ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – As foreign governments warned their citizens about kidnapping and terrorist plots in Philippine tourist destinations, the military pounded Abu Sayyaf lairs in Basilan on Thursday, killing at least 20 militants in what was called a “shock and awe” airstrike by F-50 fighters followed by an artillery barrage.

The military said ground forces from the 4th Special Forces and 3rd Scout Ranger Regiment also seized an Abu Sayyaf camp in Barangay Pamatsaken in the hinterlands of Sumisip, which was hastily abandoned by fleeing bandits under Furuji Indama.

President Duterte had earlier ordered the military to “shoot on sight” Abu Sayyaf bandits amid travel warnings issued by the US, Britain, Canada and Australia about plots to kidnap foreigners and conduct bombings in Bohol, Cebu and Palawan.

Col. Juvymax Uy, chief of the 104th Army Brigade and Joint Task Force Basilan, said the offensive was launched following information from former Abu Sayyaf members who recently surrendered to the military.

Uy said the Special Forces under Lt. Col. Andrew Bacala initially penetrated the foot of the camp at pre-dawn Thursday and assaulted the Abu Sayyaf militants who were then having breakfast after the dawn break.

Bacala reported the troops breached the camp perimeter and inched closer to about 100 meters from the makeshift tents.

A firefight ensued as the troops took the militants by surprised.

FA-50 jets from Philippine Air Force launched the shock and awe airstrike and delivered rounds of deadly payload rocket bombs against the Abu Sayyaf position.

Bacala said the airstrikes were immediately followed with artillery and mortar fires, inflicting additional casualties to the bandits.

“Our troops were able to cordon the enemy due to the accurate and timely indirect fires and close air support delivered by our artillery and the Philippine Air Force,” Uy said.

The Scout Rangers caught the withdrawing militants about 300 meters from the seized camp.

Military forces immediately conducted clearing operations on the captured camp, which had 12 makeshift tents capable of accommodating 30 to 40 bandits. These were established across 150 meters of hilltop.

Bloodstains were found in the vicinity. Intelligence reports said there were about 20 Abu Sayyaf fatalities from the combined airstrikes and indirect fires.

The military recovered three live improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that were rigged around the camp as booby traps and defenses.

One IED was accidentally tripped and exploded, injuring two soldiers.

Uy said the ground troops did not experience a prolonged firefight, which he said suggested the Abu Sayyaf group may have run out of logistics, ammunition and supply to engage the government forces. – With Jaime Laude