A senior official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Mindanao, Southern Philippines, stated it is possible that ISIS is recruiting in Mindanao. Sunni preachers have reportedly been conducting recruitment there, according to Habib Mujahab Hashim, Chief of the MNLF's Islamic Command Council. The MILF, the largest Philippine Muslim rebel group, has signed a peace pact with the Philippine government.
Southern Philippines is already home to militant groups, including the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The Abu Sayyaf is noted for their terrorist activities, including kidnappings, beheadings, bombings, and civilian attacks. Social media reports and video clips reportedly showed members of the Abu Sayyaf and BIFM pledging support to the ISIS.Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte reported that approximately 100 Filipino Muslims have traveled to Iraq and Syria to fight for ISIS.
The Philippine Military says they are analyzing the situation and are not discounting the possibility of the ISIS recruitment.
Last July, an Australian ISIS jihadist, Musa Cerantonio or Robert Edward Cerantonio was arrested in Cebu, Philippines and deported to Australia. Cerantonio, who had conducted online recruitment for ISIS, had made trips to Mindanao during his stay in the Philippines.
Pictures are courtesy of bharian.com, krmagazine.com, and Radio Netherlands. The top picture shows some Abu Sayyaf members in a Wanted List; and the second picture shows an Australian hostage with the Abu Sayyaf. The third picture shows US special forces training Philippine Military.
Read also
MNLF Official: ISIS recruitment in Mindanao possible
Military probes ISIS recruitment
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Australian Jihadist and Filipina Girlfriend Arrested in Cebu
tags: ISIS, ISIL, IS, Abu Sayyaf, MNLF, BIFM, Mindanao, Philippines, jihadists, Muslims, Sunni, recruiting, Syria, Iraq, recruitment
This is all for now,
Cecilia
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