Jolo blasts 'mastermind' Sawadjaan still in Patikul, Sulu —WestMinCom

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said on Sunday that  the suspected mastermind in the Jolo bombings Mundi Sawadjaan is stuck in Patikul, Sulu.

On Saturday, the 3rd and the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion exchanged gunfire with the Abu Sayyaf group including Sawadjaan in Barangay Kabbon Takas.

WestMinCom said two alleged Abu Sayyaf members and one soldier died in the clash, while seven other soldiers from the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion were hurt.

“Oo nandun siya,” Vinluan said in a statement. However, he cannot confirm if Sawadjaan was wounded due to the encounter.

“…Pero ang nakikita nila baka hindi bababa ng lima ang may tama dun. Nasa Patikul pa rin sya, hindi siya makaalis dun kasi maraming tropa rin dun e,” he added.

Vinluan noted that the pursuit operation against Sawadjaan and his group will be sustained until the alleged Jolo bombing mastermind is captured.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin, hindi titigilan yan,” he said.

Sawadjaan is also with Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron, according to Vinluan.

Vinluan noted that Sawadjaan has been in Patikul even all throughout the August 24 twin bombings in Jolo.

“Si Mundi kasi ang style nyan, wala siya, malayo siya sa site. ‘Yung mag-aano diyan yung suicide bombers na may naghatid lang,” he said.

The twin bomb attacks on August 24 left 15 people dead and 74 others wounded. —LBG, GMA News