By Francis T. Wakefield and Nonoy E. Lacson
At least 15 soldiers, including an Army officer, and four Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed while 12 others were wounded in three separate clashes in Sulu late Monday afternoon, the military said yesterday.
The killing of four ASG fighters, including sub-leader Mohammad Said alias “Ama Maas,” brought to 25 the total number of bandits killed since fighting broke out in Sulu last Friday.
DOWN, BUT NOT OUT – Soldiers wounded in the military operation against the Abu Sayyaf lie in a hospital as the government continues to pursue the lawless group in Sulu province.
(Reuters / Manila Bulletin)
Marine Col. Edgard A. Arevalo, the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office, identified the slain Army officer as 2nd Lt. Ernan P. Gusto, 33, married, of Isabela province. Other soldiers killed were S/Sgt. Ruel A Catubay, 39, married; Sgt. Jay Erwin L. Almohallas, 38, married; Corporals Omar M. Raddulan, 41, married; Ronald M. Galoniga, 33, married; Elid S. Ismael, 49, married, of Jolo, Sulu; Salik H. Mandangan, 31, married; Private First Class Nestor C. Bacaling, 26, single; Pfc. Jison B. Falcasantos, 28, single, of Zamboanga City; Pfc. Gerald A. Yubal, 29, single; Pfc. Dhendo A. Dujo, 32, married; Pfc. Roselito A. Arnoco, 29, single; Pfc. Glend C. Resma, 24, single, of North Cotabato; Pfc. Rogelio D. Vincoy, 28, married; and Private Jonas A. Lumayan, 23, single, of Isabela.
Among the wounded soldiers were Cpl. Edgar P. Andales, Cpl. Ahmad J. Nuroh, Pfc Vinjie B Colaljo, Pfc Relindo D. Paglinawan, Pfc Rogen D. Rivera, Pfc Sabeniano B. Bercasio, Pfc Juvelito T. Bulhano, and Pvt. Jemar V. Mictin.
Arevalo said Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Brig. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega reported to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya, that the intense firefight started at about 1:50 p.m. Monday.
The military said Said, who has five standing arrest warrants for murder, was involved in the Samal kidnapping. Among the victims were two Canadians who were later beheaded; Filipina Maritess Flor, who was released; and Norwegian national Kjartan Sikkengstad, who remains in captivity. The kidnapping happened at the Holiday Oceanview Samal Resort on September 21, 2015.
Arevalo said the soldiers, led by Lt. Col. Presco Lobos, were on patrol when they encountered more or less 30 heavily armed Abu Sayyaf bandits under sub-leader Jamiri Jawong Jauhari at Sitio Kugan, Barangay Bakung, Patikul, Sulu.
In the fierce armed encounter that lasted for almost 30 minutes, Arevalo said two ASG members were killed and a number of them severely wounded, including Jauhari.
The rest of the bandits withdrew southeast and were pursued by the troops.
At about 3:42 p.m. the same day, Lt. Col. Samuel Manzano and his troops encountered more or less 80 Abu Sayyaf bandits at Barangay Kuttong, Talipao, Sulu.
After about 30 minutes of heavy fighting and sustaining two deaths, the bandits withdrew westward, Arevalo said.
In this encounter, two soldiers were wounded.
At about 4:30 p.m., a composite team of soldiers from the 35th Infantry Battalion and 21st Infantry Battalion suffered casualties in another clash with about 120 heavily armed Abu Sayyaf fighters at Sitio Kan Jalul, Barangay Maligay, also in Patikul.
Arevalo said 15 soldiers, including Gusto, were killed in this clash, while 10 other soldiers were wounded.
The extent of casualty on the bandits’ side is still undetermined.
Arevalo said other soldiers operating in the area immediately rushed to the encounter site to pursue the withdrawing terrorists. Other Army units are serving as blocking forces.
ACT OF GALLANTRY
The military paid tribute to the fallen soldiers who gave their own lives to crush the bandit group.
“The soldiers grieved for their fallen comrades. But instead of waning, the soldiers pressed on with the fight. That the ultimate sacrifice and acts of gallantry become their driving force to hit back once again on the terrorists who have suffered at least 25 killed and scores of others wounded in Army-initiated armed encounters four days ago. As of this time, the sporadic skirmishes continue,” said AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya.
“As we gaze at the national flag that flies at half mast anew, soldiers know that one too many hero among them has again offered his life – that others may live,” he added.
The Chief of Staff also ordered field commanders in the area to continue the pressure in the efforts of neutralizing the bandit group.
“We have all the time. Keep the pressure on the enemy until they wear out. Just ensure they won’t be able to leave the island and we will be triumphant in the end,” Visaya said.
With the all-out offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, President Duterte expects retaliatory attacks but he stressed that the government is ready to crush the Islamist militants.
“I know that there will be some reprisals, I’m ready for that. There’s always a drawback there,” said Duterte the Chief Executive in his remarks during the 18th founding anniversary of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) held at Rizal Hall in Malacañang last Monday.
He issued the warning after he ordered government security forces to crush the ASG, which he said is “out of control.” (With a report from Elena L. Aben)