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MANILA, Philippines – The military said it captured the Abu Sayyaf Group’s crude bomb factory in Basilan province following a military offensive launched Sunday night, November 11.
“Before midnight of November 9, the joint forces of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spearheaded by the combined elements of 104th Brigade conducted a deliberate attack against Abu Sayyaf Group under Furuji Indama and his IED (Improvised Explosive Device) factory at Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Province,” said Westmincom spokesperson Captain Rowena Muyuela.
Colonel Rolando Bautista, commander of the 104th Brigade in Basilan, said the military offensive included a combination of artillery and mortar fires, which was followed by a ground assault. Some of the IEDs exploded during the offensive, he said.
According to reports from the area, up to 500 families were evacuated due to the military offensive. The communication networks were also deactivated in 3 municipalities: Tipo-Tipo, Sumisip, and Ungkaya Pukan.
Bautista said they are still validating reported deaths on the part of the Abu Sayyaf.
Local government officials in Basilan called for intensified military operations against the Abu Sayyaf following the death of 6 soldiers, including a junior officer, in an ambush by the Abu Sayyaf. (READ: Basilan’s hero: Fresh PMA grad dies in Abu Sayyaf hands)
“The main intent of the operation is to allay the fears of the civilians and local officials in view of the series of atrocities, kidnapping and extortion committed by the group of Indama,” said Muyuela. – with a report from Richard Falcatan/Rappler.com
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