Russian military donations to AFP

From Russia with love 

Russia donates 5,000 kalashnikov AKM assault rifles, 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose, off road trucks, 5,000 Ssh-68 steel helmets, and 1 million rounds of 7.62x39 mm ammunition, to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The AKM assault rifles, and the Ssh-68 steel helmets

The AKM is a modernized variant of the AK-47 chambered in 7.62x39 mm Russian round, Russia also donated 5,000 Ssh-68 steel helmets to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which is uncomfortable to use, and it is already obsolete when compared to modern day 21st century helmets.

URAL trucks

Russia also donated 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose, off road trucks to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Russian/Soviet Ural trucks are known as the back bone of the USSR armed forces during the cold war, in the present time the Ural trucks could now be converted into different variants depending on the needs of the Russian armed forces, the trucks are still currently in use by the Russian armed forces.

Analysis

Like what happened to the donated assault rifles of China, the donated assault rifles, and trucks of Russia might be donated to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well, the Philippine National Police (PNP) unlike the armed forces is a law enforcement agency, and being civilian in nature their doctrines, principles, training, and how they conduct daily operations are somehow not similar with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

If the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) choose to keep the donated assault rifles of Russia, it is quite interesting to know who would be the end user of these donated assault rifles, the donated AKM would seem to be a major logistical disaster, that is because it would affect military principles, and doctrines, would be changed or be modified once again that is because of the introduction of the 7.62x39 mm Russian rounds. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) standard assault rifle is the M4A1 that uses 5.56x45 mm rounds, the M16 assault rifles that also uses 5.56x45 are used by the reservists. 

If the Armed Forces of the Philippines choose to keep the donated assault rifles, the good news is, the Government Arsenal could mass produce 7.62x39 mm rounds, once they are required to do so by the Department of National Defense for the logistical sufficiency of our 7.62x39 rounds.

The 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose off road trucks, could be donated to the Philippine National Police, if the armed forces is the end user of the 20 Ural then it might end with specialized units such as the nurse/medical corps, engineering brigades, and similar smaller units within the Armed Forces of the Philippines that is because of its limited numbers.

The donation might open a door to a deeper, and better Philippine-Russian relations, although the intention of the Russian donation is to counter terrorism within the Philippines. 

Some Filipinos interpret it as a teaser or just a mere sample for Russian military hardware, at the same time viewed as an military investment of Russia in the Philippines for its bid, and business interests on the ongoing AFP modernization programs. While some Filipinos view the donation, as a donation of Russian stockpiled Cold War era junk. 

"Beggars can't be choosers"

Click the link for the report: We'll buy arms from Russia, Philippines' Duterte tells Putin

“We are looking at helicopters, small arms and equipment for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, but we are still discussing the specifics,” said the same military official who declined to be named because he was not authorized to talk to the press.

 “We still prefer U.S. and Western equipment but they are very expensive. If the Russians and Chinese equipment can be comparable in quality, then they can be excellent alternatives.”

Q&A

Tell us what do you think about the Russian donation on the comments; and

Is the Russian donation useful for the Armed Forces of the Philippines?         

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Comparing the AS-211 Warrior and the FA-50 Eagle; Analysis

This is my article about the FA-50 Eagle, and the AS-211 Warrior of the Philippine Air Force, along with some minor editorials, and corrections.

FA-50, credit to http://www.koreaaero.com

So let us first understand the purpose and roles of the AS-211, and the FA-50 in the Philippine Air Force,

"SIAI-Marchetti S-211 jet trainers were first delivered to the Philippine Air Force during the late 1980s and early 1990s. These aircraft served in a training role with a secondary attack function during the 1990s and into the 2000s. These aircraft were locally referred to as AS-211s and nicknamed "Warriors." In 1997 SIAI-Marchetti was acquired by Aermacchi, who continued to work the Philippine Air Force in relation to its AS-211 fleet (globalsecurity.org)."

