Two abus neutralized in a pursuit operation in Tawi-Tawi

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (March 25, 2021) - The two remaining Abu Sayyaf Group members who escorted their kidnap victims to Tawi-Tawi were neutralized by the military on Tuesday afternoon, March 23, 2021.

According to Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., the troops of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi conducted a pursuit operation to apprehend the two remaining followers of the late Apo Mike who fled during the rescue operation on Sunday morning.

“Based on the report, the troops of JTF Tawi-Tawi received information of the enemy sightings still in Barangay Kalupag Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi so a pursuit operation headed by Col. Nestor Narag, Jr., Deputy Commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, was immediately conducted,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

Col. Narag, Jr. narrated, “While we were moving towards their location, they open fired so we retaliated. A short encounter ensued which resulted in the instantaneous death of the two Abu Sayyaf/Kidnap-for-Ransom Group members know by their aliases as Long and Darus".

While scouring the clash site, the operating troops recovered the cadavers of the two slain ASG members and one M16 rifle.

The continuous focused military operations began on Friday following the rescue of the three Indonesian kidnap victims and the apprehension of two ASG members on Thursday.

On Saturday evening, combined AFP and PNP were able to neutralize the leader of the group known as Apo Mike while the two managed to escape. While conducting a hot pursuit operation, the combined troops were able to rescue the last kidnap victim in captivity on Sunday morning and they continued to pursue the remaining terrorists.

“We intensified our focused military operations and intelligence monitoring to track down these two hence their neutralization,” said Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, Commander of the JTF Tawi-Tawi.

“This is by far, one of the most fulfilling accomplishments that I attained in my years of service as a military officer, and I would like to share this victory to the men and women of JTF Tawi-Tawi and the peace-loving people of this province,” Brig. Gen. Rojas added.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. lauded the troops of JTF Tawi-Tawi for the successful rescue of the four remaining hostages and the neutralization of Apo Mike and his followers.

“We also have to give due recognition to the support of the local government officials, our partners from the PNP, and community who directed our troops to the terrorists’ location,” the commander added 

“This exemplifies that peace is truly a shared responsibility,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. concluded. (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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