Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said he is working intensely with his Philippine counterpart to secure the release of Indonesian citizens taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf armed group in Southern Philippines.
"I am constantly in contact with the Philippine Defense Minister," Ryamizard told the press at the National Monument in Jakarta, Tuesday (23/08).
According to Ryamizard, a string of massive Philippine military operations have taken down many important members of the Abu Sayyaf terror group.
"They found Abu Sayyaf's headquarters in Basilan. There were underground rooms there, but these were cleared. Basilan is clear now, only their base in Sulu remains," the minister said.
"Do the math, the [Abu Sayyaf] group had at most 300 men, and now over 100 have been killed. Not to mention those that have been wounded. The Philippine forces have made quite an inroad," Ryamizard said.
The government of the Philippines has so far deployed more than 10,000 military personnel to attack the Abu Sayyaf group, according to the minister. "It hasn't been cheap, definitely, but they've managed to wipe out nearly half of Abu Sayyaf's forces," he said.
Asked if a land operation planned by the Indonesian Military (TNI) to release the hostages will go ahead, Ryamizard said it is very unlikely.
"Not yet. The Philippine army already has 10,000 soldiers in Southern Philippines, that's a whole division," Ryamizard said.
"We don't want to risk ourselves when there's no need to. We will do it only if the Philippine army asks us to help them," the defense minister said.
"Do the math, the [Abu Sayyaf] group had at most 300 men, and now over 100 have been killed. Not to mention those that have been wounded. The Philippine forces have made quite an inroad," Ryamizard said.
The government of the Philippines has so far deployed more than 10,000 military personnel to attack the Abu Sayyaf group, according to the minister. "It hasn't been cheap, definitely, but they've managed to wipe out nearly half of Abu Sayyaf's forces," he said.
Asked if a land operation planned by the Indonesian Military (TNI) to release the hostages will go ahead, Ryamizard said it is very unlikely.
"Not yet. The Philippine army already has 10,000 soldiers in Southern Philippines, that's a whole division," Ryamizard said.
"We don't want to risk ourselves when there's no need to. We will do it only if the Philippine army asks us to help them," the defense minister said.
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/philippine-forces-abu-sayyaf-cornered-defense-minister/
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