Counter-Insurgency Warfare

[Ender]

okey, I'm sorry if I'm going over something that has already been said but I'm new and didn't want to read 7 pages of posts so here it is-

Counter-insurgency is mainly a popularity contest. Whoever the public believes to be the greater side (either monitarily or more likely morally) usually can persist longer. Don't believe it. Try running a major U.S. based insurgency. You can have the exact same weapons, and yet you will not last these years as in the Iraq War. The American population will see you as a murderous thug like force and you will not last long. However this isn't the question. It's moving Iraq that is the real problem.
Iraq could have been (mostly) avoided from the begining. Lifting Saddom made it possible for a religious war. However we could have avoided being the "bad guy". Remember the topling of all the Saddom statues? At that time, Americans seemed pretty good in Iraq. We were the heroes. However this was the time when we first screwed up. Basic needs such as power and fuel were pretty weak. Iraqis just had a sudden lose of style of living. Also we decided to disband the Iraqi army. We had officially let lose a trained military force on the streets. With nowhere to for work, where would you think they would go? Even better, instead of fighting for Saddom, they get to fight for Allah. What with this means (depending on how zealous/extreme) they were able to go farther with what they do. Death is nothing if you are doing it for God and taking out 'infidels while doing it.
While all this is happening, Americans are finding it fun to stick to their fortress like bases. When they do leave the base, they stick to their heavily armored vehicles. Just imagine what this says to the population. Hey! We just liberated you, but we really don't like you that much either. We intentionally isolated ourselves! Now I have already said living conditions were going down in the cities. With only one real voice - the ones of militant jihadist - Americans soon look like the terrible person in this whole ordeal.
So now we find ourselves being shot at by insurgents. It gets even better when the age old Sunni/Shiite conflict restarts (big suprise on that one) which brings more fighters in to the picture. Yet our Arab friends have a new trick in store for us (or a used old one).
Bombs seem to be the weapons of choice for insurgents. IEDs were first used by Afghanese against the Soviets and suicide bombers where first widely used by Lebanese Hezbollah. With Americans sticking to Hum-Vs, a cleverly placed IED can get many casualties.
Bombs also make a psycological affect. With Western media ready to show whatever happens in conflict zones. One hidden IED or insane suicide bomber can make the evening news. Your affecting the minds of Americans back home with that.
The other tactic used by insurgents is sudden, quick attacks, hiding behind the local populis. Sounds unfair? Well we have a mostly untrained force with lesser weapons going against the strongest army in the world. Seems a bit lopsided. We went in not knowing much about them, yet they knew us (another starting problem not listed earlier (I think)). Eastern troops have shown that they like to use deception and suprise to fight. Remember Vietnam? This is one of the main points in Sun Tzu's 'Art of War'.
Well so far I've only said what we did wrong, but I don't like to be negative. What should we have done for future reference is the best move from here (and also finishing up with Iraq )
From what I have said, I have some key points that must be said in order to combat insurgencies-

1. We must know our population. Customs, culture, everything! Our ignorance is not a good excuse for anything.

2. We must make sure the standerd of living does nothing but improve. Lowering this only pisses off the population. (Give basic needs)

3. Make the population love your soldiers, this can be done in a number of ways
-1- Soldiers must be in the street. The population must know them. Make neighborhoods be the patrol sections of a select group of soldiers. These select soldiers will start to be like neighbors themselves with that populis.
-2- All good things given by the U.S. government should be seen to be given by the troops. Make a show out of it! Let everyone around know that the troops are installing generators somewhere!
-3- Find out which U.S. soldiers are Muslum. Then send them to pray in the Mosques. Become active members. This will mean they can help some possible insurgents not join the fight. Another way of making it unfavorable because they would be shooting at a friendly face.

4.Condemn suicide attacks religiously. This means getting clerics to say that it is bad to kill a soldier or blow yourself up. Take control of the media around there and broadcast these sort of condemning speechs from loud speakers.

5.Get local international support. Its easier to fight this sort of war if local countries support you.

6.Make sure your infantry kicks ass. Ours already does. But train for these sort of thing.

7.While improving the country, slowly give control to a WORKING local government. Also the Iraqi army should be the one seen doing the real work eventually. It makes people think it is their country again. Along with this, have the government help with reconstruction. Oil is expensive. Revenues from that can help their own society.


With these things in mind (and prolly some stuff I've missed) the U.S. could do well vs this form of an opponent. Its really just a very different war then the U.S. is used to. We must not be like the French and learn from history. I think Patreas (however you spell it) its doing a great job over their. Theres my two cents. Questions? Comments? Plz ask!

 

[Mumbatik]

Hire mercenaries who are capable of conducting counter-insurgecy and Internal Defense operations.

Now who in the world have such experience in fighting islamic radicals who causes such problems in Iraq? One must turn to a forgotten country in the far east, the Philippines.

The soldiers in that country have fought for generations in the war against islamic radicals, terrorism, and seperatist groups and so far the philippines is still one country so there must be something to the ill equiped, under paid soldiers of the Philippine military who can still hold off such enemies that would could have tear the country apart.

10th BATTALION COMBAT TEAM (MOTORIZED)
Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK)
September 1950 to September 1951
Motto: Steady On


The Philippines’ only armored battalion, the 10th BCT (Motorized) landed at Pusan on the southeast coast of Korea on 19 September 1950 after a four-day voyage from the Philippines on board a US Navy troop transport.

The 10th was originally known as the 3rd Battalion Combat Team, a unit activated on 29 April 1949. The 3rd BCT was redesignated the 10th BCT (Motorized) in January 1950 to reflect its new role as the Philippines’ only armored battalion. It had a company of medium tanks (M-4 Sherman) and another company of light tanks. The 10th was selected as the first PEFTOK battalion to Korea because the Philippine Army believed it admirably suited to the “slugging type” of conventional warfare in Korea. The battalion's motto was "Steady On."

