Army fights with Furuji Indama’s terror group
Credit to Author: DEMPSEY REYES| Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2019 17:48:37 +0000
SOLDIERS on Tuesday clashed with Abu Sayyaf Group members in Maluso, Basilan, where the extremists were allegedly aiming to conduct bombing attacks on urbanized areas.
Maj. Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said the fight with around 15 ASG members under Furuji Indama’s leadership lasted for about 20 minutes at Barangay Calang Canas in Maluso.
The clashes transpired around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, he said.
Encinas, however, explained that this was only a “chance encounter,” since troops of the Philippine Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion were originally conducting security patrolling in the area after receiving reports of the presence of Indama’s group who were reportedly eyeing to conduct attacks through the use of improvised explosive devices (IED).
He noted that the supposed bombing attacks were aimed at military camps and other urbanized areas in Maluso town within the month.
After the firefight, Encinas reported there was no casualties from both sides but the troops were able to recover six IEDs while clearing the encounter side.
Meanwhile, a former member of the Islamic State-inspired Dawlah Islamiya surrendered to the troops of the 49th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Poblacion Bayabao, Butig in Lanao del Sur at 10 a.m. Monday.
Saifoden Macaraya Maute, 36, and a resident of Barangay Tagoranao, Sultan Dumalondong, turned over one M79 grenade launcher and one 40 mm high explosive grenade.
Saifoden was recruited by Dawlah Islamiya sub-leader Mohammad Khayam Romato Maute alias “Otto,” who was killed during Marawi Seige.
Saifoden was fighting the government troops during the focused military operations by the 103rd Infantry Brigade in 2016.
“We would like to attribute this accomplishment to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Posts representatives Maliksaif Masheda,” said Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, Commander of the Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces).
“With all the positive results of our campaigns, we are more motivated to intensify our operations by employing the whole-of-nation approach because we do not want to destroy the trust the people bestowed upon us,” said WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Cirilto Sobejana.
WITH ASANGAN T. MADALE