One Abu killed, firearm recovered by troops in a clash in Basilan

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (February 24, 2018) - An Abu Sayyaf was killed and a firearm was captured after a fierce firefight between soldiers of the 68th Infantry Battalion and the Abu Sayyaf Group under an unknown leader at Sitio Pali, Brgy Abong-Abong, Maluso, Basilan Province at 8:45am Saturday (February 24), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay said that air assets were deployed to the area to provide close air support to the engaged troops after more than an hour of firefight while Joint Task Force Basilan provided fire support.

“We also directed other maneuver forces including the special forces battalion, 64IB and 18IB to block the avenues of enemy withdrawal,” said Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, Commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.

“After scouring the area, one enemy body count was recovered and one M14 rifle was seized by troops.”

As of noontime, sporadic firefight is still ongoing while troops are conducting pursuit operations to the fleeing bandits, Cpt Petinglay added.

“There will be a no-let up operation against the Abu Sayyaf as our Commander-in-Chief himself has declared such since last year,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

 “The different Joint Task Forces are in full-throttle to get the remaining Abu Sayyaf members and to rescue their kidnap victims.”

“My congratulations to JTF Basilan headed by their Commander Brigadier General Juvymax Uy for this accomplishment.”