Two members of the Local Terror Group Maute were killed, while one was captured in a law enforcement operation launched by operatives of the military and police in Iligan City

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (February 26, 2017) - Initial report disclosed that the group engaged in an armed confrontation with personnel of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Forces (PNP) after reports were received that the perpetrators flagged down and forcibly drove away a white Ford Ranger XLT pick-up owned by a businessman Othelo Adiong, 36 who was driving the car when they were stopped. With Mr. Adiong in the vehicle were his mother Elvira Adiong, 62, his wife Esthepanie Adiong and their son, who are residents of Iligan City and are on their way to their store when they were ordered to step down from the car by the armed Maute members along C3 road Brgy. Ubaldo Laya in Iligan City, Friday morning, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Information Officer Cpt. Jo-Ann D. Petinglay said responding SAF members chased the white Elantra vehicle of the carnappers and eventually intercepted the said vehicle along Camague Road and arrested the driver who was identified as Eyeman Alonto from Marawi City. Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger which was driven towards the opposite direction by the carnappers was intercepted along the boundary of Iligan and Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte by the responding personnel from the CAA patrol base under 4Mech Battalion, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army. Suspects fired at the government forces who were on checkpoint and blocking positions after they were alerted of the incident hence, the shootout.

Petinglay said, as a result, the enemy incurred two casualties who were later identified as Azzam Ampua Tahir and a certian Wowie, both from the Local Terror Maute group. Also, the arrested suspect was immediately turned over to the PNP Iligan City.

Also recovered by the troops were an M4 rifle with three magazines and 60 rounds of ammunition and a Caliber .45 pistol belonging to the group, Petinglay added.

“The prompt response of the government forces, as well as the quick coordination made by the police with the military, have led to the successful neutralization and  arrest of the members of the terror group and the recovery of their firearms,” said Major General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command.

“I would like to laud the forces for the readiness and professionalism they have manifested. And I am assuring the public that the government forces will continue to look after cities and communities so that these bad elements will not be able to freely conduct any atrocities", MGen Galvez added.”