Foreign ideology threatens country's freedom: DND chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12): Foreign ideology threatens country's freedom: DND chief

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has urged Davaoenos to intensify vigilance as the country's freedom gained 119 years ago is now threatened by foreign ideology such as what is happening in Marawi.

Lorenzana joined the call made by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who asked the people of Davao to stay vigilant always and stand against terrorism in order not to render meaningless the freedom fought by Filipinos against foreign invaders.

Invoking the significance of the 119th Independence Day anniversary celebration Monday at the Rizal Park here, Lorenzana cited Davaoeńos' own fight against different ideology in the 1980's when people rise up to free the city of urban communist vigilantes.

Lorenzana, who represented President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City for the nationwide simultaneous raising of the Philippine flag and the singing of the national anthem, told the people to preserve the freedom gained 119 years ago or the 1980's in modern day generation against foreign ideology.

He hinted to the Maute's Islamist ideology which is now destroying the freedom of the Filipino people. He said that like the President people must protect this freedom for the future generation.

Lorenzana said it is possible that Maute has also invaded other places like Davao because they are slowly escaping the ongoing battle with government forces in Marawi City.

”Dili ta maniguro nga dili kaabot ang ISIS dinhi (We should not be sure that ISIS will not reach here),” Lorenzana said, adding that ISIS might open a new front to create a caliphate.

He reminded that the Maute patriarch, Cayamora Maute, was arrested in Davao. Cayamora, Lorenzana said might have contacts in Davao that is why he came to the city. Cayaomora's wife was also arrested outside of Marawi, he said.

If Davaoenos will not be vigilant, Lorenzana said the time will come when this foreign ideology will also spread in Davao. That is why, he said, it was necessary to declare martial law to cleanse Mindanao of foreign ideology.

In fact, he said, Malaysia and Indonesian defense officials who came to see him last week, even offered to help the government to defeat ISIS or ISIS-inspired groups. He recalled that during the first days of the Marawi battle there were bodies of Malaysian and Indonesian terrorists who fought alongside the Maute group members.

According to Lorenzana, the Maute may have asked the help of foreign terrorists to create a caliphate in the Philippines.

”We must help each other like how you resisted the encroachment of the NPA (New People's Army) in Davao. I call on the people to help government defeat this foreign ideology,” he said.

He underscored the importance of preserving this freedom for the brighter future of the children and a prosperous nation.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/994873