Abu Sayyaf Group clash with Philippine military, terrorists injured in Basilan
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Abu Sayyaf Group clash with Philippine military, terrorists injured in Basilan
Two intense firefights occur between the Philippine military and the notorious terror group.
BASILAN: The Philippine military clashed with the Abu Sayyaf and other lawless elements injuring some members of the terror group in the southern Basilan province on Wednesday.
Combined elements of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Basilan and Naval Forces Western Mindanao were conducting a focused military operation in Kauluan Island, Al-Barka, said the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in a statement Thursday.
They then encountered remnants of the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) under a leader only known by his alias, Khatan, and members of an armed lawless group under a leader known by nom de guerre Junga at 3am.
The firefight lasted for 25 minutes, after which the enemies withdrew bringing along their casualties with them.
Military troops immediately established blockades in the possible withdrawal routes of the enemies. This resulted in another gunfight which lasted for 30 minutes.
During the clearing operations, troops recovered two M16 rifles, one M1 Garand rifle, one rifle grenade, 64 5.56mm live rounds, one pair of rifle handguards, one rifle monoscopic, assorted magazines, one Baofeng commercial radio, one walkie-talkie, two bandoliers, two chest rigs and other personal belongings.
The operations were jointly conducted by the JTF Basilan’s 14th Special Forces Company, 4th Special Forces Battalion, and Naval Forces Western Mindanao’s Patrol Guard 901, 1st Boat Attack Division and Marine Battalion Landing Team 6.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, the commander of Westmincom, commended the Navy and Army forces for their accomplishment.
He also called on the remaining ASG members to return to the fold of the law.
“If they refuse to join us, we will go after them and prevent them from creating havoc in the peaceful communities for it is our primary duty to protect our fellow Filipinos from any form of violence and inhumane acts," Galido said.