AFP okays ceasefire if ASG frees hostages

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 25): AFP okays ceasefire if ASG frees hostages

Only an unconditional release of all 10 hostages, including two Europeans and a Japanese, believed to be held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Tawi-Tawi would make the Armed Forces of the Philippines agree to a ceasefire with the terrorist group.

Chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said the ASG should ensure the safe release of its hostages before the military agrees to a cessation of fighting after it had poured 1000 fresh troops to track down the group which kidnapped the two European bird watchers, a Japanese and seven others.

Catapang’s statement was in response to a query by a school teacher during a public forum.

“That is possible but they need to release all hostages first. The lives of these people (ASG) are going to waste. Let’s help one another in changing them,” Catapang said.

The two European bird watchers were kidnapped in Tawi-Tawi in February 2012 while they were on a cruise off Palawan.

Last Friday, two German hostages –Stefan Viktor Okonek and his wife Herike Diesen — were released by the ASG in Patikul, Sulu.

The German hostages were abducted while on a cruise off Palawan aboard a yacht last April.

But the military claimed the release was the result of an “all-out law enforcement operation” launched by government security forces upon the order of the Special Action Committee, headed by Sulu Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan II.

Catapang attended yesterday’s consultative meeting at the Sulu Provincial Capitol, attended by 15 municipal mayors, including Jolo town Mayo Hussin Amin. The gathering was organized by the governor, Tan’s father.

In his message, Catapang vowed closer coordination between the military and local officials, saying he will direct military commanders in the area to visit local officials and identify community problems with them.

“We will help identify development projects and other social interventions that will directly address the problems,” Catapang said.

The elder Tan said he will support the move to organize a peace and economic summit that will be attended by different stakeholders including the civil-society organizations.

“We will do our part by working closely with different organizations. We also believe that we can solve these problems by helping each other,” said Tan.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/afp-okays-ceasefire-if-asg-frees-hostages