PHL supports fight against Islamic State ‘in principle’ – Palace

From GMA News (Sep 11): PHL supports fight against Islamic State ‘in principle’ – Palace

The Philippine government supports the United States' campaign against the Islamic State militant group "in principle," Malacañang said Thursday.

"Iyong posisyon kasi ng Pilipinas ay ‘yung paglaban din sa mga acts of terror saan man ito magaganap," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing.

"Ang tinutukoy na acts of terror ay kinokondena, hindi lamang ng Estados Unidos, pero ng Pilipinas at ng lahat ng mga bansang pinapahalagaan ang buhay at ang katahimikan at kaayusan sa ating bansa at sa daigdig," he said.

Earlier in the day, US President Barack Obama announced that he had authorized air strikes in Syria and Iraq to combat the militant Islamic State.

The US is also leading a "broad coalition" of nations to help Iraq fight Islamic State jihadists, who control large swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory, and have been accused of atrocities in these areas.

Last month, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Abu Sayyaf rebels also reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadists.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has meanwhile said the Islamic State has recruited Filipinos in Mindanao, but the military said this claim has yet to be verified.

The Philippines sent medics, engineers, and troops to support coalition forces in Iraq in 2003 but pulled out in 2004 after a Filipino truck driver was kidnapped. He was released after the Philippine contingent agreed to pull out.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/378767/news/nation/phl-supports-fight-against-islamic-state-in-principle-palace