ASG aimed for Dumaguete: Army

From the Sun Star-Cebu (Sep 25): ASG aimed for Dumaguete: Army

A 50-MEMBER Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) threatened to abduct rich persons in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, according to an official of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of Philippine Army (PA).

After authorities received the information more than a week ago, four Philippine Navy vessels were deployed to patrol the waters of southern Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and the southern portion of Panglao, Bohol.

Col. Allan Martin, commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade of PA, said this group threatened to kidnap rich foreigners who own business in Dumaguete.

“We just prepared. We deployed army troops to probable entry points (of the armed groups) in coordination with the PNP and the Coast Guard,” Martin said in an interview.

He assured that Cebu is safe from ASG.

Martin said it will be too dangerous for the ASG to enter Cebu especially if they use sea vessels.

Based on his assessment, the armed groups planned to enter Dumaguete because there are more rich retirees and foreigners in the area.

ASG is targeting rich people because the group’s lifestyle is also growing and so they need more money, said Martin.

Capt. Nell Brian Cebrian, operations officer of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, presented the peace and order situation in the Central Visayas during the Regional Peace and Order Council 7 meeting last Wednesday.

The 302nd Infrantry Brigade’s area of responsibility covers three independent cities, 12 component cities, 67 municipalities and 1,787 barangays.

It covers a total land area of 11,092.63 square kilometers and a population of 4,048,914.

Cebrian said PA received information that an ASG headed by Muammar Askali with approximately 50 followers were spotted in a municipality in Sulu.

Travel

“According to the source, the group is planning to conduct kidnapping activities in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental and the group will travel for an estimated distance of 400 kilometers towards Dumaguete,” he said.

PA got information about the threat on Sept. 10 and 14.

The 302nd Infantry Brigade has coordinated with the police and the local government units about this.

Martin said Negros Oriental also created a task force composed of different LGUs and authorities.

So far, he said, the ASG has not yet entered Dumaguete.

Martin said there are assessments that the recent kidnapping in Samal Island happened because ASG was not able to enter Dumaguete.

Authorities believed Askali was behind the abduction in Samal.

“Well, we hope that we’re able to prevent them from entering Dumaguete. But that will not also stop us. We will continue the vigilance to protect the area, especially the tourist destination of Region 7 from kidnappings,” Martin said.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2015/09/25/asg-aimed-dumaguete-army-432402