Monday, October 08, 2007 JI is at the bottom of military's threat list By Carlo P. Mallo
THE presence of the international terror group Jemaah Islamiyah in the country remains a concern yet the group is at the bottom of the defense department's threat list.
The insurgency movement of the New People's Army remains the top concern of the national defense.
In a recent interview with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, he said the Jemaah Islamiyah is at the bottom of the list because its attacks are sporadic.
The Jemaah Islamiyah international terror group has been responsible for the bombings in Bali Indonesia where a multitude of people were killed.
Teodoro identified three groups that remain a threat to the security situation of the country. On top of the list is the decades-long armed struggle of the New People's Army.
Next in line is the Abu Sayyaf, which rose to worldwide infamy with the Sipadan hostage taking incident in the latter part of the 90's. Taking the last spot is the Jemaah Islamiyah group.
The national defense chief also said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is not part of the list as it is still talking peace with government.
