Reuters exclusively reports how looted cash, gold help Islamic State recruit in Philippines

Reuters revisited Marawi, the city in the southern Philippines that was occupied by followers of Islamic State for five months last year, and detailed how the militants are regrouping in the area, using gold and cash looted during the occupation. About $40 million was looted, cash and jewelry from bank vaults, homes and businesses, according to one military officer’s estimate. Military officers and local community leaders said the militants were paying a signing-on fee and a regular monthly salary to the families of young recruits, and had amassed about 250 people to prepare for future attacks.