AFP expands drive vs Abu to Tawi-Tawi
By Faber Concepcion
ZAMBOANGA CITY—The
military has expanded its offensive against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists by sending Air Force
planes and helicopter gunships to bomb three towns in Tawi-Tawi, killing or wounding
dozens of civilians last Sunday.
This was the claim
of terror-stricken residents of Sitangkay, Sibutu and Sipangkut who fled their homes
following the heavy bombardment of suspected hideouts of the terrorists trying to escape
from the military offensive in neighboring Sulu.
Tawi-Tawi,
composed of 10 mostly island towns, is the country’s southernmost point. It is
believed to be the staging area of kidnappers responsible for the abduction of hostages
from the Sipadan Island diving resort and later from Pandanan Island resort off Sabah in
Malaysia.
In Manila, the
House of Representatives said it will summon former government chief negotiator Robert
Aventajado and members of the “born again” Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC) to
testify on allegations that officials got their share in the ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf
for the release of their mostly foreign hostages.
The chamber
scheduled hearings in response to House Resolution l782 jointly filed by opposition
Representatives Heherson Alvarez (Isabela) and Ignacio Bunye (Muntinlupa City) for the
committees on national defense, public order and safety as well as public information to
assess the damage done by the hostage crisis and government expenditures in the ongoing
military offensive against the terrorists.
--with Manny B. Marinay, Maricel Cruz, Mirasol Ng-Gadil and Ma. Theresa Torres
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