MILITARY AND POLICE URGED TO NEUTRALIZE ABU SAYYAF BANDITS

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today expressed elation over the release of Red Cross volunteer Eugenio Vagni even as he urged military and police authorities to intensify the pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu and Basilan.

Pimentel warned that kidnap-for-ransom incidents will continue in Mindanao unless government forces mount sustained attacks against the Abu Sayyaf until they are completely neutralized.

"The government must now show that it is in control of the situation by arresting and punishing the terrorists and kidnappers and restoring law and order in the areas where they operate," he said.

"Otherwise, it will be business as usual for the kidnappers after a few days of respite."