Government troops apprehend three Maute-ISIS sympathizers

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (January 24, 2018) – Troops under Joint Task Force “Ranao” and Philippine National Police forces nabbed three sympathizers of the Maute-ISIS group, Tuesday (January 23) in Lanao del Sur, military official said.

Information officer Maj Ronald E Suscano, 1^st Infantry (TABAK) Division, disclosed that Joint Task Group HARIBON under JTF Ranao and Provincial PNP of Lanao del Sur conducted the law enforcement operations in response to civilian report of armed presence at Brgy. Gacap, Piagapo, LDS.

Maj Suscano said that JTG HARIBON identified the suspects as Apao Macod Dimacaling, Brad Alexander and Jalal Ramal Berongon a.k.a. Mayor and recovered from them two (2) calibre 45 pistols.

Colonel Generoso M Ponio INF (GSC) PA, Commander of 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the apprehended personalities were involved on the killings of three (3) Christian civilian vendors who were found dead at the border of Piagapo and Balindong towns in Lanao del Sur last December 6, 2017.

“Based on our initial debriefing from the arrested personalities, they revealed that there are still five (5) persons involved on the killings of said Christian vendors selling household items,” said Col Ponio.

Major Geeneral Roseller G Murillo AFP, 1ID Commander, commended the troops of the Joint Task Group HARIBON and the PNP counterparts for the successful mission.

“The recent accomplishment of our troops only shows that the civilian community is getting more supportive in our efforts to totally crash-out not only the remnants of Maute-ISIS group but their civilian sympathizers as well,” Maj Gen Murillo said.

“We shall continue working with other stakeholders and also the civilian community in accomplishing our mandate to serve the Filipino people,” he added.