Abu Sayyaf still worries authorities

MANILA, Philippines - The United States (US) remains concerned about the Abu Sayyaf even as it cited the gains made by Philippine authorities against the terrorist group.

Commander David Cole, deputy commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTF-P), said the Abu Sayyaf “is still an organization that bears watching.”

“We are still concerned,” Cole said when asked to assess the capabilities of the group.

“We will continue to advise and assist our Philippine partners as long as the invitation from the government of the Philippines here is still open to us,” he added.

Cole said Philippine authorities have made gains in the fight against the terrorist group.

“If you took a snapshot from now back in 2002 and compare both, I think you’d be very pleased with the progress of our Filipino partners,” he said.

JSOTF-P has been in the Philippines since 2002 and is based in Zamboanga City. The unit conducts training and development programs in the area but is barred from engaging in actual combat. - Alexis Romero