Incoming defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana says the kidnappings of the Abu Sayyaf were already affecting the country economically
ISLAMIC STATE? Screenshot of Youtube video showing senior Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon swearing allegiance to ISIS
Neutralizing the
Abu Sayyaf, which recently beheaded two foreign hostages and kidnapped 7 more,
is the top military priority of Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, his
incoming defense minister said Wednesday, June 29.
Delfin Lorenzana,
who takes the reins of the defense department on Thursday, said the kidnappings
of the extremist group – which is also blamed for the worst terror attacks in
Philippine history – were already affecting the country economically.
"Our first
priority is the Abu Sayyaf because that is the order of our new president:
address the Abu Sayyaf immediately so we can neutralize them," he told
reporters.
The Abu Sayyaf
has defied two decades of government efforts to crush them and attacks such as
its recent abduction of 7 Indonesian seamen, prompting the country to bar
its ships from carrying coal to the Philippines
Lorenzana said
that after conferring with military commanders, he would implement a plan
"in a couple of days" to defeat the group.
The Abu Sayyaf is
a loose network of a few hundred Islamic guerrillas, formed in the 1990s with
seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network, that has earned millions of
dollars from kidnappings-for-ransom.
They are based in
the heavily-forested, southern islands of Basilan and Sulu where their mastery
of the terrain and assistance from local Muslim communities have helped them
evade government pursuit.
Although its
leaders have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, analysts say they are mainly
focused on lucrative kidnappings.
The Abu Sayyaf
earlier this year beheaded two Canadian hostages who were kidnapped from a
yachting resort in September. Another hostage, a Norwegian seized in the same
raid, is still being held along with other foreign and local captives.
Lorenzana said
the military would continue its operations to recover the hostages and capture
the gunmen.
He added that
their second priority would be assisting the police in a nationwide operation
against crime. Duterte, who takes office on Thursday, won the May 9
presidential elections by promising a ruthless campaign against criminals,
backed by the military.
"If they
need more troops, more warm bodies, we will support them, depending on their
request," he added.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/138056-neutralizing-abu-sayyaf-priority
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