Battle of Sibalu Hill

[Pachada]

The Battle of Sibalu Hill (the Philippine version of Hamburger Hill)

In September 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed martial law, claiming that the insurgents had put the state in grave danger. Far from suppressing the pockets of armed rebellion, however, the dictatorship only succeeded in further fanning insurgent flames. Over the next 14 years, the Air Force would give government troops the mobility and firepower to keep the well-entrenched rebels at bay despite often-heavy casualties on both sides. The cost of the long counter-insurgency war to the PAF would go far beyond human lives, misplaced strategic priorities and rapid depletion of meager resources. It led to a steady decline in the external defense capability of the Air Force.

"We almost lost that war," recalls Brig. Gen. Ciriaco Reconquista (ret.), who as a transport plane pilot flew hundreds upon hundreds of dead and wounded soldiers from the battlefields of Mindanao and ferried troops repeatedly from NPA-infested areas in Luzon to the MNLF front. "The (Muslim) rebels were better-armed." In terms of firepower, the military had only one sustainable advantage: the Air Force. At no time was this power wielded more dramatically than in November 1972 at the battle of Sibalu Hill in Sulu near the southern tip of the Philippines.

T-34 Mentor trainers, fitted with weapons, also saw combat action against insurgents. From their staging area in Mactan, some 60 fighters and gunships flew in successive waves toward Sibalu Hill in Sulu in the biggest single operation against the secessionists. General Reconquista - then a lieutenant in charge of A3 (Air Force operations) - remembers having been on duty that Sunday at Villamor Air Base. Shortly after noon, he received the first of a series of frantic calls from Jolo, Sulu, requesting air support to extricate a battalion of marines trapped within the MNLF strong- hold. Lt. Col. Reconquista immediately alerted Basa Air Base to make available all aircraft and sent transport planes to load armaments. By the time General Rancudo, then PAF chief was located to give the deployment orders, no less than 60 planes and choppers were ready to fly to Mactan - the staging area for the air assault. Air Force Col. Pompeyo Vasquez was flown in from Jolo to brief the pilots on the situation at Sibalu Hill. The marines and the rebels were within shouting distance of one another: it was imperative to determine their exact positions.

That same evening, Colonel Vasquez flew back to Jolo where he would orchestrate the attack as air controller the following morning. By dawn, wave upon wave of F-5 and F-86 fighters, as well as T-33 jets and C-47 gunships, took off for Jolo every minute - bombarding the enemy camp accurately and relentlessly. After each sortie - some pilots flew three sorties during that attack - the aircraft would dart back to Mactan to reload. Before the morning was over, helicopters landed at Sibalu Hill to extricate the marines that narrowly escaped a massacre. A few months later, the Air Force would again play a vital support role in the massive military counter-offensive in the central Mindanao province of Cotabato. By early 1973, the MNLF forces had virtually surrounded Cotabato City and the Awang airport complex. With overseas support for training and arms, the rebels were gearing up for riverine and land attacks to seize the seat of government in Central Mindanao. This would complete the first step in their grand plan to turn Mindanao, Palawan and the Sulu chain of islands into the Bangsa Moro Republic. page 11 of 14 pages

Counter- insurgency troops hop on board the C-47. To thwart the Cotabato rebel attack, the Central Mindanao Command (CEMCOM), headed by Brig. Gen. Fortunato Abat of the Philippine Army, enlisted the support of every branch of the Armed Forces, as well as paramilitary civilian home defense forces. Aside from airlifting troops from Manila and Cebu to the war zone, the PAF swooped into the thick of battle. Composite Air Support Force Cotabato (CASFCOT) fielded Huey choppers, rocket-bearing U-17 aircraft and C-47 gunships as CEMCOM troops advanced to recapture town after town from rebel hands.

The liberation of the town of Maganoy on 2 April 1973 hinged on a risky air mobile operation in which six Hueys had to execute a tight spiral - one after the other - from 5,000 feet to a marked landing spot at the town plaza to insert elements of the 22nd Infantry Battalion. From March to August 1973, the PAF provided air cover and tactical support to ground forces, interdicted waterborne rebel reinforcements, broke up rebel concentrations and blasted fuel and ammunition dumps. The military attack culminated in the two-month campaign to destroy the well-secured rebel logistics base in Barrio Tran, Lebak and to restore government control over the town. Secondary explosions following a series of air strikes heralded the success of the mission. From there, CEMCOM gained the initiative and shifted to unconventional warfare as the rebels, in Gen. Abat's assessment, began resorting to "harassment, limited attacks, depredations, sabotage and terrorism...to keep their image of strength." Even as the Muslim secessionist movement waned in the face of peace and diplomatic initiatives, the military found no respite as it confronted the growing NPA threat on several fronts.

