Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City, July 18, 2021 – A member of the Daulah Islamiyah-Hassan Group (DI-HG) was killed while two others were apprehended in a military operation conducted in Maguindanao on July 17.
“Based on the report from the ground, troops of the 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) conducted a hasty raid in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha (SSM), Maguindanao at about 8:00 a.m. on Saturday targeting the group led by a certain ‘Tong Bomber,’” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander, Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).
According to 33IB Commander Lt. Col. Benjamin Cadiente, the troops acted on reports from the community of the presence of the DI-HG in the area.
“While troops were approaching the reported location of the terrorists, they were fired upon by an undetermined number of Daulah Islamiyah-Hassan Group members, which forced the soldiers to retaliate,” Cadiente said.
The encounter resulted in the death of a.k.a. ‘Tong Bomber,’ and the apprehension of two of his comrades identified as Nondo Sangalan and Tong Sangalan.
While scouring the area, troops recovered one M14 rifle, 33 pieces of 7.62mm ball ammunition, three M14 magazines, three improvised explosive devices, three handheld commercial radios, two handheld chargers, one backpack, two sling bags, one handcuff, three cellular phones, and two SIM cards.
“This accomplishment displays the importance of the community’s participation in defeating the threat groups here in Maguindanao,” said Col. Pedro Balisi, commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.
“The strong collaboration between the military and the local government, added by the support from the populace, will definitely keep the communities safe, peaceful, and progressive,” he added.
The remains of the neutralized terrorist were immediately turned over to the barangay officials of Nabundas, while the apprehended personalities were placed under the custody of SSM Municipal Police Station for the filing of appropriate charges. The recovered items were brought to the 33IB headquarters in Barangay Zapakan, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao for safekeeping.
Mej. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Central, commended the troops for their prompt response that prevented the terror group from conducting atrocities in the area.
“Your actions have saved countless lives that could have been victims of the terrorists,” the commander said.
One soldier was wounded during the encounter. He is now being treated at the hospital in Sultan Kudarat.
“Team WestMinCom remains steadfast in eliminating all the threats in the communities. Our soldiers are out there risking their lives to hunt and pound the remaining terrorists,” Vinluan said.
“Let us continue to pray for the protection of our soldiers and everybody’s safety,” he added.
Since January 2021, Joint Task Force Central has neutralized a total of 150 local terrorists, 131 of whom were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and 19 were members of the Daulah Islamiyah. ### (AFP) – jlo