ZAMBOANGA CITY, 22 September 2004 — Abu Sayyaf terrorists and smugglers in the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi have began celebrating after the military ordered the transfer of the navy’s Task Force 62 commander.
Captain Feliciano Angue, head of the anti-terrorist task force, was transferred to the Central Philippines amid charges of human rights violations by a village chieftain in Tawi-Tawi.
The village leader alleged that operatives of Angue’s task force killed seaweed farmers in Umapoy Island in May and reported that they were Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.
Local legislators have asked Congress to also look into reports that American servicemen assigned to train Filipino soldiers in Zamboanga City have been involved in the Umapoy raid, in which three people were killed and seven others were arrested.
The suspects were allegedly involved in the abduction of a group of Indonesian, Filipino and Malaysian resort workers from the nearby Malaysian state of Sabah last year.
Angue was instrumental in the arrest of many suspected terrorists in Tawi-Tawi and the confiscation of many contraband in the province. He would be replaced by navy Capt. Joel Balbas.
One security official said the terrorists and smugglers operating in Tawi-Tawi have began celebrating with the news of Angue’s sudden reassignment. But the Philippine Navy in Zamboanga City said the move was a routine.
“We have reports that the terrorists and smugglers are happy about Angue’s transfer, but we will continue without let-up the operation against them,” he said.
Sources in Tawi-Tawi said smugglers and unscrupulous traders angered by the military’s operation against the nefarious activities were allegedly behind Angue’s transfer.
“The military operation in Tawi-Tawi is hurting a lot of groups...smugglers and Abu Sayyaf and those who have vested interests in illegal activities,” one trader said by phone from Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi.