"The squadron of 12 FA-50s from SouthKorea was acquired by the previous Aquino administration for P18 billion, one of two big-ticket items in the country's modest military modernization program." "The FA-50 is technically a fighter trainer but the PAF acquired it to perform multiple roles. The aircraft were acquired by the previous administration to boost the country's defenses in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) given China's aggressiveness in claiming maritime territories there." "The acquisition of the FA-50s marked the PAF's return to the supersonic age a decade after retiring the last of its US-made F5 fighter jets in 2005 (rappler.com)."

HISTORY

Let us look upon the history of both aircraft in the Philippine Air Force, and to clear confusions to the roles of the Aermacchi AS-211 Warrior which according to the manufacturer is a Basic Jet Trainer/Light Strike Aircraft while the KAI FA-50 Eagle according to Korean Aerospace Industry (KAI) is originally a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) based on the Advance Jet Trainer platform the T-50 Eagle, the FA-50 was acquired for, and is intended to perform Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) as well as Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) functions.

"Subsequently, in March 2014 the PAF signed contracts that included the purchase of the 12 FA-50PHs. In addition, a requirement to install advanced radar systems and accompanying medium-range air-to-air missiles on three or four aircraft was revealed. This will bestow beyond-visual-range capability and enable the PAF to undertake 'long-range interceptions (janes.com)."

Why did the Philippine Air Force converted their Aermacchi S-211 into a jet fighter trainer known as the AS-211 code named "Warrior", the answer is simple;

"With the final retirement of the F-5 fleet in October 2005, the AS-211s filled their role in the external Philippine air defense mission. Air Force officials stated that the arrangement was merely a stop gap measure (globalsecurity.org)."

The AS-211 Warriors were used in Interception, as well as in the Counter Insurgency (COIN) operations of the Philippine Government, the Philippine Air Force are forced to do so because of the lack of air assets of the Philippine Air Force during those times.

Operators of the T-50 Trainer variants, credit to http://www.koreaaero.com

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New 155 mm howitzers of the Philippine Army, and Marines

The Philippine Army

"The M101 remained a fixture across Southeast Asia where it was continuously employed by the militaries of the Philippines, xxx. The Philippine Army in particular never let go of its Vietnam-vintage M101’s in its long battle against restive Muslims in Mindanao." "The M101’s career is far from over. It remains in the arsenals of at least a half dozen Latin American countries and is found throughout Asia. Whether marking a national holiday with a salvo or pounding terrorist camps in the Southern Philippines the M101 hasn’t become redundant. With its literal impact on modern history it is apparent the roar of the M101’s thunder will echo for years to come (http://www.military-today.com/artillery/m101.htm)."

The Philippine Army primarily uses 105 mm howitzers, the standard howitzers of the Philippine army are the M101 105 mm howitzer, a WW II howitzer of the United States of America first known as the M2 105 mm howitzer, the M2 105 mm howitzer was later on re-named after WW II, the howitzer is then made available for re-production after the war, and has been sold to allied customers throughout the world. 

The Philippine Army also has some 155 mm howitzers but they barely use it on actual military operations, and they are not the newly acquired 155 mm Soltam howitzers, the 105 mm is not a bad gun, but the thing is it is not as powerful as compared to the 155 mm howitzer. 

That is because a 155 mm howitzer has more power and it has a longer range as compared to a 105 mm howitzer, for that reason alone the Philippine Army could already fire artillery barrages to enemy forces that are positioned two times farther.

The additional fire power and range, is a changing factor in the war zone/battlefield, I am glad, and proud that our armed forces acquired the Soltam 155 mm howitzers, the camouflage patterms is also unique.

 Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/Towed 39CAL howitzers, MaxDefense Philippine

The Philippine Marines

The Philippine Marines will also receive their own 155 mm Soltam howitzers, in fact the marines already received their 155 mm Soltam and it is already deployed at Marawi to help in the fight against the Maute Group, according to a AFP Modernization Today member, the marines did operate some 155 mm howitzers once in the past, some were donated by the US armed forces to the Philippine Marines. The said howitzers are placed at a base at Luzon, possibly for storage, and display or for the war museum of the armed forces of the Philippines. 

