Anti-ASG operations to continue until bandit group neutralized

From Update.Ph (Oct 31): Anti-ASG operations to continue until bandit group neutralized

Operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) will continue until all of them are neutralized. This was stressed by Joint Task Force Sulu commander Arnel Dela Vega on Monday as two more ASG terrorists were killed by operatives of the 11th Scout Ranger Company in Indanan, Sulu on Sunday.

“The focused military operation will continue until we deal a crippling blow against the ASG and rescue the remaining hostages (of which there are still an estimated 12),” he added.

Sunday’s encounter stemmed from reports of concerned civilians who spotted eight heavily-armed ASG bandits in their area.

This prompted military authorities to deploy a patrol who then chanced upon the brigands, killing two and scattering the rest.

Rangers recovered the body of one of the slain terrorists together with an M-16 assault rifle with M203 grenade launcher attached and one improvised explosive device (IED).

Another ASG was killed and was being carried by companions according to local residents.

This brings to 38 the total number of ASG killed since the intensified combat operations was launched in July while scores were also wounded on the ASG.

Soldiers suffered 15 killed in action and 28 wounded in action since July.

Authorities believe that the ASG has splintered into small groups to evade soldiers and are planting IEDs to delay movements of government troops.

“IEDs maim and kill individuals regardless whether they are soldiers or civilians and the main losers are the innocent people in the community. The use of IED is not only against the law but it is outrightly evil and un-Islamic,” Dela Vega added.

http://www.update.ph/2016/10/anti-asg-operations-to-continue-until-bandit-group-neutralized/10625