Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group sub-leader, 4 followers killed

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Apr 30, 2024): Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group sub-leader, 4 followers killed

ZAMBOANGA. A Mid-level leader and four followers of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) were killed while five soldiers were wounded in a series of skirmishes in Munai, Lanao del Norte, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Contributed)

A MID-LEVEL leader and four followers of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) were killed while five soldiers were wounded in a series of skirmishes in the province of Lanao del Norte, the military said Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

Lieutenant General William Gonzales, commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the troops of the 103rd Infantry Brigade were conducting combat operation when they clashed with some 12 DI-MG gunmen under Nasser Daud alias Mahater in Cadayonan village, Munai, Lanao del Norte on Monday, April 29.

“The firefight lasted for about 45 minutes, after which the enemy withdrew toward the west direction,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said another 10-minute firefight ensued in Barangay Maganding in the same town as the operating troops pursued and caught up with the fleeing DI-MG gunmen.

He said the series of clashes resulted in the deaths of five DI-MG gunmen including the group’s sub or mid-level leader.

He identified the slain mid-level leader as Najeb Laguindab alias Abu Jihad.

The slain followers were identified as the following: Johaiver Dumar alias Julaibib; Salman Dimapinto Nasrudin alias Shuay’b; Mohaimen Hadji Ali alias Ibn Sali, one of the look-outs during the December 3, 2023, Mindanao State University (MSU) Gymnasium Bombing; and, alias Muslima.

Gonzales said the troops scoured the clash site and recovered the enemy cadavers. The troops also recovered one M16 rifle, one M14 rifle, and other war materials.

Major General Gabriel Viray, III, commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao), the encounter also resulted in the wounding of five soldiers who were immediately extricated from the area and given medical attention.

Viray did not identify the wounded soldiers except to say they belonged to the 103rd Infantry Brigade.

Gonzales commended the troops of JTF ZamPeLan for their significant accomplishment.

“I commend our soldiers for their untiring dedication to their duties as we expedite the neutralization of the remnants of the terror groups in our area of operation,” Gonzales said.

“Rest assured that with the support of the local government units and the communities, we will soon achieve our goal of putting the sickening problem of terrorism to an end,” he added.

He noted that of the eight key perpetrators in the December 3, 2023, MSU Gymnasium bombing, seven were already neutralized. Only Daud remains at large.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/dawlah-islamiyah-maute-group-sub-leader-4-followers-killed

5 militants killed, 3 soldiers hurt in Lanao del Norte clashes

From Rappler (Apr 30, 2024): 5 militants killed, 3 soldiers hurt in Lanao del Norte clashes (By FROILAN GALLARDO)

New Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group leader emerges

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Army troops engaged a band of militants led by the new leader of the dreaded Dawlah Islamiyah in two encounters in Lanao del Norte on Monday, April 29, killing at least five of them.

Three soldiers were wounded in the clashes, the first of which took place in Barangay Cadayonan in Munai town, Lanao del Norte, the military said.

Major Mark James Mira, chief of the 6th Infantry Division’s public information office, said the troops are still on the hunt for Nasser Daud, a religious leader or ustadz, who emerged as the new leader of the group in the Lanao provinces.

Mira said Daud replaced Khadafi Mimbesa, also Kadapi Mimbesa, known as “The Engineer” and the leader of the terrorist group.

Mimbesa, whose group was identified as behind the bombing of a Mindanao State University (MSU) gym in Marawi during a Catholic Mass last December, was killed by Army soldiers during an encounter on January.

Dawlah Islamiyah, also known as the Maute Group, is a militant organization based in the Philippines. The group has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) and has been involved in various terrorist activities, including attacks, bombings, and clashes with government forces in Mindanao.

In an initial military report, authorities said units from the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade engaged about a dozen militants led by Daud at around 3:45 am in a 45-minute firefight in Cadayonan in Munai.

Soldiers subsequently found three militants dead at the first encounter site, while two soldiers were wounded and evacuated.

