PNP intensifying intelligence to help in drive to crush ASG before end-2019

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will strengthen its information gathering to help realize President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf Group before the year ends.

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde declared this Monday when asked what the institution will do to help carry out the Chief Executive’s order against the notorious bandit.

“Ang tulong usually na ginagawa natin dyan besides sa joint operations (with) Armed Forces of the Philippines ay ‘yung ating intelligence, ‘yung pagpapaigting ng ating intelligence gathering, Albayalde told reporters in a chance interview.

(The help we usually do there besides the joint operations with the Armed Forces of the Philippines is our intelligence, the strengthening of our intelligence gathering.)

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the new commander of the Western Mindanao Command, was quoted in an earlier report as saying that Duterte wants the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu annihilated before December 31, following the bombing at a military camp in Indanan town that killed eight people and injured 22 others.

Albayalde said the intelligence gathered by PNP is being coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its foreign counterparts.

He also said the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) may likewise partner with the military in launching operations to crush the terrorist group.

So far, Albayalde said, Duterte has not given orders for PNP to deploy additional troops in Sulu after the deadly bombing but added that some five battalions of SAF trainees are currently undergoing commando course to augment state forces in Mindanao.

He noted that the SAF trainees might complete the course in a month or two. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)