Government troops captured on Sunday morning a third camp of the Abu Sayyaf Group after the April 9 encounter which led to the deaths of 18 soldiers and the wounding of 53 others in Tipo-tipo, Basilan.
Western Mindanao Command spokesman Major Filemon Tan said the troops under the Scout Ranger Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Elmer Suderio, recovered components of an improvised explosive device in the camp located at Barangay Baguindan.
Other items recovered were five liters of gasoline; assorted medical paraphernalia; three sacks of rice; and five laminated sacks.
Continued government offensives against the Abu Sayyaf has also resulted in the deaths of 38 bandits, among whom are Moroccan terrorist and bomber Mohammad Khatttab who is said to be acting as a conduit between a “Middle East terrorist organization.”
The ASG is believed to be holding 14 Indonesian and Malaysian hostages, taken in separate incidents off the sea of Tawi-tawi.
Tan said he was optimistic that the military would capture the ASG, which he said broke into small groups as they fled pursuing troops.
“We will not stop until we locate them,” Tan added.