AFP bombs terror camp, kills 2 ASG

From the Manila Standard Today (Feb 16): AFP bombs terror camp, kills 2 ASG

AT LEAST two Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed while three soldiers were wounded as the military’s Task Force ZAMBASULTA, with the support of local government units, on Sunday launched an “all-out offensive” against the Abu Sayyaf Group in southern Mindanao.

One of the military’s attack helicopters was hit by sniper fire but it caused only minor damage as it was able to maneuver and bombard with rockets the machine gun-firing enemy.

A report from ZAMBASULTA [Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi] commander Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma said two MG520 attack helicopters conducted rocket sorties using 50- caliber machine guns on the Abu Sayyaf locations in Barangay Kuhon in Albarka, Basilan.

Yoma said the ground offensive by the 104th Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Group Basilan started around 5:45 am, and  initially engaged the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Basir Kasaran alias Basir.

Kasaran has less than 50 armed men.

Another Abu Sayyaf group that is much bigger than Basir’s—the group of Furuji Indama and Nurhasan Jamiri—are also on the run but are being pursued by government troops.

Yoma said the ongoing offensive was the result of the persistent efforts being exerted by the Task Force “Kasanyangan”, an inter-agency task force organized by the Office of the Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Office of the Provincial Governor of Basilan, Basilan Police Provincial Office, JTG Basilan and other stakeholders.

“The purpose of the task force is to come up with a whole-of-nation approach supported by various agencies of the government and civil society groups to address the prevailing insurgency problem and revive governance in the Municipality of Albarka, a renowned ASG stronghold,” Yoma said.

He said three men were wounded on the government side.

“Trails of bloods on the ground are everywhere from the ASG positions vacated by them after the initial contact. They are on the run but our troops are relentlessly pursuing them,” Yoma said.

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command, which Yoma also commands, has been blockading all exit and entry points to Basilan to intercept the bandits who might be escaping to nearby islands.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/02/16/afp-bombs-terror-camp-kills-2-asg/