Military, cops on alert vs. Abu Sayyaf new kidnap plots

February 25, 2020

ZAMBOANGA CITY- The military and police have been alerted against plans of the Abu Sayyaf bandits to seized more victims in Jolo, capital of Sulu province.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said Monday there are reports the Abu Sayyaf have deployed its fighters to stage kidnappings in Jolo.

“There is no specific number of ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) bandits (sent to Jolo) but we, in partnership with the police and local government unit (of Jolo) are working closely to thwart their plans,” Sobejana said.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits  seized on February 4 Daniel Moreno, a doctor, from his clinic in Barangay Walled City, Jolo. Sobejana said there is no ransom demand yet.

“We are not letting out guards down. In fact, there was an encounter Sunday where two Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while two soldiers wounded,” he said.

He said one of two slain Abu Sayyaf bandits was a sub-leader who were killed in a firefight Sunday in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu.

The two wounded soldiers belong to the Army’s 15th Scout Ranger Company, which is under the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion. DMS