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Saturday, August 25, 2007
Esperon: High toll in Basilan, Sulu battles expected
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the soldiers based in Basilan and Sulu are fighting terrorists and not facing mere encounters, which he likened to "going to picnics."
General Esperon made the statement to defend the military organization over questions arising from the number of casualties in its operations in the two provinces.
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Esperon said the troops are pursuing Abu Sayyaf bandits and engaging them in closed quarter battles. The Abu Sayyaf has been tagged as behind numerous kidnappings and bombing incidents in the past years.
"We must remember that we are fighting terrorists here. They (Soldiers) are not going to picnics," Esperon said of the situation in Basilan and Sulu.
A total of 39 soldiers -- 29 of them Marines and 10 from the Army -- perished since last month in separate clashes with the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits.
In Basilan, Esperon said it is very difficult to corner the Abu Sayyaf in a specific location that has been verified by intelligence operation.
"While we are having higher than average number of casualties, you must also note that we are hitting up the leaders," Esperon said.
He said that three of the suspects who beheaded 10 of 14 Marine troopers were already neutralized, and one was identified as a leader of the bandit group.
The three were among the 42 bandits killed in last Saturday's fierce fighting in Basilan based on a military report.
During that battle, 15 Marine troopers were killed while 17 were wounded.
In Sulu, Esperon said the military managed to hit the Abu Sayyaf in three successive days from August 7 to 9, a feat that he said was difficult to achieve.
"It's very hard to do that," the chief of staff said.
Two weeks ago, 10 Army soldiers were killed in an ambush staged by the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.
He said what should people focus on is the willingness of soldiers to "go for the enemy," not the high number of casualties incurred in the fight.
"It tells you a lot on the state of morale and discipline; it tells you a lot on the commitment to defeat the Abu Sayyaf," he said.
"It tells you also that your soldiers are willing to sacrifice for the safety of the people not only here in Basilan, Sulu and Zamboanga but also in other areas," he added. (Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (August 25, 2007 issue)
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