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DFA welcomes Maute group’s inclusion on US list of foreign terror groups

DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communication and Research Ernesto Abella tells reporters on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, that the Philippines will question the undersea features in Benham Rise submitted by China to the Sub-Committee on Undersea Feature Names of the International Hydrographic Organization and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. Danny Pata © Danny Pata DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communication and Research Ernesto Abella tells reporters on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, that the Philippines will question the undersea features in Benham Rise submitted by China to the Sub-Committee on Undersea Feature Names of the International Hydrographic Organization and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. Danny Pata

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday welcomed the US government’s move to include ISIS-inspired Maute Group and ISIS Philippines on its watch list of foreign terrorist organizations.

The Maute Group is one of the groups responsible for the five-month siege that laid to waste Marawi City in the latter half og 2017.

“Terrorism is a global and regional challenge, and cooperation with key allies is critical in averting terrorist operations,” DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communication and Research Ernesto Abella said at a news conference.

“The Philippines welcomes the US designation of ISIS Philippines and the Maute group as foreign terrorist organizations, and specially designated as global terrorists,” he added.

The Philippine military successfully eradicated and liberated Marawi from the ISIS-linked groups, who staged attacks on the city last May 23.

Nearly 1,000 people, including many militants, were killed in months of fighting, while thousands have been displaced from the city.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in Mindanao to address the militant takeover in the predominantly Muslim city.

US special forces have assisted the Armed Forces of the Philippines end the siege by providing technical assistance and enemy surveillance to Filipino troops battling the militants in Marawi.

“While we have concluded a successful campaign in Marawi against the Maute group, countering terrorism continues to be a priority of this administration. We are profoundly committed to preventing ISIS from gaining foothold in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia, and we should continue working together on this objective,” Abella said. —NB, GMA News

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