DND checking “unconfirmed” reports foreign terrorists have entered Mindanao

Smoke billows from destroyed buildings after government troops fired mortars at an Islamic State position in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao on October 15, 2017./ AFP / Ferdinandh Cabrera

By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday that it was verifying reports foreign terrorists have again entered Mindanao.

Lorenzana said reports from neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia showed  that there was an increase of foreign fighters in the island group in the southern part of the country.

“But we are trying to verify that. Up to now, wala pa kaming na-coconfirm,” he said.

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista said that so far, home-grown terrorist groups like Maute are in the process of recruitment.

He said the strengthening of the group, however, will depend on the results of the ongoing rehabilitation in Marawi.

“Anything  na may insidente  ng hindi paghandle properly, maraming repercussion diyan. That will be an issue for recruitment…,” he said.

He assured the public, however, that there were already efforts to cut the support of some to these groups.

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