By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
NEW DELHI, India – President Duterte is unmoved by a threat against his life by an Islamic State cell based in Indonesia during his visit here, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
Indian news agency The Print, citing a source, reported that the ISIS cell is planning an attack against Duterte in response to his promise to militarily wipe out Islamist extremists in Mindanao.
Roque said security groups in India and the Presidential Security Group are securing the President and nine other Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders who are here for a special commemorative summit which marks the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations.
“PRRD will not cower to threats from ISIS nor any other terrorist groups. He has pledged to serve the Filipino people and has left the issue of his mortality to the Creator,” Roque said.
“He is unmoved by this latest threat and will be unrelenting in his fight against violent extremism. All precautions though are being taken by the PSG and Indian authorities,” he added.
Duterte and the other ASEAN leaders are guests of honor of Republic Day which is held every 26th of January to commemorate the liberation of India from Britain. This is the first time that India is having more than one guest of honor in Republic Day.
The Print report said this will make the Republic Day parade more vulnerable to sabotage. “The space for the enclosures remains the same while the turnout of dignitaries and people is higher. Therefore, the chances of infiltration are higher,” The Print, quoting their source, said.
“Duterte is coming with baggage, as he has been very vocal about wiping out IS. The Indonesian President too will be present, and could also be a target,” the Print source said. “We have intelligence inputs that the IS has mobilized its people and is planning to strike,” the report added.
Duterte has vocally condemned ISIS and expressed that he will not allow the Filipinos to subscribe to the Daesh ideology.
