8 foreign terrorists hiding in PH – AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Eight foreign terrorists are “hiding” in the Philippines while 29 suspected ones are under close watch for links to regional extremist groups, the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines told lawmakers on Tuesday.

At the briefing on the Department of National Defense’s proposed P283.3 billion budget in 2021, AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay revealed the extent of the threat posed by suspected militias that had sneaked into the country through its porous borders.

“We have identified eight terrorists hiding in our country and integrated into the local terrorist group factions, particularly Abu Sayyaf,” he said upon questioning by Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman.

“There are 29 on our watch list and we’re still verifying that information—that’s the number of foreign terrorists we’re monitoring,” Gapay added.

Gapay said the terrorists were able to enter the country “through the backdoor,” referring to the “very porous” borders especially in the South.