Jolo—like all the other islands strung out along the Sulu Archipelago in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao—was a primary focus of Philippine military activity these days. That was understandable. Abu Sayyaf jihadis had been on a rampage of killings and kidnappings lately in an effort to raise money and sustain their fight with the government in Manila and any other handy infidels. With these believers, if you weren’t willing to tolerate or propagate Islam worldwide, you were the enemy and there were no affordable holds barred.
