Six Abus neutralized, nine firearms seized as offensives continue in Western Mindanao

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (June 1, 2017 AFP) - Six (6) more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were neutralized (3killed and 3 apprehended) and nine high-powered firearms were seized in the sustained offensives of the Joint Task Forces of the Western Mindanao Command since May 29, 2017, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that elements of the Philippine Marine Ready Fleet Sulu, led by Colonel Antonio Rosario, Jr., encountered fully armed Abu Sayyaf bandits under the late sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya in Barangay Sukuban, Omar, Sulu at 5am yesterday (May 31).

Cpt. Petinglay said that an exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the death of a bandit, whose body was retrieved by the engaged troops, and the seizure of eight (8) high-powered firearms left by the evading Abu Sayyaf members. The firearms seized included four (4) M16 rifles, an M77, an M14 rifle, and two (2) Garand rifles.

Meanwhile, no casualty was reported on the government forces.

Cpt Petinglay also said that on Tuesday (May 30), the joint operations of the military and the police yielded to the arrest of three (3) more Abu Sayyaf members and the seizure of an explosive in Zamboanga City.

Cpt. Petinglay further disclosed that the joint elements of police and the soldiers from 11th Infantry Battalion under LTC Rolando Gomez, served a warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom to Abu Sayyaf member Kimhar Asusi, a.k.a Abu Kimar, a resident of Parang, Sulu, upon his arrival at the Zamboanga City Port at 6am on Tuesday.

A fragmentation grenade was found inside the bag of the bandit upon initial search.

Asusi was subsequently brought to the Zamboanga Police Station 11 for legal procedures.

In his report to the Western Mindanao Command, Colonel Leonel Nicolas said that Asusi is a Sulu-based ASG member who started off as an errand boy of Abu Sayyaf member Roger Sadji, while safekeeping the Sipadan hostages in 2000.

Records show that Asusi was previously under Sibih Pisih, but he transferred to the group of sub-leader Angah Adji. He was involved in the kidnapping of two coastguard personnel in Dipolog last 2015. The victims were later rescued in Indanan, Sulu.

Cpt. Petinglay further said that on the evening of same day (May 30), Al Hamed Manalas Abdurahman, a.k.a. Al Amid, 37 years old, and Murasidol Abdurahman, a.k.a. Teddung, 32 years old, both Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf members under Idang Susukan, were arrested by combined elements of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga and the police by virtue of search warrants issued by Judge Eric Elumba.

Seized from Al Hamed were five M16 magazines, nine rounds of M16 live ammunition, and an M16 bolt assembly at his residence in Barangay Maasin, this city at around 6:40pm.

Elements of the JTF Zamboanga and the police also arrested Murasidol Abdurahman at his residence in Barangay Ayala at around 7pm on that evening, she added.

Seized by the troops were a fragmentation grenade, three blasting caps, and a small bottle of suspected C4 explosive substance.

Al Hamed and Murasidol Abduhraman were brought to the Zamboanga City Police Office for legal procedure past 7 last night.

Cpt. Petinglay further added that on Monday (May 29), elements of the PMRFS, Marine Special Operation Group engaged in a gun battle with Abu Sayyaf members under sub-leader Sibih Pisih in Barangay Mabahay, Talipao, Sulu Province at 9:30 in the evening.

Said armed confrontation lasted for 10 minutes, resulting in the deaths of two Abu Sayyaf members, and the seizure of an M16 rifle.

"One soldier was wounded in action during the firefight," said Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

"He was safely evacuated last night and given medical attention at the Kuta Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Jolo, Sulu, and is already stable by now," added Brigadier General Sobejana.

"I would like to recognize the efforts of our Joint Task Forces and the sacrifices of our soldiers," said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the WestMinCom.

"As we continue on our fight to finish off the Abu Sayyaf, we are able to neutralize them in groups or individually because of our growing network of supporters."

"Mas mabuti pa na sumurrender nalang ang mga Abu Sayyaf na ito kesa makipaglaban sila sa mas malakas na pinagsamang pwersa Gobyerno at ng sambayanan."

"Alam naman nila na napakarami na ang sumurrender at nagbigay ng impormasyon patungkol sa lokasyon at pagkakakilanlan ng mga kasamahan nila, kaya pasasaan ba't makukuha din natin ang iba pang bandido," added the WestMinCom chief.

Cpt. Petinglay concluded that from January 1, 2017 to date, there are a total of 180 Abu Sayyaf members neutralized, 72 of whom were killed, 44 were apprehended, and 64 surrendered to the troops.

After 5 months since the campaign to crush the group started, 98 firearms were already recovered from the bandit group, wherein 88 were high powered and 10 are low powered firearms.