The Armed Forces of the Philippines said there are indications of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ‘footprints’ but these do not point categorically to the presence of ISIS in Mindanao.
AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the army has been able to track groups trying to link with the global terrorist group.
“These groups seemed bent on complying with the standards to become validly part of the ISIS,” he said.
“This is the reason behind many of these activities of violence, radicalism, and extremism,” he said.
He said the AFP is determined to prevent these groups from succeeding in their goals.
He also clarified during a press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel that a total of 31 terrorists were killed in Marawi City, citing reports submitted by Joint Task Force Sampelan.
The AFP also received information that there were 12 identified members of Maute group who were killed in action during the battle series in Marawi City, which six of them were foreigners.
However, the nationalities of the six foreigners are still under validation and no confirmation yet whether these were part of the ISIS group. Padilla added, “many of them have been products of the previous terrorist organizations and their connections have been primarily with JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) and the likes.”
It is believed, Padilla said, that some of the terrorists are freely roaming around Mindanao and have been here for a long time. “Some of them are helping, teaching, aiding, and linking to all groups in waging war against the Philippine government.”
“But for those who have been here [for] a long time, they may have been here because they are trying to escape from the long-arms of law of their respective countries” added Padilla.
The AFP troops confirmed that these terrorists are doing drug-related activities citing evidences of drug paraphernalia were gathered during their several encounters, particularly, with the Maute group.
Doing drug-related activity is their means of supporting themselves, he said.
He described the terrorists as suicidal fighters who do not have any regard to their personal safety for as long as they were able to protect their group.
And on the matter of penetrating the situation in Marawi City, AFP General said, “hindi po tayo nahihirapan, naaantala lamang po tayo dahil mayron pa po tayong resistance sa lugar nay an. So gagawin po natin ang ating lahat na makakaya upang mapasok po at sa madaling panahon malibre na po ang lugar ng Marawi sa mga elementong ito”.
