Tag Archives: philippines

A spokesman for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said that terrorist Abdul Basit Usman has been seen with the forces of dissident MILF leader Ameril Umbra Kato. Usman, who is linked to both the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah, is wanted by the US. Security forces captured an Abu Sayyaf fighter in Basilan.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front expelled a commander just hours before negotiations with the government began. MILF said it would not provide support to Ameril Ombra Kato, the leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Two men who were planting a bomb on a road in the southern Philippines were killed in a premature detonation. The chief of police speculated that the bomb was intended to disrupt talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Marines claimed they killed three Abu Sayyaf fighters during a clash in the town of Patikul in Sulu province. The clash took place near where two Marines were beheaded by Abu Sayyaf fighters last month.

President Aquino met with Al Haj Murad Ibrahim, the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in Tokyo. Abu Sayyaf kidnapped a midwife in Barangay Tagbak.

Seven Marines and 13 Abu Sayyaf fighters were killed during heavy fighting near the town of Pakitul in Sulu province. Abu Sayyaf beheaded two of the Marines.

Police arrested Ricardo Ayeras, a founding member of the Rajah Solaiman Movement, a group of Christian converts to Islam that has allied with Islamist terror groups. Ayeras was arrested and released two times, in January and August 2007, and accused police of torture.

Soldiers killed five Abu Sayyaf fighters and overran their mountain camp in the town of Sumisip in Basilan. Two soldiers were also killed during a three-hour-long firefight with more than 30 Abu Sayyaf fighters.

Four people were killed and 14 more were wounded in a bus bombing in the capital of Manila. A senior military commander said al Qaeda-linked groups Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf, Rajah Solaiman Movement, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are operating in the capital area.

Philippine Rangers killed two Abu Sayyaf fighters and detained another during operations in the town of Tipo-tipo in Basilan province. The military estimates Abu Sayyaf has 340 fighters in its ranks.

Eleven people were wounded in a bombing during Christmas Day mass at a Catholic church in a police camp on Jolo Island in Sulu province. The al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Group is suspected of carrying out the attack.

The Abu Sayyaf Group released two Malaysian hostages who were captured in February in the Malaysia state of Sabah and moved to the Philippines. The government hopes to hold talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in January.

Gunmen kidnapped 12 villagers in Basilan island who were returning from a fishing trip. No group has claimed responsibility but weapons and a ransom have been demanded for their release. Clan rivalry is the suspected reason for the kidnappings, although Abu Sayyaf has been active in the area.

Suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels killed a United Nations World Food Program driver on his way to deliver rice to war-stricken civilians. The UN driver was stopped by Islamist rebels in the township of Marantao, who killed him after he refused to unload the 488 bags of rice in the truck destined for civilians.

Muslim insurgents in north Cotabato are suspected of killing one person and wounding two others in a bombing at a bus terminal. Suspected Abu Sayyaf Islamists kidnapped two teachers but released one shortly afterward in a nearby village in Basilan.

Security forces arrested a bombing suspect in Manila thought to be linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group or MILF. Intelligence indicate that 10 foreign terrorists are meeting with Abu Sayyaf leaders and planning attacks in the Manila Metro area. Police seized 562 kilograms of bomb-making material and detained four people in Limay, Bataan.