ASG’s kidnapping activities remain major concern — AFP

From the Daily Tribune (Jan 2): ASG’s kidnapping activities remain major concern — AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains concerned over the kidnapping activities of the Abu Sayyaf Group despite the continuing all-out law enforcement operation which resulted to either release or rescue of some hostages and neutralization of terrorists.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said that the focused and intelligence-driven combat operations against the ASG in 2014 have resulted in the neutralization of at least 69 terrorists.

The military placed the strength of the Abu Sayyaf at 423 from its peak of 1,270 in 2000. However, the latest AFP estimate is not far or even higher from the 400 released in 2010 or before the military launched its internal peace and security plan “Bayanihan.”

According to Cabunoc, the military also recorded a decrease in the number of atrocities blamed to the Abu Sayyaf from 190 in 2011 or when IPSP “Bayanihan” was implemented to just 72 in 2014.

He said at least 36 firearms were also seized from the ASG during combat operation.

“However, their kidnapping activities remain a major concern,” said Cabunoc.

Last November, the military’s Joint Task Groups Sulu and Basilan launched all-out law enforcement operations against the Abu Sayyaf in an attempt to defeat the terrorist group once and for all and free other hostages.

The focused operations against the ASG have resulted in the release and rescue of some hostages, including Swiss Lorenzo Vinciguerra, who fought his way out of ASG captivity last month in the outskirts of Sulu.

Vinciguerra was wounded but found his way to government security forces pursuing the ASG. His Dutch companion, Ewold Horn, remains under Abu Sayyaf captivity.
The two birdwatchers were snatched in Tawi-Tawi in February 2012.

“The AFP has recovered six hostages including two Germans and a Swiss national and as of today only seven — three foreigners and four Filipinos, kidnap victims remain in the hands of the ASG,” said Cabunoc.

Germans Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Herike Diesen, 55, were released by the ASG last October.

“While the AFP continues its operations against the ASG, it is also encouraging all stakeholders including the local leaders and communities to support its whole-of-nation approach in solving the ASG problem by addressing its root causes,” he added.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/asg-s-kidnapping-activities-remain-major-concern-afp