BANDIT LAIR. Troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion seize a harbor site of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Barangay Danag, Patikul, Sulu on Feb. 7 — four days after they discovered two ASG encampments in the same barangay. (Photo courtesy of the Joint Task Force Sulu)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Troops seized a harbor site of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) while on a combat operation in the hinterlands of Sulu, officials announced Monday.
2Lt. Jerrica Angela Manongdo, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu information officer, said troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion (2SFBn) seized the harbor site in Barangay Danag, Patikul at around 7:15 a.m. Sunday.
Manongdo said the troops noted that the bandits must have left the area in haste as they recovered three hammocks, two backpacks, personal belongings, and perishable food items.
The site was discovered four days after troopers, led by Lt. Col. Jooney Busiños, seized two other ASG lairs in the same barangay.
Busiños said one of the encampments can accommodate up to 15 bandits while the other has 10 bunkers.
Recovered from the two encampments were two backpacks, two hammocks, a cellular phone, one solar panel, one-half sack of rice, 10 gallons water, kitchen utensils, and personal belongings.
Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista Jr, 1101st Infantry Brigade commander, assured that they will continue to hunt down the bandits.
“Continuous combat operations are significantly narrowing down the mobility and resources of these ASG members, who are evading and hiding in foxholes like rats for several months already,” Bautista said. (PNA)
