By Nonoy Lacson ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police and military authorities have neutralized a notorious member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who was involved in the series of kidnapping activities of the group in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi province during the conduct of checkpoint operations. Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NavForWesMin) Commander Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina identified the ASG terrorist as Shaifful Julaili. Medina said Julaili ran away from the checkpoint and fired at government troops manning it in Barangay Lapid-Lapid which prompted soldiers and policemen to retaliate. Medina tagged Julaili as the one involved in the series of kidnapping activities in Sulu, particularly in the boundaries of Tawi-Tawi and Sabah in Malaysia. He added that Julaili was also involved in the recent planned kidnapping in Sabah with other Sulu-based ASG bandits. Medina emphasized that the military, in tandem with the police, will not stop in performing its duty of protecting the people and the Western Mindanao region against these terrorist groups. “This should serve as a warning to other terrorist groups that Tawi-Tawi is not, and will never be a safe place for them to conduct their illegal activities,” Medina said. The troops, composed of elements from the 29th Marine Company of Marine Battalion landing Team-9 with 51st Special Action Company, SAF; Bongao Municipal Police Station; Maritime Police Station, Tawi-Tawi and Joint Intelligence Task Units supported the operation. The intensified checkpoint operations by the government through Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the Philippine National Police are being conducted to preempt the spillover of terror activities from the province of Sulu to Tawi-Tawi. The checkpoints also serve as proactive measures of the government to thwart plans of the ASG and other kidnap for ransom groups (KFRG) based in Sulu in utilizing the province as their safe haven and platform in conducting high profile kidnapping activities.