Gov't gives ultimatum to finish Abu Sayyaf activities

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said they have laid an ultimatum to finish off the activities of the Abu Sayyaf group following the spate of terror attacks, including high-profile kidnapping of the militants in this part of the region.

Gazmin said a large number of government troops have been deployed to augment the current number of troops hunting down the Abu Sayyaf group both in Basilan, Sulu and the mainland of this city.

“The ultimatum is to finish the activity of the group. We have troops’ augmentation in the areas of the Abu Sayyaf that arrived yesterday to augment the marines so that it will be a joint operation the areas,” Gazmin said.

Gazmin said there has been a reorganization of operation in areas where the Abu Sayyaf is operating and holding sanctuary.

He said there were will a joint army and marine operations following the deployment of army troops.

“The operations have been on going even before but now there will more focus to track down exactly the location of the group,” Gazmin said.

Meanwhile, Gazmin believed the Abu Sayyaf group was using the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as part of its propaganda to lure new recruits into its ranks despite the group having no direct links with the organization.

Gazmin bared this to newsmen here following a series of security briefing at Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) with Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Westmincom chief, briefed the most senior security leaders about the situation and movement of the Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan and Sulu.

Former Basilan Mayor Joel Maturan revealed earlier information about the recruitment of the Abu Sayyaf group in the areas of Ungkaya Pukan, promising the recruits of payment up to P50,000 and shouldering their dowry for the unmarried members and possible support from the ISIS.

Maturan also claimed that the number of the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan also increased as rogue rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and those from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) also supported the Abu Sayyaf group following the reported pledge to ISIS.

“Their number actually swelled,” Maturan said.

It will be recalled that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, a native of Basilan but has been taking refuge in the jungle of Sulu, also pledged support to the ISIS.

“Continuous and validation namin sa mga reports na ganyan. Pero and isang angulong nakikita namin ay ito ay isang propaganda upang makahikayat ng mga miyembro ‘yong mga terroristang grupo ng Abu Sayyaf,” Gazmin said.

At least two additional brigades under the 501st Brigade have been deployed in Sulu to augment the 2nd Marine Brigade in hunting down the Abu Sayyaf group.