By Audrey Morallo
MANILA, Philippines — An Australian think tank on Wednesday said that the likelihood of a so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria “caliphate” emerging in Mindanao is low, and the greater danger coming out of the troubled Philippine south is the threat of pro-ISIS extremists.
Sidney Jones of the Lowy Institute for International Policy said in an article that even if the threat of a caliphate in Mindanao is low, the governments in Southeast Asia should rightfully focus their attention on the southern Philippine island because extremist groups could use it as base from which to plan attacks on Manila and other cities or train fighters who will carry out these activities.
“Even if the likelihood of a 'caliphate' emerging on Australia's doorstep is low, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is right to focus attention on the southern Philippines,” Jones said.
She added: “The more likely danger is that pro-Islamic State extremists with deadly skills may use bases there to plan hits in Mindanao and Manila, or train operatives to carry out attacks elsewhere in the region. It is unlikely that hundreds of foreign fighters will flee there as Islamic State is pushed back, but even a dozen could cause serious damage.”
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