6ID condemns attacks vs. off duty, unarmed soldiers

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 5, 2019): 6ID condemns attacks vs. off duty, unarmed soldiers

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — The chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said its morale remains high despite the series of retaliatory attacks by lawless elements that left four soldiers dead here and in neighboring Cotabato City in recent days.

“Despite the hostilities, our troops' morale remains high that sustains their resolve to beat the menace of terrorism,” said Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana in a statement released on Monday evening.

Sobejana vowed the 6ID will further strengthen its intelligence operations to foil attempts by the terrorist groups in attacking off-duty military personnel.

“We will continue to step up our focused military operations to put an end-game to terrorism. The troops are likewise reminded to be extra vigilant even on off-duty as they are falling prey to treacherous attacks,” Sobejana said.

The Army official issued a similar reminder to the residents of Central Mindanao, 6ID’s area of responsibility, admitting that the series of shooting incidents have affected the peace and order in the area.

“The perpetrators on the recent atrocities have to face the consequences of their inhuman acts,” Sobejana warned.

At about 7 p.m. Sunday, a lone attacker shot dead an off-duty soldier, Cpl. Sahelbasar Alaja, a detachment commander and member of the 90th Infantry Battalion, while onboard a pedicab in Barangay Broce, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

On Feb. 28, suspected Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters ambushed and killed two of three off-duty soldiers who were onboard a car at 4 p.m. in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

Slain were Privates Junard Estribor and Nelier John Pinto, both of 57th IB, while another colleague, Pvt. Muqtahar Sampulna, was wounded. A female bystander was also hit and injured by a stray bullet during the ambush.

Earlier on the same day, a motorcycle riding-in-tandem also gunned down S/Sgt. Verande Lardera of the 37th IB in Cotabato City.

Lardera was driving his motorbike en route to the 6ID camp when ambushed at about lunchtime along Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City. He died in the hospital.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063624