AFP vows to pursue Abus amid threat to behead hostages

From the Daily Tribune (Dec 30): AFP vows to pursue Abus amid threat to behead hostages

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday vowed to sustain the ongoing focused military operations against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu despite reported threat to behead hostages.

At a press briefing, Col. Restituto Padilla, spokesman of the AFP, said that the military’s Joint Task Groups Basilan and Sulu will continue with their relentless pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf even during the upcoming New Year.

Padilla said that the standing order of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri is to relentlessly pursue the terrorists.

“We never stop, we continue our focused military operations to sustain the momentum and until we safely get all the hostages,” Padilla said.

Despite continuing military operations, the Abu Sayyaf managed to harass government installations and engage troops in Sulu and Basilan.

On Monday, two Marines were killed after ASG bandits attacked the 22nd Marine Company headquarters in Talipao.

Earlier, three soldiers died after clashing with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the hinterland of Al Barka, Basilan.

Reports came out yesterday that the Abu Sayyaf is threatening to behead Filipina captive Maritess Flor, who was abducted along with three foreigners from Samal island in Davao del Norte last September.

Padilla stressed that the Abu Sayyaf threat to harm the hostages has been there since day one of their captivity.

“But we pray that they will not push through with the threat,” said Padilla.

Aside from Flor, other ASG hostages are Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel, who were all snatched from Samal Island, and Dutchman Ewold Horn who was kidnapped in Tawi Tawi in 2012.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/afp-vows-to-pursue-abus-amid-threat-to-behead-hostages