Soldiers to clear Abu remnants in Basilan
The soldiers also recovered 16 improvised explosive devices in various military operations in Central Mindanao.
Daily TribuneThe soldiers also recovered 16 improvised explosive devices in various military operations in Central Mindanao.
ISABELA CITY, Basilan — The military expressed optimism they can clear the province of Abu Sayyaf Group remnants early next year.
101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon said yesterday that stakeholders and local government units in the province are asking the family and relatives of the remaining ASG members to yield to government forces and live a new life in the community.
"We are no longer far from achieving a peaceful Basilan and declare the province Abu Sayyaf-free. It is just a matter of time and patience, and we will be able to achieve our goal," Luzon said.
According to Luzon, socio and economic development will be realized in the province once the ASG is gone.
"Peace and development go hand in hand. You cannot introduce development in the province in the absence of peace and tranquility," he said.
When asked how many ASG members are still in the province, Luzon raised one hand, an indication that there are only about five who are still on the run in the forested areas in the province.
"There are a few ASG struggling to evade our soldiers in the forested areas of the province," Luzon confided.
He renewed his call to the remaining ASG members in the province to come out and surrender.
"The government is very lenient to help you (ASG) re-integrate to the mainstream of the society and equip you with livelihood package," Luzon explained.
Recently, the military neutralized ASG sub-leader Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, also known as Mundi Sawajaan. He was a known bomb-making expert in the ASG circle and mastermind of the 2019 Jolo Cathedral bombing that killed 23 people and wounded hundreds.
Sawajaan was killed in an encounter at sea with soldiers who were then patrolling the coastal municipal waters of Barangay Banah in Tipo-Tipo and Barangay Lahi-lahi in Tuburan, Basilan Province on 2 December.
Following his death, 12 ASG members surrendered to soldiers of the 101st Infantry in Barangay Tabiawan in this city and turned over their high-powered firearms including assault rifles, grenade launchers, shotguns and a mini machine gun.
Luzon said two of the surrenderees were followers of Radzmil Jannatul while the 10 others were followers of Puruji Indama who was killed in 2021.