MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine court has declared the Muslim militant group Abu Sayyaf, notorious for ransom kidnappings and beheadings of hostages, as a terrorist organization.
It is the first militant group to be officially outlawed in the Southeast Asian country under a rarely used anti-terrorism law.
Philippine prosecutors said Thursday that the designation will help the government hunt down and prosecute militants and it can seek to impose sanctions against members and supporters.
Under the 2007 Human Security Act, the Department of Justice asked a regional trial court in southern Basilan province five years ago to ban the Abu Sayyaf.
Prosecutors say the court approved the government's request only this week, adding the government would take steps to outlaw at least three other Islamic groups.
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