‘Terror groups may have sleeper cells in Phl’

MANILA, Philippines - With members of the Islamic State actively sowing terror in many areas around the world including Europe, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana did not discount the possibility that there are IS sleeper cells already operating in the country.

Lorenzana made the revelation when asked why President Duterte has been expressing serious concern on the IS and even openly discussed this before members of the diplomatic corps during the New Year reception or vin d’honneur.

“I think we should not understate it. They are all over the world. They are active in Europe so they might have cells here. It’s the right attitude that we should not downplay it,” the defense secretary said in a chance interview in Malacañang yesterday.

During his speech yesterday after the oath-taking of police generals at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang, Duterte was unable to hide his growing concern over how the tentacles of the IS group have reached the country.

He noted that the Abu Sayyaf, which has been tagged in many kidnap-for-ransom activities in Mindanao, has pledged allegiance to the IS.

“May pumasok na sa Mindanao (They have entered Mindanao), the Abu Sayyaf has pledged allegiance to ISIS, nagbibidahan sila (they are trying to prove) who is more brutal,” Duterte said in his speech.

He also revealed that there are tons of shabu being peddled in Mindanao. Some groups, including the dreaded Maute group, have expanded their operations to Leyte.

He lamented many are victimized or “enslaved” by their addiction to drugs. – Jaime Laude