The primary operators of howitzers in the country are the Philippine Army only, that is the reason why we could not really tell that the Philippine Marines did operate any howitzers, however the Philippine marines uses mortars for artillery support, but all of that are about to change, because of the new 155 mm Soltam howitzers acquisition of the Philippine Marines. The gun is an added fire power for the marines, it is a good choice by choosing the Soltam 155 mm howitzers.

 Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/Towed 39CAL howitzers, .gmanetwork.com
Here you could spot a Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/Towed 39CAL howitzers that is already deployed at Marawi to help fight off terrorists and rebels, according to GMA news, the link to the said report is at the pictures' caption.

Here is the basic specification of the Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/Towed 39CAL howitzers;

Main weapon caliber (mm)	155
Barrel length (calibres)	39
Weight (kg)	9200
Length (mm)	7500
Width (mm)	2580
Height (mm)	2115
Ground clearance (mm)	380
Track (mm)	2200
Elevation (degree)	52
Depression (degree)	-3
Track (mm)	84
Rate of fire (rds/min)	5
Firing range (m)	23500
Crew	8

"The Soltam Systems towed 155 mm M-71 gun-howitzer is a further development of the Soltam Systems towed 155 mm M-68 gun-howitzer and uses the same recoil system, breech and carriage. The first prototype was completed in 1974 and first production units the following year. The main differences between the M-71 and the M-68 are that the former has a longer 155 mm/39 calibre barrel and is fitted with a rammer driven by compressed air. This permits rapid loading at all angles of elevation. The rechargeable cylinder for the M-71 is mounted on the right trail. The barrel has 48 grooves, length of rifling is 5.038 m, width of groove 6.6 mm, width of land 3.5 mm and depth of groove is 1.2 mm." 

"Soltam systems is now concentrating its marketing on the latest 155 mm TIG 2000 artillery system which is available with a 39, 45 or 52 calibre ordnance. Details of this system, which is understood to have been developed for the export market, are given in a separate entry. Details of recent Israeli 155 mm artillery exports through 2006 are provided in the entry for the Soltam Systems 155 mm TIG gun-howitzer family." 

The howitzers have already been tested at the 2017 Marawi seige at the Philippines. The Philippine-United States of America military exercises will help develop, and improve the skills of the Philippine soldiers on handling this type of weapons, the Philippine Armed Forces already did train with the most modern 155 howitzer in the world and that is the M777 155 mm howitzers of the US armed forces, although it would be better if both forces would train on the M71 soltam 155 mm howitzers next year at 2018, that is because such military exercises will improve further the skills of the Filipino artillery men, and soldiers on how to operate such devastating weapon. The acquisition of the M71 Soltam 155 mm howitzers is a moral boosters for the Philippine Army, and Philippine Marines, we are exited to see the M71 Soltam 155 mm howitzers of the Philippine Army, and of the Philippine Marines get tested during live military exercises.

Here is the report about the 155 mm howitzer acquisition of both the Philippine Army, and Philippine Marines, click the link for the report.

Philippine military gets 3 brand-new 155-mm howitzers, 9 more en route 

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Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA) Acquisition

The EMB-314 Super Tucano was developed from the Tucano trainer, operational in the air forces of 15 countries. www.airforce-technology.com

Finally! After several failed bidding our Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA) acquisition project, do finally have a sole (possible) contender, after the last two remaining contenders failed the bidding process for the said acquisition project, and after the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano was declared as the lowest bidder that makes the Embraer's EMB 314 Super Tucano as the winning bidder for our Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA) acquisition project. Congrats to the Philippine Air Force!

The EMB 314 Super Tucano would replace our aging fleets of Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA) like the OV10 and the SF-260 in due time, that is why the Department of National Defense (DND), and the government acquire six brand new Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA), I am glad that the Philippine Air Force is adopting into the 21st century by acquiring those brand new, modern, and sophisticated Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA), because if we compare the cabin of the EMB 314 Super Tucano to our current fleet of Close Air Support Aircraft (CASA), you could be able to spot the big difference.

