Since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in June this year, eleven kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf have been released. Defense officials say the terrorist group may be feeling the impact of relentless military operations which intensified more than three weeks ago in Jolo, Sulu.
The latest to be freed this weekend were Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Indonesian captives Lorence Koten, Theorus Kopong, and Emanuel Arakain. Two Filipinos, Levi Gonzales and Daniela Taruc, were also released.
READ: Abu Sayyaf frees two other kidnap victims
Some 7,000 soldiers have been deployed in the Sulu province. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) explains that with the government's indefinite ceasefire with communist rebels, this has allowed them to concentrate on operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
READ: Freed Norwegian hostage Sekkingstad thanks Duterte
"Mula nung magdagdag tayo ng five battalions nitong nakaraang linggo at nag-umpisa yung all-out offensive natin medyo nagulo sila doon at kaysa masagasaan sila ng tropa at mawala kanilang hostages, eh binigay na lang nila," said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
[Translation: Since we added five batallions last week and started the all-out offensive, they got rattled and decided to give up their hostages rather than fight with our troops.]
Based on the Armed Forces of the Philippines' validation, as of last month Abu Sayyaf fighters now just number to 481. While they may still have many local 'sympathizers,' the AFP sees this number to further decrease.
AFP Spokesman B/Gen. Restituto Padilla said, "An indication or clear proof of the pressure they're experiencing is that they don't want to engage our troops anymore, they have broken down into smaller groups, not wanting to fight." With this, Padilla hopes more hostages would be released.
The Abu Sayyaf is believed to be still holding 16 hostages.
Lorenzana would neither confirm nor deny reports that ransom was paid for the recent release of kidnap victims although President Duterte himself said last month that up to ₱50-million was paid for Sekkingstad. Padilla said if there were ransom negotiations between the Abu Sayyaf and their hostages' families, this was beyond the AFP's control. He says some families find ways to directly deal with the kidnappers, and give in to ransom demands out of fear for the lives of their loved ones held captive.
Padilla reiterates the government's 'no ransom' policy. He also explains this is important to financially disable the Abu Sayyaf since some of their leaders insist in keeping the hostages for money. Padilla says they use the money to buy the sympathy and loyalty of local residents, as well as to strenghten their ranks, "Nagiging pera-pera ito, 'yun ang naging problema. Ginagamit nila iyan (ransom) pambili ng armas para lumakas sila, ginagamit din nila para maka-recruit kasi meron din silang sign-up fee na tinatawag."
[Translation: It all boils down to money, and that becomes the problem. They use the ransom to buy arms and become stronger. They also use it to recruit members because they have something called a sign-up fee.]
While it may be too early to claim gains in the war against terrorism, the AFP would rather look at it as one step towards peace, especially since the Moro National Liberation Front, and its leader Nur Misuari have been actively helping out to secure the Abu Sayyaf's kidnap victims. Misuari had even requested the DND to suspend offensives.
Lorenzana said he has already informed Misuari that he cannot grant the MNLF leader's request, and if ever he can only order the suspension of military operations in specific areas where the MNLF is negotiating the release of hostages.
Duterte has been in talks with Misuari, as part of his efforts to pursue peace in Mindanao. The President said he does not want the police to implement the arrest warrant against Misuari who is facing rebellion charges for the 2013 Zamboanga siege.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/09/20/department-of-national-defense-armed-forces-of-the-philippines-abu-sayyaf-pressure.html
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