2 militiamen defect to ASG camp

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government troops are hunting two militiamen who carted away two high-powered firearms and are believed to have defected to the Abu Sayyaf camp in Tuburan, Basilan, military reports disclosed yesterday.

The suspects, Faizal Agial and brother Aunnal, both assigned at the 5th and 6th CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) bolted the military in Tuburan Thursday.

The CAA is a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) working directly under the military.

The Southern Command reported that the duo carted away one M14 and one M16 rifles with 180 rounds of ammunition issued to another CAA member based in Barangay Semot Tuburan.

The two suspects later fled aboard a motorized pumpboat towards an unknown direction.

Military troops have been hunting down the suspects to prevent them from seeking protection from rebel groups in Basilan.

But Brig. Gen. Reymundo Ferrer, 103rd Army Brigade chief, believes that stealing firearms could be driven by personal motives, especially as the suspects have reportedly been victimized by their own colleagues in the CAA.

Ferrer said the suspects would not likely join any militant group, including the Abu Sayyaf, especially as the previous military offensive left them with heavy casualties.

"However, this does not mean the suspects will not just go away without punishment," Ferrer said.