Operation Valiancy

Operation Valiancy (Filipino: Oplan Kagitingan) was the initial military operation of the 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which took place in Maguindanao, Philippines. The Philippine Army, primarily units of its 6th Infantry Division, assaulted Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces in the Talayan-Shariff Aguak-Datu Piang area of Maguindanao and captured Camp Omar ibn al-Khattab, its third largest camp located there. Camp Omar, named after Umar, a senior Sahabi of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, served as the headquarters of the 206th BIAF brigade under Ameril Umbra Kato and was defended by 500 guerillas. Camp Jabal Uhob, another MILF camp in the area, was also captured. Planned to be a week-long operation, Valiancy took only two days to realize its objectives.

Plan
Three task groups were organized for the operation. The 301st Infantry Brigade formed the core of the first (TG "A"), while the 601st Infantry Brigade did the same for the second (TG "B"). The third was a reserve force (TG "C"). The infantry was supported by artillery and Philippine Air Force units under 6th Infantry Division control.

The operation was to be conducted in two phases. The first phase called for Task Group "A" to attack and clear Camp Omar. Task Group "B" would act as a blocking force to prevent withdrawal from and reinforcement to Camp Omar. The second phase of the operation involved TG "A" attacking and clearing Camp Jabal Uhob; TG "B" would support clearing operations.

Battle
The attack on the two MILF camps progressed as planned. TG "A" was successful in assaulting and clearing both MILF camps, as TG "B" supported the effort. TG "C" secured the firebases that provided artillery support for TG "A". Philippine Air Force's Composite Tactical Group 12 provided air support, medical evacuation, resupply and troop insertion missions.

Aftermath
MILF camps Omar and Jabal Uhob, along with a cache of weapons and equipment, were captured by the government forces. The operation lasted two days, as opposed to the planned week-long effort. The quick defeat of the MILF forces under Ameril Umbra Kato reportedly prompted his demotion from field commander to a classroom instructor. Casualties were light on the government side; two dead as opposed to the MILF losses - 130 killed in action.