SULU – Security forces killed 2 Abu Sayyaf militants and captured four others in an operation in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, officials said Friday.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said policemen, backed by soldiers, launched the joint operation on October 10 in Kajatian village in Indanan town where they clashed with the militants that killed Hassan and Kemar Jade.
Troops also captured Lino Tantung, 42; Hamjir Sahidal, 19; Sajiyal Alamia, 46; and Arajal Aida, 46, and recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and two .45-caliber pistols and ammunition. They also seized suspected crystal meth from Sahidal.
“The operation is part of the intensified joint law enforcement by the Joint Task Force-Sulu and Sulu police forces in accordance with the war on drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte. This also forms part of the sustained effort of JTF-Sulu to get rid of banditry and violent extremist groups in the area,” Besana said.
Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, urged militants to peacefully surrender to the government. “Time again the government forces have given any terror groups two options – one is to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law; or fight and deal with the full force of the law,” he said. “The Joint Task Force-Sulu have convinced significant a number of Abu Sayyaf members who decided to surrender and now living a new life with their families.” (Mindanao Examiner)
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