MILF forms task force to fight off recruitment for ISIS

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it has formed a task force to counter the recruitment activities being conducted in the name of the Islamic State in Central Mindanao and nearby areas.

Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator, said the formation of the task force came in the wake of confirmed reports that some personalities, claiming to have links with IS, have been convincing people in such areas as Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur to support and join their cause for the establishment of the Islamic caliphate.

“The recruitment activities as well the video of their training that came out were authentic,” Iqbal said.

ESSZone Residents Shaken By Kidnapping Of Two Malaysians

KOTA KINABALU (Bernama) -- Almost a year after the abduction of Constable Zakia Aliep of the Marine Police from a resort in Pulau Mabul, Semporna, on July 12, 2014, Sabah was again shaken by a similar incident.

The Ocean King Seafood Restaurant located near Jalan Bokara, Pasir Putih, about three kilometres from Sandakan town was the target of the abductors on May 14, 2015.

Philippines, Malaysia to hold naval drills in crime-ridden waters

Aug 24 - The Philippines and Malaysia will hold naval drills this week in seas that have become hunting grounds for the notorious Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, human traffickers and smugglers.

In an advisory, Naval Forces Western Mindanao said live-fire and interoperability exercises will be held in waters around the Zamboanga peninsula, and in seas separating Sulu province in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and Malaysia's Sabah state.