AFP sees ‘victory’ in Zamboanga Sibugay by Thursday morning

MANILA, Philippines—Following the ground and air assault on a suspected turf of “lawless elements” in Payao, Zambonga Sibugay that started on Monday, the military said Wednesday they expect “victory” Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning.

“By the end of the day or tomorrow morning, we should be near victory,” Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr said.

This is after Armed Forces Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban’s instruction driven by President Benigno Aquino’s call to act on these “lawless elements” “as swift as possible” with the “least collateral damage,” he said.

The military has deployed additional eight Scout Ranger companies and one Light Reaction company reinforcements, he added.

He also said they are currently in the ground “already assaulting the enemy position.”

In a text message, Army Chief Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz said the main camp of the enemy has been occupied by government troops.

“Four companies are following the leading Scout Ranger company. They are clearing now the area as they rigged the path lanes with landmines/IED,” he added.

The government forces are going after about a hundred of “lawless elements” in the area, with 11 of them with warrants of arrest.

The military, together with police forces, launched aerial and ground attacks against the group of Waning Abdulsalam in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday to serve warrants against 11 rebels including Abdulsalam for their alleged kidnapping and killings in the area.

As of latest count, two were killed and four were wounded from the government forces, while six were killed and 40 were wounded from the enemy side, Mabanta said.

The military was also able to recover 60 mm mortar, M79 grenade launcher, and 1 M-16, he also said.