2007 August Sulu clashes
6°29′51″N 122°7′7″E / 6.49750°N 122.11861°E
| 2007 August Sulu clashes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Islamic insurgency in the Philippines | |||||||
 Map of Sulu | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
|
 rogue MNLF members  Abu Sayyaf | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Col. Antonio Mark Supnet[4] |
Hatimil Hassan[1] Radullan Sahiron[5][6] Albader Parad Umbra Jumdail (Alias Dr. Abu) (WIA)[4] | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unspecified | 120[7] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
26-44 killed (10-13 in Maimbung) (1 killed in Parang) (15-30 in Indanan)[8] 17 wounded[9] |
27-31 killed (Philippine Army claim) 1 killed (confirmed)[1] | ||||||
The 2007 August Sulu clashes refers to the series of clashes and ambushes in Sulu from 7th to the 10th of August 2007, culminating on 9 August 2007, Between soldiers of the Philippine Army and Rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front under the command of Hatimil Hassan, aswell as Abu Sayyaf militants under the command of Radullan Sahiron and Albader Parad.[9][10][5] The casualties were incurred in multiple engagements involving the 33rd Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Maimbung ambush (10-13 soldiers killed) and a later pursuit operation near Indanan (15-30 soldiers killed),[8] with one soldier having been killed the previous day, bringing the total to 26-44 soldiers, 27-31 MNLF and Abu Sayyaf members were killed during the clashes according to Philippine Army, One body of a rebel was recovered or confirmed.[9][11][1][3] The clash was marked as one of the deadliest encounters between Philippine Government troops and Moro islamic militants during the Moro conflict.[12]
Background
According to military accounts, troops launched operations to pursue Abu Sayyaf fighters in Indanan. During the first encounter on 7 August, Marines engaged the militants on Mount Tubora[9]
On August 9, Members of the 33rd Infantry Battalion on board a military truck were on an 'administrative movement' when they were ambushed by an undetermined number of gunmen at about 7:45 a.m. Reports stated that the soldiers were on their way to buy groceries.[13][14][15][1][11]
Clash
On the 7th of August 2007, elements of the 3rd Marine Brigade encountered Abu Sayyaf fighters on Mount Tubora in Indanan, Sulu during combat operations. The firefight wounded 2 and killed 15 to 30 soldiers,[8] the militants withdrew into the mountainous terrain of the area. The encounter was marked as the start of the series of clashes that escalated over the following days.[3]
On August 8, 2007, two platoons of the 33rd Infantry Battalion engaged an unknown number of Abu Sayyaf militants in Upper Sampunay, Parang, Sulu, at around 6:30 a.m The gunfight left one soldier dead and five others wounded. Philippine Military officials initially reported no confirmed militant casualties. The clash occurred as troops continued its offensive operations against the Abu Sayyaf rebels in Sulu and preceded the Maimbung ambush the following morning.[16][15]
On August 9, 2007, soldiers of the 33rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army were traveling aboard a military truck near Maimbung, Jolo Island, Sulu, on a mission to purchase food and other provisions when they were ambushed at around 7:45 a.m. by numerous armed Moro militants. The attackers opened fire on the convoy, killing nine soldiers and wounding two others in a brief but intense engagement.
The assailants reportedly seized several M16 rifles and a military field radio before withdrawing. Reinforcements, including helicopters, were dispatched to evacuate the casualties and pursue the assailants.
