DAVAO CITY, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now on its foot after President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered them to validate alleged presence of the Islamic State or ISIS in Mindanao.
In a speech delivered by the president in Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, he told the Army to immediately arrest and deport ISIS indoctrinators once reports has been confirmed.
In an interview with Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson Maj. Filemon Tan Sr. on Saturday, he said that the army has boosted their intelligence units to confirm these suspicions.
"We have also strengthened our operations to prepare," he added.
Tan has refused to disclose more vital information as it may derail their tactical operations.
Duterte, on the other hand, included in his speech that even if those suspected Jihadist group members may be unarmed, it can be the start of ISIS threat in the country.
As cited in a report aired on Philippine Television 4, he said, "Just like the communists, this is alarming because of their power to condition innocent and unsuspecting minds."
The Army tasked to monitor Davao City 10th Infantry Division has also guaranteed that the people are in good hands as spokesperson Capt. Rhyan Batchar said Friday, "We intensified our efforts to strengthen the security of population centers in our area of operations from all possible threats."
On July 7 this year, the city was also caught off guard with Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte's revelation that he has been receiving threats from the international terrorist group.
However, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Police Superintendent Michael John Dubria has clarified thereafter that they did not receive confirmed reports of any ISIS threat.
He added that the police are doing its best to protect the people.
"They have nothing to worry about. They have to be calm but still be vigilant," Dubria said.