Killing fuels cycle of violence in the Philippines

BASILAN ISLAND, Philippines (CNN) -- At age 4, Jamer Natalaray is eager to grow up. He wants to be big enough to kill and exact revenge, his grandparents say.

The Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim extremist group in the Philippines, beheaded Jamer's father, Elmer, 26, six months ago. Elmer's parents said he was among 10 men brutally killed. Now they see their grandson Jamer growing up amid a cycle of violence on Basilan Island.

VIDEO CNN's Maria Ressa reports that many Filipinos say they can defeat the rebel group Abu Sayyaf if they are properly armed (January 30) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

"What they did to his father, that's what he's going to do to them," says Efren Natalaray, Jamer's grandfather.

"That's the way it is. Killing. That's the only way," says Virginia Natalaray, Jamer's grandmother.

U.S. troops and advisers are making final preparations for a six-month joint exercise with the Philippine military. The American troops are there to aid the Filipinos in the war on terror.

The Natalarays and their neighbors said they are ready to take matters into their own hands.

"We ourselves, the civilians, can defeat the Abu Sayyaf," Efren Natalaray said. "We could fight them if they give us arms."

CNN correspondent Maria Ressa reports on the killings that kindle hatred.