The Philippines
2020 AUG 25
Preliminary >
Geography > Places in news > Places in news
Why in news?
- Twin explosions have ripped through the Jolo town in a Sulu region of the southern Philippines, killing at least 14 people and wounding 75.
- Police suspects the bombings were carried out by militant Islamists linked to the Abu Sayyaf group.
About Philippines:
- The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia.
- Situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao.
- The capital city of the Philippines is Manila and the most populous city is Quezon City, both within the single urban area of Metro Manila.
- It is bounded by the South China Sea on the west, the Philippine Sea on the east and the Celebes Sea on the southwest.
- The Philippines' position as an island country on the Pacific Ring of Fire and close to the equator makes the country prone to earthquakes and typhoons.
- The Philippines is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and the East Asia Summit.
About Abu Sayyaf group:
- Abu Sayyaf officially known as the Islamic State – East Asia Province, is a Jihadist militant and pirate group.
- It is based in and around Jolo and Basilan islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines.
- Since its inception in 1989, the group has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion.
PRELIMS QUESTION
”Jolo” , a place recently in news is a town in:
(a)Indonesia
(b)Philippines
(c)Namibia
(d)Kenya
Answer to prelims question