Philippine president vows to neutralize Abu Sayyaf

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed Wednesday not to pass on to the next administration the problem brought by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) using the full might of the state.

In a statement he issued following the beheading of John Ridsdel, a Canadian national, by the ASG bandits, Aquino said his government has proven before that it would choose "all-out justice over all-out war."

"But we will always act from a position of strength. So, to the ASG, and whoever may aid or abet them, you have chosen only the language of force, and we will speak to you only in that language. We will not stop until the threat they pose to our communities is ended," he said.

"I am ready to devote all my energies towards ensuring that, at the very least, this will be a very seriously degraded problem that I will pass on to my successor," he added.

He acknowledged that casualties are to be expected.

But Aquino emphasized that what has to be of utmost importance is neutralizing the criminal activities of the ASG.

"The men and women in our Armed Forces are well-trained, well-equipped, and resourceful. I have full trust and confidence in them," he said.

The president said that he sent a letter to Ridsdel's family on Tuesday to express his condolences.

"We are so appalled by this murder. This murder was meant to terrorize our whole population. The Abu Sayyaf thought they could instill fear in us; instead, they have galvanized us even further to ensure justice is meted out. We have always been open to talks with those who desire peace; but those who commit atrocities can expect the full might of the State," he said.

The Philippine authorities were verifying if a male decapitated body found by a civilian in Talipao town in southern province of Sulu was that of Ridsdel.

His severed head placed inside a plastic bag was discovered on the street of Jolo, five hours after the expiry of the ransom deadline set at 3 p.m. on April 25 by the bandits.

Ridsdel was among the four hostages who were abducted by ASG bandits on Sept. 21 last year from a resort on Samal Island, Davao del Norte. Also seized were Canadian Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Marithes Flor. Endit