AFP to constantly adjust tactics to curb ASG threat

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 16): AFP to constantly adjust tactics to curb ASG threat

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it will constantly adjust its tactics in fighting the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in an interview late Sunday.

He added adjustment in tactics will be done after six months which is in line with the self-imposed time frame set by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año on eliminating the ASG threat.

"And if within six months, the ASG threat is still present or existing, after six months, then, we will have an assessment of the experiences, lessons made in fighting the ASGs and, we will come out with an adjustment (in tactics) that will be based on the previous semester," Arevalo said in Filipino.

He also said the AFP chief's commitment to crush the bandit group in six months is not ambitious as changes are now ongoing on operational commitments, procedures, leadership and compositions of the fighting teams.

Arevalo declined to comment on whether new forces will be deployed in the ongoing anti-ASG operations due to security reasons.

"I just cannot tell you about that yet, as of yet, but you can expect that, " he added.

Año earlier said that while Development Support Security Plan "Kapayapaan" is focused on the primacy primacy of the peace process, terror groups like the ASG, Maute Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines and other lawless groups will feel the full brunt of the military's combat power.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=955408