Commodore George Uy, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao said Naval Task Force 62 was activated mainly to crush the Abu Sayyaf group, who has turned Tawi-Tawi and Sulu into a staging ground for transnational crimes.
"Despite the massive military operation, the Abu Sayyaf continues to elude government troops from the high ground as it had developed unique capability to escape our pursuing forces in islands with shallow waters and mangroves," Uy said.
Naval Task Force 62, headed by Capt. Feliciano Angue, will be based in Bato-bato, Panglima Sugala town, Tawi-Tawi province.
"The nefarious activities of the Abu Sayyaf have brought tremendous negative impact to our people and the country," Uy said, citing that even with the arrest of its leaders the group continued its terrorist activities.
Suspected Abu Sayyaf members are still holding captives — three Indonesians, a Malaysian and Filipina. They were among the six hostages taken last October from the Eco-Paradise Farm in Lahad Datu, state of Sabah. — Roel Pareño