PNP: Marawi City attackers not ISIS members

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said that the terrorists who are now sowing fear in Marawi City are not members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).(Photo: Philippine National Police/ Facebook)

MANILA—The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said that the terrorists who are now sowing fear in Marawi City are not members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

In a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief and spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said that the terrorists being hunted down by government forces in Marawi City are members of the local Maute terror group.

He stressed that while the Maute terror group has declared support for ISIS, however, they can only be considered as ISIS sympathizers and not actual members.

At the same time, the PNP official appealed to the public to be careful of what they post or share in social media to avoid spreading fear and panic.

Carlos pointed out that posts that tend to create the impression that the situation in Marawi City is worse than what it actually is, could be exploited by terrorists for their own propaganda.

Likewise, he also denied that the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are downplaying the situation in Marawi City.

Carlos expounded that authorities are just making sure that the information they provide the public is verified and true.