Abu Sayyaf militants, bombed two targets in Sulu Province Thursday. The first target hit was a telecommunications cell phone relay tower, The second target was a bridge that leads to a military base. In what authorities describe as "a string of attacks showing increased activity by the terrorist group." However :No injuries or deaths were reported in the attacks."
However, on a third attempt on the same day, by three militants to plant a bomb along road ended with three ASG members killed. Before they could plant a new device. "Philippine troops killed three suspected Abu Sayyaf members preventing another attack in same area of Sulu province the abu sayyaf had hit before."
a police spokesman said in a statement.
The men who were armed and had explosives on them are believed to part of a demolitions team of ASG members who may have been the same cell that planted a bomb that killed two US special forces members three weeks ago in the small town.
The group was observed moving towards a blind spot on road leading to a Philippine military checkpoint. "It was almost the same spot where a IED or roadside bomb was used weeks ago, two US Army Special forces members were killed. They had been visiting a school construction site." Philippine Marine Maj Ramon Honteveros a military spokesman said on radio interview that aired in Manila.
Hearts and Minds campaign hurting extremist recruitment:
US backed counter terrorism efforts on Jolo Island include social and infrastructure projects that the US Agency for International Development funds, "To develop schools and other community projects"
The prokects are hurting the Abu Sayyaf and its base of followers in the area. According to the Philippine government in a report on a recent spate of attacks says.
"The attacks on aid workers, missionary groups, the red cross and other groups are part of the ASG plan to make areas they influence poor, poverty stricken, and cut off from communication." the report goes on to say the ASG is trying to isolate communities and targeting schools and infrastructure is actually turning the local populace versus the ASG.
"In recent attacks, the communites often tip off authorities immediatly after attacks and give information on suspects." saying locals are fed up with the ASG attacks that hurt the local villages.
"It is clear in the targets they are choosing to hit. They don’t people educated, especially young Moro’s also they don’t want people to have access or communication, because they target communications, roads, and bridges." Hontiverous said further in the radio interview. "The ASG knows if people’s lives improve they will be the losers so the bandits target progress – they want people in villages to be dependent on the ASG and destroy or attack anyone bringing progress."
US Special forces member and a Philippine Marine bring books to a school the Avu Sayyaf burned down. US and Philippine troops rebuilt the school and restocked supplies. "We want children to have book not Bombs." a local village elder said during the schools blessing and inuaguration. -PACOM Photo release
Leave Your Comments