August 29, 2007: An Abu Sayyaf operative was
arrested as he tried to enter the capital with two explosive devices. Abu
Sayyaf leaders have apparently ordered their followers to attempt a bombing
campaign in the capital, in an attempt to persuade the government to ease off
on Basilan and Jolo. Abu Sayyaf may have more success with church and leftist
groups, who are calling for the military operations against Abu Sayyaf to be
halted, and replaced with police investigations and negotiations. This ignores
the fact that both have been tried, and failed. Abu Sayyaf operates in large
groups on Basilan and Jolo, where police are driven off or intimidated if there
are any attempts to investigate or arrest Abu Sayyaf members. However, the
media is taking advantage of the length of the campaign, as well as the high
casualties, and demanding that the military admit they are screwing up. That
makes a great headline. The generals point out the long history similar
campaigns against violent Moslem groups in the south, but that sort of thing
doesn't sell newspapers. Even less likely to please the media is the
military plan to send engineering and civil affairs units to Basilan and Jolo,
to build infrastructure and try to win over more of the locals. While the
Moslems on those two islands back Abu Sayyaf, there is a growing war weariness,
and unwillingness to risk themselves to support the Islamic militants.
Peace negotiations with
Communist NPA rebels hit a rough patch when the head of the Philippines
Communist Party was arrested in the Netherlands (for ordering the murder of two
rivals in the Philippines.) The Filipino government has long complained of
Europeans governments providing asylum and support (welfare payments) for
communist rebels. The leadership of the NPA has basically used the Netherlands
as a base for years. But now that the NPA has been declared a terrorist
organization, the Dutch are taking a closer look at some of their political
asylum guests.
