No Lent break for troops pursuing Abu Sayyaf, JI
ZAMBOANGA CITY – There will be no vacation for government troops pursuing Abu Sayyaf extremists and their Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) cohorts even during the Lenten season.
Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, chief of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the uninterrupted operation will prevent the Abu Sayyaf and JI terrorists from regrouping and planning attacks.
“There are still a number of the Abu Sayyaf commanders (out there as well as) their followers and members of the Jemaah Islamiyah who are being given shelter by the terrorists in Sulu,” Allaga said.
In the past, he said the soldiers volunteered to defer their vacation during the Christmas holidays to accomplish their mission, resulting in the neutralization of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani and other ranking bandit leaders.
The continuous offensive also led to the discovery of a body in Tawi-Tawi believed to be that of fugitive JI bomber Dulmatin, wanted for the
Allaga said the continuing military offensives will focus on rescuing hostages still held captive by the bandits in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.
Military forces are helping the police scour Tawi-Tawi in search for Omar Taup, principal of Notre Dame School in Tabawan,
The kidnappers are reportedly demanding P1-million ransom for Taup’s release.
Allaga added the military has yet to determine the fate of businesswoman Ma. Rosalie Lao who was abducted last Jan. 28 by the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Kakuyugan, Jolo.
Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban, chief of anti-terror Joint Task Force Comet, earlier said an innovated approach is being adopted to neutralize the remaining leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf and the JI still holed out in the mountains of Sulu.
The task force is backed up by two Marine brigades, two Army battalions, and the Joint Special Operation Group, composed mainly of Army Special Forces, the US-trained Light Reaction Company, and the Force Recon Company.
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