President Benigno S. Aquino III said the
government has sufficient forces to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
“Ina-assure tayo ng ating militar at kapulisan na supisiyente ang ating mga pwersa para malipol itong mga masasamang-loob na ito,” President Aquino said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines disclosed that at least six members of the 64th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mompol, Libug village in Basilan province were killed after an encounter with 20 heavily armed members of the Abu Sayyaf. According to reports, the soldiers were guarding a road construction project when the incident occurred.
“Ina-assure tayo ng ating militar at kapulisan na supisiyente ang ating mga pwersa para malipol itong mga masasamang-loob na ito,” President Aquino said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines disclosed that at least six members of the 64th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mompol, Libug village in Basilan province were killed after an encounter with 20 heavily armed members of the Abu Sayyaf. According to reports, the soldiers were guarding a road construction project when the incident occurred.
The President said that as a long-term solution
to crush the militant group, the government is trying to bring progress to the
region by constructing infrastructure, such as the long-delayed circumferential
road in Basilan.
This way, he said, the government could win back
communities that are supportive of the group.
“Kailangan din ng malakihang development, hindi
lang naman sa Sulu, hindi lang sa Basilan. Actually, iyong mga nagbabantay na
sundalo natin diyan, binabantayan nila ‘yung pagkatagal-tagal na circumferential
road na hindi matapos-tapos. Ang pagkaintindi ko kapirasong-kapiraso na lang
para makumpleto na ang kalsadang ‘yan,” he said, adding that the Abu Sayyaf
does not want development in the region as this would affect their recruitment
efforts.
“Basta ang instructions natin sa kaukulan ay
walang humpay itong mga operations, hanggang maubos natin, meaning maaresto at
madala sa korte lahat itong mga miyembro ng Abu Sayyaf,” he said. (PCOO News
Release)
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