A second encounter took place as a team of Army Scout Rangers chased the fleeing militants in Barangay Maganding, also in Munai town.

Mira said two militants were killed, and another soldier was wounded in that gun battle, which lasted for about 10 minutes.

He said several firearms and ammunition bandoliers were found by the soldiers at the scene of the encounters.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/terrorists-killed-soldiers-hurt-lanao-del-norte-clashes-april-29-2024/

5 Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute members killed in Lanao del Norte clashes —military

From GMA News Online (Apr 30, 2024): 5 Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute members killed in Lanao del Norte clashes —military (By GMA Integrated News)

Five Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) members were killed in two subsequent encounters with government troops in Lanao del Norte early Monday morning, the military said.
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According to Major General Gabriel Viray III, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division (ID), the clashes also resulted in the wounding of five soldiers who are now in stable condition.

Viray said the government troops were conducting "decisive military operation" at 3:42 a.m. in Barangay Cadayonan in Munai, Lanao del Norte, when they encountered an estimated 12 DI-MG members under one Nasser Daud.


This led to a firefight that lasted 45 minutes, after which the enemies "scampered towards different direction[s]," Viray said.

"Subsequently, while on hot pursuit against the fleeing enemies, another encounter transpired at about 6:30 a.m. Firefight lasted for about 10 minutes," Viray added.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/905196/dawlah-islamiyah-maute-group-killed-lanao-del-norte/story/

Soldiers hurt in clash with BIFF receive medals from Marcos

From the Philippine Star (Apr 30, 2024): Soldiers hurt in clash with BIFF receive medals from Marcos (By John Unson)

President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. huddled briefly with the seven wounded soldiers he awarded with a citation medal each during his visit to Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on April 29, 2024.  Photo courtesy of Philstar.com / John Unson

COTABATO CITY — President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. personally awarded the seven soldiers hurt in a deadly clash with local terrorists in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur last week. They were given merit medals and cash assistance.

One of the 12 terrorists killed by soldiers under units of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in the hostilities then in Barangay Kitango in Datu Saudi Ampatuan was Kagui Karialan.

Karialan, whose real name is Mohiden Alimodin Animbang, was a top leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and was wanted for 47 high-profile criminal cases in different courts in Central Mindanao.

Marcos was assisted by 6th ID’s commander, Major Gen. Alex Rillera, in giving out citation medals to the wounded soldiers on Monday afternoon at one of the wards in Camp Siongco Hospital in Camp Siongco, Barangay Awang in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao del Norte.

Marcos thanked each of them for their gallantry and for having neutralized for good the dreaded BIFF leader, who was tagged in all deadly bombings since 2014 in cities and provinces under 6th ID’s jurisdiction and was notorious for fomenting hatred for non-Muslims.

Monday’s medal pinning event at Camp Siongco, where 6th ID’s headquarters is located, was preceded by the official engagements of Marcos at the headquarters of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and at the command post of the Philippine Navy’s 1st Marine Brigade in Parang and Barira towns in Maguindanao del Norte, respectively, and in Pikit, Cotabato.

Marcos was accompanied in his sorties on Monday in Central Mindanao by officials under his office, among them Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr., Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Special Presidential Assistant Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/04/30/2351584/soldiers-hurt-clash-biff-receive-medals-marcos

NPA kills 5 ‘informants’

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 29, 2024): NPA kills 5 ‘informants’ (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Remnants of the New People’s Army appear to be on a killing spree, having issued separate statements supposedly claiming responsibility for the death of five civilians they accused as “military informants” in Negros Occidental.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division strongly condemned the series of killings of innocent civilians in the past several days.

Lt Col. J Jay Javines, 3ID Civil Military Operations officer, described it as a desperate attempt of NPA remnants in Negros to make its appear that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

All the five existing NPA guerilla fronts in Negros Island have been declared dismantled by the 3ID, which is now preparing to declare the whole island in a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security, as approved by the Provincial Peace and Order Councils of the two provinces in the island.

