Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to recruit and train up to 10,000 elite special forces to fight the growing threat of Islamic State-affiliated terror groups. (Photo: AFP/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered thePhilippine National Police (PNP) to recruit and train up to 10,000 elitespecial forces to fight the growing threat of Islamic State-affiliated terrorgroups.
“We are facing so many fronts. I need moresoldiers. I would need about an additional of 7,000-10,000 Special Action Forcetroopers since the problem is getting bigger and bigger,” Xinhua News Agency quotedDuterte as saying. He made the statement before newly-promoted PNP officers atthe presidential palace on August 8.
He asked PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde to begin the recruitment process,and stressed the need for the coming dangers ahead due to the migration ofIslamic State militants to Southeast Asia.
Philippine authorities accused the local IS-affiliated groups like the AbuSayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters of harbouring foreignfighters who managed to slip into the country.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command of theArmed Forces of the Philippines, said last month that the BIFF and the ASG wereharbouring at least seven foreign terrorists who were in Mindanao to train Filipinosto become suicide bombers.-VNA
