SULU – Napatay ng mga tauhan ng Joint Task Force Sulu ang kapatid ni Abu Sayyaf Group sub-leader Mundi Sawadjaan at isa pang ASG member sa nangyaring magkaugnay na sagupaan noong Biyernes ng hapon sa bayan ng Patikul sa lalawigang ito.

Natagpuan ng militar ang bangkay ni Mujafal “Jhapz” Sawadjaan, nakatatandang kapatid ng ASG sub-leader at infamous bomber Mundi Sawadjaan, at ng isang ASG member na kinilalang si Muktihar Taha alyas Mukti, bandang alas-3:20 ng hapon kasunod ng engkwentro sa hangganan ng mga barangay ng Taung, Taglibi, Panglayahan, pawang sakop ng Patikul.

Ayon kay Joint Task Force-Sulu at 11th Infantry Division commander, MGen. William N. Gonzales, nagkaroon ng serye ng engkuwentro nang matunton ng 2nd Special Forces Battalion at 32nd Infantry Battalion na nasa ilalim ng 1103rd Infantry Brigade na pinamumunuan ni Col. Eugenio Boquio, 21st Infantry Battalion at operating forces ng 1102nd Infantry Brigade na pinamumunuan naman ni Col, Benjamin Batara, ang pinagtataguan ng mga Abu Sayyaf na nasa pamumuno ni Mudzmar “Mundi” Sawadjaan.

“The clashes started at around 9:30 am. The 2nd Special Forces Battalion led by Lt. Col. Benito Ramos, while conducting combat operations, spotted a fleeing ASG member who has left behind an improvised explosive device component. The pursuit of said individual led them to clash with the group of Mundi, who engaged them in a firefight. The operating forces of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade continued to pursue Mundi’s group as the latter desperately tried to evade government forces,” ani Col Batara.

“We have received initial reports indicating that Mundi’s youngest brother Al-al Sawadjaan was also neutralized during today’s encounters.

All our forces are on high alert as we continue to hunt for Mundi Sawdjaan. With the death of most of the members of his group, it is highly possible that Mundi is evading our forces all by himself,” pahayag ni MGen. Gonzales.

Magugunitang kamakailan ay napatay rin ang isang Egyptian terrorist at dalawang ASG members sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Mundi.

Ayon kay Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander ng Western Mindanao Command, resulta ito sa inilunsad na focus military operation ng Joint Task Force Sulu.

“Mujafal was in the ASG watchlist as of the yearend 2020. He is the brother of Mundi. On the other hand, Mukti was not on the watchlist but he was known to be an active follower of Mundi,” ani Lt. Gen. Vinluan Jr. (JESSE KABEL)