Abu deaths mounting, says AFP
By Manny B. Marinay
IF THE number
of body bags of Abu Sayyaf casualties is to be used as a gauge, the government appears to
be winning the war since it launched the huge offensive against the terrorists in Sulu.
But, at the
same time, Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Angelo Reyes admitted that the twin tasks of
rescuing the remaining hostages and crushing the terrorists “are more difficult than
what we had anticipated.”
While
acknowledging that they were overly optimistic, Reyes said he “accepts responsibility”
for the prolonged military assault.
He added the
military is no longer imposing a deadline and would just do their best to end the crisis.
“It’s
hard to give a timetable,” Reyes said.
Meanwhile, Reyes
said 103 terrorists were killed by government forces in the 26 engagements recorded by the
military since President Estrada ordered the assault against the Abu Sayyaf on Sept. 16.
Late yesterday,
Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado told a press briefing that government forces encountered
the main group of the Abu Sayyaf, headed by Ghalib “Commander Robot” Andang in
the hinterlands of Panamao town.
Mercado said two
terrorists were killed and four others were captured in the clash.
Of these clashes,
24 were initiated by the government and two by the Abu Sayyaf. So far, only 47 bodies of
terrorists were recovered. The military also captured 20 rebels.
On the government
side, one soldier was killed while six others were wounded.
The military also
recovered 58 high-powered guns.
Reyes refused to
give data on civilian casualties as “you might not believe us,” referring to
reporters who doubt the military reports.
Just the same,
Reyes, quoting Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan said there were only two civilians killed while
four others were wounded.
He said he did not
know if these civilians were caught in the crossfire.
The number of
evacuees also rose as the military intensified its assault, said Reyes.
As of yesterday,
some 7,853 families or 36,313 persons have been evacuated and are temporarily housed in
schoolbuildings in Jolo town.
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