Deny Abu Sayyaf sanctuary, AFP asks Tawi-Tawi residents

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 19): Deny Abu Sayyaf sanctuary, AFP asks Tawi-Tawi residents

ARMED Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año yesterday appealed to residents of Tawi-Tawi to deny the Abu Sayyaf sanctuary and logistics amid the military’s campaign to defeat the group in six months.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Año issued the appeal when the latter and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana visited the island municipality of Sibutu in Tawi-Tawi.

Año and Lorenzana went to the town to visit soldiers and to enlist the support of local officials and residents in the government’s campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, piracy, and even illegal drugs.

He said Año told the residents that the criminal group “can only thrive in places where they can find refuge or support, hence the people of Sibutu can help a lot by denying the ASGs sanctuary and logistics.”

Arevalo said Año also asked the residents to be partners of the military for the security and development of Tawi-Tawi where the Abu Sayyaf is known to have presence.

“The people should be actively involved in monitoring the arrival of strangers or the happening of criminal activities in the island. The residents should organize themselves to be active partners of government in providing security, livelihood, and development opportunities,” he said.

Arevalo said Sibutu town Mayor Alshefa Pajiji lamented “the incidence of kidnappings around the island that adversely affects his municipality” and committed support for the military in ending the criminal activities of the Abu Sayyaf.

Military officials have said the Abu Sayyaf’s kidnapping-for-ransom activities continue to thrive because of support from the civilian populace.

Incidents of kidnapping were perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf off Tawi-Tawi in the past several months. The kidnap victims were later brought to Sulu, one of the bailiwick provinces of the criminal group.

Año assumed the top AFP post last month. During a command conference on January 6, he set a new deadline of six months for the military to defeat the Abu Sayyaf, the Maute Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Accompanying Año and Lorenzana in the visit were Arevalo, Army chief Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, Navy chief Vice Adm. Ronald Joseph Mercado, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/deny-abu-sayyaf-sanctuary-afp-asks-tawi-tawi-residents