[happinesswithoutpeace]

Two more PA army battalions are being sent in.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Related to the below incident:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1864503/posts

[LeoWindhorse]

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/jolo_island_tpc_1984.jpg

[LjubivojeRadosavljevic]

More than 50 people have been killed in clashes between troops and Islamist militants in the southern Philippines, military officials say.

Ahem, "Interesting developments" - to say the least.

[Steel Wolf]

Jolo is indian country. It's the Philippine version of the Waziristan border region of Pakistan. The natives down there have been feared for their ferocity and piracy since before the introduction of Islam. The Abu Sayyaf Group, while small, is just the latest version of an ancient regional problem.

The only point of concern might be that the Abu Sayyaf seems to have some help from elements of the MNLF, which operates in brigade strength in several parts of Mindanao. (That's the large island just north of the archipelago Jolo is a part of). While the bulk of the MNLF will likely remain on board with the peace process, it's never a good sign when a portion breaks off and helps out with extremists like the ASG.