AFP exec: No let up in operations vs Abu Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero on Tuesday said that there were will be no let up in the military's operations against the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

Guerrero made this pronouncement in reaction to questions about the implementation of a month-long truce of the government for the New People’s Army (NPA) that will start on December 18 until Jan. 19, 2015.

“There is no ceasefire with the Abu Sayyaf Group. They are terrorists. Relentless operations will continue until they are all tired and that all remaining hostages are rescued,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero cited "Oplan Ultimatum," which, he said has kept the ASG running, preventing the bandit group from staging more kidnappings and terror attacks.

The official admitted that the campaign had lapses because of issues on the number of personnel.

“This time there is a enough forces and there is a standing directive to rescue all the remaining hostages and continue the relentless operation against the Abu Sayyaf group,” Guerrero said.

The military said that the ASG is still holding at least 10 hostages, including Dutchman Ewold Horn, Malaysian police Kons Zakiah Aleip, Chinese Dina Lim Iraham and daughter Yahong Lim, and Japanese Toshio Ito alias Katayama Mamaito.

It said that the ASG still has at least 300 to 400 members in Basilan and Sulu provinces.