By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (April 20, 2017) - A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) linked to a drug
syndicate, was killed in the joint operation of the military and police in the
nearby province of Sulu at dawn yesterday, military official said.
Western Mindanao
Command (WestMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that
at 4:00am a fierce gun battle ensued between the Abu Sayyaf bandits and the
government forces, composed of the 45th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant
Colonel Salvador and police personnel, after the bandits, who are reportedly
involved in drug operations, resisted arrest in Barangay Danag, Patikul, Sulu.
Cpt.
Petinglay said that the said law enforcement operation yielded to the death of
Abu Sayyaf member Jah, who is a follower of Hairulla Asbang. His cadaver was
retrieved by the troops in the area of engagement after the clearing
operations.
Further
seized by the government forces were an M16 rifle, three (3) Caliber .45
Pistols, five (5) hand grenades, and drug paraphernalia.
Cpt.
Petinglay said that thirty four (34) persons, including a female, who were
present in the engagement area will be investigated for possible involvement in
the drug operations and in any lawlessness.
The
apprehended persons and seized items were subsequently brought to the Sulu
Provincial Police Office for investigation and documentation.
"This
development can somehow prove that the Abu Sayyaf bandits involved themselves
in drug trade to sustain their operations against the government and the
conduct of their terror attacks, and they may have been funded by drug
syndicates who support their schemes,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G.
Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
"Rest
assured that your armed forces will continue to conduct combat operations
against the terrorist group and work with the local government and other law
enforcement agencies in the fight against the proliferation of illegal drugs in
this side of the country.”
Meanwhile,
a soldier incurred minor wounds and was immediately extricated by the
responding troops to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Hospital in Busbus, Jolo, Sulu
for medical attention. He is already in a stable condition as of this report, Cpt.
Petinglay added.
Cpt.
Petinglay said that last April 14 at 2:45am, Abu Sayyaf member Samla Halil, a
follower of sub-leader Alden Bagade, was nabbed by elements of the Marine
Special Operation Group (MARSOG) and the 52nd Special Action Force in Barangay
Tulay, Jolo, Sulu.
Recovered
from his possession were an M203 .40mm HEDP ammunition, two (2) M16 magazines,
and three (3) Caliber .45 magazines.
Cpt.
Petinglay further added that last April 15 at 10:30am elements of the 3rd Scout
Ranger Battalion and the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) of the 1st Special
Forces Company recovered a 7.62mm single shot rifle, a shotgun, BDA uniform,
assorted ammunition, and an ICOM radio belonging to the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay
Abong Abong, Maluso, Basilan.
Cpt.
Petinglay said that on that same day at 3:45pm, troops of the 68th Infantry
Battalion, under the Joint Task Force Basilan also seized an Abu Sayyaf camp
with 38 bunkers and three (3) guard posts in Barangay Cabcaban, Sumisip, Basilan.
On Tuesday (April
18) at 9:45 am, troops of the 15th Special Forces Company were also able to
find an arms cache along the mangrove area of Langas Island, Maloso, Basilan
Province. Wrapped in a sack were one (1) M16 Rifle with one (1) magazine and
one (1) M1 Garand with one (1) clip and a bandolier.
As per
verification with civilians, they were able to see earlier two persons bringing
along with them the "sack". One of the two person's arm was
accordingly wrapped with a bandage. It is believed that the persons were among
the wounded followers of ASG sub-leader Furuji Indama, who was wounded after
the armed engagement between the government forces and the group in
BrgyCabcaban, Sumisip, Basilan last April 11.
"We
will continue to gain grounds in the previous lairs and bailiwicks of the Abu
Sayyaf. We will be more aggressively implementing both our lethal and
non-lethal operations against them especially that we now have evidence that
the bandits are also engage in the illegal drug trade," added LtGen.
Galvez.
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