MANILA, Philippines - Senators called for a more comprehensive solution to the security problem in Mindanao, saying the killing of top Abu Sayyaf leaders over the weekend would not necessarily neutralize the bandit group.

Senate defense committee chair Sen. Rodolfo Biazon congratulated the Marines but said said the military as well as the police should intensify pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf.

"This is a big gain for the military in its campaign against the terrorists,” said Biazon, a former Marines commandant and later armed forces chief of staff. “If the military further exploits the situation, they can further decimate the ranks of this Abu Sayyaf Group.”

Quoting intelligence reports, Biazon added the Abu Sayyaf appears short on ammunition.

But Senate public order committee chair Sen. Gregorio Honasan said the “body count solution” was not enough.

“We have to do more than kill everybody,” said Honasan, also a former military officer. “We have to get our act together, and the solution to that is a coordinated effort not only among the law enforcment agents but local government, the citizenry.”

Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel said: “Another [Albader] Parad will take his place sapagkat kapag hindi pangkalahatan ang solusyon na ino-offer ng gobyerno sa Moro problems sa Mindanao, hindi masosolve sa pamamagitan ng patayin mo yung leader because meron iba hahalili, because the root causes are not addressed.”

Parad was among 6 bandits killed in a gun battle in Maimbung, Sulu province on Sunday.

Military officials believe the death of Parad will break up the sub-commander's 100-strong group within the ASG since it will now be leaderless.