3 Turkey nationals questioned on ISIS links

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat — Security forces held for questioning three Turkish nationals on suspicion they were members of ISIS terror group who entered a village in Mangudadatu town in Maguindanao last Sunday.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, 33rd Infantry Battalion commander, said local officials of Mangudadatu town led by Mayor Freddie Mangudadatu sought the assistance of 33rd IB troops after they received information that three foreign nationals entered Barangay Kailan without coordination from local authorities.

Mangudadatu, together with 33rd IB troops led by 1Lt. Marc Fernandez, rushed to the area and held for questioning the three foreigners who turned out to be Turkish nationals identified as Alper Oral, 35; Enes Koc, 21, Onur Keles, 29, who claimed they are volunteers for IHH Humanitarian Foundation, a non-government organization based in Turkey.

After a brief interrogation, the three foreigners were ordered released when there was no concrete evidence linking them with the ISIS terror group.

Mangudadatu reminded the foreigners to coordinate their activities in the locality with local officials to avoid misunderstanding.

Cabunoc said military and local officials are closely coordinating to prevent the possible entry of suspected terrorists who might sow terror in civilian communities in Maguindanao. (Joseph Jubelag)