Philippines: Abu Sayyaf Sleeper Cell Suspects Sought

Archives

May 25, 2007: After eight members of Abu Sayyaf surrendered earlier this month, they provided information indicating that about thirty Abu Sayyaf members had been trained as bomb makers, and sent to the capital to stay under cover until they got the word to go into action. Such "sleeper cells" are a much feared, but rarely encountered, terrorist tactic. Police are now searching for the thirty suspects.

May 24, 2007: Army Scout Ranger commandos raided a terrorist hideout in the south, killing two known members of Jemaah Islamiah.

May 23, 2007: President Arroyo and her allies appear to have won 200 of 219 seats in the national legislature, during the recent elections. This means her strategy against Moslem separatists and Islamic terrorists will continue.

May 18, 2007: In the south, a bomb went off in a bus terminal, killing three and wounding fifteen. It's unclear if the bombers were Islamic terrorists, or local gangsters trying to extort money from the bus companies. The latter is more frequently the source of such violence.