A statement issued by the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the NPA claimed responsibility for the summary execution of Albert Golez, alias Tongkai, on April 24 in Sitio Coyaoyao, Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

The wife of the victim, Melanie Golez, in an interview with RMN DYHB, said that her nine-year-old daughter was hit by a stray bullet on the left hand when the armed suspects opened fire at her husband.

She identified one of the armed suspects as Renante Misyon, alias Karding, of Brgy. Riverside, Isabela. At the same, Melanie strongly denied accusations that her husband was a military informant of the Philippine Army.

Rebel spokesman Ka JB Regalado also said that the Leonardo Panaligan Command also successfully carried out the imposition of the death penalty on a certain Danny Boy Bartolome on April 11 at Sitio Paho in Brgy. Camandag, La Castellana

The Roselyn Jean Pelle Command of the NPA in northern Negros also claimed responsibility for the killing of barangay tanod Alexander Alquizar, alias Dondie,on April 20, in Brgy. Laga-an, Calatrava.

Ka Andrea Guerrero, spokesman of the NPA Armando Sumayang Command, also issued a separate statement claiming responsibility for the liquidation of Jun Habagat in Sitio Cagay, Brgy. Camindangan, Sipalay City, on April 24.

The Mt. Cansermon Command of the NPA also claimed responsibility for the death of Myrna Belando, a resort caretaker of Mag-aso Mountain Resort in Brgy. Oringao, Kabankalan City, last week.

The NPA accused Belando also of being a military informant.*

https://visayandailystar.com/npa-kills-5-informants/

DSWD DROMIC Report #4 on the Armed Conflict within the Boundaries of Pilar, Abra and Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur as of 29 April 2024

Posted to the Relief Web (Apr 30, 2024): DSWD DROMIC Report #4 on the Armed Conflict within the Boundaries of Pilar, Abra and Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur as of 29 April 2024

Format: Situation Report 

 Source: Govt. Philippines 

 Posted: 30 Apr 2024 

 Originally published: 29 Apr 2024 

 Origin: View original

Download Report(PDF | 417.29 KB)

I. Situation Overview

On 02 April 2024, an armed conflict transpired between the government troops of the Philippine Army and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) within the boundaries of Pilar, Abra and Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. According to the reports, the armed encounter had significant impact on the livelihood of the families and individuals in the affected areas.

Relative to the incident, the DSWD through its Field Offices in Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 1, together with the Local Government Unit (LGU) and other key players in Disaster Response, actively engaged in the response operation and promptly provided relief and financial assistance to support the immediate needs of the affected families and individuals.

Source: DSWD Field Office (FO) I and CAR

II. Status of Affected Areas and Population

A total of 593 families or 1,922 persons are affected in two (2) barangays in Pilar, Abra and two (2) barangays in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur (see Annex A).

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/dswd-dromic-report-4-armed-conflict-within-boundaries-pilar-abra-and-santa-maria-ilocos-sur-29-april-2024-6am

10 NPAs surrender in Bukidnon, admit to ‘revolutionary tax’ collection

From the Business World (May 1, 2024): 10 NPAs surrender in Bukidnon, admit to ‘revolutionary tax’ collection

ARMY and civilian local executives inspect the military-type firearms turned in by 10 members of the New People’s Army before they pledged allegiance to the government in a simple rite in Maramag, Bukidnon on Tuesday. — PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

COTABATO CITY — Ten members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from a group that forcibly collected money from hapless farmers and merchants turned in 18 assorted firearms and explosives and pledged allegiance to the government in Maramag, Bukidnon on Tuesday.

Berno S. Sinunta, Muloy B. Donat, Manilyn D. Ampildon, Sabel F. Buyo, Pus-ok T. Salubo, Edo K. Madado, Leonilo B. Cañadilla, Sibya L. Gamot, Poto A. Bay-ao and Warlito T. Ebudan, all from local indigenous tribes, agreed to surrender through the backchannel intercession of officials of the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade and local executives in different towns of Bukidnon province.

