ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government troops have captured three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits as military operations continue in the hinterlands of Sulu province, an official said Saturday.
Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the three were captured following a clash with the Army’s 5th Scout Ranger Battalion in Barangay Maligay, Patikul, Sulu at about 9:40 a.m. Thursday.
Dela Vega identified the captured ASG bandits as Gafur Albani Absari, Medzfar Mangkabong, and Madjid Mangkabong.
The three were turned over to the Army’s 501st Infantry Brigade for proper disposition and filing of charges in coordination with the Sulu Provincial Police Office.
“My congratulations to the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu, headed by Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo for the aggressive measures taken in order to ensure that criminals will never be free to roam in the province (of Sulu),” he said.
The military’s operations in Sulu’s hinterlands aim to rescue the 10 remaining ASG hostages, consisting of two foreigners — a Dutch and a Vietnamese — and eight Filipinos. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
