22 August 2000 - ABS-CBN

Abu Sayyaf escape routes secured

QUEZON CITY, (ABS-CBN) - The Philippine military has tightened security at all possible escape routes of Abu Sayyaf kidnappers in Jolo, Sulu, to prevent them from fleeing after they free all their hostages.

"Yes, we've identified possible escape routes because it is normal (in situations like these). We have studied the terrain, their tactics, but these things are operational matters so we will not be divulging these to media," Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Generoso Senga said on Monday.

Senga meantime confirmed that the daily military movements in Jolo are "normal since it part of their job to secure the area," and should not be cause for the Abu Sayyaf to be alarmed.

He, however, stressed that there is no standing order for the military to wage an assault against the extremist group holed out in Talipao town in Jolo where they are still holding 28 foreign and Filipino captives.

"General Angelo Reyes has instructed our troops to abide by the instructions of Secretary (Robert) Aventajado," Senga added.

Among the remaining Abu Sayyaf hostages captured from the Sipadan Island resort in Malaysia last April 23 are two from France, two from Germany, two from Finland, a South African couple, one Franco-Lebanese woman, and one Filipino.

Three more French journalists and three Filipino construction workers were captured in July and August

Germans
German Deputy Chief of Mission Christian Germann said there is a feeling of disappointment that the hostage crisis has dragged on for four months. He said the whole crisis has become annoying but they feel really sorry for the hostages.

He said the situation could have been handled better and believed it is not wise to discuss military action before the hostages are released. Germann said there is no way for Germany to step in because the Philippines is a sovereign state and it must decide what happens next.

Earlier, the Abu Sayyaf bandits refused to release all of its hostages for fear of a military attack. But Aventajado immediately denied that the military is poised to launch an attack on the bandits.

Meanwhile, Senga refused to comment on reports that two Marine battalions are ready to be deployed to Sulu to augment existing troops there.

"What I know is that the engineering brigades have been beefed up to facilitate the rehabilitation efforts of the government," he said.

Nonetheless, Senga said the Abu Sayyaf or any other group that poses a threat to national security would have to be eventually addressed by the government.

"In all threat groups, as long as they (threaten national security), the government will find ways of neutralizing them not necessarily by attacking them but also persuading them (to return to the fold of the law)," he said.

"We will continue to address them and work toward their rebel groups' neutralization," he added

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