PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not be cowed by reported threats from terrorist group Islamic State (IS) while in India, Malacañang said on Friday, January 26.
"(Duterte) will not cower to threats from ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) nor any other terrorist groups. He has pledged to serve the Filipino people and has left the issue of his mortality to the creator," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement.
Roque issued the statement following a report by an Indian news firm that Duterte, a vocal critic of IS, is a target of the terror group as he embarks on a visit to India.
Duterte, in his spontaneous speeches, has repeatedly warned against the possible retaliation of IS after the Philippine troops defeated the Maute extremist group, which laid siege to Marawi City for five months in 2017.
The New Delhi-based The Print reported on Thursday, January 25, that IS is allegedly planning to stage an attack against Duterte during India's Republic Day Parade Friday morning, January 26, at Pravasi Baratiya Kendra, Chanakyapuri.
The report, quoting a security agency source, said there were intelligence inputs that Duterte, who is currently in India, "is coming with baggage, as he has been very vocal about wiping out IS."
It also claimed that "the IS has its people and is planning to strike" against Duterte.
Roque said the President remains unfazed by IS threat. Security arrangements between the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and Indian policemen "are in place" to ensure the President's safety during his visit to India.
"He is unmoved by this latest threat and will be unrelenting in his fight against violent extremism. All precautions through are being taken by the PSG and Indian authorities," he added.
The presidential spokesman also stressed that the Philippine delegation to India "will all be there for and with him." (SunStar Philippines)