Troops seize Abu Sayyaf guns, motorboat in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 13, 2019): Troops seize Abu Sayyaf guns, motorboat in Sulu

Government troops have seized firearms and a watercraft belonging to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a raid on an island town in the province of Sulu, officials said Wednesday.

Recovered were an M-16 “Baby Armalite” rifle, a caliber .45 pistol and a motorboat when joint military and police forces raided the hideout of an alleged ASG coddler around 11:30 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Tainga Bakkao, Banguingui town.

The raid was launched in response to a report from a civilian that an ASG coddler was hiding in Barangay Tainga Bakkao. The suspected ASG coddler, however, was gone when the troops raided the hideout.

Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the ASG bandits used the motorboat to transport militants who evaded government forces in several armed engagements in mainland Sulu.

Pabayo said the involvement of the populace in the campaign against the ASG is a clear indication that the bandit group is losing the support of the public.

“With the active support of the Tausug communities, I am confident that the problem with the Abu Sayyaf will soon be over,” Pabayo added.

Military troops continue to launch combat operations against ASG bandits hiding in the hinterlands of Sulu.

“Our joint task force in Sulu is stepping up its campaign to hound terrorists by building up its intelligence and combat operations,” said Lt. Gen Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

“While sustaining that, military troops work with the police and the Suluanons to pursue militants and their coddlers in the area,” Dela Vega added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064472