Hapilon’s kin, three more Abus slain in Basilan operations

By Jong Cadion

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.