Upon its arrival in Korea, the battalion’s strength stood at some 1,400 officers and men. Its “teeth” consisted of three rifle companies, a medium tank company, a reconnaissance company equipped with light tanks and a field artillery battery. Both tank companies arrived in Korea without tanks since the Americans had agreed to provide these. In the event, only the Recon Company received its tanks (M-24 Chaffee, a light reconnaissance tank) during the battalion’s tour in Korea. The tankless Tank Company was reorganized into a Heavy Weapons Company, becoming a highly decorated unit that won fame at the Battle of Yultong in April 1951. Col. Mariano Azurin, the first commanding officer of the 10th, was a tank man trained at the US Army armor school in Kentucky. Azurin organized and was the first commanding officer of the 3rd BCT.

The 10th spent its first two weeks “in country” acclimatizing to the terrain, continuing unit training interrupted by its abrupt departure and taking in weapons and supplies. Bivouacked initially in the town of Miryang, 35 miles north of Pusan, the 10th was moved to other towns farther north and joined the war in the city of Waegwan. The battalion was first attached to the US 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning) that fought in North and Central Luzon in the Philippines in 1945.

Guerilla fighters
Preceded by its reputation as a battle hardened anti-guerilla unit, the 10th was first given the mission of hunting down North Korean guerillas interdicting the main supply route (MSR) of the United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea. The battalion’s first area of operations, based on Waegwan, covered more than 800 square miles and harbored about 3,000 guerillas. At Waegwan, the 10th took the war to the guerillas but at a price in casualties. Pvt. Alipio Ceciliano was killed in a guerilla ambush along the Naktong River, the first Filipino killed in action in the Korean War. The battalion was deployed in anti-guerilla operations during the first six months of its tour in Korea.

Many North Korean guerillas were regular soldiers of the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA), well armed and with better knowledge of the rugged terrain than their UNC enemies. These soldiers had taken to the hills either because it was their mission, or because they had decided to fight on after being cut off from their units by the victorious UNC advance into North Korea following the Inch’on Landings on 15 September. Other guerillas were South Korean communists who had unsuccessfully tried to overthrow the government before the war.

In September 1950, the UNC estimated that there were 35,000 communist guerillas in South Korea disrupting UNC road and railroad communications and attacking UNC units behind the front line. Guerilla attacks were especially bothersome to the Americans who sometimes took extreme countermeasures against them, including a tragic response at the village of No Gun Ri. The NKPA credited guerillas with helping defeat the US 24th Infantry Division (Victory) and capturing its commander, Maj. Gen. William Dean, in July 1950. The division, however, had sacrificed itself to gain time for the arrival of UNC reinforcements. The 24th had fought against the Japanese Army in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao in the Philippines during World War 2.

On 31 October, advanced elements of the 10th crossed the 38th Parallel dividing North and South Korea, an event reported to the Filipino public by Johnny Villasanta, a Filipino UN War Correspondent who accompanied the advanced unit. Villasanta was one of the first Filipino war correspondents in Korea and covered the war the longest. The next day, the rest of the battalion moved further north to Pyongyang, capital of North Korea, and was given the mission of securing the MSR from Kaesong to Pyongyang and clearing the area of guerillas.

At the outskirts of the town of Miudong, the battalion fought its first pitched battle, this against a North Korean battalion, killing 50 while losing one man. In a bold raid on November 5, a five-man commando team led by Lt. Venancio “Bonny” Serrano captured 77 North Korean soldiers and sympathizers plus arms and ammunition.

Bitter winter
The brutal winter of 1950 was the coldest in 200 years with temperatures well below zero. Despite this, the 10th was without the heavy winter clothing that would allow its men to survive and fight in this arctic environment. This supply omission strained relations between Col. Azurin and the commanding officer of the American regiment to which the 10th was then attached. Azurin protested forcefully and was relieved of his command. The 10th was then fragmented, its companies being deployed to five widely separated towns. The battalion subsequently received its heavy winter gear including large amounts of clothing donated by Filipinos in response to “clothing drives” launched by the government, the media, schools and private organizations. Col. Dionisio Ojeda, however, replaced Col. Azurin as CO of the 10th BCT The 10th was in this pitiful state when the Communist Chinese intervened in force. On November 25, the People’s Republic of China (PROC) sent more than 200,000 men in what it called the “Chinese People’s Volunteer Army” (CPV) against the UNC. Using speed and superior tactics, the lightly armed but combat hardened “volunteers” quickly defeated both the US Eighth Army and the US X Corps near the border of North Korea and China. Plunging southward, the CPV re-took Pyongyang and Seoul within the year. The 10th retreated with the UNC in this harsh winter of defeat that men of the US Army derisively called “The Big Bug Out.” The UNC defeat at the Battle of the Yalu ended its “Home for Christmas” campaign, and forced the US Army into the longest continual retreat in its history. As a rearguard unit, the 10th was one of the last UNC units to re-cross the 38th Parallel “the wrong way.”

The battalion spent its first Christmas in Korea in the town of Suwon along the Han River. When the American-led UNC launched its counterattack in February 1951, the 10th went on the offensive as part of the US 3rd Infantry Division (Rock of the Marne), a unit that fought in Europe in both World Wars. By this time, the CPV was spent, suffering heavy losses in men and materiel. It began a deliberate withdrawal towards its bases in North Korea to refit and replace tired troops. In March and April, the 10th was in continuous action, capturing hill after hill from the Chinese. Now a front line fighting unit, the 10th pushed northward towards the 38th Parallel defeating Chinese counterattacks along the way.

