High-powered firearms seized from Abu lair in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Military forces during a clearing operation recovered Thursday several high-powered firearms of the Abu Sayyaf group in the jungle of Patikul, Sulu.

Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the troops under the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS) led by Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, acted on the information provided by local folks which led to the recovery of several high-powered firearms.

The operating troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Gregorio Nieveras seized three M16 rifles, two garand rifles, an M14 rifle inside a makeshift hut of the Abu Sayyaf group in Barangay Bonbon.

The Abu Sayyaf group hastily abandoned the area to escape offensive operation.

Tan Jr. said the hut was reportedly being used as cache of the bandits under Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron.