The AFP chief of staff welcomed the Metro Manila-based Muslim delegates who paid a courtesy call on him at the General Headquarters.
“As mandated defenders of the peace and security of our land, we, in the AFP, remain staunch in intensifying our peace and security operations to slowly but surely reach our goal of uprooting the source of manpower, firepower, and finances of these local terrorist groups that have been disrupting the peaceful living of our citizens,” Gapay said.
Gapay further said that the military has ongoing partnerships with Imams and Muslim organizations in preventing and countering violent extremism , and programs that give emphasis on stakeholder engagements and local government participation. Last October 14, Gapay said that the military partnered with the Department of Education to monitor several madaris in Mindanao, particularly in Sulu. He said the military has suspicions that terrorists have been radicalizing the students to join their group.