By 14 April, the hard driving 10th was the northernmost of all UNC units. The men were exhausted after close to two months of non-stop fighting but were in high morale. On the 17th, the 10th was stood down and reverted to the reserve of the US 65th Infantry Regiment (the “Borinqueneers”) composed of Puerto Ricans. The battalion was down to some 900 men. Most of its casualties, however, were non-battle in nature.

The Battle of Yultong
What we Filipinos commemorate as the Battle of Yultong was part of the biggest battle of the Korean War. The CPV and NKPA had massed over 250,000 men for their “Great Spring Offensive” against the advancing UNC.

When it launched its counterattack on 22 April, the CPV stood on high ground overlooking the UNC. Again, the CPV had succeeded in massing its divisions unhindered, moving by night and hiding by day. Its fighting withdrawal, in which it had given up ground gained at a huge cost in men and materiel, had led the UNC into the jaws of a major counterattack.

UNC strategy at the time involved establishing “lines” across the breadth of the Korean peninsula. These lines were used as springboards for attack or as sanctuaries in defense. This strategy was made possible by the narrowness of the Korean peninsula, which is some 200 miles across at its widest. A series of these lines, which ran west to east, were built at intervals across the peninsula. The northernmost of these lines, called Line Kansas, was located about 10 to 14 miles north of the 38th Parallel. Line Kansas had two northward bulges called Lines Wyoming and Utah, making both lines the northernmost UNC positions and logical targets for any counterattack.

The 10th was rushed to reinforce Line Utah on 22 April amid positive signs of an imminent communist counterattack. The 10th defended a three-mile sector of the 40-mile long UNC front line in western Korea located above the Imjin River. It was still attached to the US 3rd Infantry Division. Arriving at the front on the morning of 22 April, the battalion quickly took over the forward positions of the 1st Battalion, US 65th Infantry Regiment, part of the US 3rd ID. The Filipinos began to improve their positions, digging more foxholes, siting machine guns and stringing more barbed wire. The 10th held a portion of the left shoulder of Line Utah astride Route 33, a major highway connecting Seoul and the city of Chorwon further north.

The Puerto Rican’s were dug in on the 10th’s left flank. To the Puerto Rican’s left stood the British 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group consisting of the Belgian battalion, the 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and the 1st Battalion of The Gloucestershire Regiment. These units were within the sector held by the 3rd US ID. Defending the left of the British was the ROK 1st Division, which also held the city of Munsan-ni, the western anchor of the UNC line.

A battalion of the Turkish Brigade, part of the US 25th Infantry Division, held the line to the right of the 10th. The battalions of this division were strung out to the right of the Turks as were the battalions of the US 24th Infantry Division. The US 3rd, 25th and 24th Infantry Divisions constituted the US I Corps defending the western sector of the UNC line. The US IX Corps held the right of US I Corps.

Opposite the 10th were the CPV 31st, 34th, 35th and 181st Divisions that were part of the CPV 12th Army. This army, which at full strength numbered some 40,000 men, formed part of the CPV III Army Group along with the CPV 15th and 60th Armies. More than 200,000 “volunteers” in 18 armies and 50,000 NKPA regulars were massed for their “Great Spring Offensive.” This formidable horde was supported by the heaviest concentration of Communist artillery yet seen in the war.

The Chinese opened their attack on the UNC’s western front with a gigantic artillery barrage lasting over four hours in some of the sectors attacked. The 10th was hit five minutes past midnight on 23 April, Sunday. Baker Company defending the right was the first to be attacked. After hammering the rest of the battalion’s positions with artillery, mortar and automatic weapons fire the Chinese charged the Filipino line to the noise of bugles, whistles and gongs. They ran into a wall of fire thrown up by the 10th, many Chinese falling to the defenders. Although heavily outnumbered, the men of Able, Tank, Recon and Baker Companies in the front line resisted furiously backed by their light tanks, howitzers and mortars. The battalion’s front line remained unbroken. Tragedy, however, struck the UNC battalions on the 10th's flanks. The Chinese overran the Turkish battalion, exposing the 10th's right, and began to encircle Baker Company defending the right of the 10th. The Puerto Rican battalion holding the 10th's left flank staggered under the assault and withdrew fighting. The British stood up to the first Chinese assaults. After an initial repulse at the hands of the Gloucestershire battalion on the left of the British position, however, the Chinese forced a crossing of the Imjin River at Korangpo-ri. The Chinese then drove hard inland, surrounding the Gloucestershire battalion at its Solma-ri position and outflanking the other battalions of the brigade, which were forced back to escape encirclement.


The Field Artillery battery of the 10th BCT pounds communist positions.


Many of the UNC battalions holding the 10th's left and right flanks were in retreat by the morning of 23 April. With its flanks "in the air," the 10th stood alone in a salient almost surrounded by a torrent of assaulting Chinese. The most threatening penetration, however, occurred further east in the vicinity of the city of Hwach'on. The CPV routed the South Korean 6th Division in the US IX Corps area and poured southward threatening to cut off UNC units north of the Imjin River.

Steady On!
The 10th, however, continued the stubborn defense of its three-mile front, inflicting heavy casualties on the CPV. A Chinese regiment was beaten back. The battalion's cooks and clerks were rounded up to reinforce the line. At 4:00 a.m., the Chinese came to within a thousand yards of the Battalion command post before being driven off by Charlie Company. The Chinese, however, continued to attack and their persistence, despite terrible losses, being rewarded when one regiment overran the Tank Company platoon posted on a hill overlooking Yultong village.

