Westmincom: 354 Abu Sayyaf 'neutralized' since January

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Anti-terror task forces under the Western Mindanao have neutralized — by death, arrest or surrender — 354 members of the Abu Sayyaf this year, five times more than in 2016.

 

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, said that from that number, at least 127 Abu Sayyaf militants were killed and 90 were apprehended. Att least 136 have surrendered to government forces — 72 in Basilan, 43 in Sulu and 21 in Tawi-Tawi.

 

"This is almost five times higher than the number of neutralized Abu Sayyaf members in 2016, when only 75 members were neutralized," Galvez said in a press briefing.

 

Westmincom's figures account for 40 percent of bandits neutralized this year, he said.

 

The campaign against the Abu Sayyaf slowed down in May after the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf attacked and held parts of Marawi City until October 23.

 

Galvez said intensified operations in the Westmincom's area of responsibility decreased kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf to 12 incidents against 23 in 2016. Government forces have yet to recover at least 11 kidnap victims — seven foreigners and four Filipinos — still held in the mountains of Sulu.

 

The number of violent incidents — kidnapping, harassment, bombings and killings — in 2017 was also lower at 77 against 123 in 2016. 

 

Westmincom also recovered 230 firearms from the Abu Sayyaf group.

 

Galvez said credit for the achievements should go to Joint Task Force Sulu under Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Basilan led by Brig. Gen. Juvymax Uy and Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi led by Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon.