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AFP beefs up action vs Abus, to rectify fault in past encounters |
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Source GMAnews.TV
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Monday, 13 August 2007 |
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 Armed Force chief, General Hermogenes Esperon Jr has flown to the island-province of Sulu to lead the meeting of field military commanders tasked to execute punitive actions against terrorist group Abu Sayyaf and other rogue elements allegedly behind the beheading of 10 of the 14 Marines who died in the July 10 firefight in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, radio dzBB reported Sunday afternoon.
The same report said Esperon also ordered Army Commanding General Romeo Tolentino to personally lead the operations against the Abu Sayyaf after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo instructed the Army to set up headquarters at the Western Mindanao command in Zamboanga City.
Meanwhile, in another report, GMA News quoted Esperon as saying that the situation in war-torn Basilan has started to normalize, which means that traders can resume business and residents can start living without worry.
Quoting Esperon, GMA News said people need not fear because the military has deployed six battalions of soldiers in the province.
During the command conference at the First Marine Brigade camp in Isabela City on Sunday, GMA News said Esperon clarified that the military will continue hunting Abu Sayyaf suspects and their allies.
The AFP chief reportedly said that the soldiers will also focus on their social responsibilities, helping people in the area affected by the on-going war.
Meanwhile, GMA News quoted Tolentino as saying that he will try to rectify the soldiers’ mistakes in Thursday’s encounters with the enemies.
Tolentino reportedly said that the soldiers went on with the war without coordination, and boarded only one vehicle.
Twenty-six soldiers died from at least three encounters in Maimbung and Parang towns in Sulu province on Thursday. The AFP said 32 enemies died from the said encounters.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Saturday directed the transfer of the Army headquarters to Zamboanga City as the military steps up its operations against the Abu Sayyaf. - GMANews.TV
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Last Updated ( Monday, 13 August 2007 )
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