AFP issues alert vs movement of ISIS-inspired groups

October 30, 2017

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has alerted all military units to monitor the presence of Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired groups in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, newly-installed AFP chief of staff, made this announcement in his first command visit on Monday.

“Before the Marawi (fighting broke out), we have already monitored that they are moving around the country,” Guerrero said.

“It is highly possible they have been able to go around to other areas as well,” he added.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said religious leaders and local government units have joined forces to prevent terrorists from infiltrating their areas.

“They don’t want to experience... what happened in Marawi City,” Galvez added.

Guerrero was given arrival honors at Camp Basilio Navarro, headquarters of the Westmincom headquarters where he later held a closed-door command conference with unit commanders. DMS