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Home , Ces Drilon, Dulmatin, Isnilon Hapilon, Khadaffy Janjalani, Sulu

may 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 5

A number of conclusions can be drawn The Sources of the Abu the creation of AHAI in 1989 to pursue from this incident. The kidnappings Fi Sabilillah, defined as “fighting and and Khwaja’s subsequent execution Sayyaf’s Resilience in the dying for the cause of .”2 Yet it show the generational change among Southern was only in 1993 when AHAI formally militants in and the evolving organized with Abdurajak as the amir.3 relationship between the ISI and By Rommel C. Banlaoi fighters. Khwaja, for example, Since the formal launch of AHAI in was a controversial figure due to his since the launching of the global war 1989, Abdurajak delivered several associations with the ISI and links with on terrorism in the aftermath of the khutbahs or sermons and released several certain militant groups. After he retired September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on fatawa using the nom-de-guerre “Abu from the military, he worked as a lawyer the , the Philippines has Sayyaf,” in honor of Afghan resistance and defended suspected militants been engaged in a prolonged military fighter Abdul Rasul Sayyaf.4 While and Islamist politicians.17 He even campaign against the Group Abdurajak idolized this Afghan leader, reportedly once maintained contacts (ASG). Key ASG leaders have been the suggestion that Abdurajak was an with Usama bin Ladin. It appears that killed in this battle, while others have Afghan war veteran is still a subject the Asian Tigers killed him as revenge been imprisoned for various crimes for verification.5 Some living Filipino against the ISI and against the jihadist associated with terrorism. Despite these Afghan war veterans, for example, have groups it believes are still working for successes, authorities have not been challenged the claim that Abdurajak the spy agency. able to eliminate the ASG completely, actually fought in the Afghan war— and the group remains a threat to arguing instead that it was his younger The new generation of militants in Philippine internal security. Even after brother, Hector, who participated in the Pakistan is more independent and is losing key field commanders, the ASG conflict.6 pursuing more radical goals. Moreover, is still able to replenish its membership these domestic militant groups share primarily from affected and influenced Abdurajak’s khutbahs and fatawa became links with transnational terrorist villages in , and Tawi- popular not only in Basilan but also in networks such as al-Qa`ida, and they Tawi (BASULTA) in the southern Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and City. are angry with Pakistan’s government Philippines. His popularity caught the ire of police and for aligning with the United States and military authorities because Abdurajak NATO in the “war on terrorism.” It After providing a brief background was associated with the Moro National appears that they want to embarrass of the ASG, this article examines the Liberation Front (MNLF), a group that Pakistan’s government and force sources of the ASG’s resilience in the declared jihad against the Philippine it to accept their demands. Future face of government and international government. Since Abdurajak used the kidnapping attempts of high-profile pressure. It argues that the ASG is pen name “Abu Sayyaf,” the military security officials and other more a product of complex tensions in the described his followers as a group of Abu aggressive tactics are likely as the southern Philippines, where criminal, Sayyaf, which was popularized in media Pakistani Taliban grow more diffuse political and militant groups at times as the Abu Sayyaf Group, or ASG. The and increasingly unpredictable. collaborate to achieve shared goals. popularity of this group spread widely It also shows the limits of countering in and was locally known Rahimullah Yusufzai is a senior Pakistani terrorism in the southern Philippines. as Juma’a Abu Sayyaf. In August 1991, journalist and political and security analyst Abdurajak publicly used the name ASG presently working as Resident Editor of the A Deeper Look at the Founding of the ASG in connection with the bombing of the English daily The News International Analysts traditionally trace the MV Doulos, a Christian missionary ship in Peshawar. He is also an analyst for the evolution of the ASG to Abdurajak docked at the port.7 leading Pakistani Urdu TV channel, Geo. Janjalani, who reportedly founded the He has been reporting on and group in the early 1990s. While there From Islamic Movement to a Bandit Group Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province is no doubt that the ASG’s original From an Islamic movement in the late (NWFP), Federally Administered Tribal ideological foundation is attributed 1980s and early 1990s, the ASG received Areas (FATA), and Baluchistan since the to the political and religious ideas of the label of a bandit group from the early 1980s. Abdurajak, what he actually organized was a group called al-Harakatul al- 2 Ibid. Islamiyyah (AHAI) or the Islamic 3 Ibid. Movement, whose original members 4 Ibid. were drawn from his followers in Jamaa 5 Personal interview, Noor Muog, former member of the Tableegh, an Islamic propagation group Abu Sayyaf Group, April 8, 2010. that he formed in Basilan in the early 6 There is need to conduct research on the life and sto- 1 1980s. Abdurajak officially declared ries of Filipino Muslim veterans of the Afghan war. Some have died, some have been imprisoned but there are still 1 For a more detailed history, see Rommel C. Banlaoi, remaining veterans all over Mindanao. There are a few “The Abu Sayyaf Group and Terrorism in the South- staying in Muslim communities in trying to make ern Philippines Seven Years After 9/11: Threat and Re- a living peacefully. sponse,” Philippine Institute for Political Violence and 7 “Abu Sayyaf Kidnappings, Bombings and Other At- 17 Mir. Terrorism Research, September 2008. tacks,” GMANews.tv, August 23, 2007.

