26.05.2017, the Philippines.
Filipino Solicitor General Jose Calida claimed on May 26 that Indonesian and Malaysian mercenaries are fighting alongside the Maute group terrorists against the Philippine Army on the island of Mindanao.
At the news conference, Jose Calida said, “Before it was just a local terrorist group. But now they have sworn allegiance to the ideology of ISIL” (organization banned in Russia – Rossa Primavera News Agency).
Currently, the Army battles terrorists that have captured the southern city with a population of 200,000 people. The Army uses helicopters and special forces. Eleven soldiers and thirty-one militants are reportedly killed.
“They want to make Mindanao a part of the caliphate,” added the Filipino Solicitor General.
On Tuesday, the Army started a special operation to catch Isnilon Hapilon, the leader of Abu Sayyaf radical group, who in July 2014 sworn allegiance to the ideology of ISIL (organization banned in Russia).
Calida believes, that Hapilon is the leading person, acting on behalf of the ISIL (organization banned in Russia) on the Philippines and that he coordinates all actions, including with the Maute group.
Maute terrorist group is known for its brutal assaults on the home-town of the current president Duterte last September, as a result of which 14 people were killed.
Recently, Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law on the Mindanao Island due to the terrorist attack.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
