ARMM gov denies recruitment of Mindanao students into Isis

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) denied reports that students from Mindanao have been recruited to join the Islamic State.

“The reports are pure speculation and have no basis,” Hataman said in a phone interview.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro earlier said that he heard that militants have penetrated schools in Mindanao to recruit students to join the fighting but admitted then that he did not know any particular school that had confirmed ISIS activities.

ARMM, through its Bureau of Public Information, said even the various concerned agencies on the ground and communities have not received any confirmed reports about the existence and recruitment of ISIS in the region.

“As of this time, we have not received any confirmed information about the existence of ISIS and its recruitment in ARMM,” said Amir Mawallil, information office director of ARMM.

DepEd ARMM Secretary Jamar Kulayan, in a separate phone interview, supported Hataman’s statement adding that even the school officials have not noticed any activities related to the ISIS.

Jamar expressed confidence that ARMM schools have remained safe zones of peace.

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