bomb]] killed two [[1st Special Forces Group (United States)|Special Forces Operators]]<ref>{{cite news |title=DoD Identifies Army Casualties |author= |newspaper=Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) |date=1 October 2009 |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13015 |accessdate=3 October 2009}}</ref> and a [[Philippine Marine Corps|Philippine Marine]] on [[Jolo|Jolo island]].<ref>{{cite news |title=2 U.S. soldiers killed in Philippines bomb blast |author= |newspaper=CNN |date=2 October 2009 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/02/washington.soldiers.killed/ |accessdate=3 October 2009 }}</ref>  Three other Philippine service members where injured in the blast.  It was initially reported that the two U.S. casualties were [[Seabee]]s.<ref name="GMA&others">{{cite news |title=2 US Navy men, 1 Marine killed in Sulu land mine blast |author= |newspaper=[[GMA Network|GMA News]] |date=29 September 2009 |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173383/2-us-navy-men-1-marine-killed-in-sulu-land-mine-blast |accessdate=29 September 2009 |quote=Two US Navy personnel and one Philippine Marine soldier were killed when a land mine exploded along a road in Indanan, Sulu Tuesday morning, an official said.  The American fatalities were members of the US Navy construction brigade, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview. He did not disclose the identities of all three casualties.}} and <br/>{{cite news |title=Pentagon Says Troops Killed in Philippines Hit by Roadside Bomb  |author=Al Pessin |newspaper=[[Voice of America]] |date=29 September 2009 |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-29-voa12.cfm |accessdate=29 September 2009}}{{dead link|date=December 2009|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-29-voa12.cfm}} and<br/>{{cite news |title=Troops killed in Philippines blast |newspaper=[[Al Jazeera]] |date=29 September 2009 |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/09/20099298614751808.html |accessdate=29 September 2009}} and <br/>{{cite news |title=2 US troops killed in Philippines blast |author=Jim Gomez |newspaper=[[The Associated Press]] |date=29 September 2009 |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h30hTsG16IE9GlKLcHW9BZwlRzQAD9B136M00 |accessdate=29 September 2009}}{{dead link|date=December 2009|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h30hTsG16IE9GlKLcHW9BZwlRzQAD9B136M00}}</ref>

===Abu Sayyaf===
{{main|Abu Sayyaf}}
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is deemed a "foreign terrorist organization" by the [[United States]] government. Specifically, it is an [[Islamist]] separatist group based in and around the southern islands of the [[Republic of the Philippines]], primarily [[Jolo]], [[Basilan]], and [[Mindanao]].

Since inception in the early 1990s, the group has carried out [[bombing]]s, [[assassination]]s, [[kidnapping]]s, and [[extortion]] in their fight for an independent Islamic state in western [[Mindanao]] and the [[Sulu Archipelago]], with a claimed overarching goal of creating a Pan-Islamic superstate across the ''Malay'' portions of [[Southeast Asia]], spanning, from east to west, the large island of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago (Basilan and Jolo islands), the large island of [[Borneo]] ([[Malaysia]] and  [[Indonesia]]), the [[South China Sea]], and the [[Malay Peninsula]] ([[Peninsular Malaysia]], [[Thailand]] and [[Burma]]).   

The name of the group is [[Arabic language|Arabic]] for ''Father'' (Abu) ''of the Sword'' (Sayyaf).

===Jemaah Islamiyah===
{{main|Jemaah Islamiyah}}
Jemaah Islamiyah is a [[militant Islam]]ic [[terrorism|terrorist]] organization dedicated to the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic [[theocracy]] in [[Southeast Asia]], in particular [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], [[Brunei]], [[Malaysia]], the south of [[Thailand]] and the [[Philippines]].

Jemaah Islamiyah is thought to have killed hundreds of [[civilian]]s and is suspected of having executed the [[2002 Bali terrorist bombing|Bali car bombing]] on October 12, 2002 in which suicide bombers killed 202 people, mostly Australian tourists, and wounded many in a [[nightclub]]. After this attack, the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] designated Jemaah Islamiyah as a [[U.S. State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations|Foreign Terrorist Organization]]. Jemaah Islamiyah is also suspected of carrying out the [[Zamboanga bombings]], the [[Rizal Day Bombings]], the [[2004 Jakarta embassy bombing]] and the [[2005 Bali bombings|2005 Bali terrorist bombing]].

Financial links between Jemaah Islamiyah and other terrorist groups, such as [[Abu Sayyaf]] and [[al-Qaeda]], have been found to exist.<ref>{{Citation
|url=http://www.nbr.org/publications/analysis/pdf/vol14no5.pdf
|title=Funding Terrorism in Southeast Asia: The Financial Network of Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah
|author=Zachary Abuza
|publisher=National Bureau of Asian Research
|date=December, 2003
|volume=1
|issue=5
|accessdate=2008-01-27}}</ref> Jemaah Islamiyah means "Islamic Group" and is often abbreviated JI.

==Balikatan training exercises==
[[File:PMC Martial Arts.JPG|thumb|Philippine Marine Corps instructor teach the US Marines of Philippine Martial Arts which they called Pekiti-Tirsia Kali during Military Exercises.]]
The Balikatan training exercises are a part of OEF - Philippines which is mainly a series of joint training exercises between the Philippines and the United States. These training exercises are mainly taking place in Mindanao, the [[Spratly Islands]], [[Tarlac]], and other parts in the Philippines. The Balikatan training exercises are focused on joint training and counter-terrorist training aimed on strengthening relations between the Philippines and the United States. The Balikatan training exercises are also aimed on training Philippine forces to fight the Abu Sayyaf, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.<ref name=gis/>

There have been allegations in the Philippine press and elsewhere that visiting forces from the United States appear to have become a permanent fixture in the landscape of Zamboanga City and other crisis-torn parts of Mindanao.  Philippine presidential executive secretary [[Eduardo Ermita]] has responded to these allegations by saying, that the U.S. soldiers "... all look alike so it’s as if they never leave," going on to say that they "... are replaced every now and then. They leave, contrary to the critics’ impression that they have not left".  These remarks were made in response to statements made by Edgar Araojo, a political science professor at Western Mindanao State University, that the country had surrendered its sovereignty. In specific response, Ermita said, "Our national sovereignty and territorial integrity are intact", going on to point out that the Balikatan exercises had bolstered national and regional security, and to say that terrorists and communist rebels were "common enemies of democracy, therefore there is nothing wrong with cooperation" between the armed forces of the US and the Philippines.<ref name=gis>{{Citation
|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080907-159154/Palace-GIs-all-look-alike
|title=Palace: GIs all look alike
|author=Michael Lim Ubac
|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer
|date=7 September 2008
|accessdate=2008-09-07}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Military history of the United States]]
* [[Military history of the Philippines]]

== References and notes ==
{{reflist}}

{{Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo}}
{{War on Terrorism}}

[[Category:21st-century conflicts]]
[[Category:Articles with limited geographic scope]]
[[Category:USA-centric]]
[[Category:Military history of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Operations involving American special forces|Enduring Freedom - Philippines]]
[[Category:United States military in the Philippines]]
[[Category:History of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Counter-terrorism policy of the United States]]
[[Category:Moro]]
[[Category:Terrorism in the Philippines]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps in the 21st century]]

[[es:Operación Libertad Duradera (Filipinas)]]
[[ja:フィリピンにおける不朽の自由作戦]]
[[ru:Операция «Несокрушимая свобода» — Филиппины]]
[[Category:2Fix]]