Here is the specifications of the Embraer's EMB 314 Super Tucano Close Air Support Aircraft; 

Cockpit

"The all-glass cockpit is fully night vision goggle compatible. Brazilian AF ALX aircraft are equipped with avionics systems from Elbit Systems of Haifa, Israel, including a head-up display (HUD), advanced mission computer, navigation system and two 6in x 8in colour liquid crystal multi-function displays." www.airforce-technology.com 

"The head-up display with 24° field of view and the advanced weapon delivery system are integrated through a MIL-STD-1553B data bus. The pilot is provided with a hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) control. The pilot is protected with Kevlar armour and provided with a zero/zero ejection seat. The clamshell canopy, hinged at the front and rear and electrically activated, is fitted with a de-icing system and features a windshield capable of withstanding, at 300kt, the impact of a 4lb bird. A Northrop Grumman onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS) is installed." www.airforce-technology.com

Weapons

"The aircraft is fitted with two central mission computers. The integrated weapon system includes software for weapon aiming, weapon management, mission planning and mission rehearsal. On board recording is used for post mission analysis. The aircraft has five hardpoints for carrying weapons, and is capable of carrying a maximum external load of 1,500kg. The aircraft is armed with two wing-mounted 12.7mm machine guns with a rate of fire of 1,100 rounds a minute and is capable of carrying general-purpose bombs and guided air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles." www.airforce-technology.com

"The SAFIRE thermal imaging system supplied by FLIR Systems is for targeting, navigation and target tracking. The system allows the aircraft to carry out night surveillance and attack missions. In July 2012, Embraer and Boeing signed a cooperation agreement to add new weapons integration capacity on the A-29 Super Tucano to satisfy the requirements of the US Air Force LAS programme". www.airforce-technology.com 

Super Tucano in pole position to meet Philippine AiForce requirement

"The Philippine Air Force’s (PAF’s) longstanding requirement to procure a new close-air support (CAS) aircraft has finally progressed, with the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano having been selected by the Department of National Defense (DND) as the programme’s single lowest bidder."www.janes.com

"Speaking to Jane’s on 16 June, Arsenio Andolong, the DND’s chief of public affairs, said the Super Tucano was recently selected ahead of another unidentified platform. “There were two bidders,” he said, “and after going through the process as mandated by law, Embraer was declared the ‘lowest calculated bidder’.” "He said the bid now proceeds to the next phase, which is post-qualification evaluation." www.janes.com 

Watch a video about the Embraer's EMB 314 Super Tucano Close Air Support Aircraft.

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The Russian Federation offered helicopters, naval equipment and small arms to the Philippines

(c)

Moscow. 24 May. INTERFAX.RU - Russia held a presentation for the Philippines of helicopters, naval equipment and small arms, Interfax was told on Wednesday by the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) of Russia.

"It's premature to talk about deliveries of specific types of weapons and military equipment, we are waiting for official appeals from the Philippine side," said Maria Vorobyeva, the official representative of the Federal Arbitration Service of Russia.

She stated that the presentation of the Kalashnikov concern products, Mi-17V-5, Mi-171Sh, Mi-35 helicopters, high-speed boats, coast guard systems and other military products was held on the Philippine side.

The FSMTC said that it was a matter of military equipment and weapons, which would help the Philippines to increase the effectiveness of the fight against terrorism and piracy.

"We are discussing the issue of the formation of the legal framework for Russian-Philippine military-technical cooperation," Vorobyova said.

"The Russian Federation, in response to the interest of the leadership of the Republic of the Philippines in the development of military-technical cooperation, expresses its readiness for further discussion of the parameters of mutually beneficial partnership relations in this area," the FSMTC representative said.


