ILIGAN CITY (July 27) – A member of the Maute-ISIS terror group was killed when troops of the 49th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, raided a hideout, 9:00 a.m. Thursday, in Barangay Sawer, Masiu, Lanao del Sur.
Major Ronald Suscano, chief of the 1st Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, said the military acted on the information from the residents that five unidentified men, with fire arms, occupied a house in the area for a week already. The military identified the slain terrorist as Zainal Candidato, through the documents and identification cards recovered from the area.
“A brief firefight, that lasted for 10 minutes, ensued as the operating troops were fired upon by the armed men while approaching the target area,” Suscano said.
Other documents showed that Panarigan Tama Baoraki, alias Golden Boy and Hadji Rasul Amimbering were in the area and believed to be two of the four armed men who were able to escape during the firefight. Both were alleged leaders of the lawless group and supporters of the MAUTE-ISIS terrorist operating in Lanao del Sur.
Soldiers also recovered three M16 rifles, two rocket propelled grenade (RPG) Launchers, two grenades, ISIS Banners, six sachets of believed to be shabu, other drug paraphernalias, and one cellular phone. There was no casualties reported on the government side.
“I commend the people of Lanao del Sur, for reporting the presence of the MAUTE-ISIS terrorists, and the troops of JTF ZAMPELAN for swift and decisive action that led to the successful operations”, said Major General Roseller G Murillo, the Commander of the 1st Infantry Division, in a statement said. (Divina Suson/ NewsLine)
