Sunday, November 22, 2015

AFP: No confirmation on ISIS links

From the Sun Star-Davao (Nov 22): AFP: No confirmation on ISIS links

DESPITE reports about some extremist groups having pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said there is no evidence yet that the group is already in the Philippines.

"We have no confirmed report pertaining to the presence of the ISIS here," AFP chief-of-staff General Hernando DC A. Iriberri told the media after the change of command at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao in Davao City on Saturday.

Iriberri admitted that some groups have expressed their support and sympathy to the ISIS, but this does not mean these groups have already connected with the international group.

"The supporters and sympathizers... that is what they are trying to do, using the flag of the ISIS to project that they are supporters. But it is not yet confirmed whether there is a connection between the ISIS and the Abu Sayyaf," Iriberri said.

Iriberri assured that they will expand their network, continue their efforts, and will even make some adjustments just to make sure that they can comply with the directive of President Benigno Aquino III.

Aquino earlier directed the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify their operations against Abu Sayyaf and other terror threat elements after the latter beheaded a Malaysian national they held captive since May.

Iriberri said if there will be adjustments, it will be on the realignment of their areas of responsibilities, operations, and the deployment of their troops.

"Matagal na namin yan ginagawa. But with the President's directive, we will make adjustments, focusing on trying to rescue the kidnap victims," Iriberri said.

When asked about the three foreigners and one Filipina who were earlier kidnapped in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, Iriberri said they are doing their best to rescue the victims.

"We cannot give you the details about what we are doing against them because it might jeopardize our operations and even jeopardize the safety of the victims. But what we can say is that tuloy-tuloy po yung aming operations," Iribberi said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2015/11/22/afp-no-confirmation-isis-links-442943

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.