Successful Sulu anti-terror ops due to public support – WESTMINCOM

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 19, 2021): Successful Sulu anti-terror ops due to public support – WESTMINCOM (By Dominic I. Sanchez with reports from Western Mindanao Command)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 19 (PIA) – The military attributes its successful anti-terrorism operations in Sulu to reliable intel and to the support they receive from the local government and the citizens.



In a press statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. said “these successes are attributed to the intensified conduct of intelligence operations, the quick action of our ground troops, and the cooperation of the local government and the people”.

On Friday (April 16), an alleged Egyptian terrorist and two suspected Abu Sayyaf members were killed in a military operation in barangay Igasan, Patikul municipality, the WESTMINCOM reported. The military believes that the neutralized Egyptian was the son of Rada Mohammad Mahmud, the woman who allegedly carried out a suicide bombing attack in a military detachment in Indanan, Sulu on September 2019. One of the killed suspect Abu Sayyafs was reportedly a trained bomb maker.

Since January this year, the Joint Task Force Sulu reports a total of 70 neutralized Abu Sayyaf members. Among this number, 7 were apprehended, 60 surrendered and three were killed.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the task force said there will be no let-up in military offensives against the terrorists, foreign or local in Sulu, and they will be utilizing all their air, naval and ground assets to secure the areas.

On the other hand, the military has been in constant engagements and dialogues with the local communities in Sulu to encourage the remaining Abu Sayyafs to surrender and end their hostilities. (NBE/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1072789