The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) appealed for cooperation from citizens to help the military in stopping the reported recruitment of supporters being conducted by the Islamic State in Marawi City.
“Kailangan po natin dito ang pakikilahok at tulong ng mamamayan lalo na ng nasa local na pamahalaan na nakakakita sa mga tao sa kanilang lugar, mga aktibidad na hindi karaniwan, mga bagong mukha na umiikot sa kanilang mga lugar, mangyaring magbigay kaalaman sa hukbong sandatahan upang magawa ng karampatang verification at attention,” AFP public affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo told reporters Wednesday.
(We need the participation and assistance of the public especially in the local government to identify people in their area who are new and suspicious; those who are new to them that they see roaming their locality, kindly alert the Armed Forces so we can do the appropriate attention.)
READ: Terrorists start recruiting new members in Mindanao—report
While he said they have received reports of the recruitment, he said it was something they already expected.
“Inaasahan natin ang kanilang pagre-recruit sapagkat they will not settle sa kanilang naging pagkatalo sa Marawi subalit handa po tayo dyan,” Arevalo said.
(We are expecting the recruitment of new members because they will not settle for that Marawi defeat, but we are ready.)
The Maute-ISIS laid siege in Marawi City last May 23. The fighting lasted five months, leaving about a thousand, mostly terrorists, killed. Hundreds of thousands were also displaced. /jpv