Still a scourge to Mindanao
News of the beheading of a Malaysian national kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group last May have slightly overshadowed the seemingly successful APEC Summit meeting. The ASG announced Tuesday the beheading of Bernard. Then after a ransom demand was not met. A Malaysian woman also taken with Then was released last week after a ransom was apparently paid. Both were abducted from Malaysia's Sabah State. Then's beheading comes at a time when Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak is in the country for the APEC summit meeting. He has strongly condemned the murder of one of its countrymen, and has "called upon authorities to take action against those who have perpetrated this savage and barbaric act and ensure that they are brought to justice."
We have always been told that the Abu Sayyaf have but a few hundred criminals left. But why are they still able to conduct kidnappings, bombings and even raids on foreign soil? If they are using boats that are capable of crossing the sea, shouldn't the Coast Guard have picked upon them? And they have to dock somewhere, right? How many islands are there where they could immediately dock? With all the available technology at hand, can't they be precisely pinpointed? If Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden could be found, why not the Abu Sayyaf? Where is the funding and support coming from, aside from the ransoms paid for past kidnappings? The ASG still holds four hostages kidnapped in September of this year. Two Canadians, a Norwegian and his Filipina girlfriend. Is the beheading of Bernard Then a preview of what awaits them should negotiations for their release fail? The ASG is known to hold captives for years, until a ransom is paid. Then's beheading after only six months seems to be sending a more serious message.
The ASG is now as much a problem to Malaysia as it is to the country. If these criminals can cross the sea and kidnap at will, then it is time for Malaysia and the Philippines to join forces and finally put an end to the ASG. Malaysia has an impressive military, and can help rid the scourge of the ASG. Terrorism is once again grabbing the news, with the attacks on Paris where more than one hundred civilians were mercilessly killed. France has promised retaliation to bring ISIS to its knees. Many arrests have been made, some gunfights have ensued killing suspected terrorists. The ASG is considered a terrorist group aside from being criminals. A swift response against them is warranted, in fact long overdue. Mindanao will never be truly safe with the ASG still operational, especially for foreigners, as they have brutally shown, again.
- Latest
