No truth to jihadist camps report in PHL -- AFP chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 1): No truth to jihadist camps report in PHL -- AFP chief

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri vehemently denied reports that there are four jihadist camps operating in Mindanao.

And in the vein, he dismissed claims that Islamic States of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorists are conducting recruitment drives in Southern Philippines.

"I came here just to clarify some issues especially those that, regarding the alleged four jihadist camps in the Philippines and recruitment of ISIS, so we would like to clarify these matters because as of now, up to this time, we have not received any report pertaining to the existence of four jihadist camps," Iriberri pointed out.

With regards to the encounter with Ansar Khalifah Philippine (AKP), self-proclaimed affiliates of ISIS, in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat last week, the AFP chief clarified that firefight stemmed from efforts to serve arrest warrants against group leader Muhammad Jaafar Maguid, alias “Tokboy,” a known criminal and terrorist bomber, who is now into cattle rustling and other crimes.

"The arrest warrant was served in behalf of the complaint of our countrymen severely affected by his illegal activities. We are still to receive reports confirming that they are affiliated with ISIS," Iriberri said.

Eight bandits were killed and numerous weapons and other equipment were seized by government forces in that encounter.

Among those killed was Indonesian terrorist with purported ties with the Jemaah Islamiyah and Mujadin Indonesia Timur.

The AFP chief said that they are still investigating on what the alleged Indonesian terrorist is doing with a local crime group.

Iriberri also added that they are to receive reports that ISIS terrorists are trying to make their way in the country.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=833338