Friday, May 2, 2008

Surgical Strike Launched in Western Mindanao

Philippine News - Zamboanga City - The military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) launched Wednesday a "surgical strike" against the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorists and al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits in the jungles of the nearby Sulu province, south of this city.

Joint Task Force Comet (JTFC) chief Brig. Gen. Juancho Sabban said the primary target of the offensive is to destroy the bomb-making facility located in the remote jungle of Sulu province.

Sabban said the intelligence-driven operation aimed to apprehend, neutralize, and bring to justice the remaining leaders and members of the Abu Sayaf bandits as well as the JI bombers that forged an alliance in the name of terrorism and violence.

Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga disclosed that there are at least 10 JI terrorists hiding in Sulu.

"The terrorists shall not be given a chance to regroup and to launch further terrorist attacks against our communities. Swift and decisive military move is most necessary," Sabban stressed.

He dismissed any possibility of collateral damage, saying that the area of operations is in the isolated jungle of the Sulu province.

The bandits are in seclusion because of the sustained military campaign and the lack of support from the Sulu people, he added.
-- Philippine News Agency
FREE 2GB Online Back-up at Mozy.Com 

No comments: