Westmincom believes the Abu Sayyaf is losing ground in Sulu. AFP Westmincom/File
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Local officials of Sulu are giving rewards to informants with leads on the Abu Sayyaf in the island province.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the information provided by the local officials and the villagers have contributed to the rescue of hostages and to major engagements with the Abu Sayyaf group.
“Some of the local officials, who asked their names be kept for security reasons, are also giving rewards to their constituents just to give information on the locations of the kidnap victims and also the locations of the Abu Sayyaf group,” Galvez said.
Galvez did not elaborate on the mechanics of the reward system but said the effort has been yielding results.
“So, with this, they heed the request of the president that the LGUs (local government units) should help us in thwarting the ASG menace especially in Sulu," he said.
Last week, the military, following tips from villagers, clashed with a large group of the Abu Sayyaf in the mountain of Upper Laus, Talipao town, Sulu.
The encounter left 10 militants dead but 32 soldiers were also injured in the three-hour firefight.
The military is confident of finishing the Abu Sayyaf off in the next three months following the standing orders of President Duterte, who visited Jolo on Saturday, to crush the militants and rescue all their hostages.
Galvez said the Abu Sayyaf group has split up their hostages and have been moving out of their lairs to evade troops.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the information provided by the local officials and the villagers have contributed to the rescue of hostages and to major engagements with the Abu Sayyaf group.
“Some of the local officials, who asked their names be kept for security reasons, are also giving rewards to their constituents just to give information on the locations of the kidnap victims and also the locations of the Abu Sayyaf group,” Galvez said.
Galvez did not elaborate on the mechanics of the reward system but said the effort has been yielding results.
“So, with this, they heed the request of the president that the LGUs (local government units) should help us in thwarting the ASG menace especially in Sulu," he said.
Last week, the military, following tips from villagers, clashed with a large group of the Abu Sayyaf in the mountain of Upper Laus, Talipao town, Sulu.
The encounter left 10 militants dead but 32 soldiers were also injured in the three-hour firefight.
The military is confident of finishing the Abu Sayyaf off in the next three months following the standing orders of President Duterte, who visited Jolo on Saturday, to crush the militants and rescue all their hostages.
Galvez said the Abu Sayyaf group has split up their hostages and have been moving out of their lairs to evade troops.
“That’s an indication that they are losing ground. It only means two things, either they are trying to evade massive military operations on Sulu mainland or they are seeing their area has been constricted considering the populace and the local government units are helping us in locating the group,” Galvez said.
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