The recent captures and killings of feared Abu Sayyaf Group leaders in the southernmost Philippine islands, such as Sulu and Basilan, are part of the military's success at using community engagement by local military units. Local intelligence tip-offs by community residents and the rejection of the ASG's terror tactics by the vast majority of Muslim Filipinos have been the key to success. In recent years, the U.S. military employed a civil-affairs-style approach to counterterrorism, especially the successful counterinsurgency strategy used by Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander in Iraq and later U.S. Central Command leader, and being adapted in the current surge in Afghanistan. Even before U.S. forces used local engagement programs, allied militaries such as those in the Philippines were using similar techniques such as engaging with local communities. Despite battlefield and law enforcement victories of the U.S. military-backed counterterrorism campaign in Mindanao, which has led to the elimination of a number of Abu Sayyaf "commanders," military operations have failed to eradicate the organization. The loose-knit Abu Sayyaf and other groups designated as "lawless elements" by Philippine officials have shown themselves capable of inflicting damage on both military and civilian targets even after high-profile group leaders were neutralized. – Washington Times