I just returned from the Philippines yesterday. I already said six months ago that (the terrorist group) will expand."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu has called for increased alertness following reports that the ISIS terrorist group intends to set up a base in the Philippines.
"I just returned from the Philippines yesterday. I already said six months ago that (the terrorist group) will expand. (The situation) must be closely monitored," he said here on Friday.
He suggested the plan to establish an ISIS base in the Philippines must be anticipated as ISIS activities could affect regional order and national security.
The move could threaten the cohesiveness, unity, and integrity of the Indonesian nation both at home and abroad.
In view of this, the Indonesian people must jointly fight any threat to the nation, such as terrorism, he declared.
Terrorism must be fought by nations through international cooperation, he added.
The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) must anticipate the ISIS plan to build a base in the Southern Philippines in view of its central role in early detection efforts, House Security Commission I member Charles Honoris said.
"Information from TNI (the military) that ISIS is planning to build a base in the Southern Philippines must make security agencies, including the police, TNI, and BIN, more alert," he remarked here on Wednesday.
He stated that BIN in particular plays a central role in both early detection and intelligence sharing with other law enforcement agencies to anticipate possible terrorist activities.
He said any possible infiltration by ISIS members into various networks across the country must also receive special attention.
"Several hard-line mass organizations are suspected of being proxies for ISIS in Indonesia, and one leader of an organization has even sworn in community members as ISIS followers," he noted.
(Reported by Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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