Six Abu Sayyaf neutralize in Basilan and Sulu

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (July 31) – Six members of Abu Sayyaf Group were killed based on the cadavers recovered by the Joint Task Forces under Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom), Friday as a result in the continuing offensives operations launched by the military to conduct all-out offensives targeting the Abu Sayyaf Group to neutralize the threat in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

WesMinCom Spokesperson Maj. Felimon Tan disclosed that in Basilan, ensuing military operations launched by troops of the Joint Task Force Basilan resulted in the killing of 2 Abu Sayyaf members under Radzmil Jannatul, a.k.a. Khubayb, and a certain Guro Arah at Hill 490 in Barangay Poblacion, Tipo-Tipo at around 6:30am Friday.

Maj. Tan added that also retrieved by troops at the engagement site were two cadavers and a Caliber .50 heavy machine gun while 9 soldiers incurred slight wounds and were airlifted by troops to Zamboanga City for medical attention at the Camp Navarro General Hospital.

Meanwhile, in Sulu, Maj. Tan said also 4 Abu Sayyaf members under Alden Bagadi, a.k.a Sayning, were killed following the intensified conduct of focused military operations in Barangay Langpas, Indanan at 8:50am Friday.

Close air support was provided to the engaged troops. Military troops further recovered the remains of the enemy casualties, he said.

On the government side, WesMinCom official added that 2 soldiers were slightly wounded and were promptly extricated by augmenting troops to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista for medical treatment and are now in stable condition.

He said, the military has coordinated with the Scene of the Crime Operatives to conduct documentation of the ASG body counts.         

As of this press time, pursuit operations are ongoing, he said.