Military: No ISIS in Northern Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20): Military: No ISIS in Northern Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The military on Wednesday belied the presence of members of the terror group Iraq-Syria Islamic State (ISIS) in Northern Mindanao, Capt. Patrick Martinez said.

Martinez, the spokesperson of the army’s 4th Infantry Division here, issued the statement to dispel suspicions that the ISIS has already taken root in the region.

“Our intelligence community has not reported the presence of ISIS in the region, although the military and police are not taking chances,” Martinez said.

He said that the military and police have stepped up intelligence gathering in the region to check on terror groups, particularly ISIS members.

Martinez, however, said that the military is also appealing to the civilian populace to be on guard against suspicious groups or activities in their areas.

The military would immediately respond to any form of threat that might evolve with the presence of suspected terror groups in any part of Northern Mindanao, he said.

The military’s 4ID covers the 10 provinces and about 12 cities, including the port capital city of Cagayan De Oro in Northern Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=848563