AFP focuses on Abu Sayyaf as peace process with Reds, Muslim rebels gives it respite

From InterAksyon (Sep 1): AFP focuses on Abu Sayyaf as peace process with Reds, Muslim rebels gives it respite

The military can now train all its resources and effort on vanquishing once and for all the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), as the cease-fire with the communist rebels and peace process with two big Muslim rebel groups has cut it some slack, officials said Thursday.

Army chief Lieutenant Eduardo Año described the ongoing full-blast assault on the ASG lairs in Sulu and Basilan as “conducting focused operations,” though reports said earlier the military was having difficulty after some of the 400 or so terrorists were blending into civilian communities to avoid detection.

The AFP said at least 30 ASG members have been killed in the past week's operations, but the government side itself suffered a serious blow with the death of 15 soldiers Monday in Patikul, Sulu.

An estimated 120 ASG members under sub-leader Radullan Sahiron launched a classic outflanking assault on a platoon of the 35th Infantry Battalion in Patikul, Sulu.

Año said in a telephone interview Thursday the deployment of more troops in Sulu is part of an overall military plan to end the Abu Sayyaf's attacks--especially the kidnap for ransom operations and the beheading of captives when ransom cannot be paid.

According to Año, “The intensity of operations since August 26 has substantial results already against the enemy. We’re even putting an additional three battalions in Sulu.” This, following President Rodrigo Durterte's earlier order to AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya to use the full force of the military against the Abu Sayyaf.

Meanwhile, Monday's killing of 15 soldiers is now the subject of an inquiry by the 1st Infantry Division, as a standard operating procedure (SOP). The “objective is to find the reasons that led to the casualties. That [mounting an inquiry] is automatic,” Año said.

As initial reports put it, the “first burst of fire already felled several soldiers. The fact that it was nearing nighttime also put the government troops at a disadvantage," he added.

In Camp Aguinaldo, military spokesman Brigadier General Resituto Padilla confirmed the arrival Wednesday of the 63rd IB in Sulu from Samar.

Some 8,000 soldiers or 8 battalions have been deployed in Sulu alone to hunt down the ASG, with a strategy to “box in” and “constrict” the terrorists in battle grounds far from civilian areas in order to avoid collateral damage.

The military estimates the ASG strength in Sulu at 200 men, but conceded that its mass base support is huge.

Muntinlupa Representative Rodolfo Biazo has urged the AFP to consider enlisting local government leaders in the all-out war against the ASG.

According to Biazon, himself a former AFP chief, a successful campaign against the ASG in Sulu and Basilan needs the support of LGUs and civilian communities.

http://interaksyon.com/article/132009/afp-focuses-on-abu-sayyaf-as-peace-process-with-reds-muslim-rebels-gives-it-respite