ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command announced on Friday that it has neutralized at least 223 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in its bid to intensify efforts to end terrorism and insurgency.
WesMinCom spokesperson Lt. Col. Abdurasad Sirajan also disclosed that for the first nine months of this year, they also neutralized 131 members of the Daulah Islamiyah and 178 gunmen of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
He added that state troops neutralized 142 members of the New People’s Army in central and southern Mindanao.
The figures were revealed during the 3rd quarter campaign and command conference held at the AFP-WesMinCom headquarters at Camp Navarro in Calarian here which was presided by AFP-WesMinCom commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr.
Rosario, meantime, urged military commanders to remain steadfast and committed to serving the people.
“Let us continue to collaborate with various stakeholders in pursuing our common aspiration of peace and progress,” Rosario said.
Present during the activity were Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr.; Joint Task Force Central commander Maj. Gen. Roy Galido; JTF- Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio; JTF- Basilan Commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway; JTF- ZamPeLan Commander Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete; JTF-Tawi-Tawi Commander Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio and JTF-Zamboanga Commander Col. Randolph Rojas.