Gov’t taking ISIS threat seriously, says Aquino aide

Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The government is not taking lightly the threat posed by the Islamic State to the country, Malacañang said Saturday.

So far, the military maintains that IS has no direct ties with the Abu Sayyaf bandits, now holding a German man and woman hostage. If at all, according to the military, the bandits are sympathizers of the IS, also known as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Even so, the authorities have been alerted to the possible entry of IS into the archipelago which has a very porous border, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over the government-run radio.

In fact, the government was tapping the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a previously secessionist group that has inked a peace agreement with the government, and civilians to check the entry of ISIS elements especially in Mindanao, she said.

“In response to the first concern, we assure you that we do not take it lightly. We don’t wish to be dealing with another problem, and another trouble,” she said over Radyo ng Bayan.

“The good thing about this is, we’re getting help from our Muslim brothers to ensure that none of these elements would slip into the country,” she added.

To prevent the IS from penetrating the southern Philippines, Valte said, the government is working with the MILF and Muslim civilians to gather and share information.

The Abu Sayyaf has threatened to kill a German hostage to show solidarity with the ISIS. One of its leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State on YouTube.

The German man and woman were seized from a yacht in the West Philippine Sea in April. They are believed to be held in Jolo by Abu Sayyaf fighters loyal to Radullan Sahiron.

The government maintains a no-ransom policy.

Valte said the Executive department would verify with the military reports that France has raised its “vigilance alert” against IS to 40 countries, including the Philippines that has a Muslim population.

The vigilance alert was raised after ISIS militants beheaded French national Herve Gourdel in Algeria.

“If it’s an expanded list, then we will have to look into that. As far as the military has shared with us, at least has advised us, that when it comes to the ISIS, what they have seen so far is perhaps there are sympathizers. But so far, there are no members who are here,” Valte said.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that the Abu Sayyaf has no direct links to IS, and was probably a sympathizer “jumping on the bandwagon” because it was on the decline.

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