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| Southeast Asia |
| 50 Filipino suicide bombers? |
| 2003-02-24 |
| UPI Hears column - last item As the United States increases its presence in the Philippines to help Manila combat the Abu Sayyaf Group guerrillas in the south of the country, Filipino intelligence is worried that the increased U.S. role could escalate the violence, particularly in the form of ASG suicide bombers in Mindanao. According to an anonymous Filipino intelligence officer, at least 50 ASG suicide bombers have been deployed in Mindanao since September. According to the officer, the would-be martyrs are "fresh recruits whose ages range from 18 to 35 years." The guerrillas also have the wherewithal to support and train others. Another intelligence officer said the military had been following up reports that a "large amount" of financial assistance has been transferred from the Middle East. |
| Posted by:Pete Stanley |