Ibrado to troops: Sustain pressure vs Sayyaf bandits

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado has ordered government troops to “sustain the pressure” against Abu Sayyaf bandits following last Sunday’s encounter in Sulu where commander Albader Parad and a number of his followers were killed.

Ibrado said he has ordered his troops to continue running after the bandits, as they may launch retaliatory attacks to avenge the death of Parad.

He said the number of Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in the encounter may have been more than six as the bandits likely brought with them the bodies of their fallen comrades.

“According to our estimates, many (Abu Sayyaf members) were wounded and probably more have died. Instances wherein the bodies and firearms were left behind after an encounter are rare,” he said.

“If that is the case (bandits leaving behind bodies), talagang masama ang tama nung kalaban (the enemies suffered a huge setback),” he added.

Besides Parad, also killed in the clash in Maimbung, Sulu were Simal Abtong, Abdullan Jumdail, Omar Umbrah, Hamilton Sadjael, and Udin Serail.

A Marine, S/Sgt. Eliseo Salo, died in the encounter.

Parad figured in some high-profile crimes, including the kidnapping of Red Cross workers Marie Jean Lacaba, Italian national Eugenio Vagni, and Swiss national Andreas Notter last year.

He was also linked to the abduction of ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, assistant cameraman Angelo Valderama, and Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo in 2008.

Ibrado said the government had offered a bounty of P7.4 million for Parad, and the United States government, $50,000.

Meanwhile, another Abu Sayyaf member was killed in a fresh encounter with the military in Patikul, Sulu yesterday.

In a statement, the Joint Task Force Comet said government troops encountered the group of Basaron Arok, who is responsible for the abduction and beheading of school principal Gabriel Canizares last year.

“We believe we will get more commanders in the next days or weeks to come,” said Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban.  – With Roel Pareño and Mike Frialde