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By Ben O. Tesiorna

BETTER intelligence capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) could spell the end of Abu Sayyaf group that recently killed 23 soldiers in Basilan.

Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro made such prediction, saying the AFP's campaign against the Abu Sayyaf bandits, this time around, will be "sustained and intelligence-driven."

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"Well, it's going to be a sustained and intelligence driven fight...(We) have better intelligence capabilities now. And we are putting local government officials, also directly responsible for helping us in the fight against the Abu Sayyaf," Teodoro said.

He said "tactical adjustments" are now being implemented on the ground, shifting from massive troop movement to precise surgical operations.

"Hindi naman natin kasi kailangan ng massive na realignment ng forces, pero may karagdagang operation ngayon ang AFP dun sa Basilan, sila ay mag-a-outreach sila dun sa mga communities lalo na dun sa Sumisip, at Tipo-tipo,” Teodoro said.

He added there will be community kitchens that will be run by the AFP “para sa ganun, ma-feel din ng mga tao na there's a National Government that cares for them at saka mabigyan sila ng vision ng alternative na the government will bring development to Basilan.”

The Defense secretary also said the construction of a circumferential road in Basilan will be started soon.

“So magpo-provide tayo ng one Marine battalion ng security dyan sa area na yan. Sa paggawa ng kalsada, makikita ng mga tao na talagang seryoso tayo sa development," Teodoro said.

Child, women combatants

Teodoro said the latest clash in Basilan saw the involvement of women and children in the Abu Sayyaf activity.

Reports showed that a wounded soldier killed a woman Abu Sayyaf combatant who allegedly was armed with an M16 rifle.

He said the bandit group’s use of child and woman combatants has added to the high casualty in the part of the AFP since the soldiers are hesitant in firing at children and women.

Teodoro said this is also the reason they are now "calibrating" the use of air and artillery support in their fight against the bandits.

He said this is not the first time the AFP encountered children and women combatants in the battlefields.

Teodoro assured the public though that the Basilan clash will not affect the ongoing ceasefire between the government and Moro rebels.

"Dun sa Central Mindanao naghohold ang Somo, dito lang sa southwest Mindanao, sa Basilan at Sulu nagkakaiba. Ang problema kasi, ang control ng MILF dun sa mga diumano’y mga kawal nila dun sa Basilan at Sulu ay mahina. At sa parteng MILF din, makakabuti rin sa kanila na wag suportahan (ang ASG), kasi kidnapping at bombing ang pinaguusapan dito, walang justification sa jihad ito," Teodoro said. (With Peng Aliño)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on August 19, 2009.