EDITORIAL – No rest from the battle

The terrorists are gone, but the days of living in fear are not yet over for survivors of atrocities perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf. A number of the victims remain in the protective custody of the government. Most have moved residences. When government forces stormed the detention center at Camp Bagong Diwa the other day to end a standoff with Abu Sayyaf detainees, leaving 22 inmates dead including three notorious commanders, several Filipino victims and their relatives were willing to admit that they cheered — but only if they were not identified.

For over a decade the Abu Sayyaf has kept several areas in Mindanao in the grip of terror. The group, which claims to be motivated by faith, has bombed churches in Mindanao, kidnapped priests and nuns, pillaged towns and raped hostages. Its members are not content with decapitating victims. They pulled out the toenails of Catholic priest Roel Gallardo, then forced him to walk on bleeding feet before beheading him. The terrorists cut off women’s breasts and left them to bleed to death. Teachers were favorite targets; classes in Basilan often had to be suspended due to threats from the Abu Sayyaf. Later, the group raised funds through the abduction of mostly foreign victims.

The Abu Sayyaf has a proven capacity for rebounding from major setbacks. It survived the killing of its founder Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani. After being driven out of their original strongholds in Basilan, Abu Sayyaf stragglers managed to regroup under Janjalani’s brother Khadaffy and take their terrorism to Metro Manila, teaming up with Jemaah Islamiyah for several deadly attacks.

Whatever the outcome of the standoff at Camp Bagong Diwa the other day, Abu Sayyaf members would have continued sowing terror. These thugs need no martyrs or excuses for perpetrating their atrocities. The group has been greatly weakened since 2002 and retaliation may not be immediate, but the group will want to send the message that the killings have been avenged. There is no rest from this battle. The bloody end to the foiled jailbreak at Camp Bagong Diwa should prompt the government to tighten security measures and intensify efforts to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf threat.