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JTF-Sulu, MNLF vow to end ASG terrorism

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

June 8, 2022, 6:29 pm

<p><strong>NEW BATTALION.</strong> Troops of the newly-organized 101st Infantry Battalion undergo field weapons evaluation on Saturday (June 4, 2022) in Barangay Liang, Patikul, Sulu. The battalion is the latest unit organized to help fight the Abu Sayyaf Group bandits in Sulu.<em> (Photo courtesy of Joint Task Force Sulu)</em></p>

NEW BATTALION. Troops of the newly-organized 101st Infantry Battalion undergo field weapons evaluation on Saturday (June 4, 2022) in Barangay Liang, Patikul, Sulu. The battalion is the latest unit organized to help fight the Abu Sayyaf Group bandits in Sulu. (Photo courtesy of Joint Task Force Sulu)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu and the Sulu island-based Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have vowed to work together in ending the Abu Sayyaf Group terror activities in the province.

Col. Allaric Avelino Delos Santos, JTF-Sulu civil-military office chief, said Wednesday the agreement was reached when Sulu-based MNLF leader, Commander Abraham Joel, and JTF-Sulu commander, Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, met at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in the island’s capital town of Jolo.

The meeting took place when Joel, along with his field commanders, recently visited Patrimonio in Camp Bautista, Delos Santos said.

“I came here together with my field commanders to convey our support to Maj. Gen. Patrimonio, who we treat as our brother, in fighting the ASG terrorists,” Joel was quoted by Delos Santos as saying.

Patrimonio also thanked Joel for the assurance to support the peace and development campaign to end terrorism in Sulu.

“It is assuring to know that we have come into understanding on our one purpose and one mission to totally end terrorism in the province of Sulu,” said Patrimonio, who is also the 11th Infantry Division (ID) commander.

President Rodrigo Duterte led the activation of the 11ID during his visit at Camp Bautista in Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo, Sulu, in December 2018.

The 11ID is dedicated to fighting the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-affiliated terrorist groups in Sulu.

“Let us continue to collaborate in attaining our collective vision of lasting peace and sustainable development in Sulu,” Patrimonio said.

Meanwhile, troops of the newly-organized 101st Infantry Battalion has undergone evaluation in the field weapons familiarization, marksmanship, signal operations, immediate action drills, military decision-making process, fire, and maneuvers.

“The battalion is now combat ready,” Delos Santos said. (PNA)

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