Duterte: ISIS will never gain a foothold anywhere in PH

President Rodrigo Duterte (File photo by ARMAN BAYLON / Presidential Photographers Division)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) would “never gain a foothold” in the Philippines as he promised to continue the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Program.

In his Day of Valor speech in Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu, Duterte lauded the military’s accomplishments against the Abu Sayyaf Group, a known ally of the ISIS.

“I am especially pleased with our military’s recent accomplishments against the Abu Sayyaf Group. Your efforts have brought us even closer to our ultimate objective of totally crushing the violent extremism at its roots,” he said,

“With this, I can confidently declare that ISIS will never gain a foothold anywhere in the Philippines,” he added.

While admitting that the ISIS was a cause of concern of the government, the President assured the public the military would fight the terrorist group.

“Well, of course, there is the ISIS that we have to worry here in — well in this part of Sulu, up and down Basilan. We’ll just have to fight and fight,” he said. “That’s why I said, when you fight, I will protect you, the utmost. I have given almost all of your requests.”

The commander in chief assured the military of his commitment to continue to modernize the AFP.

“We are doing everything to ensure that our military personnel will be able to perform their mandate efficiently and to the best of their ability. We will, therefore, continue to implement the AFP Modernization Program even as we remain committed to looking after the welfare of our men and women in uniform,” he said.

/atm