5 military battalions sent to Basilan vs Abu Sayyaf
MANILA, Philippines–The military has deployed five battalions from various military units as part of its all-out law enforcement operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang. INQUIRER file photo
“Right now, about five battalions and then mga specialized units are now deployed,” Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. told reporters on Friday in Basilan.
The AFP chief refused to give the exact number of troops. A battalion consists of up to 300 to 500 soldiers.
On Sunday, six soldiers, including a lieutenant, were killed in an ambush by the Abu Sayyaf in Sumisip town in the same province. The soldiers were securing a development project.
Catapang visited Basilan on Friday and met with regional military commanders and local government officials.
Basilan mayors are asking for an intensified counter-terrorism drive to neutralize the bandits. In response, Catapang said that they have launched all-out law enforcement operations with the police.
“This is an intensified all-out law enforcement operation because the Abu Sayyaf have standing warrant of arrest. We are pursuing them,” the military chief said.
“For the meantime we have sufficient [troops]…We want a 24-hour operation because we are trying to develop a capability that if you fight us or destroy the peace, we will fight you 24 hours with our night-fighting capabilities,” he added.
The Philippine military is also doing operations in Sulu after the Abu Sayyaf freed its two German captives in October.
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