A COUSIN of Abu Sayyaf chieftain, Isnilon Hapilon, and three of his followers were killed in the ongoing military offensive against the terrorist group in known bandits’ haven in the ridges of Basilan province Wednesday.
In a belated report, Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said Ustadz Mobin Kulin, alias Mulawin, cousin of Hapilon, along with his three members were pinned down in what the military described as a bloody firefight with pursuing troops in Tapiantana Island at 5 a.m.
The killing of Kulin brings to 23 the number of ASG bandits, including four close relatives of its leaders, killed in separate savage fighting in Sulu and Basilan during the past 12 days security forces have been pursuing enemies of the state after the ASGs beheaded German hostage Jurgen Kantner in Maimbung, Sulu last Feb. 26.
Among the relatives of ASG commanders slain were two kin of Basilan ASG leader Radullan Sahiron, allegedly involved in the slaying of Kantner—killed in Barangay Igasan, Patikul, and Jaber Susukan, brother of sub-leader Idang Susukan, shot dead in Maimbung, Sulu.
Galvez said Kulin was among the 15-man ASG band who engaged ground forces—army and police personnel—in a 30-minute severe fighting in the outskirts of Tapiantana Island.
The bodies of the four bandits were recovered by government troops after the dust had settled and were turned over to the Basilan Police Provincial Office.
Also recovered from the battle scene were several high-powered firearms and war materials, including a Barret—a long range sniper rifle, a Rocket Propelled Grenade with three bullets and 12 Grenade launcher rifles.
Galvez said Kulin was an active and hardcore ASG member from Lantawan, Basilan, involved in the 2001 Lamitan siege where the extremist group took over the Jose Torres hospital, taking medical staff and patients hostages.
Kulin was also involved in the Dos Palmas attack in Honda Bay in Palawan in May 2001, when 20 hostages including Americans Guillermo Sobero and couples Martin and Gracia Burham were seized. Sobero was killed while Martin was slain during a rescue mission.
“All-out offensives are being conducted by the Joint Task Force Basilan with the support and coordination of the local government, police, and civilians in the province against the ASG bandits who are responsible for the conduct of bombings, extortion activities and kidnappings in Basilan,” Galvez said.
Galvez said pursuit operations were continuing to thwart potential ASG extrication of the bodies.
“The entire command is more motivated to go after and finish-off the group within the next six months,” Galvez said.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Navy would start its joint patrol with Malaysia and Indonesia in the boundary of the country’s southern backdoor in May or April to negate kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“We are going to inaugurate that,” he said.
“Also, we are going to create a task force in Bongao (Tawi-tawi) to be headed by a two-star general… we have enough fastboats, some ships and aircraft, and maybe drones; we’re acquiring drones to patrol the area,” Lorenzana added.