Army halts offensive vs. Abu Sayyaf in Basilan

The military halted its offensive against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan on Wednesday so as not to endanger the government's ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an Army officer said. Col. Carlito Galvez, commander of the Basilan-based 104th Infantry Brigade, said government troops had to withdraw as some Abu Sayyaf members have “mingled” with civilians in areas recognized as MILF territory. “We cannot go after them (Abu Sayyaf). We are upholding the primacy of the peace process and we do not want collateral damage. If we engage them (Abu Sayyaf) and an MILF family is hit, it may escalate,” Galvez told reporters. On Monday, government security forces started a fresh campaign against the Abu Sayyaf in the bandit group's camp in Barangay Silangkum in Tipo-Tipo town. The military said eight bandits were killed although only two bodies were recovered. Two soldiers were also wounded in the firefight. The targets of the assault, Abu Sayyaf leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Furuji Indama, survived the offensive, although Hapilon was reportedly slightly wounded on the head. Hapilon and Indama are currently facing kidnapping and murder charges for their alleged involvement in the attack on the Golden Harvest Plantation in 2001 and the Dos Palmas Kidnapping in 2001, a military statement said Monday. Galvez, meanwhile, said they believe Abu Sayyaf members are not being coddled or aided by the MILF. “That is their [Abu Sayyaf] strategy, to be near MILF communities, so that in case they are engaged by the military, they will mingle with the residents,” he said. The MILF had accused government troops of violating a ceasefire agreement with the military operation in Tipo-Tipo. Last October, the MILF signed a framework peace agreement with the Philippine government, which outlines the formation of the Bangsamoro political entity to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Representatives from both camps are still in the process of ironing out the details of the landmark deal. Galvez said government troops are still determined go after Hapilon and Indama despite “breaking contact” with the leaders of the bandit group. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News