Manila can end bandits' reign of terror: official

Manila: The Philippine government can end the atrocities of the local bandit group in two months with the help of combat operations and community support, a senior military officer said.

"I have given guidance and orders to the different units to intensify operations in the next two months, or 60 days, against the Abu Sayyaf," said Armed Forces Chief of Staff Delfin Bangit.

"We will implement only 20 per cent on combat operations and 80 per cent on community support and development ... And by winning the hearts and minds of the people, this is the new weapon in our armoury," Bangit said in a meeting with officers in Camp Teodulo Bautista in the south, the transcript of which reached Manila's military headquarters.

Development

The government has set plans for development projects in rebel and terrorist infested areas in the south, said Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He did not give details. Areas in the south where the Abu Sayyaf operates is considered to be the country's poorest provinces.

However, Western Mindanao Command chief Ben Dolorfino, said the army also needs to increase the frequency of operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

"We need more helicopters and troops deployment in Basilan and Sulu," said Dolorfino, adding that helicopters could cover troop deployment in areas identified as Abu Sayyaf lairs in Jolo, Basilan, and other nearby areas in Mindanao.

"The Marines and the Army will be sending men in these two areas in the coming weeks," said Brawner.

"The carrot-and-stick approach will be replicated to fight the communist New People's Army which operates nationwide."

But the insurgency problem involving communists and Muslim separatists has plagued the Philippines for the past 40 years.

The Abu Sayyaf, which began in the 1990s, is the youngest group that has been creating a security problem in the Philippines.

The Abu Sayyaf is composed of second generation or children of old Filipino-Muslim warriors who belong to former separatist groups such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).