QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte revealed plans of the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf Group to attack Basilan City, General Santos City, Cagayan De Oro City and Zamboanga City in Mindanao.
He detailed this in his seven-page letter to Congress which sought a five-month extension of martial law in Mindanao
“Validated reports disclose that Hapilon and the Mautes have sent an operational fund to ASG sub-leader Furuji Indama in order to launch attacks in Basilan, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City and Zamboanga City,” Duterte said in the letter.
President Duterte said that he received intelligence reports regarding the planned attacks and that the Maute Group and the ASG are planning to conduct more bombings in various areas in Mindanao, including Lanao Del Norte.
The President said that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon had already ordered remnants of the Ansar Khalifa Philippines (AKP) to stage bombings in Mindanao.
“Hapilon has also directed the remnants of the AKP to conduct IED bombings in vital areas in Mindanao, including Lanao del Norte. The ASG includes several areas in ARMM as its stronghold, and has in the past operated in areas within Region IX. Its kidnap-for-ransom activities cover Sulu, Zamboanga del Norte and Tawi-Tawi,” Duterte said.
In the same letter, the President said that rebels from the Maute and ASG are recruiting to reinforce their group so they can launch diversionary attacks in these areas.
He said that terrorist groups in various parts of Mindanao are reportedly ready to reinforce Hapilon’s group.
“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.