Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana (Reuters file)
The number of hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf has almost doubled since President Rodrigo Duterte took office last July, a development Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted was "very embarrassing" to the Philippines.
"When the President [took office] on June 30, there were only 18 hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf. Now there are 31. So dumami pa. It is very embarrassing to the whole world," Lorenzana told defense reporters.
The number does not include German Juergen Kantner, who was beheaded late last month. The military said 25 of the hostages still held by the Abu Sayyaf are foreigners.
"The problem in the southern Philippines is actually giving me personally a headache. Sometimes I can't sleep at night thinking of how to solve the problem there," he added.
Among the latest kidnap victims were seven Vietnamese sailors seized from a ship off Tawi-Tawi late last month. One sailor was killed in the attack while 17 others were rescued by the Coast Guard and Marines.
Lorenzana said he met with the Vietnamese ambassador to discuss possible measures to protect ships sailing through the waters of the southern Philippines, where kidnappings have surged since last year.
Among his suggestions, said Lorenzana, was to allow the arming of Vietnamese crews but the ambassador turned this down citing international law.
Nevertheless, he said both countries have agreed to establish a lane where vessels transiting through the Sulu Sea can be assured of protection by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Lorenzana also said that after a series of meetings, Philippine, Malaysian and Indonesian force are ready to launch joint patrols of their common maritime borders either next month or in May.
The Philippine component to this mission will be a task force headed by a major (two-star) general that will be based in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi equipped with fast-craft, ships and drones.
Lorenzana said he believes the military can solve the Abu Sayyaf problem by the end of June "or if not, we'll give them another couple of months."
He added that the military might transfer a full Army division to Sulu.
Kantner was the third foreigner beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf since last year when they executed Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel.
http://interaksyon.com/article/137611/embarrassing--number-of-abu-sayyaf-hostages-doubled-after-duterte-took-office---lorenzana
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