Gazmin: Giving Duterte emergency powers can decimate ASG

From InterAksyon (Jun 29): Gazmin: Giving Duterte emergency powers can decimate ASG

Outgoing Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin believes that it is possible to eliminate the terroristic activities being waged by a handful of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu by giving President-elect Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers.

“Ang pinakamagandang solusyon dito is ‘yung sinasabi ngang mga emergency powers. Probably, we can be allowed to search the houses even without search warrants. You can control the movement of people and the movement of food supplies. Kumbaga parang martial law but (with) limited powers for a limited time lang,” Gazmin said.

Based on earlier reports, Duterte had already in mind the declaration of martial law in the two provinces – a proposal that was supported by incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ricardo Visaya.

Duterte gave two options to the ASG: talk or fight. Visaya is poised to implement a comprehensive plan to eliminate the terrorists.

But the only hurdle to the military action against the ASG was the civilian support enjoyed by the armed bandits who have family members or relatives in the communities where they operate.

Gazmin also supports the imposition of punishment to civilians and government officials who coddle the terror group.

“Impose punishment or penalty to local government officials who are cooperating or siding with them (ASG),” he said.

He said the kidnap-for-ransom activities of the ASG have emboldened their coddlers to tolerate them because it is a lucrative business.

The kidnappings perpetrated by the ASG, which had beheaded some of their victims if ransom was not paid, has tarnished the image of the country in the international community.

Recently, the ASG in Sulu beheaded Canadian nationals John Ridsdel and Robert Hall after a P300-million ransom demand for each of the victims was not delivered.

Still in the hands of the bandits are Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad. The four victims were abducted by gunmen in September 2015 at a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal and brought to Sulu.

Just recently, seven Indonesians were abducted by the ASG and brought to Sulu for ransom negotiation.

http://interaksyon.com/article/129734/gazmin-giving-duterte-emergency-powers-can-decimate-asg