With great aplomb the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP, announced that one of its garrison in Sulu Province was attacked by a new Islamo-fascist organisation. Ominously we learned that "several foreigners" had been sighted in amongst the 150 guerillas who swarmed MBLT-10's 30th Company post in the municipality of Talipao's Barangay Kabungkol, on Jolo Island. When the smoke cleared some 4 hours after the shooting began thirteen bodies laid sprawled around the perimeter of the Marine compound. Of seven unidentified bodies there was one who didn't "look Filipino."
The new group we are told is "Team Awliya," or simply, "Awliya." In reality it was merely the usual ASG, or Abu Sayyaf Group combined with the usual gaggle of MNLF-Misuari via Kumander Ustadz Hatib Jakaria, closely allied with MNLF-Misuari Kumander Habier Malik whose main camp in Barangay Bitan-ag sits less than 2 kilometers from the Marine garrison in question. Malik is obsessed with Governmental infrastructual schemes recognising their dual use nature and their backing by the US Government. As the old adage tells us, "Insurgency begins where good roads end."
The attack in question took place on Sunday at 330AM on September 25th, 2011. With the Marines outnumbered nearly three to one the post was extremely vulnerable to being overun and captured. Indeed, the only thing that saved the post and most of its men was a bit of air support courtesy of a pair of MG520 helicopter gunships. Running low off of the ground and seemingly unconcerned about the danger posed by both RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) as well as by 90MM recoiless guns, the gunships pointed their own guns downward and swept the jungle clearing around MBLT-10's post.
When the smoke cleared the Marines had lost two men while the Abu Sayyaf, courtesy of the AFP's gunship, had lost at least 13 guerillas, with two villagers nearby having been killed by errand rounds as well. Usually AFP casualty counts need to be taken with a grain of salt. However, this time there were thirteen bodies laying in their blood and in grotesque countenances.
So what about Team Awliya? As noted, MNLF-Misuari Kumander Hatib Jakariya is attached to Kumander Ustadz Habier Malik who holds a deep loyalty to MNLF co-founder and Chairman Nur Misuari while not accepting the latter's political directives. When Misuari signed the 1996 Jakarta Agreement, a faux FPA or Final Peace Agreement, Malik went feral. Periodically Malik's large force lashes out against any nearby symbol of state authority.
Perhaps his most notable action was the audacious capture of retired Major General Mohammed Ben Dolorfino on February 2nd, 2007 when the latter entered Malik's camp under a flag of truce to hand over compensation for the AFP having "mistakenly" having killed several MNLF-Misuari guerillas. When Dolorfino and his entourage of 18 AFP and one very scared diplomat in way over his head attempted to leave Malik announced that they would be his guest until Nur Misuari, then under detention on Luzon, was allowed to attend an OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference, a Saudi-based entity that has served as the MNLF's most steadfast patron) meeting scheduled for April of that year.
In the end Malik was assured that Misuari would be allowed to go and so he released his 20 captives on February 5th. When the Government reneged in April of that year Malik led an assault against a Marine garrison in which two enlisted men were killed by 60MM mortar volleys. The AFP retaliated by deploying two brigades to capture Malik's camp in Barangay Bitan-ag but by the autumn of that year the OIC had twisted Manila's arm and so the AFP not only abandoned Malik's camp but also helped him transport men and equipment into it as he once again set up a state within a state (at least in his own mind). A good second as to Malik's most noteworthy acts would probably his killing of two American Special Forces soldiers in September of 2009, via IED (though it is never mentioned an AFP Marine was also killed when their Hummer was flipped by the blast).
As of late he has been taking potshots at AFP Engineer corpsmen who are working on a nearby bridge but a two story public school building has been eating at him.The objective in this attack is said to be MNLT-10s role as Security Escort to AFP Engineers working on that aforementioned public school. Compounding matters is the fact that America is funding the project. As noted Kumander Malik at least is steadfastly opposed to any and all Government initiatives.
Habier Malik's sub-Kumander, or second in charge, Ustadz Hatib Jakaria has co-opted a bit of Sufi theology in his quest to take a more active role in the island's insurgency. Team Awliya is his ballgame. Under Jakaria are, or rather WERE two sub-Kumanders:
1) Jawalibal Uhod
2) Sarip Jainal Kausi
Kausi however was one of the thirteen confirmed dead so that at least one important cog has been removed in what may have been a nascent faction.
Of the thirteen dead ASG, six have been identified:
1) Akman Badda
2) Bassar Abbur
3) Aksid Bassir
4) Innu Sadjari
5) Crispin Sadadji
6) sub-Kumander Salip Jainal Kausi
Seven others have been buried by Barangay Kabungol officials. The single civilian casualty was buried almost immediately according to Shari'a, or Islamic Law. The Marines, as noted, suffered two KIAs, or Kills in Action/
1) Corporal Rufino "Rufy" Fermin
2) Private First Class Richard Monte
In addition, 10 Marines were also wounded:
1) Second Lieutenant Arnel Arieta
2) Seargant Angelito Nier
3) Seargant Ricardo Necesario
4) Corporal Salvador Bausa
5) Corporal Juan Ibrando
6) Corporal Reysson Boriasa
7) Corporal Adrian Pis-an
8) Private First Class Roldan Bagares
9) Private First Class Eutiquio Nagales
10) Private Erven Dacumos
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