Hits local terrorists for embracing a foreign ISIS ideology
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte urged government forces to kill and destroy Islamic militants in Marawi City, saying so many lives of his soldiers and policemen had been lost that he would not stop until he had “crushed” those who have sided with a “foreign ideology” in Mindanao.
“I am ordering you to crush, pulbusin ninyo ang kalaban natin. Kasi hindi ito pangkaraniwan… When I say crush them, we have to destroy everything including lives because they are destroying lives,” he told soldiers of the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in North Cotabato on Tuesday, June 6.
He said the militants are committing a crime of rebellion, and that they are already waging war.
“Gentlemen we are fighting a rebellion. Rebellion is a war. it is not anything you see everyday na law and order,” the President said.
“Rebellion is a crime against the Republic of the Philippines. Itong mga taong ito, they want to overthrow the government and replace it with another one,” he said.
Foreign ideology, foreign terrorists
The President also said it was unfortunate that certain local terrorists in Mindanao had to embrace a foreign ideology such as that of the international terror group ISIS.
“Galit ako kasi dinala doon sa Lanao, a foreign ideology,” he said referring to the ISIS ideology.
“Nagpapakamatay naman yung mga Moro,” he said.
“Gamitin naman ninyo ulo ninyo. Why do you allow other people to come to our country and destroy us? Foreign yan sa inyo. Hindi natin ugali yang galing sa Middle East,” Duterte said, apparently referring to local terrorists in Mindanao who have embraced the ISIS ideology and had allowed ISIS-connected foreign terrorists to enter the country. The foreign terrorists were spotted fighting alongside Maute and Abu Sayyaf rebels in Marawi City.
The military has confirmed that there were eight foreigners who had been killed on the part of the enemy forces in Marawi City
In an earlier televised news conference Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that eight of the foreign bandits slain in intense street combat included two Saudi nationals, two Malaysians, two Indonesians, a Yemeni and a Chechen.
“What is happening in Mindanao is no longer a rebellion of Filipino citizens,” said Solicitor General Jose Calida..
“It has transmogrified into an invasion by foreign terrorists who heeded the clarion call of ISIS (Islamic State group).” Calida added.
President Duterte said the objective of the foreign ideology called ISIS was to “kill and destroy” which was why he would also like to kill and destroy these terrorists.
“Ang objective ng ISIS is to kill and destroy. Kaya ako I will kill and destroy also, period,” he said.
Duterte said there is no turning back now.
“Tapusin na natin ang giyerang ito. Inumpisahan ninyo,” he said referring to the ISIS-inspired Moro rebels.
“Marami na akong patay na sundalo. Marami na akong patay na pulis. We have crossed the bridge already,” he said explaining his order to wage war against Islamist militants, and not to stop until government forces had finished them off.
Drug connections
President Duterte also stressed that drug money was also funding the Islamist extremists in Mindanao.
“Itong rebellion pati drugs is connected,” he said. “Shabu money ang ginamit.”
He said the extremists flooded Mindanao with shabu.
“The proceeds of the shabu is being used to fund terrorism in Marawi City,” the President said as he also ordered government forces to destroy the illegal drug apparatus as well.
Duterte explained that government forces are now facing too many fronts in Mindanao. Before, it was only the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Now there is the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf who have pledged allegiance to the ISIS ideology.
At one point, Duterte seemed to castigate local terrorists in Mindanao for allowing themselves to be contaminated with a ruthless foreign ideology, and for allowing foreign terrorists to enter Mindanao.
“Bakit kayo pumayag magpapasok?” he said. “I cannot stop my soldiers now.”
He said it would have been different if there were no killings.
“Tapusin natin ito. Walang peace talks, if it would take me 10 years to do it, I will do it, if I am still around,” he said.
The President said he will support his soldiers and policemen and give them the necessary equipment for them to finish the job.
“I have to repay your services. Bagong equipment, lahat bago,” he said as he thanked the soldiers for their efforts for the country.
“Dito sa gobyerno ko, you have the highest priority, pati police,” he added.
