From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 2, 2022): Dawlah Islamiyah death toll in Lanao operation rises to 3; slain soldier identified – military (By Martin Sadongdong)
Another suspected terrorist has been killed in the continuing pursuit operation of the military against the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) in Maguing, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday, March 2.
Courtesy of Western Mindanao Command
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said this brought the number of slain DI suspects to three, as two enemies were killed in the initial operation.
The troops scoured the clash site and recovered the bodies of the three suspects along with two caliber 50 machine guns; one caliber 30 machine gun; one M16 rifle, one AK47 rifle, one M14 rifle, and one Garand rifle.
They also found three rocket-propelled grenade launchers; 22 improvised explosive devices (IEDs); various ammunition and magazine clips; anti-personnel mines and other components; and enemy personal belongings.
Meanwhile, on the part of the troops, the death count remained one but the number of wounded personnel rose to four.
The lone fatality on the part of the government forces was identified as Private Clint Rey Armada, a member of the 55th Infantry Battalion.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said this brought the number of slain DI suspects to three, as two enemies were killed in the initial operation.
The troops scoured the clash site and recovered the bodies of the three suspects along with two caliber 50 machine guns; one caliber 30 machine gun; one M16 rifle, one AK47 rifle, one M14 rifle, and one Garand rifle.
They also found three rocket-propelled grenade launchers; 22 improvised explosive devices (IEDs); various ammunition and magazine clips; anti-personnel mines and other components; and enemy personal belongings.
Meanwhile, on the part of the troops, the death count remained one but the number of wounded personnel rose to four.
The lone fatality on the part of the government forces was identified as Private Clint Rey Armada, a member of the 55th Infantry Battalion.
Private Clint Rey Armada (Courtesy of 55th Infantry Battalion)
The 55th IB described Armada as the breadwinner of his family, and “known for his subtle personality.” He graduated Top 2 at the Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) Class 651-2020.
The identities of the casualties on the side of the enemy were not yet released by the military.
However, Rosario revealed that the target of the operation was one Hadji Satar with multiple aliases including Zakaria, Abu Zacariah, Omar, and Jer Mimbantas.
‘DI commander’
According to the military, Satar is the “leader” of all DI units operating in Lanao del Sur.
“He was involved in several encounters against the government forces in the municipalities of Sultan Dumalondong, Pagayawan, Madalum, Piagapo, and Balindong (all in Lanao del Sur),” Rosario said.
He said the military has been monitoring the activities of Satar’s unit and they found out that he actively operates in the tri-boundaries of Piagapo, Madalum, and Balindong.
Aside from this, Satar allegedly has multiple standing warrants of arrest for kidnapping, serious illegal detention, murder, and frustrated member although Rosario did not elaborate on the DI commander’s cases.
Intelligence information from the military revealed that Satar’s group was holed up in Brgy. Ilalag with some leaders of the Maute Group to “train new recruits and plan sabotage operations.”
Planned retaliatory attacks of the Dawlah Islamiyah have long been anticipated by the military especially after the killing of its “emir” or overall commander, Salahuddin Hassan, in an encounter in Talayan, Maguindanao on Oct. 29, 2021.
Not long later, the military found out that the group had a new emir who was identified as Asim Karimda alias Abu Azim, a trained fabricator of improvised explosive device (IED) and bomb maker. The military wasted no time in tracking Karimda until they killed him in an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Dec. 2, 2021.
After that, dozens of Dawlah Islamiyah members surrendered to government forces, an indicator that the group’s force has already been weakened, according to the military. In 2021, a total of 41 members of Dawlah Islamiyah yielded to the government.
Displaced
Meanwhile, the municipal government of Maguing in Lanao del Sur has set up evacuation centers in Barangay Madaya Poblacion for the displaced residents in Barangay Ilalag and in nearby Barangay Runggayan.
“Those who will be needing transportation during an evacuation may contact the MDRRMO [municipal disaster risk reduction and management office] at hotline 0909-726-3450,” the MDRRMO Maguing announced.
On social media, Bayan Muna partylist third nominee Amirah Lidasan condemned the military’s use of aerial bombs in their combat operation.
“Indiscriminate attacks in communities always affect civilians, in the form of forced displacement and being the casualties,” said Lidasan, who identifies herself as a Moro rights and peace advocate.
But the WestMinCom commander maintained that it was necessary for the military to use airstrikes since the alleged lair of the terrorist groups were filled with anti-personnel landmines that could kill the soldiers.
“To all the peace-loving citizens of Lanao del Sur, just remain calm and allow us to do our job. Your armed forces will not allow these terrorists to inflict harm on your respective communities. We will not stop until these lawless elements are completely crushed,” Rosario said.
“While we continue to operate, we call for prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of our fallen soldier and the speedy recovery of our wounded comrades,” he added.
https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/02/dawlah-islamiyah-death-toll-in-lanao-operation-rises-to-3-slain-soldier-identified-military/
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