The symbolic rite was held at the 48th IB’s battalion command post in Maramag, a highland municipality of the province in Mindanao.

“Obviously, it is via multi-sector cooperation that we can better nip this problem at the bud. I am calling on the few remaining members of this communist terrorist group to return to the fold of law now and thrive peacefully in their respective hometowns,” Major General Allan D. Hambala, commander of the 10th Infantry Battalion, told reporters on Wednesday.

The 10 NPA rebels who surrendered on Tuesday had confessed to their having forcibly collected monthly “revolutionary taxes” on the order of leaders of the terrorist group’s Sentro de Grabidad-North Central Mindanao Regional Command in Region 10. — John Felix M. Unson

https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2024/05/01/592284/10-npas-surrender-in-bukidnon-admit-to-revolutionary-tax-collection/#google_vignette

NPA claims responsibility for killing Negros farmer

From the Daily Guardian (May 2, 2024): NPA claims responsibility for killing Negros farmer (By Glazyl Y. Masculino)

BACOLOD CITY—A 52-year-old farmer was found dead in a charcoal yard at Sitio Cabalanti-an, Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental last Monday.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command-New People’s Army (NPA) Central Negros Guerrilla Front has claimed responsibility for the killing.

According to a statement released on April 30 by Ka JB Regalado, LPC-NPA spokesperson, the attack targeted the victim for allegedly being a military asset.

Police Major Randy Babor, town police chief, reported that three gunshots were heard late Sunday night. The following day, the victim was found deceased with gunshot wounds in the chest and neck.

Major Babor emphasized that the victim was not affiliated with the military, as confirmed by the Army, and was not an asset of the police.

“It was merely the rebel group’s allegation,” he stated.

With the NPA acknowledging their involvement in the incident, Babor noted that this gives the police a new lead in their investigation.

This incident marks the fifth NPA-related killing in the province since April 20. Additional incidents attributed to the rebel group have occurred in the towns of Calatrava and Moises Padilla, and the cities of Sipalay and Kabankalan.

https://dailyguardian.com.ph/npa-claims-responsibility-for-killing-negros-farmer/#google_vignette

Philippine police kill militant implicated in 15 beheadings and other atrocities

Posted to ABC News (Apr 26, 2024): Philippine police kill militant implicated in 15 beheadings and other atrocities (By JIM GOMEZ Associated Press)

Philippine forces have killed an Abu Sayyaf militant who had been implicated in past beheadings including of 10 Filipino marines and two kidnapped Vietnamese



MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine forces killed an Abu Sayyaf militant, who had been implicated in past beheadings, including of 10 Filipino marines and two kidnapped Vietnamese, in a clash in the south, police officials said Friday.

Philippine police, backed by military intelligence agents, killed Nawapi Abdulsaid in a brief gunbattle Wednesday night in the remote coastal town of Hadji Mohammad Ajul on Basilan island after weeks of surveillance, security officials said.

Abu Sayyaf is a small but violent armed Muslim group, which has been blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization for ransom kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and other bloody attacks.

It has been considerably weakened by battle setbacks, surrenders and infighting, but remains a security threat particularly in the southern Philippines, home to minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

Abdulsaid, who used the nom de guerre Khatan, was one of several Abu Sayyaf militants who aligned themselves with the Islamic State group.

A confidential police report said that Abdulsaid had been implicated in at least 15 beheadings in Basilan, including of 10 Philippine marines in Al-Barka town in 2007 and two of six kidnapped Vietnamese sailors near Sumisip town in 2016. The Vietnamese were seized from a passing cargo ship.

He was also involved in attacks against government forces in 2022 and a bombing in November that killed two pro-government militiamen and wounded two others in Basilan, the report said.

Abdulsaid was placed under surveillance in February, but police forces couldn't immediately move to make a arrest because of the “hostile nature” of the area where he was eventually gunned down, according to the report.

On Monday, Philippine troops killed the leader of another Muslim rebel group and 11 of his men blamed for past bombings and extortion in a separate clash in a marshy hinterland in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in southern Maguindanao del Sur province, the military said.

