ZAMBOANGA CITY – Five soldiers were wounded in a clash with Dawlah Islamiya terrorists in the province of Lanao del Sur, a military disclosed Thursday.
Lt. Col. Franco Raphael Alano, 55th Infantry Battalion commander, said the clash ensued when the troops discovered a lair of the Dawlah Islamiya terrorists while on combat operation Wednesday in Barangay Tamparong, Madalum, Lanao del Sur.
Alano said that the troops launched the combat operation in response to the reports from concerned citizens regarding the presence of armed members of Dawlah Islamiya in Barangay Tamparong, Madalum.
Alano said the firefight lasted for almost five hours, after which the terrorists scampered to various directions.
He added saying that the troops recovered improvised explosive devise, IED paraphernalia, various caliber of ammunition, food rations, and various personal belongings.
He said that notably, the troops recovered a hammock of an infant in the terrorist’s lair.
“Despite our continuous conduct of military operations which has resulted to a series of encounters during the previous weeks, it is evident that they have no regard even for their family’s safety, [by] putting them in great danger,” Alano said.
Alano also withheld the identities of the five injured soldiers who immediately undergone medical treatment. – Nikolai Gonzalo
