AbuSayyaf

From 911Encyclopedia:

More unbiased reports on Abu Sayyaf described them as an disorganized group of bandits, who are terrorizing the southern Philippines since the early 1990s. However in February 2002, the United States sent 600 special operations troops to the Philippines to help hunting members of Abu Sayyaf, because they suspected them having ties with Al-Quaeda. Many phillipino residents wondered, why Abu Sayyaf merits so much attention from the United States and its military. "We need only 300 dedicated soldiers to defeat them," says the Rev. Cirilo Nacorda, a parish priest here on Basilan who was taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf in 1994. "We don't need thousands." Two Abu Sayyaf-factions are known. One is on basilan island, the other operates in the Sulu island chain under a leader called "Commander Robot." The two groups are believed to have well under 1,000 fighters; the Basilan branch, perhaps only 70 or 80. Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2002/02/21/usat-abusayyaf.htm

It looked, that the real reason for a war against terrorism in the Phillipines was once again to protect the oil (->). Active in the Phillipines is Pancontinental Oil & Gas ( http://www.pancon.com.au) , who operates in Australia, New Zealand and Kenya (21,433 square of oil fields) . African and Mediterranean projects are in joint venture with London-based company, AFREX Ltd, which "will have a 60% equity in projects". http://www.pancon.com.au/files/3_proj/3_main.html (See Al-Quaeda-Financeers)