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A group of fighters was reportedly planning to carry out kidnapping activities in mainland Mindanao when they were intercepted by the army.
Some seven suspected members of the Philippine armed group Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) died after an encounter at sea with the military in the southern province of Sulu.
The Western Command of the Philippine Armed Forces said a “total offensive” was launched early Tuesday against the group of fighters near Sulare Island, which lies west of the ASG stronghold in Jolo.
The head of AFP’s Western Command, Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, said in a statement that the army sent planes and boats against the group led by Radullan Sahiron and Mundi Sawadjaan, the main suspect in a twin attack in Jolo in August that killed more than twelve soldiers.
“Fire exchanges took place, lasting 25 minutes, and resulted in the sinking of the ship used by about seven members of the ASG,” Vinluan said in a statement.
The group was reportedly planning to carry out kidnapping activities in mainland Mindanao when they were intercepted by the army.
Vinluan added that two members of the group were believed to be Sawadjaan’s brothers.
The military identified them as Madsmar Sawadjaan and Mannul Sawadjaan, who, according to authorities, were supposedly replacing ASG leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, whose whereabouts are unknown.
The military has yet to identify the other ASG fighters who were among the seven killed.
Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Major General William Gonzales was quoted as saying search and recovery operations were ongoing.
“We will use all of our available air, naval and land assets to neutralize these local terrorists,” Gonzales said.
Sulu is known as the stronghold of Abu Sayyaf, which has allied with ISIL (ISIS).
Abu Sayyaf has long been fighting for the independence of the southern region of Mindanao, which they consider their ancestral homeland dating back to the pre-Hispanic colonial period.
The group is known for deadly kidnappings, robberies and bombings.
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