The state of lawlessness permits the police and military to set up checkpoints and patrols, and to search cars and pedestrians. But at the same time, anything that can happen under the state of lawlessness can be blamed on him. Abu Sayyaf and some smaller militant groups have pledged allegiance to Islamic State. They wave Islamic State flags, echo Islamic State ideology and like Islamic State, produce gruesome, Internet-ready videos of their victims. Experts say that there is no evidence, however, that Islamic State is actively supporting Abu Sayyaf.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 03, 2016 17:15 UTC