Zamboanga City, Aug. 13 (PNA) – Top defense and military officials on Sunday shifted their tactical offensive and injected more combat maneuvering Army and Martine battalions in an effort to “pin down” the dreaded extremists and other lawless elements in this volatile and war-turn peninsula and nearby areas.

The higher command of the defense and military deployed another two Army battalions to augment the other 8 Army and Marine Battalions, already hunting down the “enemy of the state” since last Tuesday.

The new strategy came out after close door command conference with the top military commanders of The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command  (WestMincom) based in Zamboanga Peninsula and Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMincom) based in Davao Gulf.

The command conference was spearheaded by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro; AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.; Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino; WesternMincom commander Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo; EastMincom commandert Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Obaniana and division and task forces commanders. 

The meeting also discussed the transfer of the general headquarters of the Philippine Army, from Fort Bonifacio Manila to this southern tip city of Mindanao. 

However, after the top command conference, top defense and military officials did not issue any statement regarding the new strategy and plans on tactical offensive.

”Oplan Ultimatum 2” will go without let up,” a ground commander who requested anonymity said.

The additional set up of operation is to “pin down” Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf gunmen and guerrillas, including Asian and listed by US most wanted terrorist “Omar Patek” and “Dulmatin”

On Thursday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo already directed the top defense and military officials to transfer the headquarters of the Philippine Army here to give full supervision to the operating ground troops against the remaining terrorists in Zamboanga Peninsula and Central Mindanao.

Cont’n: Military shifts tactical offensive to “pin down”…..

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Last update : 18-08-2007 12:32

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