The military on Tuesday welcomed a reported plan by the US to be directly involved in ongoing operations against terrorists in Marawi City, but cautioned the Pentagon such a degree of involvement should first go through a process.
“We appreciate Pentagon’s reported desire to help the Philippines in the fight against Daesh-inspired Maute Group because terrorism is a global menace that the community of nations must unite to fight against,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo M. Año said.
“However, such proposition, if any, has to undergo a process. And a covenant must be had between the commanders in chief of both nations before that option may be adopted,” he added.
The top military chief reacted on Tuesday over reports by the US media that the Pentagon is considering conducting drone air strikes against members of the Maute-IS group still holed out in four barangays in Marawi.
Año said the air strikes remains a plan until it is officially communicated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially President Duterte.
“As reported in media, this is [just] a plan being considered. We at the AFP is yet to receive any formal notice or offer for such air capability deployment,” he said.
The chief of staff, however, noted that the US involvement in direct military operations in the country is not covered by the defense treaty with the Americans, unless Manila is attacked by another country.
“The existing Mutual Defense Treaty provides that only technical assistance and training may be allowed under the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board,” Año said. “Direct military actions may only be allowed during actual invasion of the Philippines by another state actor,” he added.
Meanwhile, the government is already mulling over at resuming classes at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi, following recommendations by local, school and even military officials.
Military officials, faculty members and other officials of the MSU met on Monday wherein security arrangements for the school and its date of opening of classes were discussed.
Classes at the MSU had been suspended since May 23 as a result of the rebellion in the city.
Aside from the school, officials were also considering opening establishments around the university, which were also shut down, still due to the rebellion.
“The Mindanao State University is the symbol and life of Marawi City. This is the bastion of knowledge and we will have to open classes the soonest,” Armed Forces Western Mindanao commander Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
“The opening of the university is a challenge, but we have to test the waters and come up with means to bring back the life of Marawi through the opening of this revered institution,” he added.
Legality
PARTY-LIST Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate of Bayan Muna has slammed the reported US plan to conduct supposed “antiterror air strikes” in Philippine territory, saying it constitutes “blatant trampling of our national sovereignty”.
The US plan to conduct drone strikes on Philippine soil apparently does not need the consent of Duterte, since what was deemed necessary by the Pentagon was its “legality” under US law.
By undertaking these extraterritorial forays, the US is invoking “collective self-defense” to justify the use of its MQ-9 Reaper drones and other unmanned aircraft to attack the Maute Group in Marawi City and other Moro armed group, as well.
In reaction, Fidel V. Agcaoili, chairman of the negotiating panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, said, “We condemn any such agreement to allow US to intervene militarily with air strikes and the use of drones.”
“Obviously, the US would want to turn the Philippines into another Yemen, or worse, Iraq or Syria, to justify outright stationing of bases and troops in its war posturing against China,” Agcaoili alleged.
Last month the vice chairman of the US joint chiefs endorsed the idea of naming the mission in the Philippines, saying it is needed to secure more funding.
“In every case where we see the resurgence of terror networks,” Gen. Paul Selva said in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, “particularly in the fragile areas of the southern Philippines, I think it’s worth considering whether or not we reinstate a named operation, not only to provide for the resources that are required, but to give the Pacific Command commander and the field commanders in the Philippines the kinds of authorities they need to work with indigenous Philippine forces to actually help them be successful in that battle space.”
With Marvyn N. Benaning
3 comments