ASG bandit killed in Sulu airstrike

 By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.  

CASUALTY. An Abu Sayyaf Group bandit was killed in an airstrike Saturday (Jan. 18, 2020) offshore of Sulare Island, Parang, Sulu, the military says. The remains of the unidentified slain ASG bandit were taken to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu for forensic examination and identification. (Photo courtesy of the Western Mindanao Command Public Information Office)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandit was killed in an airstrike off Sulare Island in the town of Parang, Sulu, military officials said Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the airstrike was launched around 4:45 p.m. Saturday following the reported presence of ASG bandits aboard a speedboat in the coast off Sulare Island.

The airstrike came a day after the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has alerted all its forces following the reported abduction of five of the eight tugboat crew by suspected ASG bandits on Friday near Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Malaysian authorities safely recovered the three crewmen while the other five were taken by the gunmen riding on a twin-engine speedboat.

During the clearing operation, Vinluan said the troops of the Army’s 1102nd Infantry Brigade recovered the remains of a slain ASG, a twin-engine speedboat, M-16 Armalite rifle with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and other war materiel.

Vinluan said the ASG bandit's remains and the speedboat were taken by the Philippine Coast Guard to Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for identification and forensic investigation.

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Westmincom spokesperson, said it was the same speedboat used by the gunmen in their escape during the abduction, citing the accounts of the crew.

Encinas said it was possible that the five crewmen were taken to Sulu, though this has yet to be confirmed.

“The ASG has no safe place here in Sulu, especially now that the Tausugs are actively participating in our quest for peace in this area,” Vinluan said.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, said they will "relentlessly conduct" military operations to crush and defeat the Abu Sayyaf bandits “in our area of operation.”

“We pray for the eternal repose of the slain ASG member and for the enlightenment of the remaining bandits,” Sobejana said. (PNA)