ASG bandit killed, another captured in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 19, 2019): ASG bandit killed, another captured in Sulu

An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit was killed while another one was captured following a firefight in an island town in the province of Sulu, military officials announced Tuesday.

Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said ASG bandit Hamza Hamad, 19, a resident of Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte, died during the firefight that took place on Simusa Island, Banguingui, Sulu around 11:44 a.m. Monday.

Besana said the clash broke out when troops from the 21st Marine Company of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT-1) chanced upon the ASG group while conducting military operations on Simusa Island, Banguingui.

Besana said the firefight lasted for about five minutes, after which the ASG bandits fled, leaving behind two of their companions--one dead and one injured.

Hama's remains were taken to the MBLT-1 command post for proper disposition, adding that the injured bandit, identified as Alvin Mohammad, was brought to a local hospital for treatment, the Army official said.

Based on debriefing interviews on Mohammad, Besana said the group, led by Najir Arik, was already running out of food supply and ammunition.

Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, said the Joint Task Force Sulu has further intensified its operation to pursue the fleeing bandits "and constrict (their) movement".

Dela Vega vowed that the military will "continuously employ more pressure" against the ASG bandits in a bid to rescue the remaining hostages and “gain more enemy strongholds”.

The Sulu-based ASG bandits are still holding close to 10 hostages, including foreigners.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065015