Soldiers avert tragedy as 3 IEDs were discovered in Lanao del Sur

PAGADIAN CITY (Feb. 5, 2021) - Military troops averted a major tragedy when they discovered three Improvised Explosive Devices in Sitio Udangon, Barangay Tamporong, Madalum, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

According to WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., the troops from the 55th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat clearing operation at around 11:55 a.m. when they discovered two IEDs situated along the trail in the area where their comrades previously encountered more or less 20 members of the Daulah Islamiyah/Maute Group.

55IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Franco Raphael Alano said, “Both IEDs were placed on tin cans wrapped with masking tapes. One of the IEDs was buried on the ground while the other one was tied on a tree about 10 meters away from the first.”

“The IED buried on the ground is probably a pressure-release type,” said Lt. Col. Alano.

Troops marked the location of the IEDs for reference and future disposal while they continued to scour the area.

At around 1:00 p.m. same day, operating troops discovered another explosive tied on a tree, five meters away from the 2nd IED.

They immediately coordinated with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team for the proper handling and disposal of the IEDs.

Brig. Gen.  Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, stated that on January 31, military troops encountered more or less 20 members of the Daulah Islamiyah/Maute Group in the said location which resulted in the death of one soldier and the wounding of two others.

“The gallantry of our soldiers serves as our inspiration to exert the best effort in crushing the remaining terrorists in our area of operation,” said Brig. Gen. Cuerpo II.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commended the troops of the 55IB for remaining steadfast while mourning the loss of their comrade.

“I truly commend and salute the diligence and commitment of our troops who are at the frontline,” said Maj. Gen. Ponio.

Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. said the military continues to intensify operations and take preemptive and decisive actions to counter desperate attacks employed by the terrorists to inflict casualties not only on the armed forces but on the civilians as well. (By JONG CADION with report and photos from WestMinCom)

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