Military launches air strikes in Zamboanga Sibugay

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines launched air strikes as part of its law enforcement operations to arrest notorious kidnapping group led by Juaning Abdulsalam in Zamboanga Sibugay, a military spokesman said on Monday.

About 200-strong combined elements of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army have conducted the operations backed by OV-10 gunships and armored vehicles in Sitio (sub-village) Taib, Labatan village in Payao town, Zamboanga Sibugay, said acting Army spokesman Major Harold Cabunoc.

Airstrikes began at about 11:30a.m., he added.

Meanwhile, about 100 heavily armed bandits are held up in their bunkers and running trenches, he said.

Army Chief Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz has directed his subordinate commanders to pursue all lawless elements in their respective areas, while ensuring that the ceasefire agreement is strictly observed, he said.

There is no recognized area of temporary stay for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the area, Cabunoc said.

In a separate statement, Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer, Western Mindanao Command chief, said that the MILF has claimed that Abdulsalam is one of their commanders.

Ferrer added that the MILF can assist government security forces in capturing Abdulsalam through the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.

The attack against lawless elements came a day after the MILF’s 114 Base Command led by Hassan Asnawi launched another ambush attack against military forces killing two soldiers and five civilians in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte. This is the latest in a series of skirmishes between military forces and MILF rebels amid on-going peace talks between the government and the MILF central leadership.

Last week, at least 27 soldiers and policemen were killed in a series of encounters and ambushes in Basilan. The MILF has admitted to launching the ambushes but said that these were retaliatory attacks against the MILF who they claim to have breached the existing ceasefire agreement.