Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The military resumed pursuit operations against the Maute Group in Mindanao this week, following reports it could be linking up with ISIS members abroad.
This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday that he will use “the might of the Republic” to those giving sanctuary or are thinking of giving refuge to terrorists.
Read: Duterte threatens ‘might of the Republic’ vs. terrorist coddlers
“I am earnestly asking… nakikiusap po ako sa MN(LF) pati sa MI(LF), na do not provide sanctuary, itong mga terorista sa lugar ninyo. Kasi pagka ganon, then we will be forced to go after them within your territory,” Duterte said.
[Translation: I am pleading to MNLF and MILF, do not provide sanctuary to terrorists in your area. If you do that, then we will be forced to go after them within your territory]
But for Jimmy Pansar, mayor of the battle-scarred Butig town in Lanao del Sur, the goverment should explore other ways to combat radicalism, more than just using military force.
Duterte has approved the construction of a 40-km road that will connect Butig to Barira town in Maguindanao.
Once completed, it is expected to spur development in far-flung areas that became breeding grounds for lawless groups.
“Hindi na sila makakatago diyan kasi mafi-feel nila madali na silang maabot ng mga tangke kung may kalsada na [They won’t be able to hide there because they will feel that tanks will easily reach them when there are roads already],” Pansar said.
Pansar said he is also pushing for cheaper and more efficient irrigation for farmers.
He said Butig’s 3,000 hectares of farm land can produce more than enough rice for the Lanao provinces.
“We really need to improve the economic conditions of the people para hindi na sila mag-isip ng masama [so that they don’t think of doing bad things],” he said.
Pansar also said there’s an urgent need to improve social services, especially following last year’s series of violent clashes between the military and the Maute.
For instance, local officials have requested the Education Department to fast-track the rehabilitation of classrooms. For them, it is important to keep young people in school, so that they will not be recruited to join radical groups.
Pansar said he is also closely working with religious leaders so his constituents will not be lured into joining ISIS. Otherwise, the mayor vows to take matters into his own hands
“We will fight at any cost,” Pansar said.
CNN Philippines Senior Digital Producer Fiona Nicolas contributed to this report.
