'Foreign Islamic State spokesman - possibly Syrian - speaks from Mindanao'

Foreign terrorists in Philippines are new arrivals, says Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium

Islamic State terrorists in the southern Philippines with their leader, Isnilon Hapilon (front row, second from right), who was killed in the 2017 Marawi siege. (File pic)

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Filipino group certainly active - Analyst Georgi Engelbrecht in Manila

• Indonesian monitoring important - Indonesian analyst Alif Satria

• Malaysia’s response complicates terrorists’ efforts - Malaysian analyst Munira Mustaffa

• We remain vigilant - Eastern Sabah Security Command

SABAH: A resurgence of activities of the Islamic State terror group’s local chapters with the involvement of foreign terrorists in the southern Philippines recently has prompted renewed calls for authorities in Southeast Asian nations to be extra vigilant.

Terror attacks escalated in the southern Philippines targeting military and militia outposts as well as civilian public spaces last year, resulting in scores of deaths and injuries. Of particular note was a deadly bombing at a university gym that killed four Catholic mass attendees on Dec. 3, 2023 at Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur province.