AFP weighs options on pursuing Abu Sayyaf during Ramadan

Amid President Benigno Aquino III’s “clear" orders, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is now weighing its options on pursuing Abu Sayyaf bandits who killed seven soldiers in an encounter in Sulu last Thursday. AFP deputy chief of staff for operations Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the military will be “sensitive" to the various stakeholders, especially the Muslim community, in continuing pursuit operations during Ramadan. “We still have to look into this and discuss it among ourselves, so as of now, we are still weighing our options. But we will be sensitive… to the recommendations of various stakeholders [especially] the Muslims," he said. Earlier, Malacañang said pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf bandits will likely continue during Ramadan although the government will seek a “balance" on the matter. Mabanta, who is in Sulu, met Saturday with local government units, agencies, human rights groups, and troops stationed there. No additional troops On the other hand, Mabanta said they do not see the need to call in additional troops in the pursuit operations. “We don’t need to. We have enough troops here, and you know, it’s part of being a soldier, we lose lives ... [Also], they have also the same number of casualty, but we are better prepared because we have some facilities, some medical facilities so we were able to evacuate immediately and give medical attention to the troops," he said. Mabanta pointed out that the bandits are on the run and the military “continue[s] to trail them." He downplayed speculations that the pursuit operations are meant to avenge the deaths of the seven soldiers. “Hindi igaganti eh, because eventually, when you look at it, we’re aiming for winning the peace, and defeating the enemy is only secondary, it’s actually the acceptance of us by the people in the area," he said. Mabanta also denied reports that local villagers helped the bandits set up a trap against the military. “It's just that we underestimated the positions and the number of the enemy. We did not see that they were well-positioned, well-entrenched," he said. He maintained that the military scored a strategic victory as it dislodged the Abu Sayyaf from one of its major camps. Retaliatory attacks Mabanta also said they are preparing for possible retaliatory attacks in the form of guerilla tactics. Such attacks may use bombs and improvised explosives, he elaborated. “These are possibilities and they may lay it against our troops or even the populace. These are possible retaliatory attacks that we have to be prepared for," he said. — JE, GMA News