5 Marine battalions hunt down gunmen responsible for Sulu massacre

From InterAksyon (Jul 31): 5 Marine battalions hunt down gunmen responsible for Sulu massacre

Five Marine battalions have joined pursuit operations against Abu Sayyaf gunmen who staged an ambush that left 23 people, including women and children, dead in Talipao, Sulu Monday.

"We are supporting the Philippine National Police in its ongoing operations. As of the moment, we have five Marine battalions helping in the pursuit operations," Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said.

Aside from the Marines, Zagala said there are also support units that can be tapped if needed.

At the same time, he said there are no plans to send reinforcements to Sulu.
Earlier, Brigadier General Martin Pinto, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, assured the victims’ families they would do everything they can to bring the perpetrators to justice.

At the same time, he brushed off insinuations that lapses by the military allowed the attack.

Earlier, authorities said the target of the ambush were members of a barangay police force engaged in a “rido,” or blood feud, with relatives of Abu Sayyaf members and who happened to be escorting two jeeploads of Muslims celebrating the end of Ramadan.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/92331/5-marine-battalions-hunt-down-gunmen-responsible-for-sulu-massacre