By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (February 18, 2018) - As troops of the Joint Task Forces under Western
Mindanao sustain the operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group, another bandit
surrenders to the soldiers of the 74th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task
Force Basilan Saturday afternoon, military official said.
Western Mindanao
Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that
Ligoda Tanjal, a regular member of the ASG under Abu Sayyaf Subleader Nurhasan Jamiri
@Abu Bekkat and is listed nr. 18 in the AFP’s Periodic Status report,
surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Templo, Battalion Commander of the 74IB at
Brgy Banah, Tipo-tipo, Basilan at 3pm Saturday (Feb 17). Tanial turned over
upon his surrender one M16A1 rifle; one rifle scope; a magazine with
ammunition.
“We
immediately have Tanial undergo the usual process for surrenderees that
includes custodial debriefing and medical check up,” said Brigadier General
JuvymaxUy, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.
“He said he
surrendered because he wanted to have a new life away from banditry and danger.
He also said that he was encouraged to lay down arms after learning that his
former companions are already undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration
program.”
Cpt. Petinglay
stresses that Tanial is the 10th Abu Sayyaf to surrender in Basilan Province
since the year started. It brings the number of surrenderees to 20 in the
different JTFs of WestMinCom for this year alone and 178 since January 2017.
Meanwhile,
a soldier made the ultimate sacrifice while on pursuit and rescue operation of
a kidnap victim of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu last February 15, Cpt.
Petinglay added.
Cpt.
Petinglay said that the troops under the 45th Infantry Battalion of the Joint
Task Force Sulu were pursuing a group who were reportedly carrying a kidnap victim
when an encounter occured at Brgy Tugas, Patikul, Sulu at 9:20am Thursday. Heavy
exchange of gunfire lasted for 30 minutes with intermittent fires while the
enemy were withdrawing.
“We were
informed that the group of the Abu Sayyaf who were involved in the recent
kidnapping of an Engineer in Jolo, Sulu were in the area, so our troops
immediately moved for the possible rescue,” said Brigadier General Cirilito
Sobejana, Commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.
In his
report to Western Mindanao Command, BGen Sobejana said that one soldier died
and two others were during the encounter.
“Our
soldiers are very eager to get these bandits and rescue the KV, despite the
difficulty in the terrain and the situation.”
Cpt
Petinglay further said that the two wounded soldiers were evacuated to
Zamboanga City later that day and were given immediate medical care. After
troops scoured the encounter site, they were able to recover personal
belongings of the bandits and heavy bloodstains in the area.
“We also
received reports that there were two Abus who died later that day due to their
wounds during the encounter,” added BGen Sobejana.
As of this
report, soldiers are still on pursuit operation for the fleeing Abus while
adjacent units are on blocking position in suspected enemy withdrawal routes.
“Another
hero has fallen in the pursuit for peace,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G
Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command. “His remains is now
being transported to his hometown and will be accorded with the highest honor
due for a hero like him.”
“Soldiers
under Western Mindanao Command will continue to do their mission to rescue the
remaining kidnap victims and disallow these terrorists from continually
creating fear among the people.”
“We will not rest until the last KV be rescued
and the last terrorist be neutralized, no matter what it takes,” added LtGen
Galvez. “We will also continue to process surrenderees in partnership with
other government units for their rehabilitation and reintegration programs.”
The
WestMinCom chief also said that he believes that one of the reasons for the
continuing surrenders of Abu Sayyaf members in Basilan is the massive
implementation in the province of ARMM infrastructure projects.
“The
projects implemented in the Province of Basilan in the past five years brought
in livelihood opportunities. When people are employed they get busy with
income-generating projects and realize it’s better to earn money the legal way
rather than engage in banditry and terrorism,” LtGen Galvez said.
The
WestMinCom chief further said that he is hopeful that the other Provinces will
also implement the same projects so as to motivate more Abus to surrender.
“Although
we continue to face challenges almost every day, we are optimistic that
together, we will eventually win this in the end.”
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