Philippines New Hot Spot for Terrorist Attacks

Once a prized United States ally in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is turning into one of the most dangerous places on Earth. According to a report filed by the Human Rights Watch organization, the Philippines is now considered the top terrorist hotspot in the world. On Monday, a 28-page report (complete with photo slideshows and survivor interviews) was released that covered many of the terror-related attacks, specifically attacks carried on by Al-Qaeda-linked groups like Abu Sayyaf.

According to the report, since the year 2000 over 1,700 people have either been killed or injured in the Philippines due to terrorist attacks. Although most attacks occurred in Muslim-dominant Mindanao (it is located close to Indonesia, another hotbed of terrorism), they were not limited to that province. Manila, the capital of the Philippines, suffered a bomb attack that killed 116 people, including 15 children. There was also a "Valentine's Day" bombing that targeting Manila and two cities in Mindanao. In total, the number of victims is more than those killed in the bombings that happened in Spain, Turkey, England and Morocco within the same time period.

John Sifton, a Human Rights Watch researcher that specializes in terrorism work, noted that most of the attacks weren't even on military targets. "They have bombed buses carrying workers, food markets where people were shopping, airports where relatives were waiting for loved ones, and ferry boats carrying families."

Human Rights Watch also knows where the blame lies for the continued attacks: the Philippines government. Human Rights Watch feels that the government has not done enough to prosecute those who are caught, allowing four-year delays in some cases. Although the Filipino government recently passed an antiterrorism law, Human Rights Watch feels that it is too vague and may actually do more harm than good. They feel that too much leeway is given to authorities in terms of detaining individuals and allowing for sporadic arrests and questioning.

Although Abu Sayyaf is blamed for many attacks, another group called the Rajah Solaiman Movement is also implicated and claims much of the terrorist acts. Both groups have to goal of removing the dominant Christian power from the Philippines and want to put the country into Islam rule.

"Abu Sayyaf and Rajah Solaiman have committed crimes on a massive scale," said Sifton. "They have intentionally bombed civilians, kidnapped ordinary workers and beheaded them, and extorted money from small businesses. To end the bombings, kidnappings, and other violence, other governments have to pressure Philippine leaders - both in Manila and Mindanao - to put a greater emphasis on protecting civilian life."

SOURCE:

Human Rights Watch

URL:

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/07/27/philip16515.htm