Military officials later claimed that the ambush may have involved a force of Abu Sayyaf "bandits" and rogue members of the MNLF.[17][11][1][3][6][18]
Aftermath
Following the clash, the Philippines began launching "offensives" against Islamist insurgents of Abu Sayyaf as a response to the recent clashes.[19]
President Arroyo reportedly stated that she was "unimpressed" with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, due to heavy casualties being inflicted onto the Philippine Army by rebels over the past months, with the Incident being a few months after the killing and beheadings of over 11 Philippine army marines in Basilan Island, in July 10.[2]
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to review the military's operational policies after the Philippine Army's heavy losses in Sulu.[1]
The Armed Forces of the Philippines reinforced its forces in Sulu by sending another Army battalion to augment the 33rd Infantry Battalion after the heavy losses. Army officials stated that the battalion would be reconstituted before continuing operations against Abu Sayyaf militants.[9]
The military also continued operations against Abu Sayyaf and its allies. President Arroyo ordered Army commander Lieutenant General Romeo Tolentino to oversee operations in Western Mindanao, while the AFP pledged to continue pursuing the militants despite the casualties.[20]
In the following days, AFP chief General Hermogenes Esperon said the military was coordinating with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leadership to separate MNLF forces from Abu Sayyaf, allowing the Armed Forces of the Philippines to conduct targeted operations against the Abu Sayyaf group.[21]
A later U.S. Special Operations Forces study mentioned that during summer in the year 2008, Joint Task Force Comet and its U.S. counterpart were attempting to reduce Abu Sayyaf's influence on Sulu and restrict its access to local populations[22]
The KAWAGIB report in December 14 2007, reported that tens of thousands of civilians were displaced in 3 operations carried out by the Philippine army against forces under MNLF commander Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibun in the aftermath of the clash, three Marine brigades had been reportedly deployed to Sulu and Basilan since August 2007, with more than 10,000–12,000 troops deployed for an Operation carried out by the Philippine Army named "Oplan Ultimatum."[23]
The Incident carried out by members of the Abu Sayyaf group and MNLF rogues, was reportedly said to be "the heaviest fighting in Sulu since 2005" and "the largest number of casualties on a single day over the past few years."[24]
Army Colonel Mark Antonio Supnet identified that Abu Sayyaf commanders, Albader Parad and "Doctor Abu" were among the Moro extremist leaders involved in the clash.[25][26]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "31 ASG and 'rogue' MNLF, 26 soldiers killed in Sulu clashes". GMA News Online. August 10, 2007.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon to "review the military's policies" following a series of fierce firefights in Sulu that left 26 soldiers dead. Esperon said that Arroyo was "very concerned" with the heavy casualties and wanted the military to "look at some matters, including some policies in the operation."
- 1 2 "AFP brass unhappy with lapses after heavy losses". GMA News Online. August 13, 2007.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Hermogenes Esperon said that the recent clashes in Sulu and Basilan had resulted in 41 troops dead. When asked about the deployment of Army chief Lieutenant General Romeo Tolentino to Mindanao, Esperon said: "I can take it in that light, I can also take it in the light that she is very concerned about our troops." Regarding the battlefield losses, Esperon said: "I'd like to be very thorough about it. When people get ambushed, then it's a lapse and so those are tactical lapses at the level of company commanders or battalion commanders." He added: "If at all, I can say that all the ambuscades are my failure as Chief of Staff, everybody has to share it but the proper accountability must be established."
- 1 2 3 4 Jacinto, Al (11 August 2007). "Philippine Army Suffers Heavy Losses in Sulu Clashes". Arab News. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 Pareño, Roel (August 14, 2007). "Top Abu leader wounded". The Philippine Star.
- 1 2 Morea, James M. (2008). From Enduring Strife to Enduring Peace in the Philippines (PDF) (Report). U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Abu Sayyaf bandits kill 9 troops in Sulu ambush". GMA News Online. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Philippines says fighting on Jolo island left 57 dead". Taipei Times. Associated Press. August 11, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
Late in the afternoon, troops from the same battalion encountered about 120 Abu Sayyaf militants and rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front, a rebel group that signed a peace agreement with the government 11 years ago, Bacarro said.
- 1 2 3 Remollino, Alexander Martin (August 18, 2007). "Pursuit Operations in Sulu Trigger AFP-MNLF Clash". Bulatlat. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
On Aug. 8, MNLF men attacked government troops in Brgy. Lanut Balanjah, Maimbung in retaliation for the previous day's attack by soldiers. The AFP claimed 10 of its men were killed in the Maimbung encounter, while Hassan said their men were able to kill 13 soldiers in the same encounter. A separate encounter occurred in Brgy. Carawan, Indanan – in which 15–30 soldiers were reportedly killed.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Pareño, Roel (11 August 2007). "25 soldiers, 27 rebels dead in Sulu fighting". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
The 33rd Infantry Battalion would be reconsolidated and augmented by another Army battalion.
