Marines, Navy men rescue Abu Sayyaf man’s wife, kids

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A woman and her two children, who fled their home and hid in a mangrove forest to escape heavy fighting between Abu Sayyaf bandits and government troopers in Patikul, Sulu last week were rescued on Tuesday. 

Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said Manah, 27, wife of Abu Sayyaf bandit Jackie Solaiman, and their daughters Raiza, 7, and Pirhana, 2, were trapped in the forest for three days.

Personnel of the 62nd and 83rd Marine Companies under the Naval Task Group and Marine Ready Force Sulu recovered the woman and her children.

Medina said the victims were brought to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Sulu at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo.

He said the victims were given food, underwent medical checkup and provided assistance by the local social welfare office.

Seven Abu Sayyaf bandits and a Marine were killed while three other soldiers were wounded in last week’s encounter on Minis island.

Ten other bandits were arrested during the clearing operations.

More troops to fight Abu Sayyaf

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal said additional soldiers would be deployed in Sulu to augment the newly created 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division (ID) to run after Abu Sayyaf bandits. 

“There will be additional troops,” Madrigal said on the sidelines of his visit to Sulu on Monday during the activation of the 11th ID, which President Duterte also attended.

Madrigal said the new military unit would have its own civic-military and field battalions.  

Aside from ending the Abu Sayyaf menace, the 11th ID is expected to address other criminal and terrorist activities in Mindanao.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, the head of the Joint Task Force Sulu, was named acting commander of the 11th ID.  – With Michael Punongbayan, Alexis Romero