AFP ‘confident’ to end threat groups before Duterte steps down

MANILA, Philippines — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it is confident to end threat groups in the country before President Rodrigo Duterte leaves his post in 2022.

In its yearender report, AFP said 134 members of local terrorist groups were killed (LTGs), 39 LTG members were captured, and 349 LTGs surrendered during military operations.

“The armed capabilities of these threat groups have really gone down and we have significantly degraded them and in no time we’ll be able to permanently put closure. Put an end in this. And yes we are doing our best to comply with the President’s directive to end of all these before his term ends by 2022 and based  on these indicators, yes it is very likely and very possible and we are confident that we can meet the deadline set by our president,” AFP chief General Gilbert Gapay said in a yerender press conference.

Data from AFP showed that of the 134 killed LTG members, 69 were from Abu Sayyaf Group, 34 were from Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)  and 31 were from Dawlah Islamiyah members.

The Philippine military also neutralized 20 high value targets in local terrorist groups as well as foreign terrorists.

The AFP also confiscated over 832 firearms from communist rebels. Meanwhile, 892 guns were surrendered by the communist groups to the military.

In a previous speech, President Rodrigo Duterte bared that he will not impose a ceasefire with communist rebels this holiday season or ever again during his administration.

The Philippine military also recommended to forego suspension of military operations with the New People’s Army.

JE