Long-Awaited Progress Against the Abu Sayyaf, But Bombs Rock Southern Philippines

By Zachary Abuza

The US military has been training and supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since early 2002. Despites hundreds of millions in aid, training and equipment, the AFP had precious little to show for it. But that seems to be changing now. Four years of joint exercises, and US Special Forces stationed down to the battalion level seems to be bearing fruit. Yet, on 10 January, three bombs exploded in three separate cities in Mindanao: the southern Philippine port city of General Santos, killing six and wounding around 20, and in Kidapawan and Cotabato Cities. There was one person killed in Cotabato and almost ten people were wounded in the two bombings. The bombings are likely the work of some Abu Sayyaf in retaliation for recent government offensives and Umar Basit, whom police contend is a member of the MILF; the MILF claim that they expelled him.

The AFP launched "Operation Ultimatum" in early August 2006 to finish off some 120-200 militants under Khadaffy Janjalani’s control on Jolo Island. In addition, they are thought to be accompanied by roughly six members of Jemaah Islamiyah including the two Bali bombers, Dulmatin and Umar Patek. To date there are well over 7,500 AFP in Jolo. The AFP claims to have lost nearly 20 soldiers and marines, and another 90 wounded in the campaign. The AFP estimated that almost 60 rebels had been killed though under 20 bodies had been found. At one point the AFP claimed that 80 rebels had been killed. The terrain is very mountainous and covered in a dense jungle canopy.

The past few weeks have seen a string of victories against the ASG. ASG captives led AFP to the body of what they claimed to be Khadaffy Janjalani. The FBI is conducting DNA tests now.

More significant was an AFP operation conducted on 6 January. AFP tracked a boat leaving Jolo Island, making its way to Tawi Tawi. A joint operation between sea and land troops led to the death of 5 ASG and an Indonesian member of JI. Naval forces chased and blocked the escape route of the six, while ground forces tracked them down. While not overly sophisticated, this was a successful joint operation of the AFP. One hopes it becomes routine.

The ASG were led by Jundam Jamalul, a.k.a. "Black Killer," upon whom the US Government had placed a $40,000 bounty. The others included Abu Hubaida, Ibrahim Hassan, a.k.a. Abu Muksin, Gadar Abubakar, and one unidentified. The Indonesian, Gufran, a.k.a. Abu Samur, was one of Dulmatin’s aides.

Then on 9 January, the AFP claimed that another ASG “leader,” Binang Sali was killed in Patikul, Jolo, after a brief firefight. The AFP would have far more credibility if they didn’t label all of the ASG they kill or capture leaders. Sali was not high-level, but apparently was involved in the April 2000 Sipidan hostage taking.

There are a number of known ASG figures at large including:

• Jainal Antel Sali Jr. a.k.a. Abu Solaiman
• Isnilon Hapilon a.k.a. Salahuddin
• Radullan Sahiron a.k.a. Commander Putol
• Osman a.k.a. Usman a.k.a. Rizal
• Abu Jumdail a.k.a. Dr. Abu
• Albader Parad
• Wahab Opao a.k.a. Abu Fatima
• Ustadz Hatta Haipe
• Sahiron
• Suhod Tanadjalan a.k.a. Commander Suhod

It is clearly harder for the ASG to stage attacks, and the frequency of firefights has gone down. They are clearly on the run. Recruting and operations have never been harder. That said, the bombings in the three Mindanao cities on 10 January make clear that the ASG can continue to strike outside of its area, especially with the cooperation of hardline or rogue elements of the MILF, who may be acting as guns for hire.. While it lacks the capability to go after high profile targets, such as the ongoing ASEAN summit in Cebu City, it can continue to hit soft targets in Mindanao.

Joint training and joint operations are bearing some fruit, as is the rewards for justice money. But soon it is going to be time for the AFP to stand on their own two feet, not “shoulder to shoulder.”

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