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FIVE suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed while two soldiers were injured in a pre-dawn clash between the local bandit group and security forces on Wednesday in Zamboanga Sibugay.
The shooting, which occurred around 2 am in Barangay President Roxas, RT Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay, occurred when soldiers and police officers embarked on chasing operations against bandits after an encounter days earlier.
“This is the result of our persecution operations against the armed elements of Abral Abdusalam and the Sahibad Group led by Furuji Indama after our meeting in Barangay La Paz, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, at dawn on Sunday, September 6, 2020”, said Lt. Cnel. Don Templonuevo, commander of the 44th Army Infantry Battalion.
The troops recovered four high-powered firearms after the 30-minute standoff against the 10 members of the ASG under Indama.
The pursuit operation continued, even as the bodies of the murdered bandits are still being identified.
Brig. General Leonel Nicolás, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, said that the bandit group is planning to carry out kidnapping activities for ransom on the Zamboanga peninsula based on reports gathered from informants.
Last year, a British citizen and his Filipino wife were abducted by the ASG in Zamboanga Sibugay and taken to Sulu, where they were rescued by the military a month later.
“The unit would also like to thank the locals who alerted the authorities about the presence of these terrorist groups, which resulted in the timely response of our troops,” said Nicolás.
Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, praised the 44th IB and the Philippine National Police for the successful encounter against the ASG.
“Terrorism has no place in the area of responsibility of the 1st Infantry Division and we urge the locals to remain vigilant and report any presence of threats in their locality to local authorities,” said Ponio.
