Troops recover P52M in a terrorist sniper position in Marawi

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 7, 2017) - Troops confronting the Daesh-inspired Maute/ASG in house to house battle recovered voluminous cash amounting to 52,200,000 Pesos in Marawi City in the nearby province of Lanao del Sur on Monday, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that while platoon led by 1Lt Frederick Savellano PN(M) of 37th Marine Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team7 was conducting clearing operations recovered P52.2M & stale cheques worth P23,776,386.71 at a residence in Brgy Saduc Proper, Marawi City at about 11:30 am. Same unit recovered an M16 serial number J253360 on the said house after they neutralized a sniper position that fired at an adjacent side of the Scout Rangers.

Marine forces doing house to house clearing against the terrorists recovered the amount and under constant fire, a team extricated the area to surrender the millions to the HQs of Task Force Marawi.

Cpt. Petinglay said that the recovered money will be for safekeeping of proper authorities until appropriate investigation is conducted and proper identification of owner is established.

This act is a manifestation for keeping the highest standard of discipline, valor and commitment in safeguarding Marawi and defending the community from terror elements, she added.

Brig. Gen. Joselito Rolando Bautista, commander of Task Force Marawi also commended troops for their act of honesty as he pointed the destruction done by terrorists. "We are proud of our soldiers in the field. Their commendable actions in caring for our people bespeak of the best practices in the AFP" Brig. Gen. Bautista said.

We condemn the propaganda of Maute/ASG and their sympathizers in peddling twisted data and disinformation to advocate violence and evil acts. Further, we also condemn the Maute/ASG and their sympathizers for looting houses, burning school buildings and houses and destroyed many properties in Marawi particularly desecrating house of worships such as mosques and church, adds Cpt. Petinglay.