PETALING JAYA: The Islamic State (IS) has officially recognised pledges of allegiance from several militant groups based in the Philippines although it has yet to declare an official wilayat, or a caliphate province for the Philippines or the wider South-East Asian region.
One of the southern Philippines groups recognised is that of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, according to a report from the American-based the Long War Journal (LWJ).
