Fleet-Marine Team neutralize Abus in Sulu

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY (Dec. 14, 2018)– Fleet-Marine Troops neutralized seven members of the Abu Sayyaf Group during an encounter at Minis Island, Patikul, Sulu, early morning of December 13, 2018, Philippine Navy Official said.

Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina AFP, Naval Forces Western Mindanao Commander disclosed that the Joint elements of 62nd Marine Company of Philippine Marine Ready Force – Sulu under Col Armel S Tolato PN(M)(MNSA) responded to the reports received from Joint Task Force Sulu on the sightings of Abu Sayyaf bandits in the area.

Medina said the Navy ship, BRP Juan Magluyan (PC 392) and BRP Waray (LC288) which serves as Command and Control Platform also proceeded to the encounter site with the Special Operations Platoon1 of Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 for reinforcement. More so, NH434, an armed PN helicopter conducted ISR and CAS to support the ongoing operation augmented by Multi Purpose Attack Craft with Seal Team and PBL boat of NAVSOU. Sea denial is now being enforced by the Fleet-Marine team over the sea waters of Minis Island to avoid escape and enemy reinforcement while NAVSOU and MARSOU hunts down the ASGs in the mangrove area of the Island.

The encounter between the Fleet-Marine troops and undetermined number of ASG resulted to the neutralization of seven (7) ASG members which includes an alleged ASG sub leader with several firearms and military items recovered and apprehension of 10 persons for identification who surrendered voluntarily, Medina added.

He also said that the encounter left one killed-in-action and three (3) wounded on the government side. Said casualties were immediately brought to KHTB Hospital in Bus-bus, Jolo, Sulu for medical treatment and proper disposition.

The neutralization of this ASGs was a result of the commitment and continued monitoring activity of the government troops in the Western Mindanao Area of Responsibility. The public is assured that the AFP particularly the Fleet-Marine troops will continue to exercise vigilance in the ZAMBASULTA area to pre-empt any activities brought by the Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless terrorist groups that threatens the peace, stability and development in the area, Medins explained.(With PR from NFWM)