AFP chief Año: New operation launched vs. Abu Sayyaf leader Hapilon

From MSN News (Feb 19): AFP chief Año: New operation launched vs. Abu Sayyaf leader Hapilon



The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday said it has launched another operation against Abu Sayyaf Group leader Isnilon Hapilon following President Rodrigo Duterte's order to contain the ISIS threat in the country.

"The Westmincom (Western Mindanao Command) is launching another operation. Actually, it has already started, so i-intensify pa rin natin," AFP Chief Eduardo Año told reporters on Saturday, after the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming event.
"Target pa rin natin si Hapilon, Hapilon is still in the area," he added.

During his speech in the same event, Duterte said that the Abu Sayyaf members based in Basilan and led by Hapilon is assimilating the terrorist group's violence.
He has ordered police and military forces to contain the ISIS threat, he added.

"I have directed PNP and AFP to continuously contain the ISIS threat, to intensify operations using all available assets and resources," Duterte said.

Duterte had earlier claimed that Hapilon is now the "top honcho" of the Islamic State in the Philippines.

Duterte also asked the AFP to support his war on drugs.

Supporting role in war on drugs

Año, meanwhile, clarified that the AFP will only have a supporting role in the war on drugs.

"Still waiting for EO (executive order). Yung PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), 'yan ang magiging main operating unit, magsu-support lang kami sa PDEA," the AFP chief said.

The President has tasked the AFP to support the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which has been ordered to take the lead in the government's intensified campaign illegal drugs.

Año said the AFP will provide forces to the PDEA and share intelligence information during operations against illegal drugs.

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/afp-chief-a%C3%B1o-new-operation-launched-vs-abu-sayyaf-leader-hapilon/ar-AAn4wT3