| Members of the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremist group are threatening to disrupt Monday's elections in two towns in the southern Philippines. Extra troops have been deployed and security measures implemented to protect the polls on Basilan island from threats by Abu Black, an Abu Sayyaf commander, Colonel Rey Ferrer said. Ferrer said Abu Black had been intimidating people in the towns of Tipo-Tipo and Sumisip. "Intelligence reports said the rebels were planning to attack and disturb the national elections on Monday. We are now in red alert," Ferrer told reporters in Basilan. Members of the group have also been known to hire themselves out as enforcers for local political warlords. |