The Abu Sayaff group is reported to be keeping a dozen of captives, including foreign nationals in Sulu. Philstar.com/ File photo
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is carefully studying the deployment of more ground troops to strengthen security and to sustain the relentless hunt against the Abu Sayyaf group still holding about a dozen of captives, a security official said.
AFP spokesman Col. Noel Detoyato said AFP Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri will meet with the ground area commanders here to discuss the possible deployment of more troops in Sulu.
“Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Iriberri will visit the ground anytime and discuss with the commanders possible additional troops in addressing the Abu Sayyaf,” Detoyato said.
At least 12 are still being held captive by the notorious bandit, including Elwold Horns of Holland, Malaysian Thien Nyuk Fun, Cambodian Bernard Then Ted Fen, Korean businessman Noui Hong Sung, and long-time captive Japanese Toshio Ito.
Local hostages include Mayor Gemma Adana of Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay province, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel Seaman 2nd Class Gringo Villaruz and Seaman 1st Class Rod Pagaling and village chief Roberto Bulagao, who were abducted last May 4 from island resort of Aliguay Island off Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte.
The military official said the AFP chief was also concerned on the occasional roadside bomb attacks staged by the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan despite the ongoing road development.
The attack last July 28 left a soldier dead who accidentally tripped on the wire of the improvised explosive device (IED) along Cabangalan-Lagayas road in Tipo-Tipo town.
Two roadside bomb attacks barely caught the convoy of Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Hataman was on his way to inspect government infrastructure projects in the northern portion of the province last June when the IED went off in Ungkaya Pukan, a few minutes after Hataman’s convoy passed by.
The second attack happened minutes before Hataman’s convoy passed the area to witness the signing of peace pact of six clans involved in armed conflict for decades in Tipo-Tipo.
The military is increasing its patrols in the area to avert similar incident and to allow trading to flourish.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/08/04/1484514/afp-deploy-more-troops-sulu
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