View source for Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines

{{Short description|Military operation}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] – Philippines
| partof            = the [[Civil conflict in the Philippines|Philippine civil conflict]], [[Islamic terrorism]] and global [[war on terror]]
| image             = File:Bombing on Marawi City.jpg
| image_size        = 350px
| caption           = The [[Siege of Marawi|Marawi Siege]] of 2017.
| date              = 15 January 2002<ref name="SOF News">{{cite news|url=https://sof.news/video/gsof-socpac-jtf510/\|title=Video – SOCPAC JTF 510 in the Philippines – GSOF|date=April 9, 2021|newspaper=SOF News}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>  – [[Battle of Marawi|23 October 2017]]<ref name=JSOTF-P>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2015/02/27/u-s-officially-ends-special-operations-task-force-in-the-philippines-some-advisors-may-remain|title=U.S. Officially Ends Special Operations Task Force in the Philippines, Some Advisors May Remain|date=27 February 2015}}</ref>
| place             = [[Mindanao]], [[Philippines]]
| notes             = '''Causes: '''[[Moro conflict|Moro Rebellion]] and [[September 11 attacks|9/11 Attacks]]
| status            = [[Mutual Defense Treaty (United States–Philippines)|Philippine&ndash;American]] victory
*Substantial reduction in capabilities of domestic and transnational terrorist groups operating in the [[Philippines]]<ref name="JSOTF-P" />
* [[Civil conflict in the Philippines]] continues.
| combatant1        = '''{{flag|Philippines}}'''
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.svg}} [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]]
* [[File:Philippine National Police seal.svg|20px]] [[Philippine National Police]] 
'''{{flag|United States}}''' (advisors)
*{{flagicon image|Military flag of the United States.svg}} [[United States Armed Forces|Armed Forces of the United States]]
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.svg}} [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]
| combatant2        = {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}}
[[Terrorism in the Philippines|Islamic jihad]]
* {{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Abu Sayyaf]]
* {{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters|BIFF]]
* {{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Maute Group]]
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.svg}} [[Moro Islamic Liberation Front]] (until 2012){{efn|{{flagicon image|MNLF flag.svg}} [[Nur Misuari|Misuari faction]].}}
{{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (de-facto)
| commander1        = {{flagdeco|Philippines}} [[Rodrigo Duterte]]<br>(2016-17) <br /> {{flagdeco|Philippines}}[[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]]<br>(2001-10) <br /> {{flagdeco|Philippines}} [[Benigno Aquino III]]<br>(2010-16) <br /> {{flagdeco|United States}} [[George W. Bush]]<br>(2001-09) <br /> {{flagdeco|United States}} [[Barack Obama|Barack H. Obama]]<br>(2009-17) <br /> {{flagdeco|Philippines}} [[Gilbert Teodoro|Gilberto C. Teodoro]]<br>(2007-09) <br /> {{flagdeco|United States}} [[Donald C. Wurster]]<br>(2002-11)
| commander2        = {{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Isnilon Totoni Hapilon]]{{KIA}}<br />{{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Abu Sabaya]]{{KIA}}<br />{{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Khadaffy Janjalani]]{{KIA}}<br />{{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Albader Parad]]{{KIA}}<br />{{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} Umbra Jumdail{{KIA}}<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} [[Abu Bakar Bashir]]{{POW}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/appeal-restores-abu-bakar-bashir-sentence/story-e6frg6so-1226283389933 | title=Appeal Restores Abu Bakar Bashir Sentence | publisher=The Australian | date=February 29, 2012}}</ref><br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} [[Zulkifli Abdhir|Marwan]]{{KIA}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/03/world/philippines-marwan-confirmed-dead/ | title=FBI confirms 'most wanted' terror suspect Marwan killed after Philippines raid | publisher=CNN | date=April 3, 2015}}</ref>
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.svg}} [[Nur Misuari]]{{efn|Chairman of the {{flagicon image|MNLF flag.svg}} [[Moro National Liberation Front]].}}
| strength1         = {{flagdeco|USA}} [[United States Armed Forces|500–6,000]]<ref name="Trevithick2014">{{cite news |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=5 November 2014 |title=Yes, American Commandos Are Still in the Philippines |url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/yes-american-commandos-are-still-in-the-philippines-f67dea166460 |newspaper=War is boring |location=Medium.com |access-date=2 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/389322/news/regions/more-us-troops-deployed-in-mindanao-than-iraq-group-claims |title=More US troops deployed in Mindanao than Iraq, group claims |publisher=gmanetwork |date=November 22, 2014 |access-date=November 22, 2014}}</ref><br>(Advisors/Trainers)<br />{{flagdeco|PHL}} [[Armed Forces of the Philippines|110,000]]{{cn|date=August 2023}}
| strength2         = {{flagdeco|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|23px}} [[Abu Sayyaf|300]]<ref name="IBT2014">{{cite news |last=Shankar |first=Sneha |date=26 June 2014 |title=US To Dissolve Anti-Terror Group, JSOTF-P, In Philippines After 10 Years Of Fighting Abu Sayyaf |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/us-dissolve-anti-terror-group-jsotf-p-philippines-after-10-years-fighting-abu-sayyaf-1612340 |newspaper=International Business Times |access-date=3 December 2014 }}</ref><br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} [[Jemaah Islamiyah|5,000]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/al-qaeda/10893889/Al-Qaeda-map-Isis-Boko-Haram-and-other-affiliates-strongholds-across-Africa-and-Asia.html |title=Al-Qaeda map: Isis, Boko Haram and other affiliates' strongholds across Africa and Asia |date=12 June 2014 |access-date=22 November 2014}}</ref>
| casualties1       = {{flagdeco|USA}}{{flagdeco|PHL}} 17 killed (14 accidental)<ref name="DNJune13"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx |title=Operation Enduring Freedom casualties |publisher=iCasualties |date=30 August 2011 |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=7 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107161447/http://icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx |url-status=dead }} (Note: apply filter for ''Country of Death = Philippines'')</ref>
| casualties2       = Unknown
}}

