ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The military has called on local government units and residents to unite and help in neutralizing the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan province.
Col. Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, made the call on Saturday after alleged members of the ASG killed two militiamen in an ambush in the province.
Uy said the latest ambush staged by the ASG gunmen happened at around 2:45 p.m. Friday in the municipality of Tuburan that resulted to the death of two militiamen.
Uy identified the slain militiamen as Hakim Asmawil and John Antang, both assigned at the patrol base of Barangay Duga-a, Tuburan
He said the two were aboard a motorcycle traveling to Barangay Libug, Tuburan, to attend Friday’s “congregation prayer” when five Abu Sayyaf bandits led by sub-leader Ajan Apino ambushed them.
Uy condemned the barbaric act of the bandits that tainted the image of Basilan province.
He called on the residents to be always vigilant against threats posed the the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
The incident occurred a week after two militiamen were killed in an ambush by the ASG at Sitio Dak-Dak, Barangay Kaumpamatsaken, Sumisip, Basilan.
Slain on November 3, also Friday, were militiamen Samie Jairulla and Abdulla Tabjili, both assigned with the detachment in Barangay Kaumpamatsaken.
They were aboard a motorcycle on the way to Barangay Buli-Buli, also in Sumisip town, to purchase rice and other foodstuff when the Abu Sayyaf bandits ambushed them. (PNA)
