Duterte calls on military, police to contain ISIS threat

President Rodrigo Duterte calls on the military and the police to contain the ISIS threat in the country during his speech at the Philippine Military Academy ALumnis Association Inc.'s homecoming in Baguio City. (Photo grabbed from RTVM video)
President Rodrigo Duterte calls on the military and the police to contain the ISIS threat in the country during his speech at the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc.’s homecoming in Baguio City. (Photo grabbed from RTVM video)

(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte directed the military to contain the ISIS threat in the Philippines by “using all the available assets and resources” because, he said, this was the only way to secure Mindanao.

Speaking at the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc., homecoming in Baguio City, the President also asked the help of the military to create a better Philippines for Filipinos.

“I have directed the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) to continuously contain the ISIS threat and to intensify operations using all available assets and resources,” Duterte said.

“This is the only way to secure Mindanao,” he added.

The President cited how soldiers had been recently killed by rebels and how the threat of illegal drugs and terrorism could destroy the country.

He also cited the danger of the ISIS threat, referring also as to how the Abu Sayyaf Group had embraced the Islamic State ideology.

“As I have predicted, IS would find its way to the Philippines,” Duterte said, citing how the former ASG leader Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, had been declared as the IS leader in the Philippines.

He said Hapilon had been severely wounded in a recent encounter.

The President said that while the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group, is focused on kidnap for ransom, the Basilan-based ASG under Hapilon is “focused on assimilating the IS violence today.”

He said he thus needed the military to maintain peace and order in the country.

Before his speech, the President, a previous honorary member of the PMA Dimasupil class of 1967, was also adopted as an honorary member of the PMA Alumni Association Incorporated (PMAAAI).

This was through the PMAAAI board resolution of the PMAAAI directors who recommended this.

-PMA Alumni express “manifesto of support”

A manifesto of support of the PMA alumni was also read expressing the alumni’s support for the President, for the Constitution, and for “lasting peace.”

In the manifesto of support read by PMAAAI Corporate Secretary, Cavalier Christopher T. Calulot Sr, it said that they “affirm our unwavering support for President Rodrigo Duterte, our commander in chief for his initiatives, advocacies and decisions in the war against corruption and criminality in general, most particularly against illegal drugs, heinous crimes and terrorism.”

They also expressed support for the President’s “pursuit of lasting peace.”

 

Duterte said he needed the help of everyone, including the military to safeguard the country and the citizenry from lawless elements, and to maintain peace and order.

Citing his experience in governing Davao City, the President said, “If there is peace and order, businesses and everything else will follow.”

“So now I believe that what happened in Davao can really happen nationwide, but I need the help of each one, especially the military, not for social control, but protection of the citizens from the lawless, the reckless and the selfish,” he said, reading strictly from a prepared speech, something which he rarely does.

“While I never pretended to be a saint, I know that righteousness and discipline are the foundatjon of the nation. That is why what I desire for the Philippines is a prosperous society that includes everyone, the peaceful law abiding citizenry and people of different beliefs who choose to get along with one other,” he said.

He said that this was why he appreciated the PMA since it has the “template of discipline and civility.”

“Let us together build a nation worthy of the Filipinos. Of Filipinos worthy of their nation. Pilipinong nararapat sa Pilpinas. Pilipinas na nararapat sa Pilipino,” he said as he read the end of the prepared speech.

-Duterte sticks to prepared speech

It was one of the rare occasions where the President just stuck to his speech with no adlibs or his usual spontaneous verbal deliveries. The speech lasted for only about seven minutes.

One of the more vocal and critical opponents of President Duterte, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who was a graduate of the PMA, was not present in the event

During the homecoming ceremony, the PMA Alumni Association also called on all Filipinos to support President Duterte, and for all elected public officials to buckle down to work.

Their manifesto of support also said that the PMA Alumni, who are currently holding government positions, including those in the military, the PNP, the Coast Guard and others, are all supportive of the President and his advocacies.