In the summer of 2014, a video was released showing Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon swearing allegiance to ISIS.Michelle FlorCruz, “Philippine Terror Group Abu Sayyaf May Be Using ISIS Link for Own Agenda,” International Business Times, September 25, 2014, http://www.ibtimes.com/philippine-terror-group-abu-sayyaf-may-be-using-isis-link-own-agenda-1695156. In its coverage of ASG’s pledge to ISIS, several media outlets cite ASG’s opportunistic motives as a reason for the pledge, as opposed to pure ideological alignment. Along with other smaller, regional extremist groups such as JI, ASG appears to be using the pledge for publicity to further their own agenda of recruitment.Michelle FlorCruz, “Philippine Terror Group Abu Sayyaf May Be Using ISIS Link for Own Agenda,” International Business Times, September 25, 2014, http://www.ibtimes.com/philippine-terror-group-abu-sayyaf-may-be-using-isis-link-own-agenda-1695156.

Despite ASG’s motives for supporting ISIS, media in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia perceive a dangerous threat in the return of Filipino foreign fighters who have joined ISIS and al-Qaeda.Carmela Fonbuena, “Filipino Jihadists Killed in Syria – Reports,” Rappler, September 22, 2014, http://www.rappler.com/nation/69817-dead-filipino-isis-jihadists. In a speech to the United Nations, the Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has expressed the ISIS threat to the Southeast Asia and Australia.Ayee Macaraig, “UN told: ISIS is threat to Southeast Asia,” Rappler, September 20, 2014, http://www.rappler.com/nation/69817-dead-filipino-isis-jihadists. Likewise, in a statement before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario attributed ISIS’s wide support base in the country to extremist groups such as ASG.Aurea Calica, “Islamic State threatens Mindanao, Philippines tells Asean,” Philippine Star (Manila), April 27, 2015, http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/04/27/1448336/islamic-state-threatens-mindanao-philippines-tells-asean.