Imo, the best and only support we should give is to do the best we can to cut the flow of personnel, money and supplies from the jihadiscum support networks into that area.
The Filipinos are tough enough to clean out the jihadiscum infestation on their own. It’s their country. I vote to give them the respect of allowing them to save it themselves.
“Imo, the best and only support we should give is to do the best we can to cut the flow of personnel, money and supplies from the jihadiscum support networks into that area.”
We can do that by giving them 50 advanced patrol boats and 50 helicopters.
I agree. They learn not to SUBMIT, stand their ground and force them out.
Probably, but they haven't been doing it. In the late '70s, I was in the town of Zamboanga, even further south on Mindanao on a press trip for travel writers. Reporters in Manila were amazed that could go that far south, as they were not allowed anywhere near the place. Gorgeous, but we were guarded every minute by "tourist guides" who were clearly commandos.
The local mosque had "mysteriously" burned to the ground recently, the Filipino people were surprised to see Americans, the "Moros" were sullen but restrained. Only later did I realize what danger we were in. The Philippine islands trail off into the Sulu Archipelago toward Brunei where territorial disputes have been going on forever with muslims and the Sultan of Brunei and may never stop.
If you're interested, here's info on the Sultanate of Brunei:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultanate_of_Sulu