No ISIS recruitment in Mindanao schools, WMSU president says

From the Manila Times (Nov 12): No ISIS recruitment in Mindanao schools, WMSU president says

Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) president Milabel Ho said there are no verified reports that some of their students have been recruited by Islamic State jihadists.

In a letter addressed to Commissioner Minella Alarcon of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) dated November 4, Ho said she has not received reports that members of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are recruiting Filipino students at campuses in Mindanao, particularly at their university.

“As per immediate and proper inquiry made by the administration with the appropriate government agencies and other sources, there appears to be no verified information on the alleged recruitment of students from this university,” Ho explained.

The university president said this is the first time they heard about the supposed recruitment of students in the campus.

A student from WMSU earlier claimed that members and supporters of Islamic State jihadists are recruiting students from a Mindanao university, adding that each recruit would be given P70, 000 and would receive more benefits once they finish their training as ISIS.

Since the student who revealed on the alleged ISIS recruitment failed to show up publicly and reveal his true identity, Ho however concluded that the existence of ISIS in Mindanao is not true – but just a myth.

“And while the news item alleges that the information come from a WMSU student, there is no independent confirmation of his or her identity as such,” she said.

Ho also said that she will immediately coordinate with authorities and local officials to prevent jihadists or members of terror groups from preying on students.

“We would like to assure as with all security issues in the region, particularly in Zamboanga City and the university, we are taking the matter very seriously, and we have adopted, in coordination with other government agencies, appropriate measures to address this particular concern,” she said.

http://www.manilatimes.net/breaking_news/isis-recruitment-mindanao-schools-wmsu-president-says/