| Abu Sayyaf threat diminishing, says govt. MALACAÑANG, (ABS-CBN) –
Government said Friday it has neutralized the operations of extremist group Abu Sayyaf in
Mindanao.
National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre said the group's
operations has deteriorated since government ordered a military offensive last September.
"We are close to neutralizing the organization, with 125
Abu Sayyaf members captured. Some 211 have surrendered and 484 firearms have been
seized," Aguirre said at a briefing on the national security situation before the
diplomatic corps.
He said that on President Estrada's orders, government troops
would continue to operate against the Abu Sayyaf, which still holds two hostages captive
in Mindanao.
Still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf are American national
Jeffrey Schilling – abducted late August – and Filipino Roland Ullah, who was
among the 21 hostages taken from Sipadan island in Malaysia last April.
"We will continue our operations but we will also give
them the window of opportunity to release the two remaining hostages," Aguirre said.
Aguirre said the Abu Sayyaf gained notoriety earlier this
year, when it abducted teachers and students in Basilan late last March.
The group then abducted 21 persons, including two Filipinos,
from Sipadan island resort in Malaysia last April 23.
The government resorted to negotiations for the release of the
21, but the Abu Sayyaf abducted three Malaysian nationals from Pandanan island resort last
Sept. 10.
"Peaceful negotiations were undertaken but after the
release of the (Sipadan) hostages, the Abu Sayyaf replenished their inventory,"
Aguirre said.
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