They were immediately counterattacked and driven off the hill by the heavily outnumbered men of Tank Company (which didn't have any tanks). Capt. Conrado Yap, commanding officer of the Tank Company, was killed in this counterattack. His men had, however, retrieved the bodies of Lt. Jose Artiaga (Yap's closest friend) and the men of Artiaga's shattered platoon. Yap was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor, the Philippines' highest award for heroism, while the Tank Company received a unit citation from the US Eighth Army for this valiant action. Artiaga received the Distinguished Service Cross for leading his grossly outnumbered men in the most dramatic saga of the Battle of Yultong.

At dawn on 23 April, the battalion supported by two of its light tanks counterattacked the surprised Chinese, who were regouping following the murderous night battle, killing many and driving the survivors out of its positions. The US 3rd ID ordered the battalion to withdraw, a disengagement the 10th accomplished while under constant attack from the Chinese and without other UNC units to cover its withdrawal.

There was, however, no rest for the exhausted 10th. Barely rested from its ordeal and with its men dog-tired, the battalion on the 24th was thrown into a tank-led British counterattack to free the trapped Gloucestershire battalion. The Filipinos attacked with their M-24 light tanks, one of which was knocked out by the Chinese. More Filipinos died. The 10th fought to within 1,500 meters of the trapped battalion, the closest approach by any of the UNC units involved in the rescue attempt, but were hamstrung by unfavorable terrain that allowed no room for maneuver. Standing firm against the British, Filipino, American, Puerto Rican and Belgian attackers, the Chinese eventually destroyed the Gloucestershire (or Gloster) battalion after a fierce four-day struggle. Only 50 of 750 Glosters escaped death or capture. The British fought to the last bullet against three Chinese divisions of the CPV 63rd Army.

"The Battle of Yultong" cost the 10th BCT 10 killed, 26 wounded and 14 men missing in action. Five more Filipinos were killed in the vain attempt to rescue the Gloucestershire battalion and others wounded. These light casualties in a major offensive testified to the courage and fighting skill of the men in the front line. CPV dead littered the battalion's positions. The 10th emerged from its first great battle intact and undefeated.

The UNC lost over 7,000 men during the first day of the Chinese counterattack. Balanced against this were CPV losses totaling more than 70,000, according to the UNC. The entire UNC line, however, fell back before the Chinese attack to a prepared defense line above Seoul. Withdrawing to this line brought the 10th more losses. On 26 April, a Chinese regiment surrounded and captured an entire Filipino platoon of 40 men in a sudden attack. The confused fighting during the nerve-racking withdrawal saw many examples of heroism from the ranks. Staff Sgt. Nicolas Mahusay gave his life in a heroic attack on enemy mortars that had pinned down the battalion. He was cut down by enemy fire after silencing the mortars and allowing the battalion to escape,

The small hamlet of Yultong in the mountains of North Korea became the scene of the bloodiest battle fought by any PEFTOK battalion in the Korean War. The Philippines commemorates the Battle of Yultong every year to honor all Filipinos who served in Korea.

Peace and war
During the UN counterattack in June, the 10th was once more in the fight, battering Chinese rearguards impeding its advance. The 10th led the Allied advance to the Taejo River where it killed 65 Chinese and secured the vital Chorwon Reservoir. The battalion then reverted to the reserve of the US 3rd ID. The commanding officer of the US 3rd ID, Maj. Gen. Robert Soule, said the 10th was the best UNC unit in his division. The brilliant battle fought by the battalion at Yultong earned it the nickname, "The Fighting Filipinos."

The repulse of the Chinese Spring Offensive in April and the second phase of this offensive in May brought the combatants to the peace table. Armistice negotiations to end the war began 10 July, first at Kaesong, then at Panmunjom, both in western South Korea. With the beginning of peace talks, the war of movement and big battles came to an end and was replaced by murderous small unit actions for strategic terrain. The CPV used the lull to reinforce and bring up its heavy artillery and anti-aircraft guns. As a result, artillery barrages by both the Chinese and the UNC were heavier than those in World Wars 1 and 2. Half of the Americans killed during the Korean War died during the truce negotiations.

Back Home
The 20th BCT, which was to replace the 10th, took over the Filipino front line on 6 September. On 27 September, the 10th was finally pulled out of the war. The Fighting Tenth, as it was now called, arrived in Manila on 23 October to a rapturous heroes welcome. It had lost 43 men killed in action, nine missing in action and presumed dead and 58 captured. A further 400 men were sent home due to battle and non-battle causes. On 5 May 1952, the battalion's dead returned to their homeland.

 

[Mumbatik]

The above post is just an example of the courage, gallantry, determination, and as they say "Bahala na!" (Whatever comes) attitude. In any counter-insurgency warfare, the determination and persevarance of the troops is vital in winning such a campaign over insurgencies.

 

[Chino]

...philippines is still one country...

The above post is just an example of the courage, gallantry, determination, and as they say "Bahala na!" (Whatever comes) attitude. In any counter-insurgency warfare, the determination and persevarance of the troops is vital in winning such a campaign over insurgencies.

Let me get this right:

Filipinos still commemorate a battle for decades where 15 KIA, 26 WIA and 14 MIA?

If the Chinese or N/S Koreans were to commemorate even battles where 10 or 20 soldiers were killed in Korea, they'd be commemorating non-stop every second of every single day. And it still wouldn't be enough.

....

Finally, the Korean War is not a counter-insurgency and your posting such a long essay on the Korean War here is way off-topic.

Why not share with us more about the Filipino fight against insurgents? Though the fight did not escalate to a bigger scale and into the cities, it remains resilient in the countryside.

Few, if any, outside the Philippines consider the AFP's fight against insurgency a success by any stretch of the imagination.

