US ambassador says GIs helped fight Zamboanga terror

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—The American ambassador to the Philippines admitted that US soldiers helped the Philippine military fight followers of Moro leader Nur Misuari, who launched a terror attack on the city in September last year.

American Ambassador Philip Goldberg, during Monday’s turnover of command at the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTFP) in this city, said US soldiers, however, did not take part in actual combat.

“During that period, the JSOTFP provided vital information, communication assets to help Philippine forces,” Goldberg said in a speech during the turnover ceremonies.

According to Goldberg, “constructive relationships” between military and civilian leaders helped in the arrest of more than 100 members of the Moro National Liberation Front faction loyal to Misuari.

Goldberg said US soldiers helped provide “situational awareness to our partners and also to the embassy.”

The ambassador, however, did not elaborate on how US soldiers helped in the fight against followers of Misuari.

Col. Robert McDowell, the outgoing JSOTFP commander, was replaced by Col. Erik Brown during the turnover ceremony.

In an interview, McDowell said it was “an opportunity to be a part of it (the fight against followers of Misuari), that was monumental.”

“It represented what we worked together for so many years. Shoulder to shoulder—that will make a difference,” the outgoing JSOTFP head said.

“To be a silent hero, it’s really quite an honor. It is the fact that I was able to be part of it and I will never forget it,” he added.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar said the American soldiers provided maps and built latrines at the height of the siege. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao