TWO ISLAMIC State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) flags were seized by the police and military during a joint operation last week at Baggao, Cagayan. The flags were found by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group during the serving of search warrant at the houses of brothers Greg and Altero Cariaga, who are suspected members of an ISIS-inspired group called Northern Jihadist Group. “Apparently, parang (it seems) they are pledging support to the ISIS,” said PNP chief PGen. Oscar D. Albayalde during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday. Mr. Albayalde said this was the first ISIS-inspired group monitored outside Mindanao, particularly in northern Luzon, but he allayed fears that the extremist group is expanding in the country. He said there have been no reported hostilities or atrocities carried out by the group in the area. “Kaya nga (That is why) this is one of the preventive measures that we do together with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), na kapag may mga na-monitor na ganyan (if we monitor something like that) we do preventive measures already,” he said. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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