Your much-vaunted AFP sell weapons to their enemy - the Filipino communists and Islamic insurgents they are battling.

Just a couple of weeks ago, an AFP armoury was robbed of about 20 automatic weapons including an MG. It was initially blamed on the rebels but later, 2 AFP soldiers were charged with the robbery and making it look like a raid.

The bogeyman of the Philippines - China - have long since stopped supporting insurgency in Philippines. Now, they are supplied by the very people who are supposed to eliminate them. With such a corrupt military, there's no way you guys are gonna win.

And when on overseas peace-keeping missions, AFP officer and men are court-martialed for selling UN-subsidised beer on the black market by the truckload - after other UN soldiers complained.

Corruption is rife and AFP officers siphon off money meant to buy weapon and equipment for Filipino troops into their own pockets.

Military discipline and honour might be the fine line that separates an army from an armed mob.

As a military organization where discipline and honour must be paramount, the AFP is an embarrassment. It is a disgrace.

Man for man, the Filipino trooper is indeed a brave and formidable fighter. (And this might also explain why the insurgents are hard to beat, for they are Filipinos too, no?) But the Philippines military as an organization is rotten to the core.

The much publicised battle last year where several marines captured during battle and had their heads cut off speak tons for the skill and determination of the rebels and little for the PAF, despite being comparatively better armed and trained.

It is hard to see why faced with such facts you still wax lyrical about AFP success in battling the insurgency and write "Now who in the world have such experience in fighting islamic radicals who causes such problems in Iraq? One must turn to a forgotten country in the far east, the Philippines."

You eyes are open but do you SEE? To hold the AFP as the beacon of COIN warfare and to offer yourselves as an example to the other people... that's really a tragic-comedy.

Major clashes with rebels occur on a weekly basis and while the NPA numbers are not growing, the Islamic rebels are have gained momentum. Communism is quite dead but the Islamic thing with Al-Qaeda look like a much tougher beef. And with you lot being Catholic and all, I would say the grounds for conciliation is very shaky and you have a very, very long fight up ahead still.

 

[Mumbatik]

Have you not opened your eyes CHINO? The first few threads of the post stated the COIN capabilities of the 10th BCT!

Guerilla fighters
Preceded by its reputation as a battle hardened anti-guerilla unit, the 10th was first given the mission of hunting down North Korean guerillas interdicting the main supply route (MSR) of the United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea. The battalion’s first area of operations, based on Waegwan, covered more than 800 square miles and harbored about 3,000 guerillas. At Waegwan, the 10th took the war to the guerillas but at a price in casualties. Pvt. Alipio Ceciliano was killed in a guerilla ambush along the Naktong River, the first Filipino killed in action in the Korean War. The battalion was deployed in anti-guerilla operations during the first six months of its tour in Korea.

Many North Korean guerillas were regular soldiers of the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA), well armed and with better knowledge of the rugged terrain than their UNC enemies. These soldiers had taken to the hills either because it was their mission, or because they had decided to fight on after being cut off from their units by the victorious UNC advance into North Korea following the Inch’on Landings on 15 September. Other guerillas were South Korean communists who had unsuccessfully tried to overthrow the government before the war.

 

[Mumbatik]

Alright I will give you examples of heroism that the "Corrupt AFP" have done for the country of the Philippines to keep it one country and stop the stem of terrorism. Here are the few examples you asked for:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty during an encounter with about 150 Abu Sayyaf kidnap gang members at Sitio Caro, Barangay Lower Kapayawan, Isabela, Basilan on 13 Scout Ranger Regiment, Philippine Army.

When task Group Panther received reports on the enemy concentration, it immediately dispatched one platoon under CAPTAIN SOBEJANA to check the area. Observing the position of the enemy, he sighted about 20 armed enemies loitering near a cluster of houses. After assessing the situation, he directed his men to attack. Alerted to the ensuing firefight, several Abu Sayyaf groups from nearby areas arrived to reinforce their comrades, cutting the troops from the supporting section. As the battle raged, firepower and numerical superiority of the enemy became apparent as members of the First Scout Ranger Company incurred casualties.

After two hours of continuous firefight, CAPTAIN SOBEJANA was hit in the lower right arm as he went for the radio of fallen soldier. Bravely holding his ground, he sustained a second bullet wound that almost severed his right arm. Still, he controlled all fire directions to best defend their position and repulse the encircling enemy. Even as a third bullet shattered his rifle, he never lost composure, though in pain. He repeatedly maneuvered around, exposing himself to enemy fire to direct the battle and operate the radio.

After almost four hours of intense fighting, armored reinforcements from the Task group Panther and the 4th Scout Ranger Company secured the area and evacuates the wounded. Reports placed the enemy casualties at 30 killed and confirmed number of wounded. By this gallantry, CAPTAIN SOBEJANA distinguished himself in combat, in keeping with the finest traditions of Filipino soldiery.


