AFP expects new Abu Sayyaf leader to emerge

The Philippine military said Tuesday it expects a new leader will emerge from the ranks of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group following the death of Albader Parad in an encounter with government forces in Sulu over the weekend. In a radio interview, Armed Forces information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner warned troops against being complacent with the death of Parad, saying the Abu Sayyaf is likely to get a new leader soon. "Sa experience natin tuwing napapatay natin ang kanilang leader may panibagong leader na lumalabas (From our experience, the group gets a new leader)," Brawner told dzXL radio. Parad and five of his men were killed during an encounter in Maimbung, Sulu last Sunday. A member of the Philippine Marines was also killed. [See: Abu Sayyaf leader in ICRC abduction killed in Sulu clash] Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, commander of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, said Parad's death was a big blow to the bandit group. [See: Parad's killing cripples Abu Sayyaf - AFP general] "This will be a big blow to the Abu Sayyaf. He [Parad] was the most visible among the leaders. The fear of the people for the Abu Sayyaf is represented by the face of Albader, which always comes out in newspapers," Dolorfino was quoted by an Associated Press report last Monday. Bracing for retaliatory attacks But security forces are not letting their guard down. Military and police officials have assured that they are bracing for possible retaliatory attacks from the Abu Sayyaf and its allies following Parad's killing. In Metro Manila, Director Roberto Rosales of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) ordered metropolitan cops to closely coordinate with the intelligence community in monitoring the movement of some members of the Abu Sayyaf. Likewise, Rosales called for a closer coordination between law enforcers and authorities from Muslim communities to determine whether there are any suspected Abu Sayyaf member hiding in Metro Manila. For his part, Brawner reiterated that military units are prepared for any possible attacks in southern Philippines. "That is a possibility. That is why naka-alert ang tropa natin sa Sulu, Basilan, even Zamboanga City. Posibleng magkaroon ng retaliatory attacks (Retaliatory attacks are a possibility. That is why our men are on alert in Sulu, Basilan and even Zamboanga City)," he said. Brawner said that at present, he estimates the strength of the Abu Sayyaf to be around 300, down from the previous figure of 400. - RSJ, GMANews.TV