Translated from Interfax.ru using Google Translate

SOURCE:Interfax

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"Rafael Typhoon Spike ER MLS - Non Firing Display Unit was presented to President Rodrigo Duterte aboard the BRP Davao Del Sur during the Philippine Navy's 119th Anniversary.

Actual Firing Unit will be delivered at 4th Quater of 2017 and will be installed on Multi Purpose Attack Craft Mark 3( MPAC Mk3 ).

Spike ER is an Anti Tank Missile with 8km range and will be used by the Navy as an Anti Surface weapon.

Spike ER Missile will be the very first missile to be used by the Navy and second by the AFP after the old AIM-9B Sidewinder Missile

Photo Credits to the Owner." -Admin One Skies

Rafael Typhoon Spike ER MLS, (C)

According to MaxDefense Philippines, a .50 cal Remote Controlled Weapons System machine gun will be armed to the Multi Purpose Attack Craft MK III of the Philippine Navy along with the Rafael Typhoon Spike ER MLS that fires Anti-Tank Missiles (Surface to Surface Missiles) that the Philippine Navy will use as a Anti-Ship Missile (ASM-ASW). 

The Multi Purpose Attack Craft MK III (Missile Firing Fast Attack Craft) will be used as a armed escort of the troop transport variant the MPAC MK I and the MPAC MK II. 

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Navy's Strategic Sea Lift Vessel (SSV) in Action

The Strategic Sea Lift Vessel of the Philippine Navy delivered logistical support and supplies to Marawi city the city was previously besieged by members of the Maute Group. The picture below shows the Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) of the Philippine Army (Belgian M113A2 but were used by the US armed forces and was later on donated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines) armed with .50 cal Remote Controlled Weapons Systems, .50 cal Machine Guns, and 25 mm Cannons.

M113A2 armed with .50 caliber machine gun, VJDefense.com

M113A2 armed with 25 mm cannon. VJDefense.com

M113A2 armed with .50 caliber machine gun, VJDefense.com

Here are some of the pictures of the M113A2 of the Philippine Army that were sent into battle at Marawi.

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PAF: Final batch of 2 training aircraft from S. Korea to arrive at Clark Airbase

JET AGE – One of two FA-50H fighter jets is shown parked at the tarmac of the Clark Freeport runway after delivery by South Korea’s Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI).  (Jonas Reyes | Manila Bulletin File Photo)

Finally, the FA-50 acquisition is already a done deal! If we could remember President Duterte last year said that the FA-50 is a "pang ceremonial flyby only", but thankfully the President changed his views regarding our jet fighter(s)/trainer(s) which is the FA-50.

According to the Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines the FA-50 is a Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT)/Surface Attack Aircraft (SAA)/Trainer/Fighter, primarily we acquired the FA-50 as a LIFT but because it is the FA-50 the Light Combat Aircraft variant technically speaking it could function as a Light Combat Aircraft/Light Multi-Role Fighter therefore it will be used as one by the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The President also showed interest in acquiring additional 12 FA-50 LCA from South Korea, hopefully making our FA-50 fleet 24 or two squadrons after the term of President Duterte.

Our real goal in acquiring the FA-50 is to prepare our pilots for our Multi-Role Fighter acquisition (Jas-39, F-16, F-18, and the like) it is suppose to be the TA-50 (a dedicated LIFT) but because we lack jet fighters during the term of Ex-President Aquino the Aquino administration decided to acquire the FA-50 instead as a dual bladed sword jet fighter/trainer acquisition through a government to government deal along with the government of South Korea and the manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industry (KAI).

The FA-50 aircraft can carry a weapons load of up to 4.5 tons. The aircraft can be armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missiles (AGM), GBU-38/B Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), CBU-105 Sensor Fused Weapon (SFW), Mk-82 Low Drag General Purpose (LDGP) bombs and Cluster Bomb Units (CBUs). www.airforce-technology

The aircraft is also mounted with an internal, three-barrel 20mm Gatling gun and LAU-3/A 19-tube 2.75" rocket launcher for firing Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR). The wide range of weapon systems aboard the FA-50 allows it to counter multiple threats in today's complex battlefield scenario. www.airforce-technology.com       

"The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the final batch of two FA-50PH training aircraft from South Korea will arrive at Clark Airbase, Pampanga on Wednesday.

