Philippines extremists pledge alliance to ISIL terrorist group leader

Hard-line in the Philippines have pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Clips have been uploaded in recent weeks on the video sharing site YouTube showing both southern Philippines-based Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters BIFF and the Abu Sayyaf rebels pledging support to ISIL.

BIFF spokesman confirmed that a YouTube video uploaded Wednesday, showing a purported BIFF leader flanked by armed men reading a statement of support for the ISIL, had come from his group.

A purported Abu Sayyaf video has also been uploaded on YouTube showing one of the group’s most senior leaders, mentioning Baghdadi as he read out a statement that pledged allegiance to ISL.

Beheadings, mass executions and the taking of child brides have marked the ISIL militancy across large parts of Iraq and Syria.