2 Abu Sayyaf members arrested in Sulu

TWO suspected Abu Sayyaf members were arrested early Friday morning, November 10, following an encounter between the government troops and the group in Parang, Sulu.

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said Nadsfar Abdulla and Delson Kansiong were arrested by the elements of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion after a gun battle that lasted an hour.

The government forces, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jessie Montoya, encountered the Abu Sayyaf group led by sub-leader Idang Susukan around 1:50 a.m. Friday in Barangay Lagasan Higad, Parang, Sulu.

Recovered from the arrested rebels were an R4 rifle and an M14 rifle.

No casualties have been reported, as of 3 p.m. Friday.

“As we speak, operating troops continue to scour the area to pin down the beleaguered bandits and prevent them from extricating (from) the area,” Sobejana said.

Abdulla and Kansiong were placed under the custody of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion where they will undergo debriefing. The military is coordinating with the police for proper legal procedures.

Sobejana said a total of 85 Abu Sayyaf members have been arrested since January.

Of the number, 12 were captured in Basilan, 50 in Sulu, seven in TawiTawi and 16 in Zamboanga.

Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, commended his men for their accomplishments under the government’s intensified campaign against terrorism.

“We remain decisive in our campaign to crush the Abu Sayyaf Group and end its nefarious activities to bring internal security in Western Mindanao,” he said.

“I know this accomplishment will motivate them to work harder to defeat the terror group,” he added.