Troops clash with Sayyafs in Sulu

SULU – Army soldiers clashed Saturday with a band of Abu Sayyaf fighters in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, officials said.

Officials said members of the 41^st Infantry Battalion tracked down and engaged the pro-ISIS militants in a gun battle in the village of Bungkaong in Patikul town, one of few remaining strongholds of the Abu Sayyaf group. 

Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the 11th Infantry Division and the anti-terror Joint Task Force-Sulu, said, troops clashed with at least seven gunmen believed to be followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Basaron Arok.

 

He said civilians tipped off the military about the presence of the gunmen.

“Based on the report submitted by 1101^st Infantry Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Eugenio Boquio, operating troops of the 41st Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. James Erasmus Gagni, were conducting focused military operations when they encountered more or less seven ASG members believed to be under ASG Sub-leader Basaron Arok in the vicinity of Barangay Bungkaong, Patikul, Sulu,” he said.

Photos released by the Joint Task Force-Sulu show the Abu Sayyaf weapon and other items recovered by soldiers following a firefight Saturday, March 26, 2022 in Sulu province. 

There were no immediate reports of enemy casualties, but Patrimonio said soldiers recovered various items, including one M16 automatic rifle, left behind by the militants. He said no soldiers were injured or killed in the clash.

 

Patrimonio, quoting a report by Boquio, said security forces were pursuing the Abu Sayyaf gunmen. “We deployed additional forces to possible exit points of the fleeing bandits. This is a relentless pursuit operation, especially now that our troops were able to locate the bandits’ positions,” Boquio said.

 

Patrimonio lauded the soldiers, saying: “Now, it is only a matter of time before we can finally say that Sulu is completely free from the threats and terrorism of the ASG bandits. We enjoin the public and encourage the remaining ASG bandits, particularly those who were encountered by our troops to go back to the folds of the law and live their normal lives. We are always here to help you start anew.”

 

“This accomplishment is our collective effort backed by the support of the peace-loving residents who are tired of the violence brought by the ASG bandits in their communities. The tipping-off of the ASG presence in their communities is a manifestation of their continuing support to us. Let us continue to press on the remaining ASG bandits and end terrorism here in Sulu,” he added.

 

The Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders have pledged allegiance with ISIS, is fighting for the establishment of a caliphate along with other extremist groups in the restive region. (Mindanao Examiner)