PCG conducts night patrols vs Abu Sayyaf

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed the conduct of night patrols following reports the Abu Sayyaf bandits were fleeing Sulu amid intense military operations, according to an official.

Commodore Pablo Gonzales Jr., commander of the Southwestern PCG district, said yesterday in a press briefing at city hall that night patrols were launched to counter threats from the Abu Sayyaf.

“All of our efforts, including the night patrols, are in coordination with the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), which is focused on military operations in Sulu,” Gonzales said.

He said they have to stretch their limited manpower and patrol vessels to secure the vast coastline to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from leaving Sulu and seeking refuge in Zamboanga City.

Malaysian authorities were also on high alert on reports of the militants slipping into Sandakan via Taganak off Tawi-Tawi and Bakunggan off the border of Sabah.

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) in a statement posted in a Sabah-based news site disclosed that about 400 Filipinos were waiting to breach its security in the Sabah border.

Westmincom spokesman Maj. Filemon Tan Jr. earlier disclosed that the Abu Sayyaf had splintered into factions to evade the military offensive involving 10,000 soldiers in Sulu.