3 dead in Lanao del Sur military operations

Map of Lanao del Sur. INQUIRER.net

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — Residents in Maguing town, Lanao del Sur province, on Tuesday were roused by the sound of explosions at 2 a.m. as the military bombed parts of Barangay Ilalag as government troops pursued Islamic State-linked militants.

Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), confirmed that military aircraft were flown to Lanao del Sur to attack areas where members of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI) and remnants of the Maute Group were positioned.

“We are totally in control of the situation. We are doing this to preempt the Daulah Islamiyah from creating havoc in the communities and victimizing innocent civilians,” Rosario said in a message sent to reporters.

The Army’s 1st Infantry Division confirmed that two militants and a soldier were killed in a clash between government troops and more than 60 DI members from Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Two high-powered firearms were also recovered from the slain militants who were reportedly in Maguing for training.

“The bomb run was conducted to hit the identified lair of Daulah Islamiya-Maute Group led by Abu Zacharia,” Rosario said, referring to the group’s leader Hadji Satar, who is known to operate in some towns of Lanao del Sur.

Maj. Andrew Linao, Westmincom spokesperson, said two aircraft were used for the airstrike which came in two waves. The first wave dropped 10 bombs and the second, two explosives.

Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano, Philippine Air Force spokesperson, confirmed the use of an FA-50 fighter jet and a Super Tucano aircraft in the operation.

Safety of civilians

The target area, Linao said, is remote and far from civilian communities.

“There’s no cause for concern in our civilian communities. The site [of the encounter] is very far from them. We have not monitored civilian casualties,” he said.

Some Maranaos, however, expressed alarm over the bombing.

“What are the standard operating procedures in conducting aerial bombardments?” asked Drieza Lininding, chair of the Moro Consensus Group. “Are the targets confirmed lawless elements? Are there [security] agents on the ground to confirm? Are there ongoing firefights in the area?”

He questioned why the communities were not informed about the conduct of the aerial bombing.

“Is this the ‘new normal’? To bomb first before they confirm?” he asked.

He said many villagers were terrified because of the explosions, which were heard as far as Marawi City and nearby towns early morning Tuesday.

Rosario gave assurances that the military adhered to the international humanitarian law in all its operations.

“Our intelligence operatives have been closely monitoring the movements of the enemies prior to the conduct of the bomb run. We are certain that no civilians were affected during the bomb run,” Rosario said.

“While we are strengthening our security posture to neutralize the remaining members of the Daulah Islamiyah, we urge the people to remain calm but vigilant,” he added.

—WITH A REPORT FROM DIVINA SUSON

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