Duterte warns of “looming “Isis problem

Zamboanga City. (PIA) – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has warned the public of the presence of certain Arab nationals in some parts of Mindanao, passing off as religious missionaries but actually doing indoctrination among Muslim Filipinos in support of the ISIS movement.

Speaking before the soldiers of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army and some officials and members of the Philippine National Police at the Tabak gym here yesterday, Aug. 10, President Duterte appealed to the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and PNP to shield “our brother Muslims from getting contaminated by ISIS disease.”

Duterte considered the ISIS, which stands for Islamic State in Iraq and Sham, a looming problem in the island. This group has its roots in 2002 when Abu Musak al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian who was involved in the Iraqi insurgency in 2003-2006. He was linked to al-Qaeda, a terror group, while he was in Afghanistan in the late ‘90s.

“Wala dyud ta makatilaw ug kalinaw diri sa Mindanao. Naa tay giatubang nga mga NPA ug MILF,” the first President from Mindanao said.

(We have not experience peace in Mindanao. We are faced with NPA and MILF problems.)

“Ang akong pagka-presidente, mangita ko’g kapayapaan (As the President, I will pursue peace),” he added.

He also reiterated his relentless campaign against illegal drugs, urging the soldiers “to help our government and our people” fight the problem.

Lt. Col. Benedicto S. Manquiquis, battalion commander of the Tabak’s Civilian- Military Operations (CMO) said the President’s visit to the division has boosted the morale of the soldiers. “This encourages our soldiers to work hard for the country,” he said. (FPG/PIA-9) (posted by Becky D. de Asis/dredlinenews)