FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines -- Some abductors of an ABS-CBN news team may have turned out to be teenagers or children, but Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Alexander Yano, on Saturday said this will not compel soldiers to ease offensives against extremist groups in Sulu.

Government attacks on bases of suspected terrorists and rebels in Sulu and other parts of Mindanao never stopped, but were only highlighted by the kidnapping of ABS-CBN reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon, her two cameramen and a university professor, Yano said.

"If they are terrorists, then definitely we cannot [set them apart from their adult counterparts] when they are in combat. Anybody carrying arms will have to be dealt with accordingly," he said.

He said the kidnapping did not also mean that the government was facing a resurgence of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

"It was highlighted by media but that doesn't mean they are getting stronger. One incident [like Drilon's kidnapping] would not make the bandits very strong," he said.

Yano was guest during the incorporation of Philippine Military Academy Class 2012 into the cadet corps. He was given a commendation here as an outstanding alumnus by Major General Leopoldo Maligalig, PMA superintendent.

Yano did not mention the kidnapping in his speech. But replying to reporters’ questions, he said Drilon's abduction did not change the AFP's counter-terrorism offensives in Mindanao.

"All reports say they are [Abu Sayyaf] and there may be collusion with other criminal groups… But they are part of the Abu Sayyaf," he said.

Yano said he has not ordered a review of procedures when soldiers are confronted by armed teenagers or children.

"[There will be] no adjustments. A firearm carried by a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old would kill soldiers the same way," he said.

Yano declined to comment on Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji, who was implicated in the abduction after he acted as a negotiator. He said it was a police matter.

Yano said his chief concern was how the Drilon abduction impacted on Mindanao.

"We should not generalize [the situation in] Mindanao; it is a large island. There are isolated cases… by and large the Mindanao situation is [peaceful]," he said.

He said the abduction was also instructional on how future media coverage should be undertaken in conflict-affected regions of the country.

The military does not want to issue regulations for fear it would be mistaken for media curtailment, but Yano urged reporters to accept military advisories when they enter conflict areas.