In this Feb. 25, 2015, photo, soldiers on board a military truck are seen in Pikit, North Cotabato, on an “all-out offensive operation” against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. JEOFFREY MAITEM/INQUIRER MINDANAO
COTABATO CITY—Four armed men said to be part of a group coddling fugitive Mayor Montasir Sabal, and a soldier were killed during a clash in the periphery of the Liguasan Marsh on Monday, the military said Tuesday.
The clash came as authorities continued to pursue Sabal, who had eluded a joint police and military operation on Friday, during which two helicopter gunships and about 10 armored personnel carriers were used to back some 300 soldiers and policemen involved in the operation.
Sabal and his brother, Abdulwahab, were earlier tagged as among Maguindanao’s “narco-politicians” by President Duterte.
While Abdulwahab has been arrested on charges of illegal possession of firearms, the mayor has proved to be elusive.
Major General Carlito Galvez Jr., commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Staff Sergeant Govanni Olimpo was manning a machinegun mounted on an Australian-made hovercraft in Maguindanao marshland when hit by a bullet.
“He died serving his country, helping the government carry on its anti-narcotics campaign,” Galvez said of Olimpo, who was hit in his middle torso.
Talitay officials confirmed a military report that four gunmen were also killed in the clash.
Abu Misri Mama, speaking for the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), said it was his group that clashed with the Army Special Forces in the borders of Talitay and Datu Anggal Midtimbang towns on Monday.
Mama said only one of their members was killed.
Colonel Markton Abo, speaking for the 6th ID, said the military and the police continue to hunt down Sabal and his heavily armed followers. CBB/rga