AFP wants Abu Sayyaf defeated within the year

From GMA News (Jul 3): AFP wants Abu Sayyaf defeated within the year

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will try to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf Group within the year, a military official said Sunday.

"That is our objective, that is our goal," Army Chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año said in a phone interview.

This comes after new AFP chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya assured on Friday that the military of government resources for operations after noting that he wants non-stop operations against the terrorist group.

"The message of the chief of staff is there will be 24/7 operations against the Abu Sayyaf and then resources will be poured into the areas of the Abu Sayyaf," Año said.

"The chief of staff wants to finish off the Abu Sayyaf within this term," he added.

Visaya will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on December 8.

Asked whether this was feasible, Año said the Abu Sayyaf Group can be defeated within the year as President Rodrigo Duterte has also ordered this as one of the priorities of his administration.

"What is needed really is focus. With the commitment of support that will be provided by the President and with his direction and order to end the Abu Sayyaf, we can accomplish that," he said.

The Abu Sayyaf currently holds about a dozen hostages — including seven Indonesians — in the Sulu Sea area.

The Indonesian tugboat crew members were abducted last month. Philippine authorities said that the Abu Sayyaf has demanded 20 million Malaysian ringgit in exchange for their freedom.

"We want to restrict their movement and at the same time engage them decisively. We want to corner them and face us in a decisive encounter, decisive engagement," Año said. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/572257/news/nation/afp-wants-abu-sayyaf-defeated-within-the-year