'''Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines''' ('''OEF-P''') or '''Operation Freedom Eagle''' was part of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] and the global [[war on terror]].<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2007/09/2926516 |title=Flashpoint, No bungle in the jungle |publisher=armedforcesjournal.com |access-date=1 November 2007 |archive-date=21 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021075220/http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2007/09/2926516 |url-status=dead }}<br/>{{cite book|author=Tyson Rininger|title=F-15 Eagle at War|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=trJ8ThEEZuwC&pg=PA73|date=15 January 2009|publisher=MBI Publishing Company|isbn=978-1-61673-269-1|page=73}}</ref> The Operation targeted the various [[Terrorism in the Philippines|Jihadist]] terror groups operating in the country. By 2009, about 600 U.S. military personnel were advising and assisting the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] (AFP) in the [[Mindanao|Southern Philippines]].<ref name="GMA&others"/> In addition, by 2014, the CIA had sent its elite paramilitary officers from their [[Special Activities Division]] to hunt down and kill or capture key terrorist leaders.<ref name=times/> This group had the most success in combating and capturing [[Al-Qaeda]] leaders and the leaders of associated groups like [[Abu Sayyaf]].<ref name="times">{{Cite news |last1=Rufford |first1=Nicholas |last2=Allen-Mills |first2=Tony |last3=Hirsi |first3=Bader Ben |date=November 10, 2002 |title=Al Qaeda stalked by the Predator |newspaper=[[The Times]] |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/al-qaeda-stalked-by-the-predator-cj3xd7k7pg3 |access-date=2023-03-30 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>

