5 Abus killed, another captured in Sulu

Five members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed, while another was captured amid the intensified conduct of focused military operations launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force Sulu in Capual, Sulu province.

Reports said that the bandits killed belonged to the group of sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya who is based in Indanan, Sulu and has more or less 40 followers.

Army Captain Jo-Ann D. Petinglay, the spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command, said the encounter happened in Sitio Talok Talok, Capual, Sulu, at about 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Petinglay said Marines were in combat operations when they engaged in a 20-minute armed confrontation members of the Abu Sayyaf under Misaya.

As a result, five bandits were killed, while the government did not suffer any casualty. Troops later recovered the bodies of the slain bandits.

The encounter also resulted in the apprehension of an Abu Sayyaf member and the seizure of eight high-powered firearms (four M-16 and M-14 rifles) belonging to the enemy.

Petinglay said government forces later proceeded to the area of engagement to reinforce the engaging troops and conduct pursuit operations. Naval forces also conducted blockade along the waters of Capual Island for possible interception of the fleeing Abu Sayyafs.

Petinglay said the military will continue to intensify focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu in line with the no let-up campaign of the President against the proliferation of kidnappings and other atrocities instigated by the terrorist group in the province.

“This operational success manifests the commitment of the AFP in fulfilling its mandate of bringing internal peace and security in the province of Sulu. Rest assured that we will continue to abide by the rules of engagement and contain the Abu Sayyaf Group with the assistance of the local government and the community,” Maj. Gen. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command said.

Galvez said that as a sign of respect, the remains of the slain Abu Sayyaf members will be given proper burial in accordance with the Muslim rites.