GOVERNMENT troops have discovered a hastily abandoned camp while pursuing the remnants of the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute group, now known as the Dawlah Islamiya, in the province of Lanao del Sur, military officials said.
Major General Roberto Ancan, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said the camp was discovered around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 21, while the troops were conducting clearing operation in Paridi Village, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.
Ancan, who is also the Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) commander, said the troops have recovered from the camp several components of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), medicines, medical paraphernalia, food stuffs and other personal belongings.
Ancan said the camp, which appeared to be hastily abandoned, can accommodate around 20 people or more. The troops were pursuing the evading Dawlah Islamiya members when they found the camp.
“We have seized an enemy cache used by Dawlah Islamiya fighters as storage of their explosive components and food supply,” he added.
The camp was discovered a day after the troops arrested three young members of the Dawlah Islamiya also in Paridi Village.
Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, said the discovery of the camp is an indication that they continue to have “substantial gain in as far as our drive to annihilate terrorist groups is concerned.”
“As we constrict local terrorists’ movement and penetrate their previous strongholds, we are confident that gradual progress is made in our anti-terrorism campaign,” Sobejana said. (SunStar Philippines)