The Islamic State, because of its claim to be the new caliphate, is still able to command the allegiance of many Muslims around the world. Mainstream analysts continually underestimate its power and influence, because they ignore the role of Islamic theology in motivating and inciting the jihad terrorists.
“ISIS In Asia: Islamic State’s Abu Sayyaf Kidnaps South Korean Ship Captain And Crewmember In Philippines,” by Tom O’Connor, International Business Times, October 21, 2016:
Abu Sayyaf militants kidnapped a captain and crewmember Friday from a South Korean cargo ship in the southern Philippines, Al Jazeera reported.
The Dongbang Giant 2 ship was headed to South Korea from Australia when it was forcefully boarded by ten gunmen from the Islamic State-affiliated group off Bongo Town in Tawi Tawi province. The militants seized the ship’s South Korean captain, Chul Hong, as well as one of the local Filipino crewmembers, Glenn Alindajao. Other crewmembers were not seized and one was reportedly able to contact family members who then reported the assault to authorities.
“They identified themselves as Abu Sayyaf Group members …. We’re looking into this,” regional military command spokesman, Major Filemon Tan, told the ABS CBN television channel Friday.
The 11,000 ton ship continued its journey after the abduction, while the military was in “hot pursuit” of the abductors. The southeastern Tawi Tawi province, located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), is known as a hotspot for Islamic militant activity and is closely patrolled by the navy. Many hostages are taken to Abu Sayyaf’s nearby stronghold within the Sulu Archipelago, also within the ARMM.
“We do our best to secure that area but it’s a wide body of water,” Tan told AFP by telephone.
Abu Sayyaf is an Islamic fundamentalist group. Its fighters have committed numerous acts of terror including bombings, kidnappings and assassinations targeting both Filipinos and foreigners. They seek an independent state from the Philippines. In 2014, the group pledged its allegiance to global terror group also known as ISIS….

Michael Laudahn says
Will Duterte deal with them with the same degree of determination as with the pushers?
utis says
If he doesn’t it will be the first sign he’s just another fake. After all, these creeps blew up a crowded market in his home town. Time for payback. With interest.
john says
all of the people who have been kidnapped and returned have all remarked on how un Islamic their captirs were
They never performed any of the daily duties that muslims are supposed to do like facing Mecca and praying 5 times a day or refraining from alcohol
Those people are much more pirates than muslims
AS far as irradicationg them? well what army ever really wants to completely end their reason to be ?
You always want at least one bugi man and if you had half the smarts you think you have you would realize that these are bugis
Jay Boo says
John said,
“Those people are much more pirates than muslims”
I disagree.
This is true Islam.
Was not Muhammad himself a caravan raiding pirate?
They probably posed as a girl rock band to entertain the sailors.
Muhammad posed as the friend of Jews and Christians and Pagans.
Then he beheaded them stole their money, raped their wives and used their children as his sexual slaves.
Pervert Muhammad also wore Aisha’s clothes in order to get his …. “Revelations”
Strunk says
Your misspellings and bizarre syntax/grammar make your writing barely legible.
David says
What ever happened to the “good old days” when every ship’s Captain carried a loaded revolver? And both Captain and First Mate held a key to the ship’s Arms Locker?
I don’t know what the rules are for Commercial Shipping vessel BUT nearly every private yacht these days is always prepared to defend itself, especially when sailing in potential dangerous waters.
I’ve personally interviewed a young couple that spent 4 years plying the waters of the South Pacific. They admit (off the record ) of having to shoot their way out of trouble more then once!
But a giant ship, with cargo worth millions of dollars go’s around without even a slingshot?
That’s just NUTZ !
john says
all of the people who have been kidnapped and returned have all remarked on how un Islamic their captirs were
They never performed any of the daily duties that muslims are supposed to do like facing Mecca and praying 5 times a day or refraining from alcohol
Those people are much more pirates than muslims
AS far as irradicationg them? well what army ever really wants to completely end their reason to be ?
You always want at least one bugi man and if you had half the smarts you think you have you would realize that these are bugis
Jay Boo says
and .. Yet
Give them the death penalty in a public execution and so called ‘moderate’ Muslims everywhere will be incensed that fellow Muslims are being subjected to — Islamophobia.
Stephanie says
‘And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif, ..’
http://www.searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=2&from_verse=30&to_verse=30&mac=&translation_setting=1&show_yusufali=1&show_shakir=1&show_pickthal=1
Turbo says
Swap the AR’s for gee-tars and you’d have a heck of a metal hair band!
I assume they can’t grow beards. Quite a snag in jihadi aspirations.
Frank Courtney says
They look like ladyboys to me (not that I’m an expert on such identification!).
Angemon says
They seek an *islamic* state independent from the Philippines. And if they get it, they’ll use it as the base of operations to conquest the rest of the Philippines from.
David says
Did some checking OnLine. Several major gun makers are marketing 12 gauge pumps purpose designed for shipboard (salt water) use. All metal parts coated to resist any problems from the exposure to sea water or salt spray.
There are even product names like “Seaman’s Friend”.
So! This tells me this “problem” of being assaulted in international waters has existed for a long time. And that many Officers and crew are indeed arming themselves against these savages!
I say: EXCELLENT!
I feel better already. ☺
Eric Jones says
Hi JW. I attempted to post a comment to this article yesterday. It seeems to have been deleted. In addition the comment of an Alaskan fisherman to this article also seems to be missing. I will attempt to post my comment again.
Question. Can’t these large cargo ships out run pirate boats? Don’t they practice repel boaders? Could they not have sent a distress signal the moment they came under attack? I can’t believe these cargo ships have no weapons. My father was also a sailor. He had a pistol in his ships locker and one at home. What’s going on these days?
In addition Duterte must become alert to the threat of creeping jihad and creeping Shariah. He is attempting to negotiate withe the muslims in the Phillipines. He must remember that Indonesia was once a Buddhist country.
Eric