Philippines: Presidential guard shot in Manila September 26

Event

A member of President Rodrigo Duterte’s guard unit was murdered on Tuesday, September 26, in the military barracks at Malacañang Park in Manila. According to officials, the guard was shot by an unknown assailant. The incident is not being treated as terrorism or a political crime. Further details regarding the incident are likely to emerge in the coming days as the investigation is ongoing.

Context

Since becoming president in 2016, Duterte has aggressively pursued the eradication of drugs from the country. According to police, some 3500 people have died in anti-drug operations since Duterte came into office, although human rights organizations claim a much higher death toll.

Furthermore, the Philippine government is currently battling various militant Islamist groups active in the south, including Islamic State (IS)-affiliated Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), the Abu Sayyaf militant group, and the Maute group. The conflict is part of a wider decades-old insurgency in marginalized Muslim-majority areas of the Philippines.

Advice

In general, individuals in Manila are advised to maintain a low profile, report any suspicious objects or behavior, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

As a reminder, most Western governments formally advise against all travel to southwest Mindanao and to the Sulu Archipelago due to terrorist activity, regular clashes between the military and insurgent groups, and the risk of kidnapping by Abu Sayyaf.