Troops have slain seven more rebels on that island, Bohol, after killing six in the first attack April 11. Bohol draws tourists because of its dive resorts, the rolling Chocolate Hills and a venue to look at reclusive tarsier monkeys. Abu Sayyaf also blew up a bomb in Duterte’s hometown Davao in September after attacks on its stronghold – another sign of possible desperation. Abu Sayyaf would find it hard to re-base in the thousands of Philippine islands, even ones with Muslim populations, because most locals fervently dislike them, Araral said. Locals would try to have them thrown out rather than forming networks to shelter the rebels and find foreign tourists, he says.

Source: Forbes April 26, 2017 21:56 UTC