By John Clifford Lintao
MILITARY authorities running after terrorist group behind the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu, engaged in an encounter resulting the death of a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group under Mundi Sawadjaan.
In a news dispatch, the Philippine Army said that government troops killed the suspect in an armed encounter occurred between government troops and the rebel group in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday.
Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Mateo, spokesperson of the General Staff for Civil Military Operations of the 11th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said that at about 9:15 a.m., the 3rd and the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion exchanged gunfire with the Abu Sayyaf group under Sawadjaan. The group is believed to be behind the Jolo twin bombings on August 24.
“Meron nakuhang isang katawan ng Abu Sayyaf doon sa engkuwentro at isang mataas na kalibre ng armas, ‘yung Armalite with attached M20 trigger… Patay na ‘yung Abu Sayyaf noong na-recover ang katawan ng ating mga sundalo,” Mateo said.
He said the encounter was an offshoot of their pursuit operation against the group of Sawadjaan.
Mateo said the incident happened despite the recent signing of the People’s Peace Covenant, where the people of Patikul declared the local terror group as persona non grata in their respective communities.
The twin bomb attacks that rocked Jolo, Sulu on Monday killed 15 people and injured 74.
The fatalities included seven soldiers, six civilians, one policeman, and the female suicide bomber who caused the second explosion in Barangay Walled City at 1 p.m.
The first explosion transpired at 11:55 a.m. in front of Paradise grocery store when an improvised explosive device, placed on a parked motorcycle, exploded.
The incident prompted authorities to put the entire town of Jolo under lockdown so further atrocities could be prevented.