17 may 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 5

Philippine government for partaking in From a Bandit Group to a Terrorist Group to an estimated 200 members at the several bombing, extortion and kidnap- The aftermath of 9/11, however, resulted conclusion of the campaign in 2007.17 for-ransom activities. Although the ASG in the redesignation of the ASG from received initial funding from al-Qa`ida a bandit group to a terrorist group. Yet the ASG was able to recover its in the mid-1990s through the activities The United States listed the ASG as a membership when it mounted a series of Muhammad Jamal Khalifah, external foreign terrorist organization, justifying of kidnapping activities in 2008. This funding was cut off when Philippine the deployment of U.S. troops to the allowed the group to amass money, authorities discovered Khalifah’s southern Philippines to assist and train which attracted Muslim youth to join clandestine operations in the country.8 the Philippine military in countering the spree. The massive kidnapping the threat. Since 9/11, the ASG has activities of the ASG started in June To mobilize resources, the ASG resorted engaged in a series of terrorist activities 2008 with the abduction of well-known to a kidnap-for-ransom spree in the such as the Davao International Airport Filipina journalist, , and her late 1990s. The ASG’s most publicized bombing in March 2003 that killed cameraman. This was followed by the kidnap-for-ransom activities were the 21 people, the Superferry 14 bombing in kidnappings of three workers of the March 2000 attacks in elementary February 2004 that killed 116 people International Committee of the Red schools in Basilan,9 the April 2000 attack and the Valentine’s Day bombing in Cross (ICRC) in January 2009 and two at the Sipadan resort of Malaysia10 and February 2005 that killed 20 people.14 Chinese nationals in November 2009. the May 2001 attack at the Dos Palmas During this period, the ASG engaged In between those dates, several local resort of .11 These attacks in several bombing activities that were residents were kidnapped, with one local prompted the Philippine government to hallmarks of terrorism rather than teacher in beheaded in November describe the ASG as a group of bandits banditry.15 2009.18 Indeed, the ASG degenerated interested in money-making through into a bandit group again. kidnapping activities. As a result of ASG’s bomb-making skills were limited foreign funding since 9/11, the acquired through joint training with With money in their pockets resulting ASG has relied on kidnapping activities Jemaah Islamiya (JI) operatives in the from several ransom payments, the as its major source of funding—this southern Philippines. and ASG was able to accommodate younger continues today.12 Other sources of its Umar Patek, alleged masterminds recruits not interested in ideology, but funding come from extortion activities of the 2002 Bali bombing, have been in guns and money. Muslim parents in (disguised as zakat, or alms giving), identified by Philippine intelligence impoverished villages of BASULTA counterfeiting of goods, illegal drug authorities as key trainers of the even volunteered their sons to join the sales or serving as bodyguards for local ASG on the manufacture and use ASG in exchange for a monthly supply politicians.13 of improvised explosive devices.16 of rice and financial support to the Dulmatin and Umar Patek trained family of around $200.19 Some fathers 8 The discovery is fully described in the report, “The some ASG members