MANILA – The National Security Council (NSC) has declared that Mindanao is no longer a terrorism “hot spot” since the 2017 Marawi siege, emphasizing significant degradation of ISIS-affiliated groups and a shift in violence drivers to local conflicts rather than international extremism. The statement, issued on December 17, 2025, pushes back against foreign media portrayals of the Philippines—particularly Mindanao—as an active training ground for terrorists, following reports that the father-son suspects in Australia’s deadly Bondi Beach shooting (December 14, 2025) visited Davao City for nearly a month in November.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected the “misleading characterization” of the country as an ISIS hotspot, with Palace Press Officer Claire Castro relaying the NSC’s assurance: No validated evidence shows the suspects received any training here. “Philippine authorities, in coordination with international partners, continue to verify all available information, but no evidence has been presented to support claims that the country was used for terrorist training,” the NSC said.
Key Security Improvements Cited
- Group Degradation: ISIS-linked local terrorists reduced from 1,257 members in 2016 to just 50 in 2025.
- Leadership Neutralized: 28 high-value targets (including 10 leaders) eliminated via encounters, arrests, or surrenders since 2016.
- Threat Shift: Current violence in Mindanao largely stems from historical clan feuds (rido) and local disputes, not global jihadist operations.
- International Assessments: UN and US reports confirm groups now operate in “fragmented and diminished capacity.”
Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla added that terrorism threat levels in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have shifted from high to low, with sustained operations dismantling structures post-Marawi.
The suspects—Indian-origin Australian residents—allegedly radicalized by ISIS ideology, per Australian authorities—visited Davao but left without incident on November 28. Marcos ordered the Anti-Terrorism Council to remain vigilant while enhancing global cooperation.
This rebuttal underscores post-2017 gains in counterterrorism, transforming Mindanao from a former militant haven into a region focused on peacebuilding and development—though remnants persist, demanding ongoing vigilance.
Terror Group Strength Decline Snapshot:
| Year | Estimated ISIS-Linked Members | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,257 | Pre-Marawi peak |
| 2017 | Siege aftermath | Major military offensive |
| 2025 | ~50 | Fragmented; leadership vacuum |