The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has no definite timeline for its all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). It does not want to rush its military operations against the ASG to ensure positive results.
Though the military has grown stronger with the latest augmentation to Basilan and Sulu, the AFP is taking it slowly but surely to ensure that their operations would bring positive results.
AFP Western Mindanao command (WestMinCom) spokesperson, Maj. Felimon Tan, Jr. said, “Kapag masyado tayong nagdedepende sa timeline, kapag malayo ang tingin natin pa, baka hindi tayo mag-react ng mabilis kapag malapit na. Baka naman masyado tayong mag-react na mapeligro naman yung ating mga sundalo.”
(If we depend too much on timelines, and we are looking too far ahead, we may not be able to react as quickly when the time is near. Or we might react aggressively thereby putting the soldiers’ lives at risk)
For now the AFP is confident that the ASG is now moving within a limited territory. Successive encounters prove this as it implies that the bandits have very few places to run to.
“Basta ang sa amin dito may impormasyon. Pag-aaralan natin ng mabuti at magka-conduct tayo ng focus military operations.”
(We have information. We are studying it carefully then we’ll conduct military operations.)
During his visit at the wake of the fallen soldiers the other day, President Rodrigo Duterte said that as much as possible he doesn’t want the troops to suffer the same setback, particularly the beheading of several soldiers by ASG.
(Dante Amento/UNTV News and Rescue)
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