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Philippine President Vows to Put End to Abu Sayyaf Menace
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured the nation Monday that the menace of the notorious Abu Sayyaf group would soon be put to end and that the southern island of Mindanao would finally achieve peace and development.
"I promise you. We will put an end to this," Arroyo said, referring to the eventual close of the Abu Sayyaf episode, in her State of the Nation Address at the Congress.
She said she has given the military and the police the full authorities to fight what she called "a treacherous and elusive enemy" in the southern province of Basilan, where the Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding some 22 hostages.
"It must end, and it will end soon, for good," she said.
More than 80 Abu Sayyaf bandits and their supporters have been arrested in the south since Arroyo ordered a massive crackdown on the bandit group on July 13.
Twelve Abu Sayyaf members surrendered over the weekend due to great pressure imposed by the continued crackdown, and the military expects more to turn themselves in.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits first kidnapped 20 hostages, including three Americans, at a resort in the western province of Palawan on May 27, and later abducted another 19 people in Basilan while on the run from the military.
Thirteen local hostages have escaped or been released, while four others have been killed by their captors. The bandits also claimed to have beheaded American hostage Guillermo Sobero, but his body has not been found.
The president also said the government are giving "special attention to the kidnap-for-ransom syndicates" in the country, and she underscored the need for "them to be behind bars before the year is over."
On the peace process, Arroyo said the government will continue to talk with the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the National Democratic Front "as long as all sides maintain good faith."
She noted that the ceasefire agreement the government signed with the MILF during peace talks in Libya last month "encouraged us."
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