Word: factionalized
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...Andang is commonly known) carried out a kidnapping on a Sipadan island diving resort in Malaysia last April, netting more than $425 million in ransom from European nations, Libya and Malaysia. Robot's surrender won't necessarily help the current hostages, who are being held by a different faction, but it means the Basilan-based rebels can no longer count on reinforcements?or on an easy escape route to other islands. If Commander Robot does give himself up, say palace sources, Arroyo will be there to meet him when he steps out of the jungle. Arroyo may not dwell...
...direct showdown with Arafat on the Palestinian streets; instead, they'll challenge Arafat's authority by sending their kamikazes into Israel when he's trying to return to peace talks. And it's not only the radical Islamists who have no interest in the cease fire: A growing faction of Arafat's own Fatah organization see no value in ending their intifada in order to send Arafat back to negotiate with the Israelis and Americans. Instead, they're more inclined to believe that Hezbollah's tactic of protracted guerrilla warfare will ultimately drive Israel out of the West Bank...
...other faction, based in the Sulu islands, is led by Galib Andang, nicknamed Commander Robot for the mechanical way he dances. Addicted to shabu (methamphetamines) and married to at least two of his female ex-kidnap victims, Andang directed the Sipadan raid. He is also known to be generous: so much of the Sipadan ransom spilled over onto his native island Jolo that the dollar fell among local traders from 50 pesos to 25. Another Sulu island commander is Raddulan Sahirun. In his 60s, Raddulan wears two revolvers around his waist like a fast-draw artist, even though...
...resolution would be swifter and a lot more brutal. Over the past year, the rebels spent their ill-gotten riches on firepower: M-16s, Uzis, mortars, cannons, jeeps and the 50-seat speedboat which, with three monstrous 750- horsepower outboards, could outrun anything in the Philippine navy. The faction of Abu Sayyaf (literally "Bearer of the Sword") responsible for the raid has an unparalleled reputation for ruthlessness: when Philippine troops attacked last year, the group beheaded two hostages, including a Catholic priest, after first gouging out their eyes...
...could the golpistas agree on who should take power if Arroyo was ousted. According to diplomats and military sources, one faction wanted Estrada restored to the presidency. (He is now under arrest at a military base 50 km outside Manila on charges of plundering the state coffers.) Another group wanted to forget Estrada and install its own military-civilian junta. If the plot succeeded, says Justice Secretary Hernani Perez, the rebels probably would have killed Estrada and Arroyo. Another mistake the plotters made was using the tried-and-true methods of bribing top men in uniform. Says one Western diplomat...