MANILA, Philippines — There is no more stopping the Armed Forces of the Philippines from launching an all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf bandit group following Friday’s death of Dutch national Ewold Horn, reportedly their last foreign hostage. If we conduct airstrikes, the kidnap victims might get hurt,” Besana explained, adding that the presence of hostages limited the military offensive. “There is really nothing stopping us now from further intensifying our offensive against this group,” he stressed. In April 2019, after the rescue of three foreign fishermen held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf, Besana said Horn and four Filipinos were still believed to be held captive by the Abu Sayyaf. The Alakdan division is dedicated to pursuing and fighting Islamic State-inspired terrorists and other threat groups, including the Abu Sayyaf, in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 02, 2019 21:49 UTC