2 soldiers, 2 terrorists slain, 1 wounded in Lanao Sur encounter

By BITOON A RANAO

March 13, 2019

The cadaver of a terrorist killed in an encounter on March 11, 2019, in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur. (Wismincom photo)

MARAWI CITY: Two Daesh-Inspired Maute terrorists were slain and one was wounded in the tactical offensives launched by military troops in Lanao del Sur on Monday, military said.

The two DI-Lanao members killed who were under Abu Dar were identified as alias Abu Tahir and Abu Jihad.

Soldiers retrieved Abu Tahir’s remains from the encounter site, while residents reported Abu Jihad’s death.

The military lost two soldiers in the gunfight between forces of the 55th Infantry Battalion and 22 DI-Lanao members in Barangay Calaludan, Pagayawan municipality, Lanao del Sur.

The military did not identify the names of the slain soldiers.

Troops seized a carbine rifle and a lower receiver of an M16 rifle in the encounter scene.

“We received information from the local populace on the presence of DI-Lanao group in the area and we responded to their call,” said Col. Romeo Brawner, 103rd Infantry Brigade Commander, which has operational jurisdiction over Lanao del Sur.

“We are sustaining our focused military operation in order to destroy the remnants of this group (DI-Lanao) and free the province from terrorists,” added Brawner.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and friends of our soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our people against the terrorist group,” said Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan Commander.

“Their sacrifices were borne out of their dedication to protect the Meranaos in pursuit of peace and development,” added Ancan.

Additional forces pursued fleeing terrorists and ensured the populace’s safety and security in the area.

Responding troops promptly extricated the wounded for medical attention.

Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said, “We are determined to disintegrate terrorists’ factions in order to prevent their reemergence in Lanao province.”

“Rest assured that we will pursue deliberate offensives to repress Maute remnants, neutralize terrorists’ leaders, and eventually purge Lanao province of terror ploys,” he added.

(MASIDING NOOR YAHYA and ASA T. MADALE)