The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has rejected calls by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari to suspend military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) while negotiations are still ongoing for the release of the 15 remaining hostages of the terrorist group.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said suspending military operations against the ASG is not possible as of the moment.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, said it’s very important for military troops in Sulu and Basilan to continue with their military operations while negotiations are ongoing for the release of the other hostages to prevent members of the bandit group from escaping.

In previous years, he said, suspension of military operations led to the escape of the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Padilla, however, said they are still open for a brief halt in military operations if another hostage or hostages will be turned over to authorities.

In an ambush interview at the 44th anniversary of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Lorenzana said the request for suspension of military operations was made by Misuari last Sunday following the release of Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad from the hands of his Abu Sayyaf captors.

Sikkengstad was abducted, together with three others, on September 21, 2015 at the Ocean View Resort in Samal Island.

Lorenzana said the request was relayed by Misuari to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza.

Lorenzana said giving in to the request could give enough “breathing space” for the bandit group to recuperate, escape, and strengthen their forces.

“Sinabi ko na hindi ko magagawa iyan baka magkaroon ng breathing space ang ASG at lalo sila lumaki. Kung mayroon siyang (Misuari) negosasyon sa isang lugar o sitio o specific area, doon ko lang io-order pero hindi buong Jolo,” Lorenzana said.

Last Sunday, another Indonesian abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was released by his captors in Sulu.

Army Major Filemon I. Tan Jr., the spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), identified the freed Indonesian national as Herman Bin Manggak, 38. He was released to the MNLF last Sunday and later handed over to the AFP Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) in Sulu province at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Manggak, it was recalled, was abducted by armed men off the waters of Sandakan, Sabah on August 3, 2016.

The military said the bandit group is still holding captive six Malaysians, four Indonesians, four Filipinos, and a Dutch national.

The AFP had earlier said that focused military operations also led to the release over the weekend of Sekkingstad and Indonesian fishermen Lorens Koten, Teodurus Kofung, and Emmanuel.

Padilla, in the same interview, said that a handful of Abu Sayyaf fighters have already been killed due to intense focus military operations by the AFP Joint Task Force Sulu.

“Halos 481 sila bago nagkaroon ng sunod-sunod na engkwentro, maaring  mga 300 na lang sila ngayon,” Padilla stressed.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Francis T. Wakefield

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