No confirmation on Filipino Muslims joining Islamic State terror campaign in Iraq, Syria -- AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20): No confirmation on Filipino Muslims joining Islamic State terror campaign in Iraq, Syria -- AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday it is still to confirm reports that 100 Filipino Muslims have have joined the extremist group, Islamic State, in their ongoing campaign of terror in Iraq and Syria.

"As far as the AFP is concerned there are no reports of such. We checked with the Intelligence Services, and there are (still) no reports of such (activities)," AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

Earlier, former president Fidel V. Ramos claimed around 100 Filipino Muslims have joined the Islamic State (formerly known as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) in their ongoing battles with Iraqi, Syrian and Kurdish forces.

The former president added that these militants will return to the Philippines upon completing their "jihad".

However, Zagala stressed that they will coordinate with Ramos, who is also a former member of the Special Forces, to determine where he got his information, just to be on the safe side.

The AFP public affairs office chief also dismissed reports of Abu Sayyaf Group pledging alliance to the Islamic State in wake of video clips showing members of the bandit group expressing their support to the extremists.

"We have reports of the video of Abu Sayyaf showing their support for Islamic State, they took their oath, but these are mere propaganda materials," he said.

Zagala stated that the AFP sees no threat from the Islamic State.

But despite this, he added that they will continue to monitor for further developments.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation, especially that this is the interest of the AFP," the AFP public affairs chief said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=674873