Filipino Muslims recruited by jihadists worrying--Duterte

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 24): Filipino Muslims recruited by jihadists worrying--Duterte

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is worried about the consequence when the number of Filipino Muslims reportedly trained with the Islamic State (IS) come back to the country and generate bad for compatriots as he confirmed reports recruitment by jihadists happened sometime last month.

“Naay naghung-hung nako, nay nag-adto didto naa pud mga batan-on (recruited), mga Filipino Muslim naa didto kay kung madisgrasya involve ang Filipino… maski papaano Filipino pa rin… ilang makuha ang technology pareho kaniadto sa Afghan dala dala ang technology sa Taliban (Sometime ago somebody whispered to me that Filipino Muslims went there (Iraq) including the young, and if they get into danger involving the Filipinos… they are still Filipinos…they might acquire the technology just like in the past in Afghanistan when they brought with them the technology). I am sad,” Duterte said during his Sunday Program Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa.

Duterte however said he is not condemning anybody for choosing to be there although “I am worried for them…I just hope they are there to fight for religious principle and not hatred and leave (Iraq) that way there.”< p>The mayor’s confirmation came on the heels of reports that about 100 Filipino Muslims from Mindanao are undergoing training with IS in Iraq. No less than former president Fidel Ramos revealed the information that members of the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are trained by IS.

Duterte said he was told of the same information sometime last month but he was not sure of the number. He was also wondering what the dimensions are if true that BIFF has pledged allegiance to IS.

According to Duterte, the consequence of undergoing training would pose danger to Filipino compatriots once they come back bringing with them a principle fueled by hatred.

I always have high respects on principle and religious values but if fueled by hatred it is difficult. I hope it will not generate something bad for us. They will not bring the technology of terror, Duterte emphasized.

Duterte pointed out that it is different if the objective is driven by religious principle “Islam is a guide for human being,” he said.

In an interview with ANC last week, Ramos was quoted as saying that the information reached them (retired people) that young Filipino Muslims have already infiltrated Iraq to undergo training to return and be jihadists or militants.

According to Ramos, the Abu Sayyaf has been encouraged by the success of IS, which recently declared an Islamic caliphate in its controlled areas in Iraq and Syria. It has been reportedly responsible for the atrocities in some parts of Iraq, resulting even in beheading of some people, mass execution and the taking of child brides.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=676243