DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 8 December) — Nine members of the ISIS-inspired Dawlah Islamiyah were reported killed in an aerial and ground offensive launched by the 602nd Infantry Brigade and the Joint Task Force Central of the 6th Infantry Kampilan Division.
“The community and our intelligence confirmed the deaths of the members of Dawlah Islamiyah Hassan Group,” Captain Alex Duma, spokesperson of 602nd Brigade, said in a phone interview Friday.
Brig. Gen. Donald Gumaran, commander of the 602nd Brigade said the operation started on December 5 in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur and nearby areas in Ligawasan Marsh after the group was sighted.
“We monitored this notorious group that poses threats and plans to assemble and plant bombs in civilian populace especially this yuletide season,” Gumaran said.
This came two days after the bombing at Mindanao State University in Marawi City that killed four Catholic mass goers and wounded dozens of others.
The loud explosions alarmed residents of Pikit and Kabacan in Cotabato Province and Datu Montawal and Pagalungan in Maguindanao del Sur.
The military assured no civilians were affected and told them to keep calm in evacuation centers or in their houses during the operation.
The military used the ATMOS-155mm truck artillery howitzer and latest air assets during the operation.
“We are happy that our AFP, PNP, and other force multipliers are working hand in hand to maintain peace and order in our areas of responsibility,” Cotabato Governor Emmylou ‘Lala’ Taliño-Mendoza said during the 4th Quarter Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting Wednesday held at the Provincial Capitol in Kidapawan City.
The meeting also discussed the security preparations made by the military and police for the Holidays.
The PPOC meeting was attended by Maj. Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commander of the 6th ID and Joint Task Force Central. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)
