Senior Abu Sayyaf leader’s group confined in ‘general area’ in Sulu —military

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) believes that the group of Radullan Sahiron, a senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), has been confined in an area in Sulu due to an intensified offensive against the local terror group.

"Alam natin sila, monitored natin kung nasaang general area sila, hindi lang napapukpok. Actually nagse-shelling tayo diyan everyday, 'pag nakakita tayo ng mga [tao] nila, kung medyo malayu-layo, wala doon ang tropa [ng military], kinakanyon 'yan," Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesperson of the AFP's Western Mindanao Command, said in a press conference on Monday.

Tan said that specific battalions involved in the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf are tasked to go after each subgroups, including that of Sahiron's. He said separate battalions are also going after another bandit leader, Alhabsi Misaya.

Sahiron is also wanted by the United States, with a $1-million reward on his head.

"Iyon lang ang tinitingnan natin, meron tayong group na nakikita medyo nag-i-splinter lang sila, naghihiwah-iwalay kumbaga para mahirap silang madetect," he said.

The military spokesperson, however, said that troops deployed in Sulu have been able to pervent Abu Sayyaf men from exiting the cordone area.

"Mas easier sa kanila to become mobile, nag-i-splinter 'yan pero nata-track natin, na-address natin 'yan," he clarified.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the AFP's Public Affairs Office, clarified that the supposed silence in the encounter between troops and the Abu Sayyaf men does not mean that the bandits and their leaders have been able to slip past the cordon area.

He said that troops are just being careful and are planning each move as they pinpoint the exact location of the bandits. He also cited the "vastness of the forest" where the bandits are hiding and the terrain in the area.

"Now sa ngayon if they break into smaller groups pa, maaring magtagal ano, but eventually makikita rin natin 'yan, kaya nga ang ating objective is to locate them," he added.

At least 19 members of the Abu Sayyaf and 15 soldiers have been killed in clashes in Patikul, Sulu since President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to "destroy" the local terror group.

A week after the clashes, Duterte declared a state of lawlessness in the country following the bombing in Davao City on Friday night that left 14 people dead and more than 60 others wounded.

Authorities believe that the bombing in Davao City was carried out to divert the military's attention from the Abu Sayyaf groups in Sulu. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News