Author Archives: Joe Sklut

Rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters bombed a major bridge in Maguindanao and burned several local homes. Abu Sayyaf released three schoolteachers abducted in Zamboanga in January. The US announced $2.5 million in rewards for Abu Sayyaf members involved in the kidnapping of three Americans in 2001.

Police disarmed an IED made with chemical fertilizers and packed with nails at a ticket office in the port of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte. According to the Italian ambassador, Abu Sayyaf captive and Italian citizen Eugenio Vagni is expected to be released from captivity within the week. Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters launched several […]

A truck was ambushed near Zamboanga City by rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, killing three civilians and wounding five. The military also claimed that MILF occupied six Christian villages in Mindanao. A MILF commander, Maj. General Alfredo Cayton, was wounded in Maguindanao last week during an Army assault.

Abu Sayyaf terrorists beheaded a 61-year-old man who was abducted from Zamboanga City three weeks ago, sparking concern for the safety of six school teachers held captive in the same area. The Court of Appeals in Manila upheld the conviction of former Abu Sayyaf leader Hector Abubakar Janjalani for drug violations leading to his arrest […]

A commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front surrendered with 57 of his men and 42 small arms to the Army’s First Infantry Division in Lanao Del Norte province. Two weeks ago, 11 other MILF leaders surrendered in Lanao Del Norte after negotiations with government officials.

Fifty Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters raided a remote village in Sultan Kudarat province, captured twenty villagers, burned homes, and stole farm animals while they used the civilians as human shields against pursuing Army troops. Although MILF peacefully released the hostages after making an escape, an Army official cited the attack as evidence that the […]

The Philippine government formally requested that Malaysia extradite four Abu Sayyaf suspects wanted for taking part in the kidnapping of ten European tourists and eleven Asian workers in 2000. The Abu Sayyaf members have been detained by the Malaysian government for non-terrorism charges, including violating immigration law.

A town mayor and at least three security personnel were wounded when Abu Sayyaf militants exploded a bomb-rigged motorcycle near the convoy of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan on Jolo island. The military bombed Moro Islamic Liberation Front positions in Maguindanao province after a clash broke out between the Army and hundreds of MILF fighters.

Heavily-armed Abu Sayyaf fighters ambushed police, killing four police officers, including the chief of police in Sulu. Four Abu Sayyaf fighters were killed in the ensuing firefight. Two fishermen were wounded in Sarangani by suspected Moro Islamic Front rebels who indiscriminately attacked a coastal village.

On May 5, the Army killed at least six Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters in Maguindanao during fierce fighting that began over a week ago, when security forces started pursuing local MILF leaders. North Cotabato Vice-Governor Emmanuel Piñol’s banana plantation was attacked by over 200 MILF fighters, who killed three civilians and wounded five. An […]

Filipino security forces captured a shipment of firearm components bound for Abu Sayyaf, including six M14 rifles and a bolt assembly for an M60 machine gun. Sulu province governor Abdusakur Tan announced that Italian Red Cross hostage Eugenio Vagni is alive and that more troops would be deployed to pressure Abu Sayyaf for his release.