11.   Neighbouring Malaysia has also launched a crackdown on Islamic militants and US troops are training Philippine troops fighting the notorious Abu Sayyaf kidnap group.

12.   Philippines troops have arrested a member of the Muslim kidnap group Abu Sayyaf in the southern part of the country, officials said Sunday.

13.   She ordered the military to focus on crushing the Abu Sayyaf and told the police to handle other kidnap groups.

14.   The Abu Sayyaf kidnap group holds a US Christian missionary couple, and a filipino nurse hostage on the southern island of Basilan.