Artillery battalion sent to Mindanao to help fight Abu Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Army has deployed an artillery battalion in Mindanao “to provide general support to the government troops operating in the provinces of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi,” a spokesperson said.

The soldiers who were deployed last Sunday belong to the newly activated 8th Field Artillery Battalion of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) based in Nueva Ecija.

The exact number of troops now operating against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and Basilan could not be ascertained but the military recently deployed nearly half a dozen battalions in the area.

Maj. Rosa Ma. Cristina Manuel, AAR spokesperson, said in an e-mailed statement that the newly deployed troops were led by Lt. Col. Jeffrey Cabansay, “a seasoned and well-decorated artillery officer responsible for successful artillery fire support missions in Central Mindanao.”

Brig. Gen. Leandro Loyao III, the AAR commander, said he expected the 8th FAB to fire only when there is such a request from ground troops.

“Your mission there is very critical and any miscalculated action is unacceptable,” he said.

The military has been conducting combat operation against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and Basilan.

On Monday, five suspected bandits were killed in Sumisip, Basilan, a military spokesperson said.

Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela said a battle broke out Sunday between soldiers and a band of Abu Sayyaf bandits in Barangay Baiwas.

“Five bandits were killed under the group of Kumander Katatong,” she said.

Muyuela said following the clash, the soldiers conducted clearing operations and stumbled on an Abu Sayyaf camp in the village.

Muyuela said at least 10 nipa huts with fortified trenches and foxholes were found in the area.

Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, said the huts could accommodate about 50 persons.

Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City Police Office announced on Monday that it had filed charges against an Abu Sayyaf member identified as the main suspect behind an explosion in a massage parlor here early this month.

Supt. Ariel Huesca, Zamboanga City police spokesperson, said Muammar Askalani, also known as “Abu Ramy,” was positively identified by at least four witnesses from a gallery of photos the police had presented.

“He was identified as the person who purchased the rice container where the device was placed. He was also identified as the person who ordered soft drinks from the bar attendant and later left the rice container inside the establishment,” Huesca said.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the authorities were still on a heightened alert against possible diversionary tactics by the Abu Sayyaf in light of the Sulu and Basilan operations.

RELATED STORY

5 suspected Abu Sayyaf men killed by soldiers in Basilan clash