Terrorist threats in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi drop in past 2 years —military

The number of terrorist threats in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi has decreased in the past two years, Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said.

“Military action is only a small factor in combatting terrorism, the major factor here is the assistance (from the Bangsamoro Government),” Vinluan was quoted as saying in a statement while visiting Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.

“We need your help to finally end the conflict in Sulu,” he added.

Data from the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu showed that the JTF Sulu had 38 encounters with the Abu Sayyaf Group from July 1, 2020 to May 2, 2021.

This led to the neutralization of 260 members. Of this 34 were killed, 42 were arrested, and 184 surrendered.

At present, the JTF Sulu said the ASG now has only 132 of its manpower, a decrease from its 282 members in 2019 and 145 members in 2020.

The force also observed a decrease in the group’s firearms from 330 weapons in 2019 to only 147 in 2021.

According to the JTF Sulu, there were also no recorded terrorist acts perpetrated by the Abu Sayaff this year.

In response, Ebrahim said the interim Bangsamoro Government has been put in place. 

“We know that this transition period would not be an easy track. We also acknowledge that there are still splinter groups and extremist organizations that would provide challenges in the process,” he said.

“We are fortunate that in this journey, we have our dear partners from the security sector to help us out in maintaining order. Troops whom we once faced at the other side of the fence – now working with us, side by side, one in building a Bangsamoro that we can be proud of,” he added.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News