Daesh-inspired terror is coming closer to our doorsteps each day.
This fact is underscored by the ongoing conflict in Marawi City, coming the day after the bomb attack on the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
Both the concert bomber and the Marawi attackers—the Maute group—are said to be members of, or influenced by, Daesh (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria).
The other day, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police conducted a joint operation to capture Maute leader Isnilon Hapsilon.
The Maute (Abu Sayyaf militia) engaged in a firefight with government troops. In the ensuing battle, the Cathedral of our Lady Help of Christians in the city was torched, as was Dansalan College, and the black flag of the terrorists was raised at Amai Pakpak hospital, as seen in photos posted on social media.
The conflict has escalated to the point that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte imposed martial law upon the entire island of Mindanao.
Two things are most significant here: The terror attack, and the declaration of martial law.
First, the terror attack. There is no room for a terror group in our country. To know that there are Filipinos who have pledged their allegiance to Daesh is horrifying. Such an organization has no other purpose than to overthrow the present society and impose through terrorist tactics the inhumane, cruel, and repressive regime of Daesh in the Philippines.
To serve their foreign masters and curry their favor, the Maute will most likely adopt the same terror tactics Daesh uses, including bombing events with huge crowds such as the one at Ariana Grande’s concert, which was attended mostly by children and teenagers.
Is this what we want for our people—to live in fear? For the machinery of society to grind to a halt, as people refuse to leave their homes to study, work, play? For the economy to crumble and the country be plunged into a dark age it never suffered in its history, but that we see unfolding now in Iraq every day? Maute and other terror groups like it must be eradicated to prevent this. The AFP and PNP are doing their duty in Marawi right now, and keeping the rest of us safe, for which we salute them.
Second, the declaration of martial law. Do government troops have the situation under control? Has Hapsilon been captured? There isn’t much news coming out of the conflict area, because troop movements must be kept secret from the enemy. Did Duterte impose martial law on Mindanao because our soldiers and police are out of their depth, or because it would be easier for them to manage the situation under such a law?
One of the most painful lessons we learned from the Marcos years is the martial law can be used to commit and justify atrocities against the people, who are the ones caught in the crossfire between government and rebels. The law provides a 60-day period for martial law, yet Duterte, in a video posted by Mocha Uson, clearly said it could remain in place for a year. And why the whole of Mindanao? Is this really necessary?
At the moment the situation is too fresh and events are still developing. Many things are still uncertain, among them the safety and condition of the people of Marawi and the government troops trying to protect them. What we can do right now is rally the rescue and relief groups and stand by to deliver food, necessities, and medical help when the time comes.
As we have seen from the Manchester bombing and all other Daesh-led or –inspired attacks that preceded it, it is not easy to fight terror. But we can do it, and nipping the Maute terror group in the bud now will prevent it from growing any further and causing more harm and devastation in the future.
Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. FB: Jenny Ortuoste / Twitter: @jennyortuoste, @gogirlracing (sports) / IG:@jensdecember, @artuoste (art)