 The group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in April 2015, along with the Ansar Khalifa Philippines terrorist organization, vowing to provide support for each other.However, according to former National Security Council senior consultant Ashley Acedillo, there are no indications that ISIS ever acknowledged the Mauten group's pledge.Although some reports indicate that the Mauten group is regularly seen carrying black flags bearing the insignia of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Butig town mayor Ibrahim Macadato has stated that the group is not affiliated with ISIS, but are merely armed residents.