ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) bared Thursday that two Indonesians are among the five foreign terrorists who have joined the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in Sulu province.
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of Westmincom, said the presence of the two Indonesians was known through the materials the troops recovered following a 20-minute clash Wednesday with the followers of ASG leaders Radulan Sahiron and Mundi Sawadjaan in Barangay Adjid, Indanan, Sulu.
Vinluan said the firefight broke out around 4 p.m. Wednesday when the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion chanced upon 15 ASG bandits while conducting security operations in the area.
He said the ASG bandits fled to different directions, adding the troops recovered two M-14 rifles, three hammocks, two pairs of combat boots, two backpacks, and other personal belongings.
“Our troops also recovered documents including photocopies of passports owned by two Indonesian nationals whose identities are yet to be identified. The recovered documents of high intelligence value will undergo a thorough investigation to extract information that would strengthen our campaign in eliminating the local and foreign terrorists,” Vinluan said.
“The ASG also suffered undetermined casualties as evident on the bloodstains in the encounter site. I am happy to report that there is no casualty on the government side,” he added.
Earlier, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Philippine Army, bared the presence of five foreign terrorists who are either with the ASG bandits in the province of Sulu, or in Maguindanao.
Sobejana said the nationalities of the five are Indonesians, an Egyptian, and a Singaporean.
Col. Antonio Bautista commander of the Army's 1101st Infantry Brigade, said government troops are tracking down the fleeing ASG bandits.
“We immediately deployed supplemental troops to establish blockades in the possible withdrawal route of the local terrorists,” Bautista said.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, acknowledged the "unwavering support of the local government units and the peace-loving people of Sulu."
“Our troops are currently pursuing these terrorists. We have the manpower, we have the war assets, and we have the people of Sulu rallying behind us. They give tip-offs, and they forbid ASG presence in their communities. The Tausugs are very confident, and they are not afraid as they themselves are volunteering to confront terrorists,” Gonzales added.
He also urged the ASG bandits to lay down their arms and to return to the fold of the law. (PNA)
