11 Local Terrorists (Maute) nabbed, 8 high-powered firearms seized in Lanao del Sur

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (May 16, 2017) - Eleven (11) members of the Local Terrorist Group-Maute were apprehended in a joint raid conducted by the Joint Task Force Central soldiers, the Lanao Del Sur PNP, and agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at the terrorists’ safe-houses in Lanao del Sur early morning yesterday, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that soldiers of the 6th Infantry Batallion and the PNP Marogong, deliberately raided the safe houses of the LTG-Maute members at 6 AM in Bgry. Romagondong, Marogong in the nearby province of Lanao del Sur that resulted to the apprehension of eleven (11) local terrorist.

Cpt. Petinglay said that Abdulah Daos, Nasif Esmael, Gutingon Alah, Tayro Mamanoc, Ekmad Esmail, Alvin Adam, Monib Gutumongan, Ibrahim Caronan, Cayrodin Ditarongan, Camsi Lao, and Gaso Mazo Badua were inside the safe houses during the raid.

All were apprehended and brought to the Maronong PNP station for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.

"Per initial debriefing from the arrested personalities, the Maute group use the place as staging areas whenever they plan to conduct atrocities and bombing of different targets," says Major General Arnel Delavega, Commander of the Joint Task Force Central.

"They also revealed that most of the time, they provide and prepare the logistical requirements of their fellow Maute Group members when planning for a specific terror act."

Also seized during the raid are eight (8) high powered firearms that include: one (1) 60 mm mortar; one (1) M60 machine gun; one (1) Barret (home-made); one (1) RPG; one (1) M14 rifle; one (1) M16 rifle; one (1) Garand rifle; and one (1) Carbine rifle, said Cpt. Petinglay.

Apprehended persons said that the firearms are used by the Maute in the conduct of terroristic activities.

"We laud the troops of Joint Task Force Central headed by Major General Arnel Delavega for this very successful mission," says Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"This is just one of the Local Terrorist Group-Maute's safe havens and it will just be a matter of time that we get the other areas where they are hiding."

As of this report, troops of the Joint Task Force Central are still in the area for follow-on from the information gathered from the apprehended persons. Cpt. Petinglay added.

Terrorist - No place in Central Mindanao

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur - The Maute Local Terror Group which is also known as the Dawlah Islamiya Philippines, is operating in fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and have cells in the different areas such as in Central Mindanao.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed, in joint efforts revealed that the said group had been conducting recruitment among the youth in the area of Cotabato City and in far as Sultan Kudarat and General Santos thru its affiliation with the Ansar Khilafa Philippines (AKP), another Daesh-inspired group.

Just recently, operations in Central Mindanao against these groups and the BIFF (also Daesh-inspired), resulted to the cutting of their links and support system, and such successes were attributed to the unified efforts of all local Government units, traditional and religious leaders, the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said Cpt. Petinglay.

“We also had operations in Barira, Maguindanao ealier this year where two (2) of their members were nabbed and nine (9) get-away vehicles owned by ParhanaMaute were recovered,” says Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“Yung operation naiyon, nagmula ang impormasyon mismo sa local officials ng lugar kaya nakuha natin ang grupo nila ng nagtatago sa Barira.”

“Nagpapahiwatig lang ito, na hindi sila pwedeng magpalago o magtagosa area ng Central Mindanao, dahil ang mga Central Mindanoans ay hindi papaya na andun sila at sirain ng mga Daesh-inspired groups na ito ang kanilang mapayapang pamumuhay,” adds the WestMinCom Chief.

People’s Awareness of Daesh-inspired Group’s activities resulted to unify efforts against terrorism

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Around 300 Ulama and Ustadzes from all over the country attended an Ulama Summit in Cotabato City started on Friday (May 12) for three days.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Information Officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the activity was orchestrated by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor, Hon Mujiv S. Hataman and the Darul Ifta, with the objective of putting awareness and a common stand against the looming threats brought about by extremism and terrorism in the different communities,

Lieutenant General Galvez, Jr attended the event as guest speaker, discussed terrorism and security in the Southern Philippines.

He said that there is need to unite all efforts to win the war against the Islamic extremism and terrorism in our region. Galvez stressed the need to condemn all terror actions of international and local terrorist groups.

“Itong nangyayari ngayon na sunod sunod na accomplishments ng mga Government forces ay resulta ng ating pagsisikap naipaalam sa lahat ng sector ang lagim na maaring maidulot ng mga Daesh-inspired groups naito.”

“Marahil, namulat na ang mga mata ng lahat na talaga ng laganap ang recruitment at paghahasik ng kasamaan ng mga terroristang grupo, at kinakailangan na magtulongtulong ang lahat upang puksain ang paglaganap nito.”

Capt. Petinglay said that all WestMinCom units on the roll in the fight against terror Forces of the Western Mindanao Command are in full throttle in their respective missions targeting threat groups within their areas.

In Basilan, an enemy encampment was seized by troops of the Joint Task Force Basilan last May 11, 2017. Three (3) Improvised Explosive Devises were also recovered from the encampment, Cpt. Petinglay added.

Cpt. Petinglay further added that just on Saturday (May 13) in Tawi-tawi, an ASG/KFRG member was also nabbed by the marines after he was pinpointed by his neighbors as a member of the bandit group. Follow-on operations are now being crafted after the apprehended bandit revealed information on the whereabouts of his companions.

"Again, we are calling on the people of Western Mindanao, especially in Lanao del Sur Province to continue helping us in this endeavor of defeating all terrorist groups in respective areas,” adds LtGen Galvez.

"The recent successes could greatly be attributed to the information and intelligence provided for by the local community, that do not want terrorism to thrive within their own backyard."

“We will surely win this if we are all together fighting and doing our share in the effort to defeating terrorism in our respective communities,” says the WestMinCom Chief who has the operational Command in the entire of Western Mindanao.