AFP deploys more troops to crush Abu Sayyaf GroupThe Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday that additional troops will be deployed in Patikul, Sulu, as part of the continuing offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). Arevalo, however, could not say if the group earlier encountered by troops had the hostages. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding 24 people as hostages, 16 of them foreigners. “Let us vigorously pursue these terrorist/bandit Abu Sayyaf Group with no let up and destroy them,” Gen. Visaya said during a recent high-level operations briefing. We have the full support of the Commander-in-Chief, President Duterte, and the backing of our citizens specially the people of Sulu,” Visaya said.

Source: Manila Bulletin August 29, 2016 14:03 UTC