Army hunts gunmen who harassed patrol base in MagSur, killing soldier

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22, 2024): Army hunts gunmen who harassed patrol base in MagSur, killing soldier (By Edwin Fernandez)

HUMANITARIAN WORK. Soldiers of the Army’s 99th Infantry Battalion help during the feeding program in Maguindanao del Sur while others secure the perimeter of an evacuation center in flood-affected Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur, on Sunday (July 21, 2024). On the same day, gunmen harassed an Army base in Barangay Pagatin of the town, killing one and hurting two other soldiers. (Photo courtesy of 99IB)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Military pursuit operations are ongoing against a group of suspected local terrorists who harassed on Sunday government soldiers helping civilians affected by recent flash floods in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur.

Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, speaking for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the harassment occurred at about 1 p.m. while soldiers were manning checkpoints and flood control units during relief distribution activities for flood victims in Barangay Pagatin.

A soldier under the 99th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, was killed, and two others were slightly injured in the attack.

“We did not expect that to happen since we are helping our people there who were victims of calamities,” Orbon said in a radio interview on Monday.

Datu Salibo is one of the 17 towns in Maguindanao del Sur that is underwater due to floods brought by localized thunderstorms.

“Despite the harassment, we will continue to serve and help our civilians affected by floods,” Orbon said, adding that security has been increased to prevent similar attacks.

About 10 gunmen believed to be remnants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) or the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group operating in the province carried out the attack.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229460