Incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
chief-of-staff and incumbent Southern Luzon Command head Lt. Gen. Ricardo
Visaya is open to the proposal of declaring martial law in Sulu and Basilan as
part of efforts to eliminate threats from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
"Declaration of martial law is always an option to
restore order (in Sulu and Basilan) but it should be studied first," he
added.
Visaya said this could help the government in its campaign
against the ASG menace those kidnapping attacks have skyrocketed in the past
months.
"Martial law can be also an answer to prevent the ASG
from continuing their kidnapping activities," he added.
The incoming AFP chief stressed that they would complete
staff studies on the matter before recommending the same to President-elect
Rodrigo Duterte.
As of the moment, the AFP presence in Sulu is placed at 11
battalions but the force is having difficulty in trailing the bandits due to
the difficult terrain.
Earlier, President Benigno S. Aquino III said he considered
placing the entire province of Sulu in a bid to rescue the remaining Samal Island
He added considered he considered this option when the ASG
gave June 13 deadline where they threatened to behead Canadian hostage Robert
Hall if ransom will not be paid for latter's release.
Hall was beheaded last Monday while fellow Canadian John
Ridsel was killed in April 25.
However, President Aquino said he did not push through his
plan as he fear that it might draw sympathizers for the ASG in the area.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=895737
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