Case Analysis: Research and cite documented articles pertaining to the following (historical) events in

the Country. And then, answer the questions provided.

Event I : Marawi Siege

1. SUMMARY:

• The Islamic State (IS)-affiliated militants' seizure of Marawi in the southern Philippines and
the Philippine government's response to it offer useful insights to Australian and other
policymakers with regard to force structure, operational concepts, and the scope of activity
needed to deal with the repercussions of an urban seizure. One overarching insight is the need
to be ready for military operations in urban environments as well as a broadening of what
policy/decision-makers consider to be "the battlefield" to include the narrative space. This is
due to the increasing urbanization of the world's populations as well as the proliferation of
information technologies.

The siege exposed the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) lack of readiness for an urban
battle: it took the AFP five months to retake the city, leaving it in ruins and suffering a
considerable loss of life. This will undoubtedly give the Philippine military and authorities a
number of lessons and insights, but it may also enable other governments and militaries to
evaluate their own preparedness to handle urban operations, either as supporting partners or in
their own territory. This appears particularly pertinent when taking into account capability
alternatives for supporting partners facing identical difficulties, as doing so would lower the
number of military and civilian losses in upcoming actions.

The insurgents’ seizure of Marawi was accompanied by a systematic IS propaganda campaign

(online and offline) aimed at projecting an image of triumph and strength. The AFP engaged in
active counter-messaging to undermine militants’ narratives, encompassing the online space as
well as more traditional methods of messaging, such as leaflet drops, banners, and radio and
loudspeaker broadcasts. In the tactical sphere, this was aimed at avoiding civilian casualties as
well as stemming further recruitment by and popular support for the insurgents. In the longer
term, the overarching goal was to morally denounce the militants and undercut their support
bases.

Considering the centrality of ideology and information operations (IOs) in the future operating
environment, the Marawi crisis offers an instructive case when preparing for the challenges of
an evolving threat landscape. This report therefore examines both the capability aspects of
kinetic hard power and the lessons from soft-power IOs, and how they intertwine in the urban
environment.

2. Cite the actions that were done by the Government (both National and Local) to address the
‘challenge’.
 The Philippine political and media environments are vastly different from those of
Australia; given the government's strong control over media narratives during the Battle of
Marawi, we cannot draw general conclusions. Nonetheless, the Marawi IO is an interesting
case study in that it shows several essential elements of legitimacy-building. These
concepts may be extended beyond military operations to the ensuing political process and
 the broader practice of preventing and opposing violent extremism. And the AFP slowly
and systematically recovered Marawi. It doesn’t seek to examine tactical and training
lessons from the battle or dissect errors of the AFP in any detail. Those aspects are covered
in an extensive series of internal documents, the more sensitive aspects of which can’t be
shared for security reasons.

3. If you are to contribute on how such an event can be prevented and/or addressed, mention
ways and/or your opinion on what can be done to solve and help the community get through
such a problem.

 The only way to end the insurgency in Muslim Mindanao is for the Philippine government
and the biggest rebel organizations to reach a peace accord that is constitutional, broadly
recognized by the Moro and non-Muslim populations in western Mindanao, and enforced in
good faith. President Duterte, as the first president from Mindanao, is in the strongest
position to assist bring such an accord to fruition. So far, though, his approach to this most
elusive of ambitions has raised concerns.
Humanitarian investment should not halt after the Marawi siege ends. Rather, it should be
refocused on assisting in the search for and successful implementation of a peace deal.

Event II : Covid 19 Pandemic in the Philippines.

1. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND:
 The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is responsible for more fatalities than the SARS
coronavirus, despite being in the initial stage of a global pandemic. The first suspected case
in the Philippines was investigated on January 22, 2020, and 633 suspected cases were
reported as of March 1. We describe the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the first
two confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, both admitted to the national infectious
disease referral hospital in Manila. CASE PRESENTATION Both patients were previously
healthy Chinese nationals on vacation in the Philippines travelling as a couple during
January 2020. Patient 1, a 39-year-old female, had symptoms of cough and sore throat and
was admitted to San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on January 25. Physical examination was
unremarkable. Influenza B, human coronavirus 229E, Staphylococcus aureus and
Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected by PCR on initial nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal
(NPS/OPS) swabs. On January 30, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was reported to be detected by
PCR on the initial swabs and she was identified as the first confirmed COVID-19 case in
the Philippines. Her symptoms resolved, and she was discharged. Patient 2, a 44-year-old
male, had symptoms of fever, cough, and chills. Influenza B and Streptococcus
pneumoniae were detected by PCR on initial NPS/OPS swabs. He was treated for
community-acquired pneumonia with intravenous antibiotics, but his condition deteriorated
and he required intubation. On January 31, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was reported to be
detected by PCR on the initial swabs, and he was identified as the 2nd confirmed COVID-
19 infection in the Philippines. On February 1, the patient's condition deteriorated, and
following a cardiac arrest, it was not possible to revive him. He was thus confirmed as the
first COVID-19 death outside of China.
2. Cite the actions that were done by the Government (both National and Local) to address the
‘challenge’.
 The Philippine government responded to both developments by declaring a ‘community
quarantine’ for Metro Manila beginning March 15 until April 14, and was made even more
stringent by extending the quarantine to the whole island of Luzon. This quarantine
consisted of the following measures: social distancing; suspension of classes; closure of
sea, air, and land travel; establishment of checkpoints for temperature screening; temporary
closure of non-essential business establishments; encouragement of work-from-home
arrangements; and prohibition of mass gatherings and non-essential public events. The
declaration was met with panic: ports, expressways, and airports were filled with people
attempting to leave Metro Manila; shops posted ‘out-of-stock’ signages as people hoarded
consumer goods and hygiene products; online resellers took advantage of the situation by
stockpiling health products and reselling at exorbitant prices.

The government responded to these reactions by implementing an ‘enhanced community

quarantine’ in Metro Manila. The enhanced community quarantine consisted of: strict home
quarantine in all households; suspension of all forms of public transportation; regulation of
the provision for food and essential health services; and implementation of a heightened
presence of uniformed personnel enforcing quarantine procedures. In addition, curfews
were implemented from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. According to disease control experts, these
community-wide interventions are difficult to implement owing to its scale. However
difficult, they are necessary to ‘flatten the curve’ so health systems are now overwhelmed.
This is especially important in a country with: limitations on and poor distribution of
resource and capacity; highly populated urban areas; a health system undergoing changes to
provide equitable access to quality and affordable health care services for all Filipinos
under the newly enacted Universal Health Care Law.

3. If you are to contribute on how such an event can be prevented and/or addressed, mention
ways and/or your opinion on what can be done to solve and help the community get through
such a problem.
 To simply follow the instruction. As with other respiratory infections like the flu or the
common cold, public health measures are critical to slow the spread of illnesses. Public
health measures are everyday preventive actions that include:
✓ staying home when sick;
✓ covering mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Dispose of used tissue immediately;
✓ washing hands often with soap and water; and
✓ cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects.

As we learn more about COVID-19 public health officials may recommend additional
actions.