Islamic State in Mindanao?

Latest news reports indicate that Marines killed eight suspected terrorists, including an Indonesian jihadist linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in Sultan Kudarat last Thursday.

Indonesian Ibrahim Alih, alias Abdul Fatah, is said to be one of the suspects in the Oct. 12, 2002 Bali bombing. The eight belonged to the Ansar Al Khalifa, an ISIS terror cell operating in various areas of Mindanao. Formed in Sarangani, the terrorist cell is named after its founder, Ansar al Khalifa.

Marines clashed with the terrorists at around 5:40 a.m. at Sitio Sinapingan, Barangay Butril, Palembang, Sultan Kudarat. Soldiers recovered during clearing operations the bodies of the dead terrorists, including Abdul Fatah, whom the Indonesian government identified as a former member of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). Troops also recovered various firearms and five pieces of the ISIS flag.

At least three Syrian members of ISIS have slipped into the country and joined the Khalifa cell, according to the military

If the Islamic State is already in Mindanao, this would not be an unexpected development. We already have a virtual cell of ISIS in the Abu Sayyaf Group which is engaged in the same terrorist methods, including beheading of hostages and bombing of civilian targets.

The military should heighten its vigilance and closely monitor the situation so that the ISIS does not expand its reach and recruit more members for its terrorist activities.

Image by bbc.com