Gov't forces in Marawi face several armed groups, apart from Maute

The government forces in Marawi City is conducting an offensive against several armed groups that had pledged allegiance to ISIS or the Islamic State, a terrorism and violence expert said.

"Ito po 'yung aming pag-aaral sa nangyari sa Marawi. Hindi po accurate na tawagin na Maute group po lamang ang kalaban ng armed forces natin sa Marawi city," Dr. Rommel Banlaoi, Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism Research Inc (PIPVTR) Executive Director, told "Bawal ang Pasaway Kay Mareng Winnie" host, Solita "Winnie" Monsod.

"Amalgamation po 'to ng different armed groups na nag pledge allegiance sa ISIS and recognizing one unified  umbrella organization under the leadership of Isnilon Hapilon," he added.

He added that there was a competition for the recognition by ISIS among Hapilo, the Maute group, and the BIFF or the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Hapilon was the likely choice for a regional leader because of the $5-million prize on his head by the United States for terrorist activities, including the kidnapping incidents in Dos Palmas.

So, he was told to unify the groups and by September 2016 four groups were convened and Hapilon was acknowledged as the overall emir.

Government security forces found out about this development so they invaded Al-Barka, Basilan in a siege that lasted for two days.

Banlaoi said Hapilon was denied his stronghold in basilan so he went down to Marawi to seek recognition from the Maute group, and began to assign posts to Maute family members.

"The Maute went to Marawi to protect Hapilon," he said, adding that this was the game changer "because they are now cooperating with each other, recognizing Hapilon as leader."

"Meron pong nagbigay sa akin ng thrust ng kanilang organizational chart, saan ie-place ang mga tawo. Hapilon ang kanilang overall emir or caliph, yung magkapatid na Maute vice chairman for military affairs and vice chairman for political affairs," he said.

Hapilon gave a name to the proposed Islamic State, the Islamic State East Asia Division. The armed group has a membership of up to 1,000.

Martial Law

Banlaoi said there is a need to declare of martial law in Mindanao.

He explained that with the complexity of the threat from the said armed groups and lack of information on their movements or plans.

"Kailangan ng extra ordinary measures dahil hindi po magagampanan po iyan ng civilian authorities under normal operation po," he said.

"Kasi po mabilis po ang kanilang paggalaw ng mga followers po na 'to, dahil aided po sila ng foreign terrorists," he added.

Banlaoi also said the group have various sleeper cells and sympathetic communities all over Mindanao and even reaching Visayas and Luzon.

"Sa ngayon ang armed group naka-concentrate sa central Mindanao," he added.

"If they don't arrest the situation within 60 days mahihirapan na po sila," said Banlaoi, adding that both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police downplayed the situation in Marawi City.

"Sana po nakinig (sila) sa mga warning signs, kahit na po academic lang kami. Sana po nakinig sila," he added. — BAP, GMA News