Hataman: ASG getting back at execs helping Pres. Duterte's war on terror

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 5): Hataman: ASG getting back at execs helping Pres. Duterte's war on terror

The attempt on the life of a town mayor in Basilan was a clear indication the Abu Sayyaf Group bandits are getting back at local executives helping in the government's war on terror, a regional officials today said.

Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said Mayor Durrie Kallahal of Tuburan town is a supporter of the government's war on terror, especially against ASG.

Kallahal escaped unhurt when an improvised bomb went off at a roadside Saturday afternoon in Sitio Sawite, Barangay Dugaa, in his hometown Tuburan, as Kallahal's pick-up vehicle was passing by.

But Kallahal's driver and escort were critically injured in the blast. Authorities said the IED used by the suspects has the signature of ASG.

Earlier, two roadside bombs exploded in the same village while the Tuburan local government unit was conducting a medical mission with Army Scout Ranger Battalion.

“It was clear that ASG are doing this as part of their strategy and to take revenge on local government officials supporting in the continuing manhunt and raids on known bandits' lairs and encampment," Hataman said.

“The roadside bombing should not stop local officials from supporting military campaign against the ASG until we achieve genuine peace in Mindanao," Hataman added.

Basilan is a component province of ARMM and known bailiwick of the ASG bandits.

Newly installed chief of Western Mindanao Command, Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez was given six months to wipe out the bandits in Basilan and Sulu to finally put an end to the atrocities committed by the bandits.

Hataman said ARMM has all the support needed by the Westmincom to weed out the bandits from their comfort zones in western ARMM.

Hataman then told local government executives not to be cowed by retaliatory attacks from the ASG but continue helping the military cleanse their communities of the bandits.

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