‘Abus task wives to buy medicine for wounded bandits’

MANILA, Philippines - Abu Sayyaf bandits are reportedly having their wives buy medicine for their comrades who were wounded in recent military offensives in Sulu.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Joint Task Group Sulu (AFP-JTGS) uncovered this on Saturday after five women, believed to be wives of Abu Sayyaf bandits, were seen by government agents buying medical supplies from several drug stores in Jolo.

“They were in black Muslim clothing with their faces covered. One of them was identified by our agent as Nanah Sawadjaan, daughter-in-law of Abu Sayyaf leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan,” AFP-JTGS commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said.

By chatting with the women, the undercover agent found out that 25 bandits were wounded, 10 of them in critical condition, in a series of clashes with military troopers who have been conducting offensives from Aug. 20.

The 15 wounded bandits have recovered and rejoined the group. The 10 others were still recuperating at an Abu Sayyaf lair in Patikul, the women told the government agent.

Nanah is the wife of Arab Sawadjaan, son of Hatib Hajan, whose group is being pursued by government security forces in the outskirts of Indanan town.