Sulu officials laud military for successful operations

Manila Bulletin, Friday, February 26, 2010

By: Nonoy E. Lacson

Jolo, Sulu – Government officials of Sulu lauded the military for their success in their recent combat operations against the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that led to the death of Albader Parad and four others Sunday in Indanan, Sulu.

Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan said the successful military operations against the ASG in Karawan, Indanan, is a victory for the people of the entire province.

Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin also joined Tan, and the religious sectors here saying the people of Indanan and those living in the adjacent towns can now live peacefully and away from harm and harassment from the ASG.

The military assaulted on Sunday morning a well fortified camp of the ASG in Karawan, Indanan which led to the death of Parad, the infamous ASG leaders, Abdulhamn Jumdail, and four others Tan also renewed his commitment to fully support the military’s peace efforts in the province aimed at keeping Sulu free from terrorist groups.

“The death of Parad will send a strong signal to other lawless groups in the province that the government means business and will continue to hunt them anywhere in the province,” Tan said.

Amin said with the death of Parad, illegal activities like kidnappings for ransom, extortion, and destruction of lives and properties will be minimized.

Amin expressed confidence that very soon, the military would be able to completely neutralize the terrorist group and other lawless groups operating in Sulu.

Imam Hadji Abduraja Abdulla, representing the religious sector, said the death of Parad placed an end to the sufferings of the people of Indanan.

Abdulla said the people would no longer witness the destruction of their villages, farm-to-market roads, bridges, school buildings, and other infrastructures built by the government for the comfort of the populace.

Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Comet commander Marine Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero has allowed the families and relatives of the dead bandits to accord them decent burials according to Muslim rites.

Guerrero said the military in Sulu will continue to fight lawless groups operating in the province in order to give way for new development to spur in the area.