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| Southeast Asia |
| Weapons destined for Abu Sayyaf group seized in Philippines |
| 2016-09-28 |
| [UPI] Philippine police confiscated $125,000 worth of high-powered firearms destined for the Abu Sayyaf ...also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya, an Islamist terror group based in Jolo, Basilan and Zamboanga. Since its inception in the early 1990s, the group has carried out bombings, kidnappings, murders, head choppings, and extortion in their uniquely Islamic attempt to set up an independent Moslem province in the Philippines. Abu Sayyaf forces probably number less than 300 cadres. The group is closely allied with remnants of Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiya and has loose ties with MILF and MNLF who sometimes provide cannon fodder... separatist group, law enforcement said. The cache of weapons and ammunition was displayed Tuesday by National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa. He said the ammunition was traced to a government arsenal and the serial numbers of the weapons are being researched under the assumption they are of the same origin. He added Abu Sayyaf members have been in the Manila area since August, purchasing the weapons, which include grenade launchers and automatic rifles. "I have directed the director of [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] to trace these seized arms and ammunition," he said. The weapons were seized from four tossed in the clink Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! suspects in San Juan City, Mindanao, on Sept. 24. The island of Mindanao includes a Moslem enclave and is the focus of Abu Sayyaf terrorist activity. |
| Posted by:Fred |