ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The new anti-terrorist task force commander has dared the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to help the government fight against the Abu Sayyaf.
Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, new Task Force Comet commander, made the call after MNLF chairman Nur Misuari called on the military to stop the operations against the terrorist band.
“Why should we stop running after terrorists?” he asked.
Nur Misuari, who was in Sulu, called on the government to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Military operations have already cost many lives and displacement of people in Sulu, he added.
Meanwhile, Guerrero’s replacement as 1st Marine Brigade commander in Basilan, Brig. Gen. Eugene Clemen, said the military policy of running after the Abu Sayyaf and kidnapping gangs in Basilan will continue.
He vowed to intensify the military operations to flush out the kidnappers and the Abu Sayyaf from the island province.
During the past two months, military offensives in Sulu and have resulted in the death of 32 soldiers and wounded scores of others, Clemen added.
SAF to remain in Basilan and Sulu
Special Action Force troops will remain in Basilan and Sulu despite the release of three teachers kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf six months ago.
Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police spokesman, said elements of the SAF and 6th Regional Mobile Group (RMG) deployed in the two provinces will not be pulled out.
“There is no order or directive issued for the pullout of SAF and RMG personnel in Basilan,” he said.
Espina said they will also remain in Sulu.
“Unless ordered, they will continue to stay there and do their usual functions which is maintaining peace and order and assisting the armed forces in tracking down the ASG,” he said.
Last Wednesday, the Abu Sayyaf released public school teachers Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Naomi Mandi in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. – Roel Pareño, Mike Frialde