American stabbed in Makati was civil affairs Marine in Afghanistan –report

The US national who was stabbed to death in Makati last Saturday was a major in the United States Marine Corps assigned to a unit with specialized training in "people skills," according to the news site Gawker.

 

George Anikow was the executive officer of the 4th Civil Affairs Group (CAG) of Regimental Combat Team 3 in Afghanistan in 2009, Gawker said. 

 

George Anikow, who was stabbed to death in Makati City last Saturday, was a Major in the US Marine Corps. He was the executive officer of a Civil Affairs detachment with Regimental Combat Team 3. He is seen here in a photo taken on Aug. 18, 2009 joking with local children during a patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

According to an article titled “Regimental Combat Team 3 Marines Implement Methodology to Understand Local Problems” which was posted in the International Security Assistance Force (the NATO-led military force that is fighting an insurgency in Afghanistan) Facebook account, the 4th CAG  used a method called Tactical Conflict Assessment Planning and Framework to engage with the local population in order to determine their concerns.

 

TCAPF is a standardized diagnostic tool, created by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and used since 2006 in multiple countries.

 

Once the Marines learn what the causes of concerns are in the area, they work with and through the Afghan government to solve the problems. The matters dealt with range from providing potable drinking water to providing security.

 

As used by the Marines, the method is reminiscent of the “Hearts and Minds” program used by the British in the Malayan Emergency and, by the US in the Vietnam War.

 

TCAPF is designed to be uncomplicated so that it doesn’t take a marine specially trained in CAG to carry it out.

 

However, according to Lance Cpl. Jasmin A. Gagnon, 23, as quoted in the same article, "You have to have people skills…It would just be awkward to walk up and ask questions without establishing a rapport."

 

At the time of his death, Anikow was reportedly awaiting orders to return to active duty. 

 

Anikow, the spouse on an American diplomat, was stabbed early Saturday after an altercation outside the gate of Bel-Air Village in Makati City.

 

The US Embassy on Monday denounced the killing and called for an early resolution of the case.  Four men have been charged for the crime. –KG, GMA News