Military troops on Monday managed to seal off all possible Abu Sayyaf escape routes in Basilan in the wake of a lull in the fighting in the province.
Marine Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, Joint Task Force Thunder commander, said, "Even though there is a lull in the fighting, our search operations continue. We have covered all their possible escape routes."
He added that though there is no shelling today, their troops are moving. Earlier, the soldiers lobbed 105 Howitzer rounds on suspected Abu Sayyaf lairs to "soften" their positions in preparation for military assaults,
"Shelling is part of tactics. When the enemy defense is strong, we soften it up through shelling before we attack the area," he said.
"I cannot say 100 percent that they can't escape, but we are trying our best," he said.
The military officer further said a naval blockade was being formed to prevent the bandits' escape.