Just an update on the Island I am on. Davao continues to be very safe. Here is what is going on 10-14 hours from where I am at http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nati...wi/story/. Even though government forces have taken 90% of the city back, 10% of the city remains heavily fortified with ISIS fighter who are both of foreign nationality and Filipino. There are thousand still trapped in the 10% of the city still occupied by the Maute terrorist group who tried to proclaim a caliphate.

In the midst of all of the heavy fighting, there are some stories of great courage. For example, a Muslim man protected and shielded some 70 Christians within the 10% ISIS-held area. The man taught them how to say Allahu Akbar and as they passed ISIS checkpoints, he told them they were all Muslim. Somehow as they journeyed to the safe area, the crowd grew to about 163 men, women, and children. Quite an amazing story http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/06/03/17/m...rawi-city.

Per the PNP there is no indication that the Resorts World Manila incident was related to the Marawi fighting, nor are there any indication or proof that it was an ISIS terrorist attack as ISIS tried to claim. Anyway, here is a video of the start to finish of the "robbery" at Resorts World Manila http://news.abs-cbn.com/%20News%20/%2006...a-assault. As you can see, it really was an unsuccesful robbery of a casino.

An update from Marawi..Marines captured 79 million Pesos from the Maute group while capturing a machine gun encampment. Will be interesting to see who has been financing them. 52 million is cash, the other 27 million are checks. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regi...?search_it

Here are pictures of the war ravaged city of Marawi https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?s...7835968911

Abu Sayyaf leader Hapilon no longer in Marawi –sources - See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nati...rYNP3.dpuf

If the source proves to be true, I would like to know how he was able to escape? It could have been through tunnels or maybe he slipped out during one of the evacuations. Regardless, this looks bad on the Philippine army.

Want to share this video so that many will know the seriousness of terrorist trying to claim a caliphate. This is a big reason Duterte claimed martial law on the Mindanao Island. Their ultimate goal is to take over Mindanao.

Video showing the Maute and Hapilon's plan to destabilize Marawi city and take it over to claim a caliphate. The video is in Filipino, but the explanation is in the article. The video was captured during the fighting against the Maute-ISIS. http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/06/0...-plot.html

Here is a video with news commentary, though the link above is free from news commentary. The video below is in English and Filipino.




Adding an article about ISIS plan to create a caliphate in Asia starting with the Philippines http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/8141...osul-raqqa

(06-03-2017 05:39 AM)hburg Wrote:  Just an update on the Island I am on. Davao continues to be very safe. Here is what is going on 10-14 hours from where I am at http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nati...wi/story/. Even though government forces have taken 90% of the city back, 10% of the city remains heavily fortified with ISIS fighter who are both of foreign nationality and Filipino. There are thousand still trapped in the 10% of the city still occupied by the Maute terrorist group who tried to proclaim a caliphate.

In the midst of all of the heavy fighting, there are some stories of great courage. For example, a Muslim man protected and shielded some 70 Christians within the 10% ISIS-held area. The man taught them how to say Allahu Akbar and as they passed ISIS checkpoints, he told them they were all Muslim. Somehow as they journeyed to the safe area, the crowd grew to about 163 men, women, and children. Quite an amazing story http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/06/03/17/m...rawi-city.

Per the PNP there is no indication that the Resorts World Manila incident was related to the Marawi fighting, nor are there any indication or proof that it was an ISIS terrorist attack as ISIS tried to claim. Anyway, here is a video of the start to finish of the "robbery" at Resorts World Manila http://news.abs-cbn.com/%20News%20/%2006...a-assault. As you can see, it really was an unsuccesful robbery of a casino.

That is crazy, stay safe.

More video of the Maute-ISIS group surveying/planning their take over. There are opposition politicians against everything the President does (sound familiar?) who filed with the supreme court here in the Philippines to remove Mindanao from martial law because they state there is no proof of rebellion or need for martial law. I believe the President of the Philippines is correct in calling for martial law due to this rebellious attempt to take over the city of Marawi and the island of Mindanao. There were/are fears that Duterte would use martial law to keep himself in power, but I do not see that. He loves the Philippines too much. Secondly, during Marcos martial law the Congress was suspended immediately once martial law was declared, Duterte never suspended the Congress. Third, during Marcos, there were many human rights violations, under Duterte's martial law, no human rights violations. If the SC rules in favor of the opposition, Duterte claims he will follow the ruling.

