All-out offensive vs Abus to continue

MANILA, Philippines - The all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf will continue and will be relentless even after the release of 10 Indonesian hostages, President Aquino said yesterday.

“The Abu Sayyaf has been causing too much damage for a very long time now and they are really horrendous... this problem must be curbed,” Aquino said, noting the beheading of Canadian hostage John Ridsdel last week.

The Indonesian sailors were kidnapped from a Taiwanese-owned tugboat en route to Manila from Jakarta, Indonesia on March 26. The Abu Sayyaf was allegedly paid P50-million ransom for their release.

Ridsdel was taken from a resort in Samal Island in Davao along with another Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipina. The bandits beheaded Ridsdel when the deadline for the payment of P300-million ransom lapsed. 

Aquino vowed to devote all of his energy towards “crushing” the Abu Sayyaf after Ridsdel’s beheading as he also bared the bandits’ other plots, including threats to his own life. The President said smashing the terrorist group was within grasp of authorities.

In a media interview after a meeting with Iglesia ni Cristo executive minister Eduardo Manalo in the church’s central office in Quezon City, Aquino said his administration and the security sector would continue working towards bringing down the  Abu Sayyaf.

“I just want to reiterate that we in this administration talk to everyone who wants to have a dialogue with us,” Aquino said.

“Those who only understand force or violence must also be shown force and ruthlessness of the state, but I am confident that our security sector is not relenting, the military and the police, to end this Abu Sayyaf problem,” he added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) meanwhile welcomed the release of the Indonesians.

“The Philippine government is pleased at the positive developments resulting in the safe release of 10 Indonesian nationals,” the DFA said in a statement.

“While intensified operations continue on the ground, the DFA maintains close coordination with concerned foreign governments in ensuring the safe return of all the remaining hostages,” it added.

Philippine National Police spokesman Sr. Supt. Wilben Mayor said he had not received information on whether ransom was paid. 

“We adhere to the government’s no-ransom policy,” he said. – With Pia Lee-Brago