Top security, local execs tackle Abu Sayyaf problem in Sulu

JOLO – How do you solve a problem like the Abu Sayyaf?

It’s not just a military solution, top security and local government officials say.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana flew to Jolo in Sulu with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año and other top military officials on Tuesday to tackle with local government officials the root causes of the Abu Sayyaf problem plaguing the island province for several years now.

“Gusto naming marinig ang mga hinaing nila at yung mga mungkahi, paano ba ma-solve itong problema sa Jolo na nagbibigay ng sakit malaking sakit ng ulo at kahihiyan sa ibang bansa,” Lorenzana said in a press briefing after the closed-door meeting that lasted for about two hours.

(We want to hear their grievances and their suggestions on how to solve this problem in Jolo that has been giving us a big headache and embarrassment.)

The meeting comes a week after the Abu Sayyaf, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, beheaded its German captive last Feb. 26 after failing to get the P30 million ransom.

Top security officials flew to Jolo on Tuesday to meet with local government officials to assess the Abu Sayyaf problem. / Frances Mangosing

Aside from German hostage Jurgen Kantner who was beheaded last week, two other foreigners have been executed by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu in the past 10 months — Canadians John Ridsdel in April and Robert Hall in June.

Most of the terrorist group’s hostages are kept in Sulu, a hotbed of the Islamist militants.

Both the security and local government officials have agreed that military solution is not the only answer to the lingering problem.

Lorenzana saw the need for something beyond a military strategy but said they are still targeting to meet their six month-deadline to finish the Abu Sayyaf.

“Gusto nating dalhin ang buong gobyerno like DepEd, DPWH, DOH, lahat na para maramdaman ng tao na government cares for them. Kaya kami nandito nagkaroon kami ng exchange of ideas, kung anong gusto nila mangyari at yun ang iparating natin sa Presidente,” he said.

(We would like to bring all government services, such as the Department of Education, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, here so that the people will get the feeling that the government cares for them. We are here to have an exchange of ideas, to find out the things they want to happen and these will be conveyed to the President.)

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said that government projects should be implemented properly in order to be felt by their people.

“Kailangan maayos ang programa na darating sa probinsya at maimplement ng maayos,” he said.

(Programs should be suited for the province and should be properly implemented.)

“Kung ano ang nagca-cause ng kidnapping dapat hindi lang Abu Sayyaf ang habulin natin pati yung kahirapan ng taumbayan,” Tan also said.

(Whatever the root causes of kidnapping the government should not only go after the Abu Sayyaf but also address poverty.)