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Philippine President Orders All-out War Against Abu Sayyaf Terrorists
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Monday declared an all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
In an order she issued during a press conference, she directed the Armed Force of the Philippines to pursue and annihilate the terrorist group, a presidential palace press release said.
The Abu Sayyaf, which Arroyo called a band of greedy brigands, has threatened to behead American hostage Jeffrey Schilling and send his head as a birthday gift to Arroyo who turns 54 on Thursday.
Arroyo said the government will not be held hostage by bandits.
"The full force of law will be unleashed on them. We shall pursue every one of them relentlessly," she added.
Arroyo also warned the Abu Sayyaf not to harm Schilling, adding that the United States government, through its Embassy in Manila, has expressed its support for her order.
The military estimated that Abu Sayyaf may have 1,200 followers and supporters spreading over the islands of Tawi-Tawi, Jolo and Bsilan in south Philippine.
In an earlier press conference on Monday, Arroyo assured that the military is in full control of the situation in Jolo and Basilan
Schilling and Roland Ullah, a Filipino diving instructor, are the remaining captives of the Abu Sayyaf group, which kidnapped scores of people in Jolo, Basilan and the resort island of Sipadan off Sabah in Malaysia.
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