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| Map courtesy of Westmincom |
BY JUN ENRIQUEZ
ILIGAN City – Latest development based on previous accounts, the Dawla Islamia (DI) – Lanao armed group based in Marogong, Lanao del Sur, was in the state of conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Military forces. The Philippine government and MILF has an existing peace agreement, the Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed in 2014 of establishing the Ceasefire committee on the cessation of hostilities (CCCH), under which is the Ad hoc joint action group (AHJAG) composed of the Military and MILF forces for security purposes in the identified Bangsamoro areas.
On the evening of May 25, an incident reported to the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan Commander, Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion acted on information from the MILF members under Esmail Cosain, a.k.a. Kumander Delta, regarding the presence of unidentified armed men in Barangay Pabrika, Marogong, Lanao del Sur.
The operating troops, composed of a platoon of soldiers and five MILF members, sighted a group of armed men, caused them to scampers in different directions prompting the troops to execute a raid in the identified target areas, and apprehended four young armed personalities identified as members of DI-Lanao under Juhari Sandab, a.k.a. Abu Morsid. Reportedly, they were waiting for supplies and foodstuffs coming from their supporters in the said area.
The situation worsened when the commander of the group, Abu Zakaria, issued a statement on Friday afternoon (May 26, 2023) through the two-way radio that they will definitely retaliate, and urged the civilians to evacuate the place for their own safety. The said incident created panic prompted the local residents evacuated to nearby municipalities. However, on the following day, Abu Zakaria further issued a statement not to include civilians during an encounter with the government forces.
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| Apprehended DI-Lanao members with firearms |
Among the apprehended personalities during the raid were a.k.a. Abu Rasas, 18, the Amirol Media and one of the key leaders under the name, Fajarudin Pumbaya Pangalian, a.k.a. Abu Zakaria, the Amir of DI-Philippines; Saidi, 18, brother of DI-Lanao sub-leader known as Abu Sham; and two minors age 16 and 14.
Seized from their possession were the following firearms, explosives, and ammunition: one 7.62mm M14 rifle, one 5.56mm M16A1 rifle, one 5.56mm R4 rifle, one 40mm M203 Grenade Launcher, one 7.62mm Springfield rifle, five improvised explosive devices, five 40mm Grenade Launcher ammunition, and assorted magazines and ammunition.
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| Confiscated firearms |
Due to the said incident, the military operations continued Wednesday, May 31, that the government forces engaged a firefight with DI-Lanao armed group, killing and recovered four dead bodies of slain members of the Daulah Islamiyah-Lanao following an encounter in Barangay Piangologan, Marogong, Lanao del Sur. The operating troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion engaged an undetermined number of DI-Lanao members under Abu Zacariah during a combat operation in Barangay Piangologan, Marogong, Lanao del Sur.
While military forces conducted clearing operations in the encountered site, troops rescued three other members of the local terrorist group, two are minors, while the other one is a female. Operating troops also recovered one AR-15 Bushmaster, two M16A1 rifles, one R4 rifle, four long magazines for 5.56mm, three commercial radios, 70 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, one improvised explosive device set, one logbook diagram for IED, three cellular phones, three backpacks with personal belongings, and assorted foodstuffs.
Per information gathered, Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Commander of Joint Task Force ZamPeLan, said that one soldier was killed in action while three others were wounded during the encounter. The wounded soldiers are now in stable condition and recuperating in the hospital. Government troops immediately coordinated with PNP counterpart for the filing of appropriate charges against the apprehended personalities.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, commended the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan led by Maj. Gen. Nafarrete for this accomplishment for continuously employing more pressure to the remaining local terrorists in their area of operation. Galido also lauded the good relationship between the MILF and the military in the area, which resulted to the successful operation.
Galido also extended his commiseration to the bereaved families of the loss of the soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting against the enemies of the state. “I urge the remnants of the Daulah Islamiyah to lay down their arms and surrender peacefully to avoid gun fights and prevent loss of lives and bloodshed,” stated Lt. Gen. Galido. (Jun Enriquez is a Digital-Mobile Journalist; Sources: Westmincom; PDRRMO, MDRRMO; Bangsamoro RDRRMO; MERN)
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| Map of Marawi City |
In a latest development (update), Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, issued a statement that the Amir of the Daulah Islamiyah-Philippines and Overall Amir of Islamic State-East Asia was neutralized after resisting arrest in a joint law enforcement operation conducted in the wee hours of June 14, 2023. Amir in Islam is “Prince” also signified as commander of the army. “Based on the report from the ground, a certain Faharudin Hadji Benito Satar/Faharudin Pumbaya Pangalian/Fahar Pumbaya Pangalian, a.k.a. Abu Zacharia, Amir of the Daulah Islamiyah-Philippines and Overall Amir of the Islamic State-East Asia was neutralized after resisting arrest during a joint law enforcement operation conducted at his safe house in Barangay Bangon, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur at around 1:30 in the morning, Wednesday,” said Lt. Gen. Galido.
Combined elements of the AFP under the 103rd Infantry Brigade and the PNP conducted a joint operation to serve a warrant of arrest against Abu Zacharia. Upon knowing the presence of the military forces, the target opened fire caused the operating troops to retaliate. Abu Zacharia threw a 60mm mortar and two hand grenades toward the operating troops’ position. Firefight ensued, which lasted for about ten minutes. During the clearing operation in the area, troops recovered the dead body of Abu Zacharia and two M16A1 rifles with ammunitions. The armed encounter resulted in the wounding of one soldier.
In a follow-up operation on the same day in the said place at around 6:07 a.m., government forces also neutralized another key leader of the Daulah Islamiyah. Per information issued by Brig. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo, Commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army. Combined elements of the AFP and PNP were serving a warrant of arrest against Joharie Sandab, a.k.a. Morsid, DI-Philippines Sub-Leader and Amir for Finance and Logistics, the operating troops were fired upon by the subject using his M16 rifle. The subject also threw a hand grenade towards the operating troops. Fortunately, the hand grenade did not able to explode. The government forces retaliated and returned fire, resulted in the death of Morsid and recovered his dead body after the encounter. Also recovered in the crime scene were assorted war materials including one M16A1 with ammunition, one 9mm pistol with ammunition, and one unexploded hand grenade.
Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Commander of Joint Task Force ZamPeLan, commended the operating troops for this laudable accomplishment. On the other hand, “This is a significant breakthrough in our campaign against the Daulah Islamiyah. We are certain that the death of Abu Zacharia will be the downfall of the IS-inspired group in our area of operation. This achievement is attributable to the solidarity among various sectors. May we continue to walk the path leading to internal security with utmost sincerity and dedication. Let us unite ourselves and journey towards the realization of lasting peace and development, which are inclusive of the inspirations of all the peace-loving people of Mindanao,” stated Lt. Gen. Galido. (Source: WESTMINCOM; MERN)