Arrested ASG: We don't know we do evil

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (October 22, 2016) - "We don't know that what we are doing is evil and against the law". This is the revelation of an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member in the psycho-social processing done after his arrest on Tuesday, military official said.

Speaking in vernacular, ASG member Pauji Asgari was baffled why he was arrested by Army troops. Not being able to speak Tagalog well, his revelation was translated by a local who cannot help but shake his head. Asgari believed they (ASG) are doing what is right and are against evil doers as they are being indoctrinated every now and then by their leaders.

Asgari's mother showed up a day after his arrest and thanked soldiers for treating his son well before he was turned-over to Sulu PNP on Wednesday. Asgari is facing multiple cases after he was arrested with an M16 assault rifle, magazines, ammunition, backpack, electric cords, cellphone, hammock, motorcycle and Marine Battle Dress Attire.

Joint Task Force Sulu Information Officer Col. Rodrigo Gregorio disclosed that Islamic scholars locally and around the world condemned the ASG for its kidnapping and brutal beheading of victims saying it is un-Islamic and outrightly evil.

Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu said, "The case of Asgari shows the deception being done by ASG leaders to their members. The ASG leaders are manipulating and deceiving their members into believing falsehood to commit unimaginable crimes against the law and against Islam".

Authorities believe the revelation highlight the need to fully and rightfully educate people in the countryside so that they will not fall prey to the deception and manipulation of any criminal elements.

Relatedly, National Government Agencies, LGU, NGOs together with the PNP and AFP have done series of collaborative planning to deliver basic services including humanitarian and infrastructure projects to address the causes of insurgency and criminality in Sulu, Southern Philippines.

Meanwhile, in the remote areas in Sulu, soldiers continue combat operations to destroy the ASG and rescue the remaining hostages.