Happy Prior Knowledge of the Marawi Attack Anniversary!

Blow up the balloons. Break out the cake. Bring out the food!  It's time to celebrate.  Today is:

THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE MARAWI ATTACK!!

That's right one year ago today the AFP learned of the plans to siege Marawi and several other cites.

19. AFP intelligence reports disclose that as early as 18 April 2017, Abdullah Maute had dispatched his followers to the cities of Marawi, Iligan, and Cagayan de Oro to conduct bombing operations, carnapping, and “liquidation” of AFP and PNP personnel in the said areas.

21. Military forces spotted Hapilon in Marawi City sometime in early May 2017.25 Specifically, on 18 May 2017, intelligence reports revealed that the ISIS-inspired local rebel groups were planning to occupy Marawi City, and to raise the ISIS flag at the provincial capitol. This intelligence report was confirmed through a video26 recovered by government forces in the lairs of the Maute Group during the course of their military operation on 23 May 2017. The video shows the ASG and Maute Group leaders planning their attack of Marawi City.

https://www.scribd.com/document/351020350/Consolidated-Comment-on-Martial-Law-Petitions

That is two times in a one month period that the AFP had warnings about the impending attack and what they do? They waited for Maute to make a move before they made a move. Then, like a miracle, Hapilon suddenly appeared and the rest is history.

Major General Rolando Bautista, the ground commander who ordered the raid, told Rappler on May 25 they received information on the plan of terrorist groups to seize Marawi "2-3 weeks before" the clashes. 

They waited for the Maute brothers to make a move, but they were surprised to learn of Hapilon's presence in the city. The military's pursuit operations for Hapilon led to the clashes that continue to rage to this day.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/172777-isis-military-marawi-crisis-martial-law-calida

So as you go about your day today reflect on this fact: the AFP knew about the attack before it happened, it still happened, and there has still been no investigation to figure out exactly what happened to allow this to happen!

Happy anniversary!