The 1972 Marawi Siege

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

October 21, 1972

In Marawi City on October 21, 1972, a splinter group of the Muslim Independence Movement (MIM) which became the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) attacked Camp Amai Pakpak (formerly Camp Keithley), the headquarters of the Philippine Constabulary.

 The rebels entered the Mindanao State University campus, took over its radio station, and broadcasted calls for support in their quest to separate Mindanao from Manila and the rest of the Philippines. 

President Ferdinand E. Marcos who just declared martial law a month earlier wrote the events in his diary: "Camp Keithley in Marawi City is under attack by a band of outlaws who have taken over the MSU radio, raised the red flag and surrounded the PC Prov. Hq. of Maj. Marolomsar, Prov. Commander. Eight of our men have been killed (six outright at Pantar Bridge that leads to the city from Iligan) and one wounded while nine have been killed on the enemy side and one captured who is being interrogated. Reinforcements being rushed to the besieged forces. The enemy may number anywhere from 100 to 400. But PC Prov. Hq. under attack holding out. Other Mindanao units alerted in case this attack is a signal of an uprising in all of Mindanao and Sulu. I believe the attackers may be a combination of student radicals (KM and SDK) supported by outlaws. The red flag may show they are communist infiltrated or controlled. And again this may be a diversion from the Luzon front where the communists are hard pressed.Or a demonstration that the leaders I talked to and placated like the Alontos and Pendatun do not run things anymore. Or again this may be a Pendatun and Alonto play to gain a stronger bargaining position." 

President Fidel V. Ramos, who was then the chief of the Philippine Constabulary recounted the event when interviewed by media many years later. "The uprising, the terrorism in Marawi was ended in 48 hours, including the rescue of the Japanese ambassador... I am not saying this to blow my horn. This is the first time, in fact, that I brought it out to you... the rebels were trying to hostage Urabe, so he had to hide from room to room, until he was finally rescued by the authorities." 

Toshio Urabe, was Japan's envoy to Manila from 1969 up to 1974. He arrived at the Mindanao State University campus on October 20, 1972, as a guest of the school president. 

Ramos who played a key role in ending the siege on October 23, 1972 was awarded the "Distinguished Conduct Star" award from the military leadership. 

The 1972 Marawi Siege was the prelude of a full scale war between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org