The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is verifying information about the alleged presence of Turkish terrorists in the country, Malacañang said on Thursday. This was after Turkish Ambassador Esra Cankorur was quoted by reports saying that the Fetullah Gulen Movement, a group accused by Turkey of being terrorists and instigating last year’s failed coup, has branched out to the Philippines. “The military is verifying the statement of Turkish Ambassador Esra Cankorur regarding the presence of Turkish terrorists, particularly the Fetullah Gulen Movement, in the Philippines,” Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement. The Palace official said the Philippine government would also look into the group’s alleged involvement in terrorist activities, either in aiding or abetting them. The Turkish ambassador’s statement comes amid the continuing offensives of government forces against Islamist fighters in Marawi City.

Source: Manila Times July 13, 2017 06:45 UTC