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Info on Philippine Air Power...

http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_174.shtml

http://www.hueybravo.net/

Post by Cygnus

[Adroth]

I wonder how would the current AFP have fared in such a situation.

[Red Justice]

I think we will still win but at a higher price. Try considering the MAGDALO guys here which are the creme of the crop of Junior Officers.

If this happens again, maybe the top AFP guys in jail should be commanding the unit to be involve not as punishment but to show valor to our country.


 

[cylon]

nice thread. 8 ) i wonder, funding being what they are, the possibility of the army deploying a dedicated air assault (or with our doctrine, airmobile) unit, say of reinforced company strength? i mean the concept has proven itself by the air cav in vietnam. 8 )

[predator]

A very nice TRUE STORY ....

But don't you think it tells us that our military officials are not good tacticians ... Our airforce  should have been utilize since from the start of the insurgency campaign, instead they chose to concentrate in ground offensive maybe to match the rebels and forget their advantages.... 

Maybe there's something wrong with the teachings in our military? in which our Airforce was not emphasize its importance?  ... we can see it until now. We don't have a credible airforce ... not even a squadron of Attack Helicopters thinking the treat is just around the corner.

The Israelis won in the 6 day war because they use their Airforce before the enemy can position themselves at the borders and mount an assault.

Maybe thats explains why were good in ground assault because thats were we are good at, even in a limited equipment ... Yes it was mentioned that we almost lost the war against the insurgents .... but I think we really like to fight in ground assault and not taking the importance or using our air assets more efficiently.

Mmmm ... Don't you think we never learn from history? or is just that we really want to concentrate more on ground assault ... is it because it is more economical ... or what? I'm not an expert ... this is just my observation.

Look at the wars around us ... the Airforce play a very big factor ... and the air defence too ...

Don't you think if the US have no powerful airforce or lets say they are equal status ... how long do you think the US soldiers will reach Bhagdad, Iraq?

Generals and other military officials ... I'm no expert in wars ... and this is just my analysis and observations.   

"Our filipino soldiers may be the best ground troops in the whole world, but war is  not  fought  on the grounds only"

[Barber 6]

Sir Predator, I agree with you that the Air Force plays a vital role in every war but we have to consider that your examples about nations winning the war in a short time are facing enemies from other countries. In our case we are facing our own Countrymen...and this greatly affect the Military Doctrine, Strategy and Teachings since these are not taught in our Military Schools (although this applies to urban warfare). Dont' get me wrong...what I meant is we were never taught how to deal or wage war with our own brothers without pinching the Political, Sociological and Economical effects of it. The countries you mentioned applied what they know about Military Strategy and they succeeded because they did not care who they are going to kill (it's not their own), they did not care the other country's political and ecomical outcome after the war. In our case it is very sensitive...

[el_commandante]

I think we will still win but at a higher price. Try considering the MAGDALO guys here which are the creme of the crop of Junior Officers.

If this happens again, maybe the top AFP guys in jail should be commanding the unit to be involve not as punishment but to show valor to our country.


 

Why not? Stalin ordered the release of red army officers from Gulag concentration camp in Siberia to fight NAZI hordes.

[predator]

Sir Predator, I agree with you that the Air Force plays a vital role in every war but we have to consider that your examples about nations winning the war in a short time are facing enemies from other countries. In our case we are facing our own Countrymen...and this greatly affect the Military Doctrine, Strategy and Teachings since these are not taught in our Military Schools (although this applies to urban warfare). Dont' get me wrong...what I meant is we were never taught how to deal or wage war with our own brothers without pinching the Political, Sociological and Economical effects of it. The countries you mentioned applied what they know about Military Strategy and they succeeded because they did not care who they are going to kill (it's not their own), they did not care the other country's political and ecomical outcome after the war. In our case it is very sensitive...

I see you point sir  .... very well taken 

This is just me ... I think we need to show some muscles to these rebels, and show them who is more capable of protecting this country.

Medyo kinakayan-kayanan na lang yung AFP ng mga rebelde eh ... Sa tingin ko si Ka Roger and other rebel leaders hindi mamatay sa bala eh ... mukhang sa natural death pa yata ...  Eto yung mga taong madalas mag-underestimate sa AFP ...

