“Ultimatum to Jolo Island Insurgents”, Jane’s Terrorism & Security Monitor, October 2006.

Key Points – extracted for the article: A major offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on Jolo is stretching the Philippines military, although it may have succeeded in temporarily disrupting the group’s activities on the island.

Regional intelligence sources remain concerned that the ASG is protecting senior Jemaah Islamiyya (JI) operatives, including Omar Patek and Dulmatin, who are suspected of involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings.

Philippine force strength, growing regional concern over JI training activities in the south and the provision of US intelligence support could set this latest military offensive apart from previous attempts to crush the remnants of the ASG.