Philippine: Daesh-Linked Group Recruits New Members

By Roy Ramos ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) –Defeated Daesh-linked Maute group in Marawi City, have allegedly started recruitment activities, the military said Wednesday.Just weeks after Philippine troops declared total victory in the five-month clashes, remnants of the militant group are looking for new members in nearby areas in the province of Lanao."We have received reports that there are recruitment activities in the areas surrounding the Lanao Lake," said Task Force Ranao deputy commander Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr. in a press briefing as "ed by GMA News. Lake Lanao was used by the Maute group as an escape and entrance route. It also served as a "logistical and medical highway" to evacuate wounded rebels and bring in more ammunition. Brawner said that militants who escaped during the early days of the siege in Marawi are facilitating the recruitment effort targeting the kin of slain fighters. "The prime targets of their recruitment are the relatives of those killed in Marawi followed by the students and the children. They are still recruiting child warriors," said Brawner. Concerned by the possibility that the group can mount another attack, Brawner said they are now coordinating with the local officials and residents to thwart the recruitment. "We are coordinating closely with the local government and also the citizens of these municipalities so that they could help us in preventing the recruitment especially of the youth to join any terroristic activity," he said. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong confirmed receiving the same information saying recruits are lured of at least P30,000 ($593) compensation. Adiong called on the military to seek the assistance of the local government officials in stopping the spread of terrorism as he cited what happened to Marawi which was heavily damaged and left in ruins. Among the targeted areas of the terrorists are other cities in southern Philippines Mindanao islands including Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga City. The Canadian government on Tuesday warned its citizens against travelling in the Philippines' Mindanao due to serious threats of terrorist attacks and kidnapping. "There is a serious risk of terrorist attacks and kidnappings in this region. Bombs causing deaths and injuries have exploded in public areas of major centers, including the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, General Santos, Isabela, Jolo, Kidapawan and Zamboanga," the latest travel advisory said. Early this month, Australia also warned its citizens about a "high threat" of a terrorist attack in the country including the capital Manila even as the government declared victory in Marawi. -