Troops engaged in curbing terror groups in high spirits -- AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 20): Troops engaged in curbing terror groups in high spirits -- AFP

Troops tasked to eliminate the Abu Sayyaf Group and other terror threats are in high spirits due to the support given by higher headquarters and President Rodrigo Duterte.

This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año in an interview over the weekend.

"The campaign is going quite well and the attitude (and morale) of our soldiers engaged in the fighting are good, they are motivated and they are really doing their job even beyond the call of duty," he added.

Año attributes this the support being extended by AFP headquarters, major service commanders, and President Duterte, who have provided additional funding for these servicemen engaged against the terrorists.

"Momentum is on our side, and (the ASG) is now losing their will to fight, eventually some of them will lie low, some of them will surrender," he added in Filipino.

The AFP chief added that the bandits will further disintegrate once the military gets further support from the community.

Año earlier set a six-month deadline to eliminate terrorists and bandit groups in Mindanao upon his assumption of the AFP's top post last December.

The campaign is now on its second month.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=965519