- ↑ East, Bob (2010). The Abu Sayyaf Group in the Southern Philippines (PDF) (Thesis). University of Southern Queensland. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "MNLF owns up to Sulu clash, blames military". GMA News Online. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Most violent encounters between gov't forces and rebels". Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 27, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
Aug. 9, 2007—26 soldiers were killed in clashes with Moro guerrillas in Sulu. The fatalities included 10 soldiers killed during an ambush in Maimbung while 15 more soldiers were killed in a separate gun battle hours later. The military said the attackers included Abu Sayyaf bandits and rogue elements within the MNLF.
- ↑ Jacinto, Al (10 August 2007). "9 Philippine Army Soldiers Slain in Jolo Ambush". Arab News. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ Alipala, Julie; Guinto, Joel (9 August 2007). "9 soldiers killed, 2 hurt after ambush by Abus in Sulu". INQUIRER.net (archived). Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 Pareño, Roel (10 August 2007). "9 soldiers killed in Sulu". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Four dead as 23,000 flee fighting in Mindanao". Agence France-Presse. The Philippine Star. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Government casualties in past battles". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 21, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
The military said the attackers included Abu Sayyaf bandits and rogue elements within the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
- ↑ Guinto, Joel (8 August 2007). "Soldier killed, 5 wounded in Sulu clash". INQUIRER.net (archived). Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Philippines Begins Offensive Against Islamic Insurgents". Voice of America. GlobalSecurity.org. August 14, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ "GMA orders Gen. Tolentino to Mindanao front lines". The Philippine Star. August 11, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered Philippine Army General Romeo Tolentino to head the military offensive against Muslim militants in Jolo.
- ↑ "MNLF Asked to Stand Aside as Philippine Troops Hunt Abu Sayyaf". Arab News. August 17, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
Esperon said army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino has been talking with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) asking the rebel group to contain its members to a single area to separate them from the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements.
- ↑ "OEF Philippines: Thinking COIN, Practicing FID". Irregular Warfare: A SOF Perspective (PDF) (Report). Center for Army Lessons Learned, U.S. Army. 2011. p. 66–68.
"During the summer of 2008, Joint Task Force Comet, a 2-star Philippine task force comprised mainly of Philippine Marines, and its U.S. counterpart, Task Force Sulu, were making great strides in reducing Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) influence and reducing its access to populations on the provincial capital island of Sulu." The report further states that "AFP Marine forces relentlessly pursued ASG/JI elements deep in their jungle redoubts" and that the combined Philippine and U.S. military efforts, together with the Philippine National Police and local government, increased security and reduced the freedom of movement of ASG/JI elements.
- ↑ "Moro Human Rights Violations 2007 Report". MindaNews. December 14, 2007.
Since August 2007, three marine brigades have been deployed to Sulu and Basilan." The report further states that "There are more than 10,000 to 12,000 troops deployed in Basilan and Sulu for Oplan Ultimatum." "More than 75,000 Moro civilians have been displaced in Basilan, Sulu and Midsayap, North Cotabato from January to November this year." The report states that "Sulu was the hardest hit" and records "a total of 58,500 persons displaced due to three military operations conducted by Task Force Comet ... against the forces of MNLF Sulu State Chairman Khaid Ajibun and MNLF leader Ustadz Habier Malik." It further states that "The military operations affected nine municipalities in Sulu this year.
- ↑ East, John (2013). Terror Truncated: The Decline of the Abu Sayyaf from the Crucial Year 2002. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 67.
The book describes the second week of August 2007 as involving "some of the heaviest fighting in Sulu since 2005" and states that "this time the MNLF members engaged the AFP."
- ↑ "Cable 08MANILA1399_a". U.S. Embassy Manila. 2008.
Parad was later implicated in the August 9, 2007, ambush and killing of 11 Philippine soldiers in Indanan. The armed encounters that followed left a total of 26 Philippine soldiers dead, the largest number of casualties on a single day during recent years, according to then-Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon.
- ↑ "Albader Parad". GMA News Online. 2009.
"On August 9, 2007, at least 19 soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded after Army troops clashed with suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists in Maimbung, Sulu." The report states that Army Colonel Mark Antonio Supnet identified Abu Sayyaf commanders Albader Parad and Doctor Abu as the reported leaders of the Moro extremists involved.