VOA慢速英语2014 菲律宾有效防范伊斯兰国的影响

 

Philippines Guarding Against Islamic State's Influence 菲律宾有效防范伊斯兰国的影响

Philippine officials say reports that the Islamic State group is actively¹ seeking members in the country have yet to be confirmed. But officials are watching the situation closely. They fear that some Filipinos could be persuaded to join the group.

Oscar Valenzuela is assistant secretary of the Philippines Anti-Terrorism Council. He says there are several reasons the country is at risk from Islamic State militants². For example, it is difficult to guard the southern provinces. Mr. Valenzuela says the government does not have the forces needed to do so. And he says the militants have used social media effectively in their efforts to win supporters. He notes that two million Filipinos work overseas -- some of them near areas where the Islamic State operate.

“We have lots of Filipinos in the Middle East and, of course, we consider them one of the exposed sectors³.”

Mr. Valenzuela says the workers could be persuaded to join the Islamic State by its wealth. Some of the money comes from the oil production centers it seized in Iraq and Syria.

The Islamic State group wants to establish an extreme form of Islamic rule in areas under its control. Media reports say the group has between 30,000 and 80,000 members.

Some officials say Islamic State fighters are seeking to win followers⁴ in the southern Philippines. But observers and military officials say they cannot confirm those reports. They also say they have no confirmation⁵ that members of the group are even in the country.

Joselito Kakilala is a Philippine army general. He says security officials are watching for evidence of the Islamic State actively seeking new members. He says the group could influence extremists in the country, and harm government efforts to bring peace in the southern Philippines.

Most of the country’s Muslims live on the southern island of Mindanao. Earlier this year, the largest Muslim rebel group reached an agreement with the government to end 40 years of conflict. But smaller groups are not supporting the agreement. Officials say it is from these groups that the Islamic State could gain new members.

Mohagher Iqbal was the main peace negotiator for the largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He says his group does not want to work with the Islamic State. And he does not believe any efforts on its part to win supporters in the Philippines would be successful. 

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters is one group that did not support the peace agreement with the Philippine government. Last month, the group promised to support the Islamic State militants.

Oscar Valenzuela of the Anti-Terrorism Council says the Philippines has tightened⁶ restrictions⁷ on people entering and leaving the country. He adds that in recent months the government arrested and then expelled an Australian and a Canadian from the country. They reportedly were wanted overseas for urging others to support extremist jihadist teachings.

I’m Anna Matteo.

This report was based on a story from reporter Simone Orendain in Manila. Christopher Cruise wrote it for Learning English. The editor was George Grow. 

Words in This Story

persuade – v. to cause someone to do something by asking, arguing, or giving reasons

province – n. one of the large parts that some countries are divided into

conflict – n. a struggle for power or property

agreement – n. an arrangement by which people agree about what is to be done

convince – v. to cause someone to agree to do something

Now it’s your turn to use these Words in This Story. In the comments section, write a sentence using one of these words and we will provide feedback on your use of vocabulary and grammar.

1 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

2 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

3 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

5 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

6 tightened   

收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧

参考例句：

• The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
• His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机，然后又松开了。

7 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制