No end to terrorism yet as fallen leaders will be replaced — Islamic studies prof

The killing of Abu Sayyaf head Isnilon Hapilon and Maute leader Omar Maute may set local terrorists back weeks or even months, but it does not mean they will not bounce back, an expert said.

According to Professor Julkipli Wadi of the University of the Philippines' Institute of Islamic Studies, past instances have shown that leaders' deaths do not totally stop terror groups.

“Setback nang konti dahil si Hapilon ang recognized [regional] leader ng ISIS. Pero sa kasaysayan ng Abu Sayyaf Group, tuwing may mamamatay, may uusbong at papalit,” he said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

Wadi described it as an "old story" and a "continuous cycle," having happened when past Abu Sayyaf leaders Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, Khadaffy Janjalani, and Abu Sabaya were killed.

"Obviously magkaka-setback, but hindi ibig sabihin na tapos na ang problema," he said.

Wadi added that, in fact, this might even end up being a problem for security officials as they would not know who to talk to or focus on.

"Nagkahati-hati sila at naghiwa-hiwala. Meron sa Parang [Sulu], meron sa Patikul, katulad ng nangyari dati," he said.

"Mas malala ang kakaharapin nila dahil walang central command."

He said the terror group may have been dislodged in Marawi as the government starts its clearing operations, but they may just transfer their focus elsewhere, probably still in the Lanao-Maguindanao area.

Wadi also speculated that the the remnants of the Maute group might also form an alliance with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Ansar Khilafah Philippines.

“Baka magka-meeting sila ng ibang grupo. Hindi ito katapusan ng Abu Sayyaf or Maute,” he said.

Wadi believes that ISIS will just look for another leader in the Philippines.

“Maghahanap sila ng bagong leader na pagkakatiwalaan, titignan nila ang profile ng mga miyembro. The ISIS network in Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia is still intact, they could still send assistance,” he said.

He said ISIS central command could call for a shura or meeting for the purpose, but that it could take weeks or months before the terrorist organization finds a new regional.

“ISIS will need to ascertain kung sino ang leader na kanilang pagkakatiwalaan like the trust they gave to Hapilon,” he said.

Other experts believe that the torch has already been passed to Mahmud Ahmad, reportedly Hapilon's second-in-command and a Malaysian accused of helping put together the fighters attacking Marawi.

In a separate interview, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Eduardo Año expressed readiness to neutralize the Maute-ISIS-Abu Sayyaf group.

“There will be no let-up. It is about time to end the terrorism in Mindanao,” he said.

“We have to neutralize every terrorist. We don’t want them to leave the main battle area and create another trouble. So tatapusin natin ito, we will clear every other area,” he added.

He said that the military is ready for any "backlash" it might get for the killing of the two terrorist leaders.

“May mga information na nakakarating sa atin. We have forces deployed all around including sa area na pwedeng panggalingan ng reinforcement. Any backlash that they will do we are preparing for that,” he said. — BM, GMA News