A MEMBER of the Daulah Islamiyah was killed in a clash, while his cohort escaped following a clash in the province of South Cotabato, military officials announced Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the firefight broke out around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, in Kablon village, Tupi, South Cotabato.

Vinluan identified the fatality as Jonny Orangdatang alias George Orangdatang, a member of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maguid Group.

He said said the joint team of policemen and military intelligence were fired upon by two unidentified gunmen while they were approaching the hideout of Jalman Orangdatang, a Daulah Islamiyah-Maguid Group member and the target of the law enforcement operation.

Vinluan said a brief firefight ensued when troops retaliated that injured Jonny, who was rushed to the Polomolok Municipal Hospital but expired while under treatment.

He said Jonny’s companion fled towards northeast direction.

Jonny is the brother of Jalman.

Brigadier General Roy Galido, 601st Infantry Brigade command, has ordered the 5th Special Forces Battalion troops to support the clearing and pursuit operations launched by the personnel from Polomolok and Tupi Municipal Police Stations.

Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Central commander, assured that the military will continue to support other security agencies in the conduct of law enforcement operations in Central Mindanao. (SunStar Zamboanga)