By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA CITY (July 22, 2017) - Two members of the
Abu Sayyaf Group were killed and five firearms were seized in a gun battle with
the military in Sulu on Thursday (July 20), military official said.
Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information
officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the troops of the 21st Infantry
Battalion heavily engaged the Abu Sayyaf bandits while on focused military
operations in Barangay Bungkaong, Patikul, Sulu at 6:25am Thursday. Said
firefight resulted to the death of two bandits, a certain Benajir Intag and
Bassal Mahalli. Intag's body was recovered by the troops at the encounter site.
Cpt. Petinglay said that seized also were 5
high-powered firearms, which include a K3 squad automatic weapon, an M16A1 Colt
with M203 attached, and an M653 Elisco with M203 attached. Two cellphones, 3
solar panels and 8 backpacks containing assorted food stuffs and personal belongings
were found by the troops in the temporary resting area of the ASG members.
"One of our soldiers was wounded and was
immediately extricated by the responding troops to be given medical
attention," said Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force
Sulu Commander. "He is now on stable condition and is already
recuperating."
As of this report, 285 ASG members were neutralized in
the entire Western Mindanao. Of the total number, 112 were killed (including
the 2 ASG members killed), 103 surrendered to troops and 70 were apprehended.
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In Zamboanga del Norte, two communist terrorists were
arrested in a pursuit by the government forces on Tuesday (July 18) afternoon.
Cpt Petinglay said that the elements of the 44th
Infantry Battalion and the Municipal Police Station of Leon B. Postigo nabbed
the two wounded communist terrorists, one of whom was identified as Rannie,
aboard two ambulances along Barangay Cilago, Leon B. Postigo in Zamboanga del
Norte at 4:35pm Tuesday.
“The communist terrorists arrested by the government
forces were among those who engaged our soldiers on July 16 in Sitio Biwa,
Titik, of the same town (Leon B Postigo)," said Brigadier General Joselito
Bautista, Commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan.
Two communist terrorists were killed, six were wounded,
and another was arrested by the troops following the series of armed
engagements in Sindangan, Zamboangadel Norte.
Further recovered by the soldiers were ammunition,
explosive devices, and subversive documents.
The arrested persons were then brought to the nearby
hospital for medication and investigation.
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Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force Central were
able to apprehend two lawless elements, during the conduct of a law enforcement
support operations in Maguindanao on Tuesday (July 18), Cpt Petinglay added.
Cpt Petinglay further said that the combined elements
of 57th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion
apprehended a certain Menta B Umpan, a suspected BIFF member and a certain
TolksLakim, a lawless element at Brgy Lower Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao at 6
and 7 in the morning respectively.
In his report to Western Mindanao Command, Brigadier
General Arnel Delavega said that the troops were able to recover 3 high-powered
firearms that include one (1) M16 rifle, one (1) M653 and one (1) M16 A1 rifle.
He further said that the apprehended personnel and
firearms were turned-over to the PNP for the filing of appropriate charges.
"I would like to congratulate the Commanders and
soldiers of our Joint Task Forces for their persistence in going after these
threat groups and persons within their respective areas of operation,"
said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao
Command.
"Truly, our troops are very eager to make
sacrifices in order to ensure that the people they serve will have a peaceful
community."
"I enjoin all our soldiers to continue the fight.
Surely, our Commander-in-Chief will be with us all the way in this given
mission of liberating not just Marawi but the entire country from any form of
threat."
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