Gov’t unfazed over Abus regrouping; troops ready to wipe them out—Palace

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC

Malacañang is unfazed over the reported regrouping of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to intensify its kidnap-for-ransom activities in waters off Mindanao after months of hiatus.

Malaysia’s The Star, citing intelligence sources, reported on Wednesday that some top sub-commanders of the terrorist group, who were believed to be have been killed in government operations, were regrouping and targeting “high value” victims.

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“Well, what I can say is that we are ready to face the threats of the Abu Sayyaf,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

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“Expect it that whatever regrouping they do, the government can wipe them out,” Roque added.

PH welcomes US report

Roque also welcomed the “US Country Reports on Terrorism 2017,” recognizing the Philippines’ efforts to combat terrorism.

“We welcome the favorable review of the US State Department on our ongoing campaign against terrorism and violent extremism,” he said.

The report “mentioned the concrete steps that the country undertook to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism, including the country’s continued interagency information sharing between Philippine law enforcement agencies, increased aviation security capacity, and active participation in trainings on crisis response, border security, and investigations including cybercrimes.”

The ASG has been notorious for bombings, beheadings, kidnap-for-ransom activities in the south, causing unrest in Mindanao region.

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he was open to a dialogue with those who are ready to abandon their violent ways and live a peaceful life. /je