JOLO, Philippines, August 29, 2002 — The most recent kidnapping and beheading incident in Southern Philippines may indicate Abu Sayyaf's intention to return to its religious agenda. It appears to be an act of pure religious terrorism, as no ransom was demanded. In the words of Brig. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, army commander on Jolo, "They did this because they want to punish the nonbelievers of Allah."
On Tuesday 20 August, eight Filipinos were ambushed and kidnapped from their vehicle as they traveled through Patikul town in a remote region of Jolo Island in the Southern Philippines.
Later, two men were released and two men were beheaded, whilst the four women were kept as captives. There is a general consensus that the perpetrators of this insidious crime were the infamous Islamic militia - Abu Sayyaf.
The most disturbing thing about this attack is the detail. The two men released are Muslim, while the six captives kept were/are Jehovah's Witnesses. Of these six, the men (described in the Philippine news as "preachers") were quickly executed without any ransom demand being issued. The severed heads were wrapped in plastic and one was left near the army base in Jolo town on Wednesday 21 August, and the second near the main market on Thursday.
Likewise, no ransom demand has been issued for the four women. The only communication from the terrorists has come in the form of threatening notes attached to the severed heads. The notes, written in Arabic and the local Tausug dialect, included a passage from the Quran, denounced the victims as "infidels", said the killing/kidnapping was an act of jihad, and threatened that "those who do not believe in Allah will suffer the same fate".
| Fact Box: Philippines |
Population:
82,841,518 (July 2001 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.87% (male 15,547,712; female 14,997,544)
15-64 years: 59.45% (male 24,374,849; female 24,873,595)
65 years and over: 3.68% (male 1,355,046; female 1,692,772) (2001 est.)
Ethnic groups:
Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages:
two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English, eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Literacy:
Definition: Age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.6%
male: 95%
female: 94.3% (1995 est.) |
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- Source: CIA World Fact Book
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The Philippine Government has deployed at least three battalions of troops to the area to track down the Abu Sayyaf, which they recently described as "crushed", "decimated", "on the run" and "no longer a threat".
This attack could possibly indicate a change in Abu Sayyaf strategy. The Abu Sayyaf does have its roots deep in Muslim extremism and is suspected of having links to al-Qaeda. Abu Sayyaf have made religious demands in the past, such as the removal of all Christians from Jolo and Basilan, the removal of all crosses from the region and the release of New York Trade Center bomber Ramzi Yousef.
However, since the mid 1990s, the Abu Sayyaf has been known primarily for banditry, for it's kidnap-for-profit industry. Many Islamist groups with a more religiously focused jihad agenda have decried the Abu Sayyaf as being nothing more than common criminals. Yet the Abu Sayyaf never totally deserted their religious agenda.
On 20 March 2000 the Abu Sayyaf raided four schools on the island of Basilan, abducting a priest school-director, twenty-one teachers and twenty-seven young students. Ransom was demanded. Although the children were eventually released and rescued, several teachers were beheaded and the priest was tortured and executed.
Abu Sabaya was raised by Christians
It was this incident that brought Abu Sayyaf spokesman, Abu Sabaya, to prominence. (Abu Sabaya was recently shot and is presumed dead, although no body has been recovered).
"Abu Sabaya" means "thief of women". His real name however was Aldam Tildao. He was abandoned by his Muslim parents at a young age, found and raised by Christians and educated in a private school, Claret College. He studied engineering and worked part-time at Zamboanga's popular radio station, RMN Radio Mindanao before disappearing off to the Middle East.
During the March 2000 kidnapping, Abu Sabaya expressed his hatred of Christians. He confessed to having helped build the giant cross that stands on a hill in Lamitan. Then he said, "How I regret ever helping to build it. Now I want the place razed to the ground. Our religion is losing its hold on the island - all because of you Christians."
Source: Elizabeth Kendal, ASSIST News Service
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