Now that government is trying to strike a deal with the
communist insurgents, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) started to pull
out some forces in the region and deploy more to Jolo, Sulu for an all-out
campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group.
The 10th Infantry Division on Wednesday withdrew troops from
the 69th Infantry Battalion, which operates in Paquibato, Panabo and Maragusan
as the first tranche of deployment. On Thursday (August 25), the 2nd Scout
Rangers based in Davao del Sur will be sent off by 10th ID officials. The first
and second deployment would total about 400 to 500 army soldiers.
The 10ID spokesperson Capt. Rhyan Batchar said the
deployment of more troops to Jolo, Sulu is in adherence to the order of their
commander-in-chief President Rodrigo Duterte on counter-terrorism, focusing on
the Abu Sayyaf.
"Hopefully, we can destroy the Abu Sayyaf,"
Batchar told reporters of the AFP-PNP Press Corps Wednesday at the Davao City
Police Office (DCPO). Batchar said they are sending the best of their troops
for the Abu Sayyaf campaign.
He recalled that the 69th IB was instrumental in the capture
and death of Kumander Parago in Paquibato last year while the 2nd Scout Ranger
Battalion has also an outstanding record in Davao Del Sur.
The past weeks saw President Duterte committing to destroy
the Abu Sayyaf and vowed no negotiations with them.
The President said the Abu Sayyaf group puts to shame the
country everytime they kidnap and kill hostages in public if they fail to get
ransom money.
The President has ordered the army to destroy the Abu Sayyaf
to end their nefarious activities. He described the Abu Sayyaf as gangsters,
brigands and bandits resorting to torture and destroy humanity.
Although some troops have been deployed and there is a standing
ceasefire between the government and the communist insurgents, Batchar
clarified that they are not putting their guards down. He said other units will
take over the areas in Davao
“We will adjust the area of jurisdiction of the units on the
ground in order to address the vacuum that caused by the pull out of the two
battalions” Batchar added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=916835
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