Hataman maintains stance vs. ASG in Basilan

COTABATO CITY -- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman on Wednesday maintained his earlier stance that an iron fist should be given to the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan.Despite the presence of military and an intensified campaign against the extremists following the ambush two weeks ago that left six soldiers dead, the group still managed to plant an improvised bomb in Barangay Colonia, Lamitan City Tuesday night.Bomb experts safely defused the IED, the second improvised bomb discovered by authorities in two days. Earlier, a similar bomb was foundat the back of Colonia Elementary School and later disrupted by military bomb disposal unit.As the ARMM celebrates its 25th foundation anniversary, Hataman urged the people of the region to help authorities contain violence and extremism by providing information to police or military units.Following the ambush on state forces securing the Basilan circumferential road, Hataman said a military all out offensive should be done believing that the absence of concrete action against the Abu Sayyaf wound continue cycle of bombing, extortion, kidnapping and killing in Basilan.Hataman led the week-long ARMM 25th anniversary celebration which he said would be the last ahead of the coming Bangsamoro government.