CNN: Philippines vows to 'destroy' Islamist extremism. Here's why that won't be so easy

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"Less than two years after victory was declared over ISIS-aligned militants in Marawi, the threat of extremism has returned to the southern Philippines. In response, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to hit resurgent militants hard, but his order to 'destroy' the ISIS-linked group thought to be responsible for the bombing of a church on Sunday may prove to be harder than anticipated. Speaking to CNN, Darlene Cayabyab, director of operations and research for the Counter Extremism Project, says there are 'sensitivities' that the ethnic Moro people have concerning Filipinos from other parts of the country, and which can easily hinder military operations. 'These Moro folks have long felt occupied -- you will have some difficulty with cooperation and collaboration, and winning the hearts and minds of people,' she said. 'Decades -- if not centuries -- of grievances have led to an acceptance of jihad.'"

Date
January 31, 2019
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