ZAMBOANGA CITY — Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año ordered the new commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) to eliminate within six months the Abu Sayyaf group.
Año issued his order Tuesday to Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez whoM he installed as Westmincom chief to replace Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, who recently assumed as the inspector general of the AFP.
The turnover rites was attended also by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was clad in battle-ready attire.
Año said his order was based on the strong pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte run after relentlessly the Abu Sayyaf group.
"As pronounced by our president, we have a very tall order to do. And we have six months to totally decimate the Abu Sayyaf group and the other terror groups here in Western Mindanao," Año said.
The AFP chief was optimistic of this possibility, citing the capability of the new area commander.
Año also said the scope of Westmincom is considered a priority area of the AFP in addressing different threat groups, including the Abu Sayyaf, Maute groupand the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
He said the AFP headquarters will pour in all the support to accomplish the mission.
"To the new commander roll your sleeves and buckle down to work," Año told Galvez.
The Armed Forces chief also directed him to fly with him to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to assess the security situation.
Año stressed, however, that the military operation is not the only solution to flushing out the Abu Sayyaf and other militant groups, calling on the close participation of local government units of affected areas.
Galvez was confident of hitting the target set by the AFP leadership to defeat the Abu Sayyaf group.
"We can do it. We can do decisive operations," Galvez said citing his experience in Cotabato City, where frequent bombings were thwarted within four months due to the close participation of local executives.
Galvez said he wants his commanders in Sulu to provide decisive results.
He said their top priority is to secure all the remaining hostages and prevent another kidnapping by the Abu Sayyaf group.
The top military official, meanwhile, lauded Dela Cruz for his efforts in defeating the elements of the Abu Sayyaf, Maute and the BIFF.
Añoo said that under the leadership of Dela Cruz at least 1,007 members of the terror groups were neutralized. Moreover, 43 militants were captured, 327 assorted high powered firearms were recovered, and 93 improvised bombs were also recovered and defused.