October 29, 2002, The Philippine Star, Arroyo vows to 'annihilate' Abu Sayyaf terror group, by Marichu Villanueva,

October 29, 2002, The Philippine Star, Arroyo vows to 'annihilate' Abu Sayyaf terror group, by Marichu Villanueva,

SAN DIEGO, California (via PLDT) – President Arroyo has vowed to "annihilate" the Abu Sayyaf. 

Speaking before the Filipino community Sunday at the San Diego Marriot and Marina Hotel, Mrs. Arroyo said the Abu Sayyaf is on the run following the military's relentless offensive against terrorists in Mindanao. 

"We are now two months into a campaign that is called ‘Operation: End Game’ and I ask your prayers, too, that this ‘End Game’ would end very soon and I’m sure it will be with a victory for the Philippine Armed Forces," the President said. 

Mrs. Arroyo did not give details of the military operation against the Abu Sayyaf, which she had learned from reports of Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Defensor. 

"The (Abu Sayyaf) are holed up, the leaders and the main fort are holed up in the mountains where they were born to begin with, an area where our soldiers have never gone before (but have now penetrated them)," she said. 

The Abu Sayyaf became a household word in the United States following the killing of American hostages Guillermo Sobero and Martin Burnham. 

Earlier in Los Cabos, Mexico, Mrs. Arroyo said she and US President George W. Bush have "pretty much approved" more flights of US spy planes in the Philippines to gather intelligence as part of the war against terrorists. 

Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander-in-chief of US Pacific forces, has offered the additional flights of US spy planes to beef up intelligence-gathering in terrorist strongholds in the jungles of Mindanao. –Marichu Villanueva,