Gapay confident military could end local terror groups before Duterte ends term

Armed Forces chief General Gilbert Gapay expressed confidence Tuesday that the Philippine military could abide by President Rodrigo Duterte's order to end local terrorist groups before his term ends.

At a virtual presser, Gapay said the armed capabilities of groups such as Abu Sayyaf Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Dawlah Islamiya and the New People's Army "have really gone down."

"We have significantly degraded them and in no time, we'll be able to permanently put closure or put an end in these and we are doing our best to comply with the President's directive to end all of these before his term ends in 2022," Gapay said.

"Based on these indicators, it is very likely and very possible... we are confident that we can beat the deadline set by the President," he added.

In September, the AFP chief said they are eyeing to eradicate Abu Sayyaf within the year.

According to Gapay, the violent incidents caused by these groups have been decreasing.

"The number of NPA-initiated or terrorist group-initiated violent incidents, which compared to last year, has gone down by almost or more than 30%," Gapay said.

Data from the AFP showed that the series of joint security operations conducted in the provinces of Maguindanao, Basilan, and Sulu from January to December of this year resulted in the neutralization of  522 local terror group members.

Of that total number, 134 were killed, 39 were apprehended and captured, and 349 surrendered, the AFP said.

Moreover, a total of 109 firearms were confiscated during operations and 307 others have been surrendered.—AOL, GMA News