Max Defense Blog (Philippine Blogger) responds to the assault on their forces, explains the fight...

Thanks to Petrus for the link!

via Max Defense Blog

MaxDefense would be breaking posting protocols to make an important point. Last time we posted the #heroesofmarawi who gave their lives for the country. Among them were 4 members of the Philippine Army's 5th Mechanized Company, who died when their V­150 and Simba 4x4 armoured vehicles were hit by RPGs and the entire section was pinned down by heavy fire from
overwhelming terrorist firepower. It was only after 4 days later that Scout Rangers were able to rescue the remaining 16 mechanized troopers, at the expense of some more Rangers killed in action, and leaving the two disabled armoured vehicles behind. The Scout Rangers themselves engaged the terrorists in a 24 hour gunfight before they were able to reach the disabled armoured vehicles.
Below are photos of the damaged armoured vehicles, a V­150 and a Simba. Photos were allegedly taken by Maute terrorists and posted online for propaganda. MaxDefense decided to post the photos as it is already circulating in social media at breakneck speed, and it would be beneficial to explain what happened here instead of just seeing photos that can be made to create false stories.
Based on the photos, it is seen that the wheeled armoured vehicles got stuck and pinned down after getting RPG hits and punctured tires. The location where they were hit looked too cramped and difficult for wheeled armored vehicles to maneuver, as compared to tracked armoured vehicles that can turn 360° in its position. RPG grenadiers hiding from houses can easily hit these vehicles, and it is a miracle that the 16 mechanized troopers survived for 4
days inside these vehicles.
The armoured vehicles are thin skinned, and RPG rounds can easily disable or penetrate its armour. Lack of additional protection like RPG cages or the old school timber and sandbag armour that the Philippine Marines sometimes use in their armoured vehicles. Despite multiple RPG and heavy caliber
gunfire hits, these vehicles were able to protect the surviving troops for days. Aside from that, it appears that the entire team is unfamilar of the area, and might have moved too deep into enemy territory without additional support despite the presence of dismounted infantry to protect the armoured vehicles.
Despite the loss of the vehicles, the most important is the rescue of 16 troopers, lives that cannot be replaced. It remains to be confirmed if the vehicles are already recovered considering the successes made by the AFP and PNP in securing more parts of Marawi City

Interesting.

A few things...

1.  Why do people always assume that the valor of their soldiers/Marines are being questioned.  Maybe I'm being overly sensitive but I get the flavor that this guy is mounting a defense of his military.  Not needed.  No one here was there.  We aren't making that call.  We are simply looking at the outcome of the action.  I would think that's different than questioning the courage of the individuals participating.

2.  This blogger is harping on the age of the vehicles involved.  I think the tactics (which he pointed out) were the main factor in the outcome of this fight.

3.  The Scout Rangers were johnny on the spot with their reaction force. The fact that we didn't hear about the relief action is curious.  Is this a result of the news blackout?

4.  I'm really starting to get the Crips/Bloods vibe from this ISIS thing.  I remember vividly the gang war during the 80's.  One of things that struck me as strange at the time was that every wanna be would claim either Crips/Bloods even if they weren't (at least until real deal Crips/Bloods would turn up in town).  I think we're seeing the same thing with ISIS.  A bunch of wannabe's in Asia but in actuality its just a continuation of the insurgency that's been raging for years.

I think I'll start following this Max Defense guy.  Seems like a good way to stay plugged into the fighting down there.