ZAMBOANGA CITY – Special Forces operators captured 2 Abu Sayyaf fighters following a clash before dawn Friday in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, a security spokesperson said.
Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay said members of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion engaged a band of militants in the village called Lagasan Higad in Patikul town. The fighting, which began shortly before 2 a.m., lasted for about an hour that resulted in the capture of Nadsfar Abdulla and Delson Kansiong.
The duo, she said, were followers of Abu Sayyaf commander Idang Susukan, but it was unclear whether the notorious leader was with the gunmen. Both Abdulla and Kansiong are currently being interrogated by the army in an effort to extract information about the Abu Sayyaf which is still holding about 2 dozen Filipino and foreign hostages in Sulu and nearby Basilan which are part of the troubled Muslim autonomous region.
“Abdulla and Kansiong are currently in the custody of the 2SFBn for initial debriefing while coordination is being made with the police for proper legal procedures,” Petinglay said.
There was no report of military casualties and that operations against the Abu Sayyaf were continuing in the area, according to Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu.
“As we speak, operating troops continue to scour the area to pin down the beleaguered bandits and prevent them from extricating the area,” Sobejana said.
At least 50 Abu Sayyaf had been captured so far since early this year in military operations in Sulu.
Aussie ships arrive
The intense fighting coincided with the arrival of two Australian navy ships – HMAS Larrakia and Maitland – in Zamboanga City, about 79 nautical miles from Sulu. Rear Admiral Rene Medina led local military commanders in welcoming the Australian sailors who were accompanied by Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely and Defense Attaché, Capt. Bradley Ian White.
The arrival of the ships was in support to the anti-terrorism and piracy campaign of the Filipino government. The Combined Philippine Navy-Royal Australian Navy Maritime Security Engagement will run until December 1 in the region. The exercise involves four Philippine Navy ships – BRP Dioscoro Papa, General Mariano Alvarez, Davao Del Sur and Emilio Liwanag – all under Naval Task Force 61.
“Aside from enhancing the maritime cooperation with other regional navies, the training activity with Royal Australian Navy to secure the vast maritime domain of the Sulu Sea proves that the Philippine Navy particularly the Naval Forces Western Mindanao do not work alone in protecting and maintaining the peace and order, and stability in its area of responsibility. This upholds to a strong relationship of the Philippine and Australian navies when it comes to maritime patrol and security,” Medina said.
Australia has supported Manila’s anti-terrorism efforts and played a key role in defeating local ISIS and Abu Sayyaf militants in Marawi City in the Muslim region. The war, which lasted 5 months, left over a thousand people dead and displaced more than 200,000 civilians following the siege of the city in May this year. (Mindanao Examiner)
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