Troops recover bomb-making components, medical supplies at an ASG harbor site in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -– Government forces pursuing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands have discovered a house used as temporary harbor site by the ASG in the hinterlands of Sulu, a top military official disclosed Wednesday.Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the troops from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion uncovered the harbor site around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu.Arrojado said the troops were scouring the area when they uncovered the freshly abandoned” temporary harbor site of the fleeing ASG members.”Arrojado said the troops have recovered various medical supplies used by the wounded ASG members in the recent clash with government forces.He said the troops also recovered bomb-making components such as blasting caps and detonating cords, mobile phones, radio transceiver, police and military uniforms, hammock, laminated sacks and a box of dried fish.Earlier, Arrojado said that 15 ASG members were reported to have been wounded in the August 28 heavy fighting Mount Awak, Barangay Latih, Patikul, Sulu.He said among the wounded were ASG sub-leaders Roger Samlahun and Hatib Hajan Sawalaan.During the fighting, the troops pounded the positions of the ASG brigands with mortar shells that forced them to scamper to different directions.Some of the wives of the ASG brigands were monitored to have purchased medical supplies and medicines a day after the clash.Arrojado said the troops continue to scour Barangay Latih, Patikul, as they continue to track down the evading ASG brigands. (PNA)