Duterte tags ISIS as behind terror attacks in Marawi

A Philippine Marine guards the display of high-powered firearms, ammunition, uniforms and black ISIS-style flags which were recovered from Muslim militants Tuesday, May 30, 2017 in Marawi city southern Philippines. Philippine forces pressed their offensive to drive out militants linked to the Islamic State group after days of fighting left corpses in the streets and hundreds of civilians begging for rescue from a besieged southern city of Marawi.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

“It’s purely ISIS.”

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday tagged the international terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as behind the terror attacks in Marawi City.

“What’s really happening, alam mo iyang rebellion sa (the rebellion in) Mindanao, it’s not Maute; it’s purely ISIS with different brands kasi sila yung nag-umpisa (because they started it). Actually, yung (the) Maute brothers went to Libya, and the other one,” Duterte said in a speech during the oathtaking of newly appointed government officials at Malacañang.

He said the Marawi siege, which started on May 23, “has long been planned” after ISIS named Abu Sayyaf Isnilon Hapilon as its emir in the country.

“They went there. Itong Marawi na ito (The Marawi attack) has long been planned. It could not be just a decision na (that), ‘Let’s go to Mindanao.’ Plano na ito lahat (It has been thoroughly planned),” he said.

“Noong si Hapilon na, idadala sa (When Hapilon’s name became famous…) Central Mindanao and he was anointed as the emir, doon na ako nakaamoy na (that’s the time I sensed) something terribly wrong is going to happen kasi dala-dala na iyang ISIS,” he added.

The President said the terrorists in Mindanao were funded by drug-money.

“Yung (This) Maute is just the family name of two brothers. They started and I warned you before, I’m warning you now na ang (that) ISIS, walang pera (has no more funds) and I said, by the time they are pushed back and they lose the landmass, they will scamper to everywhere,” he said.

“Dito, ang nag-fifuel sa insurrection, ang drugs. Sinadya talaga nila iyan (Drug money is fueling the insurrection),” he said. /rga/ac