Islamists Attract Youth in the Philippines with Cash and Promises of Paradise, Reports Reuters

By Martin Petty

MARAWI CITY, Philippines – Teenage Islamist fighter Jalil felt a deep sense of dread when he saw his commander holding the severed head of a neighbor. At that moment, he realized it was time to flee Marawi City.

The area had descended into chaos. Churches and homes were being raided, individuals were shot or captured, and Philippine government forces were relentlessly attacking the Islamic State militants who had seized control of large portions of the town since May 23.

Six days into the turmoil, 17-year-old Jalil encountered a group of fellow fighters led by rebel leader Abdullah Maute. Among them was a young boy who appeared to be around 10 years old, all cheering as they celebrated the beheading of a Christian accused of spying.

"Abdullah Maute was holding a man’s head, shouting ‘Allahu akbar’ (God is Greatest)," Jalil recalled, speaking under the condition of anonymity for his safety. "They chanted along with him. At that point, I knew I had to escape. I wanted no part in this."

Authorities have placed Jalil in protective custody, and although his account cannot be independently verified, officials say he has provided useful information about militants operating in the area.

Jalil is among hundreds of Muslim youths drawn into the ranks of Islamic State followers in Mindanao, a region plagued by poverty. Governments in Southeast Asia are increasingly concerned that the area could become a regional stronghold as Islamic State loses its foothold in the Middle East.

Rommel Banlaoi, the executive director of a local research institute, noted that foreign recruiters had been active in Mindanao for years. The powerful propaganda from Islamic State and the emergence of local militant groups like the Maute clan have led to a rapid increase in recruits.

"The recruitment is happening very fast," Banlaoi stated, highlighting the sophistication and effectiveness of these groups in mobilizing young people.

Schools, madrassas, and even daycare centers with extremist influences have been identified as places where recruitment occurs. Authorities are collaborating with religious educators to filter radical ideas from mosques and educational materials. However, some local leaders and military personnel believe these efforts are insufficient due to the substantial financial resources that militants have at their disposal to entice young individuals.

Jalil’s involvement with extremist groups began at the age of 11 in a mosque near Piagapo, where he was persuaded to join a youth training camp that offered meals and a stipend. His training lasted only three months before he was expelled for revealing too much during mock interrogations.

After six years without contact, Jalil was approached by former classmates who informed him that he was "back in service" just before the siege of Marawi commenced. The region’s poor infrastructure and wealth disparities make it easy for militants to recruit young individuals, often through secret training camps hidden away from public scrutiny.

In one instance, the military uncovered a training site after a battle, revealing the presence of local and foreign fighters. Several teenagers, who also experienced this recruitment, claimed they were lured by promises of monetary rewards, marriage, and an idyllic afterlife.

But the reach of recruitment efforts extends beyond impoverished and uneducated youths. Urban students are also targets, with recruiters leveraging social media to spread propaganda and identify potential candidates for radicalization among Mindanao’s youth.

Recruiters focus on individuals expressing grievances about social and economic injustices, especially in the context of the ongoing peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Extremists manipulate the disillusionment surrounding these discussions to promote violence and isolationist ideologies.

As Jalil recalled, he initially felt inspired by the charismatic speeches of Maute leaders, but the violence he witnessed ultimately horrified him. After witnessing a brutal execution, he abandoned his post to escape, later surrendering to authorities.

Experts warn that if the Maute clan survives, the potential for recruitment will only grow. The community’s admiration for the group could lead to significant challenges in preventing the spread of extremism in the region, where many young people remain susceptible to radicalization.