AFP Spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla Jr.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The marines of joint task group Jolo encountered around 40 Abu Sayyaf group members led by a certain Ninok Sapari at Barangay Liang, Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday morning, December 22, 2015.
AFP reported five Abu Sayyaf members were killed, but only one body was recovered by authorities.
Aside from this, seven high-powered firearms, several rounds of different ammunitions and two motorcycles were recovered from the encounter site.
There are no reported casualties from the government’s side
AFP Spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla Jr. said this group is among those responsible for kidnappings.
“Isa ito sa mga lider ng ASG na patuloy na nagsasagawa ng mga pangingidnap at sila rin ang humahawak sa mga bihag. Actually, nagpapalit-palit yan. Nagpapasahan sila kung medyo mainit sa isang lugar. Ipapasa nila sa ibang grupo para maiiwas yung mga bihag nila sa mismong engkwentro.”
(He is one of the ASG leaders involved in kidnappings. They take turns handling the victims; moving them to another location when things get too hot so they will not get caught in the middle of an encounter.)
The official also said, military and police continue to carry out massive rescue operations in Sulu and Basilan for the kidnap victims.
Authorities are conducting military and law enforcement operations despite the holiday season. AFP and PNP are not stopping from trying to capture and neutralize the terror and bandit group Abu Sayyaf.
“Hindi ito humihinto, ito’y tuloy-tuloy na isinasagawa ng ating armed forces; kasama ng ating mga kapatid na pulis, pagdating sa law enforcement operations ang pinag-uusapan,” Col. Padilla said.
(It doesn’t stop. It is a continuous effort by the armed forces, in coordination with the police when it comes to law enforcement operations.)
(VICTOR COSARE / UNTV News)
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