2nd example:

TSgt Francisco Camacho FSRR
- killed Huk leader Cmdr Guevarra, Dec 1955. Awarded the MOV

Cpl Weene Martillana FSRR
- Killed Huk leader Eddie Villapando in Laguna, 1955.Awarded the MOV

Cpt Cirilito E Sobejana FSRR
- killed 30 Abu Sayyafs in Isabela, Basilan ,1995. awarded the MOV

Cpl Romualdo C Rubi FSRR
- Killed NPA Cmdr Lima in Surigao del Norte, 1991. Awarded the MOV

Cpt Robert Edward M Lucero
- CO, 6SRC,KIA - against MILF rebels in Carmen, North Cotobato, 1996. Awarded the MOV (posthumous)

Pfc Abner Eustaquio
- of 15 SRC, wounded during Operation Daybreak, an operation to rescue US Hostages and a Filipina nurse from Abu Sayyaf bandits. Awarded the MOV

Cpt Jake Paler
- Former CO, 18 SRC-KIA during the assault of Camp Abubakar in 2002. Jake is being recommended for MOV

Cpt Ruben Guinolbay
- Course Director of SR class 142, ambushed by Abu Sayyaf rebels at Lamitan , Basilan. Outgunned ,they stood there ground even under intense fire, Guinolbay carried civilians to safety .He is recommended for MOV

Cpt Oliver Almonares
- CO, 15SRC responsible for the rescue of american hostage Gracia Burnham and the recovery of bodies of Martin and Edibora. Recommended for MOV

Sgt Rodney Magbanua
- Team leader (wounded during the ops) - rescue of the Burnhams and Ms Yap from the Abu Sayyaf


One of my favorite, my own grandfather was in this while a young man and the Hukbalahaps are supplied by RED CHINA and so are the NPA/CPP:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in an encounter with the notorious Hukbalahap leader Eddie Villanpando, commander Guevarra and one bodyguard.” Tasked with the mission of liquidating huk leader Eddie Villapndo, Technical Sergeant Camacho along with Corporal Weene Martillana were able to penetrate the huk organization, gaining their confidence. Finding the right opportunity soon after, Villapando was successfully neutralized but Technical Sergeant Camacho was killed on the spot from retaliatory shots fired by the huks.

Another COIN (counter-insurgency) operations:
For acts of conspicuous courage, gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the Squad Leader of a "Suicide Squad". Of the First Scout Ranger Battalion, First Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Command, Philippine Army, during the 3-day assault of Hill 898, Camp Abdurrajak, Punoh Mihaji, Isabela, Basilan on 28 to 30 April 2000. With the commencement of the 103rd Brigade's OPLAN "FINAL OPTION", the First Scout Ranger Battalion was directed to attack the highly fortified enemy positions being occupied by more or less 210 fully armed members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who were then holding in captivity 28 civilian hostages.

The 11th Scout Ranger Company spearheaded the attack with the team under SECOND LIEUTENANT DILAG, taking the lead. After a grueling trek along the 7-kilometer highly restrictive terrain and after bypassing 48 enemy improvised landmines, the troops were able to close-in on the northeastern portion of the enemy camp. On 280930 April 2000, the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion began the assault and a heavy firefight ensued. Though initially surprised the enemy was able to take advantage of its commanding position and confronted the government forces with stiff resistance. At 1630H, the enemy counterattacked in full force, killing 4 Scout Rangers and wounding 27 others.

In spite of the numerous casualties and heavy enemy volume of fires coming from cal. 50 Machineguns, 57RRs and the continuous explosion of grenades and dynamites near their positions, the leading elements under SECOND LIEUTENANT DILAG, fearlessly retaliated with accurate sniper fires which prevented the enemy from closing-in. Notwithstanding the heavy rains, hunger, tension and fatigue; and despite of numerous casualties, the Scout Rangers held on their ground and engaged the enemy with strong determination and ferocity for the next 24 hours. On 300530 April 2000, after sensing the seemingly insurmountable odds, MAJOR CALDEO, the Commanding Officer of the 1st scout Ranger Battalion, decided to execute the final assault with the organization of 2 "Suicide Squads". The squad, consisting of 14 volunteers, were tasked to perform an extremely risky mission of clearing the northeastern bunkers. Uncertain of what will happen to them, the members of the squad, left their valuables to their supporting comrades to be further given to their loved ones, in anticipation of their deaths. Undaunted by threat posed by the situation and unmindful of their own safety, the squads, headed by SECOND LIEUTENANT DILAG and SECOND LIEUTENANT GONZALES rushed-up the 80-meter, 80-degree slope and eventually assaulted the heavily fortified enemy defensive positions then carried out an intense bunker to bunker battle. With cunning stealth, the "Suicide Squads" were able to secure the northeastern tip of Hill 898 which was being defended by Khadafy Janjaland's group. This heroic and gallant act paved the way for the subsequent clearing of the remaining 3 clusters of enemy fortified defensive positions. After 4 hours of close combat, the squads forced the enemy to withdraw towards the western direction.

A high ranking officer of the scout-ranger in action (another COIN operation)

EDWIN ANDREWS AIR BASE, Zamboanga City—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today honored the military men who killed a senior Abu Sayyaf leader and his men recently and lauded their civilian informants in ceremonies held here this morning.

Their operation was a major victory in the fight against terrorism in the country and has raised the respect and confidence of the country’s allies in the global war against terrorism, the President noted.

Receiving the Distinguished Conduct Star Medal from the President was Lt. Col. Noel Buan. During the ceremony, the President upgraded the award to Medal of Valor in recognition of Buan’s distinguished service and bravery.

Buan, commander of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment of the Philippine Army, headed the group that killed Abu Sayyaf leader Hamsirajih Sali who was wanted for a chain of kidnapping-for-ransom and terrorist activities in Mindanao. Sali carried a P5 million bounty on his head.

As a major and an intelligence officer, Buan was held prisoner of war by the New People’s Army and was released only after years of being held captive in Mindoro Oriental.

Awarded the Gold Cross Medal were Staff Sgt. Isidro Dindin and Cpl. Ernesto Estender who died in the encounter at Basilan. ... Their wives, Elsa and Amormia, received their medals.

"I would like to commend Col. Buan, our two martyrs, civilian informants and allies for their extremely valuable contribution to our war against terrorism," the President said.

Such actions of bravery by Buan and his men "have truly made our fight against terrorism very successful even compared to other nations," the President said.

