Duterte pleads with Philippine rebels to rebuff Islamic State advances
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS | Fri Jan 27, 2017 | 6:30am EST
Duterte pleads with Philippine rebels to rebuff Islamic State advances
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday pleaded with the country's Muslim separatist groups to deny sanctuary to militants with links to Islamic State, warning a war would ensue that would put civilians in danger.
His appeal comes a day after his defense minister said foreign intelligence reports showed a leader of the Abu Sayyaf rebel group was getting instructions from Islamic State to expand in the Philippines, in the strongest sign yet of links to the Middle Eastern militants.
Duterte said he could no longer contain the extremist "contamination" and urged two Muslim separatist rebels groups - the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front - to rebuff Islamic State's advances.
"I am earnestly asking, I am pleading to the MNLF and the MILF, do not provide sanctuary to the terrorists in your areas," he told troops at a military camp in Mindanao, his home region.
"Because if that happens, then we will be forced to go after them within your territory, and that could mean trouble for all of us. I don't want that to happen.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-security-idUSKBN15B0XO