AFP troops gaining grounds in Sulu and Basilan

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (March 05, 2017)- Series of encounters between the government troops and the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) within the past two weeks resulted to the neutralization of 26 ASG members (14 killed; 6 wounded and 4 apprehended); the recovery of IED components and the discovery of ASG encampment, military official said.

Although there were no body counts recovered the locals provided the information to operating troops that bandits carried with them their wounded and some were immediately buried in separate areas near the encounter sites.

Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Information Officer Cpt. Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that four (4) major encounters, three (3) in Sulu Province (69IB against ASG in Brgy. Palique, Indanan; 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion against ASG in Indanan; and 32IB against ASG members in Patikul, Sulu) and one (1) encounter along a Mangrove area in Basilan Province (Naval SOU6 led by LTJG MildnerCawi against ASG members in Brgy. Darapatu, Al Barka, Basilan) allowed the troops to gain grounds in the two Provinces disallowing the bandits to establish encampments in said areas.

On the other hand four (4) notorious members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were turned-over by elements of the Joint Task Force Basilan led by Col. Juvymax Uy to the police after troops of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion apprehended said bandits who were carrying IED components in their possession last February 27.

Cpt. Petinglay said, Abu Sayyaf members Hamja Ummal, Asid Abdul Pagong, Kili Alvarez Sabtal, and Hamidid Pantasan were turned-over to the Basilan Provincial Police Office under Police Senior Superintendent Panapan for the filing of appropriate charges.

Cpt. Petinglay said, Ummal and Pagong were apprehended by troops of 3SRBn led by LTC Elmer Suderio who were conducting combat operations in Barangay Danapah, Albarka while Sabtal and Pantasan were nabbed by the same unit at Brgy. Danapah, Tipo-Tipo, BP and were found to be carrying IED components.

While advancing and conducting clearing operations in the area of Sitio Bohe Buug, Brg. Macalang, Al Barka BP, the rangers discovered an enemy encampment with thirty (30) make shift bunkers and sixteen (16) foxholes. It was believed that ASG members already abandoned the area fearing the extensive military operations being conducted.

Earlier last week in Sulu Province, troops of the 16IB under LTC Comia under the operational control of the Joint Task Force Sulu led by Col Cirilito Sobejana, while conducting clearing operation last February 24 at Brgy. TaboBato, Maimbung, Sulu recovered 3 pcs 20-liter containers & 4 pcs 4-liter containers filled w/ complete rounds of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO), known IED components believed to be hidden by ASG members who were evading the government forces.

The said components were immediately detonated in the area by the EOD team. "If those IED components were not recovered, it could have caused mass destruction of life and property.

The extensive combat operations have greatly narrowed the mobility corridors of the terrorist and have hindered them from hatching any terror plans", says MGen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command said.

 "We are gaining grounds because of the cooperation and support of the local government units and the different sectors of society and the swift reaction of troops to reports from civilians as to ASG members whereabouts."

Cpt. Petinglay also added that President Rodrigo Duterte visited troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu in Jolo, Sulu at 3pm Friday (March 3) to personally pin the wounded personnel medal to 18 wounded military personnel.

Cpt. Petinglay said that five (5) among the WIA will be evacuated today to the AFP Medical Center in Manila for further medical intervention while the remaining wounded personnel who only incurred splinter wounds and bruises will remain with KutaTeodulfoHeneral Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo to recuperate.

"The awarding and the personal visit of the President to our wounded soldiers motivated them more to fight these bandits", MGen. Galvez averred. "These soldiers will soon be back on the field for combat in just a few days time.

The command will not stop until these bandits can no longer bring terror to the communities. We will hit them hard until they surrender and decide to return to the folds of the government", MGen. Galvez added.