ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government troops have intensified their hunt for Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorists after a respite during Monday’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and last week’s campaign.
Maj. Eugene Batara Jr., Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said most soldiers were diverted to secure the campaign and the elections on Monday.
“In a way the anti-terror campaign was slowed down because we have poured bulk of our forces to help secure the election as deputized by the Comelec with the Philippine National Police,” he said.
“As the election is almost over we are back to our normal mission to hunt and neutralize the remnants of the terrorists through our left and right hand efforts.”
Batara said the military is focused on the hunt for the Abu Sayyaf and JI and on humanitarian activities to prevent the terrorists from recruiting civilians.
The good condition of civilians will isolate the Abu Sayyaf and the JI, who have been in hiding in the mountains of Sulu and Basilan, he added.
About three brigades of troops are hunting down the Abu Sayyaf. – Roel Pareño