ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine military will not relent in its operation against the Abu Sayyaf group in the southern region as security forces continue tracking down militants who are still holding over a dozen foreign and Filipino hostages.
President Benigno Aquino has ordered fresh offensive against the Abu Sayyaf following the safe release of two German hostages Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Diesen, 55, who were kidnapped at sea off Palawan province on April 25.
Aquino said the government is carrying out a two-pronged approach in dealing with the Abu Sayyaf. “The government is using military power to crush the rebel group but is also exerting efforts to develop Mindanao. The military and the police are implementing security measures to combat the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.
He declined to give details of the ongoing operations, but said the public will see “very significant accomplishments as far as suppressing the Abu Sayyaf is concerned.”
He said while military operations are being carried out, the government is also undertaking peace initiatives in Mindanao. “Even before we signed the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front), we have been trying to show the people of the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) the benefits of peace,” Aquino said.
For instance, Aquino said there are more than 700,000 new beneficiaries in the government health system and that the government’s Sajahatra (peace) program is transitioning into a formal institution to give the people livelihood skills so they could participate in the development of Mindanao.
He further said that the Department of Trade and Industry has set up markets for the mangosteen and lanzones produce of Sulu, hoping this would spur economic activity not only in the province, but also in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi as well.
“We will try to change the status quo to get them to buy into the system and be partners in development rather than people who stifle the development activities in the area,” Aquino said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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