2 more ASG killed in fresh gunbattle as troops scour Patikul

Erik De Castro/Files via Reuters

At least two terrorists were killed as fresh gun battle erupted anew between government troops and local terror group Abu Sayyaf (ASG) in the mountainous part of Patikul town in Sulu 2:35PM  Tuesday.

This brings to 32 the total number of ASG killed in series of firefight between soldiers and the bandits after the intensified rescue and focused military operation was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Combined troops of 35th Infantry Battalion and 21st Infantry Battalion were able to engage about 30 ASG who were running away from an earlier firefight in the day with soldiers of 45th Infantry Battalion.

Reports gathered from civilians in the vicinity confirmed two ASG killed being carried by their companions for burial while several others were wounded as they move away from the half hour firefight while government troops suffered no casualty.

The ASG were reportedly led by Jamiri Jaong Jawhari and Basaron Arok, two known sub leaders of the bandit group.

Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu said “there will be no let up in the effort to rescue the remaining hostages.

Our priority is the safe rescue of the victims and protection of local communities in Sulu against terrorists and criminal elements.”

Brig. Gen. Dela Vega further said that “local folks are gradually helping in protecting their own communities against the ASG scourge and showing defiance against the bandits.”

“We are confident that more people in Sulu including LGU officials, community and religious leaders will cooperate in giving timely and accurate information to stop the un-Islamic and barbaric acts of ASG” Brig. Gen. Dela Vega stated.

It may be recalled that the latest victim beheaded by the ASG, Patrick Almodovar is a local Muslim resident whose mother is a Tausug.

“We call on the Abu Sayyaf to stop these kidnappings and killings which are all violations of the Koran and against Islam as pointed out by Islamic scholars worldwide” Brig. Gen. Dela Vega concluded.