The military is looking at neutralizing the Islamic State (IS)-affiliated Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu within three months or even at the end of the year, as earlier ordered by President Duterte.
“We’re giving them [ASG] three months, three months to six months or the rest of the year…,” Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana told CNN Philippines.
The military currently has a division-sized unit deployed in Sulu that is running after the local terrorist group, including the group of ASG sub-commander Hadjan Sawadjaan, the acting head of the IS in Mindanao.
Earlier, the military said it would further intensify its operations in the province since the ASG is no longer holding any kidnap victim.
Lorenzana said there is imperative to contain the ASG in Sulu so that they could not move to other areas and conduct terrorist activities.
“We hope to contain them in Jolo, where they are now, so they cannot move to Basilan or Cotabato or Central Mindanao or even other places like Visayas and Metro Manila,” he said.
“That’s what we are guarding against,” he added.
Lorenzana said they were also confirming a report that about 100 foreign fighters have slipped into Mindanao, although he believed the report was not true.
“We are still confirming that. It’s still a news or a report, but according to our troops, our commanders in Central Mindanao, they cannot see where these 100 people are hiding because if there are so many of them, then they will be very obvious,” he said.
“There is none actually, they cannot detect them we have fielded a lot of our intelligence people there, plus talking to the civilians, especially the MILF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] because they are with us now, and there is no confirmation of the 100,” he added.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana earlier said that there are only about seven foreign fighters in Mindanao, and they have been embedded, either with the ASG or the MILF.
He said they were also monitoring at least 40 foreigners on suspicions they could be members or associated with the IS.
Image credits: AP