Military units bombard ASG camp in Basilan

Government forces, using FA-50PH jet fighters and artillery units, bombarded an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) camp in Al Barka town, Basilan Monday early morning. (Photo: Philippine Soldiers/ Facebook)

MANILA –Government forces, using FA-50PH jet fighters and artillery units, bombarded an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) camp in Al Barka town, Basilan Monday early morning.

The strike, which took place 2:57 a.m., targeted an ASG camp in Barangay Macalang of the said town, said 1st Infantry Division public affairs office Major Richard Enciso.

The attack took place as the military intensified its rescue efforts for hostages still in the clutches of the terrorists.

Enciso said the ASG camp is headed by Furuji Indama and Nurhassan Jamiri. Following ground units reported finding blood trails in the bombarded camp.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing, he added.

Monday’s operation came as the military continued rescue operations for kidnap victims being held by the ASG in nearby Sulu.

On Sunday, the military said it received information that one of the hostages, German Jurgen Kantner, had been beheaded due to the failure of his government to pay the bandits’ PHP30 million ransom demand.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said information is still being validated as no real evidence of the execution has been discovered so far.