Jolo Island has long been troubled by the presence of Abu Sayyaf militants, who are blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization because of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings.
Sekuyisikhathi eside Isiqhingi saseJolo sikhathazwa ubukhona bezishoshovu zakwa-Abu Sayyaf, ezifakwa ohlwini lwabamnyama yiMelika kanye nePhilippines njengenhlangano yamaphekula ngenxa yokuqhunyiswa kwamabhomu, ukuthunjwa nokunqunywa amakhanda kwabantu.