TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto said that Marawi in the Philippines could be the location of convergence for the Islamic State (ISIS).
“They conduct convergences and invite citizens who are interested in joining ISIS [to gather in Marawi],” Wiranto said during a press conference at his office in Jakarta, today, May 26.
Read: ISIS Militants from Indonesia Die in Marawi
Earlier this week, the situation in Marawi heated following gunfights between the Philippine military and an ISIS-affiliated armed group. As a result, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. The martial law is expected to last for 60 days in Mindanao.
Wiranto explained, Marawi is reportedly used as a strategic base by ISIS since the group was expelled from Syria. The minister added that ISIS has opened the door for citizens of Indonesia, Australia, Russia, and China to converge in Marawi.
“They invite everyone to join and fight for a shared ideology. As their base [in Syria] was destroyed, they converged and spread combatants to countries of origin to build a new base,” Wiranto said.
In order to address the issue, Wiranto went on, Indonesia and Australia have signed a cooperation to prevent the occurrence of new ISIS base in Southeast Asia.
“We will invite New Zealand and Brunei to focus on eradicating terrorists in South Philippines,” Wiranto said.
ISTMAN M.P.
