Soldiers who killed 7 high-profile Abus get P2.5-M reward

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur –– Government troops who were part of the force that assaulted seven suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulare Island of Parang town, Sulu last Nov. 3, received P2.5 million in cash reward.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana recently handed over the reward money to Brig. Gen Manuel Sequitin, assistant commander of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division, and Col. Giovanni Franza, assistant division commander for retirees and reservist affairs.

Sobejana told the INQUIRER that the cash reward came from President Duterte as his gesture of appreciation for the successful operation that led to the killing of the seven high-profile bandits.

Sobejana said they have to review the profiles of the seven Abu members to determine if any of them have corresponding rewards for capture or neutralization.

Apart from the reward money, Sobejana also pinned four gold cross and two silver cross awards to officers and soldiers directly involved in the operation.

But whether the seven bandits carried bounties or not, what is important, according to Sobejana, was that they were neutralized hence, reducing the strength of the group in sowing terror in the area.

Based on the tip of the military’s informant, the seven bandits were identified as Mannul Sawadjaan Wahid, grandson of Abu sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan; Madzmar Sawadjaan, younger brother of Abu bomb-maker Mundi Sawadjaan; Dave Sawadjaan, cousin of Mundi; Alsimar Sawadjaan, Ajang Sangbas, Kamide Alih, and a certain Muks.

They were reportedly sailing towards Surigao to stage another kidnapping.

Amid heavy rain before daybreak on Nov. 3, the security forces launched Oplan Perfect Storm, mainly through naval and air attack, just as the bandits were pulling out of Sulare Island.

Of the seven, only one body was fished out of the sea, which the military said resembled the profile of Dave Sawadjaan.

Lt. Jerrica Angela Manongdo, spokesperson of the Army’s Joint Task Force Sulu, said 22 government troops were deployed for Oplan Perfect Storm.

Sequitin said the reward is a “recognition of our soldiers’ bravery in keeping the peace in our area.”

ZB