Military to come up with new strategy vs Abu Sayyaf

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is planning to introduce a new strategy in delivering the final blow on the Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu.

According to AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the new approach will be implemented next month. It will replace Oplan Ultimatum, which was launched last year in the manhunt for Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants Omar Patek and Dulmatin, who were given refuge by the Abu Sayyaf.

"We might come up with a new (operational plan) by May 1. Dulmatin and Patek would, however, remain to be the main targets," Esperon said.

Esperon said Oplan Ultimatum is now being revised for the new military strategy against the Abu Sayyaf next month.

Esperon, meanwhile, said the military operations are against Habier Malik, the renegade Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander who led the mortar attack on Panamao town last April 13, are ongoing.

Malik and his ragtag followers also attacked an Army detachment in Talipao the same day.

The attacks forced the AFP to redeploy its forces in a counter-offensive that left 15 Muslim guerrillas and three soldiers killed.

The military was also forced to redeploy troops in the manhunt against Abu Sayyaf commanders Albader Parad and Dr. Abu after beheading the seven hostages they kidnapped last Monday.

Esperon said at least two Army battalions have been committed to track down Malik.

Other units have been tasked to pursue the manhunt against Parad and Abu.

"We will go after these terrorists until such time that all of them have been annihilated," Esperon said.

Esperon said President Arroyo has asked him to personally supervise the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in the effort to wipe out the "barbaric" bandit group.

Parad and Abu were tagged as the brains behind the kidnapping of the seven laborers whom they later executed in the style that earned the Abu Sayyaf its notoriety.

The Abu Sayyaf has not issued any statements claiming responsibility for the kidnappings or beheadings.

The group is on a list of US terrorist organizations and has a reputation for bombings, mass abductions and beheadings in the Philippines.

Over 5,000 troops under Oplan Ultimatum have been deployed to hunt down the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo since last year.

Esperon said the battle plan was also focused on the manhunt against Dulmatin and Patek, the two Jemaah Islamiyah militants who are wanted for the 2002 Bali bombings in Indonesia that left over 200 people dead.

The US government has offered a $10-million reward for Dulmatin and $1 million for Patek for the Bali bombings.

Several key Abu Sayyaf leaders, including their chieftain Khaddafy Janjalani and his deputy, Jainal Antel Sali, also known as Abu Solaiman, were killed by government troops late last year.

Esperon said Dulmatin and Patek, along with Malaysian terrorist leader Zulkifli bin Hir, are still hiding in Sulu.