Tag Archives: abu sayyaf
TERRORISTS
Mindanao has large concentration of terrorist groups
DUTERTE: DAYS OF DANGEROUS LIVING AHEAD
President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted a stronger military and police force to prepare for “dangerous times ahead” in the Philippines.
He urged Congress to pass measures that will provide the Armed Forces and the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) with more assets and equipment before the end of his term in 2022.
“I hope that Congress would tide us over to complete the instruments that we need in dealing, especially with terrorism,” Duterte said in his speech during the appreciation dinner for former President and outgoing House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday (July 9) night.
Although he was not belittling the capabilities of the next President, Duterte said he simply wanted a completed modernization program before he exits.
“I hope that by the time I make my exit, nandiyan na lahat ‘yan (it’s all there) because I am not belittling the events to come or the person coming in to be the next president,” Duterte said.
“I’d rather that I leave with a strong military and police and equipped to challenge the enemies of the state, especially terrorism,” he added.
The chief executive warned of “dangerous times ahead”, especially in areas of Mindanao where there is a larger concentration of terrorist groups.
First Pinoy suicide bomber kills 8 in Sulu attack
“I see very dangerous times ahead. And I hope that we will be able to contain whatever there is to really to… Lumalabas nga ‘yung pawis sa kamay ko (My hands are sweating) just thinking about if it would go awry outside of Sulu and Basilan Islands,” Duterte said.
Duterte further stressed the need to continue acquiring more assets and equipment because of the threats that lie ahead.
“So that I said, I must be prepared. And nabili ko na ho ‘yung mga kailangan (I have bought what is needed), but there are still a few things that I must have for my Armed Forces and the police,” Duterte said.
“And one of these days, I will call for a — just — for a time to talk and we’ll talk about it because it’s really needed by the country,” he added.
Honest assessment
PNP spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac, for his part, described Duterte’s remark as an “accurate and honest assessment” of trends in terrorism, transnational crime, and cross-border criminal activity.
Noting that these problems required greater flexibility and capability of military and police forces, Banac thanked the national government for being “responsive” to the situation.
He stressed that since Duterte’s assumption in 2016, the PNP has been provided with not just operational requirements but also morale and welfare services, which have improved living standards of uniformed personnel and their families.
“Over the last three years, the PNP has been able to keep up with our modernization and development plan with the procurement of more and better equipment and recruitment of more personnel,” Banac said.
“Between now and three years hence, the PNP is in a better position to perform its law enforcement and public safety mandate thru enhanced operational capability,” he added. (With reports from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
EXTENSION
The 60-day Martial Law in Mindanao that President Rodrigo Duterte declared on May 23 may be extended.
But Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they need a couple more weeks to determine whether they would recommend an extension of the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao.
VALID
4 MINDANAO TERRORIST GROUPS LINKED TO ISIS
MINDANAO EYED AS ISIS PROVINCE
BY ROGER M. BALANZA
Four Mindanao terrorist groups have pledged allegiance to the Middle East-based international terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Solicitor General Joe Calida identified the groups as the Abu Sayyaf led by Isnilon Hapilon, Ansarul Khilafah Philippines (AKP) led by Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, Maute Group led by Omar Maute, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Calida named the terrorist groups in a consolidated comment he submitted on June 13 to the Supreme Court, which on the day started hearing oral arguments of petitioners seeking to nullify President Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.
According to Calida, the groups linked up with ISIS for the purpose of establishing a wilayah (province) in Mindanao.
ISIS, considered as today’s most violent terrorist group, plans to establish a global caliphate and has tapped Mindanao terror groups to make the Philippines’ southern island as part of the ISIS worldwide Islamic state.
The May 22 attack on Marawi City by combined forces of the Maute Group and the AbuSayyaf Group was part of the terrorists grand plan to capture the Muslim city to become part of the caliphate of ISIS.
The terror attack prompted President Duterte to issue Proclamation 216 declaring Martial Law in Mindanao.
The Supreme Court held three days (June 13, 14, 15) to hear oral arguments on the petitions seeking to nullify President Duterte’s declaration on grounds it had no factual basis.
NO US SPECIAL FORCES VS MAUTE
TECHNICAL HELP ONLY
Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella on Sunday clarified the “assistance” being provided by United States in the ongoing operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Marawi as only “limited to technical assistance”.

SAYANG!!