24kidnap.jpg — Eastern Mindanao Deputy Commander Col. Harold Cabreros and police Chief Supt. Frederico Dulay show an artist’s sketch of one of the Samal Island kidnapping suspects during a media briefing in Davao on Wednesday. Motorized boats used during the kidnapping were recovered but abductors remain unidentified. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman is against putting Sulu and Basilan under martial law, and prefers an all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Calls to declare martial law in Sulu and Basilan surfaced after the rebel group beheaded Canadian hostage Robert Hall on Monday.
On Wednesday, a senior official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines resumed a push for martial law to “solve the problem.” The official refused to be identified due to lack of authority to speak to media.
A severed head was found near the Jolo Cathedral on Monday night. The AFP’s Western Mindanao Command on Tuesday confirmed the beheading.
Although he supports all efforts to bring down the ASG, Hataman is apprehensive of martial rule due to possible human rights abuses.
“There are better options that will not trigger human rights abuses,” Hataman said. “It’s not necessary. No need as of this time. The martial law experienced by Moros in Mindanao has been traumatic,” he added.
Hataman is instead proposing a “well coordinated, intensified and participative” law enforcement operation against ASG, including simultaneous military offensives in Sulu and Basilan, where the presence of rebels has been reported.
“Why not we try it first, at least three to six months? I am willing to issue an Executive Order where we can bring out the civilians from their homes and put in one evacuation area then let the government attend to their needs while military operations against ASG is going on?” Hataman said.
The ARMM governor also warned local government officials not participating in law enforcement operations against the ASG that they may be suspected of being sympathetic to the rebel group and will be held accountable.
The ASG kidnapped four persons from Samal island in September last year. Two have been beheaded—Hall and John Ridsdel, also a Canadian national.
The rebel group is still holding two hostages, Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor.
On Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III said 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.(MNS)