==Background==
{{see also|Moro Rebellion}}
The 1898 [[Treaty of Paris (1898)|Treaty of Paris]] ended the [[Spanish–American War]], with Spain ceding the Philippines to the United States. Islam had arrived in the Philippines before the Spanish. Spain had conquered the northern islands, and the southern islands had become the [[Sultanate of Sulu]] (which was a Spanish protectorate, but not under direct administration).<ref>{{cite book|last=Tucker|first=Spencer C.|title=Encyclopedia of Insurgency and Counterinsurgency: A New Era of Modern Warfare|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LXCjAQAAQBAJ|year=2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-61069-280-9|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=LXCjAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA369 369]}}</ref> The Spanish cession included the islands of [[Mindanao]] and the [[Sulu Archipelago]], and the ceded territory included the islands of the [[Sultanate of Sulu]] located in the [[Philippine archipelago]] where slavery and piracy had for centuries been practiced by the [[Moro people|Moros]]. The Spanish had established coastal garrisons but had never controlled the jungle interiors of the islands.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tucker|first=Spencer C.|title=Encyclopedia of the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars, The: A Political, Social, and Military History: A Political, Social, and Military History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yYfSbFGFWlUC|year=2009|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-85109-952-8|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=yYfSbFGFWlUC&pg=PA415&dq=%22never+penetrated%22+slavery+piracy 415]}}</ref>

In 1899, U.S. Brigadier General [[John C. Bates]] negotiated the [[Kiram-Bates Treaty]] for American Sovereignty over the Moro land, which recognized and respected the position of the Sultan and the Sultanate as well as their [[Islam|Muslim]] traditions, laws, and practices with the [[Sultan of Sulu]].<ref>Robert A. Fulton. Moroland: The History of Uncle Sam and the Moros 1899-1920 (2009) pp 43-58</ref> After the U.S. had completed its goal of suppressing the resistance in [[Luzon]] in the Spanish–American War, it unilaterally abrogated the Bates Treaty on March 2, 1904, claiming the Sultan had failed to quell Moro resistance and that the treaty was a hindrance to the effective colonial administration of the area. Bates later confessed that the agreement was merely a temporary expedient to buy time until the northern forces were defeated.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kho|first1=Madge|title=The Bates Treaty|url=http://www.philippineupdate.com/Bates.htm|website=Philippine Update|access-date=26 June 2015}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=While the source is available online, I am unsure if Philippine Update passes [[WP:IRS]]; moreover, while the essay shows a list of sources at the bottom there are no in-line citations, showing what source is used for what part of the essay. Anyone can write an essay.|date=October 2016}}<ref>{{citation|last=Tarling|first=Nicholas|title=The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e4kngeRds7kC|year=1999|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-66371-7|pages=https://books.google.com/books?id=e4kngeRds7kC&pg=PA59&dq=bates 59}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Tarling|first=Nicholas|title=Imperialism in Southeast Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wqKBAgAAQBAJ|year=2003|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-57082-9 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=wqKBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA194&dq=bates 194]}}</ref>

== Major battles ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2025}}
The [[Zamboanga City crisis|Zamboanga City Crisis]] (commonly known as the Zamboanga siege) was fought in 2014  by Philippine troops against the [[Moro Islamic Liberation Front|MILF]]/[[Moro National Liberation Front|MNLF]]. It was a joint collaboration between the [[Philippine National Police]] and the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]]. It was a turning point during this Operation. During this time, the M.N.L.F and the M.I.L.F launched a series of propaganda campaigns against the Philippine Armed Forces including through the use of social media (even if it's rare it was a big problem for there's a probability the A.F.P could lose morale. But in the end, it was a major strategic victory for the Philippine Armed Forces and the PNP.

[[Siege of Marawi|The Marawi Siege]] was a siege by a coalition of nations militarily and strategically, perpetrated by the [[Maute group|Maute Group.]] In the end, it cost the lives of thousands of people and displaced almost of the entire city's population to other settlements. The siege lasted for almost 200 days. The coalition of nations during the siege included [[China]], the [[United States]], [[Russia]], and many [[Military intelligence|other nations]].

[[Zamboanga City crisis|Siege of Zamboanga]] was a conflict which occurred during September 2013 against insurgents of the Moro National Liberation Front. It would be suppressed later in the month by combined Filipino military forces, at the cost of population displacement and damage to civilian infrastructure.

