2 bandits slain in Maguindanao clash
MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Two alleged members of a local terrorist group were killed in a clash with government security forces in Mamasapano town in this province on Saturday.
The firefight erupted after alleged followers of wanted terrorist Abu Toraife, Abdulmalik Esmael in real life, assaulted a team from the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tukanalipao.
Toraife, leader of local terrorist cell Dawlah Islamiya, and his men were wanted for the fatal bombings that rocked areas in Central Mindanao several months ago.
The Dawlah Islamiya is a breakaway group of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Villagers, who identified the fatalities as Katib Amerudin and Madzid Sangid, told authorities they saw the terrorists carrying their comrades’ bodies as they fled toward the border of Mamasapano and Datu Piang.
Officials said three other followers of Toraife – Akmad Dodi, Taugan Mindo and Alam Sarip – were wounded in the clash.
Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said none of the soldiers was wounded in the firefight.
The soldiers were responding to a report about the presence of armed men in Barangay Tukanalipao when they encountered the bandits who were extorting from the villagers.
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