Marines intensively tracking down

ASG bandits behind Sulu ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) – The commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade on Tuesday assured the families of the victims of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), who killed 23 people in Talipao, Sulu Monday, that they will do everything to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Brig. Gen. Martin Pinto said they are now coordinating with their civilian assets in tracking down the bandits.

The 2nd Marine Brigade commander added that around 10 Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team members were then securing the 40 civilians when the ambush occurred.

"We have reports that they (ASG) will go after our detachments but never on civilians. That attack (conducted by the ASG) was just done on chance," Pinto said.

As of this posting, the death toll is now at 23 with six other individuals wounded.

The wounded individuals are now in stable condition. (PNA) 090114