Don't worry about Abu Sayyaf, Manila tells U.S.

The government has said the United States should no longer worry about the hostage-taking Abu Sayyaf because it has been wiped out, and other leaders have expressed their desire to surrender and cooperate with the government, the military said.

"The military and the police have reduced the Abu Sayyaf fighters in Basilan and Sulu, from 1,200 to 200," said Armed Forces Public Information Chief, Lt. Col. Danilo Servando.

"The situation in Basilan has improved tremendously and even one of the Abu Sayyaf leaders has indicated a willingness to return to the fold of the law," noted Lt. Col. Servando, in reference to Hamsiraji Sali.

At the same time, the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has indicated its willingness to pursue suspected terrorists in Basilan and Sulu, a sign that the Abu Sayyaf will no longer receive protection from MILF camps, Lt. Col. Servando explained.

"There has been a tremendous improvement in the security situation in the southern Philippines. The situation in the entire Mindanao is not critical in terms of the peace and order situation and it is now safer for tourists," stated Lt. Col. Servando.

He added that the U.S. and the European Union should no longer issue travel advisories to foreigners who may want to visit the Philippines and other south-east Asian countries.

Last Wednesday, the State Department in Washington said Americans should be aware of the persistent threats from the Abu Sayyaf because it operates in the southernmost part of the Philippines, which is close to Malaysia's Sabah, a place identified as a haven for terrorists.

"The State Department is concerned that attacks similar to the October, 2002, terrorist bombings in Bali, Indonesia, may occur in other south-east Asian nations, including Malaysia," the State Department added in a public announcement.

At the same time, the State Department aired its warning about the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in Indonesia and Malaysia, which has been tagged as the south-east Asian conduit of the Al Qaida network. "JI and other extremist groups present in the region have demonstrated transnational capabilities to carry out attacks against locations where Westerners congregate. Terrorist groups do not distinguish between official and civilian targets," the State Department warned.

The U.S. and the Philippine governments have linked the Abu Sayyaf Group to the Al Qaida network and to the JI.

Malaysia has arrested over 70 suspected JI members since the middle of last year as Singapore arrested 13 in December, 2001.

The Philippines has imprisoned two suspected JI members.

U.S. troops trained Philippine forces from February to July 31 this year to combat the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan.

Meanwhile, about 40 ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will undergo anti-terror training from visiting agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), at the PNP's National Defence College in Manila and Clark Field in Pampanga, central Luzon.

The 30-day training will include post-blast investigation tactics, said PNP Human Resource and Doctrine Development Director, Avelino Razon.