Nearly 300 terrorists in Mindanao killed in last 6 months

ALMOST 300 members of terrorist groups in central and western Mindanao were killed during military operations over the past six months, the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) said on Thursday, July 8, 2021.

Those killed were 114 Abu Sayyaf Group members (ASG), 104 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), 11 high-valued targets and 64 members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

During its first semester campaign assessment and command conference held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Wesmincom also reported that 72 firearms were also seized from the ASG, 77 from BIFF and 69 from the NPA.

“Overall, through the sustained efforts of the command and the neutralization of its key leaders, the manpower and capabilities of the terrorist groups have totally degraded,” Wesmincom said in a statement.

Wesmincom also reported that a total of 305 high-powered and 101 low-powered firearms were either seized or turned over to military units under the campaign against loose firearms.

“Our accomplishments have proven our fellow countrymen that we are doing our job right. For this, I commend each and every soldier, sailor, airmen, and marines for your contributions in our goal to attain peace, security, and development in our areas of operation,” Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Wesmincom commander, said. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)