Seven soldiers were wounded in the clash with the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

The Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are among a few small armed groups still struggling to wage a separatist uprising in the southern Philippines.

The largest armed separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, signed a 2014 peace pact with the government that eased decades of sporadic fighting.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel commanders became parliamentarians and administrators of a five-province Muslim autonomous region in a transition arrangement after signing the peace deal. They are preparing for a regular election scheduled for next year.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/philippine-police-kill-abu-sayyaf-militant-implicated-15-109682397

War games primer: Assets PH, US troops are using in Balikatan 2024

From Rappler (May 1, 2024): War games primer: Assets PH, US troops are using in Balikatan 2024 (By BEA CUPIN, NICO VILLARETE, GUIA ABOGADO)

What sort of assets will the two treaty-allies be showcasing in the 'most complicated' Balikatan yet?

MANILA, Philippines – Balikatan 2024, the latest iteration of the yearly military drills between the Philippines and the United States, has been touted as the “most effective, most ambitious, and most complicated” yet.

Across several areas in Luzon, thousands of Filipino and American soldiers, as well as a hundred or so Australian soldiers, will participate in drills that focus on defending the Philippines.

What does it mean when a military exercise takes on its “most complicated” version?

Lieutenant General William Jurney, commander of the US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and Balikatan US exercise director, explained it this way: activities this year are designed to both showcase and test how well the two militaries work together. Complex military operations, after all, can’t just be coordinated through something like a group chat.

Interoperability refers to the level of ease in which different units – in this case, the two militaries – can work together. It involves communication between people, equipment, and systems.

Here’s a peek into the assets from both the Philippines and the US that will be playing roles in various exercises during the weeks-long event. The list is not exhaustive, but includes most of the major assets the two militaries are deploying for Balikatan 2024.

(All illustrations by Nico Villarete and Guia Abogado)
Philippines

ASCOD Sabrah

155mm Howitzer




105mm Howitzer

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo-105 helicopter

BRP Davao del Sur

AugustaWestland helicopter




Amphibious Assault Vehicles

BRP Jose Rizal

Multipurpose Attack Craft-BA486

AW159 Wildcat helicopters

FAIC-M

FA-50PH

AugustaWestland-109 Attack Helicopter

Super Tucano

T129 “Atak” attack helicopters

S76-A Sikorsky helicopter

W-3A SOKOL A helicopter

Hermes 900

S-70i “Black Hawk” combat utility helicopters

Bell 412

C1

C295

NC212i

United States

AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar

USS Somerset

USS Harpers Ferry

CH-53E Super Stallion

Amphibious Combat Vehicle

Landing Craft Air Cushion

P-8A Poseidon

C-130H Hercules

F-16 Fighting Falcon

B-52H Stratofortress

Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)

Avenger Air Defense System

CH-47 Chinook

UH-60 Blackhawk

MC-130J Commando II

CV-22 Osprey

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/assets-troops-united-states-using-balikatan-exercise-2024/

Balikatan training unfazed by presence of Chinese vessels

From the Philippine News Agency (May 1, 2024): Balikatan training unfazed by presence of Chinese vessels (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Balikatan executive agent Col. Michael Logico (PNA file photo by Priam F. Nepomuceno)

MANILA – Naval participants in the just concluded multilateral maritime exercise were undaunted by the presence of Chinese vessels near the training area off Palawan province, Balikatan 2024 executive agent Col. Michael Logico said Tuesday.

Around four of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were spotted at different times monitoring the flotilla during the training period.

"We went there for the purpose of conducting interoperability exercises, that was our mission and we were able to finish it, they were not able to disturb us in any way nor (were we) intimidated in any way by their presence," he said during a press briefing.

Logico said the presence of PLAN ships did not disturb the exercise.

Balikatan's first multilateral maritime exercise was in Palawan waters from April 25 to 29.

