By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (February 20, 2018) - Troops while conducting pursuit operation,
apprehended two lawless elements in Maguindanao around 10am Sunday (February
18), military official said.
Western
Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed
that the pursuit operation was conducted following an Improvised Explosive
Device (IED) explosion that resulted to the wounding of five soldiers from the
Alpha Company of the 57th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay,
Maguindanao Sunday morning.
Cpt.
Petinglay said that the wounded soldiers were immediately rushed to the
Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Maguindanao and were later
transferred to Camp Siongco Station Hospital, Awang Dos, Maguindanao for
further medications. A post blast investigation was conducted by the 32nd
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, 3rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company in
the blast site which led to the recovery of shrapnels of a 105 HE projectile.
Cpt
Petinglay further said that the troops from the 57IB, 21st Mechanized Company,
and 63rd Division Reconnaissance Company conducted pursuit operation to capture
the perpetrator of the IED explosion which resulted to the apprehension of
Omisalam Andakay for the illegal possession of one carbine with ten magazines
and forty-five rounds of ammunition, and Kapadtong Mamalak for the illegal
possession of one homemade twelve-gauge shotgun with twelve rounds of
ammunition.
“Andakay
and Mamalak and the firearms seized were already turned-over to Datu Unsay
Municipal Police Station for the filing of appropriate charges,” said Major
General Arnel dela Vega, Commander of the Joint Task Force Central.
Meanwhile,
an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was recovered by the Alpha Company of the
68th Infantry Battalion in Sumisip, Basilan Province, Cpt Petinglay added.
“The enemy
tried to detonate the said IED but it failed to explode,” said Brigadier
General Juvymax Uy, Commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.
Cpt.
Petinglay said that the IED component that has an estimated weight of around
4.5 kilos was brought to the 68IB camp for disposal.
“The
incident reminds us that despite our efforts, enemies will still continue to
lay out plans in order to inflict casualty among our troops,” said Lieutenant
General Carlito Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
“The need
to be more careful and vigilant is a must in both our administrative and
operational activities.”
“I am still
thankful that our soldiers maintained presence of mind, further denying the
enemy to advance towards them. It is also a relief that they only sustained
minor injuries.”
“WestMinCom
troops will continue to pursue our mission even if there are challenges that
will put our lives in danger,” LtGen Galvez added.
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