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Article: Arroyo says Abu Sayyaf nearly defeated, dismisses guerrilla attempts to revive themselves
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- April 21, 2004
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AP Worldstream
04-21-2004
Dateline: MANILA, Philippines
The al-Qaida-linked Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf is a spent force on the run from authorities, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Wednesday, dismissing the guerrillas' reported attempts to regroup and launch fresh attacks.
Philippine security officials told The Associated Press earlier this week that the Abu Sayyaf, with a 13-year history of ransom kidnappings and beheadings, appears to be trying to shed its image as a band of criminals and focus on bold attacks employing radical Islamic converts and foreign militants.
They said the leader of the Abu Sayyaf's main faction, Khadaffy Janjalani, is apparently trying to rework the ...