AFP: ASG stepping up abductions

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 4): AFP: ASG stepping up abductions

The military chief has warned against stepped- up kidnapping activities of the  Al Qaeda-link Abu Sayyaf Group in a move to boost its capabilities and raise funds with which to buy arms.

General Gregorio Catapang said that the ASG members are ruthless and use their victims as human shields.

Catapang told journalists in Zamboanga City  that the abductions  that took place in Western Mindanao were part of the bandits “express kidnappings” mode to raise funds and build up their warchest.

“They are using kidnap victims as human shields and they are building up their capabilities by getting ransom money,” Catapang said as he reiterated his call on local communities for their support to prevent the kidnappings in the region.

The ASG is down to about 200 members, the military said, but its members are equipped with sophisticated weapons such as the shoulder-fired anti-tank, M60 sub-machine gun,  assault rifles, and M203 grenade launchers.

Catapang said while the ASG continues to prey on  victims mostly traders and well-off individuals, the military is doing its best to rescue all the captives.

 The bandit group suffered nearly hundreds of casualties in several encounters with state forces in Basilan and Patikul, Sulu and hundreds more captured including its disbursement officer, wanted by the US government, Khair Mundos with a bounty of $.5 million since the government waged a relentless campaign against them.

During the 1st and 2nd quarter of this year alone, 78 ASG members were killed in separate fighting with security forces in Basilan and Patikul, Sulu. At least 25 of those slain included Yasser Igasan, a prominent leader.

Catapang said the military had clashes with the ASG in Sulu, but the bandits cannot be simply attacked as they use civilians as shields.

“You know it’s very difficult for ground forces to rescue  kidnap victims in the jungle as the bandits are using the captives as human shields. We try to void  collateral damage as much as possible,” Catapang said.

He said the military and the Philippine National Police “are in closely coordinating their efforts in the areas of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi” in the conduct of massive anti-terrorism efforts against ASG elements.

Recently, the Defense department disclosed the ASG is holding about 18 kidnap victims that include, two German and Australian nationals, two European birdwatchers, Malaysian policeman, a Japanese businessman and other local traders.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/08/04/afp-asg-stepping-up-abductions/