Top ranking officers of Joint Task Force Sulu confirmed the death of an ISIS IED expert during a civilian-tipped armed confrontation between the Abu Sayyaf Group and the troops of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion in Sitio Tubig Amu, Barangay Tanum, Patikul, Sulu at 7:15 am yesterday (November 22, 2019).
Talha Jumsah, a.k.a. Abu Talha, is a high-value target of the AFP in Sulu.
Accordingly, he is an ISIS-trained Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert who served as an instructor of the ASG in the fabrication of more lethal and destructive IEDs that caused tremendous casualties during the suicide bombings in Sulu.He also served as the finance conduit and liaison between foreign and local terrorist communication lines.
“The death of Abu Talha will surely cause demoralization in the ASG ranks in Sulu. It could have not been made possible without the support of the Tausug community who reported the presence of the armed terrorists and volunteered to serve as guides during the conduct of combat operations” Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, 1101st Brigade Commander said.
The cadaver of Abu Talha was recovered 800 meters away from the encounter site during the follow-up operation conducted by the troops of the 1101st Infantry Brigade at 08:30am today (November 23, 2019). Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr, Commander of the JTF Sulu lauded the operating units who carried out the combat operations to neutralize Abu Talha.
He gave his stern warning that the AFP in Sulu will not stop in hunting down the remaining ASG members in Sulu until all of them are brought to justice.
“I am reiterating my appeal to them to surrender and live a normal life instead of being hunt down as fleeing criminals and disgrace to the peace-loving Tausug Community. One by one, we will hunt you down,” Maj. Gen. Vinluan emphasized.
The 20 minutes encounter between the rangers and more or less 20 abus also resulted in the recovery of enemy personal belongings, cooking and dining utensils, a backpack, and uniform. Troops also discovered bloodstains in the encounter site.
Said encounter further resulted in the wounding of 3 soldiers who are currently recuperating in Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital, Busbus, Jolo.
“Congratulations to the men and women of Joint Task Force Sulu led by Maj. Gen. Vinluan for this remarkable accomplishment,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, WestMinCom commander.
“It is our desire that everyone will have a meaningful celebration this yuletide season that is why we are further intensifying our operations against all threats in the region and comply with the directive of President Duterte,” added Lt. Gen. Sobejana.
Source: PIO Western Mindanao Command
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