Palace on support for US campaign vs. ISIS: PHL can’t accept ‘naked cruelty’

The government cannot just accept “naked cruelty,” a Malacañang official said Friday following President Benigno Aquino III's expression of support to the US government's campaign against the Islamic State militant group.

“This particular group has resorted to naked cruelty and naked violence, barbarity beyond human decency. You've seen that, in their videos of incidents of beheading. This is totally unacceptable," said presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda at a press briefing, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

He said the Philippines “agrees with the principle laid out by the US government” in launching attacks against the ISIS.

During his recent US trip, Aquino said the Philippines is willing to help in the US' efforts to combat the ISIS. The US earlier this month launched a broad campaign against the militant group.

The Islamic State jihadists control large swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory, and have been accused of atrocities in these areas, such as the beheading of journalists.

DFA mum on assistance

Filipino rebel groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Abu Sayyaf have reportedly pledged allegiance to the ISIS.

The Philippine military, however, has yet to verify reports that Islamic State jihadists had recruited Filipinos.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), for its part, is tightlipped on what form of assistance the Philippines will extend to the US in its campaign against the Islamic State group.

"That's why the DFA is meeting with the US State Department to find out what the US needs and what the Philippines can provide. We don't want to preempt the meeting," DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a separate text message to Palace reporters. —KBK, GMA News