The leader of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group has been declared an Emir, or leader, by ISIS in the Middle East.
"There is concern ISIS may well seek to declare a caliphate in the southern Philippines," Ms Bishop said.
"This brings the threat right to our doorstep."
Ms Bishop has described Abu Sayyaf as a "particularly dangerous" terrorist group.
She said about 600 militants from South-East Asia were in the Middle East and could soon return to the region.
"We don't want to see it re-emerge elsewhere in the world, otherwise we'll be back in a few years' time talking about how to defeat a caliphate in the southern Philippines for example. "
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source : ABC
Monday
27 March 2017
8:08:43 AM
820220
(AhlulBayt News Agency) - The ISIS terrorist group could establish a caliphate in the southern Philippines, according to Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.