Abandoned Sulu camp found Sunday proof Abu Sayyaf on the run - military commander

From InterAksyon (Nov 9): Abandoned Sulu camp found Sunday proof Abu Sayyaf on the run - military commander



Another abandoned Abu Sayyaf camp was discovered by Army troopers in Patikul, Sulu Sunday morning, proof that government operations are keeping the extremists on the run, the military commander on the southern province said.

Colonel Allan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, said the camp in Barangay Danag found by troops of the 35th Infantry Battalion around 9:30 a.m. had six bunkers and a “training area,” and was believed last occupied “a week ago by more or less 30 men.”

Aside from combat uniforms, Arrojado said the soldiers also retrieved two flags, one with the markings “Sultaniyah Sulu Darul Islam,” the other saying “Happy 60rth Founding Anniversary, Sulu Darul Islam,” and documents.

The military mounted operations soon after the Abu Sayyaf released kidnapped Germans Viktor Stefan Okonek and Henrike Dielen in mid-October.

However, while maintaining that the operations were keeping the extremists on the run, the military has yet to initiate any contact with their targets.

Arrojado acknowledged this, explaining that the Abu Sayyaf enjoyed substantial support from communities where they operate.

“Mahirap talaga … community ‘yung kalaban natin, suporta nila, nand’yan ‘yung mga barangay na ‘yan, d’yan sila nabubuhay (It’s really difficult … our enemy is the community, their support, there are these villages there, it is where they live),” he said.

Arrojado also said that the Abu Sayyaf band they are pursuing had split up into four groups, with one group of about 70 gunmen led by Radullan Sahiron believed to be holding around 10 hostages, including foreigners.

When the splintered groups converge, he said, they would number around 200 gunmen.

Despite the lack of contact with the gunmen, Arrojado said, “importante hindi sila makapahinga (what is important is that they cannot rest),” so the military can eventually catch up with them.

He added that the pursuit operations also allowed the troops to familiarize themselves with the area.

Arrojado also acknowledged that, aside from their intimate knowledge of the terrain, the extremists also receive warning of approaching troops from their civilian supporters.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/98855/abandoned-sulu-camp-found-sunday-proof-abu-sayyaf-on-the-run---military-commander