1,200 Daesh elements operating in Philippines: Indonesia defense chief

The Indonesian defense chief claims about 1,200 Takfiri Daesh elements are currently operating in the Philippines, which is in the middle of a large offensive against militants tied to the terror group in the south.

Ryamizard Ryacudu, who was speaking at an international security summit in Singapore on Sunday, described the Daesh-affiliated militants as “killing machines” and called for full-scale regional cooperation against the notorious terror outfit.

“I was advised last night, 1,200 ISIL in the Philippines, around 40 from Indonesia,” Ryacudu said. “How can we tackle these foreign fighters? We have to be comprehensive.”

“We have to find… complete ways but we must exercise caution, they are killing machines. Their aim is to kill other people so that’s why it’s our responsibility that we have common understanding, consensus and common proceedings on how to fight these foreign fighters,” the Indonesian defense minister added.
The comments come as a bloody standoff is underway between Philippine troops and the militants fighting under the Daesh flag in the country’s troubled south.