Troops in Sulu on alert vs Abu Sayyaf

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Security in Sulu have been placed on heightened alert Sunday, May 26, for possible retaliatory attacks of the Abu Sayyaf as the death toll in the fierce gun battle between Marines and the radical group reached 12.

A senior police official said troops were pursuing the militants and a retaliatory attack may occur as the Abu Sayyaf suffered severe casualties during an encounter in the hinterlands of Patikul.

Chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes, the head of police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said he ordered all troops in the province to take precautionary move to prevent any diversionary attacks that may be carried out by Abu Sayyaf since one of their fatalities was the son of Abu Sayyaf leader Adzmar Sawadjali.

“They might stage bombings and kidnappings to distract the attention of our police and soldiers pursuing them,” he said.

At least 7 Marines and 5 Abu Sayyaf have been killed in the gun battle Saturday, May 25, in Patikul’s Barangay Tugas. Nine other Marines and about 10 Abu Sayyaf fighters were wounded.

“I directed the head of police in the province to put all police forces on alert to prevent any possible attacks,” he said.

Troops were on mission against militants involved in recent kidnapping incidents in Sulu when they encountered Abu Sayyaf militants. – Jeoffrey Maitem/Rappler.com