Their bravery has helped in the positive assessment of the security situation in the country given by Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, the President said.

"We consider this a validation of the gains we have accomplished in the global war against terrorism. We are confident that such an assessment will be backed up by concrete measures to bring in more investors to the country," the President noted in an official statement released in Manila.

The President also congratulated the Armed Forces of the Philippines headed by Chief of Staff Gen. Narciso Abaya, the AFP Southern Command headed by Gen. Roy Kyamko, and all the officers and enlisted personnel who did a great job.

"I am happy to highlight once again the success, bravery and martyrdom of our men in the field. To them we dedicate the victory we have against terrorism," the President said.

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I have not seen any reports of China conducting counter-insurgency operations nor any exploits against such tough adversaries such as Islamic Radicals.

Yes, corruption exist. However, is China not free of corruption as well?

Moreover, the examples of this gallant men and the spirit of the Filipino Warrior has lived on to the present day. With such examples in my humble opinion they are the best candidate for the job such as the one in Iraq. Why if you may ask? That is quite simple, they know the islamic culture of the Islamic Radicals. Beheadings in Iraq was copied by the insurgents and it was the Abu Sayyaf that they have copied it from.

My eyes are open, both the good and bad. If you are stating that all AFP personnel are corrupt then you are ignorant for it is like myself stating that all Chinese are evil. There are always good and bad in any country, culture, beliefs, and communities. Whether you are Islamic, AFP, Chinese, American, or anything else there are good and bad in every part of the world.

It is the few rotten apples you have focused on CHINO but you have neglected the ones who are not corrupt and have done their duties for the country.

 

[Chino]

First of all, I am not from China, so no point comparing yourselves to China for my benefit.

Let's just talk about AFP. If you even feel the need to make a comparison with another equally corrupt military to say you are only just as bad, you have completely lost your way.

Secondly, I already stated " Man for man, the Filipino trooper is indeed a brave and formidable fighter." Yet you keep coming back with the retort that so and so won a medal doing this or that. Nobody is disputing bravery.

You continue to view through rose-tinted glasses that corruption in the AFP is the work of "a few rotten apples" instead of the obvious conclusion that the whole apple tree is sick and corruption is endemic and a daily matter of fact.

No acts of heroism by individuals or by units is gonna win a COIN war if the organisation they fight for is essentially corrupt.

Soldiers that sell weapons to the enemy, officers that routinely steal funds allocated for ammo, weapons, body armour to save soldier's lives etc... These are not isolated incidents in the AFP, are they? And these are acts of high treason.

And what is caught and reported may just be the tip of an iceberg.

Don't you send only selected and therefore - the best - troops to overseas peacekeeping missions? If even these guys decide to be racketeers and sell beer on the black market and bring deep shame to the country, what more can you stomach before you admit the AFP has a crime problem?

If you don't gush with misguided pride about the AFP's achievements and present them as the solution to Iraq, I wouldn't even launch into this attack about the AFP. I have quite a few Filipino friends and they DON'T share your optimism and are sick of the corruption in the government and military.

 

[lozza]

The Phillipinos were not the only troops sent into the hills etc to fight insugents in korea, many Btns from many nations did that, it was a way the troops who landed after the breakout, and inchon landings were sized up, most Btns were so needed they only spent a week or two chasing these people. Then they were promtly sent to the front. You mentioned that the Chinese arty in Korea was heavier than experianced in both world wars, mate maybe heavier than some "Western European" battles during WW2, but WW1 get real, when did the Chinese/NK Arty fire artillary hurricanes of the sort sent out esp in 1916, which didn't just last for hours on end they lasted for days on end

 

[Mumbatik]

You are missing the point of the original thread of this topic, instead you see the corruption of the AFP and yet still shun away from the gallantry, heroism, and achievement that these men have done. You say you are not from China and yet you're location is Singapore and Shanghai, where is Shanghai located? The last current map I looked at put the city of Shanghai in China. Anyways wherever you claim you are from is irrelevant in this matter, what the topic is regards counter-insurgency, the examples I gave are the best examples of men of valor for that particular conflict.

In regards of training and armament, the Islamic Radicals are well supplied and armed by their backers. The reason the marine ambush resulted into the way in concluded is due to the fact that the enemy (Islamic Radicals) have overwhelmed and overrun the marines. One simple skirmish where the numbers overflowed and became the turning point for the conclusion of such an encounter is not to be focused on in comparison to the examples above. Yes, the Filipinos are truly a brave and gallant fighting man and such bloodshed happens when both Filipinos fight among each other due to religious ignorance.

The point of the original post is to hire a company that would perform COIN operations and train the Iraqi forces to conduct such COIN operation. Such company will hire Filipino Scout-Rangers for such an undertaking, properly paid, properly equiped, and under an uncorrupt leader, such an opearation will produce substantial results against the insurgents in Iraq.

Perhaps you missed the original rundown of the original post. Secondly, if you cannot provide any other solutions for such a problem in Iraq then I suggest that you think it over and come up with a better one.

You migh have friends who are Filipinos, do you have any close ties with those who served with the Scout-Rangers? Do you have ties with those who are in the AFP? There are many who are corrupt and trust me I know. If all where already corrupt then the fight for the Philippines could have been over decades ago. Ask yourself that question and tell me if I am blind or I am stating what the facts are.

 

[Mumbatik]

"Why not share with us more about the Filipino fight against insurgents?"

The examples that were posted in regards of actual combat and encounter against the rebels are the reply of your statement of sharing the Filipino's fight against insurgents.

