ZAMBOANGA CITY remains under tight security since the twin suicide bombings in Sulu province that killed and wounded dozens of soldiers and civilians.
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| Policemen guard a checkpoint on a village in Zamboanga City. (Zamboanga Post) |
Mayor Beng Climaco said security is tight in Zamboanga City since the bombings in Sulu's capital town of Jolo late last month. She said roadblocks and checkpoints around the city are being guarded by soldiers and policemen and patrols continue even at night.
She reminded Zamboangueños to stay vigilant and for soldiers and policemen to maintain their alertness following fresh clashes between security forces and Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the neighboring province of Zamboanga Sibugay.
“Necesita esta todo alerto y vigilante por nuestra propia seguridad,” Climaco said.
At least 5 Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed and two soldiers wounded in fierce clashes last week in Barangay President Roxas in the town of R.T. Lim where security forces caught up with a group of gunmen escaping a military operation from the nearby town of Alicia where a gunman had been killed and 2 soldiers and three civilians wounded in Barangay La Paz.
The latest fighting coincided with the commemoration of rebel attacks in Zamboanga City by the followers of Moro National Liberation Front chieftain Nur Misuari in 2013. The siege lasted for three weeks and left hundreds of people dead and wounded. It was the second attack of Misuari's group in Zamboanga City since 2001.
Lt. Col. Don Templonuevo, commander of the 44th Infantry Battalion, said they killed 5 gunmen in the fighting, but two more soldiers were also wounded in the clashes.
“This is the result of our pursuit operations against the armed elements of Abral Abdusalam and Sahibad Group led by Furuji Indama after our encounter in Barangay La Paz in Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay dawn of Sunday, September 6,” he said.
Templonuevo said troops recovered the bodies of the gunmen and their automatic weapons. The identities of the dead remain unknown, he said, adding, soldiers clashed with at least 10 armed men in the area. “Pursuit operation is still on-going,” he said.
Citing intelligence report, Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, said the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf gunmen were on a kidnapping mission.
Last October 4, gunmen led by a rogue leader Abdul Alip, of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, kidnapped a 70-year old British man, Allan Arthur Hyrons, and his Filipina wife, Welma Paglinawan, in Tukuran town in Zamboanga del Sur.
Alip handed over the couple to the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province where the pro-ISIS group demanded P50 million for the safe release of the victims. The victims were allegedly rescued by soldiers November 25 after a clash with the Abu Sayyaf. (Zamboanga Post)
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