Military ‘neutralizes’ 350 Abu Sayyaf in 2017 — report

Soldiers return to camp after an encounter with members of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Patikul town, Sulu province in Mindanao on August 26, 2016. AFP

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four commanders of the military task forces in Western Mindanao reported more than 350 neutralized Abu Sayyaf terrorists since January this year.

Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., commander Western Mindanao said a total of 353 members of the Abu Sayyaf were neutralized, “five times higher than the number of neutralized members in 2016 that only recorded 75.”

Of the total, 136 Abu Sayyafs surrendered: 72 in Basilan, 43 in Sulu and 21 in Tawi-tawi, Galvez said in his 2017 operations report.

He said 127 were killed and 90 were caught within their jurisdiction.

Galvez attributed this to the military’s “intensified combat and law enforcement support operations.

He said kidnapping incidents this year went down to 12 from 23 in 2016.

A total of 230 firearms seized and recovered.

The terrorists attacked civilians 77 times, which is was also down from 123 incidents in 2016.

The four military task forces are that of Sulu under Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Tawi-tawi under Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon Jr.; Zamboanga City led by Col. Leonel Nicolas, and Basilan under Col. Juvymax Uy. /cbb