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ndonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo warned Indonesians to remain vigilant as the Islamic State (IS) movement is known to have a network of sleeper cells in the country.

“According to the findings of a TNI investigation, IS already has sleeper cells in all provinces except Papua,” Gatot told participants of an iftar (breaking-of-the-fast meal) gathering in Jakarta on Monday evening.

“I urge citizens to alert the authorities if they notice any suspicious activities. Not only the TNI but also the police and local administrations.”

Gatot said the activation of such sleeper cells had happened in the southern Philippines city of Marawi.

“The initial report claimed there were only 50 to 100 IS fighters but the number swelled to some 600 after the sleeper cells were activated,” he said.

Gatot said it would be easy for IS militants to move from the southern Philippines to Indonesia through outlying areas such as Bitung, Morotai, Ternate and Marore.

“Once those sleeper cells are activated, there will be plenty of conflicts in the country,” said Gatot.

“And if we cannot deal with them, it will be a reason for foreign parties to intervene using a humanitarian pretext.”

The four-star general said he did not want the turmoil in Syria to be replicated in Indonesia.