Kalinaw News: Troops recover war materials following clash with Abu Sayyaf Group remnants in Basilan

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 30, 2023): Troops recover war materials following clash with Abu Sayyaf Group remnants in Basilan

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – March 30, 2023

Operating troops seized war materials following an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf Group remnants and other lawless elements in Basilan on March 29, 2023.

While conducting a focused military operation at Kauluan Island, Al-Barka, Basilan Province, combined elements of the Joint Task Force Basilan and Naval Forces Western Mindanao, conducted a focused military engaged in an armed confrontation with remnants of the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group under alias Khatan and members of the Armed Lawless Group under alias Junga at 3 a.m., Wednesday.

The firefight lasted for 25 minutes, after which the enemies withdrew bringing along their casualties with them. Military troops immediately established blockades in the possible withdrawal routes of the enemies. This resulted in another gunfight which lasted for 30 minutes.

During the clearing operations, troops recovered two M16 rifles, one M1 Garand rifle, one rifle grenade, 64 5.56mm live ammunition, one pair of rifle Handguards, one rifle monoscopic, assorted magazines, one Baofeng commercial radio, one walkie-talkie, two bandoliers, two chest rigs, two chest rigs, and other personal belongings.

The successful operations were jointly conducted by the JTF Basilan’s 14th Special Forces Company, 4th Special Forces Battalion, and Naval Forces Western Mindanao’s Patrol Guard 901, 1st Boat Attack Division, and Marine Battalion Landing Team 6.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, commended the Navy and Army forces for this accomplishment. He also called on the remaining ASG members to return to the fold of the law.

“If they refuse to join us, we will go after them and prevent them from creating havoc in the peaceful communities for it is our primary duty to protect our fellow Filipinos from any form of violence and inhumane acts,” Lt. Gen. Galido stated.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/troops-recover-war-materials-following-clash-with-abu-sayyaf-group-remnants-in-basilan/