‘Sayyaf planning to recruit youths to boost ranks’

CAMP NAVARRO, Zamboanga City, Philippines – The strength of the Abu Sayyaf remains at more than 400, with the extremist group setting its sights on the youth to boost its ranks, the military said yesterday.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said 247 of the Abu Sayyaf are operating in Sulu, where a fierce firefight erupted last Friday and left 10 terrorists and five soldiers dead.

Catapang added about 200 other bandits are in Basilan.

When asked why the number of Abu Sayyaf has not been reduced significantly in the last few years, Catapang said their data would require further validation.

“We will assess through continuous operations if their ranks have been diminished,” Catapang told reporters after a meeting with the Western Mindanao Command here.

Catapang admitted the bandits are becoming younger due to the group’s recruitment efforts.

“Our enemies are young so they are very daring and aggressive,” Catapang said.

“We regret that young people are doing this. Kidnapping and bomb-making should not be the ambition in life,” he added.

Catapang said it is also possible that the rebel band is using drugs as operatives discovered a marijuana plantation. Security officials, however, are still verifying the information.

He said they are working with local officials to organize a summit that would tackle ways to promote peace and development in conflict-affected areas.

Catapang said pursuit operations are ongoing against the group still holding at least ten people hostage.

“We are still in the law enforcement operations. We will be filing cases against the Abu Sayyaf who fought with our soldiers,” he said.

During his visit here, Catapang awarded medals to the 28 soldiers wounded in the firefight with the Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Talipao, Sulu last Friday.

Gold Cross medals were awarded to 1Lt. Michael Asistores, Sgt. Eddie Lumandap and Pfc. Ariel Cajes for gallantry during the encounter with the Abu Sayyaf.

Awardees of the Wounded Personnel Medal were S/Sgt. Johnifer Tumala, Pfc. Carlito Sistoza, Pfc. Richard Rendon, Pfc. Reagan Apostol, Pfc. Jerimane Corpuz, Pfc. Emidio Bitin III, Pfc. Alexander Nael, Cpl. Ray Tampil, Pfc. Romarico Talledo Jr., Pfc. Rogelio Domingo, Pfc. Richie de Pedro, Pfc. Rogie Valdez, Pfc. Belger Ramirez, Sgt. Elmer Lazaga, Pfc. Eduardo Gomez, Pfc. Mark Manggad, Pfc. Orlando Ballesteros, Cpl. Dennis Azerador, Pfc. Jerico Diza, Pfc. Jeffry Baquial, Sgt. Delio Surio, Cpl. Jevsie Galulu, Pfc. Lloyd Saranglao, all of whom are confined at Camp Navarro General Hospital.