PHOTOS FROM DAILY MAIL UK
MANILA, Philippines—A Palace official on Thursday maintained that no Filipino has been recruited to become a member of the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), which was formerly known as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The statement was issued by Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. after the British website Daily Mail published a video showing a suspected Filipino among the IS militants who beheaded 18 Syrian soldiers and an American.
“According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), there is no confirmed report of ISIS recruitment here in the Philippines,” Coloma said in a press briefing.
Coloma said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is implementing programs to thwart possible recruitment of the said terrorist group in the country.
“The AFP said it is coordinating with local leaders to prevent IS recruitment efforts and enjoined their support to our counter-radicalization campaign in the communities,” Coloma told reporters.
On its part, the AFP discredited the Daily Mail’s report, stating that the authenticity of the video still needs to be verified.
“The AFP and other law enforcement authorities are still ascertaining the authenticity of the video,” Coloma reiterated.
Reports claimed that IS has been recruiting members in various parts of Mindanao and then reportedly bringing them to Iran for training. These reports, however, remain unverified.
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