‘ISIS flags’ seized from armed group in Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected flags of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) were found by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Army in a joint operation in the town of Baggao in Cagayan.

According to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the flags were seized during the serving of search warrants at the houses of brothers Greg and Altero Cariaga in Barangay Dabbac Grande on March 28.

The CIDG’s report on Monday said Altero was the alleged leader while Greg was a member of Syuful Khilafa Fi Luzon, also known as Northern Jihadist Group, a terrorist and radical Islamic propagation group established in Baggao in 2016.

Suspected ISIS flags recovered from alleged members of the Northern Jihadist Group in Cagayan on March 28. Photo by Cathrine Gonzales / INQUIRER.net

Also seized during the operation were firearms, ammunition, improvised explosive devices, and other items.

“Apparently parang (it seems) they are pledging support to the ISIS,” said PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde in a press briefing. “Probably gusto lang magpakilala ng grupo na ito (This group just wants to be recognized).”

Albayalde said the recovery of suspected ISIS flags was not a source of alarm since the group might just be wanting to earn reputation and had not been linked to any terrorist attack.

The suspects and the evidence were brought to the CIDG Regional Field Unit-2 in Camp Adduru in Tuguegarao City. /cbb