Malacanang on Tuesday described as ‘unfortunate’ the death
of 15 soldiers, including an officer, in the government heightened campaign
against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu.
”It is unfortunate that the number of our troops have
already lost their lives,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a
press briefing.
However, Abella said the government will continue to track
down the ASG bandits.
”As Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on August 29, we
are going full force and all-out operations against them,” Abella said.
He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is sending
reinforcement of five battalions in Sulu.
”The President is definitely focused in making sure that the
threat of the ASG should be terminated as soon as possible. Already, this is a
manifestation of his campaign against the Abu Sayyaf,” Abella said.
Abella said there is no timeline set for the all-out
operation against the ASG bandits but “it should not be an extended
engagement.”
President Duterte had ordered to destroy Abu Sayyaf after
the kidnap-for-ransom group beheaded James Patric Almodovar last week.
The ASG kidnapped the 18-year-old Almodovar last July 16
outside his house in Jolo.
The terrorist group reportedly beheaded Almodovar after his
family failed to pay the PHP1 million ransom.
The ASG has been listed by the United
States and the Philippines
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=918335
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