MANILA, Philippines—Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang yesterday reminded his troops to avoid inflicting any collateral damage on civilians as they battle the Abu Sayyaf terror group in Basilan.
Catapang, who preferred to call the war an “all-out law enforcement operation” against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists, said that five battalions from various AFP units would be deployed to carry out the operation.
He expressed confidence the military operation would not result in unnecessary civilian casualties “because the soldiers are well-trained and equipped to do their job.”
“I have always reminded my soldiers about our slogan: Kawal Disiplinado. Bawal Abusado. Dapat Asintado. If they remember all of these, they would not commit unnecessary damage during our operations,” Catapang said.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabuntoc, AFP spokesperson, tried to put into context the order of his boss.
“No collateral damage is very hard to accomplish when the shooting war begins,” Cabunoc told the Inquirer.
“Soldiers are trying their best to avoid or minimize (civilian casualties) by observing the rules of engagement strictly. We can avoid civilian casualties if every stakeholder will do his part,” he said.
Marksmanship skills
Cabunoc said the chief of staff implored the soldiers to be deliberate in their actions when confronting the Abu Sayyaf.
“When we shoot targets, we must use our marksmanship skills to hit only legitimate targets,” he said.
Cabunoc also said the military operation would focus more on anticrime efforts, in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the local governments of Basilan.
Involve the community
He said the AFP had been trying to involve community leaders in isolating the Abu Sayyaf from civilians using “social pressure,” which means engaging the family members and friends of the terrorists and preventing them from mingling with them.
Catapang recently sought the help of 13 mayors from Basilan who came to the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters to address the Abu Sayyaf problem. The mayors were accompanied by Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Hajiv Hataman.
Catapang asked them to identify the Abu Sayyaf leaders and members so the military could run after them and file criminal cases against them.
“We have enough forces in Basilan right now,” Catapang said.
“We can send forces to hunt down the bandits, while at the same time continue to secure the Basilan Circumferential Road project,” he said.
Hataman said the military’s ‘all-out offensive’ was meant “to mobilize everything” to solve the Abu Sayyaf problem.
“This is not like the all-out war during the time of President Erap Estrada during which all armaments were used against the armed threats,” Hataman said.
Internal displacement
“Actually, the military action here is only secondary. They need to support the law enforcement operations against the bandits who are threatening the peace in our communities,” he added.
On the possible influx of internally displaced persons during the conduct of the ‘all-out offensive,’ Hataman said the Abu Sayyaf were present mainly in three barangays of the province.
To prevent the Abu Sayyaf from seeking help from their families and relatives, Catapang ordered all unit commanders to engage the people and help them in solving community problems.
Peace and prosperity
“We would like to help identify priority projects that must be funded by the government. We must partner with the leaders to claim peace and prosperity for their people,” the chief of staff said.
Catapang listened to the mayors who took turns airing their concerns after he received a copy of the manifesto of support for the operations signed by all the mayors of the province.
“We want to support an all-out effort to decimate the Abu Sayyaf. They are sowing terror in my hometown,” said Tuburan Mayor Durie Kalahal.
The Abu Sayyaf’s extortion activities topped the list of complaints cited by the mayors during the dialogue with Catapang.
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