TWO alleged members of the ISIS-inspired Maute Terrorist Group and one soldier were killed, as government troops launched early Tuesday dawn, March 1, 2022, operations, including airstrikes, in Maguing, Lanao del Sur.
In an initial report, First Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Mary Jepte Mañebog said two Maute members and one soldier were killed in the operation, while another soldier was wounded.
Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Andrew Linao said the operations started around 2 a.m. in Barangay Ilalag against around 50 armed terrorist members led by a certain Abu Zacharia.
He said 12 bombs were dropped in the area in a bid to neutralize the terrorists.
“Now, pursuit operation na, habulan na ito. From purely combat operation, nagiging pursuit operation na,” Linao said.
“Actually, combat operation ito composed of four units. ‘Yung involved, ang mga battalions natin malalaki na grupo confronting dun sa Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group and then meron tayong combat and then nagsupport ‘yung air assets natin, two air assets. Naglaglag ng sampung bomba, and then follow up na dalawa. Syempre nagtakbuhan na ‘yung kalaban,” he added.
He said the operation is still ongoing.
Linao urged the residents in nearby communities to remain calm.
“Then ang panawagan lang natin sa mga communities is maging mahinahon lang, stay put lang dun sa mga communities nila kasi malayo naman ito sa mga communities. Baka nag-aalala ‘yung mga counterparts natin ba, especially civilian communities. Malayo ito sir, wala tayong namonitor so far na mga casualties dun sa civilian side,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)