August 5,
2008: The agreed peace deal with the
MILF is coming apart as wealthy Catholic and Moslem families in the south
exercised their political influence to protect their interests. These families
have their own gunmen, and some even control portions of the MILF. Nothing is
simple in the south. Then the Filipino Supreme Court agreed with some of these
groups, proclaiming the deal unconstitutional (mainly because of the extent of
the autonomy given to the southern Moslems.) Many northern politicians believe
that the more corrupt southern politicians will use the autonomy to plunder and
impoverish the southerners even more than is the case now. The Christian
minority also sees themselves as becoming second-class citizens under the new
deal (something many southern Moslems favor.)
One of the
most vicious Islamic terror groups in the south, Abu Sayyaf, has a few hundred
members, and several of the dozen or so sub-groups are back at kidnapping. This
time around, they have switched tactics, and not gone after foreigners, but
concentrated on Filipino families that can pay a small ransom. This provides more
targets, and less media pressure on the police to catch the kidnappers.
In the
north, the communist NPA are increasing their extortion efforts, and attacks on
companies that do not pay up. In addition to violence against companies, the
NPA also terrorizes civilians living near NPA base camps. The army is moving
troops into areas around these base camps, and trying to protect civilian
populations.
July 24,
2008: In the south, Islamic terrorists
have been sending threatening letters to Christian clergy, demanding "tax
payments." The groups doing this have previously kidnapped Christians and held
them for ransom.