==Forces==
[[Special Operations Command, Pacific]] (SOCPAC) troops were the core of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines (OEF-P), an operation which supports the Government of the Republic of the Philippines counterterrorism efforts. The AFP and civilian authorities had improved their ability to coordinate and sustain counterterrorism operations. U.S. and Philippine forces had also worked together under the new Security Engagement Board framework – the primary mechanism for consultation and planning
regarding non-traditional security threats – to complete humanitarian and civil assistance projects and improve living conditions in the southern Philippines. As a result of their combined efforts, support for terrorists had waned markedly.

Deployment first began January 2002 and involved more than 1,200 members of SOCPAC, headed by Brig. General [[Donald C. Wurster]]. SOCPAC's deployable joint task force HQ, Joint Task Force 510 (JTF 510), directed and carried out the operation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7672 |title=Lieutenant General Donald C. Wurster |publisher=Af.mil |access-date=16 December 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724143338/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7672 |archive-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Cole |first=William |agency=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=7 March 2015 |title=Hawaii-based troops close Philippine counterterror mission |url=http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/hawaii-based-troops-close-philippine-counterterror-mission-1.333265 |newspaper=Stars and Stripes |location=United States |access-date=9 March 2015 }}</ref>

The mission was to advise the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] in combating terrorism in the Philippines.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/enduring-freedom-philippines.htm|title=Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|access-date=11 July 2007}}</ref> 160 U.S. special forces go out on patrol with Filipinos in jungles of Basilan island, an [[Abu Sayyaf]] stronghold, in 2002, U.S. military personnel deployed to [[Cebu]] to provide support for a six-month exercise.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/02/24/phil.us.crash/index.html |title='No survivors' in U.S. chopper crash |publisher=CNN  |date=24 February 2002 |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref> The Navy sent [[United States Naval Special Warfare Command|SEAL & Special Boat Teams]] to aide with maritime operations against piracy, trafficking, and port/waterways security. [[Mark V Special Operations Craft]] operated by [[Special warfare combatant-craft crewmen|SWCC]] boat operators were used to conduct [[Visit, board, search, and seizure]] operations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Navy helps Philippines' sea defense
|url=https://www.warboats.org/st&str.htm|access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=warboats|language=en-US}}</ref> Some unconventional tactics and equipment were used, such as utilizing canoes with outboard motors, various small boats, and jetskis for low-profile collection operations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=DIRTY BOAT GUYS: AN EXPANSIVE HISTORY OF NAVY SWCC
|url=https://coffeeordie.com/swcc|access-date=July 9, 2023 |website=coffeeordie|date=4 March 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Joint Special Operations Command|JSOC]] could undertake psychological operations to confuse or trap al-Qaeda operatives, but it needed approval from the White House for lethal action.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-secret-america-a-look-at-the-militarys-joint-special-operations-command/2011/08/30/gIQAvYuAxJ_story.html|title='Top Secret America': A look at the military's Joint Special Operations Command|newspaper=the Washington post|date=2 September 2011}}</ref> Much of the mission (Exercise Balikatan 02–1) took place on the Basilan Island.

==Mission==
The mission of the Joint Special Operations Task Force in the Philippines (JSOTF-P) was
{{blockquote|To support the comprehensive approach of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their fight against terrorism in the southern Philippines. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, JSOTF-P works alongside the AFP to defeat terrorists and create the conditions necessary for peace, stability and prosperity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jsotf-p.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html |title=JSOTF-P web site |publisher=Jsotf-p.blogspot.com |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref>}}

==Combatants==

===Armed Forces of the Philippines===
{{Main article|Armed Forces of the Philippines}}

