DWDD: Troops neutralize 6 enemies; seize 8 firearms in Western Mindanao

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jul 21): Troops neutralize 6 enemies; seize 8 firearms in Western Mindanao

Headquarters Western Mindanao Command, Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City– Two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were killed and five firearms were seized in a gun battle with the military in Sulu yesterday (July 20).

Troops of the 21st Infantry Battalion heavily engaged the Abu Sayyaf bandits while on focused military operations in Barangay Bungkaong, Patikul, Sulu at 6:25 am Thursday.

Said firefight resulted in the death of two bandits, a certain Benajir Intag and Bassal Mahalli.

Intag’s body was recovered by the troops at the encounter site.

Seized also were 5 high-powered firearms, which include a K3 squad automatic weapon, an M16A1 Colt with M203 attached, and an M653 Elisco with M203 attached.

Two cell phones, 3 solar panels and 8 backpacks containing assorted food stuff and personal belongings were found by the troops in the temporary resting area of the ASG members.

“One of our soldiers was wounded and was immediately extricated by the responding troops to be given medical attention,” said Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu Commander. “He is now in stable condition and is already recuperating.”

As of this report, 285 ASG members were neutralized in the entire Western Mindanao. Of the total number, 112 were killed (including the 2 ASG members killed today), 103 surrendered to troops and 70 were apprehended.

Meanwhile, in Zamboanga del Norte, two communist terrorists were arrested in a pursuit by the government forces on Tuesday (July 18) afternoon.

Elements of the 44th Infantry Battalion and the Municipal Police Station of Leon B. Postigo nabbed the two wounded communist terrorists, one of whom was identified as Rannie, aboard two ambulances along Barangay Cilago, Leon B. Postigo in Zamboanga del Norte at 4:35 pm Tuesday.

“The communist terrorists arrested by the government forces were among those who engaged our soldiers on July 16 in Sitio Biwa, Titik, of the same town (Leon B Postigo),” said Brigadier General Joselito Bautista, Commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan.

Two communist terrorists were killed, six were wounded, and another was arrested by the troops following the series of armed engagements in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Further recovered by the soldiers were ammunition, explosive devices, and subversive documents.

The arrested persons were then brought to the nearby hospital for medication and investigation.

On the other hand, troops of the Joint Task Force Central were able to apprehend two lawless elements, during the conduct of a law enforcement support operations in Maguindanao last July 18, 2017.

Combined elements of 57th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion apprehended a certain Menta B Umpan, a suspected BIFF member, and a certain Tolks Lakim, a lawless element at Brgy Lower Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao at 6 and 7 in the morning respectively.

In his report to Western Mindanao Command, Brigadier General Arnel Delavega said that the troops were able to recover 3 high-powered firearms that include one (1) M16 rifle, one (1) M653 and one (1) M16 A1 rifle.

He further said that the apprehended personnel and firearms were turned-over to the PNP for the filing of appropriate charges.

“I would like to congratulate the Commanders and soldiers of our Joint Task Forces for their persistence in going after these threat groups and persons within their respective areas of operation,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“Truly, our troops are very eager to make sacrifices in order to ensure that the people they serve will have a peaceful community.”

“I enjoin all our soldiers to continue the fight. Surely, our Commander-in-Chief will be with us all the way in this given mission of liberating not just Marawi but the entire country from any form of threat.”

http://dwdd.com.ph/2017/07/21/troops-neutralize-6-enemies-seize-8-firearms-in-western-mindanao/