‘We’ll get Abu anytime now’

MANILA, Philippines–More than a week after the Abu Sayyaf released its two German hostages in Sulu, the military has yet to encounter the terror group in their operations on the island.

The Armed Forces, however, is optimistic that it will eventually catch up with the group as it continues to scour the area.

Col. Allan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, said some of the troops were still familiarizing themselves with the terrain.

“We are also coordinating with the Marines here so our operations are going well,” he said on Sunday.

He was optimistic the task group would soon be encountering the bandits since the military was doing “all it can” to pinpoint its whereabouts.

“We won’t let up until we get them. Every week we will be launching relentless pursuit operations,” Arrojado said.

Nine days ago, the Abu Sayyaf released Germans Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Dielen, 55, after holding them since April.

The bandit group crowed about the P250-million ransom it received for the hostages’ release, a claim the government would not confirm.

The military and police are conducting operations in Sulu against the Abu Sayyaf, which is believed to be holding at least 10 other captives.–Julie M. Aurelio