Philippine Navy blocking Abu Sayyaf reinforcement

MANILA Philippines (Philippines News Agency) — Philippine Navy units started blocking strategic areas of Sulu to prevent Abu Sayyaf Group sympathizers from resupplying and reinforcing their beleaguered comrades on the island.

Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said on Monday the Navy units were also tasked to contain the areas to keep militants from escaping from their Sulu enclaves, which are now under heavy military pressure.

"While not sufficient large to support (all its commitment) it has sufficient assets to (carry out) the operation," Arevalo said.

Arevalo said the total Abu Sayyaf fighters in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are placed at 481.

The military, however, does not have exact figures on the group's sympathizers, supporters or operatives recruited through dubious means.

Total number of Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in the ongoing focused military operations in Sulu are placed at 25 along with an undetermined number of wounded.

Military losses, meanwhile, reached 15 fatalities and 12 casualties.

Operations against the bandits started on August 26 after the terrorists brutally beheaded 18-year-old Patrick Jhames Almodavar last August 25.