5 militants, soldier killed in Lanao Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Five militants and a soldier were killed in a military offensive against members of the Islamic State-Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group in Barangay Ragayan in Butig, Lanao del Sur on Thursday.

The slain militants were identified only as Sariguidan, Ipad, Salman, Undih and Sahidi.

The fatality  on the side of the government was identified as Sgt. Rutenvic Jaralve.

Another soldier was wounded in gunfights, Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

He said government troopers conducted the operation after residents reported the presence of armed men in the area.

Cuerpo said they also received intelligence reports that the militants were stockpiling construction materials and food supplies.

Soldiers belonging to the 5th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Romulus Rabara conducted the ground offensive while two attack helicopters of the Philippine Air Force provided air support.

Rabara said four high-powered firearms, a rocket-propelled grenade, rounds of ammunition and an improvised land mine were among those recovered during clearing operations.

Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said the threat of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group has continued to weaken as 64 members were neutralized in the first quarter of the year.

He said the recent offensive in Barangay Ilalag in Maguing, also in Lanao del Sur, was a big blow to the terrorist group as two of its sub-leaders were killed and dozens of high-powered firearms and improvised rockets were recovered from its captured lair.

“We are gaining ground because of the cooperation and support of local government units and various sectors of society and the swift reaction of troops to reports from civilians as to the whereabouts of our adversaries,” Rosario said.

“We will not stop until these menaces of society can no longer bring terror to the communities. We will hit them hard until they surrender and decide to return to the folds of the government,” he added. –  John Unson