Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf bandits in Marawi wiped out, AFP claims

The Sulu-based members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who joined their erstwhile leader Isnilon Hapilon in the Marawi siege were all killed in clashes with the Armed Forces, a military official claimed on Tuesday.

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Force, said the strength of the terror group in Sulu went down from 500 to 400 after months of conflict in Marawi.

“'Yung ibang fighters ng Sulu na napunta sa Marawi, lahat sila ang namonitor ko naubos na rin e. Walang nakabalik sa Sulu. So it was a reduction,” Sobejana told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.

The Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu is headed by Radullan Sahiron while those in Basilan were headed by Hapilon.

Hapilon, along with leaders of the ISIS-inspired Maute group, was killed by government troops in Marawi.

Sobejana said he did not know who the current leader of the Basilan group.

“Meron some members, particularly yung followers ni Sawadjaan, sumama kay Isnilon Hapilon pero... based on the information that I got, naubos sila doon,” Sobejana said.

Government troops were trying to arrest Hapilon in Marawi on May 23 when members of Maute group attacked them. The firefight went on for five months.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared of the liberation of Marawi last October 17, a day after the killing of Hapilon and Omar Maute.

As of October 17, a total of 847 Maute members, 163 government troops, and 47 civilians have been killed. A total of 1,770 civilians have been rescued while 846 firearms have been recovered.

Sobejana expressed confidence that the government was gaining ground in the fight against the Abu Sayyaf.

“We are gaining ground, doing headway. Hopefully matapos na yung Abu Sayyaf in due time kasi ang Presidente nagdeclare na we will resume operations, ‘yung intensity na ginawa namin when we started it, ituloy tuloy,” Sobejana said.

He added that Abu Sayyaf members seem to be getting desperate.

“Ang Abu Sayyaf ngayon sa Sulu, medyo desperado na sila. Even the poorest of the poor are victims of their kidnapping,” Sobejana said.

He was referring to the abduction of six residents of Patikul, Sulu on November 14.

The victims were released on December 1 in Sito Buhawan-Buhawan, Barangay Latih.

Sobejana said his unit received unverified information that the family paid P100,000 for "board and lodging" of the victims. —NB, GMA News