Hensoldt
02-28-2007, 05:47 PM
US-Funded Water, Roads, Schools Helping Philippines in War on Terror
By Douglas Bakshian
Jolo, Philippines
20 February 2007
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w193/Hensoldt/Soldier1.jpg
US soldier distributes school bags in Jolo
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w193/Hensoldt/Soldiers2.jpg
US soldiers arrive in Jolo to distribute school supplies
Winning without fighting is not a term you often hear in the war on terror. But U.S. soldiers, along with their Philippine counterparts, are putting this philosophy to work on the remote island of Jolo in the southern Philippines. Transportation, education and health projects supported by the United States are making dramatic changes in areas where armed conflict with Islamic militants not long ago raged. Douglas Bakshian visited Jolo for a first-hand look.
Waging peace is a major undertaking on Jolo, where gaining the goodwill of the people is as important as military victories.
This impoverished island, long neglected by national and local governments with limited means, is getting an overhaul from the U.S. military working with aid agencies and the Philippine armed forces.
Even critics of the U.S. military presence on Jolo offer grudging respect for the projects. Abdel Khan, a 24-year-old graduate of the school of Islamic studies at the University of the Philippines, says he would like to see all Philippine and U.S. troops leave Jolo. However, he says the Americans have helped the island. Read the whole story (http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-02-20-voa15.cfm)
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The Philippine government should've started a program like this a long time ago. Could've done a lot in easing resentment and separitism from the local inhabitants of the region. Well, better late than never, we have a lot to learn from the Americans, that's for sure.
By Douglas Bakshian
Jolo, Philippines
20 February 2007
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w193/Hensoldt/Soldier1.jpg
US soldier distributes school bags in Jolo
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w193/Hensoldt/Soldiers2.jpg
US soldiers arrive in Jolo to distribute school supplies
Winning without fighting is not a term you often hear in the war on terror. But U.S. soldiers, along with their Philippine counterparts, are putting this philosophy to work on the remote island of Jolo in the southern Philippines. Transportation, education and health projects supported by the United States are making dramatic changes in areas where armed conflict with Islamic militants not long ago raged. Douglas Bakshian visited Jolo for a first-hand look.
Waging peace is a major undertaking on Jolo, where gaining the goodwill of the people is as important as military victories.
This impoverished island, long neglected by national and local governments with limited means, is getting an overhaul from the U.S. military working with aid agencies and the Philippine armed forces.
Even critics of the U.S. military presence on Jolo offer grudging respect for the projects. Abdel Khan, a 24-year-old graduate of the school of Islamic studies at the University of the Philippines, says he would like to see all Philippine and U.S. troops leave Jolo. However, he says the Americans have helped the island. Read the whole story (http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-02-20-voa15.cfm)
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The Philippine government should've started a program like this a long time ago. Could've done a lot in easing resentment and separitism from the local inhabitants of the region. Well, better late than never, we have a lot to learn from the Americans, that's for sure.