Philippines fights new insurgent strength

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The Philippines military faces a new challenge in a change of Abu Sayaff leadership. [AFP]

Last Updated: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:55:00 +1100

The Philippines faces a new separatist leader with connections to donors in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, the country's military says.

It reports that a new leader of the Abu Sayyaf group has risen to head a faction of the group based in the southern province of Basilan.

The man, Khair Mundus, is said to have connections overseas.

Shirley Escalante reports from Manila that the Philippines military says Khair Mundus is understood to have been giving Islamic religious training to the Abu Sayyaf.

Head of the Naval Forces South Command, Alexander Pama, says security forces will be very watchful of the new Abu Sayyaf leadership.

He says the group has enhanced its bomb-making capabilities and will resort to banditry and terrorism.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped a local businesswoman in Basilan province over the weekend.

Another Abu Sayyaf leader, Albader Parad, was killed in a battle with security forces last month.