Military’s biggest concern in Pope’s PH visit? Not ISIS

MANILA, Philippines – It is not the possible recruits of the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS, that the military is preparing for to secure Pope Francis during his visit in January 2015. It’s the excited crowd.

“There is no such threat (ISIS). Ang [concern] namin ay ‘yung madumog sya ng tao e. Bababa sya. (Our concern is the way people will mob him when he gets out of his vehicle.) The people really like him very much,” said Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr.

“Matapilok, ‘yung mga ganon (He might stumble or what),” he added.

There is no confirmed connection between ISIS and terrorist groups in the Philippines, according to the military. While the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have pledged allegiance to ISIS, there have been no indications so far that the ISIS has reached out to supporters in the country in the form of financing or training.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) relayed reports of at least 3 Filipino jihadists supposedly killed in Syria although these have yet to be confirmed. 

“I think it is more a symphaty wit the ISIS. But we try to monitor those who are coming back from abroad if there is a connection,” said Catapang.

Two contingents of Filipino United Nations (UN) peacekeepers previously deployed to the Golan Heights will be deployed to secure the pope.

Catapang said they’re the “most available” and they the training and experience in securing international events. – Rappler.com