The plan as alleged by the military shall be carried out in time for the conclusion of the fasting month of Ramadan, it was theorized following reports that the bandits are positioning themselves at a nearby island for their latest "projects."
It has been a pattern for several years now that after the "Hariraya" feast, signifying the end of fasting among the followers of Islam, criminal offenses resume.
Military intelligence sources disclosed that as early as September, this year lawless elements have been massing up forces to launch attacks after the month-long fast performed by the Islam faithful.
The members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) are known to observe the Ramadan, too.
The report added that the ASG plans to kidnap prominent personalities in the peninsula to sustain their unscrupulous operations.
Although identities of would-be victims were not ascertained, it was learned that the armed elements shall carry out their plans by mid-November.
Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan confirmed the presence of the bandits in the periphery of the city after troops clashed with some 20 armed elements led by Isnilon Hapilon the other day in Sacol Island, some 15 nautical miles away from the heart of this city.
Hapilon is a notorious Sayyaf leader who took custody of kidnap victims Gracia Burnham and husband Martin, who was killed in the course of a rescue operation along with a Basilan nurse, Deborah Yap.
"The operation is part of our continuing efforts against terrorists most especially the ASG. Our intelligence units and this command has been evaluating and assessing all information on the ASG, particularly Hapilon and act on them accordingly," Adan said.
"I directed the Task Force Zamboanga (internal defense team) to step up operations in the island with support coming from the Philippine Navy (PN) and the various intelligence units and pursue a joint anti-terror effort," he stressed.
He added that AFP troops are continuing their pursuit operations and are searching for other armed elements who split into several groups after the clash.
"Three were killed in the clash— an Abu Sayyaf member, his daughter and a soldier who was one of those who fought it out with the bandit group," said Maj. Gamal Hayudini, the command’s information officer.
Hayudini added that the ASG member was identified as Ustadz Uldong Arabin, while the soldier’s identity was withheld pending formal notice to the family.
Wounded soldiers T/Sgt Celedonio Rapanot, TSg Elrido Osorio, SN1 Dindo Marzo are presently undergoing medical treatment at the Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Southcom compound.
"Firearms recovered from the scene included an M-16 rifle loaded with ammunition and other minor fighting gadgets," Hayudini concluded.
