U.S. Common Sense

Many refer to Afghanistan as America’s forgotten war during the current war on terror, but the true forgotten war is in the Philippines. For years, advisors and US forces have been working with the Filipino military to battle Muslim extremists who are intent on conquering a few of the islands to establish an Islamic stronghold. The Filipino military have made many great achievements, but in a recent push, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has made some gains in the Southern Provinces of Cotabato and Maguindanao on the island of Mindanao.

In recent weeks, MILF has taken hold of small towns such as Tipo Tipo, occupying key government buildings to use as headquarters and to store supplies in advance of the Filipino army. These new strongholds and threats of support by another militant faction known as the New People’s Army (NPA) have prompted the Filipino government to consider a resolution to allow Shariah law to be the law of the land over a few of the islands, in essence creating a new safe-haven similar to the provided by the Taliban in Afghanistan before US liberation in 2001.

The Philippines is one of America’s closest allies, a relationship that is rooted in the Liberation, territorial control, and eventual independence following World War II. To allow the creation of a possible terrorist stronghold to be established in such a close ally as the Philippines would be a big setback for our international push to control and end terrorism around the globe. While the Arroyo government might go ahead with this plan, the hope is that she will decide against “splitting up” the nation through religious segregation.

Related articles:
The Wall Street Journal - “Gloria’s Terror Gambit”
Yahoo News - “Filipino troops press assault on Muslim rebels”
Mike in Manila (at large) - “Philippines War on Terror: Local boots + US Support leading to victories”
Philippine Star - “AFP-MILF clashes escalates in Cotabato”
USA Today - “In Philippines, U.S. making progress in war on terror”