Scout Rangers capture Sayyaf camp

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 22, 2020): Scout Rangers capture Sayyaf camp

The Philippine Army seized an Abu Sayyaf encampment on Tuesday as troops continue to hunt down members of the terrorist group, who engineered last month’s twin suicide bombings in Sulu province, officials said.

Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu, said members of the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Herbert Dilag, took control of the Abu Sayyaf hideout in the hinterlands of Indanan town.

Gonzales said the encampment - which can accommodate at least 40 people - was being used by terrorist leader Mundi Sawadjaan, who managed to escape.

“We are employing the full force of Joint Task Force Sulu’s military assets to track down the group of Mundi Sawadjaan. We are winning in our peace and development campaign in the island of Sulu - in due time - the dwindling number of the terror group will surely be decimated with the active cooperation and support of the governor and municipal mayors,” Gonzales said.

Soldiers, he added, also recovered personal belongings and provisions left behind by fleeing militants. “The Joint Task Force Sulu’s pursuit operation following the twin bombing in Jolo last August 24 are gaining tactical victories. It can be recalled that Sawadjaan’s group was encountered by troops of 45th Infantry Battalion in Patikul (town) last September 20 where the former suffered heavy casualties.”

“At this moment, pursuit military operations are still on-going utilizing all land, sea, and air assets of the Joint Task Force. On the other hand, civil-military cooperation is being undertaken in tandem with Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan along with the nineteen municipal mayors of the province. The Provincial and Municipal Task Forces to End Local Armed Conflict are gaining headway in the implementation of its peace and development programs for the community, as well as for the ASG returnees,” Gonzales said.

Tan and his mayors are strong supporters of the government peace and development efforts in Sulu and actively involved in promoting President Rodrigo Duterte’s various pro-poor programs in the province.

Gonzales also honored and pinned medals to 2 soldiers - Staff Sergeant Nelson Juaquin and Corporal Ferdinand Buenafe - who were wounded in a recent clash with the Abu Sayyaf in Bungkaong village in Patikul town. The duo is members of the 45th Infantry Battalion.

“I salute the two awardees. Your heroism continues to inspire your fellow soldiers in serving the people of Sulu. To all the units under JTF Sulu, let us maintain our peace and development initiatives in support to the local government units of Sulu. We are winning the peace in this province. I am optimistic that in the shortest span of time, the Abu Sayyaf terror problem will end with the help of the community,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

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