The military has rallied behind President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to kill all terrorists and its tentacles.
“We all want to end terrorism the soonest possible time because it has stunted the growth of our country and prevented most communities to enjoy peace and development,” said Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command.
On Monday, President Duterte has given the military marching orders to destroy and kill extremists and terrorist group in the country, particularly those subscribed to the ideologies of the Islamic State and Al Qaeda.
Besana said the military has enough troops on the ground to confront terrorist groups capitalizing of a new strategy based on the current campaign plan emanating from the AFP hierarchy.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the estimated strength of the terrorist operating in Mindanao numbers to about 100 and 35 Abu Sayyaf bandits in Jolo and Basilan, respectively.
He said the terrorist ranks has significantly decreased, since most of them died in last year’s Marawi City battle, while others were killed in various encounters with security forces in Sulu and Basilan, and some had already surrendered.
Close to a thousand terrorists, including foreign Islamists who invaded Marawi City and wrecked havoc on the city were reportedly killed during the five months of fighting with security forces in May 23 last year.
Lorenzana said the ASG presently are still holding nine hostages, including foreign nationals, but most of them are new victims held for more than two years.
Aside from the ASG, Lorenzana said some 100 to 150 Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters continue to operate in Central Mindanao which are relentlessly hunted by army forces.
Col. Besana said Duterte’s latest order is the primarily role of the military to confront the terrorist groups that bring havoc and fear among the people “we are mandated to serve and protect.”
“This is the very reason why we continue to continue our sustained operations in areas where they operate,” Besana said as he called on all stakeholders to support government efforts against terrorism.
“We always call on all stakeholders to joining hands and support the government effort’s to rid our society not only of the terrorist themselves but also the drivers that breeds terrorism,” Besana said.