Iligan City, July 14, 2015 - At around 8:00 O’clock in the
morning yesterday, a military truck of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion was ambush by an unidentified
perpetrators killing one military personnel and wounded six others. The
military personnel was said to be on their way for a marketing in Iligan City,
but when they approached in Kalanganan, Pantar, Lanao del Norte an ambush
ensued. There were four victims confined in Mercy hospital and two others in
Sanitarium hospital all of Iligan City. One of the surviving victims, Sgt.
Selbano, was the most critical in condition because one of his kidneys was
removed hit by bullets but now he is declared medically safe.
Col Gilbert I. Gapay, Commander of the 2nd
Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, said that the Military troops still running
after the possible route of withdrawal of the perpetrators, with the help of the
witnesses pointed to the route of the withdrawing perpetrators. He gathered Information
that there were two wounded persons from the perpetrators brought in the nearby
vicinity of the Municipality of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte.
Gapay said that the Military was only conducted peacekeeping
works in their area of responsibility. He said the possible motives of the
ambush were the repercussions for the arrest of the eight rouge Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) last week in Marawi City. One of them was known to be a
notorious criminal. Upon their arrest, they were immediately transported to Manila.
Gapay said that there was no solid evidence if this is connected to the ambush.
Another angle could probably the organized crime groups, the kidnap for ransom (KFR)
or groups connected to drugs trade.
Gapay said that the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay”
Brigade intensify support to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on law
enforcement for the past 2 weeks and gained significant accomplishments lead to
the arrest of the members of the big KFR and organized crime groups. The ambush
might be an offshoot to the current efforts on law enforcement conducted.
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| Col Gilbert I. Gapay, an ambush interview with the media |
Gapay said, there were two vehicles they apprehended in the
crime scene, a pick-up vehicle was seen the riding passengers participated in
the ambush firing to the Military personnel. This vehicle was now in the Highway
patrol group in Iligan City and as soon as the vehicle will be opened to
identify the owners this will be a good lead on the identity of the
perpetrators. Another vehicle apprehended including the driver was a Revo
served as a gate-away car is now under custody of the 2nd Mechanized
Brigade. The driver was turnover to police custody for investigation. This will
also help identify the identity of the suspects of the ambush.
Gapay said a special financial assistance must be given to Military
personnel killed in action and wounded in action and voluntary contribution
from the ranks. The military financing institutions will also give financial
assistance. The President also has a financial assistance too.
Gapay said that the rule of law is applied here. His message
to the perpetrators, “the will of justice will come upon you, as soon as we
will know your identity of who you are, we will dealt with you accordingly.”
Gapay said The 4th Mechanized infantry Battalion personnel responded
immediately after learning about the ambush. The Military Ambulance from the 2nd
Mechanized Brigade was also responded.
There were more or less 20 men participated in the ambush using
high powered firearms can be learned from big bangs, found empty shells in the
crime scene from M16 rifles, M14 rifles, AK 47 rifles and M203 or 40 mm mortar.
Gapay extended thanks to the PNP for sending SOCO and their
help in conducting investigation. PSSUPT Paitao, PNP Provincial Director of
Lanao del Norte, created a task force to conduct investigation for the incident. Gapay issued directives to all
his Military units to heighten alert while conducted the continued hot pursuit
operation against the perpetrators.
The Municipality of Pantar has an existing political
conflict between the elected Mayor Exchan and Vice Mayor Tago (by succession).
The Mayor was under suspension allegedly implicated on the killing of the late
elected Vice Mayor. Upon the suspension
of the Mayor, Vice Mayor Tago assumed office as Acting Mayor. Allegedly Mayor
Exchan acquired a temporary restraining order (TRO). This triggers armed
confrontation between the two political factions. Gapay said that they are in
the peace zone between the two warring factions in the area. The presence of the military in Pantar was to maintain
the separation of the two political groups and prevent the possible outbreak of
the warring factions. Gapay said that these two groups have their own
supporters and allegedly with heavy firearms. Gapay said that they did not discount
the possibility that these warring factions have allies with the KFR or
organized crime groups arrested in Marawi City or sometimes moonlight in
engaging illegal activities.
Gapay said that all these issues and concerns will only be substantiated
as soon as the PNP investigation will be finished. He said that the ambush
incident has nothing to do with the participation of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF). Gapay said that after the ambush incident they coordinated with
the MILF counterpart in the Ceasefire committee on the Cessation of Hostilities
(CCCH). The MILF committed to help apprehend the perpetrators once they will be
identified. Gapay promised to give updates on any development of the case.
With regards to the Bangsamoro Basic law (BBL), Gapay said the government is supporting the peaceful resolution of peace with the MILF. He said whatever version the BBL will be, the important is to settle the conflict peacefully. He said armed strategy is not the solution to the problem in Mindanao. The peaceful one is the more effective solution to this conflict. The main concern of the military in the BBL is the security aspect in the normalization process, the demobilization and decommissioning of the MILF. Help them on peace and development during transition process. The joint peace snd security teams will assists the MILF on the road to normalization. Reports and photos by Jun Enriquez
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