MANILA The Philippines is certain of "very strong" links between Islamic State and home-grown militants and is concerned about regional repercussions from tension between China and the new U.S. administration, Manila`s defense minister said on Thursday.
"The bottom line is the trade that`s passing through the South China Sea does not belong to the Philippines.
"They go there if they are asked by PDEA and they need firepower, then we will assist, that`s our job, that`s all," he said.
Intelligence from various sources had shown rebels in the southern Philippines had been communicating with Islamic State, and funds were being sent from the Middle East via conventional mechanisms commonly used by overseas Filipino workers, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in an interview.
"We are concerned if war breaks out and it is near us we will be involved whether we like it or not," Lorenzana told Reuters.
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