Nine misunderstanders of Islam arrested in Philippines

These converts to Islam somehow got the idea that their religion teaches them to wage war. Of course, this has been happening for some time all over the world (cf. John Walker Lindh et al), but the mainstream (liberal and conservative) unwillingness to discuss the role of Islam in all this prevents the formulation of any coherent counter-strategy. "Philippines arrests nine terrorist suspects," from Deutsche Press Agentur, with thanks to Bryce:

Manila (dpa) - Nine suspected Filipino Moslem terrorists were arrested Wednesday in a pre-dawn raid on their hideout in a southern Philippine city, the military chief said.

The joint team of soldiers and policemen also seized a cache of mortar bombs from the hideout in Zamboanga City, 875 kilometres south of Manila, according to armed forces chief General Generoso Senga.

An assault rifle, ammunition, blasting caps, parts of M16 rifles, computers and electrical tools were also confiscated.

Senga said among those arrested was Hilarion Santos, alias Ahmad Santos, a member of the al-Qaeda-linked Moslem Abu Sayyaf rebels.

The Abu Sayyaf is the smallest but most violent Moslem rebel group in the southern Philippines. It has claimed responsibility for some of the deadliest terror attacks in the country.

Santos is also the leader of a radical group of Moslem converts suspected of plotting bomb attacks in Manila and other key cities in the country.

Posted by Robert at October 26, 2005 8:58 AM
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