Zamboanga City (By Teofilo P. Garcia, PNA) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday to rapidly conclude the war against terrorism and annihilate the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan province, south of this city.

President Arroyo issued the order after she met in a closed-door conference with top military officials at the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) headquarters here, where she was briefed about the war against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan.

The government troops attacked and captured the Abu Sayyaf training camp last Wednesday in Sitio Kurelem, Barangay Silangkum in the town of Ungkaya Pukan.

The President enjoined all of the local government unit officials in Basilan to fully support the war against the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who accompanied President Arroyo during her visit here, said incentives will be given to the officials who fully support the war against the bandits.

Teodoro said the Abu Sayyafs suffered a major blow with the capture of their training camp, citing it as a major camp of the bandits in the region.

He said the troops recovered 70 improvised bombs ready for use as well as 17 high-powered firearms, including four machine guns and two Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers.

First Marine Brigade chief Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero disclosed that his troops have detonated 12 improvised bombs as clearing operations continue inside the captured camp of the Abu Sayyafs.

Guerrero said the bandits have planted several bombs in the camp purposely to thwart the entry of the government forces.

Teodoro said 31 Abu Sayyaf bandits were confirmed killed and they are checking if they include the so-called high-value targets.

The high-value targets refer to the leaders of the Abu Sayyafs in Basilan that include Khair Mundo, Furuji Indama and Nurhassan Jamiri.

“We will continue and sustain the tempo of the offensive against the Abu Sayyafs,” Teodoro said.

He said President Arroyo ordered to pursue the offensive coupled with the implementation of development projects like the completion of the Basilan circumferential road.

Teodoro also said the families who were driven out by the bandits from Sitio Kurellem when they built the camp will be resettled back and “we will make them productive.” (PNA)