- The AFP said that the non-passage of the BBL may not necessarily cause violence in Mindanao
- Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said that the name of ISIS is only used by rebels to draw attention
- The official said that there is no direct presence of international terror groups in the area
The Armed Forces of the Philippines shared its view that the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) may not necessarily cause violence in the southern part of the country.
In an article written published by GMA News Online on March 7, it was disclosed that AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said that the military organization does not agree with the belief that if ever the BBL will not be passed, fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq in Syria (ISIS) will strengthen its presence in Mindanao.
“We do not believe that this frustration is triggering all the violence there,” Padilla said.
Moreover, the newly-promoted general also added that the news about the alleged pledge of allegiance of certain Muslim extremists such as the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to the ISIS is not true; saying that “there is no direct, verifiable and credible presence of any international groups within the area.”
He noted that the name of ISIS is merely dragged in the situation as part of the terrorists’ bid to draw more attention from the public.
“We believe that the names of the big groups like the ISIS is only being brought into the conversation because of their desire to get further attention from many of the players in the field,” Padilla said.
Two weeks ago, over 20,000 residents fled from their homes in Lanao del Sur after the AFP intensified its stance against the Maute rebel group, who also claimed to have formed an allegiance with international terrorist organizations.
According to Col. Billy dela Rosa, commanding officer of the 51st Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army, military operatives were able to overrun the rebels’ stronghold in the town of Butig; killing two local terrorists who were protecting the group’s camp.
Dela Rosa has also confirmed that according to intelligence information, Maute’s group has recruited male and female minors aged 14 years old and above to join its terror operations.
“May mga edad 14 anyos pataas ang nahikayat ng Maute terror group na sumali sa kanilang pangkat [There are 14-year-olds and above who were recruited to join the Maute terror group],” he said; adding that photographs of several minors carrying firearms were recovered from the raided camp.
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