ZAMBOANGA CITY: Government troops pursuing Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the troubled province of Basilan have recovered ammunition for machine guns, gun parts and assorted bandoliers, including a uniform of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Soldiers from the 18th Infantry Battalion and members of the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion, 4th Special Forces Battalion and the 12th Division Reconnaissance Company continued to comb Tuesday, September 27, the hinterlands in the town of Ungkaya Pukan where the war materiel was found.
Among those seized by soldiers were a rocket propelled grenade launcher, a shot gun, a 40mm rifle grenade, and a radio transceiver.
Also recovered were a link for.50-caliber machine gun, two rounds of.50-caliber ammunition, one trigger mechanism for M14 rifle, one rifle handguard, one M14 lower receiver, Bushnell scope, one commercial radio transceiver, dental and medical tools , four bandoliers, and assorted ammunition.
“Operating troops continue to scour the area to ensure that all war materials are recovered and safely kept,” said Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.
Abu Sayyaf terrorists raided an army post of the 18th Infantry Battalion and killed three soldiers in a daring attack Thursday, September 15, in the town of Al-Barka, about 21 kilometers from Ungkaya Pukan.
The raiders led by Abaas Jangkatan attacked the detachment at Hill 50 in the village of Magcawa. The terrorists fled after the attack, but troops were sent to pursue the raiders.
Jangkatan was among over a dozen notorious Abu Sayyaf terrorists condemned and declared “persona no grata” by leaders of nine villages in Lamitan City and Tipo-Tipo town in October 2019.
The other terrorists were Adzuan Kajing, Boga Aya, Botak Kerok, Ernie Arasal, Iba Anjabin, Tonton Anjabin, Said Lahaman, Kamat Arasal, Jerwin Sahasal, Jimmy Asmawil, Jerry Harain, Nul Akil, Abdul Akil, Madeh Akil and Nur Asao. According to the 18th Infantry Battalion, the group is involved in atrocities in different parts of the province and is also involved in the illegal drug trade.