The presence of the 10 remaining hostages of the Islamic State-inspired Abu Sayyaf Group had been keeping the military at bay in its operations, but officials said they foresee the ASG’s eventual fall as government troops continue to gain strategic offensives in its anti-terror campaign in the ASG’s lair in Sulu province.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said despite the 10 hostages still in captivity by the ASG, the military have the upperhand against the terror group as the terrorist suffered a series of blunder following the ongoing massive operations.
The ASG has previously kept more than 20 hostages including dozens of foreigners but their number has dwindled to just 10 as a result of the military’s aggressive campaign.
“Actually it’s nearing its end,” Sobejana said while expressing hope that they would soon rescue the remaining kidnap hostages which he said would allow them to finish off the notorious group.
The 10 hostages include a Dutch national, three Indonesians and six Filipinos believed being held separately in the hinterlands of Sulu.
Sobejana estimated the current strength of the ASG still operating in Sulu to about 300 to 400. He said that at least 10 composite battalions are in pursuit of the terror group.
“Our priority now is to rescue/recover all the kidnap victims so that our operations will not be restricted though ground operations are calculated so as not to jeopardize the safety of the hostages,” Sobejana explained.
At present, Sobejana said its anti-terror operations has reached a favorable tempo but they still need to sustain it to accomplished their overall mission.
Sobejana detaled the military’s anti-terror campaign during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Sulu where the military presented the 70 ASG bandits who had surrendered.
Accompanying Duterte’s entourage in Sulu were National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero and other ranking military officials.
The highlight of the surrender rites were the presentation to Duterte of around 700 assorted firearms recovered by ground troops from the ASG.
After the event, Duterte held a dialogue with military and local government officials as he declared his desire of attaining peace and development in the province.
Sobejana disclosed that the Chief Executive was elated with the improving security environment in the province.