Following disturbing news that the global terror group Islamic State (ISIS) may be eyeing Mindanao as the “New land of jihad,” as a defense security analyst from the Philippine Institute for Peace Violence and Terrorism Research is quoted in an online report, the recent gains by the Philippines military may be seen as promising.

On 15 August, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) sub-group leader Absulajim Abdulgani aka Suraka Ingog was killed in an operation by troops composed of intelligence operatives at Kalimayahan Village, Latih, Patikul, Sulu.

The Joint Law Enforcement Operation was conducted by the Philippine Marines Ready Force Sulu, Marine Base Landing Team-1 and Military Intelligence Division-2 together with the 52nd Special Action Company, 5th Special Action Battalion led by Police Senior Inspector Simon, Jr.

Abdulgani was a bomb expert and listed number 5 in the Periodic Status Report under late Muamar Askali Group.

The troops also recovered one caliber 45 pistol with magazine, 10 rounds of caliber 45 ammunition, three rounds 7.62 ammunition and P2,421 cash.

Meanwhile, another Abu Sayyaf sub-group leader, Ali Hassan, and members Omar Innol, Simal Alam, Kimbo Alam and Hayudini Amil yielded to the troops of the marine Base Landing Team-1 under the Joint Task Force Sulu and surrendered four M1 Grand rifles on the same day.

The surrender was facilitated by MBLT-1 led by Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cabanlet together with the Philippine Marines Ready Force-2, intelligence units and the 52nd Special Action Company of the Philippine National Police.

Also in Central Visayas, a suspected ASG member was arrested yesterday at about 33 a.m. at Barangay Ocana, Carcar City, Cebu after five days of surveillance. Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Central Visayas in coordination with military intelligence, National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA) and Carcar City Police Office.

Police operatives identified Oger Roma Pelino, 68, as a member of the ASG as the raid positively yielded two caliber .45 pistols, one .38 revolver, one ingram, one grenade and other explosive devices.

Senior Superintendent Lito Patay, the newly assumed chief of CIDG-7, said they had a search warrant against Pelino as they conducted surveillance operations in Carcar City.

Pelino in an interview with media denied being part of the ASG but was unable to answer queries on why he had firearms and explosives.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is actively monitoring reports of renewed recruitment in Mindanao following the defeat of the Maute group in the Marawi siege last year.

In a GMA News report, Professor Rommel Banlaoi said the ISIS considers Mindanao as “fertile ground” and “safe haven” because of the Moro rebellion that continues to exist “even though the law on the creation of a Bangsamoro political entity, the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL, was passed this year.”

The same report added that “the surviving leaders of the Maute group found an opportunity to recruit new followers from mostly poor communities in Mindanao as well as generate funds.”

The report says “the terror group has officially declared Mindanao as Wilayah East Asia or ISIS East Asian province,” based on IS publications such as the Amaq News Agency, which is a news outlet linked to the ISIS group.

Studies by the Philippine Institute for Peace Violence and Terrorism Research also identify three personalities as the “leaders” of the Wilayah East Asia: “Abu Toraype,” the former vice chairman of military affairs of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who later left the BIFF and pledged his allegiance to ISIS; “Abu Dar,” who is considered as the leader of the remnants of the Maute group; and “Puruji Indama,” the ASG leader from Basilan who is allegedly behind the Lamitan bombing a few weeks ago.

Government is on alert against the resurgence of terror.

Recently, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Security Screening Officers (SSOs) assigned at the Mactan Cebu International Airport intercepted pieces of suspected live ammunition from passengers’ baggage.

On 12 August, a passenger of Cebu Pacific flight 5J 608 was found to have one piece of suspected live ammo of an unknown caliber. The passenger bound for Clark was later identified as Apostol Krizzle.

Later that day, another passenger, identified as Solaha Heil, was intercepted with two pieces of suspected live ammunition. Heil was bound for Manila via Air Asia flight Z2 774.

On 13 August, a passenger bound for Zamboanga via Cebu Pacific flight 5J 433, identified as Mark Ivan Ventura, was intercepted with two pieces of suspected live ammunition of caliber 5.56mm.

As part of the standard operating procedures, incidents were properly recorded and ammunition intercepted were turned over to the law enforcement officers for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, all passengers were allowed to continue with their respective flights without undue delay. With reports from Rico Mirasol Osmena and GMA News