ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine government condemned
the brutal killings of soldiers who clashed with the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf
in the southern province of Sulu in the Muslim autonomous region.
“We condemn in the strongest
possible terms the latest incident in Patikul, Sulu, where members of the Abu
Sayyaf Group believed to be under ASG leader Radullan Sahiron and Hatib Hadjan
Sawadjaan attacked government troops resulting in a firefight, which left 11
soldiers killed and 14 wounded.”
“The Office of the President expresses its sincerest
condolences to the bereaved families left behind by our brave soldiers who
fought hard and paid the ultimate sacrifice to secure our community. We honor
and pray for the fallen,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.
It was the second deadly fighting since April 16 where three
soldiers were also wounded.
The fighting occurred amid the coronavirus pandemic and while
soldiers were assisting in the government humanitarian and health efforts to control
or prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
“The enemies of the State choose no date and
occasion. They strike even during this time of great pandemic. But let this
serve as a warning to all - our authorities remain ready and prepared to crush
the enemies of the government and quell any armed attack amid the existing
state of calamity and public health emergency,” Roque said.
The Western Mindanao Command under Lt. Gen.
Cirilito Sobejana also released a statement shortly after midnight Friday and
similarly condemned the slaying of the soldiers.
“The Western Mindanao Command empathizes
with the bereaved families of our fallen heroes who, with their intestinal
fortitude, fought hard and braved the encounter against the Abu Sayyaf group in
Danag, Patikul, Sulu at 3:05 p.m. (Friday). The Western Mindanao Command’s
Joint Task Forces nevertheless sustain their security operations while they
take the lead in the strict enforcement of the quarantine,” it said.
Media reports said the soldiers are members of the
21st Infantry Battalion and Scout Ranger, and among the dead was a lieutenant.
News website Rappler reported that the soldiers lost seven R4 assault rifles,
one grenade launcher and a K3 machine gun, including a radio transceiver to the
Abu Sayyaf.
Gruesome
photos of the slain soldiers posted on Facebook have since gone viral.
The Philippine Army also honored the slain soldiers, calling them 'heroes' who sacrificed their lives to attain peace and stability in Sulu. “The Philippine Army is saddened with the events in Sulu today. While our troops are deployed all over the country supporting the National Effort against the NCOVID Pandemic, the fight against terrorism continues,” said Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, the army chief.
“Today, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of our 11 Sulu heroes who gallantly fought to the last breath against Abu Sayaff terrorists. While it is a sad day for us, their sacrifices will inspire us to strengthen our resolve until we are free from terrorism. This setback will not deter us from performing our duty to serve the Filipino people and secure our land,” he added.
Sulu Governor Sakur Tan strongly condemned the killings, calling it barbaric and un-Islamic. “We strongly condemn this violence and the senseless war that has claimed many innocent lives and affected the lives of civilians and the peace and development efforts of our government,” he said.
Security forces are battling the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group for the past 2 decades now and despite government efforts to lure them to surrender in exchange for livelihood and financial aid, its members continue to wage a violent campaign in the restive region.
Its leaders have pledged allegiance to ISIS or Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and vowed to put up a caliphate in Mindanao, one of the country’s three main islands largely populated by Christians, although the region was once under the powerful rule of the sultans. (Zamboanga Post)
 |
| Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay |
“Today, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of our 11 Sulu heroes who gallantly fought to the last breath against Abu Sayaff terrorists. While it is a sad day for us, their sacrifices will inspire us to strengthen our resolve until we are free from terrorism. This setback will not deter us from performing our duty to serve the Filipino people and secure our land,” he added.
 |
| Governor Sakur Tan |
Security forces are battling the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group for the past 2 decades now and despite government efforts to lure them to surrender in exchange for livelihood and financial aid, its members continue to wage a violent campaign in the restive region.
Its leaders have pledged allegiance to ISIS or Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and vowed to put up a caliphate in Mindanao, one of the country’s three main islands largely populated by Christians, although the region was once under the powerful rule of the sultans. (Zamboanga Post)
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