Soldier’s beheading forced military’s hands

A MILITARY official on Wednesday said the beheading of an Army corporal was among the main reasons why the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) used its “military might” against the jihadists group Khilafah Islamiyah Movement (KIM) based in Butig town, in Lanao del Sur.

“It all started when the group of KIM leaders, the Maute brothers, attacked but failed to capture on February 20 a detachment. There was a counter-action and that resulted in a week-long operation and we won,” said Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, when asked if the beheading of the soldier was among the reasons why the military conducted intensified operations.