with members of even reportedly traded their sons for 20 Islamic Fundamentalist/Extremist Movements in the the Special Operations Group (SOG) guns. There were cases where young Philippines and their Links with International Terrorist of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front recruits joined the ASG as a status Organizations,” December 1994, produced by the Special (MILF). symbol against ordinary gangs in their Investigation Group-Intelligence Command of the Phil- communities. Some entered the ASG as ippine National Police headed by Rodolfo B. Mendoza, From Terrorist Group to Bandit Group Again a result of “pot” (marijuana) sessions 21 Jr. When the Philippine military waged with members. There are a few who 9 For an excellent account, see Jose Torres Jr., Into the Oplan Ultimatum in August 2006 joined the ASG to exact revenge for Mountains: Hostaged by the Abu Sayyaf ( City: Clar- as a counterterrorism offensive to the deaths of their loved ones killed by etian Publications, 2001). eliminate the ASG, it led to the demise police or military forces. There are also 10 For first-hand accounts of this incident, see Roberto of key ASG leaders, particularly members who joined the ASG due to N. Aventajado, 140 Days of Terror: In the Clutches of the and Jainal Antel clan conflicts (known as rido), which is 22 Abu Sayyaf ( City: Anvil, 2004) and Werner Wal- Sali, Jr. (also known as Abu Solaiman). prevalent in Mindanao. lert, Hostage Terror: Abducted by the Abu Sayyaf (Singa- The success of Oplan Ultimatum led to pore: Marshall Cavendish, 2009). the drastic decline of ASG membership 11 For a gripping account of her tragedy in this attack, see 17 Rodolfo B. Mendoza, “Updates on Terrorist Organiza- Gracia Burnham, In the Presence of My Enemies (Wheaton, ippines, March 24, 2010. tions in the Philippines,” lecture delivered at the Brunei IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2003). 14 For details on these attacks, see Enrico Antonio Darussalam Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, 12 Rodolfo B. Mendoza, Jr., “The Evolution of Terrorist La Vina and Lilita Balane, “Timeline: The Abu Sayyaf December 3, 2009. Financing in the Philippines,” presented at the Interna- Atrocities,” Newsbreak Online, March 31, 2009. 18 “Teacher Beheaded in Philippines,” BBC, November tional Conference in Countering the Financing of Ter- 15 For detailed analysis, see Rommel C. Banlaoi, “The 9, 2009. rorism at the Sulu Hotel, Philippines on July 7-8, 2008; Abu Sayyaf Group: From Mere Banditry to Genuine Ter- 19 Personal interview, senior intelligence officer, Armed Personal interview, Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, rorism,” in Daljit Singh and Lorraine Salazar eds., South- Forces of the Philippines, Zamboanga City, Philippines, Commander of the Western Command of the Armed east Asian Affairs 2006 (Singapore: Institute of Southeast March 25, 2010. Forces of the Philippines, Zamboanga City, Philippines, Asian Studies, 2006), pp. 247-264. 20 Ibid. March 25, 2010. 16 Dulmatin was killed in on March 9, 2010. 21 Ibid. 13 Personal interview, Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, Umar Patek is believed to have left the Philippines, but 22 Wilfredo Magno Torres III ed., Rido: Clan Feuding and Commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao of the there are reports that he is still in Jolo, Sulu in the south- Conflict Management in Mindanao (Makati City: The Asia Armed Forces of the Philippines, Zamboanga City, Phil- ern Philippines. Foundation, 2007).

