MILF admits: Muslim youth ‘fascinated’ with ISIS

From the Daily Tribune (Dec 10): MILF admits: Muslim youth ‘fascinated’ with ISIS

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) admitted that there are indeed Muslim youths in Mindanao “fascinated” with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria adventure but downplayed the presence of ISIS in southern Philippines.

“As far as the MILF is concerned, the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has no foothold (yet) in any part of Mindanao,” the MILF said in an editorial posted over its Web site.

“What probably is here now are a number of youths who seem fascinated by adventure, radicalized by lack of real and genuine world justice, and embittered by mass shedding of Muslim blood in the Middle East, courtesy of the ISIS and those countries who sent warplanes on bombing missions,” the MILF added.

The MILF warned that if not addressed, the “fascinated youths” may increase that would lead to bigger problem in the future.

 

“But if these youths grow in number or the alleged threat wrongly handled, like heavy handedness that resulted in collateral damages to civilians, they would eventually be able to take root, organize or even connect to whoever wants to use or help them,” the MILF said.

“There are reports of individuals recruiting youths and promising them money and paradise if they join — and die — during their struggle. But we have not validated it. It still remains a wild talk,” it added.

The MILF cited the recent operation staged by the Marines in Palembang, Sultan Kudarat that led to the killing of eight Muslim, mostly teenagers and students.

The MILF said it is one with other Muslim world in condemning the terrorist activities of the ISIS which has controlled some parts of Syria and admitted responsibility to strings of terror attacks in Paris and Mali.

“There is no justification for terrorism, whatsoever. But it is a fact that even a hardened criminal justifies his crime. He never accepts guilt for, say, murdering a neighbor. The ISIS is a case in point,” the MILF said.

“Despite their intense call for the return of caliphate, they are not only disowned but also condemned by Muslims around the world, including those learned (ulamas),” it added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), for its part, stressed that there is no monitored terror threat in the country during the holiday season.

PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez said that monitoring threats of terrorism is always “top of the agenda” in the intelligence community.

“There has been no actual credible threat directed against the communities for the Christmas Season,” said Marquez.

“Our units are on heightened alert not for any terrorist threat but for the influx of people in malls, markets,” he added.

 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/milf-admits-muslim-youth-fascinated-with-isis