It is good news that the Philippine military, through the Army’s Western Mindanao Command, has lately inflicted heavy casualties on the rebel Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a series of clashes in Sulu. And the military will continue such operations in order to press for the release of kidnapped hostages who remain in the clutches of the rebel group.

This suggests that President Duterte’s order to the AFP to “destroy” the ASG may be achievable. That, however, is easier said than done.