Summary
Highlights
Umar Patek, who the US was chasing in the Philippines, was arrested in Pakistan in 2011 near Osama bin Laden's compound. Patek was later controversially released on parole in 2022 and now works with the Indonesian government to counter extremism. Thompson also touches on the current 'vet drama' within the veteran community regarding stolen valor.
Bill Thompson discusses his experience in intelligence gathering, highlighting the difference between fictional and real-world spy work. He notes the US military's active combat operations in the southern Philippines from 2007 for around seven to ten years, mentioning deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa as well.
Following 9/11, the southern Philippines became a second front in the global War on Terror, dubbed Operation Enduring Freedom. The objective was to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in neutralizing al-Qaeda-linked groups like Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah. Thompson's first deployment to the region was in 2007.
The Abu Sayyaf Group, founded in 1991, was notorious for beheadings and bombings, including the 2004 SuperFerry 14 bombing. They received funding from Osama bin Laden's brother-in-law. Jemaah Islamiyah, Al-Qaeda's Southeast Asian affiliate, used the southern Philippines as a training ground, focusing on high-grade explosives.
The autonomous region of Muslim Mindanao in the southern Philippines, particularly from Zamboanga to Jolo Island, was a hub for terrorist activities. Historically, the southern islands, ruled by powerful sultanates, resisted Spanish colonization for centuries, unlike the northern regions. The region's many islands, with over 7,000 in the Philippines, make it challenging terrain.
Terrorist facilitators like Jemaah Islamiyah senior member Umar Patek, who was linked to the 2002 Bali bombings, were active in the region. The USS Cole bombing in 2000, carried out by Al-Qaeda, is highlighted as a pivotal event leading up to 9/11, where 17 US sailors were killed.
While Bill Thompson retired, the US military has increased its presence in the Philippines, shifting from Operation Enduring Freedom's advisory role to a broader strategic partnership due to rising tensions with China. Thompson discusses counter-insurgency operations and the role of military intelligence in these efforts.
Thompson describes visiting various outposts and debriefing 'Barangay captains' (local leaders) to gather information on terrorists. He praises the Filipino people and their military, particularly the 'Scout Rangers,' for their dedication and effectiveness in jungle warfare. He recounts how these groups had direct links to Osama bin Laden.
Thompson clarifies his role, stating he was 'a nerd for cool guys,' meaning he provided intelligence and strategic direction rather than being directly involved in combat. He describes himself as 'the guy who pointed the door out,' allowing others to 'kick the door in,' often observing from a safe distance.