Sulu Army task force chiefs relieved after series of abductions

THE CHIEF of the Joint Task Group Sulu was relieved of his post Tuesday, following a series of daring abductions in Mindanao suspected to have been carried out by the Abu Sayyaf extremist group.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado himself announced his relief in a post on the Joint Task Group Sulu’s Facebook page.

“Orders have been issued for my relief as commander, Joint Task Group Sulu, and the relief of Brig. Gen. Jose Cabanban as deputy chief,” Arrojado posted.

He did not say why he was being relieved of his post.

The removal of the two officers took effect Tuesday. Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos Jr. will replace Arrojado as commander of the joint task force.

However, Arrojado will remain the commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade.

Arrojado’s relief came after a series of daring kidnappings believed to have been perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf whose strongholds are in Sulu and Basilan.

The Abu Sayyaf is believed to be holding their captives in Sulu, for whom they have demanded ransom.

Last year, the terror group beheaded one of its Malaysian hostages, prompting President Aquino to order intensified military operations in Mindanao.