Another ASG camp falls in the hands of soldiers

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 9): Another ASG camp falls in the hands of soldiers

Government security forces on Sunday seized another Abu Sayyaf (ASG) camp in Sulu, an indication that the bandit group is on the run, a military official said.

Col. Allan Arrojado, commander, Joint Task Group Sulu, said troops from the 35th Infantry Brigade (IB) discovered the ASG camp at Barangay Danag, Patikul town around 9:30 a.m. yesterday.

He said the camp was believed to have been last occupied a week ago by more or less 30 men. It has six bunkers with training area. Soldiers also recovered combat uniforms and two flags.

The soldiers continue to scour the area, as Arrojado stressed that there will be no let-up in the pursuit operations against the bandit group.

The military said a total of 16 ASG camps in Sulu have been seized by government forces since an all-out law enforcement operation was launched last week of October.

Arrojado said this shows that the bandits are now on the run.

On Friday night, the military launched another aerial attack against some 200 ASG members who were monitored to have converged at Sitio Datag Kan Masarin, Barangay Buhanginan, also in Patikul town.

One ASG member was killed in the operation.

Last Nov. 1, the military also launched an airstrike against the bandit group in the same barangay, killing Uran Jawhari, reportedly the son of ASG sub-leader Jamiri Jaong Jawhari.

Government security forces are hot on the trail of the bandit group since full-scale law enforcement operations were launched last week of October following the release of two German nationals who were held captive by the ASG for six months.

The soldiers have been directed by AFP Chief Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. to maintain military pressure to force the bandits to release their remaining hostages.

Among the 10 kidnap victims believed to be still in the hands of the ASG are six foreign nationals – European birdwatchers Ewold Horn and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, Japanese treasure hunter Mamaito Katayama, Malaysian Zakiah Aleip, and mother and daughter, Dina Lim and Yahong Lim Tan.

Last week, Catapang said government security forces will also be hunting down the ASG in Basilan 24 hours a day. The military now have five battalions and specialized units pursuing the bandits as part of the all-out law enforcement operation.

http://www.mb.com.ph/another-asg-camp-falls-in-the-hands-of-soldiers/