Combined Arms, Joint, and Interagency Operations

During the Marawi crisis, our government forces utilized combined arms, joint, and interagency manner against the ISIS-Maute Terrorist Group. Units with different competencies, functions, and skills performed combined arms operations in an urban terrain. In the application of combined arms in Marawi City, we relied on the: synergy, synchronization, coordination, and integration of different maneuver, …

Soft Power Approach

Our application of the soft power approach during the crisis won the hearts and minds of the nation. It was manifested through the tremendous outpouring of support that we received from the affected communities and the general public. With the overwhelming support of the public, the legitimacy of our military operations against the ISIS-Maute Terrorist …

Information Operations

We were able to physically and psychologically contain the MBA in Marawi City. While our troops on the ground were providing the physical means to contain the battlefield, our use of Information Operations (IO) became vital in containing it psychologically. IO utilized both hard power and soft power approaches through different Information Related Capabilities (IRC). …

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

The Marawi crisis affected the displaced civilians physically, psychologically, emotionally, and socially. The people of Marawi City suffered a great loss – death and injury; damage to personal property, cultural and religious structures; loss of livelihood and income; and a disruption of business and education. They were also confronted by the appalling living conditions in …

Countering Violent Extremism

We envisioned CVE programs to foster a closer cooperation and exchange between us and actors in the fields of conflict management and prevention. COL FACUNDO PALAFOX IV, G7, PA provided us with his guidance, directives, and support in the conduct of our operations. We purposely engaged the youth sector as they are the most vulnerable …

Social Media Operations

Social media played a key role for our forces during the Marawi crisis. It was a new frontier that we engaged in. From the beginning of the crisis up to its end, social media was one of our tools that helped engage the public and win their support for the campaign against the ISIS-Maute Terrorist …

Civil-Military Operations Coordinating Center (CMOCC)

The CMOCC was our most innovative and effective CMO onsite initiative. It served as the medium where civilian stakeholders (civil society groups, media, private individuals and government organizations) were able to engage us on three fronts – information dissemination, continuous dialogue, and in the conduct of emergency activities. The CMOCC effort was headed by Lt …

Sustainment of Forces in Marawi

In every military battle, the most important component behind the scene is sustainment. Sustainment units ensured the availability of various supplies ranging from ammunition, force protection equipment, food, clothing, and other mission essential supplies and equipment for our operating units. It also ensured that our wounded were treated accordingly and machines and other equipment used …

Stories from the Frontline

Marawi City now sits in rubble, and an eerie quietness lingers on. The city’s muddied streets and bullet-riddled houses and buildings are proof of the existence of the intense and exhausting battles that were fought by our valiant troops against members of the ISIS-Maute Terrorist Group, who refused to surrender or release their hostages. We, …