Posted on 06/14/2017 10:38:17 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
MARAWI, Philippines — American troops are on the ground in the embattled southern Philippine city of Marawi, where the Philippine military is battling Islamic State-linked militants for control, a Philippine military spokesman said on Wednesday.
The spokesman, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, said that the American forces were not engaged in combat, but his statement was the first official confirmation of the American military presence in Marawi.
Philippine and American officials have previously said that United States Special Operations forces were providing military assistance in the battle for the city, but American officials have not said from where, and Philippine officials had said there were no American military “boots on the ground” in Marawi.
American officials have framed the assistance as part of a long-term counterterrorism project, noting in a statement on Monday that the Special Forces troops had been “providing support and assistance in the southern Philippines for many years.”
On Wednesday, General Padilla said that some of those forces, who are usually based in Zamboanga City, had “been moved to help ground forces in Marawi.”
“They are in Marawi, but are not allowed to join combat,” he said.
He declined to say how many American troops were in Marawi, saying only that they were “very few.”
“They are also not engaged in battles, but in case their defenses are breached they are allowed to protect themselves,” he said. The Americans are carrying rifles, he said.
The American presence in Marawi is complicated, and not just because of the possibility that United States troops could get drawn into battle.
The Philippine Constitution prohibits the presence of foreign combat troops, and President Rodrigo Duterte, who has frequently sparred with the United States, a military ally, has threatened to eject American forces from his country.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Thank you, President Trump
“The Philippine Constitution prohibits the presence of foreign combat troops,”
Their constitution allows the presence of foreign combat troops.
Requires their senate to ratify a treaty.
The very opposite of the Arab Spring.
MI Ping
SOCOM Ping
Ping...
US military has been in the Philippines since before 1898
“The Philippine Constitution prohibits the presence of foreign combat troops,”’’’’Since 1971 that I know of, BS.
I thought Duterte kicked all the U.S. advisors out?
Yup, but not always while being shot at!
Troops in the Phillipines fighting Moros or Communists is almost like combatting a domestic invasion.
We had two major bases there until 1991. We left because they wanted a huge increase in rent. and because the repair to bases after Pinatubo would have been cost prohibitive. I was there in 1988 when the Communist assassinated five American GIs outside the gates at going home time. The day I was going to range outside the base, fortunately the SPs found the IED prior to our arrival on that road.
““The Philippine Constitution prohibits the presence of foreign combat troops,”’’’’Since 1971 that I know of, BS.”
Constitution ratified in 1987.
“US military has been in the Philippines since before 1898’
Constitution ratified in 1987.
American troops can’t join the battle unless they themselves are attacked.
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