THE MLX4: VOICE OF SUCCESS
THEY WENT INTO BATTLE ARMED NOT with guns but with a portable loudspeaker. The Zamboanga siege in September 2013 marked the debut of the MLX4, the Philippine Army Civil Military Operations Group (CMOG)’s man-pack loudspeaker.
The Zamboanga crisis from Sept. 9 to 28, 2013 started when a rogue faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) attempted to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republic in the Zamboanga City Hall. The action sparked operations by government armed forces which resulted in stand-off between the MNLF rebels on one hand, and the AFP and PNP, on the other. This turned into urban warfare as the MNLF refused to surrender and took civilians hostage.
At the height of the crisis, one loudspeaker team, under Major Omar B Hagada, left CMOG headquarters for Zamboanga City to support the government’s ground forces who were conducting offensive operations.
“There we were, a seven-man team, equipped with the MLX-4,” recalls Cpl. Loygen Pelio, “about to make history as the first-ever actual ‘loudspeaker operation’ amidst a protracted firefight.”
Their task was to broadcast surrender messages to the enemy forces, specifically the steps to take if and when they decide to give up the fight. The broadcast went on through the night. The next morn- ing, the first batch of surrenderees emerged from their hideouts, following the surrender instructions aired by the MLX4 to the letter. They were followed soon after by other groups of surrenderees.
The loudspeaker is used in Information Support Affairs (ISA) operations to convey selected message
intended to influence the attitude and behavior of target audiences. The Philippine Army’s CMOG created its own Manpack Loudspeaker Version IV, or MLX4. The MLX4 is used by the Army in rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian operations and other peace and development activities.
Upon arrival in Zamboanga, the team developed audio products with surrender appeals to MNLF rebels and their civilian hostages. Soldiers well-versed in Tausug were requested to translate the English and Filipino messages into the local dialect. The team broadcasted from different locations, repeatedly giving instructions to the rebels on surrender procedures and encouraging the surrender of wounded rebels for proper medical care. The team also played military songs to boost the morale of the soldiers involved in ground offensives.
Day and night, the loudspeaker team delivered messages with no let-up, interspersing music that pulled at the heartstrings of all who heard the broadcast. Whereas the MNLF group’s options had been limited to just run, hide, fire or die, the MLX4 broadcast gave them a new option. The sustained and target-specific loudspeaker operations persuaded the MNLF to follow the path to peace and surrender.
On Sept. 25, the Iner Misuari (a nephew of MNLF leader Nur Misuari) group, composed of 36 rebels, yielded to government forces following surrender procedures from the loudspeaker broadcasts. The loudspeaker team recorded the voice of Iner Misuari to convince other MNLF rebels to surrender. Among the key messages were: Commander Iner Misuari testifying to the truthfulness of the government’s help if they surrender; that surrender would end their suffering; and surrender would give them the opportunity to start a new life with their families.
Hours after the broadcast of Iner Misuari’s message, some 39 MNLF rebels and four hostages, came out from their hideout. Due to these successes, the loudspeaker team was redeployed to other locations to convince remaining MNLF rebels to give up.
The next day, a group of 40 MNLF rebels surrendered, followed by another group of 42, and so on as many more came out from their hideouts.
The recorded message from hardcore MNLF commanders who had earlier surrendered convinced a great number of MNLF followers to yield their firearms and submit themselves to government authorities. The messages of their commanders that they were well taken care of after their surrender convinced a great number of followers to yield and abandon their cause, contrary to what they had been hearing that soldiers would harm them if they gave up.
At the end of the Zamboanga siege operations, the loudspeaker team helped government forces facilitate the surrender of more than a hundred MNLF rebels and the release of six civilian hostages.
The loudspeaker operations in Zamboanga City was thought to be the first of its kind in the history of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. But Major Pajarin, from the US Army’s Military Information Support Team, said that it was not only the first in the AFP but also in the world.
During combat operations, loudspeakers have been proven to be more advantageous than other means of dissemination, such as leaflets and radio. Enemy commanders cannot prohibit their soldiers from hearing loudspeaker broadcasts.
Barely two months later, the MLX4 was tested in the field once more, as the loudspeaker operations team was sent to the heavily devastated Tacloban City in Leyte on Nov. 12, 2013 during the AFP’s Disaster Response Operations after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
The teams assisted in relaying messages of order and unity amidst the chaos and confusion brought about by Yolanda. The MLX4 helped in the distribution of relief goods by informing people when and where to line up, as well as impose discipline in those waiting for their turn to receive the goods.
The loudspeaker team also aired public service announcements on the programs of different government agencies, NGOs, international NGOs and other volunteer organizations. All throughout the operations, the loudspeaker teams provided moral support to the victims by playing Christmas songs and other inspirational music during the month of December.
The MLX4 has demonstrated its full potential in both combat and disaster situations, proving that, though it is not deadly, it can accomplish the Army’s mission.
“The MLX4 is as important as other modern Army war-fighting weapons because it accomplishes the mission and reduces bloodshed and casualties during times of war,” says Cpl. Jeffrey Due, another member of the CMOG team involved in the Zamboanga siege.
“It may not have the firepower needed to kill the enemy,” adds Cpl Pelio, “but it has proven in many a dire circumstance that it can do the job, and do the job well.”