DAVAO CITY – — A member of terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya was killed while three others were wounded in an encounter over the weekend in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur on Saturday morning.
Military offficials from 601st Infantry Brigade confirmed on Monday that Merlo Pasandalan, a wanted terrorist member was killed, which was confirmed by Army Brig. Gen. Oriel Libres Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, and Col. Roel Rullan Sermese, Maguindanao del Sur police director, separately confirmed his identity.
Pangcog said the firefight broke out when Mling and his companions opened fire on soldiers dispatched to check their presence in the area, as reported by villagers.
The military also revealed that Muslim clerics opposed to the activities of the Dawlah Islamiya, have confirmed to reporters and officials of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division that three of Mling’s companions, Kadir Tangan Mindoh, Samarudin Didao Namla and Salem Muntak Junaid were wounded in the ensuing gunfight.
The three wounded terrorists were seen being carried away from the scene by companions as they fled when they sensed that Army and police reinforcements were closing in.
Pangcog said soldiers found beside Mling’s cadaver an M79 grenade launcher, an M14 assault rifle, and an improvised .45 caliber machine pistol, now in the custody of the 40th IB.
