AN ABU Sayyaf bandit was killed as government troops overrun a bandit lair in the hinterlands of Sulu, military officials announced Saturday, July 10, 2021.
Major General William Gonzales, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander, said the troops overrun the encampment following a clash that broke out around 12:20 p.m. Friday while they were checking on the reported presence of Abu Sayaf bandits at Bud Daho in Lumping Pigi Daho village, Talipao.
Gonzales, who is also the 11th Infantry Division commander, said the troops of the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion, who are on security operation, rushed to Bud Daho where they clashed with around 20 Abu Sayyaf bandits under bandit sub-leaders Mundi Sawadjaan and Ellam Nasirin.
Gonzales said the troops recovered the remains of a slain Abu Sayyaf bandit while conducting a clearing operation at the lair of the bandit. The rest of the bandits fled in different directions.
The cadaver was brought to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo for identification and proper disposition.
Brigadier General Antonio Bautista, Jr., commander of the 1101st Infantry Brigade, said the troops recovered from the fallen Abu Sayyaf lair 14 hammocks, eight ponchos, three pairs of boots and foodstuffs.
Bautista said troops are tracking down the fleeing Abu Sayyaf bandits, some of whom were believed to be wounded, as bloodstains were found in their former lair.
Gonzales dedicated Friday’s accomplishment to the casualties of the July 4 plane crash in Patikul, Sulu.
“I commend the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion for this extraordinary feat. Troops here in Sulu are still mourning the death of our comrades who died on the C-130 mishap, but we have no choice to keep on with our mandate. They came here to join us in our campaign for peace in Sulu. We honor them by striving to achieve that mission,” Gonzales said.
Most of the 96 people aboard the ill-fated C-130 plane were new Army enlisted personnel sent to fight against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the JTF-Sulu continues to employ more pressure on the remaining terrorists to possibly neutralize them and gain more enemy strongholds.
“Rest assured that the military will exert more efforts towards the attainment of lasting peace and sustainable development in the province of Sulu,” Vinluan said.
The JTF-Sulu has neutralized a total of 126 Abu Sayyaf bandits since January, 19 of which were killed, 88 surrendered, and 19 were apprehended. (SunStar Zamboanga)