Its almost 30 years na ... We tried diplomatic approach( government negotation), helping the people in the rural areas and trying to fix the ills in the government(at least). Majority of the filipinos are trying to uplift their lives by going abroad leaving their families, putting up small business of their own because they know there are only few investors in our country today so no employment, people in the disaster areas are trying to stand to live again ... But for these rebels what do we get BAD Image overseas, bad peace and order, Extortion especially to big companies they called it revolutionary taxes ... not to mention kidnapping, smuggling etc. How about undermining the youth to take up arms against the government, even corrupting the officials or AFP itself and  the government officials.

I'm no expert on the whole situation but this is how I understand it.

I'm not asking to drop a small nuclear bomb in a rebel camp. What I'm asking If we need invest in more in hardwares, bombs, bullets etc to finish this rebels once and for all lets do it ... WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING, mas maraming mga pilipino ang nahihirapan sa ginagawa nila ... no employments, no investors, etc .... and sad to say many are losing hope ... yes I know there are many contributing factors to these but don't you think insurgency is not one of them?  .... we don't need to compare the lenght of time with regards with insurgency problems to other countries "iba sila, iba tayo" ..

Baka isang umaga, magulat na lang tayo  ... pati istorya ng Sibalu Hills  sa history books nabaligtad na ... dahil hawak na tayo ng mga communista. 

Lets do it RIGHT thats what I hope for the next move of our government to solve this insurgency problem...

If we need to use powerful and bigger bombs use it ... yes they are our brothers but don't you think it's your sworn statement that you will defend the constitution and majority of the filipinos? ....

well just want to voice out my opinion .. he he he .. 

O bili na ng cluster bombs, bunker buster bombs, naphalm , at kahit na B52 o ano man katapat ngayon nun ... para matodas na si Ka Roger ... putcha ... baka sa Trankaso lang mamatay yang ugok na yan .. 

[Barber 6]

para matodas na si Ka Roger ... putcha ... baka sa Trankaso lang mamatay yang ugok na yan .. 

I hope sa infection para mas masakit...Kidding aside, I do understand what you are saying. Honestly, we are on the same boat and this insurgency problem is already tiring. The thing is we can do bomb runs and finish off the enemy but we just can't. Remember that these rebels can blend well with the civilians/masses and that's what they do for their protection (AKA Line of Defense). A good example is the MILF's, they have several satellite camps around their major camps before the 2000 offensive but they are situated in civilian populated areas in the boonies. The Military have identified these satellite camps but the only option is to send the ground troops. It is easier to just pound them with bombs and rockets of the Airforce but we, as a conservative race, can not stomach killing innocent civilians plus the CHR is not on our side . We are not believers of collateral damages (well, majority of us)...probably more transport aircrafts would help alot!


I hope you are contemplating on joining the political arena...we need politicians with your kind of thinking.

[predator]

Ah ok ... now I understand ... dami pa ako tanong kaso lalayo na tayo sa topic ... thanks for the reply dude 

[Barber 6]

No problem!

[davaofrancis]

It is a strong Air Force (land-based or carrier-based) that always win the battle or war.   

Pearl Harbor Attack
Battle of Midway
Marianas Turkey Shoot
German Blitzkrieg in Poland
Battle of Britain
Russian Counter offensive vs Germany
B-29 Bombing runs vs Japan
Israeli Air Offensive vs Egyptian Air Force

When will be our Air Force capable enought to neutralize the Chinese Spratly Enroachment with a 30 minute Offensive?

Or a whole Army Battalion being airlifted to a hot spot complete with Close Air Support of attack choppers/aircraft?

[CAznable]

NO 

[Adroth]

It is a strong Air Force (land-based or carrier-based) that always win the battle or war.

Blitzkrieg was a marriage of tank-infantry tactics with airpower. Airpower could not accomplish those successes alone.

Airpower provides a distinct advantage, but its still the infantry man that goes in to finish the job. It takes both air and ground assets to win the war.

Or a whole Army Battalion being airlifted to a hot spot complete with Close Air Support of attack choppers/aircraft?

This'll definitely be after we get more than 1 C-130 flying at any given time. 

[talahib]

It was there in Sibalo Hill where the Marines got their first Medal of Valor. A Marine company hold that hill until next morning despite outnumbered, i think they were attacked by more or less 600 MNLF rebels.  The medal was awarded to Sgt. Acero, if im not mistaken.