Arroyo commends AFP for ASG and JI neutralization

By Ronron
January 8, 2007

Jolo, Sulu – Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday for the recent neutralization of key Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders and a Jeemah Islamiyah (JI) operative.

Presiding over the AFP command conference here, Arroyo described last Saturday’s operations in Tawi—tawi, which resulted to the death of five ASG elements and an Indonesian JI member, as a “stunning victory” against the terrorist groups.

“I commend the AFP for the successful operation against the Abu Sayyaf and the JI, which only proves that this terrorist elements have nowhere to hide, and are in fact already doomed to annihilation,” Arroyo said.

The President reiterated that the Philippine’s fight against terror “goes hand in hand with the global and regional efforts.”

It is worth noting that an official of the US Embassy and members of the US Armed Forces were present during the closed-door command conference held at the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade here in Barangay Busbus.

While on her left is AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., seated on the President’s right is US Embassy in Manila Charge d’ Affairs Paul Jones.

Earlier in the day, Arroyo inspected and inaugurated the US-sponsored/assisted Indanan-Parang Road Upgrading in the towns of Indanan and Parang.

The rehabilitation of the 3.94-kilometer road is being funded by the US Assistance for International Development (AID), in the amount of P49 million or US$ 969,324.

Arroyo profusely thanked the US government for said assistance, which she said is a result of the Philippine’s strategic alliance with the Washington.

“Indeed, we welcome this partnership,” she said, while acknowledging Jones.

The RP-US relationship was recently tested by the issue regarding the custody of convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, who was earlier detained at the Makati City Jail but was later transferred to the US Embassy compound in Manila even without a court order.

Arroyo had already admitted that the transfer of Smith, who raped a Filipino woman from Zamboanga City last November 1, 2005 in Olongapo City, was carried out to save the RP-US relationship.

Prior to Smith’s clandestine transfer to the US Embassy last December 29, the US military announced it was postponing the annual RP-US Balikatan Exercises until the US gets Smith from the Makati City Jail./DMS