Gov’t troops capture Abu Sayyaf sub-leader in Sulu

November 13, 2020

Government troops captured an Abu Sayyaf sub leader in Sulu, Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr, Western Mindanao Command chief,  said on Thursday afternoon.

Vinluan said  Amah Ullah was captured following an encounter at Sitio Tubig Kawas, Barangay Latih, Patikul at 4:30 pm.

Vinluan said while the troops of the 17th Special Forces Company, 6th Special Forces Battalion were scouring the area after an Abu Sayyaf kidnap for ransom group was neutralized on November 3 when they encountered around seven armed men.

“A firefight ensued which lasted for ten minutes after which the enemies scampered to different directions leaving their wounded comrade behind,” he said.

“While in pursuit of the fleeing enemies, our troops captured one wounded militant who was then identified as Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Amah Ullah,” he added.

Lt. Col. Alaric Avelino Delos Santos, Western Mindanao Command public affairs officer, said according to the company commander of the 17SFC, "being an ace of the group, Ullah was determined to fight up to his last breath and urged the soldiers to just kill him but they instead applied first aid."

"Amah Ullah was then brought to Camp General Teodolfo Bautista Station Hospital for further medical attention," he said.

Army's  6th Special Forces Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Rafael Caido said Ullah ''is the uncle and adviser of Basaron Arok, a group member who is an emerging Abu Sayyaf sub-leader."

Caido said Ullah will undergo custodial debriefing while recovering from the wound sustained at the calf of his left leg.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu said the military "continues to abide by the rules of engagement and maintain professionalism in instances such as this".

"We make it a point that even captured enemies are treated humanely. We provide them medical treatment if they need it. Hopefully, Amah Ullah will come to his senses and cooperatively aid in our pursuit of peace here in Sulu,” he said. Robina Asido/DMS