BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (Philippines News Agency) - President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday ordered the military and police to continue operations aimed at neutralizing terror groups.
The president also instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to use "all available assets" to eliminate Islamic State-backed groups in the country, particularly in Mindanao.
Duterte was referring to the Abu Sayyaf group and the Maute group, which claim support from the Islamic State.
The president made the statement during the annual Philippine Military Academy (PMA) homecoming celebrations at Fort del Pilar here where he was the guest-of-honor and speaker.
In the same speech, he also reported that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon was severely wounded in a series of military operations in Lanao del Sur.
Meanwhile, Duterte was adopted as an honorary member of the PMA Alumni Association Inc. in the same event.
The president is already an adopted member of PMA Class of 1967, his adoption taking place in 1994 when he was still Davao City mayor.