Malacañang on Tuesday underscored the importance of safeguarding national security amid the ongoing military operation in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan that led to the deaths of both Abu Sayyaf members and government soldiers.
“Patuloy ang pakikipaglaban ng ating mga tropa sa mga bandidong Abu Sayyaf. At kailangan lang maunawaan ng ating mga kababayan na ito ay continuing operations na noong isang taon pa, last quarter of 2015, ay inumpisahan ng paigtingin ng ating Armed Forces,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.
“Dahil nga mahalaga na mapanatili ang seguridad ng ating bansa at mapigil ang mga kriminal na gawain ng mga grupong ito,” he added.
The Philippine military on Tuesday said eight more Abu Sayyaf members have been killed and a top militant commander was in critical condition as government troops continued to engage with bandits in the area.
This was after 18 soldiers, most were from the Philippine Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion, were ambushed and killed in a nearly 10-hour fight last Saturday. JE
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