ZAMBOANGA CITY (March 10, 2017) - Amid the
ensuing offensives launched by the ground troops under the Western Mindanao
Command, four (4) notorious members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), including
the kin of top leader Isnilon Hapilon, were killed in the joint conduct of law
enforcement operations of the Joint Task Force Basilan and the police in
Basilan early Wednesday morning (March 8), military official said.
Western Mindanao Command
(WesMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that combined elements of the military and
the police engaged in a 30-minute armed confrontation with 15 notorious Abu
Sayyaf members led by Ustadz MobinKulin, a.k.a Mulawin, a known cousin of
Hapilon, in Tapiantana, Island, Basilan. The said encounter resulted in the
death of Kulin and three (3) of his members based on the cadavers recovered by
the ground troops in the encounter site.
Also seized by the government forces were
several high-powered firearms and war materials, including a Barret, a
Rocket-Propelled Grenade with three (3) live ammunitions; and 12 Grenade rifles
from the Abu Sayyaf bandits, Cpt. Petinglay added.
Kulin was an active and hardcore Abu Sayyaf
member from Lantawan, Basilan who was involved in the Lamitan siege and Dos
Palmas incidents in the province.
Cpt. Petinglay said, the remains of the slain
Abu Sayyaf members will be turned over to the Basilan Police Provincial Office
for appropriate action, identification, and disposition.
The pursuit is continuously being conducted by
the ground troops to thwart the extrication of the bandits.
Major General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr.,
Commander, Western Mindanao Command, said, “All-out offensives are being
conducted by the Joint Task Force Basilan with the support and coordination of
the local government, police, and civilians in the province against the Abu
Sayyaf bandits who are responsible for the conduct of bombings, extortion
activities, and kidnappings in Basilan.
The entire command is more motivated to go
after and finish-off the group within the next six months or less," he
added.
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