By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

3rd Infantry Division commander Major General Jon Aying said the Philippine Army (PA) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) is planning to tap Islamic leaders or “Ulamas” in helping counter radicalization among Muslim youths in the region.
Aying, who was in Bacolod City yesterday for the activation of the 1st NIR Geographical Battalion, said the program is part of the Comprehensive Anti-Terrorism Program (CATERP) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
CATERP has three phases: preventing violent extremism, deterring terror attacks, and responding to terror attacks.
He also added it is highly important for them to reach out in order to stop the youth from engaging in religious extremism and from joining terror groups like the Islamic State (IS), Maute Group, and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Meanwhile, Aying also confirmed to members of local media that the last two ASG stragglers who have landed in Bohol during Holy Week were killed by government forces in the town of Calape, Bohol.
He identified the two men as Abu Ubayda and Abu Asis, who were gunned down after they held hostage an old man and his grandchild in exchange for food.
Aying also clarified to the public that there are no more ASG members roaming in the Visayas following their failed attempt to kidnap tourists in the island of Bohol and Cebu./WDJ