‘No foreign militants in Mindanao’

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The military has denied reports that around 100 foreign militants slipped into southern Mindanao at the height of the fighting in Marawi.

“There is no confirmation of such reports,”  Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.,Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said yesterday. 

Galvez said the remaining foreign terrorists who entered the country have been neutralized. 

He also dismissed reports that around 1,000 foreign militants would join the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf. 

“I believe that with the death of more than 35 foreign jihadists in Marawi they will think twice now. The Marawi incident will make them feel that the Philippines is not a haven for them,” Galvez said.

Support for Phl anti-terror drive

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. David Berger, commander of the US Marine Forces in the Pacific, vowed to help enhance the capability of Philippine soldiers to address the threat of terrorism. 

Berger gave the assurance when he visited the Westmincom and paid a courtesy call on  Galvez on Sunday. 

“It is important that we work closely with your troops and augment your capability in some aspects as we have also worked with other environments threatened by terrorism all over the world,” Galvez quoted Berger as saying.

Galvez said Berger lauded the anti-terror efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in combating terrorism in Mindanao.

He said he also discussed with the US military official the strategies that the AFP applied during the campaign against Maute militants.

Galvez said Berger promise to provide training to Philippine soldiers.