Government troops have seized firearms from the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militan group in a law enforcement operatios in Indanan town in the southern island province of Sulu.
Capt. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of the military’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said the Joint Task Group Sulu, while conducting law enforcement operations, recovered in plain view 13 firearms, assorted magazines, ammunitions and bandoleers in Barangay Mangis.
The recovery of firearms of the Abu Sayyaf comes amid of intensifying search and rescue operation for the remaining foreign and Filipino hostages believed being held captive in Sulu.
Last Saturday morning, Dec. 6, a Swiss birdwatcher Lorezon Vinciguerra held captive by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu for more than two years escaped after taking advantage of the confusion caused by a government bombardment of Abu Sayyaf positions in the village of Kulambu in Talipao town to spring his escape.
Vinciguerra had been on a bird watching expedition with Dutchman Ewold Horn and Filipino Ivan Sarenas when they were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi in February 2012.
Sarenas, at the onset of their captivity had been able to escape by jumping off the motor-outrigger that was taking them to Sulu from Tawi-Tawi.
The military said in the light of the successful escape of Vinciguerra, the operations by the military in Sulu will continue until Horn, is released.
Also Tuesday, Abu Sayyaf freed one of their Malaysian captives, Chinese fish breeder Kun Mun Hua, alias Chan Sai Chuin, in Sitio Timahu, Barangay Tubig Dakula in Indanan town.
Prior to his release, Hua, 32, abducted by the Abu Sayyaf from his fish farm in Sapong Kunak, Malaysia, on June 16, had been taken by captors to Sulu and held captive for 177 days in the province.
“According to Colonel Alan Arrojado, Commander, Joint Task Group Sulu, military troops recovered one M14 with M203 attached, one 9MM, one Caliber .45 pistol, four M16 and three M14 rifles, one AK 47; one Barrett rifle, and one M4 rifle,” Muyuela said in a press statement.
The troops continue to cordon the area to prevent extrication of lawless elements operating in Indanan, Sulu, said Lieutenant General Rustico O. Guerrero, Commander, Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).
“AFP closely works with Philippine National Police (PNP) and Local Government Unit (LGU) in the conduct of relentless law enforcement operations in the province of Sulu, Guerrero said.
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