Marines seize Abu Sayyaf camp in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Marine forces captured a fortified camp of the Abu Sayyaf group in the mountain of Sulu following heavy artillery shelling launched Monday, according to military officials.

The offensive was staged hours ahead of US President Barrack Obama's arrival in Manila as part of his state visit in four countries in East and Southeast Asia as the military tightened the security in the south to preempt any terror strike by the Abu Sayyaf militants.

Brig. Gen. Martin Pinto, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade and Joint Task Force Sulu, said his forces captured the camp about 5 a.m. Monday at sitio Kan Jimao, Patikul town following a close to an hour of mortar shelling.

Pinto said the ground forces requested the bombardment after confirming the camp was heavily fortified and occupied by undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf members.

He said the Abu Sayyaf militants were forced to abandon the camp and withdrew towards different directions.

“Information received states that there were casualties on the side of the ASG as a result of the mortar shelling but was extricated by withdrawing comrades,” Pinto said.

Clearing forces discovered that the captured camp is heavily fortified with bunkers and individual foxholes strategically placed and scattered in different defensive positions. The  the whole area is also concealed under a thick vegetation and  has about 50 makeshift huts that can accommodate around 100 persons and has a good water source.

Pinto disclosed that the captured camp was reportedly one of the Abu Sayyaf havens where the group consolidate, meet, and conduct training of  new  recruits.

The military official said due to the proximity to feeder road and trails, the Abu Sayyaf group also used it as staging and rendezvous area before and after conducting atrocities, including kidnapping.

Capt. Ryan Lacuesta, spokesman of 2nd Marine Brigade, said troops continued the pursuit operation following ground reports the retreating militants suffered undetermined number of casualties during the shelling.

“There were indications of casualties incurred by the Abu Sayyaf group during the mortar shelling, and part of the pursuit operation is to determine the casualty figure and location of the fleeing group,” Lacuesta said.