ZAMBOANGA CITY – Elite troops on combat operation have seized a hastily abandoned harbor site of the Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province of Sulu, military officials said Monday.
2Lt. Jerrica Angela Manongdo, information officer of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu, said the hastily abandoned harbor site was discovered by the 2nd Special Forces Battalion (2SFBn) troops led by 1Lt. Rhoy Lanzar around 7:15 a.m. Sunday in Barangay Danag, Patikul.
Manongdo said the troops recovered three hammocks, two backpacks, personal belongings, and perishable food items that were left behind as the Abu Sayyaf bandits fled.
Troops are tracking down the fleeing Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista Jr, 1101st Infantry Brigade commander, vowed to continue the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
“Continuous combat operations are significantly narrowing down the mobility and resources of these Abu Sayyaf bandits, who are evading and hiding in foxholes like rats for several months already,” Bautista said.
Two encampments of the Abu Sayyaf bandits were discovered last Thursday also in Barangay Danag, Patikul by the 2nd Special Forces Battalion troopers headed by Lt. Col. Jooney Busiños.
One of the encampments can accommodate up to 15 Abu Sayyaf bandits while the other has 10 bunkers, according to Busiños.
He said the troops recovered from the encampments two backpacks, two hammocks, a cellular phone, one solar panel, one-half sack of rice, 10 gallons water, kitchen utensils, and personal belongings.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, JTF-Sulu commander, said they will continue in consonance with the guidance and efforts of the newly installed Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana to ultimately destroy the Abu Sayyaf the soonest possible time. – Nikolai Gonzalo
