Gov’t troops, ASGs exchange fire in Sumisip, Basilan

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 22): Gov’t troops, ASGs exchange fire in Sumisip, Basilan

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Jan 22 (PIA) – Government troops under the 104th Infantry (Sultan) Brigade clashed with the Abu Sayyaf Groups (ASGs) at different times on Tuesday (January 20) in Sumisip, Basilan Province.

Acting Civil Military Operations Officer ILt Sally Christine Ma Magno (AGS) Philippine Army (PA) reported that the military encountered some 25 ASGs under sub-leader Juhaibel Alamsirul alias Abu Kik at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the vicinity of sitio Penas, Barangay Pamantsaken in Sumisip.

The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes, after which the enemy withdrew towards the north direction near Barangay Baiwas of the same municipality.

Initial military report stated that one ASG Yusof Sandatan was seriously wounded, while there were no casualties on the government side.

Operating elements of 104th Brigade are currently clearing the area, known as an ASG stronghold in Sumisip.

At 12:55 p.m. of same day, while clearing the area of Pamantsaken-Baiwas, the troops were met by sniper fires from the ASG. They conducted counter-sniping operations and managed to inch their way, clearing the enemy area.          

As the troops continued clearing the area, another encounter with the ASGs took place at about 1:38 p.m. This time the combined group under ASG sub-leader Radzmil Janatul alias Khubayb and ASG sub-leader Juhaibel Alamsirul alias Abu Kik with more or less 50 members engaged the military in a two-hour firefight at the vicinity of Sitio Crossing at Barangay Baiwas.

The troops effectively conducted fire and maneuver and the employment of close air and indirect fire support, forcing the enemy to withdraw towards the west direction. One ASG fighter was killed and three others wounded in said encounter. The names of enemy casualties are still being verified. Government soldiers, on the other hand, did not suffer any casualties.

In addition, operating troops were able to recover and neutralize an IED left by the enemies at the old school building in Baiwas. Accordingly, spent shells from the enemy 40mm M203 Grenade Launchers and other assorted high-powered firearms were also recovered by the troops. 

Magno said these ASGs based in Sumisip were responsible for the death of 64IB troopers in November 2014 who were then securing the construction of the Basilan Circumferential Road (BCR).

Moreover, the Joint Task Force ZAMBASULTA of the Western Mindanao Command reported that military troops scoured two abandoned ASG encampments in said barangay.

RADM Reynaldo L Yoma (AFP) said per report from the Joint Task Group Basilan, the encampments can accommodate more or less 100 persons. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was also recovered in one of the encampments.

Yoma said the AFP together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) are continuously intensifying the conduct of law enforcement operations in order to defeat these lawless elements that continuously initiate atrocities in the province of Basilan and its neighboring areas.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421421858540/gov-t-troops-asgs-exchange-fire-in-sumisip-basilan