January 19, 2010 Nationbuilding as a Way of Combating Terrorism

The US and the Philippine Army have been working jointly since 9/11 in the Philippines to end the terror caused by the Abu Sayyaf. The group has been responsible to terror attacks all over the Philppines, including bombings and kidnappings. The group is said to only have about 400 members. They are increasingly using more and more sophisticated methods to try to find the hideouts of the remaining terrorist targets. Ulitmately, it will take the cooperation of the local population to completely end the groups activity. That cooperation will be won by nationbuilding. This is one area of assistance that the US has engaged. The following quote is taken from the article found HERE.

This task has spurred US troops to build schools, dig wells, and build roads, while helping the Philippine military to roll out its own projects. The location of projects is guided by intelligence reports on where militants are dug in, so that troops can move in and try to win over villagers in the area.

 It was just such a construction project, the builiding of a bridge, that was blown up by the Abu Sayyaf a few months ago that tragiclly killed two US marines.

Pray for peace in this impoverished region and for the coming elections in May, that the will of the Lord will be done to advance the kingdom of God.