258 Abus neutralized, 148 firearms seized in Western Mindanao

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (June 30, 2017) - The all-out military campaign launched by the Joint Task Forces of the Western Mindanao Command within its joint area of operations since January this year yielded to the deaths of 94 hard-core members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, apprehension of 66 more, surrender of 98, and recovery of 148 firearms of the group, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay said, as the timeline given by the Commander-in-Chief to defeat the Abu Sayyaf comes to an end, 2 more Abu Sayyaf members surrendered to the Joint Task Force Basilan under Colonel Juvymax Uy. Serham Hasi Akkalun and Hapid Madjakin, both Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf members, yielded to the elements of the 13th Special Forces Company based in Barangay Guinanta, Albarka, Basilan at 4pm on Thursday (June 29).

“We welcome those who return to the fold of the law and accord them the opportunity to live normal lives, far from what they have been facing before as combatants who engaged the government forces and who fight for extremism to thrive in Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“Rest assured that with all these operational feats, we will not rest on our laurels and will, instead, continue to work hard and integrate the efforts of our soldiers and our stakeholders in sustaining the internal security in Mindanao and in bringing about the defeat of the Abu Sayyaf,” added Lieutenant General Galvez.

Cpt. Petinglay said turned over by Akkalun and Madjakin were an M1 Garand rifle and a clip with four rounds of live ammunition. The subjects underwent custodial debriefing conducted by the Joint Task Force Basilan soldiers. Both will be turned over to the police today for the legal procedures.

Information disclosed by Akkalun revealed that he twice escaped from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Basilan on December 13, 2009 and on January 27, 2015. Madjakin also revealed that he is an Abu Sayyaf member under the late sub-leader Long Malat.

“On the tactical level, the combat operations of our troops are currently being intensified to pressure the Abu Sayyaf bandits to yield to the government forces. With the surrender of the bandits and the seizure of their strongholds, we are confident that our offensives on the ground are effective,” said Colonel Uy.