18 may 2010 . Vol 3 . Issue 5

Sources of ASG Resilience government has established a Limits of Countering Terrorism in the As of April 2010, the ASG has an commission to dismantle private armies, Philippines estimated 445 members, 79% of whom it remains to be seen if the commission With this grim reality of violence in the are 30-years-old and younger.23 can fulfill its mandate. According to southern Philippines, counterterrorism According to the Philippine government, the Philippine National Police, there measures largely based on the use of Sulu represents the largest membership are more than 130 private armies in military muscle will not put an end to of 200 followed by 130 in Basilan, 90 the entire country, in addition to rebel the ASG. Military offensives and other in Zamboanga City, 20 in Tawi-Tawi groups moonlighting as partisan armed variants of Oplan Ultimatum can kill and five in City.24 The ASG militias of local politicians.28 ASG ASG members, but not end the ASG as has become a resilient group because members who are not part of the private a resilient group. it is able to replenish its membership army of a local politician offer their from affected and influenced villages services as “thugs for hire,” particularly The ASG is a symbol of the complexities in BASULTA through material during election seasons. of armed violence in the southern inducements. In Sulu alone, 46% or Philippines that interact with issues 115 of its total 251 villages are affected In other words, the ASG has become an of banditry, terrorism, rebellion, by the ASG.25 In Basilan, 25% of its entrepreneur of violence with more of its separatism, clan conflict, ethnic conflict 187 villages are affected by ASG.26 In members interested in pursuing money and warlordism. The continuous entry other words, the ASG has a reservoir of rather than a violent, Islamist ideology. of foreign jihadists to the southern new recruits that provide the group its While other commanders still have the Philippines only compounds these staying power. illusion of waging jihad to establish an issues, as radical foreigners subvert in the southern Philippines, the minds of the locals, imbuing them Aside from this reservoir, ASG these individuals are a minority, usually with a violent Islamist ideology. leaders have also mastered the skills those who studied in Islamic schools in Moreover, they also train local fighters of conniving with ordinary criminal the Philippines and abroad. Individuals in sophisticated bomb-making skills. groups in their operational areas to such as Yasser Igasan, Khair Mundos Only effective governance can limit mount kidnapping and other criminal and fit the description ethnic conflict, banditry and rebellion. activities. The ASG has recognized field of ideological leaders. Yet Igasan, who A strong civilian government sincere commanders who are known bandits is the nominal amir of the ASG, remains a in nation-building is needed to finally in the community. ASG commander jihadist but lacks loyal armed followers put an end to the ASG by resolving the Alpader Parad, who was killed in to promote his mission. Mundos, who is ethnic and political disputes plaguing February 2010, was a known kidnapper leading the ASG in Basilan, also lacks the region. rather than an ideological leader in Sulu. followers who are committed jihadists. Other field commanders of the ASG are Most of Mundos’ followers are bandits Rommel C. Banlaoi is the Executive Director also leaders of notorious criminal gangs who are not interested in pursuing of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence in BASULTA who are engaged in , jihad. Hapilon, who is leading some of and Terrorism Research, an independent arms smuggling, drugs trafficking and the group in Sulu, is overpowered by think-tank. He was former professor counterfeiting of goods. other ASG field commanders who are of political science and international more interested in money generation. relations at the National Defense College Furthermore, some ASG field In short, the majority of ASG members of the Philippines and was a consultant at commanders are protected by local are not motivated by the promise of an the Department of National Defense and politicians who also benefit from the Islamic state or the virtue of jihad, but National Counter Terrorism Action Group illegal activities of the group—using by the allure of money and power that of the Philippine Anti-Terrorism Council. He ASG members as part of their private comes from the barrel of a gun. is currently lecturing at the Command and militias.27 Although the Philippine General Staff College of the Armed Forces of The ASG, therefore, has become a the Philippines and is a Senior Fellow at the 23 Rommel C. Banlaoi, “Evolving Threats of Terrorism in resilient group because its existence Yuchengco Center of De La Salle University. ,” lecture presented at the 4th Asia Pacific is enmeshed in a complex situation in He is the author of Philippine Security Program for Senior National Security Officers organized the southern Philippines where rebels in the Age of Terror (2010), Counter- by the Center for Excellence in National Security, Singa- and terrorists connive with ordinary Terrorism Measures in Southeast Asia: pore, April 13, 2010. For the estimates on ASG cadre, see bandits, who collude with local How Effective Are They (2009) and War Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Armed politicians. All these various interests on Terrorism In Southeast Asia (2004). Forces of the Philippines, March 2010. perpetrate violence on an island marred He is currently working on a book project on 24 Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, by more than 400 years of ethnic the Abu Sayyaf Group. Armed Forces of the Philippines, March 2010. conflict, banditry and rebellion. 25 Ibid. 26 Ibid. 27 Local politicians allegedly received commissions from ransom payments and proceeds from illicit trafficking of arms and drugs. This idea was also articulated by Na- Execs,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 15, 2010. tional Security Adviser and Acting Defense Secretary 28 Jesus A. Versosa, “The PNP’s Role in Upholding the Norberto Gonzales. Also see Jocelyn Uy, “Abu Sayyaf Law Against Private Armed Groups,” Philippine Na- Men Maybe Moonlighting at Private Armies—Defense tional Police, January 27, 2010.

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