2 Sayyafs killed in South

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed in separate clashes in southern Philippines, a hotbed of Muslim insurgency in the country, officials said Friday.

Army Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., chief of Western Mindanao Command, said soldiers swooped down at dawn Thursday on an Abu Sayyaf target in Lumbaan Mahaba, a village in the town of Parang and killed Gan Salahudin. 

He said troops recovered Salahudin’s weapons – an M16 automatic rifle and an M203 grenade launcher. “Troops of Joint Task Force Sulu conducted a strike operation targeting an Abu Sayyaf group member. This resulted in a short firefight that led to the death of the target identified as Gan Salahudin,” Rosario said, adding the body of the slain terrorist was handed over to his family. 

Rosario said another group of soldiers also clashed with Abu Sayyaf gunmen in Buanza village in Indanan town, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. 

“The military is doing its best to convince all the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf group to return to the folds of the law. But we also remain tough if they refuse to end the conflict peacefully. We will exhaust all our available resources to hunt and pound all those who plan to create disturbance in the peaceful communities and victimize innocent civilians in our area of operation,” he said. 

The official also reported that another terrorist, Adil Akarab, was slain in a running gun battle with soldiers in Lamitan City in Basilan province on Wednesday. He said infantrymen recovered an improvised explosive and a dismantled rifle Akarab was transporting along with another companion who managed to escape. 

The duo was on a motorcycle when they evaded a military roadblock, but troops pursued them and a gun fight ensued. 

“I commend the troops of Joint Task Force Basilan for the neutralization of the IED carrier and for foiling the bomb plot of our adversaries. I urge everyone to always remain calm and vigilant, and immediately report to the authorities any suspicious activity in your vicinity,” Rosario said. 

Just two weeks ago, an improvised explosive went off outside the Lamitan City Hall. Police said it was investigating the motive of the bombing and who was behind the explosion which damaged a water pipe and portion of a wall surrounding the government building.  

There was no report of casualties from the blast. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the Abu Sayyaf, a pro-ISIS terrorist group, is actively operating in Basilan, one of five provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region.  

The blast occurred just a day after a pair of Abu Sayyaf fighters Jusrad Hudjata, 37; and Ahmad Pahalawan, 32, surrendered to the military in Basilan. They also yielded two rifles, according to Lt. Col. Cyril Santander, commander of the 18^th Infantry Battalion. 

Since January, a total of 17 terrorists had surrendered to authorities and mostly were provided government aid as part of a program to lure Abu Sayyaf members to surrender peacefully. (Mindanao Examiner)