Duterte gov't neglecting ISIS support among locals, says report

MANILA, Philippines — As security forces continue to battle to retake a small section of Marawi City still in Islamist militant hands, President Rodrigo Duterte's government may be ignoring an aspect of the fighting crucial to preventing similar crises in the future: the amount of support the militants enjoy that transcends traditional clan boundaries.

This support is fueled not only by the attractiveness of a state that imposes a very strict interpretation of Islamic teaching but also by the brutality of “security forces” exemplified by Armed Forces’ bombardment being portrayed by the militants as the reason for the destruction of Marawi, according to a report.

A report published by think tank Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict detailed how local militants got funding support from the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria central command in the Middle East.

It also sheds light on an aspect that the government seems to be neglecting in the complex issue surrounding the crisis in Marawi City: the allure of the militants among resentful segments of the population especially in Mindanao, an island of 22 million wracked by secessionist movements, criminal groups and private armies.

This allure may be seen by tracing local funds used to support the preparation of militants for the almost two-month siege, the report said.

Expanding the ranks

According to the study, recruitment was also done strategically, with the goal of expanding the group’s financial resources.

“Many of those recruited were reportedly devout youth from well off families with the ability to contribute substantially to the cause,” it said.

It added that pro-ISIS groups were also actively courting funds through supporters working in Muslim charities and dakwah centers though not necessarily with the knowledge nor approval of the organizations involved.

Recruiters also used the alleged brutality of security forces as a common theme to lure young people on campuses nationwide.

The military is not helping as its bombardment raids which have destroyed homes and structures in downtown Marawi have been used by militants as a propaganda tool by enabling the rebels to blame security forces for the city’s destruction.

“Recruiters were able to build on the narrative of state brutality long before the battle for Marawi began, but the military’s reliance on airstrikes after it was underway enabled the fighters to blame the government for the city’s destruction,” it said.

One intercepted communication from one militant said: “Remember my dear brothers and sisters. We did not destroy Marawi City. We did not bomb it to ashes.”

Challenges to Duterte's policy

Last week, a former Commission on Human Rights chairperson filed a manifestation at the Supreme Court asking it to rule on her group’s earlier petition seeking to compel Congress to convene a joint session to assess the government’s basis for martial law declaration in Mindanao.

Aside from this, Loretta Ann Rosales and her co-petitioners want Congress to probe the “proportionality” of the military’s response to the crisis in Marawi City.

“Why did you use conventional warfare complete with bombings against sniper guerilla tactics, against 200? So that question of proportionality should be discussed thoroughly. Tama ba ‘yung ginawa ninyo? Tapos ano ‘yung naging resulta niyan?” she told Philstar.com.

The militants are also using their “utopian vision of a pure state where justice, equality and prosperity would prevail” in their recruitment efforts on university campuses across Mindanao, state universities and polytechnic institutes.

“The vision never had any connection to reality but the willingness of even well-educated university students to believe it shows how much has to be done in Mindanao to restore- or create- a belief in democratic government,” it said.

The study said that to prevent the group from taking hold in the region the government should improve governance, eliminate private armies, address the dysfunctional justice system, stem corruption, uphold human rights and resurrect the peace process.

The government has announced the allocation of billions of pesos to fund its planned rehabilitation of Marawi after the crisis, but some have criticized it due to the exclusion of local government units in its implementation.

Clashes between security forces and Islamist militants still holed up in a small section of Marawi is entering their second month in a few days’ time.

They began on May 23 when security forces encountered heavy resistance from fighters after they attempted to arrest Isnilon Hapilon.

This led President Rodrigo Duterte to place Mindanao under martial law, and he has since asked Congress to extend it up to the end of the year.

The Senate and the House of Representatives are expected to approve the request for extension, but it is unsure if the lengthening would be until December 31 as the tough-talking Duterte wanted.