Anti-terror measures continue despite ISIS leader's death

MALACAÑANG on Monday, October 28, said anti-terror measures will continue to be implemented in the country, especially in Mindanao, despite the death of fugitive Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace welcomes the IS leader’s death, but was not sure how this would impact on the terror group's recruits in Mindanao.

“‘Yan ang hindi natin alam. Hindi ko mabasa yung magiging response ng mga nire-recruit nila (We don’t know yet. I could not tell what would be the response of their recruits), if it will affect them or not.”

United States (US) President Donald Trump has confirmed that Baghdadi killed himself during American troops’ operation in northwest Syria.

“That's good news for countries (that) have been terrorized by the ISIS (IS of Iraq and Syria). But then again, the leader of one group does not mean the extinction of that band of terrorists,” Panelo told reporters in a Palace press briefing.

“As far as we are concerned, whether the leader dies or not we will secure that part of the country from them,” he added.

Mindanao was placed under martial rule after the Maute terror group, which had pledged allegiance to IS, attacked Marawi City in Lanao de Sur province on May 23, 2017.

Martial law in the southern Philippines will expire on December 31, 2019.

Panelo said Baghdadi’s death does not mean the end of terror acts.

He, however, acknowledged that terror groups may be discouraged following the IS leader’s death.

“The death of the leader does not mean the extinction of that group. But then, it may also cause discouragement on the part of the terrorist groups,” he said. (NASE/SunStar Philippines)

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