By Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral
Reporter

AMID HIS PLAN to extend military rule in the strife-torn south until yearend, President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned of more assaults in Mindanao by jihadist extremists loyal to the Islamic State (IS).

Mr. Duterte declared martial law and enforced warrantless arrests over Mindanao on May 23 when clashes between government forces and pro-IS Maute terrorist group broke out in Marawi City, provincial capital of Lanao del Sur.

The band of militants overran the city were led by Omarkhayam and Abdullah Maute, who had joined forces with Isnilon Hapilon — leader of the dreaded kidnapping-for-ransom gang Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). The IS reportedly appointed Hapilon Southeast Asia’s “emir.”

In his seven-page request letter to congressional leaders dated July 18, Mr. Duterte cited a number of reasons for lawmakers to consider extending martial law in Mindanao, among these, the terrorists’ plan to attack other parts of the region.

Mr. Duterte cited “validated reports” as saying that Hapilon and the Maute brothers had sent operational fund to ASG “sub-leader” Furuji Indama to carry out attacks in Basilan, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, and Zamboanga City.

He added that Hapilon also directed bombings in “vital areas” in Mindanao, including Lanao del Norte.

“The ASG, in particular, has been heavily engaging government troops in skirmishes using improved explosives devices (IED), and has been responsible for ruthless killings of kidnap victims in Sulu and Basilan,” Mr. Duterte said.

The Executive’s plan to extend martial law came despite the military’s repeated assurance that soldiers “continue to gain headway” in operations in Marawi.

Also in his letter, Mr. Duterte reported that the leadership of Islamist militants “largely remains intact” despite a significant decline in the number of enemies. This is in contrast to the military’s earlier claim of “infighting” between Hapilon and the Maute bandits.

“Terrorist groups from various parts of Mindanao espousing or sympathizing with the same ideology remain active and are ready to reinforce Isnilon Hapilon’s group or launch diversionary attacks and similar uprising(s) elsewhere,” the commander-in-chief said.

“There are also indications that the… rebels are vigorously recruiting from other lawless armed groups, terrorist elements, and their families and supporters, to add to their ranks and replace those who have been killed or arrested,” he added.

As of July 17, security forces have neutralized 413 extremists holed up in Marawi while government casualties reached 98.

Forty-five civilians have been killed by jihadist bandits in the course of the bloody standoff, while air strikes and artillery bombings by advancing troops as well as deadly street combats have left the predominantly Muslim city in ruins.

The 1987 Constitution has set safeguards on martial law by limiting its enforcement to 60 days and allowing the Supreme Court and Congress to review the proclamation.

Congress will convene in a special session to consider the extension of martial law on July 22 — the last day of the 60-day limit to Mr. Duterte’s Proclamation 216 that placed Mindanao under a military regime.

DRONES FROM SINGAPORE
Meanwhile, Singapore on Wednesday said it has offered surveillance drones and urban warfare training to Philippine troops battling Islamist fighters.

Singapore’s defense ministry said its offer includes the use by Filipino troops of its urban warfare training facilities and a detachment of drones.

It also offered a C-130 transport plane to deliver humanitarian supplies to evacuees from Marawi, the ministry said in a statement issued after a visit to Manila by Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr. Ng on Tuesday met his counterpart Delfin N. Lorenzana, who “expressed his appreciation and in-principle acceptance of the offer from Singapore,” the statement said.

Singapore’s offer is the first from a fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) apart from joint maritime patrols involving the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Australia and the United States have provided spy planes, and China sent some guns and ammunition to help troops in Marawi.

Singapore’s defense ministry said Philippine forces were confident of liberating Marawi, but “further concerted efforts are required to ensure that other terrorist cells do not entrench themselves in the southern Philippines as this would cause instability to the rest of ASEAN.”

IS could use bases like Marawi to “launch further attacks against other cities within the Philippines and ASEAN, and urge their cells to attack targets in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore”, Mr. Ng also warned in a Facebook post. — with a report by AFP

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