AFP braces for sympathy attacks over Parad's death

A day after killing a key leader of the Abu Sayyaf last weekend, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured Mindanao residents it is ready to counter possible sympathy attacks from the bandit group and its allies. Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said Monday this is aside from the ongoing pursuit operations for the other Abu Sayyaf members after Sunday’s clash. “Inaasahan natin ang retaliation sa bahagi ng Abu Sayyaf, ito ay parte ng ating magiging preparation. Pero di pa nangyayari ito, kasama yan sa pinaghahanda nating seguridad (We expect the Abu Sayyaf to retaliate. But we are prepared for it. Even before Sunday’s encounter, we have taken security measures that take this into consideration)," Arevalo said in an interview on dwIZ radio. “Di ito dahilan para maging complacent at kulang ang paghahanda at pagiingat sa bandidong grupo (This is no reason to be complacent and be lax against these bandits)," he added. Still, he said there is little chance the Abu Sayyaf and its allies can stage sympathy attacks outside Mindanao, as known Abu Sayyaf hideouts there are already cordoned off. Most of them are contained in Jolo in Sulu and Basilan area, he added. "They know we are watching them." On Sunday, the military claimed killing at least six Abu Sayyaf members, including Albader Parad, the Abu Sayyaf leader involved in the kidnapping of three Red Cross volunteers last year. [See: Abu Sayyaf leader in ICRC abduction killed in Sulu clash] Parad was also among the Abu Sayyaf bandits that seized 21 people, including Asian and European tourists in April 2000, from Sipadan Island Diving Resort in Sandakan, Sabah. Parad also led the kidnapping of a television crew led by ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon on June 10, 2008. The team was released within the month. [See timeline of Ces Drilon kidnapping here.] - LBG, GMANews.TV