Air Force spokesman Col. Antonio Francisco, said the final batch of FA-50PH Fighter/Surface Attack/Lead-in Fighters Training Aircraft with tail numbers 011 and 012 from South Korea will arrive before noon at the Haribon Hangar, Air Force City, Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

Francisco said the commander of the Air Logistics Command, Maj. Gen. Arnold A. Mancita, will be the guest of honor during the turnover ceremony.

Francisco said the blessing of the said aircraft will immediately follow.

Francisco said the final batch of the FA-50PH training aircraft will be brought into the country by pilots from the Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI).

The first batch of supersonic jets arrived in the country on November 28, 2015.

Francisco said the arrival of the planes is expected to further strengthen or boost the PAF’s air capabilities, including the training of their personnel.

“The planes will also help boost the training capabilities of our pilots, it will also be used for training purposes so that our pilots will acquire more skills in flying fighter jets or supersonic jets,” he said.

This arrival of the planes is part of the PAF’s purchase of 12 fighter jets worth P18.9 billion from Korea Aerospace Industries.

The PAF said the FA-50 PH has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one-and-a-half times the speed of sound and is capable to be fitted with air-to-air missiles.

The missiles include the AIM-9 “Sidewinder” air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles."

Source: mb.com

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Philippine Air Force : FA-50

                         

Introduced in 2005. 

Its mission Lead In Fighter Trainer it is acquired to train, and prepare Philippine Air Force 

pilots to fly super sonic jet fighters/aircraft at the same time it could function as a Light 

Combat Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force. 

The FA-50 has a maximum speed of mach 1.5.

On March 2014, the Department of National Defense signed a contract for 12 FA-50, worth 

18.9 billion pesos, the FA-50 was acquired through Government to Government 

transaction along with the government of South Korea. 

For more information about the FA-50 and other newly acquired assets of the AFP, like our official FB page: Philippine Military Analysis and Updates.

FA-50 PH, (C)

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‘Guided rockets’ used during op targeting ISIS-linked militants in besieged Philippines city

Smoke rises in the residential neighbourhood of Marawi City in southern Philippines May 27, 2017 © Erik De Castro / Reuters

Philippines military helicopters fired guided rockets at positions of an Islamist rebel group in the besieged southern city of Marawi, apparently marking the first time the government has resorted to heavy firepower, Reuters reports.

The operation comes as the city enters the fifth day of a siege by government forces.

“We are trying to use our maximum force,” Reuters quoted Mindanao Command Chief Major General Carlito Galvez as saying.

“The main purpose of the offensive is to suppress the lawlessness and to maintain normalcy in Marawi so that our people here, our countrymen, can return, especially by Ramadan,” he said, adding that he hopes the city would be cleared within three days. 

Since Tuesday, Philippines armed forces have been clashing with the local Maute group affiliated with Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), which has taken over large parts of Marawi on the island of Mindanao. The fighting erupted after a raid on the alleged hideout of Isnilon Hapilon, a head of Abu Sayyaf, another rebel group on Mindanao. In 2014, Hapilon pledged allegiance to ISIS.

“It is painful for the Maranao [name used for Mindanao residents] that it is Ramadan but our action now is to protect Marawi. These are the impacts of the local terrorist group’s actions,” military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera said, DW reports.

IS’ Amaq news agency reported that its militants were responsible for the unrest in Marawi.

“I saw them near the highway. I saw ISIS there. I could tell because they wore black headbands with the ISIS signs,” Reuters cited a man named Musa, who was fleeing Marawi, as saying.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law for 60 days on the Philippines’ second-largest island, Mindanao, home to a Muslim minority.

The president has previously warned that he would not hesitate to extend martial law throughout the whole nation if necessary.

