(UPDATED) The military believes the camps served as the places where the German hostages were hidden by the bandit group
The Philippine military said Sunday, October 19, it discovered 2 abandoned Abu Sayyaf "camps" in Patikul, Sulu.
One was found in barangay Buhanginan, where the German hostages were likely hidden, military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc said. The other camp, which can house 100 people, was found in Kabuntakas village.
"At about 3pm today, Bravo Company, 32 Infantry Battalion discovered abandoned Abu Sayyaf Group camp with 47 bunkers about 100 meters diameter at Sitio Lasal, Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul, Sulu.... Another camp that can accommodate 100 people was also discovered by the 35th Infantry Battalion in Kabuntakas Village," the military's situation report read.
Cabunoc said war materials found in the camps could help the military identify the whereabouts of the Abu Sayyaf and their hostages.
"The German kidnap victims were released near the abandoned Abu Sayyaf Group camp in Buhanginan village. Heavy rains slowed down the tracking operations but the troops under Colonel Allan Arrojado have remained committed to accomplish the assigned mission," said Cabunoc in a statement.
The military launched "full-scale combat rescue operations" against the Abu Sayyaf on Saturday, October 18, a day after the release of Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Henrike Dielen, 55.
The military's tracking operations will continue although heavy rains have slowed the troops.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/72459-military-finds-abandoned-abu-sayyaf-camps
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.