11 terrorist killed in Army offensives in Maguindanao del Sur

Police scene-of-the-crime personnel probe the site of clashes between government soldiers and Dawlah Islamiyah terrorists in Maguindanao del Sur on Friday. (Photo from Army 6th Infantry Division)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines – Military officials have confirmed the death of 11 local terrorists, including an alleged leader, during an operation in Datu Hofer town, Maguindanao del Sur, on Friday.

Major Saber Balogan, civil-military operations chief of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, reported that soldiers from the 40th Infantry Battalion encountered Dawlah Islamiyah gunmen in Barangay Tuwayan Mother around 1 p.m. on Friday.

The gunmen are believed to be members of the Salauhiddin Hassan faction.

“The firefight lasted for more than three hours,” Balogan said during a radio interview.

Artillery support was provided to the ground troops, according to Balogan.

He said ground troops, during clearing operations, recovered five M16 rifles, two M-14 assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and five improvised explosive devices.

Balogan confirmed the death of 11 terrorists, noting that their remains were handed over to the local government of Datu Hofer for family claims.

The Army has not yet identified the alleged leader of the group or the 10 other casualties.

However, according to Pangcog, government troops collected fingerprints from the deceased to verify their identities.

An imam was sent to the area to ensure the remains of 11 individuals were buried according to Islamic traditions, he said.

Pangcog noted that locals reported the group’s consolidation in their area.

“Consequently, the operation, supported by air units, targeted the exact location where the enemy was hiding,” he said.

“There was no casualty on the government side,” Balogan said, adding that no civilians were affected, as the clash occurred away from residential areas.

The Hassan faction is suspected to be responsible for a series of bus bombings in Maguindanao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat over the past three years and attacks against government troops.

This operation followed the surrender of 13 Dawlah Islamiyah members to the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in South Cotabato.

Major General Alex S. Rillera, commander of the 6th ID and head of Joint Task Force Central, reported that these members, part of the DI Maguid faction, surrendered on Thursday with firearms and improvised explosive devices to the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion in Barangay Kablon, Tupi, South Cotabato.

“This is the good side of coming out and laying down your guns, you can now live peacefully with your loved ones,” Rillera told the former terrorists.

In total this year, 17 members of the group have been killed, including those in the Datu Hofer operation, two have been arrested, and 18 have surrendered to the Army.

WITH A REPORT FROM JOHN ERIC MENDOZA ( INQUIRER.net)