The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday
announced that the ongoing military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG) has so far resulted in the death of 37 bandits and wounding of 80 others.
The offensive against the ASG started late January this
year.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, AFP public affairs office chief,
said that bandit losses could be attributed to relentless combat missions
against the ASG.
This is higher than the 27 killed and 38 wounded recorded in
2014.
In addition, the AFP has also recovered 18 firearms and
seized five ASG camps in 2015, as compared to 27 camps and 17 firearms posted
in 2014.
"The increase in figures yielded this year can be
attributed to the intensified operations that were implemented through the
Joint Task Group-Sulu headed by Col. Alan Arrojado," Cabunoc stressed.
"Moreover, our increased operational tempo helped in
exerting pressure on the ASG and contributed in the release this year of four
kidnap victims namely Hadjan Perong, Michelle Panes, Zakia Aliep, and Eljon
Marzo," he added.
Five hostages were released in 2014 including foreigners
Lorenzo Vinciguerra, Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrike Dielen.
Operating troops also prevented the kidnapping of 10
Vietnamese nationals involved in smuggling in Pata Island
They were supposed to have been snatched by the bandits
after unloading their cargo.
"Seven of our brave soldiers also made the ultimate
sacrifice, while 50 others were wounded in the performance of their duties.
Last year, six soldiers were killed and 29 were wounded as a result of our
efforts to end the ASG’s terrorist activities in Mindanao ,"
the AFP public affairs office chief stated.
Cabunoc said the AFP and the Philippine National Police will
continue our relentless joint law enforcement operations against the ASG in
Sulu.
"The JTG-Sulu led by Col Arrojado and its partner units
are also closely coordinating with local government units, non-government
organizations and other stakeholders in addressing the social issues that
caused the existence of the ASG," he concluded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=743405
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