Abu Sayyaf group holds 10 hostages in Philippines

The Abu Sayyaf militant group is holding 10 hostages, including a Dutch national, three Indonesians and six Filipinos, said Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the military’s Joint Task Force, on March 27.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 21:26

Abu Sayyaf group holds 10 hostages in Philippines ảnh 1

Philippine military launches a raid on insurgents (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Abu Sayyaf militant group is holding 10 hostages, including a Dutchnational, three Indonesians and six Filipinos, said Brigadier General CirilitoSobejana, commander of the military’s Joint Task Force, on March 27.

Sobejana saidthere were about 300-400 insurgents of the southern Philippines-based groupoperating in the Western Mindanao region, especially in Sulu, Basilan andTawi-Tawi provinces in the Sulu archipelago.

During his visitto Patikul city on March 26, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte instructedgovernment forces to increase attacks on the Abu Sayyaf group, which isnotorious for conducting bombings, shootings, assassinations and kidnapping.

The Philippinemilitary's priority is to rescue the kidnapped victims so that the operationswon't be restricted, Sobejana said.

The Abu Sayyafhelped the Maute group in attacking Marawi city in May 2017 that claimed thelives of more than 1,200 people. The fighting that lasted five months ruinedthe Philippines's only Islamic city.-VNA

VNA

#Philippines #Abu Sayyaf militant group #southern Philippines #Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte #kidnapped victims #Marawi city #vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency

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