ON Saturday, April 13, Philippine troops from the 103rd Infantry Brigade encountered members of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) in Barangay Lindongan, Munai, Lanao del Norte.
The clash was a result of the ongoing offensive by the military against the remaining terrorist groups in the area.
The exchange of gunfire between the soldiers and the rebel group lasted for about 20 minutes, and due to the effective actions of the soldiers, they were able to push back the enemy.
After the gun battle, the military recovered the bodies of three members of the terrorist group.
The slain rebels were identified as Nezrin Sandab, a.k.a. Firdaus; Saipal Abubacar, a.k.a. Fariz; and Pabo Zainoden Radia, a.k.a. Musab.
Soldiers also recovered three M14 rifles, 7.62mm ammunition, and six backpacks.
During the encounter, one soldier sustained minor injuries and was immediately evacuated to the hospital.
LtGen. William Gonzales, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, commended the success of the 103IB troops.
He also called for prayers for the safety of the soldiers who continue to fight against the remaining terrorist threats in their area.
“We ask for prayers from the peace-loving people of Mindanao for the safety of our soldiers who continuously work hard to successfully eliminate the remaining threats in our area of operation,” LtGen. William Gonzales, Commander, Western Mindanao Command added.
2 ex-CTG members in Northern Samar surrender to PH government
On the same day, two former members of the communist terrorist group CPP-NPA-NDF voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Northern Samar.
The two former rebels, identified as Joey Bartolo and Angel Derigino, surrendered to the Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company in Brgy. 8 Poblacion, Pambujan, Northern Samar.
Bartolo and Derigino were both members of the Sub-Regional Committee Emporium, Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
Both of them said they decided to leave the rebel group due to the extreme hardships they experienced and chose to surrender to the government instead.
Bartolo and Derigino are currently in the custody of the 2nd Northern Samar PMFC and are expected to receive the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program to be able to be reintegrated back into society and live their life anew.
