GOVERNMENT troops have recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and IED components following a clash that resulted to the death of an alleged member of the Dawlah Islamiya in Lanao del Sur, the military said Saturday, January 25.
Brigadier General Generoso Ponio, newly-installed Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said the clash happened around 4:30 p.m. Friday in the boundaries of the towns of Balindong and Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.
Ponio said the clash ensued as the troops of the Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Rafman Altre spotted a group of Dawlah Islamiya terrorists while on security patrol in the area.
He said the clash, which lasted for about 15-minutes resulted to the death of Dawlah Islamiya member as Jarir Usman, 28, a resident of Raya Saduc Village, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur based on the identification card the troops recovered at the clash site.
The military official said the remains of Usman was immediately turned over by the troops to the officials of Gacap Village, Piagapo for proper disposition.
He said some of the Dawlah Islamiya members, who fled, were wounded as traces of bloodstains were found in their withdrawal route while no one among the troops were hurt.
Ponio added that the troops have recovered at the clash site one M-16 Armalite rifle, four IEDs, two kilograms of explosive components, a magazine of M-16 ammunition, a cellphone, a container of rice, personal belongings, and subversive documents with high intelligence value. (SunStar Zamboanga)