Three more Abus neutralized by WestMinCom troops as operations heat up

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (May 20, 2017) - As combat operations heats up all over Western Mindanao, troops of the Joint Task forces pound harder on the remaining Abu Sayyaf Group resulting to the neutralization of three more bandits, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that at 2am Friday (May 19), elements of the 61st/65th Marine Company, Marine Special Operation Group and the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, engaged in an armed confrontation with Abu Sayyaf remnants under the late sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya on Bangalaw Island, Banguingui in the nearby province of  Sulu.

Said exchange of gunfire resulted in the neutralization of an Abu Sayyaf member, identified as a certain Imbo. Recovered by the engaged troops were an M16 rifle, magazines for M16 and ammunition.

Cpt. Petinglay said, upon checking Imbo's pockets, a sachet of shabu was found with five other empty sachets. Further a cellphone containing pertinent information of his fellow bandits was also recovered.

"Imbo is an ASG/KFRG member and trusted contact on Bangalaw island of the late Misaya," says Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, the Commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

"He is a KFR contact and facilitator in the island and a keeper of Misaya's firearms and pump boats used in kidnapping ventures," BGen Sobejana added.

No casualty was reported on the government side while it is believed that the bandits suffered heavy casualty from the encounter due to the bloodstains seen in the area, added Cpt. Petinglay.

Cpt. Petinglay further added that two (2) Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members under sub-leader Nurhassan Jamiri surrendered to the troops of Joint Task Force Basilan under Col Juvymax Uy at 9:30pm on Thursday (May 18).

Cpt. Petinglay further disclosed that Janatin Mudjaral Madjakin, a.k.a. Atin, 44, and Aldasid Madjakin, a.k.a. Alda, 19, surrendered to the troops of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion in Camp Cordero, Campo Uno in Lamitan City, Basilan.

The duo yielded two high-powered firearms, an M16A1 rifle and an M79, following their surrender.

In his report to the WestMinCom Commander, Col Juvymax Uy said that the duo (father and son) decided to go back to the folds of law, citing difficulties because of the relentless military operations.

Further, the two revealed that more ASG members are already contemplating to surrender but are just finding the perfect timing to do such.

“More than anything else, we also want to work for peace without the use of arms and prevent bloodshed, and, in this light, we are encouraging other Abu Sayyaf bandits, as Filipinos, to lay down their arms and join the government in working for a peaceful and progressive Mindanao,” says Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr, Commander, Western Mindanao Command.

"But if they prefer to fight, then we will make sure that our troops will get them hard the soonest," he adds.

"Marami pang top leaders ng ASG ang gusting sumuko, kaya nararapat lamang nasumuko na din ang mga nagtatago pa bago pa man sila matonton ng ating tropa."

"Kailangan nilang gawin ito ng mabilisan bago pa mahuli ang lahat," added LtGen. Galvez.

Janatin Madjakin, and Aldasid Madjakin are both residents of Barangay Cabangalan, Ungkaya Pukan. The tally of bandits who surrendered in Basilan alone reached 27 as of this report, added Cpt. Petinglay.