IN PHILIPPINES’
the city centre, nearly two weeks after the start of the fighting that has killed 177 people, including 120 militants.
“How can we tackle these foreign fighters? We have to be comprehensive,” said Ryacudu, a retired general.
“We have to find... complete ways, but we must exercise caution, they are killing machines.
“Their aim is to kill people. That is why it’s our responsibility to have common understanding, consensus and common proceedings on how to fight these foreign fighters.”
Philippine Defence Undersecretary Ricardo David, speaking at the forum, said the 1,200 figure for IS fighters in the Philippines mentioned by Indonesia was new to him.
“I really don’t know. My figure is 250-400, a lot less.”
But, David said there were 40 foreign IS fighters among those who seized parts of Marawi, eight of whom have been killed by government forces.
Earlier, Philippine officials said the slain foreign fighters were from Malaysia, Indonesia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Chechnya.
“Our intelligence estimates that there are about 40 foreigners that fought in the Marawi incident,” David said.
He said the foreign fighters used “back channels” in the Sulu and Celebes seas near the borders of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia to enter the southern island of Mindanao and link up with local terror groups.
“That's why they were able to muster the operations in the area of Marawi.” AFP