Maute group took reconnaissance video of Marawi City before attack
- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nati...80sQr.dpuf

Very heavy fighting since Friday morning (Thursday night for the east coast) that lasted more than 16 hours has claimed 13 Marines and 50 plus injured - The link and video within the article is in English http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/10/17/13...ensive-afp

Also this report of the USA special forces assisting the Philippine Army to end the fight in Marawi http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/10/17/us...rawi-siege

The good news is that the Maute brothers (the creator's of the ISIS-sponsored Maute group) have been killed in airstrikes in Marawi. Their parents have also been arrested because they were financing and aiding their sons. http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/10/17/mi...-firefight

The war against terrorism on the island, more specific Lanao, has intensified. A police convoy transporting member of the Maute group came under attack wounding the Maute members and a police officer. The transport was ambushed. http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/10/17/po...-5-wounded

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40231605 Has a couple of interesting videos within it. Unfortunately, with war and displaced residents, hunger and disease is starting to take hold with the refugees.

If you look at the reports in the other post, you cannot help but wonder how this terrorist group was able to build such strong defenses, have tunnels for movement, and the finances to buy the weaponry. Who supplied them and what politicians are supporting them?

Been praying for you since you let us know you are on the island and I'll continue praying until y'all are safe from this scourge.

Thanks, Kaplony, The military had hoped to finish the fighting in Marawi today, but I don't see that taking hold. There is another front that could be opening up soon, but not in Marawi, but with communist (NPA) who are upset with the martial law on the island. Last night they attacked military soldiers on the outskirts of Davao City (where I am at) and killed two soldiers and injured 6 others. They have peace talks in progress but these rebels are not abiding by the peace process. Anyway, we will see what happens. Here is the news article on the attack http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regi...ty/story/.

Today marks independence day for the Philippines...during a flag raising ceremony in Marawi, you can hear bombs being dropped on Maute targets http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/12/17/in...ombs-fall.

Echoing Kaplony's wishes for your safety, I hope this current purge is successful and as brief as possible. I have family and friends from Luzon and Mindanao, and it is tragic that the Southern Philippines is basically in a religious civil war, particularly in Mindanao and points south . Keep your head down and know that our family is praying for this to be resolved soon.

Indeed, hopefully the conflict will end soon.

ODUSmitty, my wife's family is from Maragusan (NPA controlled), Davao, Tagum, and Pagadian City (very close to the fighting).

Posted wrong story why the edit above...Islamic State calls for attacks in West, Russia, Middle East, including the Philippines during Ramadan - See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/worl...SBCb7.dpuf

An update: The Philippine Army renewed their offensive against the Maute in hopes to complete the offensive by the end of Ramadan. Initially, they stated they would have no more deadlines, however, there seems to be a sense of urgency to complete the job because of the possibility more terrorist and rebel groups joining the fight against the government forces after Ramadan. http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/20/17/ph...by-weekend

The battle in Marawi has so far claimed more than 300 lives. 257 terrorist, 62 government troops, and approx. 26 Civilians. There are hundreds missing, so expect the civilian death toll to rise due to the airstrikes and because Maute has been sniping at civilians and using them as shields.

I hope Duterte can knock these guys out.
We are planning on retiring in the PI in about 5 years.
We have a 25 acre farm south of Naga City, where will are going to build a house starting next year.
The PI needs to really destroy these thugs, as a message to the others who may come along in the future.
He needs to really increase the Coast Guard patrols to prevent an influx of supplies and people from Indonesia.

(06-20-2017 07:29 AM)TomorrowHerd Wrote:  I hope Duterte can knock these guys out.
We are planning on retiring in the PI in about 5 years.
We have a 25 acre farm south of Naga City, where will are going to build a house starting next year.
The PI needs to really destroy these thugs, as a message to the others who may come along in the future.
He needs to really increase the Coast Guard patrols to prevent an influx of supplies and people from Indonesia.

Cool. Do you have family there?

At the moment Luzon is quite safe, though there was a leaked memo that called for attacks against malls in Quezon City the memo has yet to be confirmed, the PNP chief did acknowledge it was an authentic memo.