Friday, June 30, 2006 (Philippines)

Soldiers patrol the southern Islamic city of Marawi in Mindanao, where security forces are battling members of the militant Abu Sayyaf group tied to Jemaah Islamiya (JI). (Sunnex/Al Jacinto) TROOPS disarmed a powerful homemade bomb planted near a government school in the southern Philippine island of Jolo, where security forces are battling members of the Abu Sayyaf group tied to Jemaah Islamiya terror network, officials said. Officials said civilians informed the soldiers Monday about the bomb planted just 50 meters outside the Pitogo Elementary School in Kalingalang Kaluang town. Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo [full story]