Duterte unfazed by ISIS threat in India: Roque

January 26, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte shrugged off on Friday the reported threat on his life when he joined other Southeast Asian leaders in India's Republic Day.

"PRRD (Duterte) will not cower to threats from ISIS nor any other terrorist groups," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement from New Delhi where he accopanied Duterte in a three-day visit.

Roque said Duterte pledged to serve the Filipino people and "has left the issue of his mortality to the Creator."

"He is unmoved by this latest threat and will be unrelenting in his fight against violent extremism," he said.

Roque said all precautions were being taken by the Presidential Security Group and the Indian authorities.

A report by The Print, an Indian media organization, said there was an ISIS threat to Duterte on Republic Day, worrying Indian agencies.

Quoting sources, The Print said, "Duterte’s agenda to militarily wipe out Islamist extremism from the state of Mindanao—along with killing Isnilon Hapilon, leader of Abu Sayyaf and emir of the IS in Southeast Asia in the city of Marawi—has provoked the group to mobilise sleeper cells based in Indonesia, which are now planning a strike."

In his previous speeches, Duterte has said he would not allow Mindanao to be the Islamic State's caliphate in Southeast Asia.

Duterte has placed the whole of Mindanao under martial law shortly after the attack of IS-linked Maute terrorists in Marawi last May, lasting for five months. Martial law has been extended until end of this year.

Duterte is set to arrive in Davao City early Saturday. Celerina Monte/DMS