Manila: President Rodrigo Duterte has warned he might order the mobilisation of the country’s military reserve force if threats to the country persist.

The government is facing threats on multiple fronts, officials say.

Among these are communist insurgents, who have units in various parts of the country and have been stepping up attacks, and violent Islamist extremists in Mindanao.

This is in addition to a territorial row with China.

“These terrorists, the NPA [communist New Peoples Army] and [Daesh]; at the end of the day, they would regroup. But there is really a problem in the horizon, the darkening clouds of terrorism,” Duterte said in Davao City late on Monday afternoon.

Duterte said it was his commitment to bolster the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to avert any future threats and challenges to national security.

“I want to build a strong Armed Forces and a strong police before I leave office,” Duterte said during the opening of the newest shooting range of the Arms Corporation of the Philippines in Davao City’s Catitipan village.

In the same speech, the President hinted that he might give a bigger role for the armed forces.

Duterte also raised the possibility of mobilising military reservists to combat terrorism.

“But if things get worse, I will allow the mobilisation and the maybe purchase of high calibre firearms, to those who have had military training,” he said.

“If the enemies of the government attempt to attack a city, then we are prepared and I’m sure we are capable of doing it,” he said adding that he would strengthen the government force by adding thousands of troops.

The Philippines has a military that has strong experience in fighting insurgency and separatist conflict.

However, it has yet to experience fighting with another country or any other external threat, the most extant of which is from China which has been increasing territory claims in the area of the South China Sea by claiming islands for its own.

In line with the continuing modernisation programme of the government, Duterte announced that the Philippines would be receiving some 5,000 firearms from an undisclosed “friendly country” in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon said that while the Philippines may be able to trust its allies in the meantime, it would be better if the country can trust its own capability to protect itself.

Speaking before the members of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) he reiterated the need to build up the capability of the military, especially the Navy and the Coast Guard, to ensure the protection of the country’s sovereignty and national territory.

“To be independent and free, we have to help ourselves,” he said.

Gordon pointed out that while the country should not pick a fight with China or any other countries, He cited reports that China has built airfields in the disputed Spratly Islands which will enable their planes to be over the Philippines in fifteen minutes, there is even more need to be prepared.