Misguided pride? Hmm...If you are stating to be ashame of my blood and my roots or the ancestors who have fought against foreign invaders and the rebels to keep the country as one. Then no, I will not be ashamed of that. Every country has a flaw and none is perfect. That is the truth of the world. However, though there are flaws there are also something that the country's heritage and culture can bring pride from and that would be the post I made above. If your friends are not proud of their Filipino heritage, maybe you should ask if their clan ever took part for the benefit of the country, if not that then it is a shame for those who forget their past and their heritage will not have a future.

 

[Chino]

If you are stating to be ashame of my blood and my roots or the ancestors who have fought against foreign invaders and the rebels to keep the country as one.

You are being overly melodramatic.

Only an immature person like you cannot comprehend having pride in racial heritage but ashamed of corruption existing together without contradiction.

 

[Chino]

Yes, the Filipinos are truly a brave and gallant fighting man and such bloodshed happens when both Filipinos fight among each other due to religious ignorance.

So, too, are people of nearly every race. Care to name any one race or country known for cowardice? Every country have their equal share of heroes. It is not exclusive to Filipinos. Get over it.

...if you cannot provide any other solutions for such a problem in Iraq then I suggest that you think it over and come up with a better one.

I'll pass - it is beyond me - you can have the honour of coming up with a solution for Iraq. I'm sure President Bush will be all ears.

You migh have friends who are Filipinos, do you have any close ties with those who served with the Scout-Rangers? Do you have ties with those who are in the AFP? There are many who are corrupt and trust me I know. If all where already corrupt then the fight for the Philippines could have been over decades ago. Ask yourself that question and tell me if I am blind or I am stating what the facts are.

You mean you got to have "close ties" with the Scout Rangers to speak out against corruption????

In COIN military action goes hand-in-hand with governmental policies (as you yourself have said so in an earlier, more rational-sounding post). And there has so far been failure of both in the Philippines.

Everyone is happy for the victories AFP scored against the Tangos like killing the Jangjalani (sic?) guy. And there is a new AFP Commander-in-chief I believe. But let's see if things change or the old cronyism and corruption survives.

 

[Chino]

The Phillipinos were not the only troops sent into the hills etc to fight insugents in korea, many Btns from many nations did that, it was a way the troops who landed after the breakout, and inchon landings were sized up, most Btns were so needed they only spent a week or two chasing these people. Then they were promtly sent to the front. You mentioned that the Chinese arty in Korea was heavier than experianced in both world wars, mate maybe heavier than some "Western European" battles during WW2, but WW1 get real, when did the Chinese/NK Arty fire artillary hurricanes of the sort sent out esp in 1916, which didn't just last for hours on end they lasted for days on end

The PLA in Korea was mostly foot battalions and for the most part had only mortars. Can't remember about the NKPA but they should be better-equipped.

 

[lozza]

The PLA in Korea was mostly foot battalions and for the most part had only mortars. Can't remember about the NKPA but they should be better-equipped.

The Chinese were mainly foot btns yep, however they did as the war turned into stalemate bring in resonable amounts of arty.Quite a lot of the NK's arty and other heavy support was left behind along the lines of their major retreat after the Inchon landings. Just as the UN esp the USA left behind large amounts of heavy support weapons and other valuable equipment as they bugged out.
And the amount of arty both the Chinese and NK's had was limited compared to UN Divisional and Corps Arty.
While patrolling no mans land the UN could bring large amounts of arty, mortars, etc to bear. Yet as you say the chinese usualy only called on mortars of which they obviously had much. The Chinese seems to have primarily used their arty to bombard UN positions before their massed attacks.

 

[lozza]

The PLA in Korea was mostly foot battalions and for the most part had only mortars. Can't remember about the NKPA but they should be better-equipped.

The Chinese were mainly foot btns yep, however they did as the war turned into stalemate bring in resonable amounts of arty.Quite a lot of the NK's arty and other heavy support was left behind along the lines of their major retreat after the Inchon landings. Just as the UN esp the USA left behind large amounts of heavy support weapons and other valuable equipment as they bugged out.
And the amount of arty both the Chinese and NK's had was limited compared to UN Divisional and Corps Arty.
While patrolling no mans land the UN could bring large amounts of arty, mortars, etc to bear. Yet as you say the chinese usualy only called on mortars of which they obviously had much. The Chinese seems to have primarily used their arty to bombard UN positions before their massed attacks.

 

[Mumbatik]

Counter-Insurgency

So, too, are people of nearly every race. Care to name any one race or country known for cowardice? Every country have their equal share of heroes. It is not exclusive to Filipinos. Get over it.



I'll pass - it is beyond me - you can have the honour of coming up with a solution for Iraq. I'm sure President Bush will be all ears.

You mean you got to have "close ties" with the Scout Rangers to speak out against corruption????

In COIN military action goes hand-in-hand with governmental policies (as you yourself have said so in an earlier, more rational-sounding post). And there has so far been failure of both in the Philippines.

Everyone is happy for the victories AFP scored against the Tangos like killing the Jangjalani (sic?) guy. And there is a new AFP Commander-in-chief I believe. But let's see if things change or the old cronyism and corruption survives.

Thank you I do have that honor, as of last april there are needs for counter-insurgency advisors for Iraq.

Again read the thread again in regard of what I have written for this proposal. It is not the AFP to be deployed but a private company composed of those who have served the scout-rangers well equiped, well paid, and led by uncorrupt leader.

In regards of immaturity, compare your age to mine and I am only 27 and yet I have managed to own a company that deals and provide such services along with devicing a plan for the needs of the government in this conflict with terrorism.

 

[gf0012-aust]

Sorry folks. My tolerance metre just ran out.

Play nice or not at all. This kind of jousting is unproductive and just serves to degrade the quality of the thread.

Thread closed.