War never been fought in our land

In the history of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as far as I can remember, there has never been a war fought in the country as intense as the five- month all-out war using AFP and Philippine National Police resources in Marawi.

Firstly, the failure of AFP/PNP intelligence. How can the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups generate such manpower and weapons to last them for five months? The tunnels and stockpiles of arms and ammunitions were unimaginable. The airstrikes, tanks, canons and howitzer were no match. The safety of the hostages of course were primary concern of our troops during the operations.

Secondly, the failure of the barangays to detect such buildup without their connivance. The firepower that the IS terrorists had was, of course, no match to the firepower of the AFP/PNP in the end.

Thirdly, the financier of the terrorists.

These are the three factors that contributed to the five-month siege that cost lives and billions of pesos to suppress an isolated war never been fought in our land. It is said and I quote: “To the victors belong the spoils of war.”

To all those who died in defense of our country, heartfelt condolence. May their families take pride that their loved ones died in defense of our country so that peace may reign. I salute you.

JOEL R. HINLO, retired brigadier general, AFP, [email protected]