More troops sent to Sulu in drive vs Abu Sayyaf

From Malaya Business Insight (Feb 20): More troops sent to Sulu in drive vs Abu Sayyaf

ELITE government troops have been sent to Sulu to help in the intensified campaign against the Abu Sayyaf which is notorious for kidnap-for-ransom activities and for beheading its kidnap victims.

The 5th Scout Ranger Battalion, which came from Marawi City, arrived in Sulu on Tuesday last week while the 10th Scout Ranger Company, which came from Zamboanga del Sur, arrived Saturday, said Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

The new deployment brings to about 10 battalions, or about 5,000 men, now operating in Sulu.

“This is meant to further intensify our campaign (against the Abu Sayyaf),” said Sobejana of the group which has about 300 members in Sulu. The group is holding 10 foreign and Filipino kidnap victims in the province.

Overall, the Abu Sayyaf has about 400 members in Sulu, Basilan, and other areas.

Asked when the military can defeat the Abu Sayyaf, Sobejana said, “Actually it’s hard to give a timeline. What’s important is we are doing our best effort to end the group.”

Sobejana said the military is intensifying the operations in collaboration with local government officials.

“We are trying to harmonize our military operations, development and governance to finally end the security challenge, security problem,” he said.

Last month, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez said the military is aiming to defeat the Abu Sayyaf before the end of the year. 

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/more-troops-sent-sulu-drive-vs-abu-sayyaf