===United States Armed Forces===
{{Main article|United States Armed Forces}}
The United States had provided the Philippine government with advisors, equipment and financial support to counter Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.groups.sfahq.com/1st/02_01_11_military_advisors_in_ph.htm |title=Military Advisors in Philippines |publisher=Groups.sfahq.com |date=11 January 2002 |access-date=16 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716044414/http://www.groups.sfahq.com/1st/02_01_11_military_advisors_in_ph.htm |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In order to provide a legal basis for the presence of U.S. forces despite provisions in the 1987 Philippine constitution specifically banning the presence of foreign troops, Philippine president [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] invoked the [[Mutual Defense Treaty (US-Philippines)|1951 Mutual Defense Treaty]] between the U.S. and the Philippines.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Michael Yew Meng Hor|author2=Victor Vridar Ramraj|author3=Kent Roach|title=Global anti-terrorism law and policy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TEyQI6KyDmIC|year=2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-85125-1|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=TEyQI6KyDmIC&pg=PA313 313–314]}}</ref> In 2013, operations began to wind down,<ref name="DNJune13">{{cite news |last=Mcleary |first=Paul |date=10 June 2013 |title=Is US Winding Down Spec Ops Mission in the Philippines? |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130610/DEFREG/306100012/Is-US-Winding-Down-Spec-Ops-Mission-Philippines- |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141204113941/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130610/DEFREG/306100012/Is-US-Winding-Down-Spec-Ops-Mission-Philippines- |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 December 2014 |newspaper=Defense News |publisher=Gannett |access-date=3 December 2014 }}</ref> assisting Philippine forces against Muslim rebels in September 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alipala |first=Julia S. |date=3 June 2014 |title=US military assisted PH forces during Battle of Zamboanga |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/105625/us-military-assisted-ph-forces-during-battle-of-zamboanga/ |newspaper=Inquirer MIndanao |access-date=3 December 2014 }}</ref> Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines disbanded in June 2014,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=26 June 2014 |title=US ends Philippines anti-terror force |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-ends-philippines-antiterror-force/article6151634.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |agency=Associated Press |access-date=3 December 2014 }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Gomez |first=Jim |date=26 June 2014 |title=US disbanding Philippines elite anti-terror force |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/06/26/1339326/us-disbanding-philippines-elite-anti-terror-force |newspaper=The Philippine Star |agency=Associated Press |access-date=3 December 2014 }}</ref> ending a successful 12-year mission.<ref name="ArthurHardy2014">{{cite news |author1=Gordon Arthur |author2=James Hardy |date=6 October 2014 |title=US, Philippines start 'PHIBLEX' drills as special forces mission draws down |url=http://www.janes.com/article/44106/us-philippines-start-phiblex-drills-as-special-forces-mission-draws-down |newspaper=IHS Janes 360 |access-date=3 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Axe |first=David |author-link=David Axe |date=13 May 2014 |title=FYI, We Just Won a War in the Philippines |url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/fyi-we-just-won-a-war-in-the-philippines-3a8b708016d7 |newspaper=War is boring |location=Medium.com |access-date=2 January 2015 }}<br/>{{cite web |url=http://smallwarsjournal.com/printpdf/13966 |title=Has Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines Been a Success? |last1=Munson |first1=Mark |date=5 April 2013 |website=Small Wars Journal |publisher=Small Wars Foundation |access-date=2 January 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

====Timeline of American casualties====
On 21 February 2002, the largest loss of life for U.S. forces occurred when 10 soldiers (8 from the E company, [[160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)|160th SOAR]] and 2 from the [[353rd Special Operations Group]]) were killed after their [[CH-47 Chinook|MH-47]] crashed at sea in the [[Cebu Strait|Bohol Strait]], southern Philippines, whilst scouting Islamic terrorists on Basilan Island.<ref name="CNN"/><ref name="iCasualties">{{cite web|url=http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx|title=Operation Enduring Freedom casualties|publisher=iCasualties|date=21 July 2016|access-date=21 July 2016|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107161447/http://icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 2 October 2002, a bombing at an open-air market outside the gate of Camp Enrile Malagutay in [[Zamboanga City|Zamboanga]] killed a U.S. Special Forces soldier from A Company, 2nd Battalion, [[1st Special Forces Group (United States)|1st SFG]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/dates/2002/oct/02/mark-wayne-jackson/ |title=Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wayne Jackson |publisher=Projects.washingtonpost.com |date=2 October 2002 |access-date=16 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414122848/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/dates/2002/oct/02/mark-wayne-jackson/ |archive-date=14 April 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
One Filipino soldier and one civilian were also killed, and 21 people were wounded including one U.S. and two Filipino soldiers.<ref name="iCasualties"/><ref name="abc.net.au">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200210/s691934.htm |title=US, Filipino soldiers killed in bar bomb blast. 3/10/2002. ABC News Online |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=3 October 2002 |access-date=16 December 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/10/02/philippines.blast/ | publisher=CNN | title=Philippine blast 'suicide attack' | date=2 October 2002 | access-date=20 May 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604024945/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/10/02/philippines.blast/ | archive-date=4 June 2011 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 30 June 2004, a U.S. Special Forces soldier from 2nd Battalion, 1st SFG, was killed in a non-hostile incident in Manila.<ref name="iCasualties"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=8109 |title=Defense.gov News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualties No. 016-05 (January&nbsp;06,&nbsp;2005) |publisher=Defenselink.mil |date=12 March 2009 |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref>

