2 lawless elements apprehended; firearms and explosive seized

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.