12 ASG fighters killed in Sulu encounters
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2019 09:27:23 +0000
MAP of Patikul, Sulu
Twelve Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) fighters, including a sub-leader, were killed in a series of encounters with government troops in Patikul, Sulu, on Thursday.
A report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) identified the ASG sub-leader killed as Julie Ikit.
The military disclosed that Ikit was cousin and “Number 2 man” of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron.
Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of AFP-WestMinCom, said the 12 Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed in four separate encounters with government soldiers in two adjacent barangays of Patikul, Sulu, on Thursday.
Besana said troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion (32nd IB) conducted combat operations after they received information from concerned citizens about the presence of a number of Abu Sayyaf militants in their area.
Besana said while the troops of the 32nd IB were scouring Sitio Bud Taming, Barangay Panglayahan, Patikul, they were engaged by more or less 120 Abu Sayyaf men under the command of Sahiron and Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan at about 10:37 a.m.
According to Besana, the encounter, which lasted for almost an hour, forced the local terrorist group to scamper away, leaving behind Ikit who died in the initial firefight.
Among the items seized in the encounter site include a pair of Night Vision Goggles, 40 makeshift tents, five sacks of rice and 50 water gallons.
Basena said at about 3:45 p.m. the same day, members of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion under Major John Reysanti Aling who were tasked to block the terrorists’ withdrawal, engaged the Abu Sayyaf at Sitio Kan Isnain, Brgy. Kabun Takas also in Patikul.
The remains of a still unidentified terrorist was later found by the troops during a quick search in the area.
The Abu Sayyaf, Besana said, reportedly split into small groups to avoid being caught by the pursuing troops.
At about 5 p.m. the same day, government troops once again engaged members of the Abu Sayyaf at Sitio Kan Isnain. Some 45 minutes later, another encounter took place near the area.
Besana said seven more Abu Sayyaf terrorists were reportedly killed while 19 others were also wounded in fierce encounters.
Meanwhile, AFP Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu commander Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., said the loss of Sahiron’s trusted man is expected to have a big impact on Abu Sayyaf’s morale.
Pabayo said the troops are still scouring nearby barangays where Sahiron and his men might have escaped. (Francis Wakefield)