Participants include the Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the US Navy's landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), and the French Navy's FS Vendemiaire (FFH-734), a Floreal-class frigate.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army's 5th Civil-Military Operation Battalion's Civil Affairs Team, the Forward Service Medical Company, a unit within the Service Support Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division, and their US counterparts participated in the tactical combat casualty care lecture and demonstration at the US Army’s 10th Field Hospital deployed in Lal-lo, Cagayan on April 30.

In a statement Wednesday, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the training equips them with skills and knowledge to provide prompt medical aid to their wounded fellows under high-stress combat scenarios.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1223796

Senators clarify Balikatan not meant to challenge other nations

From the Philippine News Agency (May 1, 2024): Senators clarify Balikatan not meant to challenge other nations (By Wilnard Bacelonia)

EXERCISE. Participating soldiers alight the US Marines Super Stallion helicopter during the air assault operations. This was part of the "Balikatan" Exercise held at the Paredes Air Station, Barangay 32 Sapat, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte on April 23, 2023. (PNA file photo courtesy of PA)

MANILA – Senators explained on Wednesday that the Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and the US aim to enhance interoperability and strengthen partnerships and not to challenge the military capabilities of other nations.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, chair of the Senate Committee on National Defense, said while some Balikatan exercises were conducted in the disputed areas, these were not meant to challenge other nations’ actions, including China’s continued bullying.

"These exercises are not designed for combat operations against other nations. Responding to or utilizing it to impede China’s coercive actions against Philippine vessels is outside the scope of these joint military drills," Estrada explained, adding that the country should continue lawful activities within its jurisdiction while promoting peace and stability in the region.

Senator Francis Tolentino echoed Estrada’s statement that the exercises’ purpose is not to stop China’s harassment.

"We should trust the effectiveness of our alliances not the unruly behavior of those who intend to distract us," Tolentino said.

China's aggression toward civilian vessels, he said, highlights the need to uphold international law.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva asserted that China's bullying tactics and scare propaganda would not affect the Philippines' sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

"Whatever they do, it will never take away our sovereign rights over the WPS, especially the Scarborough Shoal, which is clearly within our exclusive economic zone," he said in a statement.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1223856

3 militiamen die, 3 hurt in Lanao Sur ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (May 1, 2024): 3 militiamen die, 3 hurt in Lanao Sur ambush (By Edwin Fernandez)

AMBUSHED. The utility vehicle that served as a mute witness to the ambush in Marogong, Lanao del Sur, which left three government militiamen dead and three others injured. The militiamen were part of an augmentation force securing a cassava company in Malabang, Lanao Sur, which also operates a power plant in Marogong town. (Photo courtesy of Lanao del Sur PPO)

CAMP S.K. PENDATUN, Maguindanao del Norte – Police authorities in Lanao del Sur said they have launched a manhunt against five gunmen who ambushed and killed three militiamen in a predawn attack on Tuesday in the Lanao del Sur town of Marogong.

"The manhunt operation is ongoing with the help of the Army in the area," said Lt. Col. Alanaid Moner, Lanao del Sur police information officer, in a report on Wednesday.

Moner identified the slain members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in an attack in Sitio East Village as Richard Dorano, Aljon Claver, and Gino Sacare, all of Barangay Marogong East.

Three other wounded militiamen are hospitalized in Marawi City as of posting.

"They were on their way to the Mini-Hydro Power Plant of Matling Industrial and Commercial Cooperation (MICC) in Marogong on board a utility van when attacked at about 5 a.m.," Moner said.

He described the victims as members of a "special CAFGU unit" deployed as an augmentation force for the MICC cassava company based in Malabang town that operates a hydro plant in Marogong.

Initial investigation showed that a long-standing family feud between the families of the CAFGUs and the security personnel of the mini-hydro power plant triggered the ambush.

"Several years ago, a relative of one of the fatalities was allegedly killed by one of the Matling security officers," Moner recalled.

Police found several bullets of M16 and M14 rifles at the ambush site and the ill-fated vehicle.

Moner said the Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade is helping the police track down the attackers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1223815