Military overrun Maute camp in Piagapo complex

Video File: Press Conference with BGen Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, AFP, Division Commander, 1st "Tabak" Division, Philippine Army, Pulacan, labangan, Zamboanga del Sur

L-R: LTC Jo-Ar A. Herrera, BGen Nixon C. Fortes, LDS Vice Gov. Mamintal "Bombit" Adiong, BGen  Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, BGen William A. Alunday, Mayor Ali Sumandar, Piagapo, LDS.

Iligan City - In a press conference, facilitated by Lt. Col. Jo-Ar A. Herrera, Spokesperson of Ist Infantry "Tabak" Division, Philippine Army, relative to the Military encounter with the Maute group in Piagapo complex, Piagapo Lanao del Sur, was hosted by Brigadier General Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commander of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army, held April 24, 2017 at the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry (Magbalantay) Brigade, Philippine Army, Ma. Cristina, Iligan City. Other guests enjoined the press conference were Brigadier General Nixon C. Fortes, AFP, Commander of the 103^rd Brigade Philippine Army, based in Kampo Ranaw, Marawi City; Vice Governor Mamintal “Bombit Adiong of Lanao del Sur; Brigadier General Willliam A. Alunday, AFP, Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army, based in Ma. Cristina, Iligan City and Mayor Ali Sumandar of Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.

There were 162 members of local terrorist group (LTG), who were members of the Maute group, sighted in Piagapo complex, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, triggered tactical focused military operations started on the midnight of April 21, 2017 by the combined elements of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Airforce. This military focused operation is in line with the directives of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to destroy the terrorists groups not later than July 31, 2017.

In the frontline, the 103rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army headed by Brigadier General (BGen) Nixon C. Fortes, AFP, reported 36 members of the Maute group were killed during the 3 days combat operations, which led to the seizure and occupation of enemy’s main camp with fortified bunkers, fighting positions, and running trenches at Sitio Pagalungan, Brgy Gacap, Municipality of Piagapo, Lanao del Sur. Whereas, the government forces sustained 3 wounded in action (WIA) caused by shrapnel and bullet wound.

War paraphernalia of Maute recovered by military.

BGeN Fortes said that the focused military operation started in late January 2017 in Butig, Lanao del Sur and lasted for more a month. they gathered information that the Maute group were looking new places for the new place for encampment because they are no longer safe in Butig. They chose Piagapo as their new haven and believing mistakenly that they won the support of the community but instead the community seek support from the military. Fortes said the Maute group can run but they cannot hide against the military.

There was one cadaver wearing camouflage uniform recovered during the initial search. Various war materials were recovered in the encounter site such as fragmentation and rifle grenades; improvised explosive device (IED) components like blasting caps, detonating wire, and cellphones; video camera; assorted uniforms, literature’ and identifications of personalities; three (3) motorcycles; food stuffs; and passport of an Indonesian national.

BGen Bautista recounted that combination of lethal and non-lethal effects were implemented to force the LTG out of its current stronghold and compelled them to break into smaller groups. Bautista added that the application of proportionate force such as surgical airstrikes with precisions was to avoid collateral damage towards non-combatants.

Some observations from the civilian community in Piagapo said that the alleged dropped bombs during the air attacked contain toxic chemical gas.

Lt. Col. Audie Mongao (center) interviewed by the media.

The recruitment of teenagers with ages 11 to 15 years olds conducted by LTG at Barangay Tambo and the establishment of their camp near their village at the boundary of Balindong and Piagapo towns forced the communities to coordinate and reported the LTG activities to the military. Bautista added that the focused military operation is paid tribute to the children to prevent them to be recruited by any of the terrorist groups.

Reports gathered from civilians in Piagapo said that after their prayer in Masjid they will be hold up by force by the Maute group inside the building to take their oath even against their will before they can leave the Masjid. The oath taking will not be understood that they are already members of the Maute but they have no choice to take their hands up because their safety is at stake same as they were hostage inside the Masjid. They will only be freed upon after the oath taking.  

“The Government forces, Local Government Units, and communities will continue to work hand in hand to thwart banditry and terroristic activities and ensure security, peace and development in Piagapo and adjacent municipalities,” BGEN Bautista said.

Tabak firing range Funshoot for R-4 rifle familiarization.

Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong said the provincial government of Lanao del Sur had exerted all efforts and extended assistance on the basic needs to help the affected and displaced peoples of the conflict in Butig and now in Piagapo. He said that rights of the Muslims in Mindanao was already negotiated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with the Government. The Duterte Administration continued the Bangsamoro peace process inclusive to all Moro fronts in Mindanao including the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) within the Bangsamoro.

Adiong said that the Provincial Government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Region XII and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) provided assistance on relief goods to the internally displaced peoples (IDPs) in Piagapo. They gave relief goods assistance and supplies almost daily.

Confirmed bulls eye.

Mayor Ali Sumandar of Piagapo, Lanao del Sur said the IDPs especially in Pagalungan were evacuated to safer place. Sumandar confirmed the relief goods and supplies were being received by the IDPs coming from the provincial government, DSWD-Region XII and ARMM including the assistance coming from Congressman Hooky Adiong.

Sumandar said there were 195 displaced families equivalent to 2,533 individuals from the Barangays Gacap, Tambo, Pagalungan and Tapukan. There were 69 displaced families equivalent to 397 individuals in Barangay Balindong. All these internally displaced peoples (IDPs) are now temporarily confined in the respective evacuation centers in Piagapo.

BGen William A. Alunday said so far there was no related incidents of spillover of the Maute terroristic activities in his area of responsibility in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte. Alunday said that they were able to tighten security by conducting checkpoints along the road in the exit-entrance especially in Iligan City in coordination with the Police force and the community as force multipliers. Alunday said that there is a need to collaborate at all times among the military, Police and the civilian community for security purposes because security is everybody’s concern. Lt. Col. Audie Mongao, Commander of 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army based in Salvador, Lanao del Norte, confirmed reports of no untoward incidents of terrorist activities in his area of responsibility.

BGen Bautista ended a statement said the continued collaboration and partnership with the Military, Local government units ((LGUs), interagency law enforcement operations with the Police and with the help of the populace in fighting against terrorism will prevent the LTGs banditry, criminal activities, and diversionary attacks against the government and civilian communities. with reports and photos by Jun Enriquez; some photos courtesy from teamtabak.com