President Benigno Aquino III AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III on Monday declined to reveal the specifics in the government’s plan of action against the Abu Sayyaf but said it will include preventing communities from extending assistance to the bandits.
“Merong mga komunidad na marami silang kamag-anak na supportive sa kanila, kailangan nating mabawi itong mga komunidad na ito na itigil iyong pagsuporta sa mga Abu Sayyaf,” he said in a televised media interview.
(There are communities where they have relatives supporting them. We need to regain these communities and stop the support being given to the Abu Sayyaf.)
He said that is among the long-term results eyed by the government.
Earlier, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman urged an all-out offensive against the group. Aquino said the government has long been proactive against the Abu Sayyaf.
“There are a lot of ongoing and simultaneous military operations there,” he said.
Although it wouldn’t be wise to reveal the government’s tactics, he said he and his officials regularly meet to talk about how to stamp out the Abu Sayyaf.
“Basta ang instructions natin sa kaukulan ay walang humpay itong mga operations hanggang maubos natin meaning maaresto at madala sa korte lahat itong mga miyembro ng Abu Sayyaf,” he added.
(Our instruction to authorities is to have relentless operations until all members of the Abu Sayyaf are arrested and brought to court.)
Aquino said other long-term actions include promoting development in Sulu.
On Sunday, six soldiers were killed by the bandit group in Basilan.
Aquino said the soldiers were among those guarding the construction of a circumferential road. He said the road is nearing completion and that the Abu Sayyaf does not want that to happen.
“Siyempre iyong mga ibang masasamang-loob, ayaw magkaroon ng mga infrastructure diyan kung saan magdudulot ng ‘di ba — mga development, mga investment, mawawalan sila ‘nung mga nawalan ng pag-asa na nagiging recruit nila,” he said.
(Of course those bandits do not want infrastructure that will result in development, in investment because there will no longer be hopeless people who become their recruits.)
Enough forces
The President said that for now, the government does not need the help of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which recently clinched a peace deal with the Aquino administration, for now.
“Ina-assure tayo ng ating militar at kapulisan na supisiyente ang ating mga pwersa para malipol itong mga masasamang-loob na ito,” he said.
(We are assured by our military and our police that we have a sufficient force to eliminate these bandits.)
At the minimum, the government will have daily press releases on the situation on the ground.
He said the Abu Sayyaf has about 200 fighters and another 200 sympathizers in Sulu as opposed to the military’s forces.
“Now, we have several battalions composed of some of our most elite forces and the regular line infantry battalions who are going to all of these mountain lairs and very heavily wooded jungle and dense areas to precisely deprive them of (their) safe havens,” Aquino said.
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