GOVERNMENT forces seized on Monday another camp of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu, just three days after the bandits released two German captives after a ransom was reportedly paid.
The encampment, located not very far from a bigger camp of the bandits that was captured on Sunday, was found by members of the “Bravo” Company of the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Chester Catapang at around 8 a.m. at Kabuntakas, Patikul, Sulu.
Col. Alan Arrojado, commander of Joint Task Group Sulu, said after he personally inspected the bandit lair.
“I believe that it is a security outpost that is manned by more or less 10 people. We are continuously tracking them as they flee toward the forested parts of the town,” he said.
Soldiers are scouring Patikul and nearby areas in pursuit of the captors of Germans Stefan Okonek Henrike Dielen who were freed on Friday night after a P250- million ransom was reportedly paid to their abductors.
Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding at least 10 more captives, including three foreigners—two Swiss and a Japanese.
The military said it has not recorded any skirmish with the bandits, that it was pursuing following the release the two Germans.
Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Armed Forces chief of staff, has ordered Arrojado and other military officials in Sulu to get the kidnappers and other members of the bandit group.
“Surely, we will catch up with them,” he said, adding the pursuing soldiers only need to be patient.
Arrojado said the kidnappers were employing every means in order to avoid the pursuing troops.
However, he said one good point in their hunt against the terrorists was that they were able to locate and seize their camps.
“We already penetrated their areas and took their camps, which for a long period, were never penetrated and patrolled. It only needs patience before we will get them,” he said.
Arrojado said Army troops were absent in Sulu for eight years, and this was the reason why the ASG became bolder.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, Armed Forces Public Affairs Office chief, said the encampment that was found on Monday was the third camp of the bandits that was taken by the military.
“It was the third camp, and the tracking operations were ongoing,” he said.
Cabunoc said that based on the reports on the ground, the encampment may have been abandoned two or three days ago.
“The camp was among those where the victims were kept,” he said, adding that the bigger camp which the military seized on Sunday at Barangay Buhanginan was where the Germans were held before they were freed.
The camp can hold at least 100 people.
Rene Acosta