Acting AFP chief visits Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A day after his appointment, acting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda flew here to oversee the ongoing military operation against the Abu Sayyaf.

Miranda had a closed door briefing with senior ground military commanders led by Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz to assess the ongoing operation.

It was his first out of town visit after he was appointed acting AFP chief upon the retirement of Gen. Hernando Iriberri on Friday.

Miranda made the visit as the deadline imposed by the Abu Sayyaf on its four hostages will lapse on Monday.

The Abu Sayyaf posted a video of its captives and demanded P300-million ransom each for Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipino woman Marites Flor.

The gunmen set the deadline for payment on Monday, threatening to execute the four hostages.

Government troops encountered the Abu Sayyaf on Friday at Mount Tugas, Patikul town, leaving seven troops under the Special Operations Command (SOC) 10 and 62nd Marine Company wounded during the one-hour firefight.

There was no immediate report if the group the government troops encountered were holding the four hostages.