Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: 05/24/22

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Air, ground assault in Maguindanao vs Dawlah Islamiyah leaves 1 dead

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 24, 2022): Air, ground assault in Maguindanao vs Dawlah Islamiyah leaves 1 dead (By: John Eric Mendoza)

Government troops seizes six high-powered firearms after an encounter with Dawlah Islamiyah-Torayfe group in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao. Contributed photo.

A member of the Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiyah-Torayfe group was killed in what the military called a “preventive military operations” in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao on Monday morning, authorities said.

The Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, in a statement on Monday night, identified the fatality as Sadam Salandang alias Sadam.

The cadaver was turned over to local officials of Datu Salibo for proper burial, the 6ID added.

BGen. Eduardo Gubat, acting commander of 6ID and JTF Central, said the team’s field artillery conducted indirect fire aimed at the area where the armed members were hiding at Sitio Patawali, Barangay Ganta.

“Their forces were further weakened after the close air support was conducted in the right place of the target,” Gubat also said in the statement.

Six high-powered guns were also seized after the incident, according to 6IB.

The 6IB said the said 600 residents have been evacuated to a daycare center of the said village.

In 2017, police reported that the Islamic State-influenced Abu Torayfe was injured and eventually died after a joint military and police operation in Maguindanao.

Torayfe was blamed for the series of bombings in Maguindanao, Cotabato, and South Cotabato, targeting government forces and civilians.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1601769/air-ground-assault-vs-dawlah-islamiyah-in-maguindanao-leaves-1-dead

JTFC Pounds DI-Turaife Group in Maguindanao

From the Journal Online (May 24, 2022): JTFC Pounds DI-Turaife Group in Maguindanao

Camp Siongco, Maguindanao – The Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army launched a preemptive military operations to prevent the Dawlah Islamiyah- Turaife Group led by Esmael Abdulmalik @ Abu Turaifie from harassing communities after they were sighted in Sitio Patawali, Brgy Ganta, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao this Monday morning (May 23, 2022).

BGen. Eduardo Gubat, Acting Commander of 6ID and JTF Central clarified that there was an encounter with a number of the Dawlah Islamiya – Turaife Group after the group harassed the residents of the said area.

“Our troops from 6th Infantry (Redskin) Battalion under Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag responded immediately to secure the populace from this terrorist group. Also, Field Artillery conducted indirect fire aimed at the place where they were hiding. Their forces were further weakened after the close air support was conducted in the right place of the target. This happened because we do not want to disturb the peace, order and security enjoyed by those who live there”, said BGen. Gubat.

BGen. Gubat once again asked the residents of the said area to remain calm as the government forces controls the situation.

As the government troops were searching the area, a body count from the enemy wherein a certain Sadam Salandang alias Sadam, a member of BIFF Karialan Faction under alias Robot were recovered along with two (2) M16A1 rifles, one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher, one (1) Garand rifle, two (2) Carbines, one (1) Barret Cal .50, three (3) Magazines of M16, 12 pcs IED main charge, 19 pcs Blasting Cap Improvised, one (1) Bandolier, one (1) Basic Phone, 19 pcs Bag Pack, 11 pcs 9 Volt Batteries,13 pcs Hammock and several ammunitions.

Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, 6IB, 6ID Commander said that the dead body was turned over to a local officials of Datu Salibo for proper burial. Meanwhile, the affected residents have been evacuated and they are in good condition.

Col. Oriel Pangcog, 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade Commander said that the internally displaced persons were temporarily sheltered in a daycare center of the respective barangays of the said municipalities under the supervision of MDRRMO Datu Salibo and Shariff Saydona.

https://journal.com.ph/jtfc-pounds-di-turaife-group-in-maguindanao/

Member of terrorist group slain in Maguindanao

From the Manila Times (May 24, 2022): Member of terrorist group slain in Maguindanao

A suspected member of the Daulah Islamiyah-Turaife Group group has been killed during close air support by the Philippine military in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

Photos from 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division, Philippine Army Facebook

In a statement on Tuesday, the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID) said its unit, along with the Joint Task Force Central, conducted a preemptive military operation against the group that were allegedly harassing communities.

The slain rebel was identified as Sadam Salandang alias Sadam.

He is also an alleged member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Karialan Faction under alias Robot, according to the military.

READ: NPA leader, cohort killed in encounter

According to Lt.Col. Charlie Banaag, 6IB commander, the body was turned over to local officials of Datu Salibo for proper burial.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Eduardo Gubat, commander of JTF Central and acting 6ID commander, said there was an encounter after the group allegedly harassed residents of Sitio Patawali in Barangay Ganta.

"Our troops from 6th Infantry (Redskin) Battalion under Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag responded immediately to secure the populace from this terrorist group. Also, Field Artillery conducted indirect fire aimed at the place where they were hiding," he said.

"Their forces were further weakened after close air support was conducted in the right place of the target. This happened because we do not want to disturb the peace, order and security enjoyed by those who live there," he added.

READ: Army reactivates 1st Tank Battalion

State troops recovered two M16A1 rifles; an M203 grenade launcher; a Garand rifle; two carbines; a Barret cal.50; three magazines of M16; 12 pieces of IED main charge; 19 pieces blasting cap improvised; a bandolier; a basic phone;19 pieces bag pack; 11 pieces 9 volt batteries; 13 pieces of hammock; and several ammunition.

The affected residents who were displaced are temporarily housed at daycare centers in their barangay, 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade commander Col. Oriel Pangcog said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/05/24/news/member-of-terrorist-group-slain-in-maguindanao/1844830

Terrorist killed in Maguindanao AFP ops

From the Philippine Star (May 25, 2022): Terrorist killed in Maguindanao AFP ops (John Unson)

A terrorist was killed while five others were wounded in air and artillery strikes that targeted the hideout of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Sitio Patawali, Barangay Ganta in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao on Monday.

Local officials identified the fatality as Sadam Salandang, whose body was recovered by soldiers belonging to the 6th Infantry Division during clearing operations.

Brig. Gen. Eduardo Gubat, 6th Infantry Division acting commander, said the military offensive was a “law-enforcement maneuver” to preempt terror attacks.

He said they received reports from villagers in Datu Salibo and nearby towns that BIFF groups led by Abu Turaife and Kagui Karialan were planning to conduct bomb attacks.

The military said two M16 rifles, an M203 rifle, a .30-caliber Garand, two .30-caliber Carbine rifles, a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle and improvised explosive devices were recovered at the scene.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/05/25/2183430/terrorist-killed-maguindanao-afp-ops

Army troops overrun NPA camp in Ifugao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 24, 2022): Army troops overrun NPA camp in Ifugao (By: Villamor Visaya Jr.)

New People’s Army (NPA) | INQUIRER.net file photo

CAMP MELCHOR DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela––Army soldiers from the 54th Infantry Battalion (IB) overran an alleged New People’s Army camp after a 20-minute firefight Monday in Barangay Namal, Asipulo town, Ifugao province.

Capt. Karol Jay Mendoza Jr., 54th IB civil-military officer, said the suspected communist guerrillas from the Guerilla Front-Abra-Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur chanced upon the government troops, resulting in a gunbattle.

The rebels later withdrew, reportedly dragging along their wounded comrades.

According to the Army, the government soldiers later secured the place and uncovered the rebel camp.

Found at the hideout were four anti-personnel mines with 40-meter wire, 20 blasting caps, medical kits, anti-government documents, and personal belongings.

A hot pursuit operation was underway, the military said.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1601822/army-troops-overrun-npa-camp-in-ifugao