MANILA, Philippines – Amid reports of recruitment by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria in southern Philippines, an executive of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED) said there is still no evidence that Jihadist group has reached the Philippines.
However, Executive Director John Paul LaBorde of UNCTED said there are indications that the terror group is extending to the east.
“There is no evidence that they are in the Philippines,” LaBorde said at a press conference Thursday.
LaBorde explained that with the series of counter-terrorism operations against ISIS, the group has lost fighters prompting it to expand to the east to recruit more members.
“The leaders of this organization want to expand to the east. Some indications say that they are trying to expand to the east,” he said.
“They will try to get [in] as much as they can,” LaBorde said, by recruiting fighters and providing financial supports.
“It is possible that one day they will come to our country,” he added.
LaBorde said it is important to alert the public to be vigilant, improve legislation to complement terrorism efforts of the government and dry up financial resources of suspected terrorist cells in the country.