Abu Sayyaf leader captured

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government security forces captured an alleged subleader of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group following an encounter in the jungles of Patikul, Sulu on Saturday.

Walton Juljirin was suffering from a gunshot wound that he obtained during a firefight in Barangay Taung, according to Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

He said the troopers were conducting a rescue operation for the remaining 10 captives of the Abu Sayyaf in Sitio Kan Bading when they encountered a group of bandits at around 7 a.m.

The firefight lasted five minutes before the bandits retreated, leaving behind their wounded leader.

“Walton Juljirin was captured by the ground forces during the clearing operation,” Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Joint Task Force Sulu, said.

The troopers recovered a rifle, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and two hand grenades from the scene of the encounter.

Juljirin was brought to the Army in Barangay Tagbak, Indanan. His group was tagged in a series of roadside bombings in Patikul.

Galvez said 84 Abu Sayyaf members have been neutralized from January to March this year by the joint task forces of the Westmincom.

He said the rescue of the 10 hostages – a Dutch national, a Vietnamese, three Indonesians and five Filipinos – remains a priority of the military.