PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said the Islamic State (IS) international terrorist group was behind a “rebellion” in Mindanao, amid ongoing clashes between security forces and the IS-linked Maute group in Marawi City.

Recent terrorist activities in Mindanao are not just the work of the members of the Maute group, but are “purely ISIS,” Duterte said in remarks during an oath-taking ceremony in Malacañang, using another name for the IS.