On 14 October 2005, a U.S. Special Forces soldier from [[United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command|5th Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group, U.S. Army Special Operations Command]]. was killed in a non-hostile incident in Makati City.<ref name="iCasualties"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=8960 |title=Defense.gov News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualty No. 1050-05 (October&nbsp;15,&nbsp;2005) |publisher=Defenselink.mil |date=12 March 2009 |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref>

On 15 February 2007, a U.S. Marine from Combat Logistics Regiment 37, [[3rd Marine Logistics Group]] was killed in a non-hostile incident in Jolo.<ref name="iCasualties"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=10540 |title=Defense.gov News Release: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty No. 206-07 (February&nbsp;22,&nbsp;2007) |publisher=Defenselink.mil |date=12 March 2009 |access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref>

On 27 October 2007, a U.S. Special Forces soldier from 2nd Battalion, 1st SFG was killed in an accidental drowning incident at Lake Seit in the southern Philippines.<ref name="iCasualties"/><ref>[http://news.soc.mil/Memorial%20Wall/Bios/Curreri_bio_USASFC.pdf] {{dead link|date=October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://zamboangajournal.blogspot.com/2007/10/us-army-finally-names-dead-soldier-in.html|title=The Mindanao Examiner: US Army Finally Names Dead Soldier In Southern Philippines|date=30 October 2007 |publisher=Zamboangajournalblogspot.com|access-date=16 October 2014}}</ref>

On 29 September 2009, a [[roadside bomb]] killed two U.S. Special Forces soldiers from 3rd battalion, 1st SFG<ref name="iCasualties"/><ref>{{cite news |title=DoD Identifies Army Casualties No. 763-09 (October&nbsp;01,&nbsp;2009)|newspaper=Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) |date=1 October 2009 |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13015 |access-date=3 October 2009}}</ref> and a [[Philippine Marine Corps|Philippine Marine]] on [[Jolo|Jolo island]].<ref>{{cite news |title=2 U.S. soldiers killed in Philippines bomb blast |publisher=CNN |date=2 October 2009 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/02/washington.soldiers.killed/ |access-date=3 October 2009 }}</ref> Three other Philippine service members were injured in the blast. It was initially reported that the two U.S. casualties were [[Seabee (US Navy)|Seabee]]s.<ref name="GMA&others">{{cite news |last=Calonzo |first=Andreo |date=29 September 2009 |title=2 US Navy men, 1 Marine killed in Sulu land mine blast |newspaper=[[GMA Network|GMA News]] |url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173383/2-us-navy-men-1-marine-killed-in-sulu-land-mine-blast |access-date=29 September 2009 |quote=Two US Navy personnel and one Philippine Marine soldier were killed when a land mine exploded along a road in Indanan, Sulu Tuesday morning, an official said. The American fatalities were members of the US Navy construction brigade, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview. He did not disclose the identities of all three casualties.}} and <br />{{cite news |author=Pessin |first=Al |date=29 September 2009 |title=Pentagon Says Troops Killed in Philippines Hit by Roadside Bomb |newspaper=[[Voice of America]] |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-09-29-voa12/415161.html |access-date=12 January 2011}}  and<br />{{cite news |date=29 September 2009 |title=Troops killed in Philippines blast |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/09/20099298614751808.html |access-date=29 September 2009}} and <br />{{cite news |author=Gomez |first=Jim |date=29 September 2009 |title=2 US troops killed in Philippines blast |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2-us-troops-killed-in-philippines-blast/ |access-date=12 January 2011}}</ref>

===Abu Sayyaf===
{{Main article|Abu Sayyaf}}
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is deemed a "foreign terrorist organization" by the United States government. Specifically, it is an [[Islamist]] separatist group based in and around the southern islands of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily [[Jolo]], [[Basilan]], and [[Mindanao]].

