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Troops unearth Abu Sayyaf arms cache in Sulu

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

March 28, 2019, 7:12 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Soldiers pursuing Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have discovered an arms cache in the hinterlands of Sulu province, military officials said Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) commander, said the arms cache was discovered on Tuesday while the troops were on security operation in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu.

Pabayo said the arms cache consisted of a 60-mm mortar, two M-16 Armalite rifles, anti-personnel mines components, bandolier with ammunition, a tactical map, a hand-held radio transceiver, a night vision monocular and flag of the Islamic State and Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Pabayo said the focused military operations continue to track down the ASG bandits in the forested area of Sulu.

He said the JTFS troops have clashed with 10 ASG bandits around 5:35 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Latih, Patikul town while the other troops scoured the other parts of the municipality.

He said the troops pounded with artillery the ASG bandits, who fled following the firefight that lasted for about 30 minutes.

“Military offensives are relentlessly being launched against Abu Sayyaf bandits in known strategic strongholds of the enemies in Sulu. We remain resolute in crumbling terrorist groups to address security threats and to pave the way for stability in Mindanao,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.

“Rest assured that we will fulfill our mandate of securing our area of responsibility by ending insurgency to pave the way for development here,” dela Vega added. (PNA)

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