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Saturday, August 11, 2007
Military closing in on Sayyaf: chief of staff
MANILA -- Successive clashes between government forces and Abu Sayyaf guerillas and their sympathizers show that the military is "now gaining ground and closing in on them," Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Friday.
Esperon, interviewed at the 44th Foundation Anniversary and Alumni Homecoming of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, said they would continue their operations in Basilan and Sulu until all members of the Abu Sayyaf are accounted for.
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The group is now down to 370 members, most of whom are deployed in Sulu, and at least two military companies, Task Forces Thunder and Comet, are leading the pursuit operations against the bandits.
Esperon said the military is consolidating forces for deployment to Sulu.
According to Esperon, there are enough forces to hunt the bandit group but its members have the advantage of "terrain knowledge" enabling them to escape military dragnets.
He acknowledged that there could be some rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who are assisting or have joined forces with the Abu Sayyaf.
Esperon said the last report he got showed at least 26 members of the military getting killed and 12 others getting injured in Sulu clashes that had also claimed the lives of 30 suspected terrorists.
"We are not denying that there are heavy casualties. That is why we are telling everybody that terrorism, the matter of fighting the terrorists, should be amongst us, everybody. We are stepping up our operations," said Esperon.
Esperon said he was saddened by the death of soldiers in last Thursday's skirmish, the largest casualty toll inflicted on the military in a day.
"I'm even proud of the soldiers because they are on the offensive. Despite the hardships, they kept on running after the terrorists. We will pursue the Abu
Sayyaf, continue without let-up the operations. We are not going to give up because we have suffered casualties," he said.
He said the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has been alerted to the plight of those caught in the crossfire, which could include some 10,000 displaced families in Basilan and Sulu.
Esperon added that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had expressed concern over civilians who would get caught in the crossfire but she also still supports the military in its operations.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the families of killed and wounded soldiers would receive assistance. He extended Malacañang's sympathies to the families of those killed.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the NDCC is prepared to assist the military, particularly in caring for civilians displaced by the fighting.
As far as the military operations on the ground are concerned, Teodoro said he is "leaving the matter to the Armed Forces." (JMR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (August 11, 2007 issue)
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