THE Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) will sustain the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a bid to rescue the hostages in Sulu province.

Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega made this announcement after he assumed as the new commander of Westmincom.

Dela Vega said they have adopted “measures” to be implemented against the ASG in Sulu. He did not elaborate further.

The Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captives nine people, including five foreigners and four Filipinos.

The foreigners included three Indonesians, one Vietnamese, and one Dutch.

The Westmincom chief said they also have measures to prevent further kidnapping attempts by the ASG. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)