Incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya promised a non-stop 24/7 operation to hunt down the Abu Sayyaf when he assumes his post on July 1.
"As far as I am concerned, I will fight them 24/7," Visaya said in an interview at Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. He stressed that the best way to fight them is to conduct a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week operation.
The primary focus of the campaign would be on the hotspots of Jolo, Sulu.
General Visaya said that there are available government resources to make this "24/7" fight against the Abu Sayyaf feasible. There are already 11 battalions – approximately 5,500 troops – are now deployed in Sulu. More military equipment will be sent to these areas in support of the operation, which will see soldiers moving against the Abu Sayyaf even at night time.
"As much as possible, we have to continue efforts to rescue all the hostages. We also support other channels such as negotiation without ransom for their safe release," Visaya said.
Visaya also called out to civilians to be cooperative in this fight.
"We have enough forces.. Kung ima-match mo yun power nila with our power, malayo," Visaya said. But he admitted that it is very hard to locate them on the ground, "so it essential for civilians to cooperate."
He added, "We need everyone’s cooperation, specially the local government leaders there. We need them and of course the civilians. We need everyone’s cooperation, specially the local government leaders there. We need them and of course the civilians."
After Duterte's inauguration, Visaya said there will be a command conference. Visaya intends to visit Sulu after his appointment as the as the new AFP chief of staff.
Source: Manila Bulletin
Image: CNN Philippines
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