Militants arrested in Philippines

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The Philippine government says it has arrested two men suspected of supporting the Indonesian militant group, Jemaah Islamiah (JI).

JI is blamed for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people.

The Philippine anti-terrorism agency said the men were arrested last month in separate raids on the restive southern island of Mindanao.

Mindanao is home to several militant groups who have fought long campaigns to establish an Islamic homeland.

Providing funds

The Philippine anti-terrorism agency named the pair as Mokasid Dilna and Omar Venancio.

According to the agency, Mokasid is the leader of a local group, al-Khobar, which has ties to JI and has been linked to a series of bomb attacks on Mindanao bus companies.

Venancio is said to have taught members of the local Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) bomb-making skills.

Both men are also suspected of providing funds for two leading members of Jemaah Islamiah, which is widely regarded as a regional affiliate of the al-Qaeda network.

Umar Patek and Dulmatin are wanted in connection with the Bali bombings. They allegedly fled to Mindanao in 2003.