55 Abu Sayyaf Group members killed since January

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said 55 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group have been killed during military operations while 78 members have surrendered and six have been arrested in the last nine months.

Captain Jonathan Zata, AFP Public Affairs Office office, said 97 high-powered and low-powered firearms, seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and nine encampments have also been seized from January 1 to September 30, 2020.

The military strengthened its operations against the group following the August 24 twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu.

They also boosted their coordination with the local government units in Sulu. In response, the Municipal Governments of Patikul and Indanan declared ASG members as persona non grata.

In the month of September alone, 15 Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed in focused military operations while 17 surrendered to the AFP Western Mindanao Command and Eastern Mindanao Command.

On September 30, the military rescued FilipinoAmerican kidnap victim Rex Susulan Triplitt from the bandits during an operation in Zamboanga del Norte.

On September 29, 12 terrorists were killed in operations conducted by combined Army troopers of 1st infantry division (ID) and 9ID in Zamboanga Si bu gay.

Seized during the said operations were three M16 rifles, R4A3 rifle, M14 rifle, 15 magazines, 250 rounds of ammunition, assorted IED paraphernalia, two motorcycles, bandoliers, backpacks, and solar panels.

On September 28, one Abu Sayyaf member was killed in an encounter with the 45th infantry battalion in Patikul, Sulu.

On September 6, one Abu Sayyaf member was killed in an encounter with a combined force from the Army, Air Force and Navy.

On September 2, one Abu Sayyaf member under leader Furuji Indama was killed during an encounter in Hadji Muthamad Ajul, Basilan.

Military forces have also killed Arsibar Sawadjaan, a cousin of Mundi Sawadjaan who is believed to be the brains behind the August 24 Jolo bombi ng.

Police, meanwhile, have arrested Hashim Saripada also known as Ibnu Kashir Saripada, who is allegedly the right hand of Mundi Sawadjaan.

AFP Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay said the successful operations against the notorious group can be attributed to the strong support of the national leadership, interagency cooperation, and the soldiers’high state of morale.

Aside from gains over the ASG, the military said they continue to win against local terrorist groups and their supporters such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Daesh-inspired Maute Group.

“These local terrorists who operate in the south continue to embrace the Daesh narrative and assimilate its barbarism in the guise of religion. But the peace-loving Filipinos already reject this Daesh violence and have extended their full support to the government and the AFP in its fight against terrorists,” Gapay said.

Since January, 28 BIFFs have been killed, 134 have surrendered and 20 have been captured.

Seized from them were 147 firearms, 15 IEDs, and three encampments. A total of 24 Maute members were also killed, 15 surrendered and five were apprehended during the same period.

Troops recovered 30 firearms, 31 IEDs and 17 encampments from the group. (SunStar Philippines)