President Benigno Aquino III said Wednesday that he ordered
“refinements” in the military operations against the Abu Sayyaf
group during his closed-door meeting with security officials in Jolo, Sulu.
"Ni-review natin ‘yung operations na ongoing at pinagkasunduan natin ‘yung refinements ng operations na gagawin dito para
mapauwi natin itong hostages," Aquino said in a press briefing.
"We hope we are more focused and, therefore, increase the chances of resolving the situation successfully," added Aquino, the military's commander-in-chief.
The President, however, refused to disclose any details pertaining to the said adjustments. "I think prudence dictates that I say as little as possible."
"Very limited what I can say. I’m sure they have sympathizers who will watch you and will give them tips," Aquino said.
Martial law in Sulu
Aquino also disclosed that he considered declaring martial law in Sulu but decided against it because there was no assurance with regards to its effectivity.
“Yes [I considered it]. In Sulu, in particular. But yun nga nga ‘no, yung may assessment sa ang dami nating pwersang gagamitin just to implement Martial Law here. Parang walang guarantee na magkakaroon mg positive results,” he said.
“Baka magkaroon pa ng negative results. Baka magkaroon ng dagdag na simpatya doon sa mga kalaban,” Aquino added.
He said he thought of implementing martial law “somewhere in the past three weeks.”
"Palapit nang palapit itong deadline diumano at tsaka yung hinahabol tayo nang habol na kapiraso lang nakakapuslit itong mga kalaban," Aquino said.
Aquino was referring to the deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf bandits to pay a P300-million ransom in exchange for the life of Canadian
hostage Robert Hall, who was beheaded Monday after the deadline lapsed at 3 p.m.
No-ransom policy
Aquino said he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize over the deaths of Hall and John Ridsdel, another Canadian hostage who was beheaded on April 25.
"Nagpasalamat din tayo na nanindigan sila sa ‘no ransom’ policy. ‘Yung no ransom, parang pananaw ng marami, kada may ransom
na binayad, dumadami ‘yung hanay ng Abu Sayyaf,” Aquino said.
“So kapag walang ransom, mababawasan ‘yung interes sa pagsama
sa kanilang mga hanay at maiiwan na lang ‘yung core group na maliit na ating tinutugis,” he added.
Hall and Ridsdel were abducted from a posh resort on Samal island in Daval del Norte on Sept. 27 last year and was later brought to
Sulu. The two other hostages are Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor
Source: Dutertefilesph
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