Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — A United States official said there is a need to recognize terror group ISIS as a global issue, adding that it is “gaining a foothold” in the Philippines.
“I think our next steps on the global war to defeat ISIS are to recognize ISIS is a global issue. We already see elements of ISIS in the Philippines, as you’re aware, gaining a foothold. Some of these fighters have gone to the Philippines from Syria and Iraq,” U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a White House briefing on Tuesday, U.S. time.
Tillerson said they are talking to the Philippine government, along with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia as “partners to recognize (the) threat.”
This partnership includes training law enforcement, and sharing of intelligence, among others.
Tillerson is part of the delegates that will come to the Philippines this week, in line with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Regional Forum.
The United States has assisted the Philippine military with the ongoing crisis in Marawi, through intelligence and technical support.
READ: PH military: No U.S. troops fighting alongside PH troops
The Maute group, who has been fighting with government forces in Marawi since May 23, has pledged allegiance to ISIS.
WATCH: What is the Maute Group?
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday told senators of a new plot by ISIS to sow terror in the southern Philippines, outside of Marawi.
Senators said this would require additional manpower and more budgetary allocation.
