Abu Sayyaf Group
ASG has been one of the smallest, most violent and most radical of the Islamist separatist groups operating in the southern Philippines. Composed of several factions, ASG has become notorious for its hostage-for-ransom tactics and brutal public beheadings of hostages when it does not receive ransom payments. The group at times appeared to have lost direction following the killing or capture of its leaders but has found ways to fill those positions and maintain steady levels of attacks....