The Abu Sayyaf group which has strong foothold in Sulu is reported to be utilizing the area for safekeeping of captives. File photo
The military has intensified the surgical strike against the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu to weaken its foothold in the island and to cut militants from utilizing it as haven for safekeeping of their captives following the escape of a captive, according to officials.
The captive was identified as Ledegie Tomarong, 18, who managed to escape at the height of a military operation in the jungle of Indanan town.
The military said at least 12 kidnap victims, including foreign nationals and high profile local personality, are still languishing in captivity from the Abu Sayyaf hands in Sulu.
Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said most of the captives were not taken from Sulu.
“The problem here not all of the victims were taken from Sulu but outside or in the nearby provinces and brought to Sulu,” Hataman said.
He said based on their recent regional peace and order council with the military and police commanders, 70 percent of the kidnapping case did not happen in Sulu.
Hataman said Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), intensified the surgical military offensive “purposely to weaken the foothold of the Abu Sayyaf group because it is there that they are keeping their captives.”
“Because if their foothold will be weakened they could no longer hide their captives there, like what happened in Basilan, they are not keeping their hostages there because they have weak foothold there,” Hataman said.
He said the Abu Sayyaf group is no longer using Basilan for safekeeping of captives since the group lost its control in the area due to the continuous military operation and coordination of the local government leaders.
Hataman also called for a strong coordination with the security forces of other areas to avoid lapses in the security.
“This is also a challenge to the local government, specially the municipal mayors and the barangay officials to actively engage in the surgical operation against the Abu Sayyaf,” Hataman said.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/07/22/1479815/military-intensify-strike-vs.-abus
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