In a bid to retake Marawi, government troops neutralized at least 41 Maute fighters, including militants of Malaysian and Indonesian origin, according to a military spokesman, as cited by Reuters. On the government side, 13 soldiers have been killed, with 45 wounded.

Officials fear losses among civilians, AP reports. Up to 90 percent of Marawi’s population of 200,000 has fled, while those left in the city wave white flags to signal they are not militants.

“[The rebels’] refusal to surrender is holding the city captive. Hence, it is now increasingly becoming necessary to use more surgical airstrikes to clear the city and to bring this rebellion to a quicker end,” AP quoted a military statement as saying.

On Friday, President Duterte urged the militants to start negotiations, saying that they could “still solve this through dialogue.”

“And if you cannot be convinced to stop fighting, so be it. Let’s just fight,” he said.

SOURCE: RT News

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Philippines needs modern weapons vs ISIS, Duterte tells Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. Maxim Shemetov, Reuters

MOSCOW - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told Russian leader Vladimir Putin that the Philippines needs modern arms to fight Islamic State and that he expected Russian support.

Duterte also said he had to halt his visit to Moscow and return home as there was still fighting with ISIS's militants there.

Putin said he hoped the conflict in the Philippines would be resolved "with minimum losses". He also said there were the prospects for economic and military cooperation between Moscow and Manila. 

Putin met Rodrigo Duterte late Tuesday, instead of meeting on Thursday as originally planned.

Duterte earlier declared martial law in southern Mindanao province after fighting raged in southern Marawi City between the army and militants linked to Islamic state. 

Duterte, a native of Mindanao, cancelled a meeting set for Wednesday with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. 

Two soldiers and a policeman were killed and 12 wounded amid chaos in Marawi, a predominantly Muslim city of about 200,000 people, where members of the Maute militant group took control of buildings and set fire to a school, a church and a detention facility.

"The government is in full control of the situation and is fully aware that the Maute/ISIS and similar groups have the capability, though limited, to disturb the peace," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told a news conference in Moscow.

The Maute and Abu Sayyaf militant groups have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, also known as ISIS, and have proved fierce opponents for the military as Duterte seeks to crush extremists and prevent radical Islamist ideology from spreading in the Philippines.

Abella said the militants "have shown no hesitation in causing havoc, taking innocent lives and destroying property."

Duterte has warned repeatedly that Mindanao, an impoverished, restive region the size of South Korea, was at risk of "contamination" by Islamic State fighters driven out of Iraq and Syria.

Brigadier General Rolando Bautista, commander of the Philippines' First Infantry Division, said security forces were trying to locate militants who had scattered everywhere and were blocking reinforcements from arriving.

"There are more or less 100, divided into groups of 10 in different locations," Bautista told news channel ANC.

"Since they are advocating ISIS ideology they have to show ISIS that they are a force to be reckoned with."

MAUTE SNIPERS

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said and some 1,000 soldiers would be in Marawi by morning, but warned civilians to stay in their homes.

"There are Maute snipers all around, so the troops are still holding and elements have already joined," he said.

The purpose of Tuesday's raid was to capture Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group which is notorious for piracy and for kidnapping and beheading Westerners. The U.S. State Department has offered a bounty of up to $5 million for Hapilon's arrest.

The military has not explained how the raid on an apartment turned into urban warfare that was still raging 12 hours later.

The incident highlights the challenges facing Duterte, who has pleaded with separatists and moderate Muslims in the predominantly Catholic nation to shun Abu Sayyaf and Maute.

He has threatened several times to declare martial law in Mindanano, and deliver a "harsh" crackdown. Martial law will apply for 60 days.

The government has blamed the Maute for a bombing in September 2016 at a street market in Duterte's hometown of Davao City, which killed 14 people and wounded dozens.

Maute fighters took over a disused building in the region in November and endured five days of military air and ground assaults before fleeing, with 61 fighters killed. - with a report from Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN News

SOURCE: ABS CBN News

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