Since inception in the early 1990s, the group has carried out [[bombing]]s, assassinations, [[kidnapping]]s, and [[extortion]] in their fight for an independent Islamic state in western [[Mindanao]] and the [[Sulu Archipelago]], with a claimed overarching goal of creating a Pan-Islamic superstate across the ''Malay'' portions of Southeast Asia, spanning, from east to west, the large island of Mindanao, the Sulu Archipelago (Basilan and Jolo islands), the large island of [[Borneo]] (Malaysia and Indonesia), the [[South China Sea]], and the [[Malay Peninsula]] ([[Peninsular Malaysia]], Thailand and Burma).

The name of the group is [[Arabic language|Arabic]] for ''Father'' (Abu) ''of the Sword'' (Sayyaf).

===Jemaah Islamiyah===
{{Main article|Jemaah Islamiyah}}
Jemaah Islamiyah is a [[militant Islam]]ic terrorist organization dedicated to the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic [[theocracy]] in Southeast Asia, in particular Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, the south of Thailand and the Philippines.

Jemaah Islamiyah is thought to have killed hundreds of civilians and is suspected of having executed the [[2002 Bali terrorist bombing|Bali car bombing]] on 12 October 2002 in which suicide bombers killed 202 people, mostly Australian tourists, and wounded many in a [[nightclub]]. After this attack, the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] designated Jemaah Islamiyah as a [[U.S. State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations|Foreign Terrorist Organization]]. Jemaah Islamiyah is also suspected of carrying out the [[Zamboanga bombings]], the [[Rizal Day Bombings]], the [[2004 Jakarta embassy bombing]] and the [[2005 Bali bombings|2005 Bali terrorist bombing]].

Financial links between Jemaah Islamiyah and other terrorist groups, such as [[Abu Sayyaf]] and [[al-Qaeda]], have been found to exist.<ref>{{Citation
 |url          = http://www.nbr.org/publications/analysis/pdf/vol14no5.pdf
 |title        = Funding Terrorism in Southeast Asia: The Financial Network of Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah
 |author       = Zachary Abuza
 |publisher    = National Bureau of Asian Research
 |date         = December 2003
 |volume       = 1
 |issue        = 5
 |access-date   = 27 January 2008
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090326131526/http://www.nbr.org/publications/analysis/pdf/vol14no5.pdf
 |archive-date = 26 March 2009
 |url-status     = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref> Jemaah Islamiyah means "Islamic Group" and is often abbreviated JI.

==Balikatan training exercises==
[[File:PMC Martial Arts.JPG|thumb|Philippine Marine Corps instructor teaching US Marines the Philippine martial art, [[Pekiti-Tirsia Kali]], during military exercises.]]
{{Main article|Balikatan}}

The [[Balikatan]] training exercises were a part of OEF – Philippines which are mainly a series of joint training exercises between the Philippines and the United States. These training exercises are mainly taking place in Mindanao, the [[Spratly Islands]], [[Tarlac]], and other parts in the Philippines. The Balikatan training exercises are focused on joint training and counter-terrorist training aimed on strengthening relations between the Philippines, Moro and the United States. The Balikatan training exercises are also aimed on training Filipino forces to fight the Abu Sayyaf and other [[Terrorism in the Philippines|Jihadist]] terror groups.

