An official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday the military would be on high alert to foil possible attempts by terrorist groups attempting to ride on the reported death of Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi over the weekend.

“Our troops in the frontlines remain on high alert to thwart possible attempts to ride on this development,” AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters.

Al-Baghdadi took control of IS in 2010 after which he rebuilt the terror group into an organization that overrun vast areas of Syria and Iraq he included in his self-declared “caliphate”.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (US time) announced that al-Baghdadi had been killed in a US military operation in northwest Syria.

Trump said US Special Operations Forces conducted a raid Saturday night targeting al-Baghdadi, during which he killed himself by igniting a suicide vest.

Arevalo said the death of al-Baghdadi was a severe blow on terrorist organizations around the globe.

“We expect that his death will impact negatively on the leadership of terrorists in various parts of the world,” Arevalo said.

“The AFP will continue with our vigorous efforts to prevent or counter terrorist extremists who continue to threaten our country,” he added.

Arevalo said the AFP would continue its campaign against IS-inspired groups from recruiting new members and exploiting the situation in the countryside.

“We will build from our triumph in Marawi in frustrating IS move to establish a caliphate in our country,” he said, as he urged the public to stay alert and report to authorities any suspicious persons or activities in their areas.