Expert wary of ISIS influence reaching PHL rebel groups

From GMA News (Sep 26): Expert wary of ISIS influence reaching PHL rebel groups

A political science professor on Friday expressed concern over the possibility of terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) extending its influence to Philippine rebel  groups.

In an interview on "News To Go," Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, said, "Nakababahala kung ang impluwensiya ng ISIS ay makarating dito sa Pilipinas dahil mas bayolente, mas draconian ang kanilang paniniwala."

"'Yun kasi ang brand ng ISIS: Nagpo-propagate sila ng isang form ng Jihad na napaka-violent at brutal at nagtuturo ng Islamic principle na nagja-justify ng violent activities," he added.

Also, he said the international terror group al Qaeda may be extreme, but ISIS is even more.

"Ang al Qaeda ay masasabi nating extreme, ang ISIS ay... nasa extremist portion talaga ng spectrum of violence, sobrang draconian talaga ang measure nila," he said.

Banlaoi said there is already an ISIS presence in the Philippines. "Ang presensiya nila meron na dahil may self-proclaimed followers sila."

"Tatlo ang tinitingnan ko na aspeto ng ISIS presence [dito]: Una, kung may legitimate ISIS members na nag-ooperate sa Pilipinas; pangalawa, ISIS-inspired personalities and groups; at Pangatlo, mga grupong nagba-bandwagon lang sa popularity ng ISIS," he said.

However, he said his group is still verifying reports on whether there are rebels trained by ISIS who have come to the Philippines.

Earlier reports said Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and former President Fidel V. Ramos indicated ISIS was training at least 100 Filipinos.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also said it was investigating on the matter, adding that it had not yet received any verified information on any recruitment activities by ISIS in the Philippines.

However, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic  Liberation Front now talking peace with Manila, and the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group have pledged support to ISIS.

Last Thursday, President Benigno Aquino III expressed the country's intetion to assist in the United States' campaign against the ISIS.

Aquino said the Department of Foreign Affairs will meet with the US State Department to discuss the matter.

More than a military problem

Banglaoi said the ISIS problem goes beyond the military aspect, which is the only area that can be solved by airstrikes being launched by the US.

"Ang ina-address ng airstrike ay i-neutralize 'yung armed component ng ISIS, pero 'yung ISIS ay hindi lamang military problem. Isa siyang ideological, social, political, [and] economic problem," he said.

"Social problem siya kasi ang ISIS, kina-capitalize ang existing social grievances na makikita sa iba't ibang dako ng mundo, particularly sa Muslim roots. Ang mga ISIS ideas na makikita sa internet, pwede mag-take advantage sa existing social grievances.... Gumagawa sila ng religious justification [for] violent behaviors," he added.

Challenge to Bangsamoro

The ideas promulgated by ISIS also poses a big challenge to the Bangsamoro and the autonomous government it will eventually establish, especially if it will not be able to properly rule in its territory, Banglaoi said.

"Malaking hamon 'yan sa Bangsamoro government na itatayo... na maging epektibo ang pamamahala sa Mindanao para mapigilan ang paglago ng [ISIS doon]," he said.

"Kung ang Bangsamoro government [ay] makade-deliver ng social services, maa-uplift ang kalagayan ng tao, maayos ang underlying conditions, siguro magiging malakas na antidote ito. Pero kung magiging failure kagaya ng ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), pwede pa maging mitsa ng panibagong uri ng kaguluhan sa Mindanao."

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/380986/news/nation/expert-wary-of-isis-influence-reaching-phl-rebel-groups