



The government is sending 2,500 more soldiers or five battalions to Sulu to terminate the threats of bandit group Abu Sayyaf.

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”It is unfortunate that a number of troops lost their lives. However, as Defense Secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana said, we are going full force and have an all-out operation. We are adding 5 battalions. That will be only in Sulu,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters in a news briefing Tuesday.

The statement came after at least 15 soldiers died on Monday in an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group.

READ: Military deaths in clash with Abu Sayyaf rise to 15

“The President is focused on making sure that the threat from Abu Sayyaf should be terminated as soon as possible,” Abella said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said that the Abu Sayyaf lost his trust, as he ordered the military and the police to “destroy them because they are criminals.”

READ: Duterte says Abu Sayyaf lost his trust when killings began

“Kill them, destroy them,” he said, referring to his orders to the military.

The President said the government has all the resources to annihilate the Abu Sayyaf and finish the group. JE/rga

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