Troops seize suspected Abu Sayyaf weapons in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Government troops recovered Tuesday an assault rifle and various war paraphernalia suspected to belong to a faction of the Abu Sayyaf group during a clearing operation in the hinterland of Luuk town, Sulu.

Col. Alan Arrojado, chief of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said the troops of the 35th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Marces Gayat launched a combat and clearing operation when they stumbled upon an abandoned makeshift hut about 4:45 p.m. in Barangay Guimbaon.

He said the troops tactically approached the hut to check for possible presence of Abu Sayyaf members or planted improvised explosive device (IED).

During the clearing operation, the troops led by Cpl. Ronel Aniñon recovered from the abandoned thatch one M16 assault rifle, 20 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, four assorted ammunition magazines for M16 rifle, one round of 40mm rifle grenade, three bandoleers, and a battle dress pants.

The troops believed the M16 rifle and other war paraphernalia were hastily abandoned by the suspected militants upon sensing the arrival of the troops.