There have been allegations in the Philippine press and elsewhere that visiting forces from the United States appear to have become a permanent fixture in the landscape of Zamboanga City and other parts of Mindanao. Former presidential executive secretary of the Philippines [[Eduardo Ermita]] has responded to these allegations by saying, that the U.S. soldiers "... all look alike so it’s as if they never leave," going on to say that they "... are replaced every now and then. They leave, contrary to the critics’ impression that they have not left". These remarks were made in response to statements made by Edgar Araojo, a political science professor at Western Mindanao State University, that the country had surrendered its sovereignty. In specific response, Ermita said, "Our national sovereignty and territorial integrity are intact", going on to point out that the Balikatan exercises had bolstered national and regional security, and to say that terrorists and communist rebels were "common enemies of democracy, therefore there is nothing wrong with cooperation" between the armed forces of the US and the Philippines.<ref name=gis>{{Citation
|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080907-159154/Palace-GIs-all-look-alike
|title=Palace: GIs all look alike
|author=Michael Lim Ubac
|publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]
|date=7 September 2008
|access-date=7 September 2008
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907131520/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080907-159154/Palace-GIs-all-look-alike
|archive-date=7 September 2008
|df=dmy-all
}}</ref>

==Renewed mission==
{{main|Operation Pacific Eagle}}
Following the [[Battle of Marawi]] in 2017, [[United States Secretary of Defense]] [[James Mattis]] declared a new counter terrorism mission to assist in the combat against affiliates of [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]]. The [[United Kingdom]] and [[Australia]] also sent forces to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Fine |first1=Glenn A. |last2=Linick |first2=Steve A. |last3=Barr |first3=Ann Calvaresi |date=31 December 2017 |title=Overseas Contingency Operations: Operation Inherent Resolve Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines |url=https://media.defense.gov/2018/Feb/02/2001872555/-1/-1/1/FY2018_LIG_OCO_OIR_Q1_12222017_2.PDF |publisher=United States Department of Defense |access-date=18 February 2019 }}</ref> By August 2018, 250 Americans were involved in operations in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite news |last=South |first=Todd |date=9 August 2018 |title=Pentagon to spend nearly $5M on Marine Corps mission in the Philippines |url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/08/09/pentagon-triples-military-spending-in-philippines/ |work=Marine Corps Times |access-date=18 February 2019 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Philippines}}
* [[Military history of the United States]]
* [[Military history of the Philippines]]
* [[Moro conflict]]

==References and notes==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|author1=Olivier Roy|author2=Antoine Sfeir|title=The Columbia World Dictionary of Islamism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rNrMilgHKKEC|year=2007|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-14640-1|chapter=Southeast Asian Islamism : Philippines |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rNrMilgHKKEC&pg=PA332|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=rNrMilgHKKEC&pg=PA332 332–333]}}
*{{cite web |url=http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/call/docs/11-34/ch_8.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916132012/http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/call/docs/11-34/ch_8.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 September 2012 |title=Chapter 8. OEF Philippines: Thinking COIN, Practicing FID |last1=Petit |first1=Brian |date=February 2010 |website=United States Army Combined Arms Center |publisher=United States Army}}

==External links==
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/enduring-freedom-philippines.htm Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines] GlobalSecurity.org History of conflict
*[https://jsotf-p.blogspot.com/ Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines] News articles
*[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/tag/balikatan Balikatan]
*{{cite news |last=Ressa |first=Maria A. |date=17 February 2015 |title=Context: The US in PH anti-terror campaigns |url=http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/84105-us-involvement-anti-terror-philippines |newspaper=Rappler }}
*Success in the Shadows: Operation Enduring Freedom–Philippines and the Global War on Terror, 2002–2015 https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/success-in-the-shadows.pdf

{{Gloria Macapagal Arroyo}}
{{Benigno Aquino III}}
{{Rodrigo Duterte}}
{{War on Terrorism}}
{{Moro conflict}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines}}
[[Category:Military operations of the Moro conflict]]
[[Category:Military history of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Operations involving American special forces|Enduring Freedom - Philippines]]
[[Category:United States military in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Counterterrorism in the United States]]
[[Category:Terrorism in the Philippines]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps in the 21st century]]
[[Category:Wars involving the United States|Enduring Freedom – Philippines]]