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Philippines
Abu Sayyaf released a short video showing an Australian man kidnapped from his home in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay 54 weeks ago. The captive pleads for release but says he does not trust Abu Sayyaf or the Australian government. He is thought to have been taken by Abu Sayyaf to Basilan.
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Philippines
Filipino military and police elements arrested suspected communist rebel leader Filemon Mendrez, also known as “Tatay” and “Edon,” in Negros Oriental. Mendrez was a commander of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in Negros and had a P5.25 million ($127,294) bounty on his head. Abu Sayyaf members freed a public school teacher whom they had kidnapped near Jolo more than a month ago.
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Philippines
Police killed a suspected Jemaah Islamiyah bomber as he attempted to detonate explosives in a park in Davao. The bomber was from Malaysia; his wife, a Filipina, was arrested.
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Philippines
The military arrested Walid Amping, an Abu Sayyaf member, during a raid near Zamboanga. Amping was wanted for the kidnapping of six people in 2002; two of them were beheaded.
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Philippines
Radullan Sahiron, a senior Abu Sayyaf leader wanted for his alleged involvement in the 1993 kidnapping of an American in the Philippines, has been added to the FBI’s updated list of most-wanted terrorists. A wife of a detained Abu Sayyaf group leader has been detained for her role in a kidnapping plot four years ago.
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Philippines
The government signed a preliminary peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim insurgent group. Under the plan, the 12,000-member MILF gains significant powers in a new autonomous region in Mindanao but surrenders its goal of an independent homeland.
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Philippine jihadist says AQAP fighters join ranks
A jihadist known as Abu ‘Atikah al Muhajir attributed the statement to the “Islamic Emirate of Mindanao (Soon).”
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Philippines
The government reached a preliminary peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front insurgency, agreeing to establish an autonomous Muslim region by 2016 called “Bangsamoro” on the island of Mindanao. After details are hammered out, rebel forces will be gradually deactivated “beyond use.” Groups such as Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Salvation Front have not agreed to the deal, however.
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Philippines
US troops see terrorism threat diminish on Philippine island of Mindanao
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Abu Sayyaf
Philippine police boost security after bomb scare
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Philippines
Security forces killed three Abu Sayyaf fighters during clashes in the village of Guiong in the southern province of Basilan. Security forces engaged more than 100 Abu Sayaf fighters during the skirmish.
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Indonesia
Indonesia: Director says terrorism suspects graduated from his school
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China
In Asia, a wave of escalating territorial disputes
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Philippines
An Indian man held captive for 14 months by Abu Sayyaf militants in Sulu province escaped from his captors. The al Qaeda-linked militants had demanded a ransom but the captive’s family had refused to pay; police said his life was spared because he was a Muslim.
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Philippines
Hundreds of Philippine troops attacked two Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement camps in Maguindanao. Four soldiers and two BISF fighters have been killed during the fighting.
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Philippines
US helps the Philippines improve its military capability
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Philippines
Government troops attacked an encampment of the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group on Basilan island. In the ensuing clash, 16 militants and 20 troops were killed.
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Philippines
Police captured Hadjer Arasani, an Abu Sayyaf operative, during a raid in the city of Lamitan in Basilan province. Arasani was involved int he kidnapping of six Jehovah’s Witnesses and the murder of a police officer.
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Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Filipino rebels say talks at ‘make or break’ stage
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United States
Philippines may ask for US spy planes over S.China Sea
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Philippines
Jordanian journalist, Filipino TV crew missing in Jolo
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China
US, Philippine leaders hail growing alliance
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United States
Panetta: Pentagon to shift warships to Pacific
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Abu Sayyaf
Tracking Terror: Malaysian tells Philippine ordeal
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China
Chinese media warns of war with Philippines
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Al Qaeda
US triples military aid to Philippines in 2012
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Philippines
Philippines Role May Grow as US Adjusts Asia Strategy
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United States
Military reworking spy operations
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Philippines
Insurgents commanded by senior Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama killed three militiamen and wounded seven more in an ambush on Basilan island. The militia was attacked as it patrolled a rubber plantation. One insurgent was also killed.
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Philippines
Authorities arrested two Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan province, Serham Akalan and Idris Anni. Akalan was linked to the killing of 14 soldiers in Al-Barka, and Anni was involved in kidnapping workers in Lantawan in 2001. The military estimates that Abu Sayyaf members number fewer than 400.
