Air, ground assault in Maguindanao vs Dawlah Islamiyah leaves 1 dead

Government troops seizes six high-powered firearms after an encounter with Dawlah Islamiyah-Torayfe group in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao. Contributed photo.

MANILA, Philippines — A member of the Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiyah-Torayfe group was killed in what the military called a “preventive military operations” in Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao on Monday morning, authorities said.

The Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, in a statement on Monday night, identified the fatality as Sadam Salandang alias Sadam.

The cadaver was turned over to local officials of Datu Salibo for proper burial, the 6ID added.

BGen. Eduardo Gubat, acting commander of 6ID and JTF Central, said the team’s field artillery conducted indirect fire aimed at the area where the armed members were hiding at Sitio Patawali, Barangay Ganta.

“Their forces were further weakened after the close air support was conducted in the right place of the target,” Gubat also said in the statement.

Six high-powered guns were also seized after the incident, according to 6IB.

The 6IB said the said 600 residents have been evacuated to a daycare center of the said village.

In 2017, police reported that the Islamic State-influenced Abu Torayfe was injured and eventually died after a joint military and police operation in Maguindanao.

Torayfe was blamed for the series of bombings in Maguindanao, Cotabato, and South Cotabato, targeting government forces and civilians.

EDV