A suspected member of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group was killed in a brief gunfight with soldiers in the hinterlands of Salvador town, Lanao del Norte, early Sunday morning, November 9. According to the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division of the Philippine Army, troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion under Joint Task Group “Magbalantay” encountered three heavily armed suspects in Sitio Palangakon, Barangay Pawak, around 6:30 a.m. Two suspects escaped after a 20-minute exchange of gunfire, while the third, identified as Ibrahim Ampaso (also known as “Ibra” or “Abu Raas”), was killed. Ampaso, a high-profile terrorist wanted for operations in Munai and Kauswagan towns, was neutralized during the clash. Soldiers recovered two M16A1 rifles, two M14 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, Baofeng radios, rifle magazines, ammunition, and smartphones from the encounter site. Brigadier General Ronel R. Manalo, commander of JTG Magbalantay, praised the troops’ professionalism and emphasized their commitment to lawful, intelligence-driven operations. Major General Yegor Rey P. Barroquillo Jr., commander of Joint Task Force Zampelan, highlighted the importance of public cooperation in dismantling extremist networks and urged citizens to continue sharing information.
