Troops given go signal to launch ops vs. Abus

MANILA, Philippines - Security forces have been given the go-signal to launch law enforcement operations against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists behind the kidnapping of two Germans last April.

Armed Forces Vice Chief Lt. Gen. John Bonafos said the objectives of the operations are to ensure the safety of the hostages and to arrest the kidnappers.

He said members of the local police would take the lead in the operations while the military would provide them support.

“For now, the plan for the law enforcement operations is being crafted although we do not call it combat operations since a hostage-taking activity is involved, particularly kidnapping,” Bonafos told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday.

“We cannot provide details of the law enforcement activity but what we can say is this is focused on the perpetrators of the kidnapping,” he added.

Security officials could not provide a timetable for the operation but Sulu Island Commander Col. Allan Arrojado said it could be launched “anytime.”

German nationals Stefan Viktor Okonek, 74 and Henrite Dielen, 42 were abducted by Abu Sayyaf bandits last April in their yacht in Rio Tubattaha off Palawan. They were then brought to the jungles of Sulu and are believed to be with about 15 other Abu Sayyaf hostages.

In a radio interview last month, Okonek and Dielen urged Philippine and German authorities to ensure their safety, saying their situation in the jungle is becoming more difficult.

Abu Sayyaf militants have demanded a P250-million ransom for their release and have threatened to behead one of the hostages on Oct. 17 if their demands are not met.

The military sent additional troops to Western Mindanao to strengthen its anti-terror drive in the region.

Two Army battalions from Northern Luzon were moved to Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu late last month while a K-9 company composed of 10 tracking teams and one Special Forces company have been deployed to Sulu early this month.

The Sulu Provincial Peace and Order Council has formed a special unit that will oversee the law enforcement operations and ensure the safety of the victims.

In a statement, the Sulu local government said the council convened twice this week to discuss the security situation in the province. Local executives and top military and police officials were present during the meeting.  

Col. Allan Arrojado, chief of the 501st Infantry Brigade, told council members that they are ready to rescue hostages and to serve arrest warrants to the kidnappers.

"It would be a selective and focused operation in support of law enforcement," he said.