Intense Clashes with Terrorists in the Philippines - 2002-06-28

In Manila, President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines stated that the country's forces are engaged in a major battle with members of the Abu Sayyaf kidnapping gang, a separatist Islamist group linked to the terrorist network Al-Qaeda. She mentioned that government forces have captured four camps of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Sulu province in the south of the country and are currently pursuing two senior leaders of the terrorists. Casualties from these battles have not been reported. The operation took place a day after the guerrillas killed a Filipino officer and wounded six soldiers. According to Arroyo, government forces are approaching the main camp of the rebels. Previously, four smaller camps of the Abu Sayyaf group on southern islands had fallen to government forces. A spokesperson for the Philippine army stated that as the army forces approach, the rebels are abandoning their positions and fleeing. President Arroyo noted that a major battle is ongoing today in the Holo province. Following the deaths of two hostages—one American and the other Filipino—in clashes between government forces and Abu Sayyaf rebels, Philippine government forces have intensified their pursuit of the rebels. The United States has accused the Abu Sayyaf group of having connections with the Al-Qaeda terrorist network.