The military captured Mohamad Baehaqi, a Jemaah Islamiyah operative behind the bombings in North Cotabato in October 2006. The FBI is conducting forensic tests to see if the body found in Tawi-Tawi is that of Jemaah Islamiyah master bomber Dulmatin. Indonesian authorities do not believe Dulmatin is dead.
Indonesian bomb expert Dulmatin is thought to have been discovered in a shallow grave in the island of Tawi-tawi in the southern Philippines. The military is conducting DNA tests on the body. Dulmatin helped build the bombs used in the Bali attack in Indonesia in 2002.
Philippine security officials uncovered a plot by Jemaah Islamiyah to assassinate President Gloria Arroyo and three other unnamed officials. Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah are also believed to be plotting attacks against high-value targets in Manilla. The plot caused the military to go on full alert.
Uneasy peace reigns on southern Philippine island
Eight dead in Philippines clash
Republic of the Philippines’ Marine Force Recon and Navy Special Warfare killed an Abu Sayyaf leader, Radi Upao. Dulmatin, the JI leader wanted for the 2002 Bali bombing, is reported to have escaped the strike.
Three killed, 27 injured in Philippine bomb blast: police
Security forces captured Aramil Sulayman, one of the Abu Sayyaf terrorists behind the beheading of Marines, in Central Mindanao. The Supreme Court denied the request of the Anti-Terrorism Council for the creation of special courts to handle and prosecute cases related to terrorism.
Jemaah Islamiyah bomber Dulmatin is reported to be moving between Sulu in the Philippines and Malaysia to avoid capture by Filipino troops. MILF warned that peace talks with the government are on the verge of stopping.
Philippine troops and police arrested Abu Sayyaf commander Tuatin Anahaly on the southern island of Margosatubig. Anahaly was behind the kidnapping and murder of American and Filipino tourists on Palawan island in 2001. Five of the hostages were murdered.
A year-end roundup of the major developments in the Long War in the primary and secondary theaters across the globe.
Philippines ‘bomb plotter’ Islamic envoy: Egypt cleric
Egyptian ‘explosive expert’ not our member – MILF
Philippine police and soldiers captured a suspected Egyptian terrorist with links to al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah in Cotabato City. The raid nabbed Mohammad Sayed, aka Abu Husein, at an apartment at the Woman’s Islamic Center. Police found bomb-making materials, a MILF military manual, and extremist propaganda. Soldiers killed six Abu Sayyaf operatives in Basilan.
Philippine troops killed Mobin Abdurajak, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group, in a raid on his hideout in Tawi-Tawi. He was wanted for kidnapping 21 people from the Malaysian resort island of Sipadan in 2000. Negotiations with MILF to create a Muslim homeland have stopped due to issues with economic control.
Philippine Muslim rebels jailed for kidnap, beheading
MILF leadership figures appealed to MNLF factions to protect Malik, under increasing pressure from AFP troops. MindaNews claims that a new peace deal would give the MILF control over the Bangsamoro ancestral domain.
Philippine Catholics afraid of Muslim homeland deal
The Armed Forces of the Philippines revealed that they were tipped by one of the mutiny leaders of the upcoming coup plot. AFP Marines seized a camp held jointly by the Abu Sayyaf Group and the MNLF.
Filipinos shake their heads at coup bid and response
The MILF predicted a peace pact by 2008, and urged international groups to back the process. The RP government considered merging the MILF and MNLF treaties.
Philippine army calls ceasefire for typhoon relief
The Basilan Governor and wife of slain Representative Wahab Akbar filed murder charges against the three Abu Sayyaf operatives captured in Quezon City last Thursday. The former deputy house speaker has been cleared of involvement in the blast at the Congress building.
Details emerged on the MILF/GRP peace plan. The investigation into the bombing of the House of Representatives continues.
Police described the bomb used in the Congress bombing as “sophisticated.” Three Abu Sayyaf operatives killed in Quezon City are thought to be linked to the attack. The government and MILF have agreed on the boundaries of a proposed ancestral Muslim homeland.
Militants killed in raid near Philippines blast site
Muslim lawmaker target of Manila blast
Manila, MNLF to revive peace deal
A bomb blast at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City killed Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar and the driver of another representative. Another representative is in critical condition. The blast was detonated by remote control.
There was a breakthrough in peace negotiations between the government and the MNLF, held in Saudia Arabia. The host nation promised to support the agreement with additional aid. The agreement came despite the absence of MNLF leader Nur Misuari, earlier promised release from prison to attend.