Is it possible?
Armed Forces chief General Hernando Iriberri wants the Abu Sayyaf problem in Sulu to be solved by the time President Benigno Aquino III’s term ends in June.
This was the AFP chief’s words when he visited Sulu last Friday, Brig. Gen. Allan Arrojado, Commander of Joint Task Group Sulu said.
“[Gen. Iriberri] asked if we could end the Abu Sayyaf problem at the end of the term of the President, then do it immediately. So we are doing relentless operations. We just started today,” he said.
Asked if this was possible, Arrojado said they are doing their “best effort.”
“It’s a whole of nation approach — good governance, local government. If there’s no other instrument aside from the military, then there’s no effort. We are just part of the total government solution,” he said.
There are currently five Army battalions and three Marine battalions deployed in Sulu.
The terrorist group Abu Sayyaf is known for its beheadings, bombings, and kidnappings. It has been existing for decades in Sulu and Basilan.
Arrojado said there are about 200 ASG bandits in Sulu, and he believes that they are declining. Military estimates said there are still about 400 Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and Basilan.
“Since we arrived here one year and three months ago, they were not able to confront us. They are always on the run, and we have killed a lot of them,” he said.
The Abu Sayyaf is one of the terror groups that allegedly pledged alliance with the ISIS. The military has repeatedly denied this and considers this as propaganda.