ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The operating troops of the 51st Infantry Battalion (51IB) encountered around 30 members of Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) in the mountains of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte on August 21.
The fight ended after three hours with no casualty on the government side.
The Army troopers recovered seven improvised explosive devices, five backpacks, and a 15-meter commercial wire.
Immediately after the encounter, the engaged troops conducted pursuit operations. Artillery units and the Philippine Air Force provided fire and air support to the operating troops on the ground.
51IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Fernando L. Payapaya said the battalion is seriously determined to end the existing terrorism in their area of operations.
“We will never stop or even delay pursuing them. The only option they have is to surrender, otherwise, they will be slain and destroyed in our series of military operations,” Payapaya said.
On August 15, troops from 51IB also engaged 30 fighters from the same terrorist group led by a certain Abu Bakar/Abu Zacaria, according to Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo, 103rd Infantry Brigade and JTG HARIBON commander.
“We have received reports from the residents on the presence of the armed group, and the military units operating within the area responded quickly to the reports,” said Cuerpo.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Gene M. Ponio, the 1ID and JTF ZAMPELAN commander, urged the local populace to continue to report any threats and illegal activities that disrupt peace and prosperity in their community to the security forces.
“We ensure the public that we will respond to their call 24/7 to secure and protect them from any threats and to sustain the peace and progress in our area of responsibility,” Ponio said.
Almost 450 families from the municipality of Tangcal and Munai were affected and some of them were forced to leave their homes. Soldiers from the 11th Division Reconnaissance Company and 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion are scouring the forested area between Munai and Tangcal. (1st Infantry Tabak Division)
